Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 5 Chemistry

Li Shiming’s awareness shifted back to the machine room, where he focused his attention on the generator.

The crank for the generator had become unnecessary; using his thoughts to manipulate the space, he detached the crank along with two sets of gears.

Constructing a manual centrifuge was a simple task once he had the crank and gears in hand.

Since he had already collected various wooden planks and tools within the machine room, all other required components were effortlessly fashioned through his mental control.

As he looked upon the world’s very first centrifuge, a realization struck him: if he could manipulate everything directly with his mind inside the machine room, what was the point of building this device?

The satisfaction of inventing the centrifuge evaporated instantly, prompting him to re-evaluate his approach.

During a two-hour window, various materials and case files were delivered to him. In that time, Si Qin returned with a small container holding over fifty Mother Hen Beads.

Li Shiming set up a stove and a sand pot. Declining Si Qin’s assistance, he began brewing the concoction following the prescription provided by Chief Escort Wang.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the processing of several materials had already commenced within his machine room.

For safety reasons, he used wooden boards to wall off a secluded corner of the machine room space.

He wanted to ensure that no chemical reactions would damage the equipment stored inside.

Under normal circumstances, it would be quite challenging to manually synthesize specific chemicals from these raw materials.

However, within the confines of the machine room where he held absolute control, the process became trivial.

He could perceive substances at a micrometer level and monitor every molecular change, making chemical experimentation incredibly straightforward.

Laboratories were unnecessary, as he could use his mind itself as the reaction vessel.

Phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, ammonium sulphate, glycerine, Acacia Poison Protein, and nitroglycerine were all synthesized by him. The fifty-plus Mother Hen Beads were deshelled and refined into a small quantity of liquid Acacia Poison Protein.

Few would guess that this tiny amount of liquid was the deadliest substance on earth, capable of killing many.

This was no longer a natural toxin, but a scientifically purified poison that arguably should not exist in this world.

Additionally, he produced several kilograms of nitroglycerine, which he sealed in airtight containers and moved into the machine room’s storage area.

By the time these tasks were finished, Li Shiming noted that the medicine on the stove was still brewing, highlighting the incredible efficiency of his mental operations within the machine room.

He weighed his plans carefully, refusing to underestimate Chief Escort Wang.

During his chemical work, Li Shiming realized he lacked a proper furnace; using wood as fuel within the machine room failed to produce sufficiently high temperatures.

While high heat wasn't strictly necessary for these specific experiments, he was already planning for the future.

He took up pen and paper, sketched out several components and materials, and sent his servant Mo Yan to procure them.

Mo Yan, who had been well-rewarded for his recent services, promised with a confident thump of his chest that the items would be delivered shortly.

Neither Si Qin nor Mo Yan questioned why Li Shiming was suddenly buying such bizarre items or brewing his own medicine.

While other Young Masters spent their time indulging in food, drink, and entertainment, their Young Master was merely purchasing harmless curiosities to gain knowledge—hardly a matter worth criticizing.

Li Shiming then examined the case files Mo Yan had brought. Such records were usually restricted, but as the son of the Magistrate, his requests were never denied by the Nanling Government Office.

The case reports were meticulously detailed, documenting the event from various angles.

The files included statements from the madam, dancers, staff, and patrons of the Tianxiang Building, alongside the official investigation findings, demonstrating high professional standards.

The Tianxiang Building was a renowned establishment in Nanling Prefecture. On the day of the incident, the third floor had been booked by the Weiyuan Escort Agency for Chief Escort Wang and seven other dart heads.

Suddenly, a man dressed in white appeared and slaughtered the seven dart heads.

Witnesses from the second floor reported that the reinforced flooring of the third floor was shattered by a monstrous force, causing Chief Escort Wang to fall through the gap before fleeing out a window.

The man in white, his legs glowing with a blue light, gave chase immediately.

None of the witnesses on the second floor could describe the assailant's face; it was as if a thick mist obscured his features.

Furthermore, the man in white projected such a terrifying aura that many onlookers lost control of their bowels on the spot.

The final entry in the records suggested that the man in white might be a Cultivator.

Upon seeing the word "Cultivator," Li Shiming felt a jolt of shock, as if he had been transported to a new world all over again. He was surprised to find that Cultivation existed here, a fact missing from his inherited memories.

This oversight wasn't the fault of the original host. The previous Li Shiming was a fifteen-year-old scholar who spent every waking hour buried in the Four Books and Five Classics.

The original host had very few friends due to his age and his obsession with his studies.

Typically, scholars in the city would socialize to discuss philosophy or enjoy leisure activities together.

However, it was difficult for a fifteen-year-old to fit into a circle of adult scholars.

In those circles, even men in their twenties were considered young, making someone of Li Shiming’s age an outlier.

It wasn't that Nanling Prefecture lacked young scholars, but brilliant youths only emerged once every decade or so, and Li Shiming’s predecessors had long since reached adulthood.

The former Li Shiming also disdained those who only sought to build social connections, leading to his isolation.

This lack of social interaction and his singular focus on Confucian texts had severely limited his worldview, leaving his memories filled mostly with academic study.

Li Shiming actually felt relieved by this, as it meant he didn't have to worry about acting out of character around close friends.

“It’s no wonder Chief Escort Wang is hiding in the government office; he’s being hunted by a Cultivator!” Li Shiming mused.

The fact that a Cultivator was pursuing Chief Escort Wang suggested the man possessed something of great value, which piqued Li Shiming’s curiosity.

If this were a mundane world, Li Shiming could use his current influence to secure a comfortable life.

But if this was a world of Cultivation, his strategy had to evolve.

The prospect of longevity and the freedom to roam between heaven and earth were the ultimate goals of life; he would pursue them, no matter how slim the odds.

Once the medicine was finished, Li Shiming had Si Qin bring a lunchbox and placed the bowl of brew inside.

“Si Qin, you don’t need to follow. I’m going for a stroll in the garden,” Li Shiming commanded as he took the lunchbox.

Leaving a confused Si Qin behind, he walked out of the courtyard.