Chapter 4: The One Called the Star Father
Father of Stars is a deity.
And gods possess powers beyond your wildest imagination.
He created life. Shen Xing gestured to all the people in the tribe, then pointed to himself and declared, “Let me bring you civilization.”
“Civilization means cultivation with tools and fire, building shelters and making clothes.”
As Shen Xing spoke and made a motion, a spear materialized out of thin air, flew from a primitive man’s hand, and landed in the earth. The spear then transformed into a sapling, which began to grow.
Moments later, flames burst from the trunk, reducing the young tree to ash. From the ashes, a massive thatched house rose up, only to shrink and morph into a garment adorning Shen Xing. With a wave, the clothing flew over to the female chieftain, enveloping her body.
Amidst this cascade of miracles, the primitive people had all, without realizing it, fallen to their knees, their eyes vacant as they witnessed these wonders unfold.
When the garment wrapped itself around the female chieftain, she startled, but upon standing and feeling the comfort and gentle warmth of the clothing, she finally understood the nature of the man before her.
He was sent by the gods.
The god’s name was—Father of Stars.
“Where should we begin, divine messenger?” the female chieftain asked. She had struggled to express herself, but as Shen Xing raised his hand toward her, a ray of light entered her mind, and she spoke the words “divine messenger” fluently in Chinese.
After uttering the phrase, the chieftain looked at Shen Xing in confusion, her gaze gradually clearing as understanding dawned.
Shen Xing had imparted part of his knowledge to the chieftain through sheer force of will—language, the concept of civilization, and even some knowledge far beyond the current age.
“You are the progenitor of civilization. By the will of Father of Stars, I bestow upon you the name—Ancestor.”
As these words fell, the chieftain Ancestor knelt devoutly, using the language she had just received from the gods to express her reverence and devotion to Father of Stars.
“I will not fail the trust of Father of Stars!”
Shen Xing nodded, then bestowed language upon every member of the tribe. In an instant, they comprehended the words their leader had just spoken, and all knelt in unison, declaring together, “We will not fail the trust of Father of Stars!”
Their thunderous voices rang out across the rainforest, awakening primitive people in distant settlements, sending flocks of birds and beasts fleeing in alarm—the entire rainforest seemed to come alive.
When everyone looked up again, Shen Xing’s figure had vanished. The female chieftain rose, arms outstretched.
“Under your loving radiance, all things flourish! Father of Stars, you are the creator of life! The guide of civilization! You lead us through darkness! We offer you our deepest veneration!”
Father of Stars, you are the origin of all things! The enlightenment of civilization! With utmost reverence, we praise your miracles!
The female chieftain showered praises upon Father of Stars in her newly acquired tongue.
All around her, the primitive people bowed low and knelt, silently echoing her praise for the great Father of Stars.
…
In the days that followed, Shen Xing watched over the tribe’s development. With knowledge, Ancestor named the tribe the Star-Gifted Clan, signifying that its members had received the wisdom and power bestowed by Father of Stars.
In just two short years, Ancestor had united several neighboring tribes, making her people the largest human society in the rainforest.
A colossal temple now stood amid the jungle—thirty-three meters tall, shaped like a massive pyramid—so grand that Shen Xing felt a momentary pang of nostalgia, as if he had returned to Earth.
Apart from advancing civilization, all spare time was devoted to building this magnificent temple.
In the mythology of these people, Father of Stars had created humans in his own image, which is why humans could become higher beings, possessing wisdom and civilization.
At this moment, all the primitive humans had gathered together, solemnly watching Ancestor, the female chieftain, standing at the base of the pyramid.
Now, Ancestor, leader of the tribe, stood upon the temple’s altar, raising her arms above her head and proclaiming to her people:
“Guided by Father of Stars, we explore the unknown and lay the foundations of civilization. Your power is the source of our courage! We praise your wisdom!”
“Great Father of Stars, your will traverses the cosmos, leading us forward! In your radiance, we have found the meaning of life!”
“Under Father of Stars’ protection, we prosper! Your blessings shine like the stars, illuminating our path!”
“Father of Stars is the one and only! The one true god! From this day forth, those who do not honor Father of Stars shall die!”
“Wherever humans dwell, temples must be built to worship Father of Stars!”
“Father of Stars above!”
At the temple’s base, the primitive humans thronged around the altar, echoing Ancestor’s words:
“Father of Stars above!”
“Father of Stars above!”
“Father of Stars above!”
The earth-shaking roar drove away the members of smaller tribes who had been secretly watching in the dense forest, as well as the birds and beasts.
At that moment, a beam of light shone upon the altar. Then, a figure slowly descended, and silence fell instantly upon the assembly.
Eyes wide, mouths slightly agape, they struggled to comprehend the grandeur of the being before them.
He appeared before the primitive humans, not of flesh and blood, but formed of countless twinkling stars and swirling nebulae—a miniature of the entire cosmos.
His body radiated a deep blue glow, speckled with white and silver starlight, and at times, golden flashes of supernova explosions.
Galactic patterns adorned his skin; galaxies and constellations drifted slowly across its surface, like a living map of the heavens.
His eyes were as deep as black holes, glimmering with mysterious light, as if able to perceive every corner of the universe.
His hair seemed woven from comets and meteors, streaming long and luminous behind him, leaving glowing trails in the night as he moved.
He wore a robe spun from stardust, embroidered with the patterns of constellations and the universe itself, its edges shimmering with faint light.
His every breath pulsed with the rhythm of the cosmos—each inhalation and exhalation set galaxies into motion, scattering brilliant stardust.
He came to rest gently beside Ancestor, the female chieftain, turned to gaze at the temple, and then slowly ascended the steps.
As he walked, patterns of starlight unfurled on the ground beneath his feet, as if the starry sky was being laid out below him.
Shen Xing felt the presence of this form called “Father of Stars.” Looking upon the grand temple before him, he smiled and waved his hand. At that moment, every primitive human was flooded with an unprecedented sense of well-being—even those crippled by hunting injuries regrew their lost limbs!
Everyone’s heart was suddenly overcome by a sense of Father of Stars’ love. They knelt, gazing upon his magnificent form, weeping with joy.
They now knew that the earth beneath their feet was called Firmament, and that this incomprehensible, unseeable, inviolable presence before them was their creator—Father of Stars.
Among the crowd, a sturdy man clutched a stone tablet, fervently carving history into its surface.
“The chieftain Ancestor built the temple, offering sacrifice to Father of Stars. Moved, Father of Stars descended to the world!”