When the pain hit, time seemed to slow down. Clark fell into another abyss. Everything from the past flashed before him. Those hazy shadows felt like stairs leading to Heaven but also like invitations to Hell.
After the intense pain came prolonged torment. Clark's consciousness gradually awakened, but he had no control over his body. It was as if he were trapped in a dark prison, only able to feel pain but unable to change anything.
His powerful super senses made his pain even more pronounced. He could feel that it was as if several armies were battling within his body, using his bones as weapons, his cells as bullets, and his entire body, especially his chest cavity, as the battlefield. Every moment felt like enduring bombardment.
And this was indeed the case. At this moment, three forces were warring within him: the energy he gained from the Sun, the purple magic energy that struck him, and the energy carried by the Kryptonite elements within his body.
This body had never experienced a magic baptism, and a Kryptonian's physique cannot be integrated with magic energy. Thus, the magic energy shot into him was constantly repelled by his own energy, manifesting as magic energy preventing his wounds from healing, while his body's own energy continually repaired them.
The energy stored within Superman's body is incredibly vast, while magic energy is limited, and not much remains inside him. If it were just a conflict between these two, magic energy would soon be defeated.
But simultaneously, the Kryptonite carried by Superman and the Kryptonite powder injected into his body continually suppress his own energy, preventing Superman from using his full strength, causing the two to reach a stalemate.
Among them, Superman's own energy and magic energy both have initiative—one wants to repair, the other wants to destroy; while Kryptonite energy is passive, not actively attacking Superman's body, but emitting radiation, which can suppress Superman's energy.
In past circumstances, Superman's body and his energy had no necessity to adapt to the radiation. That desensitization training was merely passive adaptation, more akin to adapting to a weakened state in a radiation environment rather than breaking through such weakness.
But now it's unavoidable. If the limits of radiation aren't broken, the power output in this low-effort state will be consumed by magic energy, and once it's exhausted, Superman will die.
A Kryptonian's body has a strong survival instinct. He doesn't want to die, so he must accelerate his adaptation speed. That means he must find a way to exert high output even under Kryptonite radiation, overcoming the magic energy to complete the body's repair work.
Adaptation isn't entirely correct—it must be immediate immunity, or he will die. So, he can't gradually construct an immune system slowly like before; he must immediately create one that works.
Under survival pressure, the body's full potential is unleashed. All hidden codes written in the genes are pulled out and put to use. The entire immune system is mobilized, determined to exhaustively find a solution using exhaustive methods.
Fortunately, Clark grew up on Earth. Since being carried out of the infant pod, the Yellow Sun has been stimulating this body's potential. His body has been comprehensively nourished and fully upgraded, not hastily transformed along the way. This gives the body more leverage when facing crisis, allowing it to rely more on its original advantages.
As the remaining energy depletes further, the speed of immunity system construction accelerates. Yet, just when the immunity system against Kryptonite radiation is about to be completed, a new issue arises: there's not enough energy.
Clark wasn't prepared, thus didn't store more energy. Earth had no crisis requiring him to pre-store energy for defense, and he didn't have this habit. Hence, when being consumed by magic energy, the energy he stored himself wasn't enough.
This means there's now a high-effort environment but no power. Consequently, lack of energy could lead to direct repair failure, causing Superman's death.
But the strong body refuses to give up like this. Since there's no own energy left, there's an effort to seize the opponent's energy. His original energy within began using a different method—not eliminating magic energy but devouring and converting it.
This is a desperate measure. Superman's body doesn't contain plugins adapting to magic energy—all is created on the spot. However, it must be said, this race is indeed blessed with Natural advantages. What is written under such extreme circumstances proves somewhat usable.
Although conversion efficiency is not great, at least the energy is replenished. Furthermore, changing from repelling to converting achieves weakening the enemy while strengthening oneself, briefly reversing the situation.
But at this moment, new problems arise. Because magic energy is integrated, the immune system against Kryptonite has become unusable—similar to a text document that cannot be opened with software when its file format is changed; it can only be changed back or opened with new software.
Reverting back is impossible; without absorbing magic energy, the flow will cut off again. Thus, a new immune code must be rewritten, this time compatible with own energy possessing magic energy.
Yet another issue comes forth. Reconstruction of the immune system requires energy too, and the sum of own energy and magic energy isn't sufficient. What to do now? The only option left is to absorb Kryptonite energy as well.
This sounds utterly ridiculous. How could anyone absorb such energy when it inherently restrains you?
Actually, there is indeed a way. Magic, simply put, is a pure form of energy. Previously, Superman's body did not have a plugin to absorb energy other than Yellow Sun rays, so he couldn't absorb such pure energy. But now the plugin has been developed, meaning Superman can absorb powers beyond mere Yellow Sun radiation.
Thus, magic energy is pure energy, and there must also be pure energy within kryptonite radiation. After all, radiation itself is a manifestation of energy. So as long as the pure energy from the kryptonite is absorbed, the energy can be renewed.
Under the pressure of survival, this body had no other choice but to attempt using the newly developed energy type expansion plugin to absorb energy from the kryptonite.
The process was extremely painful because radiation itself is a form of energy manifestation, equivalent to self-inflicting a poison injection. Clark once again felt the intense pain and discomfort reminiscent of his first contact with kryptonite. This time, it was even more severe, an agony truly worse than death.
It was unknown how long it took, but Clark was tortured into numbness. The pain finally began to ease somewhat, while the repair speed saw a qualitative rise.
The body with immense potential and the exceptionally strong survival instinct ultimately achieved this near-impossible feat, forcefully absorbing the magic and kryptonite energy, transforming it all into his own, then began normal healing of the wounds.
A few researchers in protective suits unzipped the body bag. They took out Superman's "corpse." The lead doctor stepped forward and first examined the chest wound. But at the moment when he saw the wound, he paused.
Several other doctors seemed to notice the anomaly. They looked at each other, signaling to one another under the experimental bench. It seemed two of them had a disagreement, but eventually, one convinced the other.
Amanda's voice resounded over the broadcast: "How's it going?"
"Nothing unusual," one doctor said, "Ms. Waller, I hope you understand that dissecting an alien corpse is incredibly dangerous for anyone. If you hadn't insisted on inviting me, I would never have gotten involved."
"Don't worry, Doctor Niman. You'll be well compensated."
After Amanda's voice faded, one doctor gave Doctor Niman a glance. The two left the room one after the other, seeming to prepare for surgery in the preparation area. While selecting surgical knives, the doctor spoke: "Are you sure you want to do this? That crazy woman won't be easily fooled; she can get you chased out of Metropolitan Hospital. What about your wife and kids then?"
Doctor Niman's hand paused for a moment, then he turned to look at the other: "I only know that if I help Amanda Waller, he certainly won't remember my favor. He'll only keep imposing demands on me. Today he's using my family to threaten me to dissect aliens; tomorrow it might be other dangerous things, even innocents like yourselves. If I refuse, my family and I will suffer torment. But if I help Superman, at least when I might lose my life to various threats, he can help me once. He will do so, and he can do so."
After saying this, he pushed open the laboratory door again, cleared his throat, and addressed the others: "Get your tools ready, prepare for the dissection." He then raised his voice intentionally: "Alien body tissue is completely different from ours, to ensure accurate results, absolutely do not make reckless incisions. Be careful, very careful. Understood?"
"Yes, Doctor."
Amanda watched contently on the monitor at the busy doctors and Clark's handsome but lifeless face. Amanda began estimating his value.
Four hours passed. Amanda entered the room again, asking over the broadcast: "Is it ready yet?"
"Ma'am, I'll say it again. If you don't trust my expertise, you shouldn't have come to me." Doctor Niman stood firmly, saying, "Medical dissection isn't child's play; every procedure must be carefully verified. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee the result's accuracy. If any issues arise, I won't be accountable."
"I'm just reminding you, don't pull any tricks." Amanda said coldly.
"I'm not the only one here; you've gathered so many professionals, do you think they'd conspire with me to deceive you?" Niman surveyed the room and said coldly, "If you don't trust our professional judgment, then send us back and find someone else…"
"I didn't mean it that way," Amanda softened her tone and said, "You are the most professional doctors; of course, I respect your judgment."
The other doctors remained silent, standing around the operating table like silent white mountains, seemingly affirming Doctor Niman's stance. Amanda felt reassured at the sight and stopped urging them.