Prologue

Protons are subatomic particles with a positive electric charge. The number of protons in an atomic nucleus determines its chemical properties and the chemical element to which it belongs; these atoms, possessing different numbers of protons, go on to compose all matter in the physical world, including energy.

A fertilized egg, as a fundamental single cell, possesses immense vitality. After countless divisions, even though the DNA double-helix structure within every cell nucleus remains identical, they eventually grow into different tissues and organs. Some become the brain, some the nerves, while others become skin, undergo keratinization, or turn into dander that sheds, eventually returning to the most basic elements through the ecological chain.

The Big Bang began from a single singularity, one becoming two, two becoming three... endlessly, evolving in complexity to give birth to all things in heaven and earth.

The torrent of time has rolled on toward an unknown destination ever since.

Taoism says: Heaven's Evolvement Forty-Nine, this is The Escaped One.

Buddhism says: The Other Shore.

Before reaching the finality of all things, there exist infinite or near-infinite possibilities.

A seed takes root and sprouts, growing into a towering tree. Countless atoms compose a cell, and countless cells compose a leaf, a piece of bark, a branch, or a root—too many to count.

Nurtured by the torrent of time, the World Seed grows into a tall, sturdy World Tree, its lush branches constantly forking and growing in an endless cycle.

Although it is difficult to find two identical leaves, in the endless worlds as numerous as Ganges Sand, beings of supreme wisdom perceive a fleeting sense of déjà vu in the blink of an eye. Amidst the haze, they find glimpses of another self and a vastly different destiny—perhaps a lowly beggar trampled by others, a peerless general vying for supremacy on the battlefield, a shrewd merchant, a shameless villain, a greedy official, or a majestic emperor. Just like protons, just like DNA, they enact different lives across infinite worlds.

It is precisely because of this tiny, unprovable spark that many powerful beings—Wizards, Priests, Sages, Sorcerers, and Saints, all bearing various extraordinary titles—seem to open their eyes in trepidation, looking at themselves and everything around them, attempting to steal a glimpse of the heavenly secrets.