Chapter 388: The Six-Hundred-Year-Old Modification Project
Chapter 388: The Six-Hundred-Year-Old Modification Project
"Goodbye, Professor Carl!"
"See you tomorrow, Professor!"
"..."
As evening fell, the students in the laboratory left one by one, leaving Professor Carl alone to finish the remaining tasks. On the screen, data rapidly updated.
Standing before the laboratory equipment, Professor Carl sighed softly and placed the papers in his hand on the desk. His 'vision' extended beyond the laboratory in front of him.
The fragment of the divine realm was shrouded by intricate wizardry arrays, and within, it was also analyzing various creatures. These creatures dated back hundreds of years.
"Finally, some answers," he muttered to himself. "Over six hundred years ago, the genetic material of humans in the Eastern Kingdom Continent was artificially modified."
"Who did this?"
"And for what purpose?"
The Eastern Kingdom Continent was vast, with a human population in the billions. Modifying the genetic material of so many people would have been a massive undertaking, even for a Tier Six Upper God. Not to mention...
Why modify them? The modified humans didn't possess any special talents or evolve with unique abilities. They were no different from before, and if it weren't for my efforts in verifying this, even I wouldn't have noticed the difference."
"The gods of the Eastern Kingdom Continent were all ancient deities, each possessing Tier Six peak power even at their weakest. If the six gods were to unite, they would become a Tier Seven Primordial God."
Professor Carl pondered, "According to the Tome of the Wizard, Tier Seven Primordial Gods are transcendent and immortal, the most powerful beings in the universe."
"And yet, all the gods of the Eastern Kingdom Continent have fallen. If I could obtain the power that led to their downfall, protecting the supernatural world would no longer be an impossible task."
"Strange..."
Killing deities—he knew the Godslayer Spear could do it—but it was impossible to slay six deities at once. At least one of them had to survive.
After all, the Godslayer Spear required a deity's touch to unlock its god-slaying abilities; otherwise, it was just an ordinary weapon.
"Professor!"
A timid voice interrupted Professor Carl's train of thought. He snapped out of his reverie and looked towards the source of the voice.
"Oh, it's Barro!"
"Where have you been lately?"
Due to his involvement in the experiments, Barro's hair had been shaved off, and his face looked somewhat pale. He had escaped from the Nightwatch Organization's experimental base and came here after seeking refuge with the Nightwatch Organization.
"I..." Barro opened his mouth.
"I've been dealing with some issues recently."
"Barro," Professor Carl sighed and walked over. "You have a natural talent for biological genetics, and I appreciate your efforts, but this behavior is unacceptable."
"Since I took over the laboratory, you've had two consecutive incidents where you've been absent for extended periods."
"Perhaps..."
"This work isn't suited for you."
"Professor!" Barro's face turned deathly pale at his words. "Please, give me another chance! I'll work hard and won't let you down, Professor!"
"Why bother?" Professor Carl shook his head. "Researchers need not only talent and patience but also simple interpersonal skills."
"Your heart isn't in this. I can recommend you to the Bito Corporation, or..."
"You have your own connections."
"Professor," Barro mumbled, "Please, just one more chance!"
"..." Professor Carl was speechless. "Fine."
He nodded, as if remembering something, and casually took out a 4A-sized paper, handing it to Barro. "I found some information in the library, containing records of ancient deities."
"One of them is called the Master of Primal Essence. My eyesight isn't the best, so please read it to me."
"Deity?" Barro took the paper, his expression filled with disbelief.
"Is your experiment related to deities?"
"Not exactly," Professor Karl shook his head. "But some believe the tectonic movement over six hundred years ago was caused by divine power. It's absurd, but it won't hurt to look into the records."
Barro's fingers trembled slightly.
He had never believed in the existence of 'gods', but now, he was convinced.
And he despised the Temple of the Gods even more.
"Professor, each deity has its own symbol, and this one should be no exception."
"Master of Source Essence!"
"King of Many Forms!"
"..."
Barro whispered, his voice gradually becoming solemn, then abruptly stopping as if realizing something was amiss.
"Odd titles," Karl dismissed, taking back the paper and waving his hand. "Go and rest. Remember to be on time for the lab tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
Barro's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Professor!"
As Barro's figure disappeared into the distance, Karl slowly averted his gaze, and the paper in his hand trembled.
He now understood that the 'humans' in this world had been manipulated, not physically, but in their faith.
"The humans in this world, after some kind of modification, have an innate tendency towards faith. Even when they recite the names of deities, I can only produce a weak reaction."
"Even when they believe in the gods, their faith is extremely weak."
"So..."
"Is this the root of the gods' demise?"
"Professor Karl, why the sudden interest in history?" Riley emerged from the library shelves, carrying a thick book. She smiled as she placed it on the table.
"Are you considering a career change?"
"Not exactly," Karl shook his head. "I've been studying genetic information, and I discovered that around seven hundred years ago, many organisms underwent genetic mutations. So, I wanted to see if there were any significant events during that time."
"Of course," Riley shrugged. "Over six hundred years ago, there was a famous tectonic movement, forcing various organisms to adapt to new environments."
"You should consult a geologist for that," Karl nodded. "I recall that the formation of the Federation also occurred after that period, and historical records from before are scarce."
"The means of recording history back then were limited, and most records were held by the clergy," Riley explained. "You know how it is; the clergy's history is intertwined with the gods, making it unreliable as an official historical source."
"During that time, natural disasters and calamities were rampant, and the clergy's greed sparked widespread anger. This led to a thirty-year-long crusade against the gods, causing the destruction of many books within the clergy's possession, leaving behind only fragments."
"A crusade against the gods?" Karl asked. "Who led it?"
"The common people," Riley replied. "There was no specific leader."
"Boom!"
As they spoke, a loud explosion echoed from the direction of the experimental tower, followed by a burst of flames in the distance.
"Again?" Riley exclaimed in disbelief.
Karl was speechless.
Barro, covered in wounds, managed to repel Jim's surprise attack with the help of several Night Watch members.
"Knock, knock!"
"Come in."
In the office, Karl was organizing things, casting a helpless glance at Barro.
"You should leave," he said. "The lab can't function properly with you there. This place really isn't suitable for you."
Barro opened his mouth, sighing silently.
Just as Night Watchman Chris had said, once you've touched that world, there's no going back.
(End of Chapter)
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