Myth Beyond Heaven-Chapter 2744: The Celestial Bonding Ritual

Yun Lintian furrowed his brow slightly as he couldn't understand the significance of the so-called Celestial Bonding Ritual.

However, as long as it could put Li Qinglan at ease, he could try it.

Yun Lintian didn't hesitate. "When do we begin?"

"In three days' time," Li Qinglan said. "At the Celestial Altar in my realm." She turned to her daughter, her expression softening slightly. "Prepare yourself."

With that, she vanished in a burst of light, leaving the others in the shattered remains of the battlefield.

Hei Xuan let out a low whistle. "Well. That could have gone worse."

Hei Yue rounded on him. "Father! You didn't tell us about any bonding ritual!"

He shrugged. "Ancient tradition. I figured your mother would bring it up eventually."

Yun Lintian was silent, his mind already working through the implications. Three trials. Three chances to fail. And if he did...

"What happens if I fail?" he asked quietly.

Hei Xuan's expression turned uncharacteristically serious. "The ritual doesn't just test—it judges. Fail badly enough, and it might erase your connection to Hei Yue entirely."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Then Yun Lintian straightened, his resolve hardening. "Then I won't fail."

Somewhere in the depths of the void, as if in response to his words, a ripple passed through the fabric of reality—subtle, but unmistakable to those who knew how to look.

The God of Time was watching.

And he was not pleased.

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***

Three days passed very quickly.

The Celestial Radiance Realm shone with eternal light as Yun Lintian, Hei Yue, and Hei Xuan stepped through the spatial gateway. Towering pillars of crystallized starlight surrounded an ancient altar at the realm's center, its surface carved with primordial runes that pulsed with divine energy.

Li Qinglan stood before the altar, her silver-white robes fluttering in the nonexistent wind. She turned as they approached, her gaze lingering on Yun Lintian.

"You came."

Yun Lintian nodded.

A flicker of approval crossed Li Qinglan's face before she gestured to the altar. "This ritual was created by the Creator himself. It will bind your fates together—not just in this life, but across all existences."

Hei Yue bit her lip. "Mother... is this really necessary?"

Li Qinglan's expression softened slightly as she looked at her daughter. "I need to be sure he won't abandon you when greater challenges come." Her eyes shifted back to Yun Lintian. "This ritual will ensure that."

Yun Lintian met her gaze steadily. "I understand."

Hei Xuan clapped his hands together. "Well then! No time like the present."

Li Qinglan shot him a glare before raising her hands. The runes on the altar flared to life, bathing the area in golden radiance.

"The ritual has three trials," she explained. "Body, Mind, and Soul. Each will test different aspects of your bond."

Yun Lintian stepped forward. "Let's begin."

Li Qinglan nodded. "First trial—Body."

The light around the altar condensed, forming a swirling portal of pure energy. "Step through. The trial will do the rest."

Yun Lintian didn't hesitate. He walked forward—

A hand caught his wrist.

Hei Yue's grip was surprisingly strong. Her dark blue eyes burned with determination. "We go together."

Li Qinglan opened her mouth to object, but Hei Xuan shook his head subtly.

Yun Lintian smiled slightly. "Together then."

They stepped through the portal as one.

The world shifted.

Yun Lintian found himself standing on a narrow bridge of light spanning an endless abyss. Hei Yue stood beside him, her hand still gripping his wrist.

A voice echoed through the void:

"The Trial of Body. Cross the bridge while bearing each other's burdens."

Before they could react, a crushing weight settled on Yun Lintian's shoulders—Hei Yue's divine energy, her struggles, her fears. At the same time, Hei Yue gasped as Yun Lintian's burdens transferred to her—the weight of multiple Primordial powers, the pressure of his mission, the darkness of his past.

The bridge beneath them trembled.

Hei Yue's knees buckled slightly under the unexpected pressure, but she steadied herself. "This... is what you carry every day?"

Yun Lintian's muscles strained as he adjusted to her burdens. "And this is yours?"

They shared a look of mutual understanding.

Then, without another word, they began walking—step by painful step across the disintegrating bridge. The abyss below yawned hungrily, but neither faltered. When Hei Yue stumbled, Yun Lintian caught her. When Yun Lintian's steps grew heavy, Hei Yue supported him.

By the time they reached the other side, both were drenched in sweat, but the burdens had lightened—not because they were gone, but because they now understood how to carry them together.

The world shifted again.

They stood in an endless library, shelves stretching into infinity.

"The Trial of Mind. Find the truth buried beneath a thousand lies."

Mirror images of themselves began appearing—dozens, then hundreds. Each whispered conflicting words:

"You'll fail her."

"She'll betray you."

"This bond is a mistake."

Hei Yue's hands clenched into fists as the voices grew louder. Yun Lintian remained still, his gaze sharp.

Then he reached out and took Hei Yue's hand. "Focus only on me."

She met his eyes—the real Yun Lintian's eyes—and nodded.

Together, they walked forward, ignoring every false image, every lying whisper. The moment they reached the library's center, the illusions shattered like glass.

One final shift.

They stood facing each other in complete darkness.

"The Trial of Soul. Face what you fear most."

For Yun Lintian, it was failure—seeing everyone he cared for die because he wasn't strong enough.

For Hei Yue, it was abandonment—being left alone in the darkness once more.

The visions assaulted them mercilessly, tearing at their deepest vulnerabilities.

But when the darkness threatened to consume them, Yun Lintian reached out blindly. "Hei Yue?"

Her hand found his instantly. "I'm here."

The darkness shattered.

They awoke back at the altar, still holding hands. The runes now glowed with a steady golden light.

Li Qinglan stared at them, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nodded. "It is done."

The runes flared one final time before settling into their skin—invisible but permanent.

Hei Xuan grinned. "Told you they'd pass."

Li Qinglan rolled her eyes at him. Who said it was risky previously?

She looked at Yun Lintian and said. "Remember this moment when challenges come. The bond cannot be broken—not even by death."

Yun Lintian squeezed Hei Yue's hand gently. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Although there was no love between them, Yun Lintian had already treated Hei Yue as one of his own people.

"What's your next plan?" Li Qinglan asked.

Yun Lintian raised his brow slightly. "The God of Balance."