Chapter 28: Shen Xing and Humanity

“Science is a systematic body of knowledge, grounded in verifiable explanations, capable of predicting the forms, structures, and other aspects of things.”
“Science represents an orderly collection of knowledge that has been organized and formalized.”
“The universe is the sum of all time, space, and matter conceived by the Father of Stars.”
“I firmly believe the Father of Stars is exalted because he has nurtured lifeforms of such high intelligence as humanity.”
“If high-intelligence beings like humans did not exist, even if the Father of Stars created all things in the universe, his creation would be stripped of its true value.”
“Only through our human consciousness can we truly sense the vastness of the universe and the magnificence of the Father of Stars.”

Shen Xing’s gaze lingered once more on Ye Lian’s essay, and he could not help but nod in approval.
The perspectives this candidate described were not only thought-provoking but also carried a distinct philosophical resonance.
They touched upon the relationship between consciousness and existence, and skillfully introduced the discussion of the anthropic principle.
Shen Xing’s thoughts drifted back to the days when he was a lonely fragment of rock drifting through space—just a speck of dust in the universe.
After becoming a planet, he was compelled by a sense of solitude to create higher intelligence.
Yet, even without the guidance of this system, Shen Xing understood the yearning deep within his heart.
No matter the circumstances, he would strive to bring humanity into being.
Beyond the lingering attachment to his previous existence and the need for the companionship of sentient beings,
without the praise, faith, and worship of humankind, even with the power to overturn the cosmos, his own existence would lose all meaning and worth.
In this sense, humans were not merely the children of his creation, but also his confidants.
It was their existence that allowed his power and greatness to be manifest.
Immersed in the emotions stirred by this essay, Shen Xing found himself unable to extricate his thoughts.
If there were no humans on the Celestial Dome Star, there would be no civilization; and without civilization, Shen Xing would feel no resonance within himself.
All of this was intertwined.
Perhaps, this was precisely the meaning behind all things that exist today.
His gaze finally settled on the author’s name—Ye Lian, an eighteen-year-old university student from the Eastern Sector.
Shen Xing took up his pen and wrote a comment: “Permission granted to come to the Central Temple of the Celestial Dome and participate in the final assessment.”
His pen strokes expressed not only recognition of Ye Lian’s talent but also admiration for her exceptional insight.
Afterward, Shen Xing reviewed all the examination papers, giving each thoughtful and deliberate evaluation.
Among these, he discovered several flashes of brilliance—each with the candidate’s own profound observations.

When the review was complete, Shen Xing’s aides compiled the results and presented the final list of successful candidates.
Ye Lian’s name stood out clearly, alongside five other outstanding youths from across the sectors.
“Publish the results and the list,” Shen Xing instructed the high priest at his side.

…

On the second day of the eighth month, in the year 5624 of the Celestial Dome Calendar, the final list of students selected by the High Priest was at last revealed.

[Lin Luan, female, 21, Central Sector]
[Su Xiaoyi, male, 25, Central Sector]
[Ye Lian, female, 18, Eastern Sector]
[Yang Sa, female, 20, Southern Sector]
[Ye Wu, male, 22, Western Sector]
[Qu Shixin, male, 19, Northern Sector]

With a global population approaching two billion and 23.42 million applicants, the competition was fierce.
After the first round of tests across the five major sectors, only twenty remained.
Following the second written examination, just six stood upon the final stage.
This was not only a glory for each individual, but also a point of pride for their respective sectors.

In a quiet corner of the Eastern Sector, Ye Lian and her father, Ye Dahai, had returned to their hometown, resuming a life of simplicity and routine.
Ye Dahai still went out to sea each day to fish, while Ye Lian helped with chores around the house and taught the village children.
In a humble classroom, the children flocked around Ye Lian like lively little birds, their eyes shining with curiosity and admiration.

“Sister Ye, my father told me you took a very important exam. If you pass, you can become a student of the great High Priest!” a round-eyed little boy asked, tilting his head with innocent excitement.
Ye Lian smiled gently, crouched down to their level, and replied, “Yes, it’s an opportunity to gain knowledge and strength—a very rare one.”
“Is it really so amazing to be a student of the High Priest?” another little girl asked, blinking with wonder.
Ye Lian nodded, a touch of pride in her voice. “Of course. To become a student of the High Priest means to see a wider world and learn deeper wisdom.”
At that, a little boy leapt up with excitement, his voice full of longing.
“My father says the High Priest’s students can master the magic of flight, even speak with the whales in the sea, and tame the tigers in the forest!”
“Wow, that’s incredible! When I grow up, I want to be a student of the High Priest and be as amazing as Sister Ye!”

The children gasped in awe, their eyes brimming with yearning and excitement.
Ye Lian stood, gazing at their faces full of dreams, and felt a warm current swell in her heart.
“As long as you keep your dreams alive and study diligently, one day you’ll achieve them and become whoever you wish to be.”
Hope and determination lit up the children’s faces, and they replied in unison, “We can do it!”
In that moment, Ye Lian’s heart overflowed with gratification and anticipation.
She knew that the seeds of dreams had been sown in these young hearts; with proper guidance and nurturing, they too would grow to be pillars of the Celestial Dome Star.

Yet all serenity was disrupted by a letter from the Celestial Dome Church.
As Ye Lian was writing on the blackboard, the village elder hurried in, his face alight with irrepressible joy. He clutched a letter tightly, his voice trembling with excitement.
“Lian! Wonderful news!”
“A priest from the Celestial Dome has just delivered this letter. Your name is on the final list! The High Priest himself wishes to meet you and conduct the final trial!”
The old man’s eyes were filled with hope and blessing as he handed the letter to Ye Lian, as though passing on a weighty responsibility and hope.

The chalk slipped silently from Ye Lian’s hand, her heart surging with excitement and anticipation.
She quickly took the letter, her hands trembling as she opened the envelope.
The letter announced that she had passed the test and was invited to the Central Temple to receive the High Priest’s personal evaluation.
She knew her answer had been bold, but it was that very boldness that won her the chance to meet the High Priest and stand in the final trial.

The children in the classroom were swept up by the sudden joyous news, clustering around her, chattering with envy and admiration sparkling in their eyes.
“Sister Ye, you’re amazing! You’ll get to meet the High Priest—we’re all so happy for you!”
“Yes, Sister Ye, when you learn to fly, you must teach us!”
“Sister Ye, you’re my role model—I want to be just like you!”

Their cheers echoed through the room, their excitement overflowing for Ye Lian’s triumph.
She stood there, her heart filled with dreams of the future.
She knew her life was about to embark on an entirely new journey.