188: Chapter 188 Exploring the Origins of Mars: Interstellar Dust Storms and Traditional Martial Arts Beacons

Interstellar Assembly: Aerospace Traditional Martial Artists Join and Space Equipment Upgrade

On the tenth day of the "Mars traditional martial arts Exploration Project" launched by Chuanwu Academy, the core successors of the 12 schools gathered again next to the "Chuanwu Starship Interstellar Probe."

The probe's hull was covered with an "Interstellar Qi Energy Coating" derived from fusion jade; pale golden light flowed across the cabin, capable of resisting space radiation and absorbing Interstellar Qi Energy to convert into power.

Beside the hatch, a man dressed in a silver-gray aerospace combat suit was calibrating equipment; the "China Aerospace" badge on his chest was placed side-by-side with the traditional martial arts totem badge, and in his hand, he held a "Space traditional martial arts Monitor" embedded with an Interstellar Qi Energy crystal core.

"To survive in space and on Mars, we must first solve the two difficult problems of 'weightlessness' and 'radiation'," the man said as he turned to walk toward the group.

His name was Lu Yu, the chief researcher of the China Aerospace-traditional martial arts Fusion Project, who specialized in "Aerospace Qi Energy Adaptation Technique"—the ability to combine traditional martial arts Qi techniques with aerospace technology.

He could stabilize Qi Energy in a weightless environment and utilize Interstellar Qi Energy to enhance the probe's performance.

"Mars's atmosphere is only 1% of Earth's, the diurnal temperature difference exceeds 100℃, and there are dust storms with speeds of 180 km/h. Your equipment must have an 'Interstellar Qi Energy Buffer Layer,' or you won't even be able to get out of the hatch."

Lu Yu opened the probe's equipment bay to display the "Space traditional martial arts Spacesuits" customized for everyone: the outer layer was aerospace-grade radiation-proof Materials, while the inner layer was sewn with the 12 schools' Qi Energy fibers—Chen Wu's Dual-Qi fibers were responsible for balancing internal Qi Energy, Lin Yue's Ice Soul Qi fibers resisted Mars's low temperatures, and Taylor's Storm Crystal Dissolution Energy fibers channeled dust storm air currents.

The helmet's visor was embedded with "Interstellar Qi Energy Sensing Lenses," capable of displaying the surrounding Interstellar Qi Energy concentration in real-time and translating Martian language (basic vocabulary deciphered from ancient ruins) into Chinese.

The fingertips of the gloves were equipped with "Qi Energy Conduction Contact Points," allowing for the precise release of Qi techniques even while wearing thick gloves.

The Deep Sea Guardian Squad also underwent "Space Adaptation": Little Whale Spirit was placed in a "Constant Temperature and Pressure Qi Energy Cabin."

The cabin was transparent, allowing it to perceive external Interstellar Qi Energy, and its pale blue Qi Energy could also assist in stabilizing the probe's energy System.

Thermal Shrimp and Cold Spring Clam were placed in "Dormant Qi Energy Boxes," to be awakened only when there was a need to purify Interstellar Spirit-Devourer Remnants; the Qi Energy circulation System inside the boxes could simulate Earth's deep-sea environment to ensure their survival.

"According to the plan, the probe will arrive at Mars in 72 hours," Chen Wu said, standing before the probe's holographic tactical screen, which displayed the Mars landing site—the "Interstellar Ruins Signal Zone" in the Utopia Planitia.

"Lu Yu is responsible for maneuvering the probe to avoid interstellar debris, Lin Yue will use Ice Soul Qi to monitor Interstellar Qi Energy fluctuations, Taylor and Inuk will prepare to deal with Martian dust storms, and the New Generation Squad will debug the 'Interstellar Qi Energy Resonator' to ensure a connection with the ruins after landing; remember, we are the 'Interstellar Pioneers' of Earth's traditional martial arts, and every step must pave the way for subsequent exploration."

In the "Interstellar Assembly" broadcast globally, 380 billion viewers stared at the Space traditional martial arts Spacesuits and the probe, and the comment stream was filled with exclamations like, "The combination of aerospace + traditional martial arts is so cool! Can you practice Qi techniques in a weightless environment?" "Lu Yu's monitor can translate Martian language; is this to talk to the Martian ruins?" "Little Whale Spirit can actually go to space; the Deep Sea Squad is too omnipotent!"

Technical Department data showed that the global reservation volume for "Interstellar traditional martial arts Courses" exceeded 200 million, and space agencies from various countries applied to cooperate with Chuanwu Academy, hoping to jointly develop space traditional martial arts technology.

Mars Voyage: Interstellar Qi Energy Turbulence and Coping with Weightlessness

The Chuanwu Starship Interstellar Probe successfully entered the Earth-Mars transfer orbit, and the weightless environment inside the cabin made the successors who were in space for the first time somewhat uncomfortable—Sato's Ninja Qi became erratic under weightlessness, and his shuriken deviated from its course as soon as it was thrown; Amina's Shamanic Martial Force totem staff could not stand stably on the floor and was always floating and colliding with the cabin walls; Little Karim's Pyramid Force bracer's light patterns flickered, requiring additional Qi Energy injection to maintain its defense.

"Weightlessness will cause Qi Energy to lose the guidance of gravity; everyone, practice according to the 'Space Qi Technique Adjustment Chant'," Lu Yu said, demonstrating by fusing aerospace Qi Energy with his own Taiji Power, creating a stable "Qi Energy Shield" around his body.

Even while floating in mid-air, he could release his Qi techniques precisely, "When inhaling, let the Qi Energy rotate clockwise around the Dantian; when exhaling, let the Qi Energy move upward along the spine to form a 'Qi Energy Anchor Point' above your head, which can negate the effects of weightlessness."

Xiao Juan followed suit and tried, fusing Nature Qi with aerospace Qi Energy, and a small "Qi Energy Anchor Point" formed above her head with pale green Qi Energy.

Her previously erratic Qi Energy instantly stabilized, and it could even move her body slowly: "It really works! By releasing Nature Qi this way, I can precisely perceive the external Interstellar Qi Energy!"

Soon, the other successors also mastered the adjustment method; Sato's Ninja Qi shuriken could accurately hit the bullseye inside the cabin, Amina's totem staff could stably float in her palm, and the Qi Energy fluctuations within the cabin became stable.

When sailing to the midpoint of the Earth-Mars orbit, the probe suddenly encountered "Interstellar Qi Energy Turbulence"—a turbulence composed of interstellar debris and abnormal Qi Energy struck the probe, causing the cabin to vibrate violently, the energy System's indicator lights to start flashing, and the Interstellar Qi Energy concentration on the screen to soar instantly, mixed with faint black Qi Energy—it was "Interstellar Spirit-Devourer Remnants," which were more corrosive than Earth's Spirit-Devourer Remnants.

"It's the Interstellar Qi Energy signal source that the Earth Vein Heart sensed before! The Spirit-Devourer Remnants in the turbulence will corrode the probe's hull!"

Lin Yue's Ice Soul Qi monitor sounded an alarm, and she immediately released Ice Soul Qi, forming an "Anti-Corrosion Layer" with pale blue Qi Energy on the probe's hull to temporarily block the erosion of the Spirit-Devourer Remnants; Lu Yu controlled the probe to activate the "Interstellar Qi Energy Deflector Plate," while simultaneously injecting aerospace Qi Energy to guide the turbulence toward the probe's side, avoiding the energy cabin.

"Taylor, use Storm Crystal Dissolution Energy to disperse the debris in the turbulence; Agung, use Spirit Gathering Energy to purify the Spirit-Devourer Remnants!" Chen Wu issued the order, and Taylor released Storm Crystal Dissolution Energy inside the cabin; silver-gray Qi Energy shot out through the probe's Qi Energy conduction ports, cutting through the interstellar debris in the turbulence like sharp blades, and the debris was deflected by the deflector plate; Agung injected Spirit Gathering Energy into the "Interstellar Qi Energy Purifier," and the pale green Qi Energy spread along the purifier's pipes, decomposing the black Spirit-Devourer Remnants in the turbulence into harmless Qi particles, and the probe's energy System gradually returned to normal.

72 hours later, the probe finally arrived in Martian orbit, and the red desert of the Utopia Planitia was clearly visible on the screen—in the center of the plain was an irregular "Black Area," which was the signal source of the interstellar ruins, surrounded by faint yellow dust storms moving toward the ruins.

"Landing in 1 hour, prepare to deal with the dust storm!" Lu Yu maneuvered the probe to adjust its attitude, and everyone in the cabin checked their equipment; Little Whale Spirit's Qi Energy cabin glowed with pale blue light, having sensed the Interstellar Qi Energy of the ruins, and was emitting a faint resonant sound.

In the "Mars Voyage" broadcast globally, the audience watched with bated breath, and the comment stream was filled with cheers like, "The Interstellar Qi Energy turbulence is too dangerous! It's a good thing there's Ice Soul Qi and Storm Crystal Dissolution Energy!" "Mars's red desert is so spectacular! The ruins are in that black area!" "Land quickly! I want to see the true face of the Martian ruins!"

Mars Landing: Dust Storm Puppets and Interstellar Spirit-Devourer Remnants

The Chuanwu Starship probe landed smoothly on the Utopia Planitia, the hatch opened slowly, red dust surged in with the airflow, the distant dust storm had approached, the sky was dyed orange-yellow, and visibility was less than 50 meters.

"Everyone, release your Qi Energy shields to prevent dust from entering the equipment!" Lu Yu was the first to step out of the probe, aerospace Qi Energy forming a pale golden shield around him, and the dust was deflected as soon as it hit the shield; Chen Wu and the other successors followed closely behind, and 12 colorful Qi Energy shields formed a beautiful landscape line on the red desert.

The Little Whale Spirit's Qi Energy pod was carried out of the probe. Its pale blue Qi Energy resonated strongly with the interstellar Qi Energy of the ruins, pointing toward the black area: "The ruins are just 300 meters ahead! But there is 'abnormal Qi Energy' in the dust storm, it looks like dust contaminated by interstellar Spirit-Devourer remnants!" Xiao Juan's Nature Qi gloves also sensed danger, with pale green light flickering on their surface, indicating the presence of high-concentration Spirit-Devourer remnants nearby.

No sooner had she spoken than countless "dust clusters" burst out of the dust storm. Each dust cluster was wrapped in black interstellar Spirit-Devourer remnants, converging in mid-air into a "Mars Dust Storm Puppet": The Puppet was 30 meters tall, its body composed of red dust and black Spirit-Devourer remnants, its surface covered in sharp dust spikes. Its head was an "interstellar Spirit-Devourer core" glowing with a dark purple light, and its limbs were thick dust arms. Every time it swung, it whipped up new dust, expanding its own size.

"It can absorb the Mars dust storm to strengthen itself! The core is an aggregate of interstellar Spirit-Devourer remnants, ordinary martial skills cannot break it!" Lin Yue's Ice Soul Qi monitor showed that the core energy intensity of the Puppet was three times that of the Earth's Spirit-Devouring Puppet. "We need to use a combo technique of 'Ice Soul Qi to freeze the dust + Storm Crystal Dissolution Energy to disperse the body + Aerospace Qi Energy to lock onto the core' to temporarily restrain it!"

The Puppet suddenly swung its dust arm, slapping toward little Laila—Laila immediately released Shamanic Martial Force, and the light brown Qi Energy formed a "Totem Shield" in front of her. The dust arm struck the shield, causing tiny cracks to appear on its surface; little Karim immediately used his Pyramid Force bracer to release a "Qi Energy Anchor Point," and the pale golden Qi Energy pulled Laila to a safe area; Mei used Ninja Qi darts to shoot at the Puppet's dust spikes, and the pale blue Qi Energy made the spikes break, but new dust spikes quickly grew out from the Puppet's body again.

"Inuk! Use Polar Icefield Qi to freeze the Puppet's legs!" Chen Wu shouted. Inuk raised his whale-bone staff, and the pale blue Icefield Qi was injected into the desert. The Puppet's legs were instantly frozen by the ice layer, unable to move; Taylor took the opportunity to release Storm Crystal Dissolution Energy, and the silver-gray Qi Energy wrapped around the Puppet's body like a whirlwind. The dust was dispersed, revealing the black Spirit-Devourer remnants inside; Lu Yu injected Aerospace Qi Energy into the "Interstellar Qi Energy Cannon," and the pale golden cannon light aimed at the Puppet's core, temporarily suppressing its energy fluctuations.

In the globally broadcast "Dust Storm Puppet Battle" footage, the audience watched with boiling blood. The barrage was filled with cheers: "The Mars Puppet can actually absorb dust to grow! Good thing the Icefield Qi froze it!" "The Aerospace Qi Energy Cannon is so cool! Precision lock on the core!" "The 12 schools' coordination is getting more and more tacit!" Technical Department data showed that at this moment, 500 million martial arts fans globally were sending support Qi Energy remotely through the "Interstellar Qi Energy Resonator." Pale golden light gathered on Mars via satellite signals, injecting energy into everyone's martial skills.

Ruins Decryption: Mars-Earth traditional martial arts Same Origin.

Just as everyone was holding back the Dust Storm Puppet, the Little Whale Spirit's Qi Energy pod suddenly resonated violently, its pale blue Qi Energy pointing toward the center of the black area—the dust there suddenly dissipated, revealing an "Interstellar traditional martial arts Ruins": The ruins were built from black Martian rock and pale golden interstellar metal. In the center stood an "Interstellar traditional martial arts Stele," the stele body glowing with faint interstellar Qi Energy. Its surface was carved with runes similar to Earth's ancient traditional martial arts, as well as some murals depicting Martians practicing Qi.

"The Puppet's core is connected to the ruins' Qi Energy! As long as we activate the stele, we can cut off the Puppet's energy source!" Xiao Juan shouted. She, along with Laila, little Karim, and Mei, formed the "New Generation Resonance Team" and ran toward the stele. Chen Wu and the other successors remained behind to continue holding back the Puppet, while Lu Yu used Aerospace Qi Energy to set up "Qi Energy Traps" around the Puppet to prevent it from pursuing.

The New Generation Squad arrived in front of the stele and discovered 12 "Interstellar Qi Energy Grooves" on the stele body, which perfectly matched the frequencies of the Earth's 12 martial arts schools. "It's the 12 schools' martial skills! They're the same as the ancient traditional martial arts runes on Earth!" little Karim shouted excitedly. He injected Pyramid Force into the corresponding groove, and pale golden light lit up in the groove; Xiao Juan injected Nature Qi, and pale green light lit up accordingly; Mei injected Ninja Qi, and Laila injected Shamanic Martial Force. Four colors of light flowed on the stele body, awakening the surrounding murals.

The content on the murals shocked everyone—the first painting: Martian traditional martial artists practicing Qi on the surface of Mars, surrounded by interstellar Qi Energy; the second painting: Martian traditional martial artists riding a spaceship, flying toward Earth; the third painting: Martian traditional martial artists leaving behind traditional martial arts legacies in the deep sea, polar regions, and rainforests of Earth, protecting the Earth's veins together with Earth people; the fourth painting: Martian traditional martial artists returning to Mars, leaving behind the Interstellar traditional martial arts Stele, waiting for Earth's traditional martial artists to come and resonate.

"So Earth's traditional martial arts originated on Mars! We are the 'successors' of the Martian traditional martial artists!" Laila said excitedly. At this time, Chen Wu and the other successors also held back the Puppet. Lu Yu took the opportunity to inject Aerospace Qi Energy into the last groove of the stele. 12 colored Qi Energies converged on the stele body to form an "Interstellar traditional martial arts Light Wheel." The light wheel shot toward the Dust Storm Puppet's core, the black interstellar Spirit-Devourer remnants were instantly purified, and the Puppet's body turned into red dust, merging into the Martian desert.

Under the effect of the light wheel, the stele of the ruins released an "Interstellar traditional martial arts Beacon"—a pale golden beam of light shot straight into the high altitude of Mars, resonating with the Earth's Earth vein light beam, forming a "traditional martial arts Connection Light Belt" in the Solar System; the stele also projected a holographic image of a Martian traditional martial artist: a Martian dressed in interstellar martial attire, speaking in fluent Chinese: "Guardians of Earth, you have inherited the original intention of traditional martial arts. When the interstellar beacon lights up, the gates of traditional martial arts in the Universe have opened for you. The next stop is the 'Interstellar Qi Energy Core Zone' of Venus, where the ultimate secret of traditional martial arts is hidden."

In the globally broadcast "Ruins Decryption" footage, the audience watched with tears in their eyes. The barrage was filled with cheers: "traditional martial arts originated on Mars! This is so shocking!" "Martian traditional martial artists actually visited Earth and left behind a Legacy!" "The interstellar beacon is lit! The whole Solar System can see it!" Technical Department data showed that at this moment, the resonance intensity of the traditional martial arts Qi Energy between Earth and Mars reached its peak, the stability of the Earth's veins globally improved again, and the research on interstellar traditional martial arts officially entered a new stage.

Beacon Activation: The New Journey of Interstellar traditional martial arts.

After the Mars traditional martial arts ruins were activated, Chen Wu and the others established a "Mars traditional martial arts Base" next to the ruins—the base was converted from the probe's spare cabin, and inside were an "Interstellar Qi Energy Laboratory," "traditional martial arts Legacy Room," and "Remote Support Center"; Lu Yu and Lin Yue remained at the base to continue researching the data of the Interstellar traditional martial arts Stele and the beacon, while the other successors prepared to return to Earth to report the results of the Mars exploration.

Before leaving, the Little Whale Spirit's Qi Energy pod resonated with the interstellar beacon. Its pale blue Qi Energy incorporated a small amount of interstellar Qi Energy, enabling it to perceive traditional martial arts signals in the Universe more accurately; the New Generation Squad left behind an "Earth traditional martial arts Token" next to the stele—a jade pendant that fused the Qi Energy of the 12 schools, symbolizing the Legacy connection between Earth's traditional martial artists and Martian traditional martial artists; Chen Wu promised the holographic image: "We will bring more Earth traditional martial artists back here, continue to explore the secrets of traditional martial arts in the Universe, and complete the mission of the Martian traditional martial artists."

When the Chuanwu Starship probe left Mars orbit, on the red desert of Mars, the light beam of the Interstellar traditional martial arts Beacon was still flickering, echoing from afar with the Earth's Earth vein light beam; inside the probe, everyone looked at Mars outside the window, their hearts full of anticipation for the future—Venus's Interstellar Qi Energy Core Zone, the traditional martial arts ruins on the Moon, the Qi Energy storm belt of Jupiter, and even deeper parts of the Universe, all hidden with unknown secrets of traditional martial arts.

The final footage of the global broadcast stayed on the Chuanwu Academy on Earth—in the academy's square, 380 billion viewers witnessed the "Interstellar traditional martial arts Exploration Results Press Conference" together via holographic projection. Chen Wu held a rubbing of the Mars traditional martial arts stele and said to the camera: "The exploration of Mars is just the beginning. The mission of traditional martial arts is not only to protect Earth, but to connect every civilization in the Universe, letting the 'original intention of protection' of traditional martial arts become the common belief of the entire Universe."