Chapter 26: Earth-Shattering Upheaval 6000
Two minutes later, Joshua and Nostradamus were already standing before the experimental table, closely observing the dying black serpent submerged in the nutrient solution.
This black serpent was over seventeen meters in length, coiled within the life-sustaining tank. For the Mycroft Continent, which teemed with magical beasts, a length of seventeen meters was not particularly massive. However, unlike ordinary magical giant pythons, this black serpent had no scales. Its outer skin appeared rugged, but was in fact a single, unified surface. Those so-called 'scales,' when magnified, were revealed to be countless minuscule protrusions of primordial runes.
Furthermore, the black serpent differed from true snakes in many details, such as its fine, shark-like serrated teeth and the shape of its internal skeletal structure. It was more akin to a primitive 'aquatic Primordial Realm Dragon' than a snake. But these details were not crucial and need not be enumerated.
"What crude work."
Plunging his right hand into the nutrient solution, Joshua lifted the black giant serpent with a single hand. He stroked his chin, speaking with a somewhat puzzled tone: "Who caught it? Such a precious specimen, beaten to this state... The energy within a dying creature dissipates, obscuring many characteristics."
After meticulously scanning the black serpent from head to tail, Joshua sensed only a trace of the Earth Mother's divine power he had observed earlier, and found nothing else unusual. No mana core, no transcendent organs. Apart from a relatively developed brain, it was merely an ordinary, aberrant giant serpent. The innate inscriptions on its skin served to absorb light and store energy—and this in itself was the greatest anomaly. A creature harboring divine power, even a mere trace, was absolutely distinct from ordinary mortal beings. It could not possibly be just such a common magical beast.
"Your disciples, the First Squad of Winterfell Academy, caught it."
Nostradamus replied in a flat tone. Before Joshua's return, he had already studied this black serpent inside and out many times, so he did not intervene now: "They discovered another path leading to the underground world and happened upon these black serpents. According to them, these serpents live in groups, possess the power to manipulate both earth and water elements, and the leading head serpent even has an ability similar to a petrifying gaze. They are considered troublesome Silver-rank magical beasts."
"Furthermore, they said these black serpents taste quite good. This live one was originally kept for you, as a gift for their teacher."
"Is that so? They can use magic and have a magic eye. Indeed, one cannot hold back against such foes... A group of Silver-rank magical beasts, it's impressive they managed to deal with them."
Hearing this, Joshua was momentarily taken aback. He let out a soft chuckle, then placed the black serpent back into the nutrient solution: "To think of me even after a battle... Not bad at all."
This, then, could explain the anomaly: that faint trace of Earth Mother's divine power was precisely the reason these black serpents could use both earth and water magic. Upon the serpent's death, the divine power dissipated, and this transcendent power, akin to a granted authority, vanished along with it, leaving behind no trace of abnormality.
But it was still very strange... Why would these black serpents, dwelling deep underground, harbor a trace of Earth Mother's divine power? They were not exceptionally powerful divine beasts, merely ordinary magical creatures with characteristics of primitive Primordial Realm Dragons.
"That trace of Earth Mother's divine power, I have carefully observed it. It does not seem to be innate."
At this moment, Nostradamus spoke. He walked to Joshua's side, looking down at the black serpent submerged in the pale yellow nutrient solution. The old mage said in a puzzled tone: "Joshua, are you familiar with the 'Mana Contamination' theory? I believe this is a similar case of 'Divine Power Contamination.'"
"I am." Joshua nodded. He understood what the old mage was saying, and a look of realization crossed his face: "You mean they are not creations of divine power, but merely happen to live near a source of divine power?"
"Precisely." Nostradamus nodded slightly.
The Mana Contamination theory originated from mages' studies of the Black Forest. They discovered that ordinary forests surrounding the Black Forest would, over time, be assimilated by the mana emanating from it. This was the most typical phenomenon of contamination, much like clear water being dyed by ink.
Furthermore, there were many simpler examples: for instance, wind-attributed magic wolves living on the plains, if they migrated to the Northern Lands, would gradually transform into ice-attributed ice wolves. This was due to the erosion and conversion caused by the density of local elements on magical beasts.
To give an extreme example: creatures living near a mana crystal vein, even rats, could potentially evolve into 'Moonlight Rats' with spellcasting abilities and intelligence. Powerful transcendent forces would involuntarily 'contaminate,' or rather, 'pollute' the surrounding life, granting them similar traits.
Joshua was deeply familiar with this, as Ancient Dragons were the best example of the Mana Contamination theory. Their mere existence could gradually alter the properties of everything within a region. The Ancient Dragons of the Chronos World could even regenerate the world with their own power, turning all life in the world into their bloodline descendants.
If mana could do this, what about divine power? As long as there was a stable source of divine power, like a mana crystal vein, it would be no surprise to create not just a group of black serpents capable of controlling rock and water, but even to nurture a Titan...
...a Titan?
"Titan?" "Titan!"
Simultaneously, Joshua and Nostradamus uttered the same word. They exchanged a glance and spoke in unison, their voices grave: "If there truly is a remnant of the Earth Mother Goddess's divine power deep underground, then there cannot possibly be only these black serpents!"
"Recently, 'that' seal has been destabilizing due to the Great Magic Tide. The Mother Goddess is, after all, its direct descendant... We absolutely cannot be careless!"
The rekindling of the flame in the Mycroft World was certainly a joyous event for the entire world, but it also undoubtedly strengthened the Steel Serpent Mycroft, the world's will. It was now more active than in its previous life, even having the energy to broadcast its voice to the outside world... In other words, if it were using those voices as a smokescreen while secretly hatching some plan underground, that was also highly possible!
And at that very moment, Joshua heard a rather tense transmission from Chu Hao.
As, in a sense, father and son, Joshua and Chu Hao shared a Steel Force channel similar to that of Flame Demons, allowing for real-time transmission of all information regardless of time or distance. And at this moment, the Steel Elemental, encouraged by the Dragon Girl, had decided to confess his recent troubles to the warrior.
"An inexplicable voice appearing in my mind?"
Just hearing this sentence, Joshua felt a strange sense of crisis and tension, because he recalled the miscellaneous voices he had vaguely heard in Redwood City, whose source he could not identify. Perhaps Chu Hao had encountered the same thing... No, it should be said that the Steel Serpent Carlis, Chu Hao, and himself had all heard the same voice!
It was just that because Carlis was the world's will, and Chu Hao, though not yet powerful, was pure Steel Elemental, the voices they heard were clearer than his own.
"What exactly is the Steel Serpent Mycroft planning?"
The black serpent in the laboratory was now irrelevant. This creature, likely living underground since ancient times and probably the ancestor of most aquatic Primordial Realm Dragons, had no value beyond its decent taste. Joshua and Nostradamus simultaneously left the laboratory and stepped outside Winterfell Academy. The warrior looked up, extending both hands, making a motion as if pushing open a great door. Instantly, the originally narrow valley began to expand amidst collapse. Countless rocks and gravel tumbled towards the sky, and the entire plain seemed to be torn in two by a giant, leaving a massive wound in its center.
But astonishingly, this terrifying geological change did not affect anyone nearby. Everything seemed to occur in an independent space. Even the academy students and adventurers watching from a distance felt no tremors.
High in the sky, countless rocks, clouds, and gravel swirled with the vortex. The silver Steel Force clouds resembled a nebula. Joshua stood at the center of the vortex. He withdrew his hands, observing the result of his full-powered strike.
It was a deep rift valley that plunged deep into the earth, leading directly to a vast cavity located several kilometers underground. Countless dust and gravel rose from it, like a pillar of smoke.
"Since they hide underground."
The warrior spoke in a calm tone: "Then I shall turn this place upside down."