Chapter 160 An Unexpected Journey: The DC Universe
Darkness.
Endless darkness.
Chu Hang felt his body being torn apart, every cell screaming.
There was no concept of time or direction in the spatial rift, only chaotic energy torrents washing over him.
He tried to stabilize his consciousness.
The six Laws within his body vibrated violently, clashing with each other, almost causing his body to explode.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
It could have been a second, or it could have been ten thousand years.
A blinding white light suddenly appeared.
Chu Hang was flung out violently.
Boom!
He crashed through three buildings, finally slamming into the ground of a street, creating a ten-meter-diameter crater.
The smoke and dust cleared.
Chu Hang lay at the bottom of the pit, gasping for air.
His body was covered in cracks, blood seeping from his wounds, forming a puddle on the ground.
But he was still alive.
His Healing Factor was slowly working, the super soldier serum was repairing the damage, and his Godly Physiquewas reconstructing his cells.
It was just terrifyingly slow.
Chu Hang frowned.
Something was wrong.
He tried to mobilize the Law power within him.
The Space Law was barely usable, but its power was only thirty percent of its original strength.
The Law of Strength was even worse, almost imperceptible.
The Law of Time, Reality Warping, Law of Spirit, and the Law of Death all felt as if they were separated by an invisible membrane, making their operation extremely difficult.
"The Universe Laws here… are different."
Chu Hang struggled to sit up, looking around.
This was a bustling city.
Tall buildings stood in dense rows, traffic flowed endlessly, and pedestrians on the street wore modern clothes and spoke English.
But the details were off.
The architectural style was more sci-fi, with occasional floating billboards on the streets, and flying vehicles streaking across the sky in the distance.
Most importantly, he looked up at the sky.
The color of the Sun was a bit yellower than Earth's Sun.
"This isn't the Marvel Universe."
Chu Hang confirmed this.
He stood up, his wounds still bleeding, but he couldn't bother with them.
He had to first figure out where he was.
The surrounding crowd had already gathered, some taking pictures, some screaming, some calling the police.
Chu Hang ignored them.
He closed his eyes and spread his senses.
His Law domain couldn't be fully deployed, but basic energy sensing was still usable.
He sensed the energy distribution of this city.
It was very strange.
The energy density here was much lower than in the Marvel Universe, but the quality was higher, more pure.
It was as if… it was constrained by some higher-level rule.
Suddenly, he sensed a powerful energy fluctuation.
On the east side of the city, about five kilometers away.
The intensity of that energy, even with the suppression in this Universe, made his heart skip a beat.
"At least Skyfather level."
Chu Hang didn't hesitate.
He forcibly mobilized the Space Law, and his figure vanished from where he stood.
The next second, he appeared on the rooftop of a skyscraper.
He saw it.
In a nearby block, two figures were engaged in a fierce battle in the air.
One of them wore a blue bodysuit, a red cape, and an S-shaped symbol in red and yellow on his chest.
Superman.
Chu Hang recognized him.
The other was a mechanical life form, entirely made of metal, with red eyes, fiercely attacking Superman.
Superman's movements were so fast that ordinary people couldn't even see them clearly.
He threw a punch, compressing the air into a white Impact, sending the robot flying.
But the robot quickly stabilized itself, shooting two red heat rays from its eyes, which Superman returned with his own heat vision.
The two energy beams collided in the air, erupting in a blinding light.
Chu Hang stood on the rooftop, observing silently.
He was evaluating Superman's strength.
Speed, supersonic.
Strength, capable of easily lifting a building.
Defense, ordinary weapons were ineffective against him.
Energy attack, the temperature of his heat vision was at least several thousand degrees.
"Stronger than Thor, but not as strong as me in my prime."
Chu Hang concluded.
But he also noticed that Superman's energy source was very special.
That energy came from the Sun.
To be precise, it came from the radiation of this yellow Sun.
"Kryptonian Physique."
Chu Hang's eyes lit up.
This was an opportunity.
If he could replicate Superman's Physique, he could use solar energy to recover quickly, and even gain stronger power in this Universe.
He was about to go down.
Suddenly, the robot's attack became even more frantic.
Its body began to glow, energy accumulating within it.
"Self-destruct?"
Chu Hang's pupils contracted.
Superman obviously sensed it too; he wanted to fly away, but the robot clung to him tightly.
Three-second countdown.
Chu Hang moved.
He teleported next to the two, operating the Space Law at full power, constructing a miniature spatial cage around the robot.
The robot exploded.
Terrifying energy raged within the spatial cage, but it was tightly confined within a three-meter-diameter sphere.
Chu Hang gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.
His Law power was too suppressed in this Universe; maintaining this cage almost depleted all his energy.
Three seconds later, the explosion subsided.
The spatial cage dissipated.
Chu Hang swayed, almost falling.
Superman flew over and supported him.
"Are you alright?"
Superman's voice was gentle, his eyes full of concern.
Chu Hang looked up at this face brimming with a sense of justice.
"I'm fine."
He extended his hand.
"Thank you for saving me."
Superman was stunned for a moment, then shook his hand.
"No, you saved me."
The moment their hands met, Chu Hang silently chanted in his mind.
"Replicate."
The system's prompt sounded in his mind.
"[S+ grade Physique detected: Kryptonian Physique]"
"[Do you wish to replicate?]"
"[Warning: This Physique conflicts with the host's existing Physique. Replication will require time for integration.]"
Chu Hang didn't hesitate.
"Replicate."
A massive stream of information surged into his body.
He felt his cells reorganizing, his genes rewriting.
The Kryptonian Physique began to merge with his original Godly Physique, super soldier serum, and Healing Factor.
This process was painful.
But Chu Hang's expression remained unchanged.
He released Superman's hand and nodded.
"My name is Chu Hang, and I come from… a very distant place."
Superman smiled.
"Everyone calls me Superman."
He looked at the wounds on Chu Hang's body, frowning.
"You're injured, do you need to go to a hospital?"
Chu Hang shook his head.
"No, I can handle it myself."
He paused, then asked.
"Where is this?"
"Metropolis."
Superman replied.
Chu Hang nodded.
It was indeed the DC Universe.
Chu Hang looked up at the yellow Sun.
He could feel that the newly acquired Kryptonian Physique within him was instinctively craving that energy.
"Thanks."
He said to Superman, then his figure vanished.
Superman blinked.
"He… can fly too?"
Chu Hang appeared on the outskirts of Metropolis.
This was a sparsely populated, abandoned industrial area.
He found an open space and sat down cross-legged.
Then, he began to mobilize the Kryptonian Physique within him.
That Physique acted like a giant energy receiver, frantically absorbing solar radiation.
Golden light poured down from the sky, converging on Chu Hang.
His skin began to glow, and his wounds healed at a visible rate.
Not enough.
Still not enough.
Chu Hang opened his eyes and looked at the sky.
He stood up, his body slowly ascending into the air.
Higher and higher.
Faster and faster.
He broke through the atmosphere and entered the Universe.
There was no air here, no gravity, only endless void and that burning star.
Chu Hang spread his arms, facing the Sun.
His Kryptonian Physique operated at full power.
Golden solar energy surged into his body like a torrent.
His cells cheered, evolved, and grew stronger.
Godly Physique, super soldier serum, Healing Factor, Kryptonian Physique—four powers furiously merged within him.
The previously suppressed Law power also began to slowly recover under the nourishment of solar energy.
Time passed minute by minute.
Chu Hang floated in the Universe like a statue.
Faint golden patterns began to appear on the surface of his body.
That was a sign of energy overload.
But he didn't stop.
He wanted not just to recover, but to become stronger.
Strong enough to return to the Marvel Universe, strong enough to defeat Thanos, strong enough to protect everyone.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
Chu Hang opened his eyes.
His pupils had turned a pure golden color.
He clenched his fist.
His power had returned.
And it was stronger than before.
The Kryptonian Physique granted him almost infinite stamina and recovery ability; as long as there was a Sun, he would not fall.
The Godly Physique elevated his life level, giving him near-Eternity.
The super soldier serum and Healing Factor brought his body to perfect balance.
After the four Physiques merged, a qualitative change occurred.
His current physical strength had already surpassed a mere Skyfather level.
More importantly, under the nourishment of solar energy, his suppressed Law power was also slowly recovering.
Although it still couldn't reach its peak state in the Marvel Universe, it was at least usable.
Chu Hang looked into the distance.
He could sense a familiar energy fluctuation in a corner of this Universe.
That was the trace of a spatial rift.
The way home.
But it wasn't time yet.
His condition hadn't fully recovered, and rashly passing through a spatial rift might cause him to get lost in the void again.
He needed more time, more solar energy.
Chu Hang turned and looked at the Earth behind him.
That blue Planet was almost identical to the Earth in the Marvel Universe.
But the people here, the heroes here, were not the ones he knew.
"I'll stay here for a while."
Chu Hang made his decision.
He would accumulate power in this Universe, and when his state returned to its peak, he would go back.
By then, Thanos, and the Time Variance Authority, would all pay the price.
He slowly descended, re-entering the atmosphere.
Golden light trailed behind him, like a falling meteor.
The people of Metropolis looked up at that light.
Some made wishes, some took pictures, some posted on social media.
But no one knew that within that light was a man from another Universe, about to change this World.
Chu Hang landed on a mountaintop on the outskirts of Metropolis.
He stood there, overlooking this strange yet familiar city.
Night fell, and the city lights twinkled.
He thought of the battlefield of Wakanda, of Steve, Tony, and Wanda's faces.
He had promised them.
I'll be back, never give up.
"Wait for me."
Chapter 161 The Flash
A few days passed.
Chu Hang found an inconspicuous apartment in the metropolis and settled down.
He did nothing these past few days but sit by the window and bask in the Sun.
That yellow Sun was like an inexhaustible power bank, continuously pouring energy into his body. He could feel that the Kryptonian physique was slowly merging with his original several powers, and every cell in his body was cheering, becoming tougher and stronger.
His injuries had long healed, not even leaving a scar.
He tested the abilities brought by his new body.
Super hearing.
As soon as he concentrated, the sounds of the entire city flooded his mind. The couple arguing downstairs, the coffee beans grinding at the street corner cafe, the roar of the subway passing over tracks several kilometers away, and even the sound of a cat jumping off a wall.
The sheer volume of information once made his head ache to the point of exploding. But he quickly learned to filter, like tuning a radio, precisely capturing the sounds he wanted.
Then came X-ray vision.
He looked at his hand, his gaze piercing through skin and flesh to see the white bones. Further out, there was the apartment wall, the rebar and wires inside the wall, the TV show his next-door neighbor was watching, and the sewer pipes in the street downstairs.
This ability was useful but also easily infringed on others' privacy, so Chu Hang decided not to use it unless absolutely necessary.
Every day, he spent a lot of time using his super hearing to scan the entire Planet, like a tireless radar, searching for anomalies in this World.
He heard mysterious chants from deep within the Amazonrainforest, the rhythmic heartbeat of a city at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, and the sound of the Dark Knight in Gotham City traversing the night sky with his grappling hook.
These were all his future prey, but he was not in a hurry. He had to fully Master his new powers first.
Just today, he heard a different sound.
In Central City, a red and yellow Flash streaked by, accompanied by a nearly undetectable sonic boom. That wasn't real lightning, but the sound of an object moving at super-high speed, rubbing against the air.
Chu Hang frowned.
He heard the heartbeat of the sound's Master, incredibly fast, almost a continuous line. He even caught a blur of words: "The pizza's getting cold!"
This speed was much faster than Quicksilver, whom he had seen. And the Law contained within it seemed different from any power he knew.
Chu Hang became a little interested.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of Central City. Perhaps it was time to meet new friends in this World.
He didn't hesitate.
Activating the Space Law, a long-lost sense of obscurity came over him, like swimming in thick syrup, far less effortless than it had been in the Marvel Universe, but it was enough.
His figure blurred in the apartment, and the next second, he had already appeared in Central City, over a hundred kilometers away.
He closed his eyes, his super hearing fully deployed, instantly locking onto that unique heartbeat.
That red and yellow afterimage was rapidly shuttling through the city, sometimes stopping below an office building, sometimes appearing at the entrance of a residential area, like a busy deliveryman whose feet never touched the ground.
Chu Hang didn't try to chase.
He knew very well that simply competing in speed wouldn't be enough to fully catch up with the other party.
He just stood quietly on top of a tall building, like a lurking cheetah, observing the trajectory of his prey.
A few minutes later, he figured out the other party's pattern of movement.
No pattern was the greatest pattern.
This high-speed fellow seemed to be dealing with some trivial daily matters, and his route of action was full of randomness.
If he couldn't catch him, then he would make him stop himself.
Chu Hang's lips curved into a smile.
He chose a secluded alley, which was the Flash's inevitable path back to the city center.
He took off his coat and put on an outfit that made him look a bit down-and-out, like a recently unemployed homeless man.
Then, he began to wait.
Three seconds.
Two seconds.
One second.
Just as the red and yellow Shadow was about to rush into the alley, Chu Hang moved.
He seemed to have tripped over something, his body uncontrollably falling towards the middle of the alley.
His movements were not fast, even a bit clumsy, but the timing was just right.
The high-speed figure obviously noticed him too.
A sharp braking sound rang out, and a burning smell filled the air. The figure stopped less than a centimeter in front of Chu Hang, and the strong wind it brought caused Chu Hang's hair to dance wildly.
A hand steadily supported him.
"Hey, are you alright?"
A young, somewhat breathless voice spoke.
Chu Hang looked up and saw a young face, with friendly and anxious concern. He staggered a few steps, leaned against the wall, with a bewildered expression of "Who am I, where am I?".
And in that mere zero-point-zero-one-second contact, his palm had firmly clapped onto the other's shoulder.
In his mind, the cold system prompt sounded as expected.
Unknown Law energy source detected: Speed Force.
Copy?
Chu Hang's heart skipped a beat.
Speed Force, he certainly knew what that was.
This thing wasn't just about running fast; it was the source of speed in the DC Universe, a spacetime conduit connecting the past, present, and future. Once mastered, it was equivalent to possessing the key to travel through time and modify reality.
He unhesitatingly gave the command in his mind: "Copy!"
Almost at the same time, a torrent of energy, far more violent and chaotic than any previous copy, surged wildly into his body through his palm.
That wasn't pure energy.
Instead, it was fragmented time images, countless snippets of future and past.
He saw the extinction of dinosaurs, the birth of humans, a man in a similar red battle suit turning into light on a treadmill, and he also saw himself standing on a pile of ruins, holding six Infinity Stones in his hand.
Countless causal lines intertwined, collided, and tore within his body.
The intense pain nearly made him faint, and the Law domain within him instantly lost control.
Space was distorting, power was running wild, and reality began to blur. He even felt his body being decomposed into countless time fragments, scattered into different timelines.
And the young man holding him, Barry Allen, also known as the Flash, also felt that something was wrong.
He only felt an indescribable suction coming from the other person, and the Speed Force within him was like a flood with open gates, uncontrollably surging towards the other person. He tried to pull his hand back, but found his palm was welded to the other's shoulder, completely unable to move.
He watched with wide eyes as the homeless man in front of him began to flicker, the surrounding air made a cracking sound like breaking glass, and tiny spatial cracks appeared and disappeared around him.
"You... what did you do to me?" Barry asked in horror.
Chu Hang didn't answer.
All his will was fighting against the raging power within him. He knew he had to immediately find an anchor point, a fulcrum that could suppress these two time Laws, otherwise he would truly die here.
His gaze swept over Barry's panicked face, over the ordinary street scene around them, and finally, landed on his own fist, tightly clenched in pain.
In his fist was the only thing that belonged to him, brought from the Marvel Universe—that extreme greed for survival, that domineering will of "I want it all."
That's it!
A hint of madness flashed in Chu Hang's eyes.
He gave up trying to reconcile and balance the two time Laws, and instead did the opposite, forcefully kneading them together with his will!
He roared at that chaotic sea of laws: "Here, there is no past, no future, only the present! And in the present, I call the shots!"
His will transformed into an invisible giant hand, fiercely grasping the red lightning representing the Speed Forceand the green light representing the Time Stone, and then, like kneading dough, violently squeezing and fusing them.
This process was ten thousand times more painful than before.
Chu Hang felt his soul was about to be torn apart. But he gritted his teeth, holding on desperately. He didn't know if he would succeed, he only knew that he couldn't lose.
And it was at this moment that Barry Allen finally broke free from the suction.
He staggered back a few steps, looking in horror at the scene before him. The homeless man's body was completely enveloped by a red and green intertwined energy storm. In the center of the storm, time and space had turned into a mess, and the surrounding walls and ground were being decomposed and reorganized by this power.
Barry knew he had to stop all this, otherwise the entire Central City would be engulfed.
He took a deep breath, preparing to rush into the Speed Force again to reverse the time in this area.
But just as he was about to move, the energy storm suddenly contracted inward, and all the light and chaos vanished in an instant.
Chu Hang stood still, his face ashen, cold sweat beading on his forehead, but his eyes were unusually bright.
He succeeded.
After a fierce struggle, the two time Laws within him finally reached a fragile balance under the absolute suppression of his will. The Speed Force did not completely merge into his body, but like an untamed wild horse, it was temporarily kept in a corner of his Law domain.
Copy successful.
Ability acquired: Speed Force.
Warning: This ability is extremely unstable, and each use will cause irreversible disturbance to the host's timeline. Please use with caution.
Chu Hang ignored the system's warning.
He looked up and met Barry's wary and confused eyes.
"Who exactly are you?" Barry asked, his body slightly tensed, ready to enter combat at any moment.
Chu Hang grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.
"Don't be nervous, I'm a good guy."
With that, his figure transformed into a golden stream of light and vanished at the end of the alley.
Barry stood there stunned, feeling the Speed Force within him, which was a bit weaker than usual, utterly bewildered.
Chapter 162 Speed Force
Chu Hang pushed open the door and collapsed onto the sofa.
Tired.
It wasn't the kind of exhaustion from running dozens of kilometers; it was a weariness that seeped from his very bones.
He had forcibly replicated the Flash Barry Allen's Speed Force. To prevent this power from going out of control and crippling him, he had desperately suppressed it.
After all that struggle, his internal Law domain nearly collapsed.
Now, he couldn't even see things properly.
Staring at the coffee table in front of him, three overlapping Shadows appeared before his eyes.
One coffee table was spotless, another was covered in a thick layer of dust, and yet another was already broken into several pieces. The three images overlapped, giving him a headache.
Chu Hang knew what was happening.
Unlike those who gained the Speed Force in the DC Universe, his higher life form and his understanding of Marvel's Time Law meant his use of the Speed Forcewouldn't be limited to mere speed.
The current situation was that two completely different Time Laws were chaotic within his body, causing his own space-time coordinates to become unstable.
One came from the Time Stone, a glowing green light, representing a linear, controllable flow of time.
The other came from the Speed Force, a chaotic, violent red lightning, connecting countless pasts and futures, like a vast, boundless spiderweb.
These two forces were clashing within him, neither willing to yield to the other.
Chu Hang gritted his teeth, enduring the pain of his soul being torn apart. His temples throbbed, as if someone were pricking them with needles.
He sat cross-legged on the sofa, closed his eyes, and sank his consciousness into his body.
The World before him changed.
He saw his Law domain, that small Universe constructed from various powers.
Space Law was the foundation here, like gigantic crystal pillars supporting the entire structure.
The Law of Strength was over there, transformed into a dark golden vortex, constantly spinning.
The Law of Body permeated his entire being, like meridians.
But now, this previously balanced system was in disarray.
Green Time light and red Speed Force lightning collided wildly in the air, each collision erupting in ripples that shook the entire domain.
It was like two ill-tempered lions squeezed into the same cage, neither willing to give way, tearing at each other in utter chaos.
Chu Hang felt his consciousness was about to be torn in half.
The left half of his brain was filled with fast-forwarded images, hundreds of fragments flashing by in a second.
The right half was a rewound memory, playing backward from the present to the moment he first replicated the Speed Force, then starting over again.
The two sides were completely out of sync, making it difficult for him to think.
He took a deep breath.
This couldn't continue.
If this chaos persisted, his internal Law domain would truly collapse.
At that point, it wouldn't be as simple as losing control of his power; his entire being would be torn to shreds in the space-time Turbulence, leaving not even a speck.
Chu Hang had no intention of letting these two forces coexist peacefully.
That was too difficult and too time-consuming. He used his own domineering method of 'I want it all'—since you are both my powers, then both of you behave.
He used his will as an anchor, transforming it into an invisible large hand, forcibly peeling the red lightning from the green light.
This process was like separating two lumps of sticky clay, requiring both finesse and ruthlessness.
The Speed Force resisted, like an enraged electric snake, struggling wildly in the palm formed by his will.
It released arcs of red electricity, darting around his sea of consciousness, each contact erupting in a shower of sparks.
Chu Hang's forehead bulged with veins, and beads of sweat slid down his cheeks, dripping onto the leather of the sofa.
He clenched his jaw, his will firmly gripping the lightning, dragging it out inch by inch.
It was like pulling a deeply embedded wooden stake from a muddy swamp with bare hands; every inch required all his strength.
A piercing hum echoed in his sea of consciousness.
It was the resonance generated when the two Law powers were separated, making his head throb and his eardrums feel like they would burst.
But he didn't let go.
A little more, just a little more.
The red lightning finally separated completely from the green light, twisting and struggling in the palm formed by his will, like an unyielding python.
Chu Hang sneered.
He mobilized the Space Law, carving out an independent small space in a corner of his domain, reinforcing its surroundings with the Law of Strength, then stuffing the Speed Force inside and closing the door.
The entire process was swift and decisive.
The red lightning was imprisoned in an exclusive spatial cage, surrounded by thick walls made of the Law of Strength. No matter how much it struggled, it couldn't break free.
It could only frantically pulse within that small space, erupting in flashes of red electric light, illuminating every corner of the cage.
The power of the Time Stone was much more docile. It was already one of the abilities he controlled most skillfully, and now it only needed to be reorganized to return to its place.
The green light, like obedient kittens, followed the guidance of his will, returning to its original orbit and operating quietly.
After doing all this, Chu Hang finally let out a long breath.
At least it was stabilized.
He opened his eyes, and the World returned to normal. The coffee table no longer had double images, and the walls no longer twisted and warped. The clock ticked steadily, one second truly being one second, neither fast nor slow.
The sunlight from outside the window streamed in, falling upon him. His Kryptonian physique began to operate automatically, greedily absorbing the Sun's energy, rapidly healing the internal injuries caused by his recent actions.
He could feel his cells cheering, like parched land receiving sweet rain.
His strength was gradually returning.
Chu Hang stood up, swaying slightly as he walked to the kitchen, intending to pour himself a glass of Water.
He reached out for the glass.
The moment his hand extended, seventeen possibilities flashed through his mind simultaneously.
His hand slipped, the glass fell and shattered on the ground, glass shards scattered everywhere, one even flying towards the back of his foot.
He used too much force, and the glass was crushed.
He didn't hold it steady when pouring Water, the Water spilled, wetting the floor.
Another possibility was that he perfectly picked up the glass, poured the Water, and nothing went wrong.
Behind each choice, he could see a clear causal line, like diverging paths leading in different directions.
Some paths led to minor troubles, some to major troubles, and only a few led to a safe outcome.
Chu Hang paused.
Then a smile played on his lips.
His palm began to vibrate at a frequency too high to be seen, appearing to the naked eye as a blurred Shadow. His hand passed directly through the glass, as if the glass didn't exist, as if it were just air.
Then his palm solidified again, firmly grasping the glass.
The glass remained perfectly still, not even a wobble.
"So that's how it is."
Chu Hang looked at the glass in his hand, lost in thought.
This Speed Force thing wasn't just about running fast.
It was more like a right to choose, an ability to interfere with causality.
You could see all possible future branches, like standing at a crossroads and seeing all the road signs, then picking the path you wanted to take.
You could even create a new path.
Chapter 163 Intermediate Heavenly Father Level
Chu Hang placed the cup back.
He was no longer thirsty.
That moment just now made him understand the use of the Speed Force.
It wasn't speed; it was choice.
To pick the most advantageous timeline for him out of countless timelines.
If used well, this thing was stronger than any weapon.
He walked to the window, looking at the city outside. The Sun was setting, and the horizon was a fiery orange-red. Cars flowed endlessly on the street, pedestrians hurried, and everything was peaceful.
But Chu Hang knew this World was very deep.
His current state was not enough.
The Speed Force was like a Beast caged, only a wisp of it could be used. His Kryptonian physique was absorbing solar energy, but it hadn't fully integrated yet.
The Space Law was heavily suppressed in this Universe, making many moves difficult to use.
He had to become stronger.
Chu Hang closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his body, re-examining his power.
The Space Law was the foundation.
The Law of Strength provided destructive power.
The Law of Body permeated his entire being, responsible for defense and recovery.
The Law of Time had stabilized, flowing like a green river within his domain.
The Speed Force was confined in a corner, still restlessly crashing about.
Reality Warping and the Law of Spirit were also present, but he didn't use them much.
Chu Hang knew where the problem lay.
In the Marvel Universe, he relied on an 'I say so' will to forcibly fuse six laws together, which allowed him to touch the threshold of Skyfather level.
But that was just the beginning.
Skyfather level was the starting point, not the end.
He was at most an early Skyfather level now, on par with Thor who had just acquired stormbreaker, but because he ascended with six laws, he possessed high-level combat power even at the early stage.
Hela, who was bound to Asgard, was considered mid-level.
Thanos, without the gems, was also mid-level.
He needed to return to Marvel, to settle scores with Thanos, who might already possess all six gems, and his current rank was insufficient.
He must ascend.
Chu Hang opened his eyes, looking at the setting Sun.
The Kryptonian physique was an opportunity.
This body was now a perpetual motion machine; as long as there was a Sun, it could continuously generate energy. Not just energy, but it was also transforming his life essence, allowing him to evolve to a higher level.
He could feel that the several forces within his body were being strengthened by the solar energy of the DC Universe.
Chu Hang decided to accelerate this process; he was going to take a risk.
He took off his shirt, flew out of Earth, and headed towards the Sun, flying all the way to its surface.
His skin began to heat up.
It wasn't being scorched hot; every cell was actively absorbing light energy, like a dry sponge encountering Water.
Chu Hang could perceive the solar radiation penetrating his skin, entering his muscles, seeping into his bones, and finally converging into the law domain within his body.
The golden energy, like a catalyst, began to dissolve the bottlenecks of various laws.
The surface of the crystal pillar of the Space Law rippled, beginning to soften.
The vortex of the Law of Strength spun faster, and the dark golden light grew brighter.
The meridians of the Law of Body changed from dark red to golden-red.
The green river of the Law of Time rippled, resonating with other forces.
Even the Speed Force in the cage felt the change. It no longer thrashed about but lay by the edge of its prison, striking the wall made of the Law of Strength with red lightning, as if testing it.
Chu Hang ignored it.
All his attention was focused on guiding.
Solar energy accumulated more and more, and the entire law domain was illuminated by golden light. Those law powers, which were originally at the initial stage, slowly grew in the golden light.
This process was painful, yet enjoyable.
Chu Hang's body began to tremble.
Pain seeped from his bones, like countless needles simultaneously piercing every cell. His muscles twitched uncontrollably, and veins bulged under his skin, like earthworms.
Sweat flowed down his spine, instantly evaporating in the Sun.
He gritted his teeth, not uttering a sound.
In his sea of consciousness, the advancement of the laws reached its most critical stage.
The Space Law broke through first, followed by the Law of Strength and the Law of Body.
Then came the Law of Spirit; having encountered a trans-Universe spatial rift, his Law of Spirit received a great boost and subsequently broke through.
The Law of Reality, under the extreme suppression of the DC Universe, became easier to comprehend. The DC Universe also had its own Law of Reality; the Green Lantern Ring utilized the Law of Reality, and although he didn't possess it, by analogy, Chu Hang was greatly inspired.
Users of the Green Lantern Ring rely on their imagination to condense objects and energy. The more the user understands the essence of the object or energy, the more real the condensation.
This was truly making thoughts into reality.
Therefore, the essence of reality relies on spiritual will and knowledge.
Chu Hang, possessing knowledge of several magicsystems from Marvel, finally saw the Law of Reality break through after his Law of Spirit breakthrough.
However, the Law of Time had yet to break through.
This was the most dangerous moment. Once out of control, he would be blasted into nothingness.
Finally, he looked at the cage in the corner.
The Speed Force was still pulsating inside, its red lightning growing brighter.
Chu Hang was silent for a few seconds, then removed the cage.
The Speed Force instantly surged out, transforming into a violent red lightning bolt, pouncing towards his consciousness core.
Just as it was about to strike, the golden light condensed from solar energy surged up, enveloping the red lightning.
The lightning struggled, twisting.
But the golden light clung to it like glue, dragging it inward little by little.
Finally, the red lightning was forcibly intertwined with the green mist of the Law of Time.
The two forces related to Time collided once more.
But this time was different.
With solar energy as a buffer and a new structure as a framework, they didn't clash catastrophically.
Instead, in their collision, they slowly found balance.
The green Law of Time was responsible for stability, while the red Speed Force was responsible for breakthroughs.
One was like a brake, the other like an accelerator.
Combined, they formed a brand new power.
Chu Hang could feel his control over Time reaching a new level.
He could not only rewind, accelerate, and slow down the flow of Time, but also see countless temporal branches and make choices within them.
This was true Time control.
Chu Hang felt his life essence undergo another qualitative change.
He was Space, he was Strength, he was Time.
He had a misconception that if he wanted to, his will could directly interfere with the rules of this World, but it was clear that in the DC Universe, he couldn't achieve that level yet.
Skyfather level mid-tier.
Outside the window, the Sun had completely set, and the last hint of afterglow vanished.
Chu Hang opened his eyes.
A flash of golden light flickered deep within his pupils, then disappeared instantly.
The sweat on his body had evaporated, and his skin was smooth as new.
He wiggled his fingers, feeling the power within him.
He was more than twice as strong as before.
If he were to fight Thanos before, it would be a six-four split. Now, he was at least ninety percent certain.
The remaining bit was left for unforeseen circumstances.
Such as the Time Variance Authority, or higher-level five great gods.
The magnificent Multiverse always had forces he didn't understand influencing each other.
Chapter 164 Zod's Arrival (Bonus Chapter)
Chu Hang returned to Earth.
He closed his eyes, and his Super Hearing spread out again, scanning the entire Planet.
This time it was different.
He not only heard sounds but could also see the causal lines behind them.
Who was speaking, why they were speaking, and what would happen after they spoke—all this information flooded into his mind.
He began to filter.
Most of it was irrelevant trivialities, which he filtered out directly.
Then he heard a conversation.
In a Military Base in a certain metropolis, a group of people in uniform were arguing.
"Has the signal source been confirmed?"
"Confirmed. It's from outer space, approaching Earth."
"Was it Clark Kent who attracted it?"
"Not sure, but the timing is too coincidental."
"Prepare a response plan. If the other party is hostile..."
Chu Hang opened his eyes.
A signal from outer space.
He immediately thought of a name.
General Zod.
Chu Hang stood up, walked to the window, and looked up at the night sky.
The sky was full of stars, calm and undisturbed. But he knew that in the depths of that dark Universe, something was approaching at high speed.
Super Hearing continued to work, capturing more information.
The arguments in the Military Base continued. Some advocated for a preemptive strike, some for observation, and others suggested contacting Superman.
Chu Hang was not interested in these.
He was concerned about something else.
Zod's arrival meant that the world engine would also come. That thing could transform the geological structure of the entire Planet, turning Earth into a second KryptonianPlanet.
The destructive power was immense.
But at the same time, it was also an opportunity.
When the world engine operates, it releases a massive amount of energy. For Kryptonian, it's a tool for environmental transformation, but for Chu Hang, it's the best tonic.
Although he had stepped into the Skyfather level mid-stage, his foundation was still unstable.
The advancement of the Law of Time was complete, but it required a large amount of energy to consolidate.
Solar energy was too slow.
The world engine was different. It was the crystallization of Kryptonian technology, releasing energy equivalent to hundreds of nuclear bombs in a short period.
If he could absorb a part of it, his strength could rise another level.
Chu Hang made a decision.
He would wait for Zod to come.
Not only would he wait, but he would also let things unfold according to the original plot. Superman and Zodwould fight, the world engine would activate, and he would be able to fish in troubled Water, swallowing the energy.
As for whether Earth would be destroyed, he wasn't too worried.
Superman would handle it.
That big boy in the red cape, though young, had immense potential.
Chu Hang had observed him; his growth rate was terrifyingly fast.
As long as the pressure was sufficient, he could unleash even greater power.
Zod's arrival was also an opportunity for Superman.
Chu Hang sat back down on the sofa, planning his next moves.
First, find a suitable position to observe the battle. Not too close, so as not to get caught up in it. Not too far, otherwise he wouldn't be able to snatch the energy.
Secondly, he had to adapt to the practical application of the Speed Force in advance. He had only tested it with a cup just now, and hadn't truly used it.
Chu Hang stood up and walked to the center of the living room.
He took a deep breath, mobilizing the newly integrated Law of Time within his body.
The green Law of Time and the red Speed Force activated simultaneously.
The World suddenly slowed down.
Everything seemed to slow down tenfold. A fallen leaf drifting outside the window slowly rotated in the air. Cars driving on the street left long streaks of light from their taillights.
Chu Hang moved.
He stretched out his hand and gently waved it.
His palm swept through the air, leaving a faint golden afterimage.
He walked towards the coffee table, each step landing on the floor without making any sound. The moment his foot touched the floor, it entered a high-frequency vibration state, directly penetrating the solid, and then solidified again.
Molecular penetration.
Chu Hang stood in front of the coffee table, looking at the glass cup on it.
He could see more than a dozen time branches.
In some branches, he picked up the cup. In others, he knocked it over. And in still others, the cup exploded on its own because he didn't control the vibration frequency properly.
Each branch was clearly visible, like a menu laid out before him.
Chu Hang chose the safest one.
He reached out and grasped the cup.
His movements were incredibly smooth. The cup settled steadily in his hand, not even a ripple in the Water.
Then he let go, and the cup returned to its original position.
The entire process took less than a tenth of a second.
But in his perception, the process was stretched out to more than ten seconds. He could clearly see his every movement, feel the resistance of the air, and calculate the optimal angle of force.
This was the effect of the Speed Force combined with the Law of Time.
He could not only run fast but also maintain absolute calm and precision at high speeds.
Chu Hang nodded in satisfaction.
This ability was even more useful than he had imagined.
Just then, Super Hearing captured new information.
On the outskirts of Metropolis, a strangely shaped spaceship suddenly appeared.
The spaceship was completely black, hovering in mid-air, and the surrounding air began to distort.
Chu Hang's pupils contracted slightly.
It came faster than he expected.
He immediately tore open a spatial rift, preparing to teleport over.
But the moment he stepped in, he stopped.
No.
Too smooth.
Zod, upon arriving on Earth, should first broadcast globally. This spaceship appearing silently now, without even the Military reacting, was illogical.
Chu Hang closed his eyes, unleashing his Super Hearing at full power.
He heard sounds from inside the spaceship.
It wasn't Kryptonian, it was English.
"Dr., are the energy readings stable?"
"Stable. The camouflage device is working well, Militaryradar can't detect us."
"Good. Extract the samples as planned. Don't alarm anyone."
Chu Hang opened his eyes.
It wasn't Zod.
It was Earthling's own spaceship, disguised as alien technology, secretly doing something illicit.
A mocking smile played on his lips.
Humans always like to scare themselves.
Chu Hang had no interest in these trivial matters.
He closed the spatial rift and sat back on the sofa.
But his Super Hearing remained active.
He continued to monitor global movements, waiting for the true alien visitors.
Three hours later, he got what he was waiting for.
A dazzling light tore through the night sky.
It wasn't a meteor; it was a real alien spaceship, streaking into Earth's atmosphere at superluminal speed.
The spaceship's surface burned with blue-White Fire, plunging straight down towards the Metropolis.
Radars around the World simultaneously blared alarms.
The Military Base was in chaos.
Chu Hang stood up and walked to the window.
He watched the approaching light, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
It's here.
The real show was just beginning.
Chu Hang did not act immediately.
He just stood by the window, watching the spaceship draw closer.
Super Hearing continued to work, capturing sounds from inside the spaceship.
He heard heavy breathing, mechanical hums, and a deep, authoritative voice giving orders.
"Scan this Planet, locate Karl-El."
"Yes, General."
"Initiate global broadcast. Let the natives of this Planetknow that their fate no longer belongs to them."
The smile on Chu Hang's lips deepened.
Zod, that guy, was as arrogant as he remembered.
The spaceship suddenly decelerated at several kilometers above the ground, hovering over the Metropolis. A huge Shadow enveloped half the city, and the crowds on the streets began to stir.
Chu Hang could feel the panic spreading throughout the city.
But he didn't care about that.
He was concerned about something else.
The moment the spaceship hovered, a powerful energy fluctuation spread across the entire Planet.
It was a scanning device.
Zod was using Kryptonian technology to find Superman.
This process would last a few minutes, enough time for Chu Hang to make some preparations.
He turned and walked towards the bedroom, dragging a black backpack from under the bed. The bag contained a few changes of clothes, some cash, and a portable terminal hacked from a Military database.
He put on the bag and tore open a spatial rift.
On the other side of the rift was an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Metropolis. It was high ground with an open view, less than ten kilometers from the city center, perfect for observing the battle.
Chu Hang stepped through the rift, his figure disappearing.
The next second, he appeared on the factory rooftop.
The night wind blew, carrying the smell of rust and engine oil.
He found a corner to sit in, pulled out the terminal, and hacked into the Military's satellite network.
The screen quickly displayed real-time footage.
Zod's spaceship hovered in the air, already surrounded by a dozen fighter jets. The fighter jets circled the spaceship like flies, but dared not open Fire.
Chu Hang knew they were waiting for orders.
But the orders wouldn't come that quickly.
Zod obviously didn't have that much patience.
Blue light glowed from the bottom of the spaceship.
The fighter jets instantly lost control, plummeting in all directions like kites with severed strings.
They weren't shot down; their electronic systems were jammed.
Chu Hang saw several planes crashing straight into residential areas. At this angle, at least three buildings would be destroyed.
He didn't move.
Because he knew someone would act.
Sure enough, a red and blue figure descended from the sky.
Superman.
He rushed towards those fighter jets at supersonic speed, using his body to catch them one by one, then gently placed them on an open field.
The entire process took less than five seconds.
Chu Hang narrowed his eyes.
Superman's speed was faster than he expected. It seemed he hadn't been idle during this time either.
The current Superman should have already touched the threshold of the Skyfather level mid-stage.
Zod on the spaceship also noticed Superman.
A beam of light shot from the spaceship, projecting a huge holographic image onto the ground.
A Kryptonian in black armor, his face full of arrogance.
"Karl-El, I am General Zod. Your father, Jor-El, betrayed Kryptonian, and you are his last proof of guilt."
Superman hovered in mid-air, looking at the projection with an expressionless face.
"Hand over the Codex and return to the spaceship with me. In exchange, I can spare this Planet."
Zod's voice echoed throughout the city.
Superman was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head.
"I grew up on Earth. This is my home."
A hint of savagery flashed across Zod's face.
"Then you have chosen betrayal. Very well, Karl-El. I will make you watch with your own eyes as I transform this Planet into a new Kryptonian Planet. And you, as the last Kryptonian, will live forever in guilt."
As soon as he finished speaking, more than a dozen small flying vehicles suddenly appeared around the spaceship.
Those flying vehicles scattered in various directions towards the city, moving at astonishing speeds.
Chu Hang knew what they were.
The world engine deployment devices.
Zod intended to get serious right away.
Superman also realized the danger. He turned into a streak of light, chasing after the nearest flying vehicle.
But Zod's spaceship suddenly moved, blocking his path.
The hatch opened, and more than a dozen Kryptonianwarriors in black armors rushed out.
Without any superfluous words, they directly attacked Superman.
The battle instantly erupted.
Chu Hang sat on the rooftop, watching the battlefield in the distant sky.
He could clearly see every Kryptonian warrior's movements, hear the sound of their armor clashing, and sense the energy within their bodies.
These warriors were not weak; each had the strength of a sub-Skyfather level. With more than a dozen of them attacking at once, even Superman would have to exert himself.
But Chu Hang wasn't worried.
Superman would win.
The potential within that big boy was far greater than these warriors imagined.
Chu Hang averted his gaze, looking in another direction.
There, a world engine deployment device had already landed and was activating.
Huge machinery extended from the device, like metal petals. A blue energy beam erupted from the top of the engine, shooting straight into the sky.
Chapter 165 An Energy Feast
A blue light pierced the night sky.
The air around the light beam began to twist, and the gravity field went out of control. Glass from distant buildings let out a sharp groan, then shattered, falling in sheets.
Chu Hang could feel that energy; pure and vast. This wasn't solar energy; it was strong liquor, enough to burn through one's throat with a single gulp.
He extended his right hand, fingers splayed, pointing at the light beam.
An invisible spatial aisle spanned ten kilometers, precisely piercing into the energy core.
Energy surged in.
The Law Domain vibrated violently. The power, which had just advanced and was still unstable, began to solidify and thicken under the flushing of this energy.
Fine cracks on the surface of the spatial crystal pillar were filled, and the dark gold at the center of the vortex of power deepened. Even the imprisoned Speed Forcequieted down a bit.
He split off a portion of his mind to continue observing the battlefield in the distance.
Superman was in a fierce battle. A dozen Kryptonianwarriors cooperated seamlessly, constantly wearing him down with their armors. He was like a lion besieged by a pack of wolves, already wounded.
Chu Hang saw very clearly that Zod had not yet made his move.
He was waiting for Superman to be at his most exhausted, to deliver the final blow.
Chu Hang was also waiting, waiting for the world engine's energy output to reach its peak, and for Zod and Supermanto fight with true fury.
The more chaotic this play, the better.
The feeling of energy rushing in was crude; the absorption efficiency was not high, wasting more than half.
Chu Hang frowned.
He mobilized the newly integrated time power within him. The World before his eyes slowed down.
That violent energy light beam transformed into a slowly flowing blue river of light. The flow and Veins of every surge of energy were crystal clear.
This made things much easier.
With a thought, that single aisle instantly decomposed, transforming into tens of thousands of miniature pipes thinner than a strand of hair. This invisible net silently spread out, perfectly fitting into every crevice of the light river, and began its plunder.
The wasted portion dropped from seventy percent to less than ten percent.
The golden light within the Law Domain grew brighter and brighter; the foundation of Skyfather level mid-stage was rapidly being solidified.
Just then, the battlefield changed.
Superman punched a Kryptonian warrior away, but to avoid the energy beam aimed at a residential building, he twisted his body, exposing a weakness.
Another warrior seized the opportunity, delivering a heavy punch to his back.
Superman fell like a cannonball, crashing into an office building and disappearing in the smoke and dust.
On the spaceship, General Zod lost his patience. He saw Superman's struggle and also his weakness.
"Restrained for these insects," Zod murmured to himself, his eyes cold.
He no longer waited, directly leaping from the spaceship at an altitude of ten thousand meters.
It wasn't flying; it was pure freefall.
He was like a black meteor, trailing the roar of a sonic boom, precisely smashing down in front of the deep pit from which Superman had just climbed out. The earth vibrated violently, and the Impact sent surrounding cars flying.
Zod straightened up, his gaze locked on Superman.
"You disappoint me greatly, Karl-El," Zod's voice was devoid of emotion. "Your father didn't send you here to be a nanny for these primitive creatures."
Superman was panting heavily, his armor on his chest already damaged. "This is my home."
Zod scoffed, and his figure suddenly disappeared.
The next second, he appeared in front of Superman, delivering a swift and precise hand chop to Superman's neck. Superman reacted extremely quickly, raising his arm to block, but Zod's attack angle was tricky and his strength heavy, directly sending him flying horizontally, crashing through another wall.
The rhythm of the battle completely changed.
Zod's offensive gave Superman no chance to breathe. He wasn't fighting; he was executing.
Superman had just struggled out of the wall hole when Zod had already grabbed a nearby overturned bus, swinging it like a baseball bat with a tearing whoosh through the air, smashing it down fiercely.
Superman crossed his arms, bracing against the tens of tons of steel. The metal body of the bus twisted and deformed under the immense force, emitting a piercing groan.
Zod's goal was more than that; he followed through with a knee strike upward, hitting Superman squarely in the abdomen.
Superman grunted, feeling his internal organs dislocated, and was sent flying backward.
Zod dropped the bus, pushing off the ground with his feet. The ground instantly cracked, and he had already caught up to the flying Superman, his fists raining down like raindrops, each punch precisely hitting Superman's vulnerable areas like joints and ribs.
This was the purest Kryptonian Military combat technique, without frills, only highly effective lethality.
On the distant rooftop, Chu Hang's eyebrow twitched slightly.
His internal energy absorption had entered a stable phase, like a great river, continuously flowing into his Law Domain. Every cell was cheering, nourished and strengthened by this pure energy.
The Skyfather level mid-stage realm was transforming from a concept into a part of his body.
He looked at Superman being beaten down on the screen, his heart unperturbed.
This World's Superman had enough power, but it was unrefined, possessing only brute strength. In front of an old veteran like Zod, he was full of weaknesses.
Suddenly, Zod delivered a heavy punch that slammed Superman into the ground, immediately followed by his eyes glowing crimson, two scorching rays crossing and shooting towards Superman in the deep pit.
Just then, a nearby skyscraper, already teetering, let out its final wail. A massive concrete outer wall, along with steel rebar, crashed down at an extremely tricky angle, precisely blocking between Zod and the deep pit.
The heat rays failed to directly hit Superman, instead burning the massive concrete slab into glowing red magma.
It was this zero-point-something second delay that gave Superman a chance.
A suppressed roar of extreme fury came from the bottom of the pit, and a heat ray, even thicker and more violent than Zod's, erupted, directly dispersing the magma and blasting Zod in the chest.
Zod was pushed back half a step by this sudden force, a scorched mark left on the black armor on his chest. He looked down at it, a look of surprise appearing on his face for the first time.
And Chu Hang, on the distant rooftop, slowly withdrew his index finger, which had just lightly flicked the air.
He chewed on a blade of grass, which he had somehow found and placed in his mouth, then muttered to himself, "Professional."
This blow completely enraged Zod and ignited Superman.
The two were no longer confined to the ground, simultaneously soaring into the sky, transforming into two blurred afterimages in mid-air. Each of their collisions erupted with a thunderous roar, and the Impact, like ripples on Water, tore the clouds to shreds.
In the city, the world engine's energy output reached its peak.
The gravity field was completely chaotic; countless cars, billboards, and architectural debris slowly began to float towards the sky, forming a suspended graveyard.
This massive torrent of energy, however, was an unprecedented feast for Chu Hang.
His internal Law Domain had expanded from a lake to an ocean. Six forces of law, under the irrigation of energy, perfectly blended together, no longer having any stagnation. His control over power reached a new height.
He even had the leisure to absorb energy while extending a finger, gently flicking it in the air.
Each flick corresponded to a trivial coincidence on the battlefield.
When Zod threw a punch, a floating car wreck would coincidentally block his line of sight.
When Superman was knocked flying and crashed towards a gas station, an abrupt upward current would lift him a few meters, allowing him to barely avoid the explosion.
These interventions were minuscule; even a battle-hardened general like Zod would only attribute them to the chaotic battlefield environment. He just felt that his luck seemed particularly bad today.
The battle entered a White-hot stage. Zod tore off his damaged helmet, revealing his weathered face; he began to enjoy the fight. And Superman, after being knocked down repeatedly and getting up again and again, his eyes changed. He was no longer bewildered, no longer hesitant, only pure fighting will remained.
The two collided fiercely again in the sky above the city.
This time, there was no sound.
A White sphere of light suddenly exploded, instantly engulfing everything around it. The light sphere expanded silently; wherever it passed, whether floating cars or drifting buildings, all instantly turned to dust.
As the light faded, Zod and Superman hovered in the air, confronting each other from a distance.
A trace of blood seeped from Zod's lips. He looked at the equally disheveled but increasingly resolute young man opposite him, feeling troublesome for the first time.
And Chu Hang slowly stood up.
His internal energy was overflowing, and his Law Domain was as solid as a mountain.