NABC Page 37
Page 37
But he also felt that letting them gather dust in the void was a waste of resources.
So he turned to Cornerstone and asked, "Cornerstone, do you have any methods to use these Black Tai Sui to generate some unexpected benefits? For example, to extract some energy, or to use them as a backup hidden energy source, to be used for self-destruction when necessary. It's just a waste to leave them unused."
The cornerstone fell silent, its vast consciousness seemingly engaged in complex deductions and simulations of possibilities. A full thirty seconds passed before a silent "five-panel comic strip," composed of simple lines, appeared in Zhang Su's mind:
First panel: A minimalist stick figure with a huge, almost ear-to-ear grin on his face, forcefully raising a thick thumb. A thought bubble floats beside him: "No problem! Leave it to me!"
The second panel: The smiling stick figure's outstretched hand grabbed a blurry black graffiti representing one of the Black Tai Sui. Then, it began to knead and squeeze the black substance repeatedly, like kneading clay.
The third panel: Under the kneading of the stick figure's hands, the black mass was gradually stretched and shaped, and its outline began to become clear—becoming a rough, matchstick-like human figure.
Fourth panel: The human figure outline is further refined and filled in. The black "clay" is precisely sculpted into a life-size, clearly detailed human figure—a 'person' with the same hairstyle and clothing as Zhang Su.
Fifth frame: The camera zooms out. The real Zhang Su stands to the side, several transparent strings extending from his hands, connecting the limbs and head of the "he" sculpted from the Black Tai Sui. Zhang Su's fingers twitch slightly, and the "Black Tai Sui Zhang Su" makes corresponding, slightly stiff but clear movements—raising his arm, taking a step, and turning his head.
The comic has ended.
This means that the cornerstone can mold these Black Tai Sui into any shape at will, including an exact replica of Zhang Su himself, and give Zhang Su the ability to remotely control their actions like a puppeteer!
Looking at the concise yet information-rich five-panel comic strip in his mind, Zhang Su felt excited again, and couldn't help but smile.
"Brilliant!" He couldn't help but slap the table, making a crisp sound. "Sculpted into a living form, and remotely controlled as a substitute? This is great, so useful!"
Countless possible applications flashed through his mind in an instant: reconnaissance, decoy, drawing fire, carrying out dangerous missions, and even, in certain situations, impersonating himself!
Looking at the eight dormant black "materials" on the table, he felt that they were no longer just anomalies that had to be contained, but a pile of living clay with great potential.
He immediately decided to test the waters: "Foundation Stone, now use a growing Tai Sui to create a substitute for me."
He paused, then added, "Remember, don't use my likeness. Create a... beautiful woman, you know! With an Asian face!"
He then closed his eyes, quickly conjuring an image in his mind: a classic Eastern beauty with an oval face, skin as white as snow, so delicate that not a single pore could be seen. Her eyebrows and eyes were exquisitely beautiful, the eyebrows shaped like slightly heroic swords, the corners of her eyes slightly upturned, carrying a hint of aloofness and coldness. Her nose was straight and delicate, her lips full, and the color a natural rosy red.
Hairstyle: A cascade of long, jet-black hair, smooth and shiny, reaching to the waist.
Her proportions are perfect, tall and powerful. Her shoulders are straight, and her collarbones are clearly defined. Her breasts are full and perky, her waist is slender yet resilient, her hips are round and firm, and her legs are straight and long. Her overall lines are smooth, like a female leopard poised to pounce.
He wore a matte black, highly functional, form-fitting combat suit. The material appeared thin yet was resilient, perfectly conforming to the body's curves without hindering movement. The design was simple and clean, without any unnecessary embellishments, except for subtle thickened protective textures at the joints. On his feet were a pair of equally matte black, high-top combat boots that covered his calves.
The image was clearly presented in his mind—beautiful, aloof, and capable, full of a sense of power and a pragmatic aesthetic.
Upon receiving the detailed "order," Cornerstone immediately responded with an "OK" hand gesture.
Immediately, one of the eight black Tai Sui floating above the desk, which was in its growth stage, was gently lifted up by an invisible force.
The power of the foundation enveloped it.
The shaping process has begun.
Decomposition and Softening: A soft, gray beam of light, reminiscent of concrete, shone down from the office ceiling, precisely enveloping the black pebbles. Inside the beam, the viscous black substance, originally somewhere between solidified tar and semi-melted slime, seemed to be infused with an invisible active solvent, instantly becoming softer and more malleable. It was no longer a fixed sphere, but rather like a lump of black, hot wax baked at high temperatures, its edges beginning to melt and flow, its shape becoming blurred and malleable.
The outline began to emerge: the gray beam of light resembled the most precise 3D printing nozzle, or the hand of an invisible sculptor. Guided by the beam, the flowing black substance began to be stretched and shaped. First, it was elongated, outlining a slender and elongated basic human silhouette—head, neck, torso, and limbs. The proportions strictly followed the blueprint in Zhang Su's mind.
Detailed Refinement: The beams of light become more refined, like a sculptor's chisel. On the head, the material is meticulously pushed and recessed, sculpting the soft lines of an oval face, a straight nose, full lips, and slightly upturned eye sockets. On the torso, the material is evenly distributed and compacted, emphasizing the smooth yet powerful curves of the shoulders, back, and waist. The muscle lines of the limbs are subtly outlined, neither overly taut nor lacking in explosive power.
Hair and Clothing: The most exquisite part begins. The cascading long hair, guided by the beam of light, was the topmost layer of the most fluid gelatinous substance, meticulously extracted, extended, and shaped into countless smooth strands, falling down in fine detail. At the same time, the viscous substance covering the body, under the precise control of the beam of light, was pressed, cooled, and shaped as if by an invisible mold, forming the shape of the matte black tight-fitting combat suit and high boots, with even the protective texture at the joints clearly visible.
Solidification and Completion: As the last detail was sculpted, the gray beam of light abruptly receded and disappeared. Soft light streamed into the office.
A lifelike oriental beauty stood quietly in front of Zhang Su's large concrete desk.
She possessed all the perfect details Zhang Su had envisioned: snow-white skin and black hair, a cool and refined face, and an astonishingly tall figure wrapped in a matte black combat suit, outlining curves full of power and beauty.
Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath them, like a sleeping sprite, or a meticulously crafted work of art.
Zhang Su's gaze fell on her, and his breath hitched slightly involuntarily. Having been single for many years, a seasoned homebody, and working in an environment comparable to the "Shaolin Temple," facing such a woman who perfectly matched his aesthetic sense up close, even knowing it was fake, a surge of instinctive, hot excitement rushed to his head, and his heart skipped a beat.
"Hiss..." He took a deep breath, forcibly pulling his gaze away from the other person's full chest and slender waist, and shook his head violently, as if to shake off that wicked thought that he shouldn't have.
"Zhang Su, Zhang Su, be more mature!" he cursed himself inwardly. "This is nothing more than a high-end figurine made of mud mixed with black clay! It's like an inflatable doll... uh, like a high-performance bionic robot! How could you be tempted? It's so damn shameful! So depraved! You're the director! Cornerstone and Source Hub are watching!"
He tried to calm himself down, looked at the "beautiful stand-in" who stood with her eyes closed, and asked, "Keystone, now that this 'figure' is finished, how do I control her?"
Cornerstone seemed to have been prepared, and immediately responded to Zhang Su with a two-panel concise cartoon:
The first frame: The center of the image is a close-up of Zhang Su's head. His eyes are closed, and his brows are slightly furrowed, as if he is concentrating. A condensed, azure, slender beam of light, like a tangible thread of spiritual energy, shoots out from the very center of his forehead.
The second panel shows the beam of light precisely connecting to the forehead of the "beautiful body double." The instant the connection is successful, the body double, who had been keeping her eyes closed, suddenly opens them wide. Her eyes are depicted as two simple black dots, but the act of opening them conveys an incredibly clear message—activation successful, connection established!
The meaning couldn't be clearer: Zhang Su needed to actively separate a wisp of his spiritual consciousness and inject it into the substitute body through this connecting beam of light in order to truly "drive" her like a puppet.
Looking at the "opening eyes" scene in the second panel of the comic, Zhang Su understood. "Got it, mental link, consciousness injection... Okay, I'll give it a try!"
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and, following the instructions of the cornerstone, focused his consciousness, concentrating it on his brow, then imagined shooting it out like a laser, hitting the other person's forehead.
Sure enough, a faint azure light formed between his brows, transformed into a thin line, and shot out, striking the forehead of the stand-in opposite him with lightning speed.
In that instant, he felt as if he had entered a computer without an operating system, and he had transformed into the operating system, quickly taking over all the hardware inside.
When he felt it was about time and opened his eyes, he was surprised to find that he had two different perspectives!
One is him looking at the stand-in, and the other is the stand-in looking at him.
"Holy crap, dual perspectives?! This is a bit hard for me to control. Can I cut off one side first?" Zhang Su thought in shock, and then his main perspective went black.
Only the perspective of the stand-in takes up the entire view.
Just like switching camera positions.
Volume 1: Chapter 35: Ability Test
Zhang Su's consciousness was completely immersed in the body of the "beautiful substitute," a feeling that was incredibly strange.
He raised his arm, which was covered by a matte black combat suit, his fingers spread and then clenched, feeling the subtle tendon pull as he moved his knuckles, almost exactly the same as when he was controlling his own body.
He even tried jumping around in place twice, his movements were smooth and natural, without any delay or loss of control.
"This controllability... is incredible!" he exclaimed inwardly. "It's just like using my own body!"
A bold idea suddenly popped into my head.
In his normal state, he had never attempted a backflip, a high-difficulty move—the fear of breaking his neck or becoming paralyzed from the neck down was like an invisible shackle, firmly binding his body's instincts.
“But now…” Zhang Su (inside the body)’s lips curled into a eager smile, “This Lin Liusi is a ‘stand-in’! What’s there to be afraid of!”
Driven by his will, the Stand slightly bent its legs and instantly tensed its core to exert force!
His entire body, like a spring brimming with power, suddenly shot upwards and backwards into the air! His vision spun, and the fluid flipping motion was completed in one go. His feet landed steadily on the ground with a soft thud.
"It's done!" Zhang Su was overjoyed and controlled the substitute to make a victory fist gesture.
"As expected! The fear of the user is the biggest limiter! Using this Stand is completely stress-free, and the feeling of being unafraid of death...it feels so good!"
Even more surprising experiences followed.
After completing that backflip, a faint yet incredibly clear flow of energy began to pulsate within my body.
It flows slowly through your body like a warm stream, following some mysterious path, bringing an unprecedented sense of fullness.
"This is... psionic energy?!" Zhang Su's spirits lifted.
He could clearly "feel" the presence of this energy, and even instinctively sensed that as long as he concentrated, he could guide this energy to a certain part of his body, or... release it.
"Yuan Shu!" he immediately called out in his mind, filled with unbelievable excitement, "This substitute made from the Black Tai Sui can actually use the power of the extraordinary characteristic pathway contained within it? I can feel the spiritual energy flowing!"
"Yes, Director." Yuan Shu replied calmly as always. "'Black Tai Sui,' as an extension of the 'Blood Ancestor's' power, is essentially a carrier of the extraordinary characteristics of this sequence pathway. Once it is shaped into a humanoid structure suitable for energy circulation and establishes a stable link with your consciousness, its inherent extraordinary characteristics will naturally be activated, allowing you to utilize them through this carrier."
"Fantastic!" Zhang Su controlled the Stand, feeling the new, potential-filled power within him. "Yuan Shu, tell me quickly! What is the rank and ability of this Stand? What specific abilities does it possess? How much of its power can I unleash?"
【Analyzing……】
[Target Carrier: Formed from a Sequence 9 - Listener-Disciple Rank Black Tai Sui (Growth Stage)]
[Rank Determination: Sequence 9 - Listener (Exclusive Path for Rare Individuals)]
[Core Ability: Can learn and use low-level talismans and spell arrays (ritual magic) from the exclusive sequence for rare individuals.]
"Spells and magic arrays?" Zhang Su was taken aback. "Wait, you mean I can't just 'sense' spiritual energy now and directly create fireballs or cast shields? I have to learn them?"
"Correct, Director." Yuan Shu explained, "The power of this path depends on the understanding, memorization, and precise construction of specific 'spells' (energy guiding runes) and 'magic circles' (energy convergence and rule-based construction models). Psychic energy is the fuel, while spells and magic circles are the 'tools' and 'blueprints' for releasing the fuel's power."
[Currently searchable and unlockable related knowledge (affected by information censorship at higher levels):]
[Talismans: 5 types]
[1. 'Earth Vein Arousal' Spell: Subtle manipulation of a small area of soil and rock (loosening, cohesion, minor displacement).]
2. 'Water Flow' Talisman: Subtly influences water flow in a small area (guiding, diverting, and condensing water vapor).
【3. 'Flaming Star' Spell: Generates and manipulates a weak flame (ignites and sustains a small area of open flame).】
4. 'Steel Bone' Talisman: Temporarily enhances the carrier's physical defense and strength (physical enhancement).
[5. 'Rush' Spell: Releases an invisible shockwave (stress release) on a single target at close range.]
[Magic Circle: 1 type]
[1. 'Spirit Binding' Magic Array: A basic sealing magic array that can be used to imprison or suppress extraordinary entities or anomalous effects of Sequence 9 and below.]
After listening, Zhang Su manipulated his stand to make a "facepalm" gesture, although the stand's face remained cold: "So that's how it is... I thought that once you become a superhuman, those abilities would be like instincts, appearing as soon as you had a thought. It seems I underestimated the superhuman world."
[This is a misconception, Director. Not all extraordinary individuals achieve "mastery" through awakening. For some pathways, such as "Listeners," which require constructing, understanding, and guiding knowledge of rules, "mastery" is the result of "understanding" and "proficiency," not simply a rise in rank. The accumulation of time, knowledge, and experience is indispensable.]
"I've learned a lot, I've learned a lot." Zhang Su humbly accepted the advice. "It seems that I, as the director, still have a lot to learn. So, Teacher Yuan Shu," he said half-jokingly, "could you teach me the relevant knowledge about the five talismans and the sealing array that I just retrieved? I need to study hard so that I can better control this new body and complete the mission."
"Of course, Director." Yuan Shu answered crisply. "You don't need traditional 'learning.' I can directly inject the core knowledge of talisman drawing methods, energy guidance paths, the construction principles of magic circles, and the distribution of energy nodes into your mind as an information stream. You will instantly 'understand' its principles and operation methods. Afterwards, you only need to practice diligently to improve your construction speed, accuracy, and control over psionic energy consumption."
"That's great!" Zhang Su clapped his hands, controlling his stand-in. The movements were a little stiff, as he was still getting used to it. "This will save a lot of study time! After all, as the director of the Curtain Foundation Management Bureau, I'm extremely busy. There are mountains of things to deal with every day. I can't afford to slack off... cough, I absolutely can't let go of any opportunity to improve efficiency!"
"Okay." Yuan Shu responded calmly. "The knowledge transfer will begin."
Zhang Su waited half a second, but instead of the expected "Director, you've worked hard" or "You are indeed very busy," he only received silence. He couldn't help but mentally complain, "Hey, Yuan Shu! Give me some reaction! At least join in and express your appreciation for the Director's busy schedule. I'm the only one forcing a laugh, it's so awkward!"
However, Genji clearly did not understand or simply did not want to pay attention to this kind of "human humor".
A cold, robotic notification sounded in Zhang Su's mind: [Knowledge infusion initiation. Please remain conscious.]
Immediately afterwards, a structured torrent of information, like a high-pressure water jet used for car washing, surged into Zhang Su's consciousness!
"Hiss—!" Zhang Su's body jerked violently in the chair in the cornerstone office, as if someone had gently pricked his temple with an ice pick.
Complex lines, geometric patterns, simulations of energy flow, and explanations of terminology were forcibly crammed into his brain.
The excruciating pain was only momentary, followed by a strong feeling of fullness and dizziness.
He subconsciously manipulated his Stand to cover his forehead, although this action did nothing to relieve his own headache.
Amidst the dizzying rush of information, Zhang Su, for some reason, still couldn't resist cracking jokes.
He manipulated the double, using that aloof face and a cold, indifferent expression.
"Ugh, my head is so itchy... I feel like my brain is growing out!"
As the words fell, only the eternal silence of the foundation space and the calm, unwavering notification from the Source Core after the injection was complete: [Knowledge injection complete. Information regarding the talisman and the 'Spirit Binding' array has been loaded.]
It was as if that declaration about "having a brain" had never existed.
Zhang Su slumped in the director's chair, rubbing his still throbbing temples. Looking at the "beautiful female agent double" who still stood there aloof, he sighed helplessly: "Sigh, it's like talking to a brick wall... Yuan Shu, that secretary, has a terrible sense of humor!"
The fresh and exciting knowledge about talismans was still churning in his mind when he couldn't wait to try it out.
He manipulated the "beautiful substitute," focusing his mind on the spiritual energy flowing through his body, carefully guiding it towards his heart.
“The Steel Bone Rune… its structure is like this…” He recalled the knowledge instilled by the Source Core, imagining the psionic energy as an invisible carving knife, precisely outlining and connecting the energy nodes around the heart, constructing a complex yet powerful energy rune.
This process was slower and more mentally taxing than he had imagined.
The flow of psionic energy requires precise control; the slightest carelessness can lead to its dissipation or structural instability.
A full minute passed, and as the last psionic line steadily connected and closed, the entire "Steelbow" rune hummed and lit up at the heart position, instantly stabilizing!
Om-!
An immense force erupted from the core of the talisman in an instant, like molten lava being poured into cold steel!
Every muscle fiber and bone of the Stand seemed to have been forged by an invisible hammer, its density increased dramatically, and it was full of explosive power!
Zhang Su could even "feel" that the muscle contours under his combat suit instantly became more defined and as hard as iron!
"It's done!" Zhang Su was overjoyed. He controlled his avatar to crouch slightly and then leap upwards!
boom!
The ground beneath my feet seemed to tremble!
The Stand's figure shot into the sky like a cannonball, accompanied by a whistling sound as it tore through the air! Its speed was astonishing!