"Since living on the same land will inevitably lead to conflict, why not just shatter the continent and divide it into several pieces?"
Lin Tuo's idea was simple: physical separation.
At present, the second Sand Table contained one massive landmass. If he divided it into multiple sections and placed each of the three human factions separately, it would effectively prevent unnecessary clashes.
Of course, he didn't intend to separate them too far. If the landmasses were scattered excessively, it would make trade inconvenient.
Moreover, drawing on historical examples, different geographic environments shaped civilizations in different ways. This would also be a way to encourage diversity in development.
"How should I divide it? Just use a shovel to split it apart?" Lin Tuo pondered seriously for a moment. Suddenly, he remembered a scene often shown in movies: a meteor crashing into Earth.
Massive meteors, extinction events, worlds collapsing…
It seemed… interesting.
And considering that this new continent was still in its "early stage" of development, without any real advanced life yet, dropping a meteor wouldn't carry much burden.
"The only question is whether it'll achieve the effect I want."
"Well, only one way to find out. If it doesn't work, I'll just use the shovel."
After a brief hesitation, Lin Tuo stepped into the courtyard, picked up a suitably sized stone from near the wall, then returned to the Sand Table.
Taking a deep breath, he adjusted the time ratio, extended his hand with the stone into the isolation field, paused for two seconds, and then dropped it over the central region of the new continent.
…
…
Far away, in the most desolate and silent stretch of the Pacific, wisps of clouds drifted in the sky. From a satellite's perspective, the black barrier covering the ocean could be clearly seen.
All around the world, teams rushing to investigate the newly formed "black box" were still en route.
No one could have imagined what was happening inside the sandbox at that very moment.
…
Inside the sandbox.
The newborn world was silent, with only waves at the continental edges striking against rocks.
Then, in a sudden instant, a colossal "meteor" appeared out of thin air in the heavens.
It manifested abruptly, as though condensed out of the air itself, and with unstoppable force plummeted toward the ground.
"Whoooosh—"
Its speed was immense. As it pierced through the atmosphere, friction set its surface ablaze, forming a molten outer layer that radiated searing light and dragged a blazing tail behind it.
In that moment, the entire world seemed consumed by brilliance.
Moments later, the meteor—like a small asteroid—smashed violently into the land.
The entire continent shook. Thunderous roars engulfed the world.
Mountains collapsed, soil rolled, rivers boiled, and the meteor's flames ignited entire forests. Under this catastrophic strike, the very structure of the crust convulsed violently.
The newborn continent was split apart!
Ruptured down the middle, collapsing, a vision of doomsday.
At the Sand Table, Lin Tuo reactivated accelerated time. His eyes watched as the skies darkened, seas boiled, and then, under the colossal forces of tectonic upheaval, the landmass fractured. Roughly one-third of it slowly drifted away.
The remaining two-thirds didn't split further, but massive mountain ranges rose from the impact, while cracks along the edges filled with seawater.
The event was also recorded in the running logs.
Time passed. Eventually, the tectonic shifts settled. Vegetation continued to evolve, making the land increasingly similar to the environments familiar to humans.
"As I thought… A powerful impact induces large-scale crustal movement, which causes landmasses to drift."
Lin Tuo observed the results of his experiment with satisfaction.
His mind turned to the widely known "Continental Drift Theory": that all the land on Earth once formed a single supercontinent—Pangaea—before breaking apart due to rotation and tidal forces, shaping the world people know today.
"Unfortunately, the Sand Table is ultimately just a simulation. Its continents are flat and lack rotation. Without external force, they'd never naturally change no matter how much time passed."
With a sigh, Lin Tuo waited a little longer. Once he confirmed that the environment inside was suitable for habitation, he turned his gaze to the "Transit Land" outside the Sand Table.
"Next, it's time to send them in."
But before that, he had one more task: teaching them the Breathing Method.
This required preparation—translating the method into a language they could understand, keeping it simple and straightforward, avoiding mystical jargon.
After adjusting the time ratio back to 1:1 and marking several drop points, Lin Tuo drafted some notes. Then he stood over the Transit Land.
…
At this moment, blazing sunlight poured over the potted landscape, with the towering pine tree in the center casting vast shadows.
On the sandy ground, crumbs of uneaten bread remained scattered.
Far away, the lake gleamed like a mirror, rippling with light.
Countless humans lay sprawled on the ground, basking in the sun.
Suddenly, the light over the land dimmed.
Bewildered, countless men and women opened their eyes and glanced upward. They saw strange colors bloom in the "sky," though Lin Tuo's figure remained concealed.
"The new world has been formed. From this moment, you shall move to the New Continent."
His whisper became thunder. For him it was but a murmur, yet to the wastelanders and mutant beasts, it thundered across the heavens with an awe-inspiring authority.
"The New Continent? Already?"
Within the three encampments of the Burning Flame Company, the Grey Mountain Group, and the Doomsday Floaters, leaders and elites rushed outside their tents and cabins, staring in shock at the heavens. Yet their sight was filled only by the branches of the towering pine.
Strangely, many felt both reluctance and tension.
Though the Transit Land was barren, in just a handful of days it had provided them lives they had never dared dream of.
Warm climate. Food falling from the sky. Clean water free for the taking.
Many common folk had grown attached to it.
The Evolvers, however, mostly brimmed with excitement. To them, though the Transit Land was safe and comfortable, it lacked challenge—it felt incomplete.
"I wonder what the New Continent will be like."
"Perhaps like our world used to be… before the pollution."
While they whispered, Lin Tuo's voice descended again:
"The new world is cold and harsh. I grant you the Breathing Method—to purge corruption, multiply, and endure… Remember this across generations. Do not lose it."
His words echoed over the land. Countless humans were stunned. Some realized instantly—they were about to receive a gift from the "god."
They strained their ears, desperate to memorize every word.
Some Evolvers immediately took out scraps of paper to scribble notes. Others sat cross-legged, eyes closed, following the breathing patterns described by the divine voice.
The first to react were the Evolvers, then clever commoners.
Gradually, more and more sat down, closing their eyes to practice.
Even the half-mindless wastelanders instinctively mimicked the gesture, sitting cross-legged, breathing in rhythm.
Tens of thousands sat in unison. Even from Lin Tuo's perspective, where they were but specks, the sight was impressive.
He repeated the Breathing Method five times to ensure enough had memorized it. Only then did he stop, declaring:
"The New World holds three continents. I shall send you each to one. From there, live and strive."
As his words fell, a massive white "landmass" appeared in the sky—the familiar Paper Continent.
Under his guidance, the Burning Flame Company led their people aboard the giant sheet, which Lin Tuo then carried into the Sand Table, placing them on a plain near a river.
He repeated the process for animals as well, dividing them into three groups and distributing them across the three landmasses.
When his hand descended, the mutant beasts trembled, bowing low in terror before the unseen pressure, making the transfers far easier.
Finally, he lifted the glass tank of merfolk, carried it to the sea between the northern and southern continents, and tilted it gently.
The merfolk shrieked excitedly as seawater gushed like a heavenly waterfall into the ocean, carrying them into their new home.
"From this day on, live well."
Setting the empty tank aside, Lin Tuo gazed at the vast new world and spoke his last words.
On land and sea alike, humans and merfolk alike listened in silence to the fading voice, struck dumb by awe.
After a long moment, the merfolk dived beneath the waves, disappearing.
On the two main continents, the leaders of the Burning Flame Company, the Grey Mountain Group, and the Doomsday Floaters lowered their gazes. Their eyes met those of the anxious yet hopeful masses—and the pristine forests and rivers around them.
Almost simultaneously, they uttered the same words:
"From now on, this is our homeland."