Immortal Cage - Chapter 55: Ingesting Lead, Consuming Mercury
Lao Yu Tou was enjoying himself, casually reaching out to touch the female Daoist beside him, causing her to gasp softly, "Dislike it!"
He chuckled and replied to Yu Lie, "Yes, the Bone-Forging Pill."
A look of regret appeared on Lao Yu Tou's face, "It's a pity, even with the assistance of the Bone-Forging Pill, in order to complete the transformation of bronze tendons and iron bones, one still needs to roast oneself in the furnace, like a roasted duck or suckling pig. The Bone-Forging Pill can only skip the step of skinning and pouring bones later."
"The old brother has old bones that are hard to bear, unable to enjoy such blessings!" the other person chattered on.
Upon hearing the three words "Bone-Forging Pill" from the other person, Yu Lie felt something amiss in his heart. Now hearing directly that the Bone-Forging Pill could skip the step of "pouring oil on the bones," he couldn't stay calm.
Suppressing his thoughts, Yu Lie's expression turned strange as he said, "In Lao's mouth, the Bone-Forging Pill is the medicine that burns bones and consumes marrow, right?"
In fact, Yu Lie was not unaware of the shortcuts and easy methods involved in the transformation of "bronze tendons and iron bones."
For example, taking Ma Fei San, strong alcohol, and other substances to first lose consciousness, then asking others to help with the bone-pouring process, was one such easy method.
However, this method was not very safe. Depending on the skill of the person performing the procedure, the effects of the transformation varied, and it also hindered the digestion and absorption of the Daoist later on.
There was a method rumored to completely avoid the bone-pouring process, but Yu Lie vaguely remembered it as a demonic method that would damage the Daoist's foundation, so he never delved into it.
Hearing Yu Lie mention "medicine for burning bones and consuming marrow," Lao Yu Tou's eyes widened suddenly. He sat up straight, staring intently at Yu Lie's body.
This action by Lao Yu Tou puzzled Yu Lie.
Lao Yu Tou carefully examined Yu Lie for a moment before finally relaxing and saying, "Younger brother Yu, the way you spoke almost made me think you had been deceived into taking that Bone-Forging Pill meant for burning bones and consuming marrow. Fortunately, fortunately, looking at your robust physique, vigorous blood and energy, without any signs of stiffness, you should be fine."
These words made Yu Lie both suspicious and slightly relieved.
Before Yu Lie could respond, Lao Yu Tou lay back down and turned over.
Muttering to himself, the other person said, "If not the Bone-Forging Pill, could it be a type of medicine like the Tiger Fetus Muscle Strengthening Pill? Yes, Younger Brother Yu comes from a prestigious family, so there must be such good medicines in the clan. After all, the Bone-Forging Pill is inferior..."
Under the subtle probing of Yu Lie, Lao Yu Tou, while enjoying the massage, rambled on and on.
It turned out that the Bone-Forging Pill mentioned by the other party belonged to the category of medicines known to Yu Lie that burned bones and consumed marrow, but without the harmful effects of the Tiger Fetus medicine.
In the process of transforming into "bronze tendons and iron bones," although the official Daoist scriptures mentioned the need to skin and pour bones, this step was too painful. Even with the use of anesthetics, many Daoists could not bear it.
Therefore, the Daoists researched a method to completely avoid the "skinning and pouring bones" process, which involved ingesting pills made from lead and mercury to refine and strengthen the tendons and bones. Through the circulation of blood and qi, the medicinal properties would be activated, allowing the lead and mercury to settle into the person's bones day by day, making the tendons and bones strong as copper and iron.
After taking the pills, the Daoists would then roast their bodies with fierce flames, completing the transformation into bronze tendons and iron bones.
This method was much simpler compared to what Yu Lie had chosen, especially for the Daoist disciples in Blackwater Town, making it more convenient. Therefore, almost ninety percent of the middle-ranking Daoist disciples in Blackwater Town used this method to advance.
However, the Bone-Forging Pill was prohibited from being sold in official alchemy workshops. It was only available in the black market of the town, which also had its risks.
Since the Bone-Forging Pill contained internal lead and mercury, no matter how well it was refined, it was still a heavy metal pill. The internal organs of the Daoist disciples were still fragile, unable to ingest even spiritual stones, only being able to apply them externally. Ingesting toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and quartz was impossible to digest and eliminate from the body.
For Yu Lie, even though he cultivated poison techniques, before reaching a certain level, if he took lead and mercury pills, he would still face a short life, organ deterioration, and poisoning.
For other Daoist disciples, the consequences would be even more severe, possibly leaving them with lifelong unresolved issues.
Listening carefully, Yu Lie's strange expression gradually faded, thinking to himself, "Fortunately, fortunately."
After hearing what Lao Yu Tou said, Yu Lie disdainfully dismissed the so-called "Bone-Forging Pill."
Of course, Yu Lie was more grateful that he had not suffered in vain, not having brought trouble upon himself.
On the side, Lao Yu Tou continued to mutter, "In the town, people are still being deceived. These people are greedy for cheap deals. Even if they advance, whether their strength increases or not is another matter. They still have to spend a large sum every month to buy inferior Bone-Forging Pills from others... Those pills will slowly kill them, and not taking them will lead to a quick death. Occasionally, their bones will itch, unbearable. Their lives and fortunes are completely controlled by others."
The situations described by Lao Yu Tou were precisely the inferior products among the Bone-Forging medicines, extremely harmful and poisonous!
However, even the best Bone-Forging pills were only slightly lower in lead and mercury content in each pill, and the consumption before transformation was as long as possible. They were supplemented with other herbs, flesh, and even beast materials to minimize damage to the internal organs.
Taking these good medicines would still result in a lifespan of only one or two decades, reducing the probability of advancing to the eighth-grade Daoist disciple.
At this moment, Yu Lie suddenly understood. Why were the ninth-grade Daoist disciples, who were already practitioners, all short-lived, easily losing their lives, and dying young?
Perhaps, the root cause lay in medicines like the Bone-Forging Pill.
Yu Lie silently thought to himself, "Shortcuts are indeed not the best path."
Taking anesthetics, asking for help, at most delayed digestion and weakened the body. But taking lead and mercury pills was like drinking poison to quench thirst, destroying one's foundation and leaving behind endless toxins.
However, with more people in the town doing it, it became normalized.
After all, everyone was a ninth-grade short-lived ghost, who could laugh at whom?
In the teahouse, Lao Yu Tou timely muttered, "I wonder which kind of ruthless or honest person would truly follow what's written in the scriptures and torture themselves."
He clicked his tongue, shaking his body, "Younger Brother Yu, remember! You must not provoke such people, try to avoid them as much as possible."
Upon hearing this, Yu Lie turned his head with a smile on his face, saying, "Indeed, cannot provoke."
In the teahouse, the two of them enjoyed each other's company, their relationship becoming more harmonious.
After a session of massage and cleansing, Yu Lie felt as if he had entered a new world.
He discovered that techniques like massage and moxibustion effectively invigorated the tendons and bones, greatly relieving physical fatigue and enhancing the quality of cultivation. Especially after completing the transformation into bronze tendons and iron bones, the effects of the massage were immediate. The service provided by the female Daoist was more effective than resting at home for two to three days.
No wonder Lao Yu Tou had specifically brought Yu Lie over to enjoy this today.
Poor Yu Lie had only been massaging others before, but now he truly experienced it, making him feel that he had been lacking and missing out...
After nearly half a day had passed, Yu Lie and Lao Yu Tou leisurely left the teahouse.
The former was spirited and thoughtful, while the latter was holding his old waist, muttering to himself, "Struggle, must struggle."
Hearing this, Yu Lie smiled and said, "Very well! Then, Lao Yu, why not settle the bill for this place for me!"
After today's enjoyment, Yu Lie did not have to pay. Since Lao Yu Tou was a regular customer who often enjoyed the teahouse's services, he was already a seasoned patron. Not only did he know the girls in the teahouse like the back of his hand, but he could also get a discount on the bill, making it quite affordable.
Upon hearing Yu Lie asking for the bill, Lao Yu Tou didn't hold back and immediately stood up, waving his hand towards Yu Lie, saying, "Younger Brother Yu, I still have to go on duty, so I bid farewell!"
Yu Lie shook his head, chuckled, turned around, and walked in the opposite direction.
After the enjoyment, he still had to go to the library to receive the second level of the "Five Poisons Refining Organs Guidance Technique" and other benefits.