The Journey Polo and God Failed to Achieve

Under the starry night, awe quickly gave way to fear as the terrifying reputation of the Forbidden Zone of Death sank in.

"The Forbidden Zone of Death? The Star Night Mountain Range?" Some had never heard the name Star Night Mountain Range, but that did not lessen their fear of the Forbidden Zone of Death.

"How did we suddenly end up here?" The people's agitation made the Sail Beasts and Land Dragons restless.

"We're doomed. Can we still get out of here alive?" Everyone looked toward Sukob, desperate for an answer.

But Sukob simply reassured them, his calm voice addressing the Witch Spirits.

"It will be fine."

"The Forbidden Zone of Death is that mountain range over there. We are still a long way from it."

"As long as we do not enter the mountains, we should be safe."

"Legend says this starry night is always moving. It will likely shift to another place soon. We must have wandered into its path by accident."

"Everyone, just stay still. We do not want to be taken away by this Star Night Mountain Range."

Sukob had long held his own theories regarding the formation of the forbidden zones.

They had to be connected to the Ruhe Great God who supports the earth. Each forbidden zone seemed to hold ancient secrets, secrets that mortals were never meant to uncover.

Sukob observed the distant city under the starlight. Its architectural style was familiar, reminding him of "The Lost Kingdom" at the Temple of Fire Protection. The designs belonged to the First Era.

As he gazed upon the ancient city, he imagined the prosperous scenes of a forgotten civilization.

Meanwhile, Long looked up at the sky, his eyes fixed on the moon above.

"Teacher," Long exclaimed, his voice full of wonder, "it's not just the stars. Even the moon is so beautiful!"

"It looks completely different from the one we usually see."

As Long spoke, his words gradually slowed.

"It is truly... so beautiful."

A question formed in Sukob's mind.

"Moon?"

"Where did a moon come from?"

Everyone raised their heads to look at the moon.

Brilliant moonlight poured down from the sky, dyeing the entire world silver.

Instantly, everyone froze.

All the Witch Spirits became like still photographs, their movements ceasing completely.

As the strongest among them, Sukob felt the impact most intensely.

He felt his consciousness being pulled into the depths of the starry sky, dragged into the river of time itself.

However, Sukob was also the most experienced. He quickly pulled his mind back from the brink and resisted any urge to delve deeper into that power.

He fought against the pull of mystery and greatness that had begun to take root within him.

It was a longing that unmistakably led toward death, yet it carried neither doubt nor hesitation.

Sukob understood immediately.

That was not just a moon.

"God's Moon."

Sukob tried to comprehend its meaning. God's Moon, rising from the depths of the Kingdom of God, had manifested here.

He could only sense that something unimaginable had occurred.

He did not dare look at the moon again and lowered his head uneasily.

He turned to scan his surroundings, his gaze settling on the distant Star Night Mountain Range.

Although the Witch Spirits around him were still immersed in that peculiar state, Sukob was not overly worried.

They were too weak.

At this moment, their weakness was an advantage, as it prevented them from sensing the power of God's Moon that transcended space and time.

Looking directly at God's Moon would not harm them. They might even receive some kind of blessing.

Under the moonlight of the Crown of Wisdom, all wisdom species could gain certain benefits.

But just then, Sukob caught sight of a figure in the corner of his eye, moving steadily toward the Star Night Mountain Range.

The vast sea of stars turned slowly above. On the barren earth, a lone figure moved across the land, while the distant aurora stretched endlessly toward the horizon.

At first, Sukob thought it was a stray Witch Spirit wandering toward the Star Night Mountain Range. Without hesitation, he lifted off the ground and flew quickly in pursuit.

"Stop!" Sukob shouted. "Don't go there! You will die!"

But he soon realized something was wrong.

That was not a Snake Person, a Witch Spirit, or anyone from his group. The figure unmistakably bore the presence of God's Form.

Even more shocking, although the figure walked slowly, the Star Night Mountain Range appeared before them in the blink of an eye.

It did not seem as though the figure walked toward the mountain range, but rather that the mountain range came to meet them.

The ancient city and temples glowed softly, their light seeming to welcome the figure's arrival.

Sukob realized the truth.

This was a deity.

He suddenly remembered his earlier conversation with Long, when he had warned that any random traveler on the road could turn out to be a deity. He could hardly believe that, just moments later, a god had actually appeared.

Sukob thought to himself, "Long, are you some kind of prophet?"

"No," he muttered. "I was the one who said those words."

Sukob observed the figure but could not match it with any deity he knew.

This was to be expected. While he was knowledgeable and had encountered several deities, he could not possibly know all the myths and secrets of the world.

"Which deity could this be?"

Sukob did not realize that what he perceived as a deity was, in fact, the Creator.

However, for reasons he could not comprehend, his own body began to move toward the Star Night Mountain Range.

Under the starry night, this city was known as Stan City 250 million years ago. It was established to honor Saint Stan.

The figure stepped into the city.

Soft and gentle, light spread outward from the silver moon and stars.

Time shifted, and the past came alive once more.

People from the Age of Miracles appeared one after another amid bustling markets filled with noisy and lively sounds.

Trilobite Men were dressed in colorful clothes of all kinds.

Their buildings, attire, and conversations revealed a world of abundant materials and an advanced civilization.

They had long since vanished, yet their shadows remained engraved here.

The Trilobite Man's civilization had appeared short-lived, but only in comparison to immortal mythological beings. Their civilization lasted far longer than any mortal one ever could.

They lived through the God-Given Era, the Yinsai Era, and the Royal Bloodline Era, witnessing a flourishing Age of Miracles. In the end, their journey concluded in the God-Forsaken Era.

Generations passed. The Creator's favor, Ruhe's throne, the descent of miracles, and the age of becoming gods all came and went.

It seemed they once possessed everything, but in the end, everything inevitably passed away.

The figure walked amidst the prosperity as shadows crossed around them. Then suddenly, everything began to disappear as if weathered away by time.

Whoosh!

The wind swept past.

Time flowed backward, and the scene returned to an even more distant past.

As time rewound further, the area transformed into what was once known as Tito Town.

The ancient small town emerged once more, bustling with stonemasons and adorned with the great poet Tito's verses etched into its walls.

《Hymn of the King of Wisdom》 and 《Yinsai Epic》 were inscribed everywhere, celebrating the poet's legacy.

The descendants of the great poet Tito lived in the small town. The noble bloodline that once shone brightly had faded, with some carrying on the saint's legacy while others led ordinary lives.

On a road paved with stone slabs, a Trilobite Man carrying a woven basket hurried past.

The figure paused for a moment and turned to meet his gaze.

He was a young craftsman named Stan, a name that meant stone tablet.

The young man could not possibly imagine that he would become the second-generation saint, transforming from the Marionette of Fate into a person who controlled his own will.

At the highest point of the Sky Temple, he would speak the words engraved in time:

"We don't need to pursue eternal life."

"Because this moment is eternity in my life."

He could not have known that he would one day take a slave named Sandean as his student, a being who would go on to initiate the Age of Miracles.

In time, Sandean would become the first Sage of Truth and usher in the era of the Temple of Truth.

From the ancient stone castle, a cave hidden deep underground, and a garden blooming with Sun Cup Flowers, something emerged and landed in the figure's hand.

It seemed they had come here just to retrieve this object.

It was a bone book, the ancient 《Yinsai Epic》.

This was its final page, capturing the last story of Divine Messenger Polo and the Star Queen. It also chronicled the beginning of the great poet's pilgrimage.

As the bone book landed in their palm, the world shifted once more.

Time rewound even further. All the buildings vanished, leaving behind what was once a secluded coastline.

Divine Messenger Polo had come here to build a house facing the sea and had planted a garden of Sun Cup Flowers.

The future Tito Town had not yet been born. The poet Tito, who firmly believed in fate, was just beginning to follow the traces of the Divine Messenger and the Star Queen to this very place.

The young poet knocked on the door, looking somewhat nervous.

With this knock, he began the first chapter of the saint's inheritance.

"Greetings to the noble Queen Star and the Messenger of God."

"I am a poet and scholar from the Queen's former hometown, the God-Servant City."

"My name is Tito."

Yin Shen stood by the sea, watching as the story from the final chapter of 《Yinsai Epic》 unfolded.

The poet who always spoke of fate, the Queen of Yinsai in her final moments, and the young Divine Messenger with his bright, sunny smile.

Yet, as the Queen took her last breath, the smiling Divine Messenger's face turned sorrowful, and the splendor of his dream began to fracture.

He held the Queen's body and touched his own face.

He seemed not to have anticipated this moment, yet he accepted this ending.

He was the child of the wind, his life a great adventure.

And now, the adventure was over.

He was a dream floating in the sky, and the moment he landed was the conclusion.

"So it was my dream."

"That has ended."

Finally, Polo entrusted the Divine Cup to the poet Tito.

He embraced the Star Queen's body and dispersed into the light and shadows of dreams.

Yin Shen raised his head and looked at Polo.

Millions of years ago, at the moment the golden-haired youth's dream scattered, he expressed his final regret.

He regretted that he could not see God one last time, regretted the journey that could never be.

"What a pity!"

"I couldn't see God one last time."

But at this moment, he lowered his head and saw a figure standing in the sea of flowers.

It was the God he spoke of, Yinsai.

The two of them seemed to cross the cycles of time.

Their gazes met.

The golden-haired youth revealed a sad smile.

"I'm sorry... God... In the end, Polo still can't accompany you on your journey."

After he spoke these words, the golden Divine Cup descended from the sky.

At that time, Yin Shen was still a projection isolated from the present world.

The Dream Realm had come into existence because of Polo, and Yin Shen was only able to project his consciousness into this world using the Star Queen's God-Descending Technique.

Until the very end, Polo's wish to travel with God remained unfulfilled, a dream that lingered in the depths of eternity.

Yin Shen recalled the past.

Polo was completely different from him. He was unrestrained, loved excitement, and was not bound by conventions.

He disliked walking and preferred to float in the sky.

He felt no attachment to the God-Given Land and was captivated by the world beyond its borders.

He often talked about journeying with God and embarking on grand adventures.

He would send breathtaking images from faraway places to Yin Shen, eager to share every happy moment.

He was the purest being of the Dream Realm, living out the dream he cherished most, the grandest dream of all.

From the moment he was born, he was destined to journey to faraway places and seek out grand adventures. Even Yin Shen could not hold him back, just as the wind cannot be contained as it sweeps across a meadow.

At that time, Polo did not know that even the farthest journeys have an end, and the grandest adventures must eventually conclude.

And dreams that are too magnificent are often fragile, easily broken by reality.

He was like the Creator's most beautiful dream brought to life.

In the end, God Yinsai's beautiful dream dissipated, vanishing into an infinite, eternal solitude.

Yin Shen lowered his head and softly recited the lines from 《Yinsai Epic》 written by the poet Tito.

【The shining stars extinguished with the passing of the Queen, and the Dream Spirit born from dreams also met its end with the shattering of the beautiful dream.】

【The rulers of generations past were buried under the dust of time, yet the legacy of Yinsai continued.】

【But the epic was no more, and the myth was lost in the passage of time.】

【Only faith remained eternal.】

The hand holding the bone book dropped, and the illusions in the Sun Cup Flowers vanished.

Sukob had also arrived by this time.

But when he landed, he found that the majestic city had already disappeared.

Before his eyes was the vast ocean of ancient times.

A small, fairy-tale house appeared before him, surrounded by a garden full of Sun Cup Flowers.

The figure who seemed to be a deity stood in the garden.

Sukob was bewildered, unable to understand what had happened.

"The sea?"

"How can there be a sea?"

The sound of ocean tides reached him, carrying a timeless resonance that echoed from the depths of history.

Not far away, a voice answered, its tone like the rhythm of the waves, ancient and mysterious.

"Because long ago, this place was part of the sea."

"The sea turns to land, and land turns to sea. The world follows this endless cycle."

Sukob hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "Who are you?"

"Why has this place changed like this?"

"Are you saying this is a scene from long ago?"

This was a man wearing a white robe.

The robe was so delicate it seemed magnificent, more ethereal and smooth than the wind itself. Its simple white color conveyed a sense of untouchable holiness and nobility.

Sun Cup Flowers swayed beside him, brushing against the hem of his robe.

He stood in the sea of flowers and turned around.

Sukob felt that the entire person was glowing, making it impossible to see their face clearly.

"I came here to retrieve something."

The figure looked at Sukob. The gaze seemed to freeze his consciousness, a feeling very similar to the one he got from God's Moon.

"Once, I had a child who said that everything will pass away and eventually return to my hands."

"I was not particularly fond of that saying."

"But after everything has passed, I always find myself gathering the remnants of the past as pieces of my memories."

"Now, it seems what he said might be right."

Sukob did not know who the "child" was, but he felt a sense of majesty and eternity in the words.

After everything passes away, everything will return to his hands?

Who would dare say such a thing? What kind of being is this?

The unknown deity's next words seemed meant for him.

"I like what you said."

"I believe this path is the right one."

"I will follow this path to the end, and in doing so, I will become the mythology waiting at the journey's conclusion."

The unknown deity walked out from the sea of flowers.

The sky, the stars, and the silver moon all seemed to become one with him at this moment.

This made Sukob involuntarily lower his head, no longer daring to meet the figure's gaze.

"Since the last era," the figure said, "those who became gods were always guided by unwavering beliefs."

"And now, you have one as well."

"Your followers might become the judges and lawyers of the future."

This was the first time Sukob had heard the terms "judge" and "lawyer."

In the past, laws were created by kings and were often simple, harsh, and arbitrary.

Villages and territories each had their own peculiar rules.

Nobles held the power to establish laws within their domains, and these laws were enforced without any need for judges or formal trials.

Sukob hesitated before asking, "What are judges and lawyers? What do they do?"

The unknown deity replied, "They are professions from my homeland, individuals shaped by legal codes and laws."

"They ensure that those who break the law are held accountable, upholding justice and fairness in society."

Sukob nodded thoughtfully. "Your homeland must have been a very prosperous civilization to create such professions."

"I hope the Snake People's civilization can one day have judges and lawyers like the ones you described."

Even now, Sukob still believed this was a deity from a previous era.

The unknown deity stood by the sea, gazing into the distance.

"Yes."

"A very prosperous civilization."

"I also want to go home and see it."

Sukob asked, "You mean you cannot return?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Everything from the previous era had long since vanished. How could one go back?

The unknown deity replied, "Yes, because it is far away."

The white-robed deity's voice grew distant, like the wind blowing over the sea.

"Truly... so very far away."

"I can only walk back slowly and look at the scenery along the way."

"I just do not know if, when I get home, the things will remain while the people have changed, or if both will be gone."

"Or perhaps," he murmured, "nothing can ever truly be restored."

After saying this, the white-robed deity took the bone book and walked away, vanishing into the sea of flowers.

The starry night vanished, and the silver moon disappeared along with it.

Everyone, including Sukob, reappeared on the Northern Wilderness.

Long and the Witch Spirits looked away from the sky, blinking at the familiar wilderness under a clear sky.

"Teacher, we're out!" Long said, his voice a mix of relief and excitement.

The Witch Spirits began to chatter among themselves. "Lord Sukob, you were right!"

"As long as we stood still, we were safe!"

"It seems the Forbidden Zone of Death isn't so frightening after all."

"If you're so brave, why didn't you try taking a few steps inside?" someone teased.

"I would have! When the Star Night Mountain Range appears again, I'll definitely take two steps and show you!"

Moreover, the Witch Spirits noticed that their powers seemed to have grown slightly, though the increase was not significant.

However, the changes they felt were undeniable, a benefit they could not have imagined.

The group was overjoyed, feeling this was a stroke of good fortune.

While the others regained their composure, Sukob remained lost in thought, unable to snap out of his daze.

Who did I just meet?

Who did I speak with?

Sukob could not remember.

He felt he had met a very important figure but could not recall their face.

The figure had said something to him, but the words were now gone.

He only remembered entering the Star Night Mountain Range and venturing into the Forbidden Zone of Death.

And then? What happened after that?

Long hurriedly packed their things, preparing to continue the journey.

Sukob returned to the carriage. Although he could not recall what had happened, he still recorded the miraculous experience.

"I entered the Star Night Mountain Range?"

"But I have forgotten what I saw. Is this caused by the mysterious power of the Forbidden Zone of Death?"

Meanwhile, as Long drove the carriage, he brought up the Star Night Mountain Range again.

A sudden thought occurred to Sukob's student.

"Teacher," Long said, "you mentioned that the Forbidden Zones of Death are created by the power of those divine beings beneath the earth."

"If I had walked in just now, could I have become a witch?"

"No, I mean, become a wizard?"

The name "wizard" sounded strange on his tongue.

At the same time, Long realized his words might have another meaning.

He quickly added, "Don't worry, Teacher!"

"Even if I became a wizard, I would stay loyal to you and to the God of Knowledge and Truth."

"I would share all the secrets of wizards to help the Witch Spirits understand them."

Sukob struck Long's head with a book, hitting him soundly three times.

"What nonsense are you dreaming about?"

"Only a deity as tolerant as the God of Knowledge and Truth would accept a scoundrel like you. Other gods would have slapped you dead long ago for such talk."

"Just drive and be quiet."

After that, Sukob and his group journeyed across several provinces within the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents. Eventually, they reached the Dark Moon Province and arrived at Mooneclipse City.

The scenes along the way were completely different from their last visit to the Royal Court.

In just a few years, the country had experienced profound changes. Although many areas remained impoverished, peace and stability had taken root, giving the common people a chance to survive and build a better life.

For the people of this era, peace and stability were the greatest of aspirations.

Sukob arrived at the executive hall of Mooneclipse City and met with the High Executive Officer of the Royal Court.

In a grand conference hall, the High Executive Officer greeted him with a welcoming smile.

"Lord Sukob," the High Executive Officer said warmly. "It is an honor to have you here."

Displaying his usual humility, Sukob bowed slightly.

"Your Excellency, your enthusiasm is humbling."

After some discussion, Sukob agreed to preach in the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents.

The High Executive Officer welcomed the decision, which aligned perfectly with the Royal Court's national policy.

In truth, Dark Moon had never anticipated that the Earth Witch would borrow the power of the Ruhe Great God.

The original plan was to bring all deities into the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents. This would ensure each deity had followers there, naturally providing the protection the Royal Court lacked.

In addition, having multiple faiths would reduce the authority of any single clergy, ensuring they could not interfere excessively in secular governance.

This was the plan they had created, and the Earth Witch's arrival had only allowed them to execute it more effectively.

At the same time, Sukob's presence would help the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents navigate its challenging early transition period.

Sukob agreed to introduce the faith of the God of Knowledge and Truth, but he also presented some of his own ideas.

The High Executive Officer raised an eyebrow. "A legal code?"

Sukob nodded. "I reviewed your country's legal code before I came."

"In my opinion, the legal code of the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents is the most comprehensive among all nations."

"It is, at the very least, the most practical and applicable code I have ever seen."

"The Royal Court must have invested significant effort in compiling it."

The High Executive Officer smiled. "How could a great country lack a great legal code?"

"The Dark Moon General once told me that the legal code is the foundation of a country."

"Even my position and the rights I hold as High Executive Officer are granted by it."

They exchanged their thoughts on the matter, with Sukob elaborating on his ideas in detail.

He spoke about the legal code, the concept of contracts, and his vision for the future.

"Your Excellency Executive Officer."

"I want to endow the legal code with power through mythological force."

"From now on, the legal code will give birth to Text Contract Spirits, giving true power to its regulations."

...

"Contracts will be constrained by the legal code, unable to exceed its framework. Each type of contract will be limited by its laws, which can regulate that contracts cannot exceed a certain number of years or certain boundaries."

"And if unreasonable contracts appear, they can be invalidated by amending the code."

...

Sukob spoke with growing enthusiasm, sharing his vision with the High Executive Officer.

The High Executive Officer listened intently, as if seeing a completely new future through Sukob's words.

"And from the legal code and contracts, two new professions will emerge."

"Judges and lawyers."

"Judges are the enforcers of the legal code, but they are also bound by it."

"Lawyers are those who know the regulations of the code and provide assistance to people. They can help people establish contracts or use laws to help those who have been harmed."

At this point, Sukob paused, realizing he had gone beyond what he had written in his notes.

"Huh?"

Sukob was confused.

"Judges and lawyers?"

"When did I come up with those names?"