Chapter 55: Omniscience and Omnipotence

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Let me release two chapters first, dear readers, so you can have something to enjoy. I’m preparing for another burst of updates, and will attempt to evolve into three chapters a day. If there is no update, it means I’m at work—please understand!

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“Earthlings, have you finished speaking?”

Within the solemn, reverent Hall of Stars, Shen Xing’s words thundered like a bolt from a clear sky, exploding in the ears of the five. His remark was not merely an accusation, but an unveiling of their true identities, leaving Yao Yuan and the others utterly shaken.

He said Earthlings?!

How did he know who we are?!

Given the technological level of this planet’s civilization, such a thing should have been impossible!

Their hearts brimmed with disbelief and a profound sense of dread, their thoughts plunging into chaos.

Yao Ling, who had moments before been brash and carefree, was now beside herself with panic, her voice trembling as she stammered, “You... who are you? How do you know we’re from Earth?”

Instinctively, the five reached for the energy pistols concealed in their clothing, as if these weapons were their only anchor in the face of the unknown.

“My identity has long been made clear to you. I am the High Priest of the Astral Church, appointed by the great Starfather,” Shen Xing said with a faint, calm smile.

As he advanced upon them, step by step, his presence pressed down on the five like a mountain, robbing them of breath.

Of them, Yao Ling had the least experience handling emergencies. Born aboard the vanguard ship, she had never faced crisis head-on. Confronted by Shen Xing’s relentless approach, she drew her energy pistol in a panic, her shaking finger aiming it at him.

“Don’t come any closer! Take one more step and I’ll shoot!” she cried.

But Shen Xing’s advance did not halt; his face was twisted in mocking amusement.

“And why shouldn’t I come closer? This is the Hall of Stars—is it not my right to walk freely within my own chambers?”

“You have barged into my rooms, run wild on my turf, and now you seek to accuse me.”

“And now, you dare command me to stop?”

Each of Shen Xing’s words struck them like a hammer, shaking their very souls.

Yang Kui, decisive, fired his energy pistol at a nearby chair; the beam pierced straight through, reducing it to ashes, hoping to warn Shen Xing by displaying the weapon’s power.

“Don’t come any closer! If you do, we’ll shoot!”

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Yet Shen Xing’s mocking smile faded, replaced by a look of utter indifference. He spread his arms, exposing himself without the slightest defense, and continued his measured advance.

Yang Kui’s expression changed; he wanted to fire, but facing the planet’s most mysterious High Priest, he faltered. A shadow of tension enveloped him, sweat beading on his brow as his gun hand began to tremble.

At last, he chose to lower his weapon, fearing that attacking the High Priest would provoke disastrous consequences.

“Did you not come to eradicate the Astral Church, which you deem tyrannical, inhuman, a suppressor of thought and forger of history?”

“Did you not decide that I, the so-called chief culprit who enslaves and oppresses the people, must be judged?”

Every word from Shen Xing made the five feel as if needles were stabbing into their backs; their bodies shook uncontrollably.

With every step, every question, his words cut to the quick.

“Had I refused to see you, would you not have sent your armed mechs to capture me?”

“You may shoot.”

“So long as I die, all of this ends.”

Shen Xing’s icy disdain and provocation filled them with a terror unlike any they had ever known. Their bodies trembled like leaves in a storm, barely able to hold their energy pistols.

Shen Xing not only knew their identities, but also their innermost thoughts. They felt utterly exposed, every secret stripped away.

Yao Ling was the first to break, collapsing to the floor. Her vacant eyes looked up at Shen Xing as she seemed to mutter to herself, “How do you know everything? Is there anything you don’t know?”

Shen Xing merely glanced at her, his voice radiating a sacred, inviolable aura.

“Because I am a devout follower of the great Starfather. The Starfather is all-knowing, all-powerful.”

Though fear filled Yao Yuan’s heart, his conviction did not waver. He shook his head, saying firmly, “No! There are no such things as gods in this world!”

Though his voice was weak, it held a steadfast dedication to truth.

In the tense atmosphere of the Hall of Stars, Shen Xing’s cold laughter cut like a winter wind.

“Hmph!”

“You Earthlings have not even glimpsed the vastness of the universe; how can you presume to declare that gods do not exist?”

“The greatness of the Starfather is beyond your pitiful imagination!”

Still, Yao Yuan shook his head in stubborn confusion, his voice unwavering yet tinged with doubt. “I do not believe in the existence of gods, and I never will.”

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Shen Xing’s gaze sliced through Yao Yuan’s conviction like a blade. With a tone of utmost pity, he said:

“Your faith, your doubts, are utterly insignificant in the face of the boundless cosmos.”

“What you ought to concern yourselves with now is the fate awaiting you Earthlings.”

Shen Xing’s words sounded like a death sentence, sending a chilling surge from the soles of their feet straight to the tops of their heads.

“What—what are you going to do?” Yao Yuan’s voice trembled, fear and anxiety mingling within it.

“What will I do? Naturally, I shall destroy you.”

Shen Xing’s reply was calm and detached, as if recounting the most trivial of affairs.

“I’ll destroy your vanguard fleet first, then your main fleet in the rear. Earth’s civilization will vanish from this universe.”

In that moment, the faith of the five began to crumble, despair taking root in their hearts.

Not only had Shen Xing seen through all the secrets of humanity, but the cold indifference in his words made them realize that they were facing a being utterly beyond their power to resist.

“You’re too cruel! Humanity has no grievance with you, we’ve never done you any wrong!” Zhang Yu’s tone was tinged with pleading, as he tried to appeal to Shen Xing’s sympathy and mercy.

But Shen Xing merely looked at him, his retort brooking no argument.

“Am I the cruel one?”

“I am only repaying you in kind.”

“We are the true innocents here.”

“You Earthlings, considering yourselves a superior civilization, believe in the law of the jungle, seek to annihilate us all, and claim the peaceful home we have always known for yourselves.”

Each of his words struck Zhang Yu’s heart like a hammer, leaving him in utter despair.

Shen Xing was right—Earth had been the first to harbor evil designs; he was only returning the favor.

Yao Yuan reached for his communicator, desperate to warn humanity to flee.

The Celestial Star... it’s far too dangerous!

Yet when he tried to activate the device, he found it utterly unresponsive.

“It’s no use. You won’t be able to contact anyone.”