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Chapter 423: Extracting the Codex of Life
"My dear nephew, I am very pleased to see you've stepped forward voluntarily."
General Zod, wearing his black armor, stood at the entrance of the warship, a genuine smile on his face.
He was very happy that Jor-El's son had come to him on his own accord. Not only could he obtain the Codex of Life, but he might even be able to bring this nephew of his under his command.
After all, he was Jor-El's son. At the very least, he was a High-Level Gene Possessor.
Whether to kill him or not was a matter for later. For now, General Zod just needed to enjoy the pleasure of his victory.
At this moment, Clark was being personally escorted by the powerful Faora. Beside him, Lois Lane, there as a representative for humanity, watched on with a worried expression.
Clark was in increasing pain, forced to drop to the floor and gasp for breath.
"Clark, what's wrong with you?" Lois Lane cried out in alarm.
"He can't adapt to the air on the spaceship... He's lived among Earthlings for too long."
Zod's smile faded, and he spoke with a blank expression.
Lois Lane subconsciously touched the transparent helmet on her head, a device that helped her by altering the air she breathed.
Zod glanced down at Clark, seeing a faint resemblance to his friend, Jor-El.
This person was, after all, not a true Kryptonian, but a naturally born Anomaly—the offspring of Jor-El and his wife, born through natural childbirth.
This did not conform to the laws of Krypton. All life was supposed to be born in the Genesis Chamber; they had no need for natural birth.
"Natural birth has too many drawbacks. It leads to the Awakening of too many worthless Genes, turning a Gene Chain with immense Potential into scrap," Faora said in an indifferent tone. Her gaze towards Clark held a hint of... pity?
That's right, Faora pitied Clark. He was clearly a High-Level Gene Possessor, yet like humans, he was rich in emotion, capable of Fear and hesitation... All of this was unnecessary junk, worthless byproducts generated on the Gene Chain.
Although Faora herself possessed a mid-level Gene, she was certain that not a single awakened Gene on her Gene Chain was superfluous; every single one had immense practical value.
According to the traditional beliefs of Kryptonians, both Clark himself and the reproductive methods of Earthlings were incomparably inferior and backward.
This would cause an individual's Gene Chain to produce a large amount of superfluous things, such as various emotions.
Emotions? What's the use of such things? They're utterly useless, only serving to make a living being weak.
Only High-Level Gene Possessors were permitted slightly more emotional fluctuations. But the reason high-level Genes were high-level was because their possessors had extremely strong intellect and rationality, allowing them to control everything.
A Kryptonian grabbed the agonized Clark, took out a sharp, needle-like object, and plunged it into his body, extracting his blood.
The High-Level Artificial Intelligence aboard the warship immediately analyzed the blood and reported the findings to the researchers.
"General! I know where the Codex of Life is!"
The Kryptonian raised his voice, as if trying to express a solemn "surprise," yet the expression on his face remained indifferent.
"The Codex of Life was long ago integrated into his son's cells by Jor-El! Every single cell in this man's body contains the Codex of Life! The Genes of a billion people are all stored within this person's body!"
Hearing this, Zod abruptly looked up. His expression froze for a fraction of a second, and the step he was about to take halted.
"Just like Jor-El. So cold-blooded, to not hesitate to use the hope and lives of all of Krypton as the cornerstone for his son." Zod's face twitched, a suppressed Rage welling up within him.
Although he had already guessed that Jor-El wanted to attempt God Creation, he never imagined Jor-El would actually fuse the entire Codex of Life into his son's body.
This act truly chilled Zod to the core.
"Once you have what you want, leave Earth immediately!" Clark had finally recovered from the alien atmosphere. His powerful physique played a crucial role, allowing him to adapt to the harsh environment in a short time.
Zod tilted his head, looking at the fierce battlefield tens of thousands of meters away where explosions bloomed like fireworks at every moment.
To be honest, he didn't really pay that group of robots any mind. He was already too powerful now, and he was growing stronger by the second.
The more this was the case, the more he craved the Yellow Sun and the habitable planet of Earth.
"Extract the Codex of Life immediately. It must be done within one hour," General Zod said coldly, retracting his gaze to look at his so-called nephew.
"General, the process will take at least a day to be safe... if we are to preserve this wanderer's life."
There was not a trace of hesitation on General Zod's imposing face. "Begin immediately. Finish it within one hour."
He faced the Sunlight. On one side of the spaceship, the outermost metal wall retracted, leaving only a transparent barrier, allowing the Radiation of the Yellow Sun to flood in unimpeded.
The dazzling light of the fiery orb, half-visible over the land, was comparable to the world's greatest treasure in the eyes of Zod and his men.
Instinct and Sanity told him that they simply didn't have that much time to waste; they could only use the most expedient method.
As for Clark's life... in the face of the Codex of Life and the future of their race, who would care?
Zod didn't care at all. He was the leader of the surviving Kryptonians, shouldering the heavy burden of reviving their race. Everything else had to be pushed aside.
The Kryptonian grabbed Clark and dragged him towards a research lab. Next, he would dissect Clark, extract every cell from his body, and reassemble the Codex of Life.
General Zod had said one hour, so not even a minute longer would be acceptable. This was obedience etched into their genetic instincts.
Clark tried to struggle, but he was shocked to find that his Power had vanished.
"Stop struggling. We stripped you of your cellular Energy the moment you entered our spaceship," the Kryptonian said coolly.
"You can't do this! Isn't he one of your people? Why are you doing this to him!" Lois Lane's anger was tinged with terror.
"Child, I know what you want to say, but this is what the House of El owes Krypton. I am merely taking back Krypton's sacred relic from their family's hands."
After saying this, General Zod ordered Faora to imprison the woman. He turned to face the Sun, watching it quietly, his imposing figure like an indestructible mountain.
His dark, cold eyes were filled with determination and resolve.
The moment he obtained the Codex of Life, he was determined to seize Earth.
Any place the Yellow Sun shone upon was the home turf of Kryptonians. They would only grow stronger with the passage of time!
"Not even Kamar-Taj can stop me from rebuilding Krypton on the ruins beneath my feet! Someone, open the Genesis Chamber at once!"
(end of chapter)
"My dear nephew, I am very pleased to see you've stepped forward voluntarily."
General Zod, wearing his black armor, stood at the entrance of the warship, a genuine smile on his face.
He was very happy that Jor-El's son had come to him on his own accord. Not only could he obtain the Codex of Life, but he might even be able to bring this nephew of his under his command.
After all, he was Jor-El's son. At the very least, he was a High-Level Gene Possessor.
Whether to kill him or not was a matter for later. For now, General Zod just needed to enjoy the pleasure of his victory.
At this moment, Clark was being personally escorted by the powerful Faora. Beside him, Lois Lane, there as a representative for humanity, watched on with a worried expression.
Clark was in increasing pain, forced to drop to the floor and gasp for breath.
"Clark, what's wrong with you?" Lois Lane cried out in alarm.
"He can't adapt to the air on the spaceship... He's lived among Earthlings for too long."
Zod's smile faded, and he spoke with a blank expression.
Lois Lane subconsciously touched the transparent helmet on her head, a device that helped her by altering the air she breathed.
Zod glanced down at Clark, seeing a faint resemblance to his friend, Jor-El.
This person was, after all, not a true Kryptonian, but a naturally born Anomaly—the offspring of Jor-El and his wife, born through natural childbirth.
This did not conform to the laws of Krypton. All life was supposed to be born in the Genesis Chamber; they had no need for natural birth.
"Natural birth has too many drawbacks. It leads to the Awakening of too many worthless Genes, turning a Gene Chain with immense Potential into scrap," Faora said in an indifferent tone. Her gaze towards Clark held a hint of... pity?
That's right, Faora pitied Clark. He was clearly a High-Level Gene Possessor, yet like humans, he was rich in emotion, capable of Fear and hesitation... All of this was unnecessary junk, worthless byproducts generated on the Gene Chain.
Although Faora herself possessed a mid-level Gene, she was certain that not a single awakened Gene on her Gene Chain was superfluous; every single one had immense practical value.
According to the traditional beliefs of Kryptonians, both Clark himself and the reproductive methods of Earthlings were incomparably inferior and backward.
This would cause an individual's Gene Chain to produce a large amount of superfluous things, such as various emotions.
Emotions? What's the use of such things? They're utterly useless, only serving to make a living being weak.
Only High-Level Gene Possessors were permitted slightly more emotional fluctuations. But the reason high-level Genes were high-level was because their possessors had extremely strong intellect and rationality, allowing them to control everything.
A Kryptonian grabbed the agonized Clark, took out a sharp, needle-like object, and plunged it into his body, extracting his blood.
The High-Level Artificial Intelligence aboard the warship immediately analyzed the blood and reported the findings to the researchers.
"General! I know where the Codex of Life is!"
The Kryptonian raised his voice, as if trying to express a solemn "surprise," yet the expression on his face remained indifferent.
"The Codex of Life was long ago integrated into his son's cells by Jor-El! Every single cell in this man's body contains the Codex of Life! The Genes of a billion people are all stored within this person's body!"
Hearing this, Zod abruptly looked up. His expression froze for a fraction of a second, and the step he was about to take halted.
"Just like Jor-El. So cold-blooded, to not hesitate to use the hope and lives of all of Krypton as the cornerstone for his son." Zod's face twitched, a suppressed Rage welling up within him.
Although he had already guessed that Jor-El wanted to attempt God Creation, he never imagined Jor-El would actually fuse the entire Codex of Life into his son's body.
This act truly chilled Zod to the core.
"Once you have what you want, leave Earth immediately!" Clark had finally recovered from the alien atmosphere. His powerful physique played a crucial role, allowing him to adapt to the harsh environment in a short time.
Zod tilted his head, looking at the fierce battlefield tens of thousands of meters away where explosions bloomed like fireworks at every moment.
To be honest, he didn't really pay that group of robots any mind. He was already too powerful now, and he was growing stronger by the second.
The more this was the case, the more he craved the Yellow Sun and the habitable planet of Earth.
"Extract the Codex of Life immediately. It must be done within one hour," General Zod said coldly, retracting his gaze to look at his so-called nephew.
"General, the process will take at least a day to be safe... if we are to preserve this wanderer's life."
There was not a trace of hesitation on General Zod's imposing face. "Begin immediately. Finish it within one hour."
He faced the Sunlight. On one side of the spaceship, the outermost metal wall retracted, leaving only a transparent barrier, allowing the Radiation of the Yellow Sun to flood in unimpeded.
The dazzling light of the fiery orb, half-visible over the land, was comparable to the world's greatest treasure in the eyes of Zod and his men.
Instinct and Sanity told him that they simply didn't have that much time to waste; they could only use the most expedient method.
As for Clark's life... in the face of the Codex of Life and the future of their race, who would care?
Zod didn't care at all. He was the leader of the surviving Kryptonians, shouldering the heavy burden of reviving their race. Everything else had to be pushed aside.
The Kryptonian grabbed Clark and dragged him towards a research lab. Next, he would dissect Clark, extract every cell from his body, and reassemble the Codex of Life.
General Zod had said one hour, so not even a minute longer would be acceptable. This was obedience etched into their genetic instincts.
Clark tried to struggle, but he was shocked to find that his Power had vanished.
"Stop struggling. We stripped you of your cellular Energy the moment you entered our spaceship," the Kryptonian said coolly.
"You can't do this! Isn't he one of your people? Why are you doing this to him!" Lois Lane's anger was tinged with terror.
"Child, I know what you want to say, but this is what the House of El owes Krypton. I am merely taking back Krypton's sacred relic from their family's hands."
After saying this, General Zod ordered Faora to imprison the woman. He turned to face the Sun, watching it quietly, his imposing figure like an indestructible mountain.
His dark, cold eyes were filled with determination and resolve.
The moment he obtained the Codex of Life, he was determined to seize Earth.
Any place the Yellow Sun shone upon was the home turf of Kryptonians. They would only grow stronger with the passage of time!
"Not even Kamar-Taj can stop me from rebuilding Krypton on the ruins beneath my feet! Someone, open the Genesis Chamber at once!"
(end of chapter)
