Earth Metaverse Year 10, July 1st, 2031AD.
From the moment university applications were submitted to the announcement of admission results, high school candidates weren't just anxious—they were also bored.
At noon, Shawn prepared himself a simple meal. After eating, he thought about reading a book but couldn't focus. He paced back and forth in the living room a few times before feeling drowsy. Finally, he settled into his grandfather's "Master Chair," closed his eyes, and tried to rest his mind.
Yet, his thoughts played out like a slideshow, continuously flashing images of recent events tied to the Meta Origin Society—the celestial anomaly, Kapteyn's Star, the Zhen Palace Spirit Key, the Hierophant Order, the Meta Origin Society, Mr. King, Secretary-General Quinn, General Sandy, Lucy, Elder Pingzi, Kent, Ranzi…
Suddenly, his mind circled back to a question Donner had asked: Ranzi has been appointed as the new Grand Hierophant of the Meta Origin Society… I wonder what's happening now.
Just then, his phone vibrated. Though the sound was soft, it was exceptionally clear in the quiet afternoon. Shawn glanced at the screen—it was Kent.
Shawn shook his head with a smile. Think of someone, and they appear. He picked up the call.
"Shawn, still waiting for the acceptance letter?" Kent's voice carried his usual sharp tone.
"Yeah, it's a rare moment of free time. And you, the busy man, what's the occasion for calling me today?" Shawn and Kent were familiar enough to skip the formalities.
"Are you implying I have nothing better to do?" Kent chuckled. "But I do have something important. Elder Pingzi asked you to check with Kapteyn's Star—aside from finding all eight Spirit Key holders, what other conditions must be met to lift the seal on the Meta Origin Society? We need to prepare in advance."
"Got it. I'll reach out to Kapteyn's Star in a bit," Shawn agreed casually. But deep down, he knew what Kent really wanted—an answer about the Central Palace Spirit Key.
After a brief hesitation, he took the opportunity to ask, "By the way, has the new Grand Hierophant been officially decided?"
A hint of excitement crept into Kent's voice. "You're sharp as ever! I was just about to tell you. Elder Pingzi has officially nominated Ranzi as the 89th Grand Hierophant of the Meta Origin Society."
Shawn wasn't surprised.
Over the past few months, he had come to understand Kent—an unambitious yet highly capable figure, pragmatic and efficient. It was clear that Kent would prioritize Ranzi for the position over himself.
After a moment of silence, Shawn asked, "So, are you still staying on as Secretary-General?"
"For now, until Ranzi finds a suitable successor. But…" Kent paused. "Ranzi has also proposed appointing me as the Grand Sage."
Shawn raised an eyebrow. "Grand Sage? What kind of position is that? The Meta Origin Society on Kapteyn's Star also has a Grand Sage, a Soul Kin of King Wen of Zhou. It seems like a high-ranking title."
"It doesn't require much explaining. The structure of the Meta Origin Society is actually quite simple," Kent said. "It's divided into three levels: the General Association, the Chapters, and the Sub-Associations. I'll send you the details later. Membership is strict—at least two senior members must recommend you, and approval goes through the Chapter. It's somewhat similar to organizations like the Freemasons or the Illuminati."
Kent continued, "At the top is the Grand Hierophant, assisted by the Secretary-General and several Chapter Magisters. The Chapter Magisters manage daily operations, supported by Chapter Watchers. Sub-Associations, on the other hand, are led by a single Order Master. As for the Grand Sage… it's more of an honorary title, essentially serving as the society's chief advisor."
After listening to Kent's explanation, Shawn felt a sense of reassurance.
Ranzi, a reserved yet highly skilled I Ching Master, seemed like the perfect candidate for the Grand Hierophant—someone who would undoubtedly rise to the occasion with extraordinary wisdom. Meanwhile, Kent's appointment as Grand Sage felt just as fitting, as though everything had naturally fallen into place.
"Then appointing you as Grand Sage makes perfect sense," Shawn remarked, and he meant it.
Kent had been by Elder Pingzi's side for years and was more familiar with the society's inner workings than anyone. Moreover, he had received more votes than Ranzi—it could be said that the people had chosen him.
The pairing of an emerging leader and an experienced strategist sets a solid foundation for the future of the Meta Origin Society.
Kent chuckled. "Of course, the final confirmation for both positions still requires a vote at the General Membership Meeting."
Shawn smiled knowingly. "That's just a formality, isn't it?"
But even as he spoke, an undercurrent stirred within him. He had a vague sense that this wasn't just an internal shift within the Meta Origin Society—it might be the prelude to a far greater transformation in human civilization. Perhaps, his own fate was about to take a dramatic turn as well.
Not long after their call ended, Kent sent over a document: The Meta Origin Membership Charter.
Shawn opened it out of curiosity. The content was far more detailed than Kent's summary. It covered the organization's purpose, leadership selection process, membership qualifications, rights, and, most interestingly to him—the hierarchy of members.
The ranking system was based on the Four Realms of Meta Origin, established by the Meta Hierophant .
Shawn knew this doctrine well—it was practically engraved in his mind. He closed his eyes and recited the familiar verse:
All beings strive, yet fate is mine to forge.
Many remain bound, the Mortal Realm—a wall hard to break.
Desire and delusion turn men to specters, the Phantom Realm—a prison of their own making.
Through Meta-Gong Fu, one ascends, the Soul Realm—a summit of the worthy.
With enlightened Chan, the path is revealed, the Meta-Realm—where the spirit roams free.
In true enlightenment, the human and divine become one.
The membership hierarchy, in descending order, was:
Meta-Realm – The Realm of Enlightenment, where one attains self-realization and mastery of the true self.
Soul Realm – The Realm of the Noble One, embodying wisdom and excellence.
Mortal Realm – The Realm of the Ordinary, bound by mediocrity and routine.
Phantom Realm – The Realm of the Lost, trapped by greed and illusions.
Shawn's eyes lingered on two specific phrases: Meta-Gong Fu and 'enlightened Chan.' His brows furrowed slightly. He understood the society's ranking system, but these two terms seemed extraordinary. He sensed they might hold the key to the cultivation system of the Meta Origin Society.
No matter how he examined them, the deeper meaning eluded him.
After a moment of contemplation, he picked up his phone and dialed Kent once more.
The call connected quickly, and Kent's voice carried a note of surprise. "Shawn? What's up?"
"I've been going through the Meta Origin membership structure, and I don't quite understand some terms like 'Meta-Gong Fu' and 'Enlightened Chan.' Can you help explain them?" Shawn asked as he opened the door.
"Oh, those are important terms," Kent replied with a light laugh. "'Meta-Gong Fu' refers to the 'Meta Divine Gong Fu,' which comes from the primordial energy that created heaven and earth. It's a cultivation method that shapes both body and mind. Meta-Gong Fu is divided into two levels: Elementary and Advanced. The Elementary level is for beginners, while the Advanced level can lead you to the Soul Realm and give you access to higher wisdom."
Shawn nodded, deep in thought. "And what about 'Enlightened Chan'?"
Kent's tone shifted, becoming more distant and serious. "'Enlightened Chan' refers to the Elucidation of the Chan Canons. The Chan Canons is believed to be the earliest version of the Meta-I Ching. It's a wordless, ancient text that contains only mysterious Meta-I Ching symbols, subtle diagrams, and prophecies. A cultivator who truly understands it would gain insight into the supreme laws of nature and discover their path to the Meta-I Ching. However…"
Kent's words trailed off abruptly.
Shawn's heart tightened. "However, what?"
"The Chan Canons is rarely seen in the world. Some even think it's just a legend," Kent continued.
Shawn took a deep breath, sensing that there was more to this story than Kent was revealing.
Kent went on, "The 'Meta-Realm' in the Four Realms does exist, but very few people ever reach it. It's said that ancient sages like Laozi and Guiguzi achieved this level, but their lives are shrouded in mystery."
Shawn, now more confused, asked, "Then what about you?"
He knew that Meta Origin members who had reached the Soul Realm possessed extraordinary abilities, and the spiritual energy he had experienced from Lucy, a Soul Realm member, was proof of that.
Kent seemed to sense his question. He laughed softly. "Ah, you're talking about the Soul Realm, right? It's not out of reach. Most people who invest the time and effort can get there."
"So, how do you cultivate?" Shawn asked.
"It's simple: you practice 'Meta-Gong Fu' and study the Meta-I Ching," Kent replied.
Shawn was taken aback.
He finally understood that advancing through the Meta Origin membership wasn't just about status—it was a true transformation.
"So, the Meta Origin Society isn't just a membership system; it's a path of cultivation?" he murmured.
"Exactly," Kent said calmly. "The only way to break through the layers and ascend from the Mortal Realm to the Soul Realm is to cultivate 'Meta-Gong Fu' and study the Meta-I Ching. This isn't just about signing up; it's about actual cultivation."
After hanging up, Shawn leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the desk as he gazed thoughtfully at the ceiling.
The Meta Origin Society was more than just an organization—it was a journey into the unknown.
From mortals to the lowly, to the noble and the divine, all walked this path.
It was both a form of bondage and transcendence, a balance of rules and freedom.
He felt that he was about to enter something far bigger than just a community—it felt like a twist of fate.
Silently, he made a vow: no matter what, someone had to walk this path.
But were the Chan Canons and the Meta-Realm really just legends?
As he closed his eyes, a strange sense of anticipation filled him. It was as though the door to the future was slowly opening, silently calling him.
The question lingered in his mind.
Without realizing it, he sank deeper into thought, his consciousness fading as he drifted into a dream...