Myth Beyond Heaven

Lin Yitong whipped around, her spiritual sense expanding outward like tree roots. Finding nothing but the silent, starry expanse, she demanded, "Who are you?" Her voice echoed through the vast emptiness.

A figure shimmered into existence a few paces away, solidifying from the starlight itself. The woman, impossibly young with eyes that held the wisdom of eons, was unlike anyone Lin Yitong had ever encountered. Her attire seemed woven from moonlight, shimmering with an ethereal glow.

The woman looked at Lin Yitong and spoke gently. "The True Wood Spirit Lord has chosen a worthy successor."

Lin Yitong furrowed her brow deeply. The woman in front of her exuded an ethereal presence, as if not truly here but a projection from another time and space.

Moreover, this woman's concealment technique far surpassed Lin Yitong's capabilities. She couldn't comprehend someone perfectly masking their presence from her perception.

"Are you the Chaos Goddess?" Lin Yitong ventured a bold guess, unable to think of anyone else at that moment.

"No," the woman shook her head. "However, you must have heard my name."

"Your name?" Lin Yitong frowned.

The woman spoke calmly. "My name is Yun Wushuang."

Lin Yitong was momentarily stunned, then recovered. "Yun Wushuang… The Misty Cloud Sect Founder Yun Wushuang from the Azure World?"

"Yes," the woman, Yun Wushuang, responded gently. "I am the founder of the Misty Cloud Sect."

A flurry of questions threatened to drown Lin Yitong. It was unbelievable. According to her knowledge, Yun Wushuang shouldn't be more than a few thousand years old. How could she have become a True God so quickly?

Yun Wushuang's gaze softened. "The True Wood Spirit Lord is an ancient entity, its consciousness intertwined with the fabric of this world. It recognized your potential, your connection to nature, and most importantly, your unwavering loyalty to Yun Lintian."

Lin Yitong remained confused. "I don't understand. What do you mean? And who are you exactly?"

She refused to believe the person in front of her was a mere mortal who, having grown up in the lower realm, possessed knowledge far exceeding their years. Lin Yitong herself had spent millions of years meticulously gathering ancient knowledge. Perhaps...Yun Wushuang was an inheritor of some ancient god.

Furthermore, Lin Yitong couldn't grasp the latter part of Yun Wushuang's sentence. How could the True Wood Spirit Lord choose her based on her loyalty to Yun Lintian, who didn't even exist at that time?

Yun Wushuang's ethereal form flickered subtly. "Time often obscures the truth," she said. "Explaining everything to you now would be difficult. Trust me, the knowledge you seek will soon be revealed."

Lin Yitong pondered this, a flicker of realization dawning on her. "So... you've been watching over him all this time? Protecting him in secret?"

Yun Wushuang offered a cryptic smile, neither confirming nor denying. "Let's just say, circumstances necessitated a more subtle approach. But fear not, your arrival marks a turning point. The era of shadows is over. It's time for you to openly embrace your role as his protector, wielding the power bestowed upon you."

Since becoming a True God, Lin Yitong had never felt such confusion. A multitude of questions swirled in her mind.

"Are you working with Yun Tian?" she inquired. "The moment I met him, I knew my destiny was intertwined with his successor. However, I still don't understand why it has to be me. And what is the relationship between the True Wood Spirit Clan and the God of Fate?"

Yun Wushuang's amethyst eyes locked with Lin Yitong's. "The True Wood Spirit Lord recognized the purity of your spirit, a deep connection to the natural world – a quality that resonates with Yun Lintian's own lineage. You were chosen not just as a protector but as a kindred spirit, someone who will understand him on a deeper level."

Lin Yitong's heart swelled with a complex mix of emotions: responsibility, purpose, and a hint of something more. Perhaps the True Wood Spirit Lord had seen not only her loyalty, but a potential she hadn't even recognized in herself.

"As for your final question," Yun Wushuang said softly, "let's just say the True Wood Spirit Clan owes a debt of gratitude to the God of Fate."

Lin Yitong furrowed her brow further. A debt of gratitude? During her time with the True Wood Spirit Clan, she hadn't learned anything about the God of Fate. It seemed there was a complete disconnect between the clan and him.

Pushing these doubts aside for now, she focused on the most pressing question. "What is your purpose in coming here?"

Yun Wushuang had concealed her identity for a long time. It was clear that her appearance wouldn't be without significant reason.

"I've come to offer a crucial warning," Yun Wushuang said. "With the Heavenly Court's return, the God of Heaven's appearance is inevitable. The animosity between him and the God of Fate is irreparable. His first target upon attaining full power will be Lintian."

Lin Yitong listened intently. The grudge between Ren Yuan and Yun Lintian was no secret to her.

"Secondly," Yun Wushuang continued, "the ancient gods are destined to return. It will be a difficult struggle, but you and Lintian must do everything in your power to prevent it."

"Why?" Lin Yitong frowned deeply. In her opinion, the risk didn't justify Yun Lintian's involvement if it was such a daunting task.

"The threat isn't just from the enemy faction's ancient gods," Yun Wushuang clarified. "Our side is in danger as well. The Soul Scepter is the key. If the God of Death's inheritor acquires it, things will become even more dire for us."

Lin Yitong fell silent for a moment before asking solemnly, "Can you offer some insight? What is the grand scheme here? Who are we fighting with? Is it the Chasm of Uncreation?"

"Yes," Yun Wushuang replied gently. "But that's the ultimate consequence… Remember this. The return of the thirteen Primordial Gods is fated. History is destined to repeat itself."

Lin Yitong's expression changed. "The Primordial War?" she blurted, the realization hitting her like a blow.

"Indeed," Yun Wushuang nodded gravely. "Preventing it is one of our objectives."

Lin Yitong latched onto the key detail. "One of your objectives?"

"Regrettably, you're not yet ready for the full truth," Yun Wushuang spoke softly. "Seek out the inheritor of the God of Life and you will find a way to improve your strength."

She paused, her gaze lingering. "And Lintian… keep my presence a secret from him."

Then, with a shimmer, Yun Wushuang's ethereal form dissolved, vanishing as if she had never existed…