Myth Beyond Heaven

Chapter 2553:  Bowing

Xue Muyao's eyes burned with defiance, her icy aura flaring around her like a storm. Blood dripped from the cut on her arm, staining the pristine white of her robes, but she stood tall, her gaze unwavering. The sword cultivator's blade hovered dangerously close to her throat, yet she refused to yield.

"Surrender to the Lord of Chaos?" she spat, her voice cold and sharp as the ice she commanded. "Never. I am the Endless Snow Empress. I bow to no one."

The sword cultivator's expression remained hidden beneath the shadow of his wide-brimmed hat, but his voice carried a chilling finality. "Then your people will suffer for your pride."

With a flick of his wrist, the sword cultivator sheathed his blade and turned away. Xue Muyao's heart clenched as she realized his intent. He wasn't here to kill her—he was here to break her. And he knew exactly how to do it.

Buzz—

The spatial rift that had brought him to the Endless Snow Kingdom shimmered ominously behind him. Without another word, he stepped through it, disappearing into the void.

Xue Muyao's instincts screamed at her to follow, but she hesitated. She knew she couldn't defeat him—not yet. His skill with the sword was beyond anything she had ever encountered.

But her hesitation cost her dearly.

Moments later, the skies above the Endless Snow Kingdom darkened. The pale blue heavens turned a sickly shade of grey, and the air grew heavy with an oppressive energy.

Ripp—

Xue Muyao's eyes widened as she saw the spatial rift expand, tearing open like a wound in the fabric of reality. From it poured creatures of chaos—twisted, grotesque beings that defied description. They descended upon the kingdom like a plague, their screams echoing across the frozen landscape.

"No!" Xue Muyao's voice rang out, filled with desperation. She raised her ice sword, summoning a blizzard to halt the invaders, but it was too late. The creatures were already spreading, their corruption seeping into the land.

"ARGHHH!!"

"Help!"

"I don't want to die!!"

The Frostfall Palace, once a bastion of tranquility, was now under siege. The people of the Endless Snow Kingdom—her people—were being slaughtered.

Xue Muyao could hear their cries, their pleas for help, and it tore at her soul. She had sworn to protect them, to be their empress, and now she was powerless to stop the devastation.

The sword cultivator's words echoed in her mind: "Pledge yourself to the Lord of Chaos. It is the only way."

Xue Muyao clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She wanted to fight, to resist, but the weight of her people's lives pressed down on her. She couldn't let them die for her pride. She couldn't let her kingdom fall.

With a heavy heart, Xue Muyao stepped forward, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and resignation. "Enough! I will… I will pledge myself to the Lord of Chaos. Just spare my people."

The spatial rift shimmered once more, and the sword cultivator reappeared, his expression still hidden. He nodded, a silent acknowledgment of her surrender. The creatures of chaos halted their advance, their grotesque forms retreating back into the rift.

Xue Muyao's knees buckled, and she fell to the ground, her ice sword slipping from her grasp. The weight of her decision crushed her, but she knew she had no choice. She had sacrificed her freedom to save her people, and now she would have to live with the consequences.

The sword cultivator approached her, his movements calm and deliberate. He extended a hand, and a dark, swirling energy emanated from his palm. "The Lord of Chaos accepts your pledge," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "From this moment on, you are his servant."

Xue Muyao closed her eyes, tears freezing on her cheeks as the dark energy enveloped her. She felt a cold, foreign power seep into her veins, binding her to the will of the Lord of Chaos. Her icy aura, once pure and radiant, now carried a taint of darkness.

When the energy dissipated, Xue Muyao rose to her feet, her eyes now glowing with an eerie, otherworldly light. She was no longer the Endless Snow Empress—she was a servant of chaos, bound to a force she could not control.

The sword cultivator turned away, his task complete. "The Lord of Chaos has plans for you," he said. "Do not disappoint him."

With that, he stepped back into the spatial rift, leaving Xue Muyao alone in the ruins of her kingdom. The skies above began to clear, the creatures of chaos gone, but the damage had been done. The Endless Snow Kingdom was scarred, its people traumatized, and its empress forever changed.

Xue Muyao stood amidst the wreckage, her heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. She had saved her people, but at what cost? She could feel the dark power within her, a constant reminder of her servitude. The Lord of Chaos now owned her, and she knew there was no escape.

"Master…" The elders gathered behind her, looking at her silently.

Xue Muyao took a deep breath and said. "Help everyone."

The elders exchanged glances and silently dispersed.

Xue Muyao raised her head to look at the sky and murmured to herself. "I can't escape in the end…?" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

***

The Golden Qilin Kingdom.

Qi Zongwen stared at the horde of the creatures of chaos pouring out of the rift in the sky. After Yun Lintian's group had left, this phenomenon suddenly appeared, spreading throughout the entire realm.

"Master, please give us instructions," Qi Mu walked over and said solemnly.

The other elders also looked at him, waiting for Qi Zongwen to take action.

Qi Zongwen didn't say anything. His mind raced as he thought of his disciples who had died at Yun Lintian's hands. If they hadn't died, they would definitely have joined hands with these creatures and harmed the Golden Qilin Kingdom.

He turned to look at Qi Mu and said calmly, "Notify everyone. Prepare for battle."

"Yes!" Qi Mu responded readily and began to organize the troops.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, Qi Zongwen sensed a powerful aura that he had never sensed before emanating from the rift in the sky.

At this moment, a woman slowly walked out of the rift, followed by four General Class Shadow Demons.

If Yun Lintian were here, he would immediately recognize her. She was none other than Tantai Xue!

Tantai Xue swept her gaze over the verdant land below and finally paused at Qi Zongwen. "So, you are the Golden Qilin Emperor? Why do you look so weak?"