Chapter 1

Protons, a type of subatomic particle carrying a positive charge, determine the chemical properties and the type of chemical element based on their number in the atomic nucleus. All matter in the real world, including energy, is composed of atoms with different numbers of protons.

A fertilized egg, as the most basic single cell, possesses immense vitality. After countless divisions, despite the identical DNA double helix structure in all cell nuclei, they eventually develop into different tissues and organs—some become the brain, some become nerves, some become skin, or keratinize, or turn into dandruff and fall off, ultimately being reduced to the most basic elements through the food chain.

The universe began with a Big Bang from a singularity, one becoming two, two becoming three... infinitely and complexly evolving to give birth to all things in heaven and earth.

The flow of time rolls on toward the unknown.

Taoism says: Heaven evolves into forty-nine, this is the one that has escaped.

Buddhism says: The other shore.

Before reaching the ultimate end, there exist infinite or infinitely possible outcomes.

A seed takes root and sprouts, growing into a towering tree. Countless atoms form a cell, countless cells form a leaf, a piece of bark, a branch, or a root, innumerable.

The world seed, nourished by the flow of time, grows into a tall and robust world tree, with lush branches and leaves continuously branching and growing, in a cycle that repeats.

Although it is difficult to find identical branches and leaves, in the endless worlds like the sands of the Ganges, beings of supreme wisdom, through a flash of insight, perceive fleeting moments of déjà vu amidst the confusion, finding hints of another self and a completely different destiny—perhaps a lowly beggar trampled by others, a world-renowned general on the battlefield, a shrewd merchant, a shameless villain, a corrupt official, or a commanding emperor—like protons, like DNA, playing out different lives in the infinite worlds.

It is precisely because of this unverifiable yet perceptible trace that many great beings, such as wizards, priests, sages, sorcerers, and saints, with various extraordinary titles, seem to open their eyes in unease, trying to steal a glimpse of the divine.