Chapter 1, The Playful Clown

But what is lost is destined not to return. In today's world, apart from humanity, five major forbidden zones have formed due to mutations, filled with formidable forces that humanity still cannot conquer. Furthermore, the influence of high latitudes has made humanity realize that they are not the chosen ones.

Wang Chong is the orphan of that disaster

"Simba? It sounds like a dog's name," Wang Chong couldn't help but laugh, as any child would have a similar reaction upon seeing a clown, let alone Wang Chong himself

Initially, the two major groups frequently resorted to significant force in their struggle for resources. However, under the pressure of a formidable enemy, they ultimately reached a peace agreement, leading to the best developmental phase for humanity since the new century began. In just a hundred years, the human population rapidly recovered to around one billion. It must be acknowledged that humans, endowed with intelligence and a strong reproductive capacity, once again became formidable contenders for dominance on Earth.

After centuries of struggle, humanity has reestablished its foothold on Earth, integrating existing technologies with new combat systems to form expanding cities. Those new humans, who ignite the flame of the soul, have become the main force in defending these cities, known as the Soul Warriors. The most important institution in each city is the Soul Academy, which serves as the cradle for these warriors. With the old order completely dismantled, two dominant structures have emerged in the process of humanity's rebirth: one is the Imperial Alliance, and the other is the Free Federation. Those new humans, who ignite the flame of the soul, have become the main force in defending these cities, known as the Soul Warriors. The most important institution in each city is the Soul Academy, which serves as the cradle for these warriors. With the old order completely dismantled, two dominant structures have emerged in the process of humanity's rebirth: one is the Imperial Alliance, and the other is the Free Federation.

Desire is the driving force of progress, yet it also breeds destruction

a colorful clown

Empire Alliance: A national coalition formed by human groups that inherited fewer resources from the old era and grew and proliferated amidst blood and fire during the Dark Ages. It is characterized by a strict hierarchy, accommodating humans, new humans, and other races, and pursuing a survival path that prioritizes power above all.

In the year 2216, black holes were successfully created, but the consequences were beyond human anticipation. The black holes caused a high-dimensional plane to overlap with Earth, resulting in a spatial energy superposition effect that led to catastrophic changes on Earth. This included spatial rifts, anomalous abilities, and mutated organisms, plunging the planet into total chaos. Traditional weapons proved largely ineffective against these monsters, and after the ultimate measure of nuclear weapons failed, within a mere three years, the Earth's population plummeted to just over 200 million. The existing civilization was nearly obliterated, and humanity entered an apocalyptic era. Spatial rifts, anomalous abilities, and mutated organisms led to total chaos on Earth, yet traditional weapons had little effect against these monsters. After the ultimate measure of nuclear weapons proved ineffective, in just three years, the Earth's population decreased to over 200 million, and the original civilization was almost completely destroyed, leading humanity into an apocalyptic age.

Wang Zhanfeng gently shook his head, as this matter had already been jointly sealed off by the Free Federation and the Imperial Alliance, becoming a taboo. After all, this was the largest man-made disaster since the new era of humanity, once again verifying that God causes humanity's destruction by first driving them to madness. But ultimately, who can know what is right and what is wrong

The clown appeared particularly cheerful, "Hi, hi, little one, I am your lucky messenger, the handsome Simba, the invincible Simba, the great Simba!" The clown performed three somersaults in mid-air, striking an exaggerated pose, and did not forget to toss his onion-like hair, effortlessly conjuring a beautiful rainbow.

"Shirley, don't be sad. I believe this child will pull through!" Wang Zhanfeng comforted his wife.

Since he became aware, Wang Zhong has only experienced darkness in his dreams. He could do nothing, but today seems a bit different. Suddenly, the endless darkness transformed into red... This brought great surprise to young Wang Zhong. The torment of illness had long made him fearless of life and death; what he feared was the endless loneliness. Following the red, it turned into orange... yellow... This made young Wang Zhong very happy. His silent world finally had color. This matter, which ordinary people might dismiss, brought immense joy to Wang Zhong. This brought great surprise to young Wang Zhong. The torment of illness had long made him fearless of life and death; what he feared was the endless loneliness. Following the red, it turned into orange... yellow... This made young Wang Zhong very happy. His silent world finally had color. This matter, which ordinary people might dismiss, brought immense joy to Wang Zhong.

At the same time, the great scientist Gran Glasso discovered the scientific method for utilizing anomalous energy, which people referred to as "Glasso's Power." The corresponding technology was known as rune technology. After paying a heavy price, humanity mastered this new energy source and escaped the danger of extinction

Layton Gario, a doctor of philosophy and a super genius, is the foremost achiever in the old technologies and sigil techniques of the past century. By a stroke of luck, he obtained the so-called "Fate Stone," a divine artifact of high-dimensional order, and proposed the mad ideas of "Everyone Can Become a God," "Reclaim Everything Belonging to Humanity," and "Conquer the High Dimensions." He secretly gained the support of the Imperial Alliance. Humanity has long coveted the powers of the high dimensions, and experiments began in the lawless Inca City. This was not the first time humanity had sought to encroach upon the realm of the divine, nor was it the first failure. The failure of the experiment resulted in a magnitude 13 earthquake in Inca City, causing catastrophic destruction. Within a single day, the entire city was submerged by a tsunami, resulting in heavy casualties and displacing hundreds of thousands. Undoubtedly, the Imperial Alliance abandoned Layton Gario; a scapegoat was always necessary. The deceased Layton Gario transformed from a scientific genius into a devil of black technology.

When the surrounding colors were fixed in purple, hues blossomed like a rainbow, and at the core of the colors, a figure emerged

The clown's face suddenly dropped, "What little dog, I am the jester Sinba, toying with fate, capable of anything. Child, you are in big trouble!"

In the year 516 of the New Era, in the Caesar Empire, one of the three great empires of the Imperial Alliance, the best hospital housed a frail little child lying in the intensive care unit, on the brink of death

Yet Sherry's tears continued to fall drop by drop, just a poor little baby, born into a world of misfortune. After narrowly escaping great calamity, who would have thought that her body would still be greatly affected. "This is divine punishment; we should have acted sooner..."

However, in such a critical moment, the extraordinary and powerful vitality of humanity, matched with greed, is also revealed. After years of struggle, people discovered that the dangerous energy that caused mutations in Earth's organisms and brought forth creatures from other realms had also transformed many humans. In their ongoing resistance, they sought ways to grow stronger. After countless efforts, they finally established a brand new combat system. Since this system was created through the sacrifices of countless heroes, it is referred to as the Heroic Soul System, symbolizing that the souls of heroes will never fade away.

Perhaps death is also a form of liberation, but if he can endure, we will leave this place and live a peaceful life, free from all the turmoil that no longer concerns us. Wang Zhanfeng resolutely stated, having once experienced glory and then fallen to the depths, ultimately, only the precious family remains.

Wang Zhanfeng embraced his wife, "This child is very strong, just now he deliberately tried to reassure us, sigh."

The Free Federation: It fundamentally continues the order of the old era and serves as a transition for some ruling classes of the old era. The parliament is the highest authority, while various prominent families and conglomerates are the actual power holders. It has inherited the vast majority of the resources and technology from the old era, excludes mutants, and strictly prohibits intermarriage with mutants.

However, none of this could prevent the surroundings from quieting down as Wang Zhong's breathing became steady. After a while, one of the instruments beside him flickered, and Wang Zhong's eyelids twitched.

Seeing his pained smile, my heart felt like it was breaking. Sherry could not control her tears, which fell down in a steady stream.

In the ward, a four or five-year-old child lies quietly, while the nearby instruments beep rhythmically. Having just received a sedative, Wang Chong can finally begin to drift into slumber

In the year 2206, human civilization faced the most severe energy crisis in history. Simultaneously, due to excessive development, the Earth's climate became extremely harsh. The lunar colonies could not support the migration of over ten billion people. The Salvation Plan was initiated, and humanity decided to create a small "artificial black hole" in the Earth-Moon system to provide eternal energy and improve the Earth's environment. This plan was evidently fraught with great danger, yet it was the only method available at that time.

In fact, Wang Zhong does not particularly enjoy sleeping; although being awake is painful, it is not lonely. He appreciates this vibrant world, whereas in sleep, he can only experience boundless darkness and solitude.