Chapter 514 (1/2)

The so-called Divine Sarcophagus was not actually a coffin but a black box that was one meter in length and less than half a meter in height. The box was made of an unknown material and its surface was engraved with dark red ancient runes. Several straight nicks divided the top half of the box into several large and small polygons, making it look like it was made up of many pieces.

It was smaller than Hao Ren had expected.

The room where the Divine Sarcophagus was stored in was located at the center of the cave. Hundreds of knights and ascetics guarded the stone chamber. The stone chamber itself was created by the most powerful earthen magicians, guaranteeing its ability to withstand the attack from the First Born’s tentacles. The four corners of the stone chamber were equipped with powerful instruments that transmitted the magical energy of the monastery around the Divine Sarcophagus. There were also thick scripture blankets on the four walls of the stone chamber. Aside from offering protection, the setting could also amplify the bioelectric signals released by the Divine Sarcophagus: perhaps, the facilities in the stone chamber could still hold the suppression signal for a day or two after the primordial tissue in the box died.

The stone chamber was not large. Only Hao Ren, Vivian, Ophra, and Cardinal Orben went inside. Hao Ren looked at the black box curiously and placed his hand on it. It felt a little warm, not like cold rock or metal. Of course, it was also possible that the “creature” inside the box was heating up the device. He patted his pocket and called the MDT out. “Can you feel it?”

“There are complex signals being released inside the container, including electromagnetic waves of three different frequencies and some other types of clutter.” The MDT hovered around the Divine Sarcophagus. “It’s a signal transmitter. It’s constantly releasing a signal to calm the big guy down.”

Cardinal Orben looked curiously at the little blue brick, which was floating in the air. However, considering the incredible power and technology the foreigners had, he did not comment on this seemingly human “alchemy”. Ophra asked, “Can you clone this signal?”

“I would at least have to touch it, and get some tissue samples or something.” The MDT flickered. “It’s easy to simulate electromagnetic waves released by the Divine Sarcophagus with technology, but this thing involves occultism…. I think we should first examine it carefully.”

Hao Ren looked at Cardinal Orben. “Can you open it?” he asked.

The runes on Cardinal Orben’s forehead flickered. It was a sign of intense thought. But before he set off, the pope had personally instructed to him to cooperate in the “research activities” of the foreigners. After some thought, he nodded and said, “Of course, but please be careful. It is irreplaceable.”

The cardinal placed his hand on the top of the Divine Sarcophagus and whispered an ancient scripture. As his chanting continued, the runes and lines on the surface of the Divine Sarcophagus gradually lit up. Then, the lid of the container broke along those straight lines into a few pieces before slowly floating up and flying apart.

Inside the container was a big lump of… something that was hard to describe.

It was a weird, creature-like thing. It was dark red, but mixed with a plant-like green. This bizarre piece of tissue looked like animal embryos connected together from end to end, with a dim light flashing in them. One-third of the container was filled with a thick red fluid, the texture of which quite resembled the lifeblood. The weird living tissue was soaked in it.

However, despite the fact that the fluid and living tissue looked weird, they were not disgusting. They exuded an incredibly soothing vibe, even a sense of sacredness; this was the material from which life originated. It was even more ancient than the First Born.

“This is the ‘Progenitor of Life’,” Ophra whispered as though she was afraid of waking the thing up. “This is the first time I’m seeing it.”

“I was fortunate enough to have seen it once, 150 years ago.” Cardinal Orben knitted his brows together. “At that time, it was more active than it is now.”

“It’s dying,” the MDT quickly concluded. “This is an organ that has been cut off… or fallen off during its normal evolutionary process. In any case, it is an incomplete living tissue. The main body has disappeared and this part of the organ is slowly failing.”

Vivian frowned. “What is it supposed to be?”