pdf-ebookys Chapter 819 They've all lost their humanity!
Chapter 819 They've all lost their humanity!
Several old Taoist priests spoke with absolute certainty, as if as long as they could successfully summon lightning, they would definitely be able to refine an elixir that would grant immortality.
According to the plan of these Taoist priests, they would erect an iron rod that would be about ten zhang long, which is roughly thirty-three meters long. The base of the rod would be buried deep in the ground for about half a zhang, and the top zhang would be supported by wooden scaffolding. The entire iron rod would be wrapped with copper wire about the thickness of a little finger, and a section of copper wire would be cut off near the bottom to connect to the alchemy furnace.
If we can successfully refine the elixir this time, regardless of whether it's a magic pill or not, it will prove that the idea of using lightning to refine elixirs is correct, and we can continue to do it next time.
If it fails this time, it means there's a problem with the elixir's formula, or the lightning it attracts is either too strong or too weak. We'll try to improve it next time.
In short, the answer is: lightning must be drawn, and elixirs must be refined; no one can stop the Daoist from cultivating immortality.
Yang Shaofeng was a little confused.
While you might call these old Taoist priests superstitious, they at least know how to ground the copper wire.
These old Taoist priests talk about science, yet they never forget about cultivating immortality and alchemy.
Yang Shaofeng couldn't help but ask, "Have you Taoist priests ever thought about what exactly lightning is all about?"
Several old Taoist priests turned around and, seeing that it was Yang Shaofeng and Zhu Biao who had arrived in person, reluctantly stood up and bowed in greeting.
One of the Taoist priests said, “The Huainanzi says: When yin and yang interact, they become thunder; when they ignite, they become lightning. The Dream Pool Essays says that Li Shun’s family was struck by a thunderbolt, which shattered metal and stone, but not a single plant was destroyed.”
"The Spring and Autumn Annals says that tortoiseshell can suck up a needle, the Lunheng·Luanlong chapter says that Dunmou can pick up a mustard seed and a magnet can attract a needle, and the Bowuzhi says that combs and untangled knots that have light also make a sound."
"Moreover, the old Taoist priest also noticed something."
"Palaces, houses, temples, pagodas and other high places with chiwen (a type of mythical beast) or pagoda finials can often be protected from lightning. People can also avoid the light and sound of combing their hair and taking off their clothes by holding an iron object in front of them."
"From this perspective, we mortals often see thunder and lightning, but the thunder and lightning in the sky are bright and loud, while the thunder and lightning in the mortal world are weak and quiet."
"What we are doing today is to try and see if we can draw upon this divine fire for our own use as mortals."
"If one can achieve this, even if one cannot ascend to immortality, how is one different from an immortal or a god?"
Several old Taoist priests, their spirits high and their minds filled with boundless joy, seemed to be more than immortals themselves.
Yang Shaofeng was completely stunned.
Just how deep is the knowledge of these seasoned experts?
I've read quite a few books, but I've only read small parts of works like "Huainanzi," "Dream Pool Essays," and "Record of Diverse Things." As for the rest, I've never even heard of "Examination of Strange Things in the Spring and Autumn Annals" and "Discourses Weighed in the Balance."
But these old Taoist priests in front of me can quote from these books at will.
Moreover, this old Taoist priest with a bull's nose compared the static electricity generated when combing his hair and taking off his clothes to the lightning in the world. Although it sounds a bit strange, there doesn't seem to be any problem with the underlying principle.
The problem is that you guys are so awesome, which makes me look like a complete idiot!
Yang Shaofeng suddenly had a mischievous urge and asked, "Reverends, you should know what a telescope is, right?"
The old Taoist priest with the bull-nose who had just answered grunted and said, "Of course we know. We even had a special telescope made for stargazing and moon-gazing."
Yang Shaofeng smiled and was about to speak when the old Taoist priest with the bull's nose interrupted, "This old Taoist knows what the Prince Consort wants to ask."
"There is no Chang'e on the moon, or rather, there is Chang'e, but we mortals cannot see the traces of immortals and gods."
"The other stars are either near or far. The near ones are as close as the moon, while the distant ones are indistinct and difficult to see clearly. I suppose they are about the same."
"Your Highness, you'd better stop thinking about the Moon Goddess Chang'e."
Ok?
Yang Shaofeng was completely dumbfounded.
These old Taoist priests all seem to have some serious illness.
It's like they themselves jumped off a 19-meter-high platform and then kept shouting to make people believe in science—it's utter nonsense.
Furthermore, when did I ever have any interest in the fairy Chang'e?
If this gets out, what will become of my image?
Yang Shaofeng was feeling annoyed when Zhu Biao chuckled gloatingly beside him: "Brother-in-law is still thinking about the Moon Goddess Chang'e? Does my sister know?"
The old Taoist priest next to him seized the opportunity to add insult to injury: "Your Highness, do not worry. The Prince Consort is now a mortal and cannot bear to see the fairy Chang'e."
Another Taoist priest stroked his beard and said, "That may not be the case. According to common sense, Your Highness is the reincarnation of the Ziwei Star Lord, and the Prince Consort should be the mortal assistant of the Wenqu Star Lord. Perhaps Princess Funing and Princess Fuyang are the reincarnations of the Moon Goddess Chang'e."
Zhu Biao's eyes lit up, and he looked directly at Yang Shaofeng and asked, "Brother-in-law, do you think Sister Jin'er is the Moon Goddess? Or do you think Sister Yu'er is the Moon Goddess?"
Yang Shaofeng's eyes widened immediately.
Can't you Taoist priests with your old noses still be human?
Just because I sent people to arrest you and bring you to Dengzhou University, you've been thinking about taking revenge on me all the time.
And you, you black sesame dumpling! I've tricked you a few times, and I'm bound to feel some resentment, but you're using this issue to make things difficult for me. Isn't this just blatantly forcing me to sleep in the study?
You guys are all inhuman!
Just as Yang Shaofeng was pondering how to retaliate, several students who were busy on the scaffolding had already prepared the iron rods for attracting lightning and returned to report to the old Taoist priests.
The leading student first bowed to Zhu Biao and Yang Shaofeng, then cupped his hands to the old Taoist priest and said, "Sir, there will definitely be thunderstorms in the next few days, and we can see for ourselves then."
Yang Shaofeng looked up at the sky, then at the scholar.
Observing celestial phenomena?
Did you observe the celestial phenomena last night?
It seems like the University of Denzhou doesn't teach them this kind of nonsense, does it?
The old Taoist priests completely ignored what Yang Shaofeng was thinking. Instead, they excitedly gathered around the wooden scaffolding, their eyes glazed over as they stared at a pill furnace at the bottom of the scaffolding.
His appearance was like that of a short, ugly person on a bus, making him repulsive.
Yang Shaofeng was already in a bad mood, and seeing their expressions only made him angrier.
After a moment's thought, Yang Shaofeng laughed in a very wicked way: "I just heard some Taoist priests say that people cannot withstand being refined by lightning."
"Then, when the thunderstorm starts, who will operate this alchemy furnace?"
Who added the medicine?
"Or do you Taoist priests plan to store the pills in advance?"
"Putting the pills in advance might affect their efficacy."
Yang Shaofeng stabbed the hearts of several old Taoist priests one knife at a time.
However, the old Taoist priest with the bull-nose rolled his eyes and snorted, "There are short and ugly guys at the medical school. It shouldn't be a problem for me to borrow one or two, right?"