358: Chapter 358: They're all damn pigeons

In the living room.

After Celestial Master Zhang's shocking statement, no one spoke for a long time.

They were stunned, completely unable to respond.

A genius of the mystical arts with twenty-nine years of cultivation, in front of more than twenty experts, declared that Jiang Zhe had translated the Dao of Heaven into physics.

The weight of these words was far too heavy!

Fortunately, the live chat broke the silence first.

"Celestial Master Zhang's words gave me goosebumps all over."

"He's not acting; he has truly had an epiphany!"

"The number one figure in metaphysics is admitting in front of the entire nation that what Brother Jiang said is the Dao of Heaven, and it is the Dao of Heaven through physics!"

"This carries more weight than any academic certification!"

Soon, the experts also began to communicate in amazement.

Professor Chen Runzhi said with an incredulous look: "I have studied history my whole life, but I never thought the Dao could be explained using physical models."

Old Qian, who was nearby, said: "Jiang Zhe isn't just talking about a hypothesis; he is explaining the underlying operating logic of the universe."

Lin Chen chimed in: "The most terrifying part is that this is actually verifiable—dark energy fluctuations, déjà vu frequencies, and the correlation of global events can all be verified."

Ouyang Baili looked at Old Wu, filled with admiration: "Old Wu, I've been doing Quantum Mechanics for thirty years and have never thought about this problem from this angle; he alone has connected metaphysics and physics within this hypothesis."

Old Wu shook his index finger: "This isn't just connecting them; it's unifying metaphysics and physics within this hypothesis."

"..."

The discussion was heated; everyone in the living room was trying to digest Jiang Zhe's remarks using their own knowledge.

At this moment, thousands of miles away at Wudang Mountain.

An old Taoist priest with white hair and beard sat before a classical sandalwood table, his tablet computer playing Jiang Zhe's live stream.

He was an old friend of the Old Celestial Master of Qingfeng Temple in the capital. His Taoist name was Qingxuan, he was ninety-three years old, and he had practiced for over sixty years.

He was originally just curious: how could the Old Celestial Master's junior proactively go to listen to a young man's lecture?

He watched for a few minutes, and his expression changed from nonchalant to serious, then from serious to shocked.

When Celestial Master Zhang stood up and said those words, sharp light erupted from Old Taoist Qingxuan's eyes.

The old Taoist's body trembled uncontrollably.

Seeing this, three young Taoists nearby gathered around: "Grandmaster Uncle, what's wrong?"

Old Taoist Qingxuan did not respond. He closed his eyes, had an epiphany for a long time, and then slowly spoke:

"He is preaching the Dao; but this is not a metaphor, not a fable; he is truly preaching the Dao."

"Things passed down by the ancestors for two thousand years have been explained using physics by a twenty-five-year-old young man."

A refined and handsome young Taoist couldn't help but ask: "Is it better than what Celestial Master Zhang of Qingfeng Temple preaches?"

Old Taoist Qingxuan said something that shocked the three of them: "Your Celestial Master Zhang, who is far away at Qingfeng Temple in the capital, only had his epiphany after listening to Jiang Zhe's words. What do you think?"

After he finished, the three young Taoists were stunned on the spot, their gazes landing on Jiang Zhe.

Someone who is not from the mystical arts world managed to use science to convince Senior Brother Zhang, the current number one master of metaphysics?

Meanwhile, in dozens of Taoist temples across the country, including Mount Qingcheng, Mount Longhu, and Mount Lao, similar scenes were playing out.

Regardless of age, Taoists gathered together, reminiscing about the scene where Jiang Zhe explained the [Great Dao of Physics] to Celestial Master Zhang, leading him to an epiphany.

After listening, every person from the mystical arts world had sharp light in their eyes, their hearts beating uncontrollably fast.

For a long time, in the live stream, users who identified as Taoist priests couldn't hold back.

"I'm from Mount Longhu; our abbot has been standing in the hall without moving."

"To the person above, is your abbot dead?"

"Don't talk nonsense, that's an epiphany."

"Checking in from Maoshan; our senior brother says this is the closest interpretation to the Dao in five hundred years; it's even more awesome than Li Chunfeng—that's his honest opinion!"

"Wudang Mountain +1; my old master just cried; he said he has waited his whole life for this."

"Mount Qingcheng; our abbot says he wants to burn this live stream onto a disc and offer it before the ancestors' spirit tablets—then put headphones on the tablets so they can listen to it in heaven."

"Passerby here, have to say, you guys are very fashionable!"

"..."

At this moment, the number of people in the live stream quietly climbed to 80 million; this was already a phenomenal, super-hit live stream.

Even some high-level leaders of Xia were watching secretly at home, occasionally exclaiming in wonder or curiosity, and sometimes giving a thumbs up to Jiang Zhe on the TV.

In the living room, the professors' discussion continued.

Jiang Zhe did not disturb them, just sat quietly on the sofa.

After the noise gradually subsided, he slowly said: "Taoist Master Zhang, as long as you understand."

After finishing, he stood up: "Alright, let everyone take a break; those who want to go to the restroom can go, or you can go to the tree behind the courtyard to take care of it. Get close to nature; the big trees and little flowers will thank you!"

The professors were stunned for a moment, then smiled knowingly.

They didn't expect young friend Jiang Zhe to be so carefree; the atmosphere that had been tense all afternoon loosened at this moment.

Jiang Zhe turned and walked up to the second floor.

People on the scene stood up one after another; some walked to the restroom, some went to the tree behind the courtyard, and more gathered in the courtyard of the Chinese-style villa, continuing to discuss in small groups.

Outside the villa's main gate, many reporters and passersby were still gathered.

Such a private academic discussion of the century was a rare big news story, especially since the protagonist of this big news was a scientist who emerged from the internet!

At Jiang Zhe's doorstep, under the huge camphor trees on both sides of the concrete ground, especially on the flower beds, sat over a dozen photographers. There were twenty or thirty cameras set up on the concrete, and flashlights went off from time to time.

When a reporter saw a professor come out, they immediately raised their microphone and squeezed forward.

"Professor Chen, Professor Chen, could you talk about your feelings today?"

Professor Chen Runzhi stopped, straightened his collar, faced the camera, and looked solemn.

"A worthwhile trip."

"It seems today's academic discussion in the afternoon was very beneficial to you; may I ask if the meeting is adjourned or?"

"It's a break!"

The reporter waited for a moment, and finding he didn't continue, hurriedly asked:

"Specifically, what did Mr. Jiang Zhe talk about that impressed you?"

Professor Chen Runzhi thought for a moment: "He made me rethink the word 'interdisciplinary.' A twenty-five-year-old young man who can connect Quantum Mechanics, psychology, neuroscience, and religious studies—this is not an issue of knowledge, but a matter of mindset."

"While I am a senior in history, I have never seen such talent in my teaching career."

"He is!"

Speaking of this, Professor Chen Runzhi paused for a moment; the reporter waited with eyes shining.

"The greatest genius of the 21st century—I mean theoretical genius—without a doubt!"

"It seems you hold Mr. Jiang Zhe in very high regard!"

Once this was said, the nearby reporters were full of excitement, sniffing out the scent and coming over.

Another reporter immediately shoved the microphone in front of Ouyang Baili: "Professor Ouyang, you are a Quantum Mechanics expert; how do you evaluate Mr. Jiang?"

Ouyang Baili answered strictly: "I've spent thirty years in the quantum field and have seen countless geniuses; but he is not a genius; he is a different kind of creature. A genius achieves the ultimate within the existing framework; he redraws a box outside the framework and then convinces all of us."

"Wow!!!"

Hearing Ouyang Baili's evaluation, the old, middle-aged, and young reporters gasped, and the flashlights flickered rapidly.

Soon, another reporter squeezed in front of Academician Zhang: "Academician Zhang, what do you think is Mr. Jiang's greatest characteristic?"

"Characteristic?" Academician Zhang replied without hesitation: "Humility. He clearly knows more than all of us, yet he never adopts the posture of lecturing; he is just talking with us; and the content that comes out makes us feel ashamed of our inferiority!"

"He is a true generalist genius!"

After the evaluation, Academician Zhang saw the professors around him turning back: "Sorry, break time is limited; Mr. Jiang is still waiting for us."

Inside the villa, in the large bedroom on the second floor.

Xiao Yu followed him in and saw her brother standing before that super astronomical telescope, opening the window to let the breeze in, gazing at the distant green fields.

Fortunately, there were no sneaky people in the villa's backyard.

This was the place where he bought this villa; there were almost no buildings in sight.

"Brother, what are you doing?"

Jiang Zhe turned around: "Have you ordered dinner?"

Xiao Yu was stunned; only then did she remember that she had been so focused on the live stream that she had forgotten this.

"Ah, ah, no, no."

"Go order it; don't keep them waiting. After the lecture ends in a while, those who are willing to stay can stay; otherwise, it will seem lonely at night."

"Lonely... Oh, oh!"

Xiao Yu nodded and turned to run downstairs.

She didn't think anything was abnormal; her brother was always thoughtful, afraid the guests would be hungry, afraid the villa would be lonely—it was normal.

She didn't think too much about it.

On the first floor, the old, middle-aged, and young professors returned one after another.

Jiang Zhe walked down from the second floor, sat back on the sofa, and looked at everyone: "Alright, let's continue."

The atmosphere in the living room tightened up again.

Time passed minute by minute, and the sky outside gradually darkened.

The lights and red lanterns around Jingan Manor gradually lit up, making people linger in the joy of the New Year.

Since the villa area was a high-end residential area, no one was setting off firecrackers; it couldn't be ruled out that someone might set them off later, but at this moment, one could only faintly hear a few fireworks from a thousand meters away.

At 6 PM, the dinner Xiao Yu ordered arrived.

For the health of the scholars, what Xiao Yu ordered was not the five-star hotel feast from noon, but steamed whitefish, stir-fried river shrimp, lotus root stir-fry, white assorted platter, gourd duck, and Aozao noodles, as well as green sticky rice balls for dessert.

Of course, there were also the long fish noodles from Jiang Zhe and Xiao Yu's hometown.

Simple and easy, with little cooking smoke, but the aroma filled the entire living room.

"Sorry for the poor hospitality;" Xiao Yu bowed gently to everyone, greeting them.

The professors shook their heads, especially Ouyang, Old Guan, Chen Runzhi, and Wang Shouren, who were native Beijingers. They looked at Xiao Yu with a look of disdain, as if to say: Why are you being so polite? Your brother doesn't treat us as outsiders, so why are you bowing to us? How distant that is!

But fortunately, the professors enjoyed this meal, tasting local specialties and some Jiangnan specialties.

"It's a pity; I heard that Brother Jiang is also a great cook. I've watched the live stream many times and wanted to eat his cooking." Academician Zhang said this after subconsciously wiping his mouth when he finished the long fish noodles.

This remark caused many old friends nearby to smile secretly, knowing what he meant.

Already over sixty, yet still calling 25-year-old Jiang Zhe "Brother Jiang."

However, it was clear that they were die-hard fans!

This caused the screen in the live room to be filled with [Hahahaha] from the users.

Dinner lasted forty minutes, and the dishes on the table were wiped clean.

When Xiao Yu was cleaning up the dishes, several professors scrambled to help, but she pushed them back with a smile.

"You are guests; I'll do it."

Chen Runzhi stood at the kitchen door, holding two empty plates, stubbornly refusing to let go: "Xiao Yu, you've been busy all day; take a break."

Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment, then smiled and took the plates.

After the meal, the professors stood up one after another, but they didn't intend to leave. Ouyang took the lead in suggesting a group photo, which got everyone interested.

After satisfying everyone's expectations, Jiang Zhe smiled slightly and bid farewell to them: "If Xiao Yu enters your fields in the future, I hope you will guide her. You will find most of my insights, knowledge, and techniques in her!"

Academician Zhang was the first to turn around with a solemn face. Looking at the earnest Jiang Zhe, especially a 25-year-old person showing the expression of an old father, the academician showed his first surprised smile of the day: "Why so formal? We are all bros!"

After he finished, Jiang Zhe was stunned first. Ouyang Baili, Old Wu, and others were also stunned, and then everyone looked at each other.

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became a bit awkward.

You usually act so pretentious; why did you suddenly change when it was time to leave?

Is it appropriate for a sixty-something-year-old guy to talk like that?

I don't know who was the first to break the silence, covering it up with laughter: "Hahaha, worthy of Academician Zhang, yes, yes, we are all bros!"

Once this was said, everyone on the scene reacted, and suddenly there was joyful laughter. Jiang Zhe also revealed a brilliant smile: "We are all bros!"

Then, the laughter became even more intense!

"Hahahaha!" xN

Even the seventy-plus million users in the live room burst into laughter, holding their stomachs.

"Laughing until I cried!"

"Hahaha, 63-year-old Academician Zhang Huaimin is actually such a playful old man; I love it, I love it!"

"Old friend, don't retire, I'm going to take your class."

"To the person above, academicians rarely teach classes; as long as you aren't too absent within three years, it's usually fine; so you won't be able to see Academician Zhang Huaimin."

"Wuwuwu~~~"

"Brother Jiang is still the most down-to-earth; in the live room, I can learn topics that even those academicians and scientists don't understand."

"Exactly, exactly, Brother Jiang is my god!"

"..."

After watching everyone leave, Jiang Zhe turned and went upstairs to the second floor alone, while Xiao Yu was responsible for continuing to see them off.