Three days passed after that.

Just as the leader of Doma City, Tunnan, was fading from a last breath to half a breath, Night Ten finally left the temple, ending his long retreat.

As for why he stayed three extra days, there was actually no particular reason.

It was mainly to transplant his findings on the murals and the murals themselves onto the forum.

Although this matter sounds simple, it was a bit laborious to accomplish.

As a result, Night Ten felt his memory and focus in the real world had improved considerably, even briefly suspecting he had awakened some sort of special ability in reality.

However, regrettably,

perhaps because the real Earth was in an "age of the end of the Dharma," or perhaps lacking a relic from a pioneer civilization, that mental induction ability did not manifest in his physical body in the real world.

But honestly, when updating the posts, Night Ten couldn't help but wonder whether similar things might actually exist in reality.

For instance, things like fortune-telling, feng shui, divination, or even tarot cards, might actually be elementary manifestations of spiritual energy.

Like how the Doma people pray to the "Tree of Yenshof," observing the future through the void.

Although they did not correctly understand the essence of the Tree of Yenshof, because they devotedly repeated the same thing for generations, past and future, they inadvertently established a resonance with future descendants revolving around the incomprehensible existence of the Tree of Yenshof, thereby encountering their own future.

From a result standpoint, although they always sought their own advice, seeking advice from the Tree of Yenshof was no different.

That existence played the role of a "ladder," and standing on the ladder, they ultimately saw a part of the future, even if the future they saw was abstract.

And those prophecies regarding the future eventually did come true.

Night Ten didn't know how to use scientific theory to summarize these findings, perhaps the Alliance should dispatch professional social science researchers to reside in the orbit of Gaia Planet to observe the civilization activities on the surface.

Perhaps it's just his personal opinion.

But he often pondered that this might be more beneficial than directly colonizing the planet.

The universe is vast.

They need not be fixated on the star South Gate Two; there is a broader world awaiting exploration.

Like other relics left by pioneer civilizations in this universe, or other newborn civilizations stepping out of infancy like humanity.

In any case, after experiencing the events of Hunter and Gemini, Night Ten was still firmly convinced that he was a dedicated materialist,

but his cognition was no longer as absolute as a child.

After all, he saw it with his own eyes.

The real world is not simply black and white...

After updating all his findings on the forum, Night Ten finally stepped out of the temple.

And as he stepped outside, he discovered numerous Forest People prostrated on the ground, bowing in his direction.

This included not only the natives of Doma City.

But also the inhabitants of other tribes in the forest.

They looked solemn, appeared devout, prostrated under the roots of the Sacred Tree, bathed in golden light.

It was only then that Night Ten noticed that the flying fireflies had adorned the Sacred Tree into a dazzling gold.

A group of shirtless Temple Guards walked over.

They carried a stretcher woven from vine wood, on which wide leaves and dry grass were laid, and on the dry grass lay a sturdy corpse.

This body once belonged to a king with unlimited power and might.

He was once the strongest in this forest; fierce beasts and even the most warlike tribes submitted to him.

Yet now he had reached the end of his life, like a piece of rotting decayed wood, even unable to walk on his own two feet.

Night Ten looked at him with compassion, unexpectedly not feeling any hatred, nor any schadenfreude or satisfaction from revenge.

One cannot expect monkeys on a tree to understand ritual propriety like humans; he simply did what he was bound to do.

And his fate had long been written in the prophecy, everything as if it was agreed upon.

"I confess to you... I beg you to forgive me and my tribe's sins," Tunnan looked at him repentantly, attempting to lift the hand that could no longer rise.

Night Ten reached out to hold his hand, speaking in a kindly voice he had never used before.

"I forgive you."

That sentence seemed to absolve him of all his sins.

Tunnan's eyes revealed a hint of gratitude, and he finally let go of his last breath and closed his weary eyes.

Saving him would have been easy.

Not even requiring high-tech, just a shot of penicillin would have sufficed.

But Night Ten didn't do it, nor did the person lying on the stretcher plead for him to intervene.

Watching the departed leader, the Temple Guards carrying the stretcher knelt on one knee, chanting eulogies, bidding farewell to the departing soul.

"Use cremation."

Night Ten looked at the leading Temple Guard and said just this one sentence, then remained silent.

The priest named Saquai became the new leader.

It's said that Tunnan, in his final moments, relinquished the position of leader to him.

Interestingly, the Qiu people, after their defeat in the senate, found a leader to guide them out of the wilderness.

And the forest tribes, after suffering defeat in the eastern mountains and Tunnan's death, instead picked up the senate system abandoned by the Qiu people, unexpectedly blossoming the seed of classical republicanism unseen before in the forest!

The war brought them not only destruction but also brought things they had never possessed.

Perhaps that's what He meant by "interesting"...

These events outside the temple were what Dora communicated to Night Ten through mental induction during his retreat.

He wasn't truly disconnected from the outside world.

After all, Jiang Xuezhou was still waiting for him in synchronous orbit, he had to have someone reassure her.

Watching Tunnan, at rest, being carried away, Saquai took tentative steps forward, respectfully knelt before Night Ten, and said solemnly.

"Supreme Ancestor, I beg you, give your children an insight..."

He humbled himself greatly.

Like a child who has erred facing his stern father.

Night Ten gazed into his eyes, using a gentle tone he had never used.

"Etch your history into the tree roots, onto the slabs, into the earth, into every place you can see... Ensure that what happened on this land is forever passed down."

"You do not need our advice; you need to face your own hearts."

Saquai's face bore an expression of both loss and realization.

He lowered his head respectfully, sincerely thanked him, and then, supported by the Temple Guards, rose and walked to his tribesmen.

The era belonging to Tunnan had ended.

A new era thus began.

Watching Saquai delivering a passionate speech to all the little green people, Night Ten's lips curled into a contented smile.

Just as he was about to leave, a silver-white drone suddenly hovered beside him and bumped against his shoulder.

"What the hell are you doing! Do you know how worried I was?" An anxious voice floated from beneath the drone, clearly showing Jiang Xuezhou was indeed terribly worried.

"Didn't I assure you I'd be fine," Night Ten rubbed his shoulder, retorting, "Besides, don't say you didn't think, 'Let this guy suffer a bit too'."

"Hmm—"

This comment clearly stunned Jiang Xuezhou, undoubtedly she had thought that.

A bunch of natives could trap him, but saying he could have any life-threatening danger was indeed impossible.

After all, the components in that guy's body were installed by herself; she was quite aware of his capabilities.

"...I felt as if you've become a different person." The drone in the sky wobbled, and a quiet mumble drifted from the speaker.

Night Ten involuntarily curled up the corners of his mouth, smiled faintly, and said.

"Really? Maybe there is... You might not believe it, but I've awakened my spiritual energy."

"Really?" The camera of the drone focused on him, the voice filled with skeptical surprise.

"Really," Night Eleven said earnestly, "If you don't believe me, I'll show you when I get back."

"You can show me... but don't mess around, okay." Jiang Xuezhou's voice suddenly became shy.

Night Ten made a helpless expression.

Mess around, really...

What else could he mess up?

Truly nonsense.

"Let's talk about serious matters; I have an idea."

It always felt strange hearing the word 'serious' from this guy's mouth.

However, Jiang Xuezhou still asked curiously.

"...What idea?"

Night Ten paused for a moment and then spoke his thoughts.

"I've discovered some interesting things in the Doma people's Temple. Various clues suggest that before the birth of our civilization, when our mother planet was still a lifeless planet... there existed a civilization far more advanced than ours in this universe, which I tentatively call the 'Pioneer' civilization."

"I'll write a detailed report after I return to the starship for you to see... once all this turmoil is over, I wish to search for the relics of that Pioneer civilization."

"This journey might be very long, and I'm not certain when it will end... Perhaps it may never end; we might keep walking down this path, all the way to the end of the universe."

"Would you... be willing to accompany me?"

Those relics seem much more interesting than the ones on the Wasteland, and their value is likely far beyond the latter.

He figured the respected Manager would support his idea, perhaps even sponsor him with a spaceship.

The more he understood His existence, the more uncontrollable his curiosity became for Him and for this Game.

Is it really just a game?

He thought of the rumor that has been circulating on the Internet.

Wasteland OL is not just a game but rather a gift to humanity from an advanced civilization.

Ending the Wasteland Era is just the apparent main line, but hidden within the deep code is a dark line beneath the visible thread—

It is about exploring the essence of the world.

Or rather, exploring the clues of the creator.

Night Ten had a premonition that not only does the world of Wasteland OL have a creator, but the Real World also has a similar existence.

Whether "Night Ten" or "Ye Wei," they are actually characters in some movie or novel.

Just as he overlooks Tunnan, an invisible pair or pairs of eyes are also gazing through the omnipresent Window of Vision, observing the echoes he and "He" have left in this universe.

The communication channel was silent for a while before a voice filled with emotion and even a hint of choking came through.

"I am willing..."

"I am willing to accompany you to the end of the universe!"

She wasn't actually clear on what the "Pioneer" is or Night Ten's encounter in the Temple, only knowing that, like that Dora, he successfully communicated with some unspeakable existence through those strange "scribbles" on the walls.

That indeed is fascinating research material, possibly pushing her career a step further, upgrading from C-class to B-class, standing shoulder to shoulder with her former mentor!

However, those things no longer mattered to her...

The words she just heard were the most romantic, heartfelt confession she'd ever heard in her life.

Listening to the response across the communication channel, Night Ten's face showed a sunny smile.

Originally, he planned to apologize to her, but now it seemed her anger had dissipated...

Not just himself.

She has matured.

Glancing at the Forest People who had returned to their historical trajectory, Night Ten was ready to leave.

And at this moment, Dora, who had been standing guard at the Temple entrance, suddenly knelt before him, pleadingly saying.

"Honored Ancestor... please take me to the heavens."

She felt he was about to leave.

And with his departure, countless centuries might pass.

They who live on the ground might never meet these Ancestors again.

Looking at her devout face, Night Ten couldn't help but think of that fool "He" mentioned.

That fool must be Dr. Qiu Shiye; it could only be him.

He longed for "Him" to take him to the heavens, only to find the world above was nothing like he imagined.

Night Ten pondered for a moment and then told her.

"The heavens are just another ground; it's not the paradise you imagine... If the pursuit of the spiritual world represents your life's goal, you should listen more to Him, not us."

If anything, these Forest People should be the "Pioneers'" children, not the children of human civilization.

At least spiritually this is the case.

Without external interference, they would likely tread the same path as the "Pioneer" civilization, ascending to the Creator's world.

And the Qiu people are truly the United Human's children. They might follow the United Human's path, considering the Ideal City-style unified world as spiritual paradise and devoting their lives to exploring the physical world.

The two civilizations on the same planet will give rise to different nations and organizations.

And the friction and collision between these Primitive Man nations and organizations would create sparks, providing the Alliance with abundant art and valuable sociological experience.

The Alliance might gain some inspiration to enhance or improve communication with other extraterrestrial civilizations.

Of course, all of that talk is for later.

As Night Ten said this, Dora still refused to give up, looking at him with those bright eyes.

"I want to see... Please, take me with you, I'll do anything."

Seeing those sincere eyes, Night Ten was silent for a long time and finally softened.

"Considering all the help you've given me, I can take you to see the heavens. But remember, this means you can never return here; you will forever say goodbye to your home and family... Are you sure you want to do this?"

Dora nodded seriously.

"I want to know... the Truth, the Pioneer, the Tree of Yenshof, the poem engraved in the ruins, the murals on the walls, and the clouds in the sky... I want to know what they truly mean."

"The leader of the Qiu people said he saw his answer and would continue forward in the Maze. I also saw my answer, but it's buried in the clouds in the sky... I want to go there to see, please take me."

In the future as far as she could foresee, she and her people still wandered in this forest, while the more distant future was beyond her ability to envision.

She didn't want to spend the rest of her life in confusion and waiting.

She wanted to know the Truth she longed for.

Moreover, she was willing to pay with her life for it.

Looking at her serious face, Night Ten finally acknowledged her determination and ceased persuading her otherwise.

Truth be told, having a spiritual energy translator on his ship didn't seem too bad.

Though he too has awakened spiritual energy, he is the captain, after all—

Well, actually, Xuezhou is the designated captain of the Hunter, and he is the deputy executive officer.

But there's really no difference.

"Stand up."

"From now on, you are also a crew member of the Hunter."

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