The World Has No End

The hot air balloon flew over Anho City and past the border towns of Yinsai.

At the edge of the sky appeared a great chasm, as if the earth had been torn asunder. This unique geographical feature had long hindered the Yinsai people's exploration of distant lands.

However, crossing the great chasm revealed not a new world, but another expanse.

It was a vast, high-altitude wasteland bordering an inland sea.

The thousand-meter-high cliff was lined with treacherous stone stairs, while endless waves from the sea below crashed against the cliff base, producing thunderous echoes.

The spirit couldn't help but exclaim, "Have we reached the end of the world?"

God said, "The world has no end."

The spirit turned back, confusion etched on her face. "How can the world have no end? Surely if there's a path, it must lead somewhere finite!"

God spoke calmly, "This world is a sphere. When you reach what seems to be the end, you'll find you've merely returned to where you started."

"The world has no end because every place you stand is the world's end."

The spirit's eyes sparkled with wonder. On one hand, she found this world utterly mysterious.

On the other, she thought this sentence was quite good and could be added to her "writings."

She gazed at God with bright, eager eyes, as if she'd discovered a treasure trove.

The hot air balloon lowered its embedded small house onto the ground beyond the great chasm, then ascended back into the sky with its basket.

The spirit felt a twinge of regret but knew this journey had reached its conclusion.

The rest would be up to the bone demons and the life tool, God-Created Man.

"We still couldn't find the missing part of the life ability. What could be the reason?" God mused.

Looking at the barren, lifeless land, God said, "Perhaps it's because life here is too monotonous. The era of life's true flourishing has yet to begin."

"This era shouldn't have civilization, nor should it have intelligent life."

The hot air balloon drifted away, disappearing into the clouds and starlight.

Six bone demons stood before the small house, their bodies completely covered by masks and clothing, looking bewildered.

As God departed, they seemed to awaken from a grand dream.

They felt they had traveled with three great beings, but of the one standing at the center of the three, they could only recall a blank silhouette.

"Who was that?"

The more they pondered, the more afraid they became.

A boundless terror grew in their hearts.

This terror was like the fear of the dark, starry sky and the unknown—an instinctive aversion to something so powerful it defied comprehension or imagination.

Despite exerting all their mental strength to unearth the memory, all they could recall was the shadow of a star standing amidst the darkness.

Trying to think deeper only led to being engulfed by that terror, their consciousness dissolving under the radiance of the star's shadow.

What they could truly remember was only the God's messenger and the Mother of Life standing on either side of the Yinsai God.

But the deepest impression was left by the Mother of Life.

"The Mother of All Living Things, wielder of the life ability."

"In her hands, she held the source of all life—the supreme Divine Artifact of the life ability, the Mother Conch of All Things."

Bearing the mission of life's mysteries, each witch doctor possessed a part of the God-Created Man.

Remaining there, they began to move that very day.

Two witch doctors stood at opposite ends of the great chasm, activating the bone ritual array.

In an instant, bones interlaced and extended, stretching towards the other side.

Finally connecting, they formed a long, swaying, and soul-stirring bone suspension bridge.

This once isolated place was now linked to Yinsai.

They erected high walls around the House of the Witch Doctors, but inside the walls, there were no buildings. It looked like a vast pasture enclosed by giant walls.

This was indeed the witch doctors' intention. To prevent affecting the outside world, they planned to conduct their life experiments within these high walls.

Then, the witch doctors planted a large circle of Sun Cups, releasing illusory mist that enveloped the entire area.

A domain of their own, a realm unaffected by outside interference, was thus formed.

The witch doctors began to delve into the mysteries of life they sought. Sometimes they would descend into the sea, and other times they would venture into the world of Yinsai.

Legends of the witch doctors began to spread throughout the cities of the Dark River region.

For these witch doctors would occasionally enter Yinsai cities, helping to treat diseases and injuries.

Some sick people, upon hearing rumors of the witch doctors, began to cross the suspension bridge and enter the illusory mist in search of the House of the Witch Doctors.

Thus, they received treatment.

The name of the witch doctors spread farther and grew more legendary.

In the distant Cross City, Vivien sent a letter back to her neighbors and friends.

A large crowd gathered noisily at the entrance of the cart repair shop.

The owner waved the letter, shouting loudly.

"Vivien and her sister have entered the Temple of Truth! Both have become apprentices of the Temple of Truth."

The crowd erupted in cheers: "Doesn't that mean they're going to become important figures?"

Those familiar with Vivien swelled with pride: "That's wonderful! Our street has produced another remarkable person."

The young doctor who had originally guided Vivien to seek the House of the Witch Doctors was also among the crowd.

He smiled, feeling happy for the sisters.

On his way back, he once again heard rumors about the witch doctors.

In front of an inn, several members of a merchant caravan gathered to discuss stories from afar.

"Have you heard? The witch doctors have gone to the Dark River region."

"Many people are rushing there, asking the witch doctors to treat their illnesses!"

"I've heard about it too. They say no matter how severe the illness or how grave the injury, it's no problem for these witch doctors."

"They possess the arts of regrowing severed limbs and even reviving the dead."

"If you can find them, there's hope for any ailment."

The person who spoke first clearly knew more details. He raised his head proudly and said,

"It's not that simple!"

"What you all know is just hearsay. I have a friend who has actually been to the House of the Witch Doctors."

"Everyone seeking the witch doctors must pass three trials before they can enter the House of the Witch Doctors."

The crowd asked eagerly: "What are these three trials?"

The speaker built suspense for a while before slowly raising his fingers one by one.

"The first trial is the Bone Suspension Bridge. Everyone must cross a bridge so long you can't see the other end, with a bottomless abyss below. Fall, and you're certainly dead."

"The wind howls on that bridge, and it sways back and forth beneath your feet. It's absolutely terrifying."

"The second trial is the Mist of Good and Evil."

"After you cross the bridge and reach the other side, you'll see a vast expanse of mist."

"Here, you'll see all the good and bad deeds you've ever done. If you've done good deeds, you can pass through easily. But if you've done evil, those you've wronged will emerge from the mist to seek vengeance."

The crowd listened, shivering, but still very curious.

"What's the third trial?"

The man raised his third finger: "The third trial... the third trial."

"Well..."

"My friend didn't make it to the third trial. He got scared and ran away as soon as he entered the mist."

The crowd booed: "So your friend isn't such a good person after all!"

Someone asked, "Is this 'friend' actually you? Were you trying to find the witch doctors to heal one of your not-so-nimble legs?"

The man immediately became agitated, waving his hands to shoo away the speaker: "What nonsense! What nonsense!"

His flustered reaction immediately sparked a round of laughter in front of the inn.

The young doctor, who had just been inspired by Vivien's experience, now pondered the stories about the witch doctors as he watched the noisy crowd.

"The witch doctors travel around healing and saving people. They must be kind-hearted, good people!"

"If I sincerely ask to follow and learn from them,"

"Could they perhaps teach us those methods and powers for healing and saving lives?"

The young doctor felt excited: "If we could spread these miraculous healing methods, wouldn't everyone be able to receive treatment in the future?"

Having been a doctor for so long, he felt very lost.

He had seen too many people die before him, powerless to help.

Sometimes he didn't even know if what he had learned was of any use.

He began to pack his belongings, preparing to set out with a merchant caravan towards Anho City in the Dark River region.