Chapter 514: Lex Luthor's Ambition (1)
The Daoist Classics
"These Daoist elders are truly damn prudish."
The Yin-Yang Five Elements Technique was an eye-opener for Luke. Seeing its ingenious applications, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
He couldn't understand why such a wondrous book was sealed in a Forbidden Area. Wouldn't it be better to let it circulate? With it, how many unfortunate couples could achieve a sexually fulfilling and happy life?
Luke read it carefully, reviewing it three times before reluctantly setting it aside to pick up the Heavenly Master's Strategy.
There was no doubt that this was an extraordinary text—simplifying complexity, yet all-encompassing. Everything related to Daoist magic was included within.
Since Luke had no foundational knowledge of Daoism, he could only explore it bit by bit.
He wasn't interested in the unorthodox paths. His sole purpose in seeking the Heavenly Master's Strategy was to cultivate his soul. The relevant techniques recorded in the book numbered three: the Returning to the Void Scripture , the Nirvana Grand Technique, and the Spirit Transformation.
Each of the three techniques had its merits, but they all led to the same destination when cultivated deeply: separating from the mortal flesh to become the Yin Spirit, also known as the Earth Immortal, as described in the text.
The Super-Weapon Scrutiny
Time flew by silently. Unknowingly, two months passed. With Luke's silence, the media stopped reporting his news and turned their attention to the superheroes.
Entering the new century, superheroes had become a trend. New heroes emerged regularly, and old heroes faded away.
Of course, no matter how the superheroes changed, Batman and Superman remained the leaders.
They had tens of millions of followers on ShowMe. Although they rarely posted updates, every single one generated immense attention, sometimes surpassing that of the President.
Their influence was growing stronger, forcing the high-level officials to pay close attention.
Luthor's Revival
Washington D.C., inside an undisclosed research base.
Amanda Waller, dressed in a formal suit, walked with Congress Member Anders into a laboratory filled with various instruments.
The long-missing Lex Luthor was here. He opened his arms and embraced the slightly startled Anders.
"Long time no see, Congressman."
Anders forced a smile. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Luthor shrugged. "Ever since the Battle of Metropolis, I've been the undesirable one, discriminated against everywhere I go."
"You can understand their thinking. After all, I was a captive of the Kryptonians. They worried they might insert a bug in me, controlling the Earth like Sarah Kerrigan. Haha!!!"
He laughed at his own joke.
Anders surveyed the surroundings. After confirming there was nothing abnormal, he said gravely,
"Mr. Luthor, I sympathize deeply with your predicament, but time is limited. Please don't waste it on irrelevant jokes."
"You are wary of me."
Luthor suddenly turned, staring intently at him. "You're afraid I'll harm you, afraid I'll affect your political career."
Anders forced a cold smile.
"You should ask Amanda that question. She brought me here, saying someone could provide the government with a super-weapon—a weapon capable of fighting Superman."
"Out of trust for her, I came."
Amanda stepped forward at the right moment. "Enough, Luthor. Show the Congressman your results."
Luthor finally withdrew his gaze and walked into the inner laboratory with his bright bald head. Anders coldly glared at Amanda, the fury in his eyes unconcealed.
That damned woman, how dare she deceive me!
Everyone knew Luthor was on the White House and military blacklists, a homeless pariah. Associating with him now was professional suicide.
Amanda said in a deep voice, "Trust me, Congressman. You won't be disappointed."
"I hope not."
Anders snorted and strode forward.
The inner room was larger than the outside. Besides various instruments with unpronounceable names, the most prominent features were dozens of culture tanks holding various human tissues.
Some tanks held embryos, others held unformed infants, and a few contained children with needles stuck all over their bodies.
The sight made Anders's scalp tingle. That damned bastard! He was conducting human experimentation! If this ever got out, his career would be finished.
Luthor saw through his thoughts and said with a strange expression, "You want to run, Congressman. That's not right."
"Enough, Luthor."
Amanda couldn't take it anymore. "Get to the point."
"You people are so boring."
Luthor walked up to a culture tank and tapped the glass.
"The experience of being abducted by the Kryptonians made me realize one thing: the most powerful weapon in the world is not mecha, nor technology, but people—Kryptonians."
"Every Kryptonian is a world-destroying super-weapon. Just like the child inside. He's so small, yet he can effortlessly lift a truck. Simply perfect."
Anders's face changed drastically, and he couldn't help but ask,
"Are there Kryptonians in there?"
"Of course. I extracted tissue cells from the Kryptonian corpses, then used biotechnology to create these works of art."
"Congressman, do you still want to run away now?"
Anders gasped, feeling both shock and an inexplicable exhilaration. The power displayed by the Kryptonians was too terrifying—they could fly, move through the ground, and were impervious to most weapons. They were like gods descended to Earth.
As a member of the ruling class, who would be willing to see such an uncontrolled god?
"How did you do it? Aren't you afraid of losing control?"
"Kryptonians are not invincible. They have a weakness. That's the second thing I learned on the Kryptonian spaceship."
Luthor took out a piece of muscle tissue, secured it on a cutting machine, and turned on the switch. The rotating blade sliced downwards, sending up a shower of sparks upon contact with the flesh.
Bang!
The blade shattered, but the muscle tissue remained completely unscathed.
"This is the Kryptonian body. They absorb solar radiation, and every cell is filled with energy. This energy forms a protective layer, making them incredibly hard. However... when their robust bodies come into contact with a certain mineral, something miraculous happens."
Luthor opened a freezer and retrieved a rock that glowed with a green light.
"It is the Kryptonian weakness."
"Congressman, instead of just watching the experiment, you should try it yourself."
Anders hesitated for a moment, then walked up to the experimental bench.
"How?"
"Pick up the knife and stab down."
Anders gripped a dagger and plunged it into the muscle tissue. The tip of the blade passed through the muscle, almost completely piercing it.
"This..."
He was dumbfounded. The muscle that a cutting machine couldn't even scratch was pierced by a simple knife.
"That is the secret."
Luthor pulled out the dagger and placed the green glowing rock in a safe.
"Come, try again."
Anders didn't hesitate, picking up the dagger to stab down once more.
Clang!
The sound of clashing metal rang out. The blade felt as if it had hit an incredibly strong piece of metal, and the muscle tissue was completely undamaged.
Anders was frozen. The scene before his eyes completely subverted his understanding of reality.
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