In the interstellar age, human civilization enters a period of explosive growth, but also sinks into deeper uncertainty. During a deep-space mission, top explorer Lin Hai unexpectedly captures an ancient spacecraft from within the solar system. When modern instruments decipher the long-lost oracle-bone character “Dao” carved into it, he realizes this is no ordinary alien relic.
Genius engineer Wang Xingchen is developing a next-generation warp drive for the Star Alliance, but keeps hitting a wall with its key algorithms. That changes when Lin Hai brings him a fragment of the spacecraft inscribed with ancient writing. The instant Xingchen feeds its data into a quantum computer, a new mathematical model of space based on the Eastern philosophy of yin and yang and the Five Elements appears on the screen. The technical bottleneck that had stumped him for so long suddenly clears.
The two are stunned to discover that they have touched upon humanity’s lost “ancient technology”: a glorious age, tens of thousands of years ago, when immortal cultivation and science were perfectly integrated. Now, the great interstellar powers are watching like predators, coveting this legacy that could overturn the existing technological order.
Lin Hai believes that humans can triumph over nature, while Wang Xingchen follows the principle that the Dao accords with nature. Their convictions could hardly be more different, yet they have no choice but to join forces on a journey to discover their roots. They transmigrate not only through star gates, but across the divides between history and civilization. Their enemies are not just powerful alien fleets, but also the suspicion and ambition of their fellow humans.
Starting with the deciphering of the first ancient rune, can they reclaim this lost civilization amid the cold, merciless laws of the stars
