C11 Galaxy of the Universe

"Is this my mind? Or the cosmos? But shouldn't I be seeing my brain?" Hanyu Xiaotian mulled over the wrinkled cortex, thalamus, cerebellum, brainstem, and other structures he had learned about in his family's enlightenment classes, yet he couldn't reconcile them with the vista before him.

Upon his arrival, Hanyu Xiaotian experienced an odd sensation—as if the "Stars" in his mind were greeting him. He couldn't pinpoint why, but the feeling was undeniable. After some contemplation, it dawned on him that he was likely a spiritual consciousness, and this consciousness originated from his mind.

Essentially, the current "him" had been separated from his mind by the workings of the Qi Pavilion's secret chamber, allowing him to observe and understand the inner workings of his body, his dantian, and meridians. This would enable him to better perceive the flow and patterns of his inner energy.

It was as if he had taken a detour only to find himself back home sooner than expected, which explained the warmth he felt for the "Stars" within his mind.

But calling it home felt strange, considering Hanyu Xiaotian hadn't realized in ten years how much his "home" had changed.

"Do others have minds like this?"

He observed the unusually vibrant brain cells around him, contrasting them with his own body's snail-paced blood flow, the drawn-out physiological responses, and sealed acupoints. The differences were stark.

"Could the unique traits of my body, so different from others, exist to protect my extraordinary brain? Or perhaps... this Galaxy of the Universe?" Hanyu Xiaotian's speculation was nearing the truth.

Indeed, the energy within the mysterious cosmos of his mind was of a "forbidden" magnitude. If an ordinary Martial Cultivator's brain energy were likened to a cannonball, then the energy within the microcosm of Hanyu Xiaotian's mind would be akin to a nuclear reactor—and this was just a fraction of its potential.

Should Hanyu Xiaotian unlock the ability to unleash this energy, his power would dwarf that of any peer Martial Cultivator. What he needed now was the key to unlock this formidable strength.

Meanwhile, the microcosm within his mind was also a profound burden. Its immense power required an equally formidable vessel to contain it. The sealed acupoints, the locked dantian, and the sluggish bodily functions were all part of the cost of harboring this "star river." Hanyu Xiaotian's body had developed unique genetic structures and densely packed cellular tissues never before seen in human history, all to support this cosmic expanse.

Yet this "miniature universe" was still incomplete, continually evolving. If the vessel housing it were to fail, Hanyu Xiaotian faced the collapse of his physical form and brain death.

Fortunately, at ten years old, his body was still developing, far from maturity. There was time to adapt.

"For now, I'll set aside these thoughts. Seeing my home for the first time, I should take the opportunity to get acquainted."

Hanyu Xiaotian's consciousness began to drift, and he slowly discovered that the Stars in his mind were neither solitary nor static. They formed clusters, each a vast galaxy, orbiting in accordance with ancient, timeless Laws of Heaven And Earth, radiant, in a realm without space or time.

Hanyu Xiaotian's mind suddenly flashed back to the profound words of Hanyu Qingtian, the chief of the Hanyu Family, during his martial arts training, "The human body is a microcosm of the universe, replete with celestial bodies and stars. The movements of these celestial bodies have a direct impact on the flow of human meridians. Just as there are 365 days in a year, there are 365 acupoints in the body. The sky is divided into black and white, just as the human body is governed by the duality of Yin and Yang. The sky cycles through four seasons, and humans are oriented in four directions: front, back, left, and right. Stars fill the heavens, and acupoints map the body. The sky has its currents, and humans have the circulation of Qi and blood. The woven latitudes and longitudes of the sky mirror the interconnected meridians of the body. The celestial dance is ever-changing, and within the boundless galaxy and sea of clouds, all things pulse with life, with Yin and Yang in perpetual transformation. Their mysteries are infinite and elusive, yet there is an underlying order to all—this is the Dao! While celestial bodies are intangible, the human body is tangible. We condense the essence of the heavens within us, each with our own unique patterns and paths..."

The Classic of Nature articulates, "The span from ancient times to now is known as the cosmos, and from the four corners to the zenith and nadir is called the universe."

Zhuangzi also reflects, "There is no origin, nor any aperture. Substance exists without a place; length exists without a root. That which emerges without an aperture is substance. That which is substantial without a place is the universe; that which extends without a root is the cosmos."

The Dao is omnipresent, yet for most, it remains an enigma throughout their lives, elusive and intangible.

Over time, Hanyu Xiaotian became utterly captivated. Lost in the immensity of it all, he was unable to free himself—he had entered the Dao!