Myth Beyond Heaven

As one, the three dragon women ignited their life essence. Not just their energy, not just their power—but the very core of their existence, their souls, their future possibilities.

White light erupted from Long Xi, azure from Long Qingxuan, and deep azure from Long Niu. Their bodies became conduits of ultimate sacrifice, their auras shining brighter than they ever had before, fueled by the certainty of their impending end.

They formed a triangle around Yun Lintian, a final, desperate wall of light and devotion.

Nian Shi didn't even acknowledge their sacrifice. His eyes, burning with silver fire, were locked only on Yun Lintian. These insects were beneath his notice, their defiance an irritation to be swatted aside.

"Out of my way!" he bellowed, and simply swung the Blade of Eternity.

He didn't aim a technique. He didn't craft a temporal paradox. He put the full weight of his fury into a single, contemptuous horizontal slash aimed at the three women.

The blade moved, and time itself bent around its edge.

Long Xi, standing at the forefront, met the blow with all her might, her Light Dragon aura concentrated into a brilliant shield.

It meant nothing.

The Blade of Eternity passed through her defense, her aura, and her body as if they weren't there.

There was no blood. There was no impact.

There was only an end.

Long Xi's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, a silent gasp of shock and pain. Then, the light in her eyes extinguished. Her body, the majestic Dragon Queen of Light, simply... ceased to be. Unmade from existence by the absolute power of time's end.

"MOTHER!" The agonized screams of Long Qingxuan and Long Niu tore through the air, a sound of heartbreak so profound it seemed to momentarily still the chaotic energies.

But they did not break formation. They did not flee. Their mother's death, instead of shattering them, forged their resolve into something harder than diamond. Their burning life essences flared even brighter, their tears turning to steam on their cheeks.

Nian Shi's lips curled into a cruel, sadistic smile. Their pain amused him. Their defiance entertained him.

"You want to follow her?" he sneered. "Let me help you."

He swung the Blade of Eternity again. But this time, it was not a clean erase.

The blade moved in a blur, not with the finality of time's end, but with the malicious intent of a butcher.

It happened too fast to comprehend. One moment Long Xi's vanished form was there, the next—

The air was filled with a horrific, wet tearing sound.

Long Xi's form, for a brief, ghastly moment, was made manifest again only to be carved apart. Silver light, the color of her soul being unmade, erupted as the Blade of Eternity hacked her essence into several distinct, dissolving parts before they vanished into nothingness.

It was an act of utter desecration, a violation meant to inflict maximum horror.

Long Qingxuan and Long Niu could only watch in paralyzed, soul-shattering horror, their screams dying in their throats, replaced by a silent, gaping void of agony.

Nian Shi laughed, a cold, empty sound. "Pathetic. Your sacrifice means nothing. Your lives mean nothing. Now, die like the insects you are."

He raised his blade for the final blow, aiming to erase the two remaining daughters as he had their mother.

Rip— Bang!

All of a sudden, a brilliant beam of pure moonlight slammed into his raised arm, knocking the Blade of Eternity off its deadly course.

The attack didn't harm him, but the force and the familiar energy behind it made him stagger back a step in surprise.

His head snapped toward the source, his silver eyes narrowing in recognition and confusion.

"This aura..." he murmured, then his voice grew sharp with disbelief. "The Moon God's power? Impossible! I erased that power completely when I destroyed Hongyue and Lin Xinyao! It should not exist!"

His gaze fell upon Yue Chuntao, Yue Zhihe, and Mumu. The three of them stood together, their forms shimmering with a soft, silvery light that resonated in harmony. A complex pattern of lunar runes glowed faintly around them, connecting their energies.

Then understanding dawned on Nian Shi's furious face.

"That's right. I almost forgot. The other timelines…" he uttered coldly.

Yue Zhihe watched in awe as her sister and the jade rabbit began to glow brighter. Seeing the determination on their faces, understanding flashed in her eyes. Without a moment's hesitation, she made her choice.

"Little Sister! Take it all!" Yue Zhihe cried out. She placed her hands on Yue Chuntao's back, and her own lunar energy—pure and powerful—flowed out of her body in a brilliant silver stream.

She was willingly giving up her cultivation, her connection to the moon, everything. Her form dimmed considerably as she poured her essence into her sister.

Yue Chuntao gasped as the power flooded into her. She met her sister's eyes and gave a solemn, grateful nod, accepting the tremendous sacrifice.

On her other side, Mumu began to change. The small jade rabbit glowed with intense light, and then she transformed. In her place stood a petite girl with fluffy silver hair, adorable round cheeks, and a striking purple jade gem embedded in her forehead. This was Mumu's human form.

"Little Tao," Mumu said, her voice gentle but urgent, using her affectionate name for Yue Chuntao. "The fusion is unstable. You only have one chance with this power. You must use it carefully. Your goal isn't to win, but to delay him. Buy time for Lintian! Prolong the battle as much as you can!"

Yue Chuntao took a deep, steadying breath, her eyes filled with resolve. She looked at Mumu and then at her weakened sister. "Let's do it."

Mumu smiled, a beautiful, sad smile. The purple jade on her forehead shone with blinding intensity. "For our home. For everyone."

Then, Mumu's body dissolved. She didn't disappear—she transformed into pure, concentrated moonlight, a silvery stream that flowed into Yue Chuntao, merging with her completely.

Yue Zhihe, having given all her power, collapsed to her knees, watching with lifeless eyes.

"Ah…" Yue Chuntao cried out as the immense power filled her. Her body levitated off the ground. Silver light erupted from her, so bright it forced Nian Shi to shield his eyes momentarily.

When the light faded, Yue Chuntao had transformed…