The worm writhing beneath the flesh sent shivers down everyone's spine.
Liang Yinqiu, Xia Qi, and Li Yang had explored many ancient tombs and seen numerous corpses, possessing considerable psychological fortitude.
However, seeing such a bulge on a living person was still difficult to accept.
Liang Yinqiu fell silent, and Li Yang blushed slightly. It was Xia Qi who curiously asked, "Is that the Gu worm? Did the professors go mad because Gu worms burrowed into their bodies?"
"Actually, Gu worms aren't as mystical as you imagine. This type of Gu worm, upon entering the human body, likely releases some sort of neuroparalytic toxin. Notice its proximity to the spine; that's why the toxin spread so quickly. And the professors aren't truly mad; they've simply lost control of themselves."
Yan Shouyi's explanation completely shattered Liang Yinqiu and the others' understanding.
For a moment, Liang Yinqiu felt a pang of ignorance. She had been quick to jump to conclusions about things she didn't understand. Now that the veil had been lifted, the matter seemed so simple, explainable by existing science.
It was only because people were unwilling to accept or understand that they found it incredible.
Li Yang asked, "So, if we just dig out the Gu worm, will the professors be alright?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"When an octopus feels threatened, it squirts ink. When a lizard encounters danger, it sheds its tail to survive. Gu worms are the same. Once they sense danger, they won't stand idly by. At best, they'll cling to the host's flesh like ticks; at worst, they'll release lethal toxins, leading to a mutual demise with the host!"
Facing intellectuals like Liang Yinqiu, Yan Shouyi's explanations leaned more towards scientific reasoning, providing evidence and convincing arguments.
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
To everyone's surprise, it was Liang Yinqiu who spoke this time. Xia Qi and Li Yang found it unbelievable, and the tent fell into an sudden silence.
The pale-faced old Han walked in from outside. Seeing everyone quiet, he asked in confusion, "What's going on? Why is everyone so silent?"
At this critical juncture, no one explained to Old Han. Liang Yinqiu remained silent, perhaps out of pride, unwilling to concede.
However, Yan Shouyi didn't mind. He said, "I have a friend who is a descendant of ancient medicine. Dealing with something like this is a trivial matter for him. But there's no time to fetch him now, so let my wife handle it."
A flicker of curiosity appeared in Liang Yinqiu's eyes. She naturally remembered the beautiful Lin Zhitong but hadn't expected her to possess such abilities.
As Yan Shouyi went out to call Lin Zhitong, Xia Qi said with a smile,
"They say the frontier of science is theology. I don't agree with that statement, but Brother Yan has truly opened my eyes today. It turns out that many seemingly mystical matters can also be explained by science; it's just that we lack understanding."
Liang Yinqiu also nodded, "I'm starting to get interested in these things."
Scholars possess a strong thirst for knowledge, often stronger than their pride. If they are interested, they will pursue understanding at all costs.
In fact, Liang Yinqiu had encountered a bottleneck in her own field. However, after witnessing Yan Shouyi's skills and hearing his explanations today, she suddenly felt she had found a new direction!
Researching folklore!
Liang Yinqiu felt that folklore, while sounding mysterious, could be quickly mastered with her knowledge and a willingness to humble herself.
Li Yang felt the same way. However, unlike Liang Yinqiu, who merely thought it, Li Yang voiced it directly:
"Folklore is really nothing special. Even someone like Yan Shouyi, who lacks formal education, understands so much. If we were to research it, our achievements would certainly surpass his!"
Li Chongxi, upon hearing this, smiled without speaking.
Just as Li Yang finished speaking, Yan Shouyi entered with Lin Zhitong.
Lin Zhitong was as beautiful as a celestial being. Even in the muddy environment of the rain, she appeared spotless, unlike the disheveled Old Han.
Lin Zhitong paid no mind to the foul-smelling environment within the tent. After Yan Shouyi pointed out the location of the Gu worm on the professor, Lin Zhitong began chanting an incantation and shaking a soul-calling bell.
This scene was unexpected for Liang Yinqiu and the others. Yan Shouyi had just spoken of science, so why was Lin Zhitong immediately performing sorcery upon entering?
What surprised them even more was that after Lin Zhitong shook the soul-calling bell, the Shu Ling snake, which had been attached to it, actually came to life!
The small snake fell onto the professor and, under Lin Zhitong's command, burrowed directly into a wound on the professor's calf!
This sight left Liang Yinqiu and the others dumbfounded!
Immediately afterward, they could see the Shu Ling snake moving beneath the professor's flesh, slowly approaching the location of the Gu worm.
When the Shu Ling snake made contact with the Gu worm, the already writhing bulge trembled violently, as if the Shu Ling snake and the Gu worm were battling.
But soon, the bulge became still.
Only then did Yan Shouyi instruct the medical personnel to cut open the bulge.
As the bulge was cut open, it spewed out nauseating mucus, fortunately not splashing onto anyone.
From the opening, a worm resembling a centipede, limp and soft, fell out.
Upon closer inspection, the Shu Ling snake was coiled around the Gu worm. As the Gu worm flowed out of the wound with the blood, the Shu Ling snake released it and slowly crawled back towards Lin Zhitong.
Even more astonishing was that the Shu Ling snake emerging from the bulge was spotless, its body even reflecting a metallic sheen!
Lin Zhitong reached out and grasped the Shu Ling snake, placing it on the soul-calling bell. The snake instantly fell into a dormant state, motionless, becoming one with the bell.
At this point, the tent grew even quieter.
Li Yang stared, wide-eyed, at the Shu Ling snake on Lin Zhitong's wrist.
He had just been boasting, claiming that once he got involved, the mysteries of folklore would be easily unraveled, and that Yan Shouyi and his like were nothing special.
But in the next moment, Lin Zhitong entered and performed an operation that Li Yang completely failed to comprehend!
Why could that seemingly metallic snake be controlled and revived?
This was absolutely unscientific!
Liang Yinqiu's mind was a blank slate. Usually, when faced with a problem, she would explain it to her students on the spot. But today, she was truly speechless.
Seeing everyone's strange expressions, Yan Shouyi, unaware of what had happened, asked in surprise,
"What's wrong? This is just basic procedure. Believe me, I can explain the scientific basis behind it..."
Li Yang covered his ears and said, "No! Don't say it! I'm afraid if I hear it, my worldview will collapse!"