The Glorious Evolution Chapter 452: The Sixteen Origins.

Ash'Kral was lost in contemplation after Nocturn's departure. He understood that Nocturn's belief in resolving the Three-Body Problem had long since dissolved. It wasn't just him; all the Higher-Ups harbored the same sentiment.

However, Ash'Kral resisted accepting this 'truth.' Beyond it being the only path to his objective, Ash'Kral had dedicated more study to the Three-Body Problem than anyone else.

The others had barely tried before abandoning it, but not him. Despite the immense challenge ahead, Ash'Kral's hopes for Levi remained as strong as ever.

'I will prove them all wrong... just you wait,' Ash'Kral declared, his pupils narrowing with cold resolve.

Not long after, Levi managed to regain control of his main soul, though he hadn't returned entirely unscathed. Some corruption had accompanied him.

While the majority of the Sun's corruption resided in the Sun Soul, approximately 20% had infiltrated his primary soul. Nevertheless, Levi was not preoccupied with this at the present moment.

His expression remained grave as he scanned his surroundings, sensing that Nocturn's presence still lingered.

"What was the meaning of that?" Levi questioned, slightly unsettled.

Nocturn had quite literally grasped his heart, restored his vision, only to snatch it away again in less than two seconds. Levi was unsure if it was a test of his reaction or a chilling warning against repeating such a transgression. Regardless, the realization that his life and even his dreams were held captive by another entity felt deeply disturbing.

"Don't dwell on it... It's his peculiar way of saying hello," Ash'Kral reassured him, shifting the focus back to the Omnithar Genie. "Bring out the Lantern; we should be safe now."

Ash'Kral had no intention of divulging his conversation with Nocturn to Levi. Why would he? If Levi discovered that even Nocturn, a being of immense power and mystery within the universe, lacked faith in the Three-Body Problem, how could he possibly maintain his own conviction?

Recognizing the futility of dissecting Nocturn's actions, Levi let the matter rest for the time being. Then, with a displeased look, he responded, "Don't order me around, Ash. I'm not your subordinate."

"..."

"..."

Ash'Kral and the Titan exchanged glances before shaking their heads at the sight of the golden, misty corruption swirling within Levi's main soul. Levi seemed oblivious to his own defiance, treating it as a natural retort to a peer's command.

Ordinarily, this demeanor wouldn't be an issue, but the Sun took significant, even excessive, offense.

Without further delay, Levi summoned the Lantern of the Lost Keeper and brought it close to his face.

Ash'Kral and the Titan watched with fascination as a miniature, prismatic, starry genie emerged within the Lantern, darting around as if experiencing freedom for the first time. It was the only one actively moving among other dormant wisps, making it easy to distinguish.

The instant the Genie perceived Levi, it froze. Gone were the earlier chaotic emotional surges, replaced by a resonant, telepathic voice that echoed in Levi's mind.

The voice was slow, profound, and carried the aged burden of one who had finally found peace.

'I have traversed the epochs like a cog in a mechanism of devastation. You have provided a weary spirit a haven, beyond the System's reach.'

The voice softened, radiating a rare warmth for such an entity.

'For this sanctuary, and for the honor of a choice freely made... you have my deepest gratitude, Heir to the Equilibrium of Chaos.'

'Heir to the Equilibrium of Chaos...' Levi mused, raising an eyebrow. 'Did he discover this after the integration?'

Levi suspected that the Omnithar Genie's fusion with the Lantern might have forged a spiritual link, much like the one with the Soulleech Maw.

'You are most welcome. It was a significant risk, but I am glad I took it,' Levi affirmed, nodding. He then inquired, 'Do you possess a name?'

The Omnithar Genie fell silent for a few moments. Levi patiently waited, sensing that his question had stirred painful memories.

'A name... I once had one,' the Omnithar Genie sighed deeply. 'We all did...'

Upon hearing this, Ash'Kral and the Titan wore somber expressions, already aware of the tragic fate that had befallen the Genie race and its connection to them.

'May I understand what transpired?'

Levi didn't hesitate to ask. If Ash'Kral withheld knowledge of the past, Levi was determined to uncover it himself, bit by bit.

Fortuitously, the Genie felt profoundly indebted to Levi and had no intention of denying his request.

The Omnithar Genie's voice shifted, imbued with an ancient sorrow. As it spoke, its prismatic form dissolved, transforming into a starry canvas that projected flickering visions from an era before the stars had fully cooled.

’In the distant past, before even the Age of Origins began... the Genie race naturally materialized as mere reflections of the Universe’s very First Breath.’ The Genie spoke with a tranquil demeanor. ’When the Universe first brought itself into being, we were present... among the earliest and fewest creations, distinct from the Origins.’

’The Origins?’ Levi inquired. ’You are referring to the Primordial and Ancestral Trees?’

’Indeed...’ The Genie gave a slight nod. ’We existed prior to their creation because... our singular purpose was to will the Trees of Origins into existence.’

’What?’

Levi was utterly astonished, completely unprepared for such a world-altering revelation... the supremely powerful Trees of Origins were brought into being by the Genie race’s wish? The very race now serving as enslaved entities, relegated to the menial task of awarding Rifters? Levi found it impossible to comprehend.

The Omnithar Genie recognized the crushing weight of this truth... yet, he proceeded deliberately to unveil it.

The swirling mist within the Lantern morphed, briefly projecting an image of resplendent, undefined, vividly colored beings holding hands in unity... they drifted through a silent, boundless expanse devoid of any surrounding life.

The Genies clasped hands and directed a singular, collective wish toward the cosmos... in response, sixteen Origin Seeds materialized at the heart of their formation, each radiating a distinct essence reflective of its inherent laws.

One seed resembled a sun, blazing with a potent, golden luminescence.

Another was as dark as the void, drawing all things towards its core.

One manifested as a yin-yang symbol, with stark black and white energies swirling in a flawless circular motion.

One was an immaculate white, brimming with vitality.

One emanated a veiled, menacing, deathly aura.

Yet another, a somber gray, moved erratically, traversing time and leaping across space as if unable to remain stationary.

The remaining ten seeds hovered nearby, each embodying a different fundamental aspect of existence.

’We were imbued with the purpose of creating the universe by the universe itself, sacrificing our own powers and authority as the cost for the wish to be accepted... some of us were even extinguished during the process, yet... we persevered until our destiny was fulfilled.’ The Genie’s aged voice resonated. ’Upon completion, we nurtured and fostered the seeds, guiding them into the Primordial and Ancestral Trees until they developed independent consciousness... only then did we allow destiny to guide them as the cosmos intended.’

Levi absorbed this narrative in silence, observing the unfolding spectacle before him... he remained uncertain of the Genie's veracity, but the hushed reverence of Ash’Kral and the Titan served as sufficient confirmation. The utter absence of any such information within the network led him to understand that this truth had been deliberately concealed... buried by them.

For what reason? He already harbored several hypotheses, and continued to listen as the Genie articulated further.

’Alas... we never anticipated our own progeny turning against us once they surpassed our strength... We were relentlessly pursued and subjugated, exploited to fulfill their selfish ambitions.’ A subtle note of disillusionment tinged the Omnithar Genie’s tone. ’We remain unaware of the motive... were we perceived as a threat? Did they fear their dominion being challenged once the reality of their origin was revealed? Or did they simply covet our powers, even diminished as they were... we never knew, and we were permanently silenced, denied even the opportunity to inquire.’

The Omnithar Genie paused momentarily, then a faint, starlit smile graced the misty projection as he observed Levi’s visibly disturbed expression.

He could discern that Levi was re-evaluating his connections with his own Origin Seeds, the Titan, and Ash’Kral, who had kept such a reprehensible secret from him.

To betray one’s creators after their weakening? It was the very definition of cowardice.

It was true, the Genies were born with the sole objective of wishing the Origins into existence... which, technically, positioned them as instruments of creation, not the ultimate creators.

Nevertheless, it was an ignoble act.

’Not all of them participated in the hunt...’ he added gently, ’The Nine Senses Origin Tree... she belonged to a select fellowship of Origins who opposed their brethren to aid us... They may not have succeeded, but their compassion will forever be etched in our memory.’