Sovereign of the Ashes-Chapter 1620: Genetic Mucus

Inside the wreckage of a uniquely shaped black warship, Sein studied with keen interest the fossilized remains of an ancient creature that had recently been retrieved from the heart of the vessel.

“This warship did not belong to the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization!” Master Howard had declared with absolute certainty the moment it was discovered.

His primary mission was to investigate relics tied to the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization.

As a result, once the origin of this black warship had been confirmed, he quickly moved on. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

At present, the task of collecting data and specimens inside the warship was being handled mainly by a group of Rank Four mages.

Sein was one of only two Rank Five mages on site.

The other was Poblu, an elderly man whose hair and eyebrows were entirely white.

He looked even older than Gilbert and Howard, yet his authority over the exploration was lower than Howard’s.

Master Howard was the sole individual entrusted with overall authority over the exploration of this top-tier civilization’s ruins.

Although Sein was also a Rank Five mage, his role here leaned more toward security and support rather than decision-making.

After spending some time among these specialized experts of the Magus Civilization, Sein began to notice a clear pattern.

Their life levels were generally low.

Master Gilbert, who had devoted the longest time to inert crystal research in Magus World and possessed the deepest understanding of the subject, was only a Rank Four mage.

Likewise, Master Howard and Master Poblu both held immense authority in the exploration of ruins and ancient civilizations, yet neither stood out in terms of life level.

Given that the Magus Civilization’s leadership had specifically appointed Master Howard as the sole authority over this site, his expertise in ruin exploration must have ranked among the very best within Magus Civilization.

After some reflection, Sein came to a simple conclusion that scholarly achievement had little to do with life level.

Master Gilbert’s understanding of inert crystals was likely beyond even many Rank Six mages.

The field was simply too specialized, much like ruins exploration and ancient civilization research.

What truly gifted mage would choose such a niche field as their main path?

In Sein’s eyes, the low life levels of Masters Gilbert, Poblu, and Howard were closely tied to the fact that they had, in a sense, chosen the wrong path.

The essence of inert crystals has no direct effect on raising one’s life level.

Likewise, exploring ruins and studying ancient civilizations have nothing to do with that

Seeing the situations of Master Gilbert and the others, Sein could not help but think of his first mentor, Morsidor.

After wasting too many years and too much energy on alchemy, Morsidor was still only a Rank One mage at more than eight hundred years old.

By comparison, Sein was already Rank Three by the time he was eight hundred.

Such was the result of choosing the wrong paths.

Alchemy itself did not directly raise a mage’s life level, but mastery over mainstream elemental forces certainly did.

Sein’s public identity had always been that of a Pyromancer.

“Master Sein, take a look at this massive creature! Its flesh has remained undecayed even after millennia, and its skin is still tough. Its physical strength must have rivaled that of a Rank Five being when it was alive! And this does not appear to be natural growth—there are clear signs of artificial catalysis and guided mutation...” Poblu hurried over, his face lit with childlike excitement.

He was holding a specimen vial and clearly must have stumbled upon something remarkable.

Sein glanced at the reagent in Poblu’s hand, then at the ancient remains within the wreckage.

“Is it something like an undead chimera of our Magus World?” he asked.

The undead chimeras of Magus World were also artificially created, their forms altered and guided through magic arrays and potions.

In terms of combat strength, they could rival creatures of the same rank, with the added trait of showing no fear of death.

Their greatest weakness, however, was their limited intelligence. As man-made creations, they could not be expected to match the intellect of true sentient life.

Moreover, no matter how refined, they inevitably suffered from physiological and genetic flaws.

Many of these undead chimeras would experience sudden genetic collapse during battle, breaking down into pools of blood and flesh particles.

Within the Magus Civilization, Blackhaven’s black mages made the most extensive use of such synthetic creatures, followed by necromancers, umbramancers, and a small number of summoners.

Hearing Sein’s question, Poblu paused, then nodded. “Yes, they are remarkably similar to the undead chimeras of our Magus World.”

“This combat beast cultivation method from the Black Merlot Civilization would surely attract the interest of our own undead chimera researchers back home. The ancient creature gene fluids we discovered in these ruins, too. Unfortunately, I’m not a specialist in this area, so I cannot decipher their secrets for now,” Poblu said with a sigh.

This was the beauty of academic observation. Relying solely on independent research and breakthroughs made technological progress painfully slow.

The most efficient approach was to study and adapt technologies already developed by others.

“Could I have some of the ancient biological tissue samples from the Black Merlot Civilization discovered in these ruins, along with the genetic mucus found there, for my own research?” Sein asked.

Poblu’s eyes widened. “Of course! Master Sein, you’re one of our researchers. Taking a few specimens for your own use is entirely reasonable!”

With that, Poblu immediately instructed two nearby Rank Four mages to bring over several samples they had recently collected during their excavations.

Sein had little personal interest in archaeology and had done only limited research in undead chimera synthesis.

His request for the flesh samples and genetic mucus was mainly intended as future gifts for Leena.

When the genetic mucus was presented before him, the liquid—aged for countless eons—unexpectedly gave off a faint, unusual fragrance.

Black Oblivion, who had been roaming through the ruins, followed the scent and reached here at some point.

He smacked his lips and asked, “What’s this stuff? Smells pretty good.”

Having tasted countless rare delicacies, Black Oblivion felt a strange attraction to the substance. It was as if an ancient craving buried deep within his bloodline urged him to consume it, promising unseen benefits.

Of course, Sein would never allow Black Oblivion to casually drink a genetic fluid that had existed for tens of millions of years.

Without fully understanding its function or effects, letting him consume it recklessly could lead to unpredictable consequences.

Still, watching Black Oblivion’s eyes gleam as he stared at the genetic mucus, Sein found himself intrigued as well.

Although he was not an expert in undead chimera synthesis, Sein was an apothecary trained under the renowned Lorianne.

With his current abilities, he should be more than capable of identifying the basic properties of this genetic mucus.

And if someone were willing to be his tester or taster, the pace of research would undoubtedly increase.

Besides, a Rank Four dragon with such a powerful bloodline was hardly something that could be poisoned easily.

With that in mind, Sein casually asked, “You want to sample this genetic mucus? You can help us test the medical properties of the potions made from it.”

At the suggestion, Black Oblivion showed no hesitation at all. He nodded immediately. “Sure!”

He licked his lip, looking almost eager.