3 Dissection, Fusion, Curse Origin

[System analysis complete, data is being added!]

[Results of this analysis: Using the mysterious power in the pendant as a unit of measurement, the mysterious power here has reached level 3!]

[According to the map, there is a corpse about 80 meters long under this pool. According to the analysis of the corpse, it is a snake-type creature.]

[According to the Empire's records, the mysterious creature is a Mutated Beauty Snake.]

Edward's eyes flashed. If his guess was correct, all those things connected to this mysterious power had to do with the legendary wizards.

In the Empire's library, there was information of a mysterious creature recorded in ancient books.

Furthermore, it was a mysterious creature that had reached level 3.

According to the system's prompt, it was a mutated creature!

[Warning: The curse from the corpse is assimilating the host's body. You can still resist for 5 minutes and 42 seconds.]

[According to the analysis of the system, the only way to be saved is through the dissection function of the system!]

[Prompt: Excess curse power detected in the pool. The assimilation of the host's curse will intensify!]

Edward gritted his teeth as a sharp glint flashed across his eyes. At this point, he would either be assimilated by the curse and die, or absorb it to obtain the mysterious power!

There was no time for hesitation!

Placing the sword back into his waist, Edward took a deep breath. He no longer hid his strength, and his aura turned sharp as a heat wave swept out from his body.

The Royal Knights' breathing technique!

At the next moment!

With a soft sound, a splash appeared.

Edward jumped into the pool of stagnant water in front of him, unable to see anything clearly in the pitch-black water.

Edward felt it the moment he jumped into the water.

His body was weakening rapidly.

This was the effect of the corpse underwater.

The closer he got to the corpse, the more he would be assimilated by the curse!

Time ticked by.

Edward felt that his body, which had been enhanced by the Knight's breathing technique, was gradually weakening.

This was the power of the curse assimilating his body.

[System prompt: Currently, the host has come into contact with the corpse of the Mutated Beauty Snake. Analyzing it further. Estimated time: 1 minute…]

In the pitch-black pool of dead water, Edward finally saw the corpse sleeping beneath the pool with his enhanced vision!

A massive snake head with bony fangs was charging at Edward, its head covered in black patterns.

At this moment, his palm was placed on the decayed white skull.

His body started trembling uncontrollably.

Edward knew that this was not due to a lack of strength, but the deterrence from the life force of a higher existence. He could feel his cells trembling.

One minute passed.

To Edward, it was like he was in purgatory.

The control over his body was being taken away step by step, followed by a sense of weakness. Edward had never felt that a minute was so long.

Soon, a system prompt came!

[Analysis result: Mutated Beauty Snake. Mystery level: 4. Mysterious power has mutated. The general term used by the system to address this power is curse.]

[Estimated duration of death: 600-900 years, body decomposition 95% completed. An autopsy is currently underway!]

Edward suddenly surfaced as he took a deep breath, and climbed onto the shore.

Staying underwater was simply unbearable. With the help of his sword, Edward could see the black lines that had gathered on his forehead!

After the analysis, the next step was to use the system to dissect this Beauty Snake to resolve the curse!

[Prompt: Currently, there are four ways to resolve the curse. Excluding the three most dangerous methods, there is only one feasible method left: Dissect the Beauty Snake and fuse with the curse bloodline left in its bones. Inheriting the bloodline will allow the host to ignore the spread of the curse. Success rate: 60%]

Edward did not hesitate at all. There was only one choice before him, and all other decisions led to death. He had no other choice.

"System, choose the feasible method."

This was his only chance of survival!

Right at this moment, a drop of blood surged out from the pond and slowly fused into a ball of black-red blood under the control of the system.

It was about the size of Edward's fist.

The blood ball grew larger and larger, and slowly, not a single drop of blood was left in the pool.

Huge pieces of white bones floated up to the surface of the water. The essence of the entire corpse had been completely removed by the system!

What followed next was to fuse with the blood collected from the supernatural creature!

Edward gritted his teeth and opened his mouth to swallow it. A large amount of blood surged into his mouth, and a burning sensation emerged from his limbs as the blood entered his body.

[System prompt: Analyzing the time needed for the bloodline transformation. Cursed bloodline is assimilating into the body, currently adapting to the body, detecting bloodline rejection. In the process of assimilation, progress: 10%… 30%…]

Edward felt as though his body was being torn apart, as though a terrifying uninvited guest had barged into his body and was trying its best to break free from his control.

At that moment, the black patterns on Edward's face gradually decreased, slowly forming a huge winged snake that was staring at him covetously.

The pain gradually dissipated, and a sense of weakness emerged from his body.

Leaning on his sword, Edward stood up while trembling. The emerald pendant around his neck gave off a cooling sensation, healing him.

The veins that had popped due to excessive force also slowly dissipated!

However, at this very moment, his body was still in turmoil.

Edward also saw the black tattoo on his neck using the reflection in his sword.

It was a creature that had never appeared in any ancient texts.

Holding his sword with trembling hands, Edward walked out of the valley.

He knew his body best.

The changes in his body had not stopped!

It was best to pray that his knights were still alive now.

Just as Edward stood up, the system prompt sounded.

[System prompt: Analyzing the host's body. Bloodline fusion successful, curse assimilation successful, genes have undergone unknown changes. Soul strength has greatly increased, mysterious power and curse power have appeared in the host's body, spiritual power has greatly increased, physical strength is still increasing…]