Chapter 17: Science and Theology

“Is all of this worth it?” Wenjing asked himself, his heart a tumult of emotions.

As his feelings gradually calmed, hope rekindled within him. The acceptance of his theory meant that his years of effort had not been in vain, that he could continue to pursue scientific truth and contribute to the civilization of Celestial Pinnacle.

“Wenjing, I have seen your conviction and perseverance.” Shen Xing’s voice was calm yet powerful, piercing the silence of the dungeon.

At that moment, Shen Xing’s divine power manifested. His strength shone like the stars, illuminating every corner of the cell.

The release of divine power shattered Wenjing’s chains, the metallic snap echoing through the dungeon like a clarion call for freedom.

As the cell door opened, Wenjing’s shackles fell away, and freedom was restored to him.

“Continue to lend your strength to Celestial Pinnacle,” Shen Xing said, placing a hand on Wenjing’s shoulder. Together, the two vanished from the prison cell.

The guards who had followed them witnessed everything, awe and hope stirring in their hearts.

They knew that from this day on, a new chapter would be written in the history books of Celestial Pinnacle.

...

Atop the platform of the Central Temple—

This was the place where the priests proclaimed their faith.

When Shen Xing and Wenjing appeared on the highest platform of the Central Temple, the entire crowd in the plaza suddenly fell into silence.

Shen Xing stood at ease, then began to speak slowly: “The scientist beside me is named Wenjing. Thirty-eight years ago, he was condemned for heresy and sentenced to life imprisonment for proposing the heliocentric theory.”

“Science is one of the righteous paths; it should not be regarded as heresy.”

“The faith of Starfather must not be corrupted! Nor should human thought be fettered! The future of human civilization holds a thousand paths, each worthy of exploration!”

As Shen Xing openly acknowledged Wenjing’s heliocentric theory, the mood in the crowd shifted. They cheered, their spirits uplifted by Shen Xing’s enlightenment.

With a gentle gesture, Shen Xing quieted the throng, and all eyes beneath the temple fixed upon the two figures above.

Shen Xing turned to Wenjing, slowly raising his hand, palm up. Divine power began to gather in his palm, forming a sphere of light.

The orb of light rose, radiating a gentle and nurturing glow that enveloped Wenjing completely.

Wenjing felt a warm power surround him, its light seeping into every cell, awakening vitality long dormant.

He sensed his withered skin regain elasticity, each wrinkle gradually smoothing away, his muscles filling once more with strength, his complexion taking on a youthful glow as the traces of time were gently erased.

His hair, once grey and pallid, darkened to a lustrous black, growing thick and full.

Wenjing’s eyes now gleamed with the vigor of youth—where once age had clouded them, now they shone bright and clear, lit with a thirst for knowledge and hope for the future.

Cries of amazement erupted from the crowd as they witnessed this miraculous transformation.

Shen Xing’s followers were ecstatic, chanting his name, revering him as Starfather’s messenger, filled with boundless devotion.

Wenjing slowly opened his eyes, feeling as if he had been reborn.

He took a deep breath of the fresh, clean air around him and was filled with gratitude and awe.

“Wenjing, I have restored your life to the moment before your sentence. This is my personal recompense. Now you may continue your quest and offer your knowledge to this world,” Shen Xing said, lowering his hand as the sphere of light slowly faded from the air, his smile gentle.

“Priest Shen, I… I do not know what to say. Your mercy and power have given me new life.”

Wenjing gazed at Shen Xing, his heart overflowing with gratitude.

Shen Xing gently patted Wenjing’s shoulder. “Go now—use your passion and wisdom to guide Celestial Pinnacle toward a brighter future.”

Wenjing nodded, then turned to face the crowd below, their faces radiant with admiration and expectation.

He knew his life would be rewritten from this moment on, that with new life, he would continue the pursuit of scientific truth and dedicate himself to the prosperity of Celestial Pinnacle.

...

With Wenjing’s theory affirmed by Shen Xing, the other scientists who had been implicated were also released one by one.

They praised the greatness of Starfather and thanked Shen Xing for his recognition.

All those scientists returned to their former posts, resuming their research careers. Some even joined the Oracle Institute, spreading the glory of Starfather.

And those who continued in their scientific endeavors published papers extolling the might of Starfather—

Only now, they sought to substantiate their claims through scientific reasoning.

After receiving the blessing of divine power, Wenjing found himself enlightened as never before. Through rigorous processes of deduction, he produced conclusions that drew wide acclaim.

Five of these treatises became especially renowned: “On the Impossibility of Infinite Causal Regression,” “On the Necessity of Cosmic Order,” “On the Complexity of Life’s Origins,” “On the Universality of Morality and Value,” and “On the Rationality of Cosmic Existence.”

“In the natural world, we observe that every moving object is set in motion by another. If this chain of causation were to regress infinitely, it would result in an endless sequence, which is logically untenable, for infinite regression implies no initial starting point. Therefore, there must exist a First Mover—one not set in motion by anything else—who set the universe in motion. That First Mover is Starfather himself.”

“The universe reveals exquisite order and regularity; from the orbits of planets to the structure of atoms, all obey precise physical laws. Such order cannot arise by mere chance, for pure randomness cannot account for such complex and delicate patterns. Thus, the order and regularity of the universe imply the presence of an intelligent designer—Starfather, the creator and sustainer of cosmic order.”

“The origin of life is an exceedingly complex process, involving innumerable precise conditions and reactions. It is nearly impossible for random chemical processes in nature to yield such intricate forms. Therefore, the origin of life requires a power beyond nature—this power is Starfather, who bestowed the initial impetus and form to life.”

“In human society, there exists a universal pursuit of goodness, justice, and beauty—values that transcend culture and region. These universal morals and values cannot arise solely from social contracts or cultural traditions. Thus, they must originate from a transcendent source—Starfather, the ultimate giver of morality and value.”

“The existence of the universe itself is a miracle: not only does it exist, but it does so in a way that supports life. This manner of existence appears as if designed for a purpose or plan. Therefore, the existence and design of the universe point to an ultimate purpose and planner—Starfather, the final explanation for the existence of the universe and the meaning of life.”

This paper was rigorous in logic, sound in structure, and rich in evidence, perfectly illustrating the status, majesty, and glory of Starfather.

Thus did Wenjing become the preeminent figure in the scientific realm of Celestial Pinnacle.