Chapter 29: The So-Called Enlightenment

After the announcement, six outstanding individuals from different regions boarded private jets, traversing mountains and rivers, converging at the Central Temple.

These six young people, selected from tens of millions of applicants across the world’s five major regions, had passed countless trials to finally stand here. They were not only the pride of their own accomplishments, but also the honor of their respective regions.

Regional leaders personally ordered private jets to escort them, ensuring they received the most meticulous care and were in their best condition to face the final assessment.

Upon arrival in the central region, the six were arranged by their representatives to enjoy a night of rest.

On the morning of the next day, cars from each region delivered them to the solemn and sacred Central Temple.

As the six entered the temple, gazing at the world’s center of faith before them, a profound sense of reverence welled up within their hearts.

Led by the priests, the six walked into the grand and silent hall, then took the elevator to the top floor of the Central Temple.

Throughout the journey, they exchanged glances, yet none dared break the sacred silence.

Shortly after reaching the top floor, a figure slowly appeared before them.

Their eyes instantly focused, recognizing the newcomer at once.

It was the legendary Supreme Priest—Shen Xing.

It was said the Supreme Priest was nearly a hundred years old, yet time seemed to have left no trace on his face.

The six hurriedly bowed their heads, expressing their respect.

“Raise your heads,” Shen Xing’s voice, gentle as a spring breeze, gradually dispelled their tension.

The six raised their heads, curiosity and awe mingling in their gaze as they looked upon the one known as the Child of the Gods.

“To stand before me, chosen from tens of millions, you are already the most devout children of the Father Star—possessing unwavering faith and exceptional talent.”

Shen Xing’s words were filled with praise, filling Lin Luan, Su Xiaoyi, Ye Lian, Yang Sa, Ye Wu, and Qu Shixin with immense pride.

They understood this was recognition from the Supreme Priest—a validation of their knowledge, courage, wisdom, and ideals.

“The universe is vast and boundless, home to countless advanced civilizations.”

“Some civilizations worship the Father Star, while others are blasphemers and traitors.”

“No matter their kind, they may become enemies of humanity.”

“We humans must not only protect ourselves, but also spread the glory of the Father Star, and eradicate those who blaspheme or betray.”

“While our technology is yet incomplete, divine arts shall be our strongest weapon.”

Shen Xing’s gaze swept over the six young people, then he asked slowly:

“Are you prepared to dedicate yourselves to the Father Star, to fight for humanity?”

The six youths’ eyes shone with determination. They answered in unison, unwavering: “We are willing to dedicate ourselves to the Father Star and fight for humanity!”

Seeing their reply and the ambition in their hearts, Shen Xing nodded slightly.

“Very well. From now on, you are my students.”

Excitement surged in their hearts, blood pounding—they had finally been acknowledged by the Supreme Priest and became his disciples.

“Thank you, Grand Priest!”

Shen Xing waved his hand, turning away as he entered the room, gesturing for them to follow.

“From now on, do not address me as Grand Priest. You must call me…Teacher.”

They quickly responded, following Shen Xing’s footsteps.

Shen Xing’s residence was at the temple’s peak, called the Star Pavilion.

Upon entering, the high priest who had accompanied them hurried to shut the doors and waited respectfully to the side.

In the Star Pavilion, the six felt somewhat restrained. They longed to observe the Supreme Priest’s daily abode, but felt it might be improper.

“Relax, you’ll have plenty of chances to come here in the future.”

Hearing Shen Xing’s words, they realized their excitement upon meeting him had made them forget that the Supreme Priest could see through their thoughts.

Their little intentions were laid bare in an instant, leaving them a bit embarrassed, though they could not suppress their curiosity.

They slowly glanced around. The first thing that caught their eye was the deep purple and gold walls, adorned with intricate reliefs depicting ancient history and the stars.

One wall was designed as a massive bookshelf, filled with ancient and modern books. In the center of the room stood a broad desk made of dark wood, behind which was a huge floor-to-ceiling window.

They had not expected the Supreme Priest’s room to differ little from an ordinary home, save for some finer details, which brought them a slight sense of ease.

“Divine arts originate from your understanding of the Father Star. The deeper your consciousness comprehends the Father Star’s existence, the faster your divine arts will grow.”

“Today, I shall enlighten you—open your consciousness and baptize your bodies.”

As Shen Xing finished speaking, the six candidates looked at him with anticipation and reverence.

Shen Xing slowly raised his arm, extending his forefinger, first pointing to Ye Lian.

Ye Lian felt a profound and mysterious force surge into her consciousness like a torrent.

This force was vast and unfathomable, full of the grandeur and solemnity of the universe.

Her soul trembled, as if she heard the call of the cosmos—the destination of her spirit.

She closed her eyes, every cell in her body immersed in unprecedented relaxation and comfort, as though she had returned to her primordial cradle.

Before long, Ye Lian opened her eyes, knowing she had acquired the power of first-level divine arts—a sensation akin to being reborn.

Once, she had tried to hold her father’s catch, a giant fish, only to be thrown into the sea along with it.

Now, she felt she could effortlessly grasp that fish with one hand.

“Thank you, Teacher, for your enlightenment and baptism!” Ye Lian gratefully addressed Shen Xing.

Shen Xing nodded, then proceeded to enlighten the remaining five in the same way.

This so-called enlightenment and baptism was a process he had tested and proven feasible with his human avatars.

To achieve the transmission of divine arts, Shen Xing could no longer count how many human avatars he had created, nor how many had vanished under the laws of the universe.

The so-called transformation involved using cosmic laws to delve into a living being, rewriting its entire existence. When its physical structure neared collapse, he would stabilize it with his conscious power.

In this brief span, Shen Xing employed the combined force of various cosmic laws.

If a living being were a blank sheet of paper, the transformation would be like inscribing a host of “settings,” then forcibly folding the paper into human form, and finally using subjective consciousness to define it as human.

Under the influence of conscious power, Shen Xing need not follow biological logic. He simply added settings and stabilized them, enabling the beings to retain their original forms while acquiring new abilities.

Now, with the infinite power of the myriad stars supporting him, Shen Xing could easily allocate a small fraction to maintain the “divine arts inheritance” for these six—namely, the stability of their forms.

Yet should the number of individuals become too great, a single lapse in attention could cause them to vanish within the vast cosmic laws.

Of course, Shen Xing could also deliberately withdraw his conscious power, causing an individual to collapse immediately.

All of it depended on a single thought.