Merlin followed Curator Heroult into the Fossil Museum. It was a completely different world within. With a gentle press, the surface of the wall revealed a tunnel entrance that directly headed underground.

This was an underground secret passage. To think that Curator Heroult who had come to Boulder City for merely over a decade had already built a basement without anyone's realization.

The basement was rather dim and cold, but there was no odor of dust. It must be visited often. Merlin walked behind Curator Heroult for a moment and soon saw a stone door.

There were so many mechanisms here. It looked like this was an important place.

"Rumble."

After the stone door opened, it revealed the true appearance of the basement, which was very spacious. As soon as Merlin entered, he had detected the pungent smell of blood along with a composite of potions. It was an unpleasant odor, and he could not help wrinkling his nose.

The basement was in a mess. The gray tiles were covered in a sheen of grease, which looked disgusting. Some mice were making "squeaking" noises.

In the center were a few desks, on top of which some transparent glassware seemed to contain something. As he glanced at this cluttered appearance, Merlin could not restrain from frowning. However, as he looked at Heroult beside him, he saw that Heroult's gaze was filled with nostalgia as if these were all precious items.

As if sensing Merlin's misgivings, Curator Heroult calmly said, "Master Leon, this is my laboratory. You should know that, to someone who devoted his efforts to researching parasitism, the laboratory is his greatest treasure. It's a shame that the menace of the Blackbat Militia is fast approaching. Otherwise, I would be able to move the laboratory as well."

One could see that, truly, Heroult was not acting because of Count Stanwin, but had already made this decision long before.

"What's the function of the laboratory? Do I need it too?"

Merlin only had a half-baked understanding of the cultivation system in this world. This was thanks to Count Stanwin. Count Stanwin might be very formidable but because Leon did not inherit the clan's Deinosuchus bloodline, Count Stanwin did not further explain matters regarding cultivation.

Heroult said in a low voice, "To most people, inheriting the almighty beast bloodline wouldn't require constructing a laboratory, but it's different if you study parasitism. In particular, for those who choose the path of parasitism, a laboratory is indispensable. This is because by choosing to be parasitized by an almighty beast's will, one would be teetering on the brink between life and death at every second. Not only does one have to get along with the almighty beast's will, one must manufacture potions to stimulate the body, the blood, and even one's own potential. Only then can one increase the power of their bloodline accompanied by the almighty beast's will!"

After Heroult's explanation, Merlin realized that the path of parasitism was not a pleasant one. One might be overwhelmed by the almighty beast's will at any time. Moreover, the cultivation could not rely upon the bloodline, so one required various potions to stimulate their body, enhancing their physical strength, to obtain power compatible with an almighty beast.

As for those who had inherited an almighty beast's bloodline, they only had to train the power of their bloodline diligently. As time passed, they would naturally possess formidable strength. Compared to those who had inherited an almighty beast bloodline, parasitism did not seem to have the slightest advantage.

"Don't you feel that it's hazardous, without any advantages? Haha, parasitism's upper hand lies in one's own control. If one relies upon the bloodline's power, the upper limits of their strength are already determined. The higher the grade of one's bloodline, the stronger they'd be in the future. However, no matter what, there's ultimately a limit.

"Parasitism is different. When the almighty beast's will selected by a Host no longer fulfills the requirements of their strength, the Host can choose to merge with a stronger almighty beast's will or even fuse a few almighty beasts' wills. If they succeed, their potential would be terrifying to an unimaginable extent…"

Heroult's eyes burned with a fervent light. He was such an insane person. However, Merlin could tell that fusing different wills or absorbing a second almighty beast's will would be very difficult with almost no chance of survival. Those who survived had a perverse amount of luck.

By now, he had ascertained that those who chose parasitism must all be lunatics.

On second thoughts, was Merlin himself not a lunatic as well? Perhaps in the eyes of others, bypassing the easy path of a count in favor of the parasitism's suicidal path was the act of a madman.

"What should I do?"

Merlin asked hoarsely.

"Parasitism is more troublesome. Now, the almighty beast's will here isn't that great. There's only the Two-headed Pterolycus' will, which you've seen that day. The Two-headed Pterolycus isn't that powerful, only considered a low-tier almighty beast. Nonetheless, it's rather formidable among that tier. If you can unleash its full form which has flying abilities, it'll compensate the inadequacies of the bloodline, and just about reach into the mid-tier.

"Still, I don't suggest that you choose the Two-headed Pterolycus. Its bloodline is low-grade, but its will isn't feeble. Conversely, it's rather bloodthirsty and ferocious. If there's enough time, I'd like to bring you to Holy Dragon City. I've left some mid-level almighty beasts' wills there which are very powerful, certain to suit you."

Heroult's eyes shone brightly. He was treating Merlin as a test subject. Nevertheless, Merlin still could not trust him completely. In Boulder City, because of Count Stanwin, Heroult would still have some reservations no matter what.

If Merlin followed Heroult to Holy Dragon City, Heroult would be able to do anything he wanted.

Therefore, in any case, Merlin would not leave with Heroult.

After a moment of consideration, Merlin decided on the Two-headed Pterolycus' will. Although it was low-tier, in truth, even a low-tier almighty beast was very fearsome. Moreover, Merlin could take on more wills of almighty beasts in the future. This was the sole benefit of choosing parasitism.

"Curator Heroult, it's not necessary. I'll choose the Two-headed Pterolycus."

Merlin sensed the urgency of the situation. Who knew when the Blackbat Militia would sweep into Boulder City murderously. The heavy knights of his father, Count Stanwin were certain to be unable to hold them off.

Therefore, Merlin must gain powers of self-preservation before that happened.

"That's a shame. Since you insist on the Two-headed Pterolycus, I'll grant your wish. Follow me."

Curator Heroult was somewhat rueful. He had treated Merlin as a test subject. It was not easy to find a voluntary test subject. After all, not everyone could sense an almighty beast's will.

Fortunately, he still had time to record the parasitism process between Merlin and the almighty beast's will. If they succeeded, this would greatly advance his research of parasitism. If they failed, Heroult could imagine Count Stanwin's fury. If it came to that, he would leave Boulder City without a moment's hesitation, hiding far away.

Although he was not fearful of Count Stanwin, no one wanted to fight for their life against a wild contender who possessed a mid-tier almighty beast bloodline, who had reached the peak of the fourth-form.

Merlin trailed behind Heroult, entering a small room in the basement. However, this room contained an overpowering foul odor. Merlin could hardly stand that pungent stench.

In the middle of the room, there was a revolting green pool, which was bubbling in a viscous manner. The smell was unbearable.

"What's this?"

Merlin asked softly.

"This is the Nourishment Pond, Master Leon. It's not so easy to be parasitized. An almighty beast's will is incomparably powerful. Can a body whose bloodline isn't enhanced withstand the power of an almighty beast's will? Without preliminary enhancement, almost no one can narrowly escape. They'd explode and die. Thus, to be parasitized, you must first augment your own physical strength, stimulating your greatest potential. For this, the Nourishment Pond is essential."

It turned out that parasitism was so troublesome. However, this small pond that looked so sticky was too disgusting. Who knew what its contents consisted of?

Nevertheless, Merlin now had no choice but to strip down, endure the acrid odor, and leap into the Nourishment Pond with a splash.