In ancient times, a great battle raged between Gonggong, the Water God, and Zhurong, the Fire God. Gonggong was defeated and, in a fit of rage, crashed into Mount Buzhou, the pillar supporting the sky. The impact shattered Mount Buzhou, causing the sky to collapse partially, the earth to crack open, forests to ignite, and devastating floods to surge across the land. The world plunged into a terrible catastrophe. Goddess Nuwa, the creator of all beings, resolved to mend the ravaged world. She gathered countless five-colored stones from rivers and lakes, refined them into molten liquid with fire, and used this substance to patch the broken sky. To support the heavens, she slew an enormous turtle, cutting off its four legs to serve as new pillars, erecting them at the four cardinal directions. She then used the ashes of burnt reeds to stem the raging floods. Thus, the great disaster was finally brought to an end.

Separately, the Sun Goddess Xihe had ten sons, who were the ten suns. They resided in Tang Valley, a land beyond the eastern seas, where a colossal tree named 'Fusang' grew, thousands of feet tall, serving as their home. Each day, one of the suns would take its turn to illuminate the world. Every morning, Xihe would personally drive a magnificent chariot, pulled by six dragons, accompanying her son on his celestial journey. The journey from Tang Valley to Meng Valley comprised sixteen stations, perfectly spanning one day. Upon reaching the fourteenth station, Beiquan, the sun would dismount and continue on foot, while Xihe drove the empty chariot back to Tang Valley to prepare for the next day's sun. Before ascending the dragon chariot each morning, the sun on duty would first cleanse itself in Xianchi pool. Xihe also frequently brought her sons to bathe together in Ganyuan, a spring in the southeastern seas known for its sweet waters, ensuring they were sparkling clean and bright.

The idiom '补天浴日' (bǔ tiān yù rì), meaning 'patch the sky and bathe the sun,' combines these two ancient myths. It is used to metaphorically describe extraordinary achievements, grand accomplishments, or the immense power of individuals to overcome colossal challenges and conquer the forces of nature.