Doma City Sacred Tree's temple at its roots, the fireflies dancing in the air were like a pair of eyes gathering and scattering.

Sitting cross-legged on the vine-wooden bed, Night Ten stared blankly at the sky, his gaze seemingly piercing through the flickering fireflies, and through the vine-wood walls that could block all light.

It was a feeling he had never experienced before.

Like when flipping through a picture book, suddenly meeting the gaze of the little figure inside it.

But unlike before, this time he wasn't the one flipping the book.

And the eyes he met were those beyond the page as thin as a cicada's wings.

"...I see."

In an instant, he finally understood why it was said that Gaia and the Tree of Yenshof were both Him and not Him.

And not just that—

He also understood why what was said was a meaningless answer to them.

"You've broken the 'Fourth wall'..." Night Ten blurted out a sentence.

That was a phrase the Forest People could never comprehend, just like theories about dimensions.

After all, their civilization was only at the primitive tribe stage, and hadn't yet birthed those brilliant thoughts.

A soft laugh seemed to come from the fireflies gathering and scattering.

He had always been here.

And forever shall be.

"That's right, clever little rascal... Congratulations on finding the answer, but unfortunately there's no trophy."

Night Ten's eyes widened.

A creepy feeling slowly crawled up his hindbrain, akin to someone on TV suddenly crawling into his living room through the screen.

He almost wanted to immediately take off his helmet to confirm that there was no one else in his bedroom.

But soon, he realized how foolish that was...

This was just a game after all.

Even if it was realistic in every way.

"...What's behind the wall?" Night Ten asked while staring intently at the mural.

The flickering firefly answered in a voice he couldn't hear.

"Nothing at all."

Night Ten froze.

"...Nothing at all?"

The slow voice answered, or perhaps all the answers were already written on the wall.

He was just reading too slowly.

"That's right, there's nothing here, yet it possesses everything. We, transcending material, became eternal, and our fate was no longer ruled by possibilities, completely leaving this primitive universe... And this is what we have pursued with all our lives after knowing everything about this universe."

From that flickering light, Night Ten read these messages, and the shock in his heart was beyond words.

So that's how it is.

Describing His existence with Gaia or the Tree of Yenshof is not rigorous.

Humans had only visited the world beyond the solar system, thus subconsciously thinking His footprints only appeared on the third planet of the primary sequence star South Gate Two AB.

Gaia was merely a trace of Him left on this planet, and so was the later appearing "Tree of Yenshof," perhaps a kind of "autonomous ecological maintenance system."

The three-year war was never a war between humans and Gaia, but an upgraded version of the Forest People and Valley People's war, and Gaia was at most a trump card in the possession of one side of the conflict.

And the weapons of the opposing sides evolved from spears and bows into "neutron torpedoes" and the "Seed of Gaia."

The so-called lair of the mutated slime fungus was an artificially cultivated product from the beginning.

Regarding this, the researcher from the Academy named "Pigeon" had already provided ample experimental evidence.

Even the lair called Xiya in the center of Clear Spring City couldn't possibly travel to Earth by itself without an interstellar ability.

It was from the start a biological weapon developed by colonizers using technology learned from Gaia, and likely its memory was also artificially instilled.

In fact, this is easy to prove, for example, Xiaoyu is the best example.

Its memory was also taught by Alliance people, only with entirely different content.

The catastrophe ultimately ended with the destruction of both sides, whether it was the colony or the United Human, they were submerged in history's dust due to their own limitations, allowing future generations to judge.

Now the Gaia Planet had already nurtured a new civilization, and Earth in the solar system had rekindled the seed of civilization.

As for Him—

Using Gaia to refer to Him was indeed one-sided, including the Tree of Yenshof the crew of Gemini discovered.

If Night Ten had to rename Him, perhaps calling it "Pioneer" would be more fitting.

That was a civilization with a history far more ancient than humans, the time span between the two in this universe could be counted in billions or millions of years.

For reasons of their own, they chose spiritual over material, and after reaching the peak of both material and spiritual prosperity, completed civilization-wide dimensional ascension, ascending to another dimension.

No—

Perhaps it wasn't simply another dimension.

Using dimension to describe their existence is one-sided, as both lower and higher dimensional universes are part of this universe, and they broke the fourth wall.

To define their existence might require a brand new term.

Such as "Void."

That's the world beyond the sight of all living beings in this universe, or the world outside the "Fourth wall."

If this universe could be likened to a computer game, then they passed through the monitor screen.

They made a small eye on the screen, or a big hole, in any case, went to another universe with entirely different Planck constants.

But back to the point, does it have any significance to do so?

The ones going to another universe might have already lost their former forms, possibly even lacking mass, leaving only a beam of light or an electromagnetic wave.

And the universe outside the "Window of Vision" might have its own "Window of the World," existing like a nesting doll within its own void.

Relative to the universe they once belonged to, they undoubtedly completed the ultimate dimensional ascension and saw their own "creator."

But relative to their own once infinitely prosperous existence, it was no less than a collapse.

They turned from giants to dust.

Night Ten could not comprehend why they did this, from the answer it could be felt He knew the outcome all along, and much clearer than the ant-like self.

Yet He did not care.

To ask why—

Because that was their lifelong pursuit.

They burned all self within their original universe and transformed into light beyond the universe...

"We passed through the 'Window of Vision', found our creator, and greeted him."

"Though he couldn't see us, we all saw him... and for us, that was enough."

"Since then, our story no longer exists in this universe, including what you see now is nothing but the echo after the 'Big Bang.'

"As for Gaia, the branches of the Tree of Yenshof... they are merely traces of our existence."

"Your compatriot is very clever, he found the answer, and I believe you have noticed as well. As I've said, 'After all, you have succeeded before.'"

"The answer was before you all along, written on the wall, she just couldn't read it."

"Now that you've figured it all out, you hear this voice in your mind, the same time it's happened."

Upon comprehending everything, Night Ten heard this voice in his mind, as if strings of all had fallen into place.

It seemed like both were happening simultaneously.

In his contemplation of the mural, he gradually "saw" all that the crew member who once penetrated everything went through, and all that was fully recorded in the growth rings.

As he gazed at those increasingly bright fireflies, he couldn't help but ask aloud.

"...How did you transcend? That ascension... including venturing into the void."

The voice from the void did not respond.

Or perhaps He had already answered, but he couldn't hear, let alone understand it.

Yet those experiences on the Hunter had already proven that transmitting information across time and space is not omnipotent.

"""

They could only press the prompt in each other's hands, hinting at the existence both were already aware of.

He spoke slowly, leaving behind a final message.

"We've communicated enough; knowing too much does you no good."

"If there's anything I must say, my advice is only one—"

"Unless you pursue exploration of the spiritual world as your life's quest, do not attempt to break the fourth wall."

"Not everyone can pass through there smoothly, and many chaotic things are trapped within the wall. Even just glimpsing it from afar will bring you immense trouble... You should be grateful you met me."

"By the way, someone among you once foolishly asked me to take him to 'the heavens,' but he didn't realize 'the heavens' also has its maze. As you've already realized, beyond the universe are new universes; beyond the vision are new visions... Truth is infinite."

"All in all, good luck, you foolish materialists."

"Perhaps we will meet again."

The voice disappeared.

Night Ten stared blankly at the fireflies above, feeling a sense of loss in his heart, unable to let go for a long time.

He spent nearly a month in this temple, thinking he had successfully broken the fourth wall, only to find he was still a step away.

What he saw, or rather heard, was nothing more than the echo of an explosion from countless eons ago when a pioneering civilization shattered the void and left remnants in this world.

This much information was left on this planet.

The crew of the Twin Ships had already recorded their research results on the temple's murals.

To find more clues about the pioneers, they might have to head to other star systems in the universe.

"...Although placing the blame for the destruction of the United Human on the pioneers behind Gaia seems far-fetched, the cost of excavating this relic is simply too heavy."

Recalling past experiences, Night Ten couldn't help but smile bitterly, finding it difficult to evaluate.

Of course.

During this process, human civilization didn't gain nothing.

Apart from achievements in biotechnology and aerospace engineering, they also had significant gains in sociology.

The newly reborn ones would become more resilient and stronger than their former selves.

As for himself, he also gained plenty from this exploration.

Even though he couldn't determine his Sequence Level due to the absence of VM, he could clearly feel that his Perception Attributes had been significantly enhanced, having leapt three or four levels.

Moreover, it wasn't just that.

Night Ten suddenly realized he could smoothly read the growth patterns on the temple walls.

Besides, those fireflies could also understand his voice now, as could those cricket-like insects.

His "Spiritual Energy" seemed to have awakened.

...

As Night Ten marveled at the changes happening in himself, the war between the Forest People and the Valley People had reached its final climax.

The Allied forces of various forest tribes, led by Tunnan, won victory after victory with ingenious strategies, forcing the Qiu Kingdom's guards stationed along the ridge into a series of defeats and retreating in panic.

Especially in the recent battle, Tunnan, Wearing Powered Armor, seemed like the ancestor descended on earth, impervious copper skin and bones, storming through on his giant bear, entering the Qiu Kingdom army as if it were unoccupied. Even the bravest warriors of Qiu Kingdom were killed in the battle.

Countless soldiers dared not meet his gaze, let alone stop him, abandoning helmets and armor to flee.

Power armor appeared on the Primitive man's battlefield, undoubtedly a "dimensional reduction strike."

How Tunnan mastered methods to use power armor wasn't difficult.

He could easily establish a connection with the past through "Spiritual Energy," which wasn't a hard problem for him.

The battle became Tunnan's battle of deification, as he single-handedly defeated thousands of Qiu Kingdom soldiers!

The battlefield situation was extremely dangerous for Qiu Kingdom, with elders having no means against the "impenetrable" Tunnan, having to pray for the ancestor's blessing.

Just as the Qiu people faced extinction, a warrior named Qiu Ridge suddenly stood out.

Earlier, he had brought the ancestor's prophecy to the elders' meeting, and represented Qiu Ridge to search deep within the Forbidden Forest for the ancestor's lost Sacred object.

Although the Sacred object hadn't been found, he had passed the ancestor's trial and brought back the prophecy left by the ancestor.

The ancestor named Qiu Shiye told them their mission was to head to the world's end and keep going until there was no road left ahead.

The ancestor's will was like timely rain after a long drought, allowing the barely sustaining Qiu people to breathe a sigh of relief.

They had always carried the mission of guarding the Forbidden Forest Valley, now finally able to leave this increasingly inhospitable place.

Qiu Ridge brought back not only the prophecy of the Ancestors but also the hope of escaping into life.

He not only reorganized the army of Qiu Kingdom but also led the reinvigorated soldiers to repeatedly thwart several attempts by the Forest Tribe to surround and annihilate them, and he protected the elderly, women, and children of the clan, took the livestock and production materials, and broke through the mountains, escaping into the desolate eastern mountains.

That place is downstream of the Nameless River, connecting to a tranquil sea.

According to what was said by the Ancestors in the sky, as long as they crossed the mountains under their feet and went east across the hot rainforest, through the vast desert and grasslands, they would find land far more fertile than the Forbidden Forest Valley.

It is the resting place granted to them by the Ancestors.

On that land, they would build countless cities, establish an infinitely prosperous kingdom, and thrive and explore a world much broader than the Forbidden Forest Valley.

Qiu Ridge convinced his people to set off with peace of mind, then stayed behind with 500 cavalry in the pass of the eastern mountains to cover their retreat.

Although Tunnan had already taken over the Forbidden Forest Valley, he was evidently not content with the current victory and wanted more.

Ignoring the prophecy brought by the Temple Maiden, he led 3,000 elite warriors of the Doma Clan and 2,000 of the finest young warriors from various tribes, pursuing along the traces of the "Sinners" retreat to the foot of the eastern mountains, launching an attack at dusk.

Qiu Ridge had been waiting here for some time.

He ordered his soldiers to cut the vines entwining the rolling logs, letting the stones and logs roll down the slope.

The pouring stones and logs were like a collapsing mountain torrent, instantly crushing Tunnan's 5,000 tribal warriors.

The residents of the forest, having never seen the terror of a landslide, thought it was the divine punishment of the Ancestors. If they weren't struck by the stones, they were scared senseless by the scene of the earth collapsing, fleeing in all directions.

With the organizational ability of the tribal era, once morale collapsed, it was almost impossible to regroup.

Not missing this golden opportunity, Qiu Ridge led 500 warriors mounted on Lizards to charge immediately.

The Wild Lizards, following the cascade of rocks and logs, became a nightmare from which the Forest People could not wake.

Seeing the defeated soldiers, Tunnan wished he could grind his teeth to powder.

Though he knew defeat was inevitable, he refused to give up and instead, relying on the "armor" that was impervious to blades and arrows, rode a giant bear alone up towards the high ground.

Just then, a crisp sound broke the air and poured into his ears, followed by a sharp clang.

Before he could realize what had happened, an arrow pierced his kneecap.

It was an arrow shot by Qiu Ridge.

At this moment, he held in his hand the Divine Bow bestowed by the Ancestors!

As for the arrow, there was nothing special about it, it simply had a tip made of that dark green crystal.

Tunnan let out a miserable cry and fell from the giant bear's back, rolling down to the foot of the mountain.

Only then did he remember the prophecy brought back by that Temple Maiden named "Dora" from the forest!

Although he had misunderstood the true meaning of the "Arrow of Punishment" in every sense, at that moment, being shot through the shoulder seemed undoubtedly a warning to him.

"Retreat!"

Swallowing his humiliation, he finally gave the order to retreat, withdrawing into the forest with fewer than 300 remaining soldiers.

Meanwhile, having shot Tunnan down the slope with one arrow, without losing a single soldier to block the "hundreds of thousands of troops," Qiu Ridge became a myth in the eyes of the Qiu people, becoming a new legend on this land.

However, unlike Tunnan, he did not linger on this troubled land out of greed for victory.

They needed to go further.

They needed to step their footprints along the coast of the ocean, spreading the seeds of civilization across every corner of this land.

"Advance!"

He raised the longbow in his hand high, shouting at the high-spirited soldiers, turned the neck of the Wild Lizard he was riding on, and led the group deeper into the mountains.

Even though he did not want to let this group of people go, Tunnan swallowed his hatred.

The sudden defeat completely shattered his plan to unify the forest.

Even if the Doma Tribe succeeded in reclaiming the Sacred Land, they were already gravely weakened.

Moreover, after this, he and his people would have to face punishment from the Ancestors.

Weakly standing up again with the help of his subordinates, he felt unprecedentedly weak, the swelling and pain from his wound made him feel his days were numbered.

His heart was filled with regret, regretting why he insisted on going his own way, regretting why he did not heed advice, regretting why he did not spare the "Sinners" a path of life, giving himself an opportunity as well.

But at this point, saying anything was already too late.

After the Sun set, both sides declared their own victories, moving toward their respective recognized futures.

As for what happened after that, it became a long and tortuous epic...

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