173 Chapter 164: Convex Lens Imaging: Photography Box

Join my patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel along with weekly chapters mass release:

patreon.com/ZeroMoney

Announcement: I will mass release 15 chap of each book on Patreon for every five patrons I receive on my Patreon before 31st March.

I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated. 

*****

After the emergence of the water volleyball craze, it quickly swept through the Star Luo Royal Academy, with students even constructing similar venues in other river sections.

Clearly, it wasn't just Dai Weisi and his group who discovered the benefits of this training method.

Tang San didn't mind this at all.

This could hardly be considered some arcane secret; anyone could imitate it without much fuss.

However, Tang San himself didn't often participate in this training. Apart from practicing the secret techniques in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, studying the theory of martial souls, and discussing the production of soul tools with Guang Ling, he spent his time under the waterfall, where he had formed a Blue Silver Emperor rope. Standing on it, enduring the impact of the waterfall over fifty meters high, he trained his physique, practiced footwork, and improved his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track technique.

In the first half month, Tang San often fell, but after half a month, he gradually mastered the corresponding tricks and became increasingly proficient.

His footwork also became more agile and elusive.

In the past, the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track's footwork was eerie and seemed like ghostly shadows, quite terrifying. But now, Tang San's footwork was like a fairy gliding on ripples, nimble and agile.

Therefore, Tang San named it "Carefree Wind Control."

He hoped that one day, relying on this footwork, he could travel freely and leisurely across the world.

In addition to this, after Xiao Wu obtained her third soul ring, her speed increased, and she could now take nine steps in mid-air. Tang San also added a method specifically for traveling quickly to the Carefree Wind Control technique.

Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track focused on footwork and was adept at maneuvering in combat. With the improved Carefree Wind Control, it was the same, but now there was a method dedicated to speed: Heavenly Steps.

Thus, Carefree Wind Control had two modes of use: one for maneuvering in combat and the other for traveling swiftly.

Traveler's Dash, Nine Steps into the Sky.

According to Tang San's plan, each step could cover a hundred meters, utilizing the principle of borrowing force from the wind. The second step could cover two hundred meters, doubling each time, until the ninth step, which could cover twenty-five thousand six hundred meters, equivalent to twenty point five six kilometers.

At this speed, even titled Douluo who aren't specialized in speed would be left far behind.

However, Tang San could only execute up to the fourth step at present, covering eight hundred meters in a single leap, albeit with nearly half of his soul power consumed.

Fortunately, his Blue Silver Emperor's ability to restore soul power was extremely fast.

However, using the ninth step would require reaching at least the rank of Soul Saint. Additionally, his body would need to reach a certain level of strength, or else it might collapse due to the high speed.

After Tang San finished his training for the day, Xu Xing, who had some acquaintance with Tang San, Xiao Wu, Guang Ling, and Huo Wu, came to visit at the Star Luo Royal Academy.

However, apart from Tang San, the other three girls had no recollection of him whatsoever.

"Hello, Tang San, do you remember me?" Xu Xing stood by the shore, observing Tang San's well-proportioned and tight muscles with envy in his eyes.

Being from the Star Crown Sect, he couldn't achieve a physique as powerful as Tang San's, even though he could afford to consume thousand-year-level whale gel.

While training, he had considered imitating Tang San's footwork. However, lacking the Purple Demon Eye, he couldn't see Tang San's movements under the waterfall. Furthermore, executing the corresponding footwork would inevitably require integrating the corresponding soul power operation method. Mere imitation of the external would only backfire and might even harm himself.

Therefore, Xu Xing gave up on the idea.

"I remember you. You're Xu Xing from the Star Crown Sect. I wonder if you've come to realize the true situation of this world over the years?" Tang San's words had an underlying implication, making Xu Xing somewhat uneasy.

However, he was now completely and unequivocally certain that Tang San, just like himself, was a transmigrator of the modern world, not the Tang San of the Tang Sect.

"I have realized it. This world is vast. I once wanted to meet Zhu Zhuqing, but it was impossible. The people in my family never gave me a chance to interact with her..." Xu Xing sighed bitterly.

He had thought that by transmigrating and getting a second chance at life, especially in the Douluo world that he was familiar with, even without a system or similar cheats, he would surely be able to dominate, grasp power, and revel in the lap of luxury.

Then he realized he didn't get the Dragon Proud Sky copy.

Innate full soul power was indeed good, and his impressive cultivation speed meant that the elders in the sect wouldn't let him take too many risks.

For a sect, inheritance was paramount, not just peerless strength at the same level.

Moreover, in the eyes of the elders, the Star Crown martial soul could only go auxiliary or control routes. While other routes were possible, they would only result in mediocrity.

Tang San's published "Soul Master's Self-Analysis and Positioning" indirectly indicated that a soul master needed to identify the advantages of their martial soul and not be distracted.

If you don't have protagonist luck, don't walk the protagonist's path.

That would only bury your own talent.

Therefore, when he reached the second soul ring, even though he felt he could absorb a thousand-year-level soul ring after consuming whale gel, the elders in the sect didn't allow him to do so after examining his body. Instead, they chose a soul ring of over nine hundred years for him.

He also wanted to go near the Zhu family to see if he could coincidentally meet Zhu Zhuqing.

Then, he was directly taken away by the guardians arranged by the elders in the sect. Even though he threatened them, they ignored him. Instead, he was lectured: "Zhu Zhuqing is Dai Weisi's fiancée. You can interact with other Zhu family girls, but not her, unless you can impress the Emperor and Empress of Star Luo."

This made Xu Xing understand that the real Douluo Continent was different from the web novels. The identity of the prince's fiancée was there, and it wasn't something a disciple of his sect could independently interact with.

Although the Star Crown Sect supported Star Luo, the Star Crown family was even more so a vassal of the Dai family.

However, precisely because they were vassals, they needed to stay in their place.

If he were to contact Zhu Zhuqing, would the current Emperor of the Dai family think that the Star Crown Sect wanted to involve itself in the competition between the two "Spirit Hall Evil Emperors"?

Joining the Star Luo Royal Academy and conversing with Zhu Zhu Yun wouldn't cause any trouble, as she had already undergone martial soul fusion with Dai Weisi, and the two were intimate. He wouldn't have a chance.

But Zhu Zhuqing was different...

However, now that Zhu Zhuqing had returned to the Star Luo Empire and had dissolved her engagement with Dai Mubai, the martial soul resonance between her and Dai Mubai had disappeared.

Yet he still didn't have a chance.

It was apparent that Zhu Zhuqing seemed to have a favorable impression of Tang San.

Clearly, I'm not bad-looking myself!

"When you understand, focus on improving yourself first. Don't dwell on things that may or may not happen." Tang San wasn't sure what Xu Xing had experienced over the years, but since he had come to terms with reality, he probably wouldn't go out of his way to target him in the future.

"If I call you 'brother,' can you take me flying?" Xu Xing's eyes lit up with anticipation. If he couldn't beat him, he could join him. After all, this Tang San in front of him wasn't from the Tang Sect. Like himself, he was from the modern world, so he should be more approachable.

"I'm a refined egoist. I'm good at talking, but that won't get me any benefits."

With Xu Xing's talent, he might become the head of the Star Crown Sect in the future. He was a potential asset, but Tang San didn't think it necessary to become sworn brothers with Xu Xing.

When he succeeded, what did the Star Crown Sect, one of the lower four sects, have to fear?

There was no need to deliberately befriend him.

It wasn't that he feared Xu Xing, another transmigrator, plotting against him in secret. It was because the current situation of the Star Luo Empire was uncertain, and investing carelessly could lead to a loss with no return.

The Star Crown martial soul, resembling a crown, was tolerated by Dai Leisi. However, once Dai Weisi took office, it might not be the case.

In the original work, thousands of years later, the Star Crown line had actually become the royal family of the Star Luo Empire, while the White Tiger line had become princes...

Dai Mubai had no chance of ascending now, but Dai Weisi was even more suited to be emperor than Dai Mubai. To secure his throne, while he might not necessarily take action against the Star Crown Sect, he would definitely implement corresponding policies to balance the situation, thus truly making the Star Crown Sect serve the royal family.

Although Dai Weisi gave others in the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy a friendly and generous impression, Tang San could see his pride and dominance behind that amiability.

In this aspect, Xu Xing was definitely no match.

"Fair exchange?" Xu Xing cursed silently, knowing that the plan of trying to get something for nothing wouldn't work. He could only say, "What do you want? And what do you offer in exchange?"

"The various ancient books, documents, and martial soul data of the Star Crown Sect." Tang San replied without hesitation. "And in exchange, I'll help you plan a set of soul beast and soul ring combinations that best suit your martial soul."

"Farewell." Xu Xing clasped his hands and turned to leave.

Exchanging various ancient books and data of the Star Crown Sect for the selection of soul rings for the Star Crown martial soul?

He wasn't that foolish!

The selection of soul rings for the Star Crown martial soul already had a system in place. There was no need to follow Tang San's method. Besides, he suspected that Tang San might be trying to deceive him, just like when he mentioned the "Celestial Star Vine" in the past.

More importantly, Tang San wasn't sincere.

Couldn't he at least offer some unimportant Tang Sect techniques?

Just offering a set of soul ring selections, who was he trying to fool?

"It seems that this guy still doesn't understand the importance of soul rings to martial souls. Is it because he comes from a major sect and doesn't have a concept of it?" Tang San understood that this type of transmigrator without a golden finger most desired to seize was not just immortal herbs but also the Mysterious Heaven Technique.

However, if you call him 'brother,' and he imparts the Mysterious Heaven Technique, wouldn't this technique, which can absorb energy from heaven and earth without relying on martial souls, be too cheap?

Currently, the only ones who knew the Mysterious Heaven Technique were him, Guang Ling, and Xiao Wu.

Yes, Xiao Wu had also been taught the Mysterious Heaven Technique by Tang San.

"San Ge, who was that guy just now? What did you talk about?" Xiao Wu walked over, curious.

"Xu Xing, we met during our soul hunting in the Infinite Desert. He's from the Star Crown Sect," Tang San explained. "He wanted to make a deal with me, but he couldn't offer what I wanted."

"The kid who advised you to choose the Celestial Star Vine for your third soul ring?" Xiao Wu recalled. "What did he want to trade with you?"

"He didn't say explicitly, but I know he wanted my soul power manipulation technique."

"He's just daydreaming."

Tang San mused: The Mysterious Heaven Technique was indeed highly advanced, and it was undoubtedly one of the top cultivation methods in the world.

This, Xiao Wu could confirm. The speed of its cultivation was probably only comparable to those bizarre cultivation methods involving devouring.

"The gap between him and us will only widen, so we don't need to pay too much attention," Tang San understood. If one couldn't change the world, one had to adapt to it proactively.

Even modern transmigrators could only be assimilated by the environment.

Tang San was now grateful that he hadn't been born and raised in the Haotian Sect; otherwise, his personality might have been unknowingly altered...

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

In two months, Tang San and the others would return to the Tian Dou Empire.

Guang Ling found Tang San and presented a new type of soul tool she had created: the Photographic Box.

This Photographic Box combined three basic soul guide routes—light, darkness, and space. Its internal structure resembled that of a camera and could record images by injecting soul power.

The recorded images could also be projected onto a white cloth and played back.

However, because it was still in its initial version, the focusing device hadn't been designed yet, and there was no soul power storage device installed inside. Therefore, to play back the footage, the Photographic Box had to be manually held, positioned correctly, and continuously infused with soul power.

"Not bad. You're truly talented in soul tool research. But we need more people," Tang San hadn't expected that just by explaining the principle of pinhole imaging to Guang Ling, she would create something similar. Moreover, it could record videos, and the playback was in color, albeit without sound.

This was the correct use of soul tools.

However, research by just the two of them was limited in scope. They needed more people to join in.

"It's not that impressive," Guang Ling was modest in response to Tang San's praise.

"Let's go. Let's record the footage of Yu Tianheng and the others' water volleyball match against the Star Luo Royal Academy and then call them over to watch together."

Tang San wanted to see how convenient the Photographic Box was. If possible, during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, they might even be able to broadcast live across the continent.

Ahem!

Perhaps time was not enough, but recording the footage and projecting it onto a white cloth was also feasible.

In terms of influence, could newspapers compare to audiovisual advertisements?

When Xiao Wu, Huo Wu, Yu Tianheng, and others arrived at the temporary wooden house Tang San had built by the waterfall, Tang San closed the windows and covered them with an opaque cloth, plunging the room into darkness.

"Captain, what are you doing? Playing hide and seek?" Yu Feng couldn't help but ask.

"You'll find out soon," Tang San said, then turned to Guang Ling and said, "Show everyone your work."

Click, click!

The faint sound of gears turning filled the room, and light appeared. Guang Ling infused soul power into the Photographic Box. Light radiated from the black transparent lens at the front, projecting onto the white cloth in front of them.

Suddenly, the scene of Yu Tianheng, Huo Wu, Oscar, Ye Lingling, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and Yu Feng playing volleyball against the students from the Star Luo Royal Academy, including Dai Weisi, appeared on the white cloth.

Although there was no sound, the clarity of the images made them feel as if they were sealed within them.

It was truly astonishing.

"Captain, how did you do this?" Yu Feng's gaze shifted from the white cloth to the Photographic Box in Guang Ling's hands, unable to help seeking answers from Tang San.

"This is a Photographic Box. I provided a simple imaging principle, and then Guang Ling was responsible for researching and making it. You've seen its function: recording images and playing them back," Tang San said, gesturing for Guang Ling to stop infusing soul power and taking the Photographic Box from her hands to introduce it.

Ye Lingling asked, "What's the principle behind being able to record images?"

"Light and shadow," Tang San said, then cut a small circular hole in the curtain covering the window. The outside light shone in, falling onto the white cloth where the image was previously displayed.

At this moment, the image on the cloth was the scene outside with the waterfall and people walking on the rocky shore.

However, unlike the footage played by Guang Ling using the Photographic Box, this scene was very blurry, as if veiled by a layer of gauze, and it was also upside down.

The pinhole imaging experiment was showcased in front of Huo Wu, Yu Tianheng, and the others for the first time.

"This is the basic principle of how the Photographic Box works," Tang San explained. "Essentially, it's just the inversion of light, presenting the image. To put it in terms you can understand, it's like the reflection of a person's image on the water's surface. And this method projects the external environment onto the room's wall."

"This method can be achieved by ordinary people without soul power."

"It's just that they can't record it."

Ning Rongrong asked, "What's the use if ordinary people can do it? The image is still upside down and so blurry that it's dizzying."

Tang San took out a convex lens and placed it over the pinhole.

Instantly, the image on the wall became incredibly clear, indistinguishable from the footage played by Guang Ling using the Photographic Box earlier.

The only difference was that Tang San had placed a convex lens over the pinhole.

Ning Rongrong approached and found that the object in Tang San's hand was indeed a lens with thin edges and a thick center, not some other soul tool. She was amazed, "Just a lens can make the image so clear? Is this some kind of soul skill?"

"It's just a phenomenon. Light has speed and direction, and when light passes through a lens, refraction occurs," Tang San removed the convex lens, pulled aside the curtain covering the window, and handed the convex lens to Ning Rongrong. "I believe there must be many elders in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan who need to wear glasses to see clearly, right? That kind of lens is a convex lens."

Ning Rongrong placed the convex lens on top of a book, and through the lens, the words on it enlarged.

Afterwards, Tang San drew a simple schematic diagram of the convex lens imaging on paper, indicating that light has direction. When passing through a convex lens, the light converges at a point before diverging again. At the focal point, the light is concentrated, making it extremely hot.

On the other hand, with a concave lens, the light diverges, weakening the heat.

Ning Rongrong seemed to understand the principle of the Photographic Box's imaging, realizing that it involved an additional step of recording the image. Then she suddenly asked, "So, are our eyes also a kind of convex lens?"

"You could say that. The human brain is akin to us who were previously trapped in darkness. The pupil is like the small hole I made in the curtain covering the window, and the convex lens is like the clear and transparent convex lens in our pupils that can adjust its thickness."

Seeing Ning Rongrong able to make connections, Tang San naturally was willing to explain more. "As for why the image presented is upside down, it's because the previous room was not a real human brain and couldn't imagine, while our brains are extremely complex and can actively adjust and correct the image."

"As for why the image played by the Photographic Box is upright, it's actually very simple. Because the recorded image inside the Photographic Box is also upside down. When played, the light also passes through the convex lens and small hole, naturally turning the inverted image into an upright one."

The environment has a significant impact on a person's character, even for adults whose values ​​have already formed.

Taking an extreme example, if a person living in comfort suddenly enters a resource-poor environment, as long as they "live through" for a period of time, they will inevitably become cunning.

(End of this chapter)