Chapter 583: Physical Buddha, Chemical Tao, One Qi Transforms into Three Hydrogen!

Xu Zhi reached out and pulled his tablet computer towards him.

"Let's see how the Chinese Pantheon has developed on the forum recently."

Sitting leisurely on the sofa, legs crossed, his figure straight and fair, he elegantly ate the cake brought by the ceramic girl, pondering softly. "The biggest difference, he mused, was that Stone Star's civilization followed a crude, all-encompassing path of qi-light cannons—broad, sweeping, relatively monotonous, and brutally direct. In contrast, the two systems before him were far more intricate, each developing an extremely refined approach."

After all, the Chinese style was delicate and refined. They were now developing ancient styles based on this principle, though the term "refined" hardly applied to the boisterous, often nonsensical players on the internet. Yet, the Chinese Pantheon remained a dream for everyone, including Xu Zhi. He was particularly interested in the developments of "Buddha's Light Illumination" and "Primordial Qi." There was a certain sentimental appeal. Having integrated two genes, he now had two additional cultivation systems: radiation and inner qi. He figured he had nothing to lose by exploring these new paths, given his extensive cultivation experience.

Xu Zhi then carefully reviewed the current developments within his inner world. Though he had only spent time outside with Caroline for a deduction, and not truly two hundred years had passed, a considerable amount of time had still gone by.

The players had already initiated a major upheaval, developing the Buddhist and Daoist systems and confronting the giant mantis. Most players launched a surprise attack. While Yuan Qinghua and Bai Xiaojun, being primary targets, couldn't escape, the operation resulted in heavy casualties, though a small number of players managed to flee. Only about a hundred players from this group remained, scattered across various locations.

"Now, as they roam the wilderness, they've become relatively more decisive and resilient. They've finally learned to be self-reliant and depend on themselves," Xu Zhi noted, looking at the general situation with satisfaction. After all, significant casualties were irrelevant; only the elites remained.

The second round of PvP fighting competitions was also about to begin, ushering in new players.

"Though not as grand as a small universe, this miniature world is compact and refined, and its development has truly exceeded expectations," Xu Zhi thought, casually glancing over. He found that the players' creativity was boundless, leading to numerous branching paths in Buddhist and Daoist cultivation. Concurrently, various comments filled the forum:

"OMG, OMG, Daoists are clearly the developers' darlings!"

"What can this tiny bit of radiation do early on? Power a light bulb?"

"Can't even warm a spicy snack!"

"Holy hell, radiation for warming spicy snacks!"

"Don't panic, everyone, we're a late-game class! Just hang in there!"

"It's already over (nose pick emoji)."

Evidently, after a short period of cultivation, everyone quickly perceived the disparity. Buddhist cultivators found themselves in a miserable profession: scarce resources, low combat power. Where was the radiation supposed to come from? It was hard to acquire, and even when they managed to cultivate with it, their early-game combat power lagged far behind other classes.

"Don't panic, brothers, we've already started prospecting for ore and preparing uranium!" someone exclaimed. "You need a good grasp of physics to practice Buddhism!"

The community was speechless. They felt utterly dumbfounded. "Guys, are you seriously going to build nuclear reactors just to practice Buddhism?" That's ridiculously hardcore. Unbelievable.

Xu Zhi, too, was baffled, finding himself utterly speechless. He hadn't checked in for so long, and they were already pulling off such massive schemes behind his back. "Is this not your own world, then?" he wondered. He had a nagging feeling that major research institutes were secretly providing them with technology, creating chaos. It felt like they were trying to blow up his inner world. Though Xu Zhi understood their ambition—after all, a controllable humanoid nuclear reactor, a person in a kasaya sitting cross-legged with a halo, could generate power and benefit an entire city. ...The mental image was just too much. Indeed, the manifestation of Buddhism and Daoism in reality mirrored the world of Ishdar, where technology and the supernatural converged.

"It seems I'll have to find a way to introduce radioactive waste into it, otherwise, this path truly won't develop," Xu Zhi mused. He then casually clicked on the most popular post, which was about Daoist cultivation.

While the Buddhist faction was still toiling and lamenting, a group of top qi cultivators had already formed a comprehensive alliance. They were busy discussing, researching, and merging secret cultivation techniques, and had begun establishing their own sects. The first sentence of the post read:

"The Azure Sky Sect, widely opening the path of cultivation, invites disciples from all corners of the world to join our ranks. Our sect is now recruiting new players for the upcoming intake. All disciples who join will receive True Qi Bloodline Elixirs and be taught the 'Azure Sky Art,' our sect's True Qi circulation method. All aptitudes are welcome, with no discrimination. There are only one hundred spots available, on a first-come, first-served basis."

Below was a promotional video.

"I am Elder Qingshan. While the world believes only Sixth-tier cultivators can achieve flight, those who cultivate my lineage can fly at the First-tier, provided they possess a True Qi cultivation physique! With Primordial Qi, I can conjure swords in the void!"

The scene showed green mountains and clear waters, with a wide stream meandering across the land. A treant, clad in a green leather robe, soared through the sky. In one hand, he held a peach wood red sword; in the other, a gourd of wine. He gracefully danced his sword, drinking as he flew, exuding an ethereal charm. A resonant poetic verse then echoed:

"In this world, we drink wine; between heaven and earth, we find true freedom.Wine enters heroic guts, seven parts transform into moonlight,the remaining three parts whistle into sword energy,and a breath from my embroidered lips becomes half the cosmos."

"Our sect has three peaks and three lineages, each with its own hall. Now, behold one of our three lineages: the Art of Fire Control!" The sword immortal suddenly opened his mouth and exhaled, a torrent of flames erupting forth, coalescing into a magnificent, fiery red fireball. "With desire's fire, all things can be incinerated, heaven and earth themselves consumed. This spirit fire can refine elixirs, its potential limitless."

He then raised a hand. "The second lineage: Qi Explosion Art."

Boom! An explosion erupted from his hand, an invisible, translucent wave of qi rapidly expanding. "True Qi can sunder all things, splitting mountains and rivers alike."

"The Art of Water Control." With another outstretched hand, a gentle stream of water materialized, swirling gracefully from his palm, clear and tranquil. "It can be used to attack foes or subtly nourish life. This spirit water can promote the growth of spiritual plants and cure many ailments!"

Flying mid-air? Conjuring fire and water from thin air? And even creating explosions?

Everyone on the forum was astonished. The promotional video was spectacular; the players had clearly poured their hearts into it, making it incredibly authentic. These three phenomena seemed utterly unbelievable, defying modern science and the conservation of matter. How was it possible? Generating fire was one thing, but creating water from thin air was truly astonishing!

"Wow, that pose is so cool, it's got that classic vibe!"

"Azure Sky Sect, Azure Sky Dao Seeking! I, Zhang Xiaofan, will certainly join one day!"

"Yeah, just imagine being able to fly at First-tier! It's so immortal and high-class. Plus, there are three distinct spell arts from the sect's peaks: fire, water, and explosion. You can choose any one to specialize in!"

"Wow, that's incredibly cool."

"We actually did it! (screaming with excitement.jpg)"

"I used to be a firm believer in science."

At that moment, netizens watching the video found it hard to believe that players could genuinely replicate scenes from ancient myths, having developed the True Qi system to be virtually identical to its legendary origins. Meanwhile, players of the Buddhist cultivation path were utterly devastated, their faces darkening with despair. "Damn it, how can they be so cool?!" Normally, aren't Buddhist cultivators supposed to be the coolest? With a magnificent halo behind them, glowing brilliantly, bringing salvation to all beings, transforming everything within eight hundred li into Buddhist land wherever they went, and even saving lives—truly the embodiment of justice... Many players, it's worth noting, chose their profession based on coolness, as there's a famous adage in the online gaming world: "Strength is temporary, but style is forever."

"We're switching to Daoist cultivation!" They cried out, heartbroken, "Please, Dev Dad, have a heart! Balance the classes!"

Regardless of the wailing and debates online, this was undeniably a landmark moment. The Chinese Pantheon was now firmly established. Despite countless casualties among the first generation of players developing the qi cultivation system, they had now begun to flourish and were preparing to recruit the next wave of players. This marked the prelude to the rise of ancient qi-cultivating immortal sects. History would forever remember this significant moment.

However, it wasn't long before dissenting voices emerged on the forum. Players from the neighboring Buddhist cultivation lineage, in particular, couldn't tolerate the Daoist cultivators, whom they saw as the developers' darlings, and immediately began to pick apart their claims.

"Do you know why they can fly? I suspect they're using hydrogen within their internal qi, in addition to carbon dioxide and oxygen."

Hydrogen? Everyone immediately became agitated. So, they had an oxygen heart, a carbon dioxide heart, and then evolved a third, hydrogen heart? A moment of silence fell upon the community. "So, the original two hearts achieved internal circulation, true 'Primordial Qi,' allowing one to live a lifetime by cultivating a single breath, granting immortality... and now an unnecessary third element: hydrogen?" Was this adding feet to a snake, complicating what was once simple?

From a practical standpoint, however, this wasn't an arbitrary addition. It was a reform within a specific True Qi lineage, and its effects appeared astonishing. Because when hydrogen and oxygen combust, they produce flames—thus, fire control. As for water? Based on 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O, water would be generated. With fire, there was also water. And explosions? Hydrogen explosions occur when hydrogen and oxygen combust at a specific concentration.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Thinking about it, it all made perfect sense. So all those incredible "miracles" were achieved through such means? They couldn't help but shiver, realizing: Was this the underlying principle of ancient cultivation and qi refinement?

"Hydrogen, presumably, isn't part of the Yin-Yang Qi internal circulation, which still consists of self-sufficient carbon dioxide and oxygen. These two internal qi already serve as energy carriers for cultivation, essentially being a form of spiritual energy... By using 'hydrogen' as a catalyst, its combustion produces spirit fire and spirit water... resulting in immense power."

Everyone conceded the point. Oxygen handled combustion, while carbon dioxide handled extinguishing. Truly a balance of Yin and Yang. And hydrogen, between the two gases, indeed acted as a trigger.

"Is science truly the ultimate destination of theology? (shocked.jpg)"

"So, they're preparing hydrogen using test tubes and various chemical reagents? Then storing it in their bodies as a third internal qi circulation? 'Master physics and chemistry, and roam the world without fear'?"

"Science, I was wrong. I shouldn't have doubted you. I wasted nine years of compulsory education (sobbing uncontrollably)."

Everyone was perturbed, finding this maneuver audacious and incredibly imaginative. Yet, they couldn't help but feel it was one of the most effective cultivation methods for the True Qi lineage.

"This must be an advanced technique!"

"I think so too. This advanced third type of qi, once integrated, brings about various transformations, making this Daoist faction much more powerful and versatile!"

"Indeed, originally these two types of qi were just for normal internal circulation, but with hydrogen, they can fly, generate fire, produce water, and cause explosions..."

"This is truly an advancement for qi refiners!"

Everyone furiously scrolled through their screens, refreshing at a rapid pace. However, the very next sentence utterly ignited the entire community.

"Could this be the legendary highest realm of Daoist Primordial Qi... 'One Qi Transforms into Three Hydrogens'?"

The community went silent.

ONE! QI! TRANSFORMS! INTO! THREE! HYDROGENS!

Their eyes widened, and their minds reeled upon hearing that phrase. "One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones" is the ultimate mystery of Daoism, and this, apparently, was the truth behind it. Such a coincidence couldn't be fate; if True Qi was literal qi, then "One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones" naturally meant "three hydrogens." Many had always believed that ancient theology and myths genuinely existed and could be explained by modern scientific theories. This current explanation, no doubt, felt incredibly apt. Perhaps ancient practitioners had indeed ascended to immortality by leveraging such principles.

"So, True Qi is literally *true qi*. Flying with hydrogen, this must be what ancient qi refiners called the 'Hydrogen Body Art,' allowing them to travel a thousand *li* in a day and ascend on ladders of clouds."

"It's just a shame we modern people figured it out so late."

"Speaking of which, I recall ancient qi refiners also spoke of 'gathering qi from the clouds.'"

"Perhaps they were indeed referring to hydrogen, as it's difficult to cycle and replenish."

"If they could ascend using hydrogen at lower tiers, how did they steer?"

The discussion grew fervent. Everyone was incredibly excited, euphoric even, feeling as if they had unlocked the gates of ancient history and were about to uncover its true secrets. "We're all archaeologists now!" they joked.

"To fly with hydrogen, they probably steered with... farts."

Everyone's faces immediately went dark. Someone immediately pointed out, "I don't know about ancient times, but look closely: this player's immortal cultivator, as they maneuver through the sky, is clearly expelling gas from behind, creating a jet-like structure for reactive propulsion! To put it simply, they've turned themselves into an airplane."

Unlike players who just spouted nonsense, this person was clearly an expert. "Puff! Puff! Puff!... Everyone, look closely at the footage; it's clearly a series of low-power bursts, less than 10 kg·m/s! Very rhythmic, almost like car exhaust... And personally, I believe that if you were to create a third hydrogen heart, fashioned into an internal combustion chamber, it could release massive amounts of energy, even spewing fire and jet propulsion from behind. It would be the ultimate humanoid rocket, like Astro Boy!"

Everyone cringed, their expressions utterly bewildered. This person was far too serious, and their analysis was incredibly methodical. An immortal flying through the sky, wielding an ancient bronze sword, robes billowing, with fire and gas erupting from their backside... That image was truly too much to bear!

But before that discussion could even conclude, another piece of news completely ignited the entire Chinese Pantheon, bringing it to a fever pitch and causing an absolute uproar.

"Wait a minute, Buddhist cultivators are messing with radiation, setting up physics labs, scientifically preparing Uranium-235 and other radioactive isotopes, engaging in nuclear reactions... And Daoist cultivators are playing with chemistry, establishing chemical labs, scientifically preparing hydrogen and conducting chemical reactions..."

As these words sank in, a thunderbolt seemed to strike everyone's minds in the dark. A profound silence fell, followed by a collective shudder of horror.

"Physical Buddhism, Chemical Daoism?"

In front of their computers, netizens felt their hearts leap into their throats, horrified. "We always thought the ancient philosophical struggle between Buddhism and Daoism was essentially a conflict between light and qi," they mused, "but who would've thought it was actually a war between ancient physics and ancient chemistry!" They suddenly recalled the generations-long rivalry between the Qi Sect and Sword Sect of Mount Hua, suspecting it might have been a similarly terrifying scenario.

"Ancient Physics versus Ancient Chemistry! (mind-blown.jpg)"

"So, the long-standing modern debate between physics and chemistry actually has ancient roots!"

"Ancient people emphasized investigating matters and delving into principles—so that's it... Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva must have been a powerful physicist, mastering the principles of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and various gamma cosmic rays. It makes sense, though; weren't the strong individuals in all previous worlds incredibly knowledgeable? A deep understanding of knowledge determined one's realm and combat power, and extraordinary wisdom. These very concepts of physics and chemistry are, after all, simply part of understanding the fundamental principles of nature."

"I see!"

"That explains it!"

"Waaah, this is truly a game for academics! Underachievers like me are in tears. I wanted to cultivate Buddhism, but my physics is terrible. I wanted to practice Daoism, but my chemistry is awful... The world is vast, yet there's no place for a poor student like me!"

"Indeed." Xu Zhi's brows relaxed. "They are indeed distinct representatives of two factions," he murmured. He felt that the Chinese Pantheon they had pioneered was truly awe-inspiring, with incredibly vast future prospects. Having now laid the foundation for this civilization system, it had certainly lived up to his expectations.

Even the veteran players were agitated. In their private chat groups, they discussed it fervently, finding it quite terrifying. Previously, before the Buddhist and Daoist systems were fully fleshed out and only initial clues emerged, they had considered it a war between light and qi. But now that it was fully deduced, they felt a chill run down their spines. The true nature of the ancient Chinese Pantheon, the Buddhist and Daoist traditions of myth, and even the Primeval Era, had seemingly been a struggle between ancient physics and ancient chemistry.

"Unbelievable." When the vast and ancient Chinese history and mysterious ancient myths were re-explained through modern scientific theories, everyone felt a profound sense of awe and eeriness.