The Gate of Eternity Curse of Heaven

UNWAVERING LAW

The Hall of Eternal Crystal trembled gently as the Supreme Immortals entered the room. The thousand-foot-tall crystal columns reflected the golden light from their robes, creating a kaleidoscope of light that danced in the air. Zhao Lingyun, his piercing eyes as dark as night, sat in the darkest corner of the hall, as he had always done for the past thousand years.

“The realm boundary violation has reached a critical point,” Supreme Deity Bai Xuanting's voice echoed in the hall. His long white beard moved as he spoke, each strand seeming to hold thousands of years of wisdom. “Since... that incident, more souls have dared to challenge the eternal laws.”

Zhao Lingyun tightened his grip on the jade pen in his hand. He knew exactly what 'incident' he was referring to-the story of the forbidden love between Li Tianshen and Xiao Yingmei that was now a whispered legend in both realms.

“Your Majesty,” a golden-eyed elder rose from his seat. “I bring a report from the eastern border. Three weeks ago, we discovered traces of alien energy-a mixture of light and shadow.”

Whispers filled the hall. Zhao Lingyun raised his eyebrows slightly, his quill moving faster on the scroll.

“Lin Fengtian,” someone murmured, loud enough to be heard. The name made the entire hall instantly silent.

Bai Xuanting raised his hand, stopping all the whispers. “That child is a mistake that must never be repeated. That's why, today we gather to tighten up the realm laws.”

From beneath the sleeves of his wide robe, the Supreme Deity took out a crystal that glowed reddish. “The Crystal of Justice,” he explained. “An ancient artifact that will ensure no one dares to cross the boundaries of the realm again.”

Zhao Lingyun felt a strange vibration from the crystal. There was something off, something hidden behind its hypnotizing red luster. His hands moved faster, noting details that escaped the attention of the others.

“Starting today,” Bai Xuanting continued, ”any soul who attempts to cross the realm boundary without permission will be instantly judged by the Trial Crystal. No forgiveness, no exceptions.”

In the corner of his eye, Zhao Lingyun saw a shadow moving behind the crystal pillar. The figure in the black robe was familiar-Wei Xuan, the elder who used to teach Zhao Ming. Their eyes met for a moment, and Zhao Lingyun saw the same worry in the elder's golden eyes.

“Your Majesty,” Zhao Lingyun finally spoke up, his voice deep and calm. “May I ask about the power limitations of the Trial Crystal?”

All eyes were on him. As a god of war who rarely spoke in court, his voice carried weight.

“This crystal is the manifestation of eternal law itself,” Bai Xuanting replied. “Its power is absolute and indisputable.”

“Including...” Zhao Lingyun paused, his eyes looking straight at the Supreme Deity, “...against those with the blood of both realms?”

The hall fell silent again. Everyone knew who he meant-Lin Fengtian, the fifteen-year-old child of forbidden love, hidden somewhere.

“Especially against such an anomaly,” Bai Xuanting replied firmly. “The existence of such a being is an affront to the eternal laws.”

Zhao Lingyun nodded slowly, returning to his notes. But her sharp eyes caught something-a subtle tremor in Bai Xuanting's hand as it held the Trial Crystal. There was fear there, hidden behind a mask of authority.

The trial continued with the reading of new laws. Every word seemed to make the dividing wall between realms higher and thicker. Zhao Lingyun took notes on everything, including the little details that went unnoticed: how some of the elders looked agitated during the reading of the law on “realm blood purification”, how Wei Xuan's eyes flashed when he heard about the “total elimination of foreign energy”.

When the hearing finally ended, Zhao Lingyun remained where he was, waiting until the hall was almost empty. Wei Xuan approached him with silent steps.

“Did you see it?” the elder asked in a whisper.

Zhao Lingyun nodded. “That crystal... something's not right.”

“It's not just that crystal,” Wei Xuan glanced toward the door where Bai Xuanting had just exited. “There's something bigger going on. They're scared, Zhao Lingyun. And fear makes them dangerous.”

“The ancient prophecy about Lin Fengtian?”

Wei Xuan took out a worn scroll from the sleeve of his robe. “It's not just about his birth. There's a part that has never been read in public: 'When the mixed blood reaches maturity, a choice will be made. The realm will shake, and true balance will be revealed in unexpected forms.'”

Zhao Lingyun picked up the scroll carefully. “Five more years,” he muttered. “Lin Fengtian will reach adulthood in five years.”

“And that's what they're afraid of.” Wei Xuan stared at the crystal window, at the red clouds that had never really disappeared since Lin Fengtian's birth. “They try to stop fate with artificial laws. But you and I know, Zhao Lingyun, that there are laws higher than what's laid down in this hall.”

“The law of the heart,” Zhao Lingyun whispered, remembering the story of Li Tianshen and Xiao Yingmei.

Wei Xuan nodded. “Your task now is more important than ever. As a god of war, you have access to places I can't reach. Find the truth behind the Judgment Crystal. There is something... something very ancient and dangerous in its energy.”

That night, after all the gods had returned to their respective residences, Zhao Lingyun stood on the highest tower of the Heavenly Realm. From here, he could see the border of the realm-the thin line where light and shadow met in perfect harmony.

He unrolled his notes, rereading the details he had gathered during the trial. There was a pattern beginning to form-too much fear for one child, too harsh a law for something that could have been handled more wisely, and a mysterious crystal that appeared suddenly.

“Li Tianshen,” he whispered to the night wind, ”is this what you see? A rift in our glorified system?”

Suddenly, an unfamiliar energy touched his consciousness. Zhao Lingyun turned quickly, his light saber appearing within reach. But what he saw made him freeze.

In the air, right in front of him, floated a strand of black hair that glowed with an odd energy-half luminous, half dark. Zhao Lingyun extended his hand, and the strand of hair fell gently into his palm.

“Lin Fengtian,” he murmured. This was the first proof of the boy's existence after fifteen years. And his appearance right after the announcement of the Justice Crystal was no coincidence.

In the distance, red clouds moved in a strange formation, as if forming a message. Zhao Lingyun squinted, trying to read the pattern that was forming. And when he finally understood the message, his heart seemed to stop beating.

“Danger comes not from darkness, but from blinding light.”

This was the beginning of a mystery that would reveal the deepest secrets of the Heavenly Realm. And Zhao Lingyun, the god of war who had been watching in silence, would be the key to uncovering the truth that had been hidden for thousands of years.

Somewhere between realms, a fifteen-year-old youth opened his eyes. His eyes were unique-one golden like the sun, one red like blood. Lin Fengtian rose from his meditation, sensing a change in the universe's energy flow.

“It's started,” he whispered, his voice carrying a strange combination of the softness of light and the firmness of shadows. “They've finally made the first step.”

Beside her, an ancient sword pulsed softly-a sword made of an alloy of light and shadow, the last legacy of her parents. And on his chest, a birthmark in the shape of an ancient symbol glowed dimly-the same symbol engraved at the base of the Trial Crystal.

Destiny had begun to move.