Chinese Superman

To turn the tide, to reverse the course of events!

Xia Xinghan exclaimed, "With this divine treasure in hand, who could possibly be helpless? It's like having an extra life!"

"What you say is absolutely right, fellow Daoist."

"Besides its astonishing vitality, the spiritual substances it contains are also extremely pure and refined, far surpassing ordinary spirit stones."

Master Zhang continued his introduction, smiling with considerable pride.

"Roughly estimated, a mature Heaven-Returning Pine cone contains pure spiritual energy comparable to tens of thousands of standard spirit stones, and it is easier to absorb and free of impurities."

"Since the spiritual energy of Wudang Mountain was restored, the Zhenwu Immortal Pine has only produced four mature Rejuvenating Pine Pagodas."

"I will hand over two of them to the state for unforeseen needs, and keep two for myself as treasures to protect the mountain, and also for emergencies."

"Some time ago, I heard that the monk Zhenguo Zhitan burned most of his life force in order to kill Lady Xinzhui, and almost perished."

"The state then used the pine nuts from ten of its stockpiled 'Rejuvenating Pine' cones to help stabilize its roots and restore its vitality. This shows just how precious this substance is."

At this point, Master Zhang looked at Xia Xinghan with gentle eyes and a sincere smile: "Today, fellow Daoist, you have continued the path of cultivation for all under heaven, a merit that will benefit generations to come. I have nothing to thank you with but this Heaven-Returning Pine Pagoda as a token of my gratitude. I hope you will not refuse."

Having said that, he flicked the whisk resting on his elbow, and three thousand strands of whisk swirled up, gleaming with silver light.

Before the person moved, the dust threads extended like a babbling brook, flowing to a branch of an ancient pine tree. As nimble as an elephant's trunk, it carefully probed into the misty spiritual fog, picked something, then contracted and presented it to Xia Xinghan.

Xia Xinghan stared intently.

The object was about the size of an adult's fist, and its shape did indeed resemble a miniature strange tower. Its scales burst open, revealing a warm, jade-like bluish-gold color. The natural patterns on its surface seemed to contain profound life-giving patterns.

"this……"

Xia Xinghan indeed felt that this item was extraordinary and its value was immeasurable.

It truly lives up to its reputation as a divine treasure!

He wanted to offer some polite words of refusal, after all, the gift was too generous.

Master Zhang seemed to sense his hesitation, so he directly stuffed the pine cone into his hand and said with a smile, "Take it, fellow Daoist."

"This item is indeed precious, but what does it amount to compared to the path of cultivation you have continued, fellow Daoist?"

"Do not refuse, otherwise you will be disrespecting this small token of my appreciation."

Seeing Zhang Zhenren's resolute and sincere attitude, Xia Xinghan stopped being coy and generously accepted the Returning Heaven Pine Pagoda.

The immortal treasure was not heavy in his hand, but a gentle yet powerful life force emanated from his palm, making his pores open up and his spirits invigorated.

"In that case, I am very grateful for your generous gift, Master! This item is indeed a rare and precious treasure, and I am unworthy to receive it."

Xia Xinghan stuffed the cyan-gold pine cone into his pocket and said, "I have gained a lot from discussing the Dao and creating techniques with the Master. I am preparing to make some improvements to the techniques I have been practicing. I wonder if the Master would be willing to lend me a place?"

Master Zhang readily agreed, lightly sweeping his whisk around, and said gently, "Fellow Daoist, please feel free to cultivate here quietly."

"The Golden Hall of Wudang, having been imbued with incense smoke for hundreds of years and tempered by thunder and fire, is exceptionally sturdy. Even if a heavenly tribulation were to descend, it could withstand the power of thunder."

"If any human disturbances occur, this humble Taoist will naturally protect the Dharma and ensure your peace and tranquility."

His words, though calm, possessed a powerful and reassuring quality.

Master Zhang, standing firmly in Wudang, is the number one person in the world!

Xia Xinghan smiled and nodded: "Thank you, Master."

Upon entering the Golden Hall, the heavy doors slowly closed, isolating the outside world from noise and light.

Inside the Golden Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. The bronze-cast and gilded statue of Emperor Zhenwu was majestic and lifelike under the light of the ever-burning lamp.

The air was filled with a unique aroma, a blend of incense and spiritual energy, calm and profound.

Xia Xinghan did not sit down immediately, but first looked up at the tall statue of Zhenwu Emperor. The statue's gaze was lowered, as if it was also quietly watching him.

Silent and still.

His mind was clear, and he found a clean futon and sat down cross-legged.

Previously, observing the spiritual energy vortex in Zhang Zhenren's pseudo-core realm had given him some inspiration.

"My core of power, those miniature stars located deep within my cells, has always been in a relatively static state..."

"Why doesn't it spin like a vortex of spiritual energy?"

Xia Xinghan looked inward at himself, his consciousness sinking into the vast microscopic world, as boundless as the cosmos.

The fingertip contains over eight thousand cells, resembling a galaxy. At the core of each cell is an extremely tiny "fireball" that radiates golden light and terrifying energy.

Because it is derived from the concept of the Golden Elixir, these illuminated epidermal cells are neither dead nor decayed; they are like "solidified" cells and will not be metabolized.

Each tiny star resembles a burning golden elixir!

For ordinary people to cultivate the Great Dao Golden Elixir, they need to absorb the Qi of the Five Elements: earth to nurture metal, water to cleanse, and fire to refine; none of these can be omitted.

But Xia Xinghan already possessed them, and more than one!

As for the difference between the two, we'll have to wait until the first Golden Core cultivator is born on Earth to find out.

"Rotation... generates a gravitational field... attracts matter and energy..."

"I should have gotten those miniature stars spinning a long time ago."

The thought made his heart beat slightly faster.

The rotation of a star generates complex gravitational and magnetic fields, which affect its matter accretion and energy release.

Although his cell "Star" is an artificial simulation, its energy is extremely high.

If it can be rotated in an orderly manner, it may be possible to generate a similar but more controllable microscopic gravitational field!

"With a microscopic gravitational field, one can capture spiritual particles in the air at any time, incorporate them into the cells, and cultivate autonomously."

Xia Xinghan's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Isn't this just a fully automated cultivation system that runs all the time?!

As long as he is in an environment with spiritual energy, his body will be like a tireless, precise machine, breathing in and out autonomously to achieve automatic cultivation!

Cultivation efficiency will increase exponentially!

"The theory is feasible! The key lies in... how to safely and stably initiate and control the synchronous rotation of countless cellular stars?"

How can the speed and direction of rotation, as well as the intensity and properties of the resulting field, be precisely controlled?

"How can we ensure that the absorbed spiritual energy is effectively refined and transformed, rather than stagnating or damaging cellular structure?"

Everything sounds simple, but in reality, it's incredibly difficult.

Because if one is not careful, the gravitational fields of the two miniature stars will collide and rub against each other, tearing the cell membrane and causing the cell to collapse.

Even more... it could cause a Big Bang at the cellular level!

At that time, even Superman's steel body wouldn't be able to withstand this level of destruction.

Xia Xinghan quickly calmed down.

He doesn't want to ruin his own life.

Xia Xinghan proceeded with extreme caution and began to conduct incredibly complex deductions and simulations.

Fortunately, these are precisely his strengths.

Super Brain is so useful!

He closed his eyes, his aura completely concealed, like a small statue in a golden palace. His consciousness sank completely into the microscopic cellular universe, and combined with the foundation he had accumulated during this creation and discussion, he began to frantically calculate.

……

at the same time.

Yingguo, Kyoto.

The battlefield of the Yin-Yang Bureau.

A wide sandy square, with a somber and eerie atmosphere.

After several days of intensive preparations, the place has undergone a complete transformation.

In the center of the battlefield, a tall wooden altar was built.

On the platform, a pure white "sacrificial cloth" was laid out, and items such as a divine mirror, divine jade, and divine sword were placed there. There were also complex rune arrays drawn on the ground and pillars with cinnabar mixed with fresh blood.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.