Earth Metaverse 10 years,October 11,2031 AD.
Mist drifted over the landscape as the morning sun cast a golden glow.
Shawn stood at the edge of the Dragon Gate Ancient Path in the Western Mountains, gazing eastward. Below him, the vast Dian Sea stretched like a jade-green mirror, shimmering eerily in the dawn light, as if whispering an ancient tale.
A cool mid-autumn breeze wove through the mountains, carrying a crisp, earthy fragrance that calmed the mind and soul.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated. The screen lit up—it was a video call from Kent.
He answered, and Kent's face filled the screen. He was striding briskly through the city streets, his excitement unmistakable. Sunlight streamed behind him, forming a golden halo around his silhouette.
"Passed! We passed!"
Kent's voice trembled slightly, and he was even a little out of breath, as if he had been running moments before.
A subtle smile flickered across Shawn's lips.
The outcome was what he had anticipated, yet hearing the confirmation still stirred something within him.
He didn't rush to respond. Instead, he simply listened as Kent eagerly recounted the details of the meeting. Shawn's gaze drifted past the screen, settling on the distant, glimmering surface of the Dian Sea.
The lake was like a vast mirror, reflecting memories of yesterday's gathering at CP-Hub,
Yesterday afternoon, inside the CP-Hub, the atmosphere was as heavy as the air before a storm.
At the center of the hall stood a long wooden table, simple yet dignified, bathed in the soft glow of filtered sunlight.
At its head sat the Chairman—serene, composed, his eyes as deep and unreadable as a still pool.
On either side, six Elders were seated, each lost in thought.
Some hesitated, others frowned, weighing the gravity of the moment.
Moments earlier, the Chairman had delivered a brief but profound statement regarding the Meta Origin Culture and proposed unsealing the Meta Origin Society. More crucially, he had expressed his intent to accept the Central Palace Spirit Key.
A hush fell over the hall as Elder Pingzi, the invited guest, swept her gaze across the room. Sunlight streamed through the carved windows, casting shifting patterns on the polished table. The stillness was almost tangible, the air thick with anticipation.
The Chairman remained composed, his expression unwavering, his gaze steady as he surveyed the room, waiting for the inevitable storm to break.
Finally, an Elder broke the silence. His voice was deep and deliberate, each word carrying the weight of careful consideration.
"Chairman, I must speak plainly."
Leaning slightly forward, he tapped his fingers against the table, his tone firm and resolute.
"The situation is precarious, but isn't it too great a risk to introduce the Meta Origin Culture now? It's merely a collection of unproven theories. Acting on it prematurely could have unpredictable—and possibly disastrous—consequences."
Before his words had fully settled, another Elder interjected, his voice edged with urgency, the frustration of long-held concerns bubbling to the surface.
"But how much longer can we sustain this?"
His brow furrowed, and he swept his gaze around the room, searching for agreement.
"The prisons are overflowing, the cost of maintaining control is skyrocketing, and public unrest is a volcano that's been smoldering for centuries. It could erupt at any moment! If we don't find new cultural support, the existing system will inevitably collapse."
"The Meta Origin Society's history is too convoluted."
A third Elder, his fingers tightly interlocked, frowned deeply. Doubt clouded his expression.
"Unsealing it is only the first step. We still know too little about the origins of the Central Palace Spirit Key. Accepting it without caution could disrupt the balance of power in ways we can't predict."
"What you fear," a fourth Elder said slowly, his voice measured yet laced with warning, "is precisely what concerns us all. Why was the Meta Origin Society sealed away a thousand years ago? It wasn't just a political struggle—it was an upheaval that shook the very foundation of our system. Do you really believe the Meta Origin Culture is just a set of theories? What it represents could alter the entire framework of the soul system itself."
The fifth Elder finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of deep contemplation.
"Chairman, if the Meta Origin Culture truly offers a new path forward, I won't oppose exploring it. But the real question is—how can we be sure it won't lead us into an even greater peril?"
"Meta Origin Culture is not an extreme."
At that moment, Elder Pingzi finally spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it carried a quiet authority that immediately commanded everyone's attention.
"Gentlemen, the purpose of the Meta Origin Culture was never to dismantle the existing order but to offer a new path forward." His gaze swept across the room, his eyes unwavering, his tone weighted with undeniable conviction. "If we continue to suppress the Guild of Returns, we risk missing a historic opportunity."
He paused, allowing his words to settle in the hushed atmosphere before continuing, his voice even firmer.
"The thousand-year seal has already proven the Meta Origin Society is unlike anything else. Today, what we need is not fear of the unknown—but the courage to face it."
For a long moment, silence gripped the CP-Hub. Even the most cautious Elders found themselves lost in contemplation.
At last, an Elder spoke, his voice carrying the faintest trace of concession.
"We could initiate a trial program—but we cannot move recklessly. If the seal is to be lifted, it must be done with a clear plan and strict risk controls."
His words seemed to break open the deadlock.
Another Elder exhaled slowly, nodding. "If we can establish a comprehensive strategy—one that ensures the Meta Origin Culture will not destabilize the current system—I may be open to supporting it."
The debate raged for over an hour, voices rising and falling like the tides.
The Chairman, who had remained silent throughout, finally spoke.
"I understand your concerns," he said, his voice calm yet commanding, his gaze deep and measured. "But as Elder Pingzi has pointed out, what we need is not delay but a decision."
He gestured to his aides, who promptly distributed documents across the table.
"The major democratic coalitions have already expressed their stance on this matter."
The elders flipped through the pages. It was a letter from the eight leading Democratic Councils, detailing the potential societal and cultural impacts of unsealing the Meta Origin Society—along with their official stance.
Without exception, they were in favor.
One particular statement stood out:
"A thousand years of sealing have passed. Now is not the time to suppress higher spiritual energy—but to channel it."
The Chairman met the eyes of each elder, his voice low yet resolute.
"I propose that we draft a structured implementation plan, gradually lift the seal, and closely monitor societal responses. Also, his gaze sharpened, "—the Central Palace Spirit Key remains in our hands. The initiative is still ours."
A heavy silence followed.
Then, the voting began.
In front of each elder were two buttons—green for approval, red for opposition. No selection would indicate abstention.
Uncharacteristically, the Chairman pressed the green button first.
The votes came in: two in favor, three against. A deadlock.
The final and deciding vote fell to one elder.
He sat in deep thought, the weight of the decision pressing upon him. Finally, he spoke.
"I will support a pilot program—but only on the condition that the Ranzi Task Force provides a detailed execution plan and a strict risk management framework." His tone was firm, his sharp gaze sweeping across the table. "Without a comprehensive feasibility study, I will withdraw my support immediately."
With four votes in favor, the motion passed.
The CP-Hub's official seal stamped the resolution, marking the end of the long-standing controversy over the Meta Origin Society's unsealing.
The Chairman slowly rose, surveying the room. His voice was steady, filled with quiet strength.
"In that case, I accept the Central Palace Spirit Key."
On the other end of the call, Kent was still enthusiastically recounting Ranzi's reaction to the news.
But Shawn had already withdrawn his gaze.
The Dragon Gate Ancient Path remained bathed in its eerie green glow. The morning mist was beginning to dissipate, and golden hues quietly tinged the leaves of the surrounding trees.
He knew—change had begun.
Ending the call, Shawn took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and slowly exhaled.
Unsealing the Meta Origin Society was not just about resolving the past—it was a gamble on the future.
And the outcome of this gamble would shape the destiny of the entire world.
This was not an ending. It was a new beginning.
Stepping aside into a quiet spot, Shawn sat down, closed his eyes, and reached out with his mind—connecting with Secretary General Quinn of Kapteyn's Star through a psychic transmission.
Confirming their upcoming meeting, he raised the Zhen Palace Spirit Key beside his temple and entered a deep meditative state…