Chapter Four: Genealogy of the Heavens

[Ding—]

Just as Xia Xiu thought the contract signing was complete and the transcendence finished, a peculiar chime rang out—crisp and clear, like a wind chime.

Xia Xiu’s pupils involuntarily contracted; he felt an extraordinary surprise welling up within him.

Notification sounds differ across lineages. This particular tone resembled a ringtone, yet unlike the Desire-Flesh lineage’s notification, which evoked rock music, this one was akin to a sacred chant.

It was the hymn of Heaven itself. Having been a top-tier player of the Heavenly lineage in his previous life, Xia Xiu recognized it instantly.

But why? He had clearly chosen Desire-Flesh...

[Detected certified bloodline—Abraham]

[Lineage linking in progress—]

[Linking words—]

Unlike the Desire-Flesh lineage, the Heavenly lineage appeared as a heavy tome, its cover embossed with six angels surrounding a silver cross at the center.

This couldn’t be a joke. Didn’t Heaven’s intelligence system realize he already belonged to another lineage? Though he had undergone the ritual to convert his body from BIO species to human, and despite possessing a faint trace of Heavenly bloodline, it shouldn’t have summoned the Apocalypse.

Moreover, the Desire-Flesh lineage was right beside him—they hadn’t started fighting.

[Linking words—]

The Apocalypse issued another summons, nearly pressing onto Xia Xiu’s spirit. Glancing at the parchment beside him, Xia Xiu noticed it was utterly indifferent to this blatant betrayal, as if blind. Meanwhile, the minotaur-like Apocalypse was ecstatic, rubbing against Xia Xiu vigorously.

Helpless, Xia Xiu pressed the Apocalypse down from his face. Judging by the situation, he had no choice but to yield to the Apocalypse today—this wasn’t his fault.

Placing his right hand on the Apocalypse, Xia Xiu’s expression grew solemn. As he recalled the linking words, he began to recite:

“There is a time to embrace, and a time not to embrace;

A time to seek, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to abandon;

A time to tear, and a time to mend;

A time of silence, and a time of speech.”

These were the acquisition incantations of the Heavenly lineage’s Red Tome. The Heavenly lineage was Terra’s greatest transcendent lineage, encompassing all five common lineage forms found on Terra:

White, symbolizing purity, simplicity, and directness—the White Tome.

Blue, representing rigor, science, and objectivity—the Blue Tome.

Green, embodying life, innovation, and the future—the Green Tome.

Yellow, signifying openness, tolerance, and attentiveness—the Yellow Tome.

Red, conveying warning and revelation—the Red Tome.

These five forms, known as the “norms,” were common across Terra. Usually, a lineage possessing at least two of these norms could establish its own sect. Heaven had all five, showcasing its immense power.

In contrast, the Desire-Flesh lineage was a special, aberrant lineage.

[Linking complete—]

[Certification word—]

“Angels.”

[No name detected—]

[Self-naming?—]

Xia Xiu was not surprised. This was similar to a player scenario: once a player linked to the Heavenly lineage, the Apocalypse would scan all of Terra, but since players were outsiders, no name could be detected, requiring them to choose one themselves.

“Xiu. My name is Xiu.”

[Registered in the Book of Life]

“Xiu” had been Xia Xiu’s name in Heaven during his previous life. Perhaps because his true name was already registered with Desire-Flesh, he used his old Heavenly name here, feeling somewhat guilty for playing both sides.

[Xiu Abraham]

[Rank: Angel]

++ Lineage: [Heaven – Red Tome]

++ ARad field: None

++ Occupation: None

++ Stage One: Measurer

++ EVE particle content: 100 spirits

++ Volume: 10 dB

++ Timbre: Non-constant wave

++ Frequency: 164–698 Hz

++ Distortion field: 100 (normal)

++ Entries: None

The Apocalypse separated a luminous orb containing a red book that flipped its pages automatically, displaying the above information.

Xia Xiu stared at the parchment floating to his left, then at the Red Tome to his right, absentmindedly stroking his chin.

A dual lineage—two incompatible and opposing lineages. Was this my golden finger? Were the intelligence systems of these two great lineages blind? Since when did Eden and Aberdeen get along well enough to collaborate as one?

While Xia Xiu pondered, the parchment transformed into a streak of red light and entered his right hand, while the Red Tome drifted into his left.

Boom—

A tremendous roar echoed in Xia Xiu’s ears. He knew it was a symptom of spending too long in the Aether Ocean. Realizing he was about to eject, he instinctively severed his consciousness link.

When Xia Xiu opened his eyes again, he had returned to the sacrificial hall of Kradashi. Apart from himself, only the restored Lavata statue remained.

The first thing Xia Xiu did upon returning to the present was to stretch out both hands, drawing in the air simultaneously. Two curtains appeared before him—one red, inscribed with the Heavenly lineage’s records, and the other of an archaic hue, representing Desire-Flesh.

He could summon both lineages simultaneously, sensing a total of 200 spirits of EVE particles. At the game’s outset, regardless of lineage size, a player or lineage owner’s first link granted 100 spirits of EVE particles.

Now, he had 200 spirits—essentially consuming two lineages’ worth.

Why?

Xia Xiu absentmindedly stroked his chin, pondering. All gifts from fate had their hidden prices.

Before, with Kradashi around, he hadn’t seriously contemplated his crossing. Now, he could vividly recall every detail of his past life—every single one. It was as if he suffered from hyperthymesia; all past memories were crystal clear. He could recall any content from any book he had read.

Yet, he sharply noticed a gap: he had no memory of the twelve hours before logging into the game. In other words, those twelve hours were missing.

Interesting.

Xia Xiu smiled with delight. He welcomed intriguing matters. When Terra Chronicles first launched in his previous life, he had keenly sensed its uniqueness. Over years of playing, he conducted numerous fascinating experiments, deepening an ever-growing suspicion:

Is this truly just a game?