Sage Kubana became the second emperor of the Eagle Empire.
He was not nominally the first founder, yet he surpassed the first founder.
Later generations would also revere him as the most indispensable figure in human history. No one disputed it; he deserved this honor.
In the second year after his ascension, rumors gradually began to spread that Emperor Kubana was so wise, and able to uncover so many truths of the world through his own efforts, because a deity had taught him in his dreams since childhood.
At some unknown point, a small group of fanatics who had benefited from the knowledge pioneered by Emperor Kubana took it upon themselves to establish the Truth Church, to enlighten the masses and commemorate the achievements of Emperor Kubana and that hidden deity.
The deity they worshipped was the God of Truth, named Aethelred.
The church grew ever more influential and developed several inventions that benefited the people. Only after it had been accepted by countless subjects did Emperor Kubana reluctantly recognize the Truth Church as one of the orthodox Three Divine Sects.
Such a transparent cover-up would inevitably have its truth exposed by later generations.
But at this moment, when Emperor Kubana's prestige was at its peak and all manner of groundbreaking inventions had penetrated civilian life, no one questioned it, nor could they.
With Kubana's secret support, in merely two years, the Truth Church became the largest church, with the greatest number of believers.
Meanwhile, the War Church founded by the first emperor, Hu'erlun, had, like the Sun Church, fallen beneath the Truth Church.
After all, only a few had witnessed gods manifesting their divinity, while every human had enjoyed the benefits of those groundbreaking inventions.
Rear hall.
In his administrative palace, Kubana personally reviewed the mountain-like stacks of memorials. Beside him on the desk sat a half-finished bowl of pale Spirit Nourishing Soup.
Paper was his invention, yet now it nearly crushed him to death.
He spent every day here reviewing memorials and governing the realm, using Spirit Nourishing Soup to stay alert so that he would not become utterly exhausted in body and mind.
Soft footsteps came from outside the door.
The empress wore luxurious robes. This woman who had been by Kubana's side since he was in his twenties had now grown old and faded, silver hair draped over her shoulders.
Kubana raised his head. When he saw his empress enter with a complicated look in her eyes, his deeply focused gaze softened slightly. "Fina, you came."
Empress Fina bit her lip, walked behind Kubana, and draped a robe over him. "Since you would not come find me, I had no choice but to come find you."
Kubana placed his hand over the back of Fina's hand and said apologetically, "State affairs have been busy these past few days. I truly have neglected you and the children. I am sorry."
Fina glanced at the Spirit Nourishing Soup on the table and said, "You do not need to apologize. You have said it many times. Besides, you owe no one anything. It is just... Kubana, we both know what Spirit Nourishing Soup means."
As Kubana's empress, the sole empress personally named by the greatest sage of all ages, Fina naturally knew many of Kubana's secrets.
Among them was the entire story of how Kubana had stolen the throne.
Kubana was confident that this wife, who had gazed at him tenderly for decades, never caused him trouble, and toiled day and night for him, would not reveal those secrets.
Besides, it was already too late to reveal them now. His power had fully taken shape.
Kubana patted the back of Fina's hand and said, "It is all right. Only one final glory remains in my pursuit through life, and I can see that glory only in the instant of my death. Fina, do not worry about me. You and the children will enjoy prosperity forever."
Fina lost her composure slightly. "So... so you would rather hasten your own death to pursue some so-called elusive truth? Have you ever considered what I am supposed to do after losing you?"
Kubana fell silent for a while before saying, "Fina, I hope you understand. From the day I was chosen, my soul belonged only to the deity. Other than my soul, I am willing to give you everything I can."
Tears fell from Fina's eyes as she looked at Kubana in incomprehension. "Then why can you not die naturally? Are you truly so eager to leave me and the children? Kubana, if you die, I will not go on living either. Even so, will you still torment yourself like this, all for one instant of learning your truth?"
Kubana and Fina stared at one another for a long time. Though deeply moved, an unshakable resolve still showed in his eyes.
He also knew that if he could not clearly convey that resolve to his wife, she would remain trapped in conflict and pain forever.
Kubana spoke as gently as he could. "I love you, Fina, with a love beyond all things in this world... Thank you for being willing to die with me."
Yet beneath that gentleness lay a bone-chilling rationality that seemed to belong only to a god.
Fina staggered back two steps. She stared blankly at this familiar yet unfamiliar man whom she had gazed upon with tender affection for decades.
Countless past incidents had shown that this man loved her so much that he would die for her without hesitation.
A feeling that transcended life itself—what profound love that was.
Yet the heartlessness hidden behind that profound love left Fina unable to control herself, unable to understand, unable to accept it!
At this moment, only four words were written across this man's face—
No turning back!
Nothing was sadder than a dead heart. Her tears exhausted, Fina left in a daze.
Heka Star 18.
Inside the hotel.
Tang Chuan withdrew from God's Perspective, his emotions equally unsettled.
Kubana was merely a mortal, yet the creation Tang Chuan had made on a whim sometimes seemed more like a god than he was now.
Was this truly... to hear the Way in the morning and die content that evening?
In the long river of human history, would there always emerge a few sages willing to abandon everything in pursuit of truth?
Some human ideologies, honestly, left even Tang Chuan, who was still barely on the human level, deeply shaken.
After reflecting for a while, Tang Chuan shook his head and asked Quintessa, "How many people have died on Heka Star these past few days?"
Quintessa answered, "A total of 1,854 people. We are close to the Star Hunters' assessment target. The restrictions should be lifted within the next couple of days."
Tang Chuan nodded. "Hurry and get there. I have been bored to death these past few days. Kubana should still have some time left. Staying in a semi-omniscient state for so long has made me a little tired. I will sleep first. Warn me if there is danger."
As he spoke, Tang Chuan yawned, pulled over a blanket, and lay down on the sofa.
Quintessa hesitated for a moment. "Only warn you if there is danger?"
Tang Chuan paused, then said, "Why would you wake me if there is no danger? Unless Kubana is about to kick the bucket, do not wake me. Hopefully, the restrictions will be lifted by the time I wake up."
Quintessa nodded. "All right."
Tang Chuan did not answer again. He closed his eyes. Still not fully adapted to the genetic state of the second treatment course, he always felt sleepy after withdrawing from his semi-omniscient state.
Before long, he fell asleep and continued his Azure Star television-series dreams.
But no one noticed that shortly after he fell asleep, the wall beside him, hung with a Heka Star-style oil painting, gave an almost imperceptible ripple.
That transparent thing left faint dents in the carpet.
Closer and closer.
Closer and closer...
Before you continue