Myth Beyond Heaven

2218 Change Of Face

A veil of solemnity descended upon Yun Tianlong's face. "Qing Shui… alive?" As the founder of the Azure Cloud Yun Clan, he was naturally familiar with Qing Shui's history. However, Qing Shui had vanished without a trace after establishing the Azure Royal Clan. To learn of his continued existence within the grove was a revelation.

Yun Wuhan shared his shock. "A True God? I'm aware of them, of course, but I never thought I'd encounter one in person."

"What course of action do you propose?" Yun Tianlong inquired.

Yun Lintian furrowed his brow in contemplation. "I suspect he harbors ulterior motives. Perhaps he desires to seize control of my body."

"The audacity!" Yun Wuhan roared, his anger flaring.

A deep frown creased Yun Tianlong's brow. "How do you know?"

Yun Lintian offered a grim nod. "He instructed me to sever all karmic ties with those around me. I've encountered several True Gods in my previous world, and none of them spoke of such a thing. The only time they expressed caution regarding karma was when avoiding unwanted entanglements. Clearly, Qing Shui has a hidden agenda. The only explanation I can think of right now is that he desires to possess my body, allowing him to escape the burden of karma later."

"First Ancestor," Yun Lintian addressed Yun Tianlong, "you, as a Lower God yourself, understand this concept well. The closer one reaches the pinnacle of power, the more death becomes a terrifying prospect. A True God like Qing Shui wouldn't relinquish the possibility of extending his existence. Perhaps he's been cultivating a suitable vessel all this time, waiting for the opportune moment."

Yun Tianlong offered a grave nod of agreement. A God Realm cultivator, despite their extended lifespans, harbored a fear of death unlike any other. Having toiled so arduously to reach such heights, how could they be content with the notion of their existence ending?

"How should we handle him?" Yun Wuhan inquired, a flicker of worry in his eyes.

"Leave it to me, Dad," Yun Lintian assured him with a confident smile. "Initially, I avoided revealing my strength to the outside world. But things are different now."

Yun Wuhan studied his son intently. "Can you tell me your true power level?"

"My current cultivation is at the High God Realm," Yun Lintian explained, "but my actual strength is likely around the peak of the God Ascension Realm. I can even contend with a True God, though the outcome depends on their mastery. Qing Shui, being just a remnant soul, poses no threat."

While he lacked the Beyond Heaven King's Crown, the combined power of his bloodlines and relics surpassed what any True God in this world could likely possess. However, he remained uncertain of their true strength.

Yun Wuhan's jaw dropped. "How old are you, exactly?" he stammered.

"My actual age is around a hundred," Yun Lintian replied. "But factoring in the time I spent within a secret realm with an accelerated time flow, it's closer to two hundred." Time itself seemed a distant concept for Yun Lintian at this point.

"Two hundred years… a High God?" Yun Wuhan repeated, disbelief coloring his voice.

Unlike Yun Wuhan, Yun Tianlong remained unfazed. He'd long recognized Yun Lintian's extraordinary potential.

A wistful sigh escaped Yun Wuhan's lips. "Ah, how I wish I could see your world." He understood that Yun Lintian's return to his own world was inevitable.

"Perhaps there will be an opportunity for you, Dad," Yun Lintian offered softly. While the thought of leaving his father, and potentially his mother, filled him with dread, his family back home awaited his return. He couldn't simply remain here.

Yun Wuhan offered a reassuring smile. "There's no need for empty promises, son. Your family back home must be frantic."

Yun Lintian pressed his lips together, unable to voice the turmoil within him.

"Perhaps travel between worlds is possible," Yun Tianlong interjected thoughtfully. "There must be a reason you arrived here. Once we unravel that mystery, a way might present itself."

A flicker of hope ignited in Yun Lintian's eyes. He felt an intuitive connection to the power of time, a feeling that perhaps this was the key.

"Let's table this discussion for now," Yun Wuhan suggested. "When do you plan to depart?"

"I'll finalize everything within this week," Yun Lintian replied.

"A week, then." Yun Wuhan nodded slowly, a hint of resignation in his voice.

***

News of the Yun Clan's permanent right to manage the Azure Spring Grove spread like wildfire through Azure Cloud City, igniting a storm of commotion. Participants in the competition were particularly disgruntled, yet they were powerless to resist. An edict from the Azure Emperor held the weight of an imperial decree.

A somber mood hung heavy over the Chen Clan. Every member gathered within the hall, their faces etched with frustration.

"This can't be happening!" Chen Zitao snarled, his voice laced with fury.

Seated at the head of the hall, Chen Mujin, the aged founder of the Chen Clan, surveyed the gathering with a calm demeanor. "You have disappointed me. The Chen Clan has never stooped to such a level of ineptitude."

Shamefaced silence descended upon the room. Yet, a murmur of discontent rippled through the crowd. How could this be solely their fault?

"What should we do, First Ancestor?" Chen Zitao spat, his anger reignited by Yun Lintian's success at the convention and now this latest development.

Chen Mujin shook his head with a sigh. "In this situation, our options are limited. The Chen Clan finds itself at the Yun Clan's mercy."

He wasn't naive; a simple favoritism towards the Yun Clan by the Azure Royal Clan didn't seem likely. The prospect of the Yun Clan holding such sway over the Azure Royal Clan was a more plausible explanation.

Chen Zitao's face contorted further, clearly disappointed with the First Ancestor's seeming surrender.

Chen Mujin surveyed the room. "Prepare the finest gifts. We must present the very best to the Yun Clan. I myself will lead the delegation."

Shock rippled through the hall. However, some astute members began to grasp the situation. The Yun Clan's ascent was undeniable, and aligning themselves with them seemed the wisest course of action.

A similar scene unfolded at Cui Xiang's camp. Their initial investigation, aided by Liu Meng'er's clue, had identified the true culprit. Now, however, Yun Lintian was untouchable, beyond their reach. Even their own ancestor wouldn't dare act against him.

The other major clans followed suit. Generous gifts were assembled, and delegations set off for the Yun Clan with newfound urgency.

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