Chapter 732 — The Difficult Study of Ancient Objects

Kamael nodded, his buzzing voice coming from within that blaze of arcane radiance. "The technique that made this book has been lost, and we can scarcely understand how it works. It may come from a higher civilization, one far more advanced than ours; or it may come from a civilization whose technological path is utterly different from our own. If the latter... then our analysis of it will become all the more difficult. We may not even be able to tell whether the patterns on its pages are ornament or functional structure, whether its cover is meant to protect the book or holds some other mystery..."

Verodai gripped the platinum scepter and said with regret, "And what's more, it's broken now. The Way of the End of All Things may have been too crude in how they used it, to the point of destroying an ancient relic of immeasurable value. If it were still functioning, our analysis would likely be much easier."

Gao Yang's expression turned a little awkward.

Fortunately, most of the people here had their attention fixed on the book on the experiment table.

"Kamael's conjecture is quite sound—perhaps both of his conjectures are correct," he said, clearing his throat to keep everyone from dwelling on 'what a pity the sample is ruined; such crude use is unacceptable.' "The Way of the End of All Things found the Ultimate Book in a very ancient underground ruin. At the time, the book was protected by an ancient device that no one could understand, a device whose manufacturing techniques had long been lost.

"One view holds that before the First Great Expansion—even before our present season of mortal civilization—many cycles of civilization had already appeared in the world. So we may boldly conjecture that this book is the advanced product of some earlier season of civilization."

The technicians in the laboratory could not help but murmur among themselves. Such speculation about prehistoric civilizations was somewhat heretical, but in Cecil's academic circles, challenging convention and heresy were nothing new. Everyone might find it incredible, but if it benefited their research, the scholars did not mind opening up some discussion on that premise.

"What a pity there's only one copy—break it and it's gone," Rebecca sighed from the side. "Otherwise, if we cut it open, maybe we could figure something out..."

"Hey, hey, the book's already broken anyway," Amber immediately egged her on. "If something's already broken, you could try cutting it and maybe..."

Before the half-elf could finish, Gao Yang hauled her aside. "Stop stirring up trouble!"

"For now we can only study the book's structure and principles through indirect means," Kamael buzzed. "First, use the crystal resonator to test whether it contains a crystallized runic structure inside. Then use arcane detection arrays to test bit by bit whether it reacts to specific arcane energy stimuli... It's a rather conservative but relatively effective plan. If our current equipment is precise enough, perhaps we can map out those hidden magic-pattern structures—even if only partially, it would be a tremendous advance."

It seemed to be the only feasible plan at present. Though its efficiency might be low, at least it could be a beginning.

The temporary research plan was quickly settled, and the technicians began leaving in order. Soon, only Gao Yang remained in the laboratory.

Along with a lazy fish who had slept through the whole thing and had not woken even after being accidentally stepped on several times.

Gao Yang stared at the Ultimate Book on the experiment table for a few moments. After the personnel had left, a sturdy steel fence rose around the table, with a faintly glowing shield enveloping the space inside the fence. Add to that the armed security troops outside the experimental facility, and the book should be quite safe here.

He withdrew his gaze, turned, and prepared to leave—but the moment he took a step, a slightly cool sensation suddenly came from the outer edge of his palm.

Gao Yang looked down and saw a long serpent tail swaying back and forth beside him, its cool tip poking at his hand.

The tail's owner was rubbing her eyes and clambering up from the floor.

The lazy fish was awake.

"Actually, I have a suggestion," Tyr said after a long yawn. Just when Gao Yang thought she had gotten up only to say hello and go back to sleep, she spoke with perfect seriousness. "Why don't you ask the Mithril Vault?"

Gao Yang's brow arched. "The Mithril Vault?"

"We sirens don't know much about the succession of civilizations on land, and ancient relics really aren't my specialty," Tyr said lazily as she drew back her tail and painstakingly coiled herself up. "But there is another equally ancient race that has always kept watch on the land... Behind the Mithril Vault are the dragons. On paper they safeguard clients' consigned goods, but judging by the course of history, they are actually collecting the relics of civilizations. So... do you think there might be another 'Ultimate Book' stored in their vault?"

Tyr paused, her eyes fixed on Gao Yang. "Or something from the same era as the Ultimate Book."

Just as Gao Yang had long suspected, for an ancient and powerful civilization like the sirens, the dragons behind the Mithril Vault... were no secret.

He looked at this creature who had been snoring away a moment ago and seemed utterly languid. "So you weren't asleep just now after all."

"I was sleeping. It's just that I'm naturally sharp-sensed—I can hear things and think about them even in my dreams."

"That really is impressive," Gao Yang said with a start, then gave a slight nod. "Thank you for the suggestion. Perhaps I should contact that agent."

"That's your business," Tyr said, swaying her body. Her tail unfurled, and she waved a hand while undulating toward the door. "Anyway, good luck."

Gao Yang watched the siren lady undulate out of sight, and a moment later heard her voice come drifting from the corridor: "Hey, why are there footprints on my tail!?"

...Who was it that just claimed to be sharp-sensed even in her dreams?