Myth Beyond Heaven

Chapter 2566: A Pawn (1)



BOOM!!!

The explosion that followed was deafening, the shockwaves rippling through the battlefield and beyond. The ground was torn apart, and the air was filled with a chaotic mix of light and darkness. For a moment, it seemed as if the entire world had been consumed by the clash of these two overwhelming forces.

When the dust settled, Xi Baihe stood amidst the ruins, her figure battered and bloodied. Her silver hair was disheveled, and her once-radiant aura had dimmed significantly. She coughed, a trickle of blood escaping her lips, but her eyes still burned with defiance.

Yun Lintian stepped forward, his expression calm but resolute. "It's over, Xi Baihe. You've lost."

Xi Baihe's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Lost? No, Yun Lintian. This is far from over. The Lord of Chaos will-"

Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden, overwhelming presence descended upon the battlefield. The air grew heavy, and the ground trembled as if the very earth was bowing to this new arrival. Yun Lintian and Ye Yingxi instinctively turned their heads, their senses on high alert.

A figure emerged from the shadows, his presence commanding and his aura suffocating. He was tall, with sharp features and eyes that seemed to pierce through the soul. His long black hair flowed like a river of darkness, and his robes were adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and change with every movement.

Yun Lintian's grip tightened on the Heaven Piercing Sword as he observed the newcomer. The man's aura was unlike anything he had ever felt-an overwhelming pressure that seemed to crush the very air around him. It was as if the heavens themselves were bowing to his

presence.

Yun Lintian's instincts screamed at him to be cautious. This man was dangerous, far more dangerous than Xi Baihe had ever been.

Xi Baihe, still struggling to stand amidst the ruins, turned her head slightly to glance at the newcomer. Her eyes widened in confusion and shock. She had never seen this man before, and yet, his presence felt strangely familiar, as if he carried the weight of an ancient, divine power.

"Who... are you?" she managed to croak out, her voice weak but laced with suspicion.

The man didn't answer her. Instead, he raised his hand, his movements calm and deliberate. A faint, almost imperceptible ripple of energy emanated from his palm, and in the next moment, Xi Baihe's body froze in place. Her eyes widened in horror as she felt an invisible force wrap around her, constricting her movements and cutting off her energy flow.

"W-what...?" Xi Baihe gasped, her voice trembling with fear. She tried to struggle, but it was futile. The force holding her was absolute, as if the very laws of the world had turned against her.

Yun Lintian and Ye Yingxi exchanged a quick glance, their expressions tense. They didn't know who this man was, but his actions spoke volumes. He had effortlessly immobilized Xi Baihe, a cultivator who had just moments ago been a formidable threat. This man was on an entirely different level.

Before anyone could react, the man's fingers twitched slightly, and a sharp, piercing sound echoed through the battlefield. Xi Baihe's body convulsed, her eyes widening in shock as a brilliant light erupted from her chest.

Her Divine Core, the source of her immense power, was forcibly extracted from her body, floating into the man's open palm.

Xi Baihe's lips parted, but no sound came out. Her body began to disintegrate, turning into specks of light that scattered into the wind. Her eyes, filled with disbelief and fear, locked onto the man's calm, composed face until the very last moment. And then, she was gone.

The battlefield fell silent. Yun Lintian and Ye Yingxi stared at the scene, their minds reeling. Xi Baihe, the mighty Divine Light Empress, had been killed in an instant.

The man glanced down at the Divine Core in his hand, his expression indifferent, as if he had just performed a trivial task. The core emitted a soft, divine light, its energy pure and overwhelming. He examined it for a moment before closing his fingers around it, the light dimming as if it had been sealed.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Then, he turned his gaze to Yun Lintian. His eyes, sharp and piercing, seemed to see through everything. A faint smile played on his lips, but it was not a friendly smile. It was the smile of someone who knew they were superior, someone who brimmed with pride and arrogance.

"Yun Lintian," the man said, his voice calm and composed, yet carrying an undeniable weight. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Yun Lintian's expression remained guarded. He didn't lower his sword, his grip tightening as he prepared for anything. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with caution. The man's smile widened slightly. "My name is Fan Shen. I am the God of Mortals."

The words hung in the air, heavy with significance. Yun Lintian's eyes narrowed. He didn't expect to meet Fan Shen here and in this condition. His mind started to race, trying to find a way out.

Fan Shen's gaze swept over Yun Lintian, as if appraising him. "You've done well to reach this point," he said, his tone almost conversational. "Defeating Xi Baihe is no small feat, even if she was weakened. But tell me, Yun Lintian, do you truly believe you can change the fate of this realm?"

Yun Lintian's expression hardened. "I don't know about changing fate," he said, his voice firm. "But I will do whatever it takes to protect those I care about."

Fan Shen chuckled, a low, almost mocking sound. "A noble sentiment. But sentimentality has no place in the grand scheme of things. The Lord of Chaos is coming, Yun Lintian. And when he arrives, even your combined strength will be nothing more than a fleeting spark in the face

of his power."

Yun Lintian furrowed his brow hard. He initially thought that the Lord of Chaos and Fan Shen could be the same person, but it didn't seem to be the case now.

Moreover, from Fan Shen's words and demeanor, it was clear that he didn't belong to the Lord of Chaos' faction as well.

"What is your intention exactly?" Yun Lintian asked.

"My intention?" Fan Shen's expression remained calm, almost indifferent. "Of course, to be a

new Creator."

Yun Lintian's expression turned solemn as he tightened his grip on the sword.

Fan Shen's smile returned, but it was colder this time. "As for you, you are nothing but a pawn in this game. Do you understand? A pawn can only be manipulated by the players."

He paused for a moment and said with a smile, "How about becoming my pawn?"