On that afternoon long ago, the craftsman leaning on his cane sighed softly. “Have you made your decision, Mr. Tao? Once you take this step, there will be no turning back.”

“Turning back?” The old Celestial Being sighed, flashing a mocking smile aimed at himself. “I haven’t felt anything like that in a very long time.”

The craftsman fell silent as Tao Cheng stared at the sunlight beyond the window. After a long while, the old man asked, “Tell me, if Spring City can still be saved, will that truly make up for the mistakes I made?”

“To a craftsman, questions of right and wrong don’t matter.”

Tao Cheng turned to look at him. “But they matter to me. I cannot keep making mistakes. I will do everything I can.”

The craftsman nodded and stepped aside to clear the way. “You must understand that, whether you succeed or fail, you will likely serve as Origin’s vessel from this day forward. You will endure endless torment and live in hell.” 

“Hell?” Tao Cheng turned back as realization dawned on him. He gazed at the flames rising from the furnace. The fire burned without end, its flames dancing as they lit up his eyes. When he came back to himself, he had already forced his gaunt body upright. Unable to contain himself any longer, he broke into a delighted smile. “I couldn’t have asked for...