Undead Mage: I Have a Skeleton Clone

After another routine patrol of the fortress walls, Fang Zhou returned to the Central Tower.

Lately, there hasn’t been much pressure on the defense at Tiger Suppression Fortress, so Fang Zhou has been staying inside the Central Tower all the time.

It was during this period that he gained a deeper understanding of Shen Zhongyun.

It turns out Shen Zhongyun is not only a Silver Upper Rank Dark Wanderer but also a high-level Alchemist.

However, his specialization in Alchemy is not the marvel alchemy taught by Instructor Su Xinyan, but a rare, bloody and violent Flesh and Blood Alchemy.

Some time ago, the beastman frenzy brought particularly great pressure on Shen Zhongyun, giving him no chance to carry out his cherished Flesh and Blood Alchemy experiments.

But now, with a new batch of reinforcements stationed at Tiger Suppression Fortress, along with the formidable presence of Fang Zhou, he can finally seize the opportunity to start his experiments.

His space equipment is large enough, so when he came here, he brought along some of his main experimental devices.

Doing research here, although the environment is a bit worse, it’s a minor issue that can be overcome.

And Fang Zhou also greatly benefited from this.

.........

When Fang Zhou entered the Central Tower, what he saw was Shen Zhongyun conducting experiments on a beastman modified specimen.

This modified specimen was captured as a prisoner on the fortress walls.

At that time, when the Glory Magic Thunderous Bomb descended, quite a number of beastmen didn’t manage to escape quickly and were captured alive.

Originally, they were to be executed, but later, when the beastmen directly retreated, these prisoners ended up becoming test subjects for Shen Zhongyun’s Flesh and Blood Alchemy experiments.

These prisoners were all low-tier beastmen, ranging from apprentices to Black Iron Tier.

After entering the laboratory, Fang Zhou didn’t stand idly by; instead, he approached to assist Shen Zhongyun.

After busying themselves for quite some time, the two finally lifted their heads from the surgery and stitched up the wound.

The beastman no longer appeared to have undergone surgery apart from the shaved fur.

Only then did Fang Zhou express the doubts he had been harboring.

"Uncle Shen, I’ve always been curious about what kind of experiment you’ve been conducting.

It’s been almost half a month; why hasn’t it ended yet?"

"End? Ending might be a bit difficult.

This project isn’t just being undertaken by me alone.

Research on Flesh and Blood Alchemy experiments has been ongoing for over a decade, whether it’s in Beast Fighting City or among the ten major military academies." Shen Zhongyun cleansed his hands and chuckled softly.

Fang Zhou, listening, couldn’t help but ask, "What kind of project is this? Why does it require so much time?"

Shen Zhongyun led Fang Zhou outside and explained while walking: "It’s normal that you don’t know about this.

This is actually a secret project led by the Longxia Federation’s military.

However, you’re at Silver now, so you have the eligibility to know about it."

"This is Flesh Transformation, aimed at enhancing these Mythical World creatures’ combat power through body modification.

It’s a long-term experimental project with many in the military conducting relevant research."

"Flesh Transformation? So after your surgery, will this beastman’s strength increase?" Fang Zhou turned back to look at the laboratory.

"That’s right, but it might not necessarily succeed.

Many Blood and Flesh Alchemists in the army are participating in this research.

Each person researches a different creature, and my research focus is on beastmen."

"Of course, my research experiments are built upon the predecessors’ research.

The leader of the beastmen project is a major general from the Longxia Federation, a Glory Champion Level Magic Professional." Shen Zhongyun continued narrating.

"After your modification, how much combat power can this beastman gain?" Fang Zhou couldn’t help but ask.

"This is a lower Black Iron Tier beastman. If he’s lucky, after the experiment ends, his strength will slightly surpass that of an upper Black Iron Rank.

And when his Battle Qi continues to cultivate, his strength reaches upper Black Iron Rank, then under the surgical enhancement, his power can reach this stage of a lower Bronze Rank." Shen Zhongyun said with some pride.

"That’s impressive!" Fang Zhou couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

On the path of transcendence, not everyone has the chance to continuously progress.

Most people, even if they awaken, will remain at the Black Iron Tier their entire lives.

Every tier breakthrough would eliminate a large number of people, even with the Blue Star humans having systematic teachings.

Among beastmen, apart from beastmen nobles with heritage, ordinary Black Skull beastmen are likely to spend their entire lives revolving around the Black Iron Tier, with no chance of ever breaking through to Bronze.

Now, with modification, these beastmen can cross a tier, which indeed deserves praise.

"That’s nothing; our beastmen project is only this successful, but other project groups have achieved even greater results."

"It’s said the centaur research group can now enhance centaurs of Bronze Tier strength to Silver Lower Rank strength." Shen Zhongyun also couldn’t help but shake his head at this.

"Silver?!"

Fang Zhou was somewhat stunned, as Silver Tier already counts as middle-high tier professionals, whereas Bronze Tier is still middle and low tier.

These are completely different levels altogether, both in terms of strength and social status.

"Yes, it’s Silver, but I only heard it from rumors.

They haven’t officially announced the experiment’s success yet, so I guess either the cost is too high, or the success rate is too low." Shen Zhongyun joked.

"Even if the success rate isn’t high, it’s still something very encouraging."

After Fang Zhou said this, he continued to excitedly inquire, "Then Uncle Shen, is this technology mature since you can enhance Black Iron beastmen to Bronze?"

"That’s right, this technology is mature. Our current research mainly aims to reduce costs."

Shen Zhongyun rarely displayed a proud expression.

"Alright, no more diversions. Are you interested in joining my project?" Shen Zhongyun asked.

"Of course, Uncle Shen, I’m definitely interested!" Fang Zhou nodded eagerly.

This is a good opportunity; participating not only allows for learning new knowledge but also gives future chances to massively modify his soldiers.

Though as an Undead Mage, he doesn’t lack soldiers under his command, he still lacks middle and high tier ones.

Fang Zhou can already sense that while there’s no shortage of corpse materials at Black Iron and Bronze Tier, those above Silver Tier become much more challenging.

When Fang Zhou advances to Gold, it will be even worse.

Look at Instructor Su Xinyan and Master Sandro, who have lingered at Golden Tier for so long with very few Golden Level artificial undead.

This illustrates the fewer suitable corpse materials available for creating undead summoned creatures the higher the tier.

After all, on the battlefield, high-tier corpses are precious resources themselves.

In fact, some people, after battle, even if they kill the enemy, are unwilling for the opponent’s bones to fall into ally hands and suffer further desecration.

Thus, many times these corpses are cremated, which is an incredible waste.

As for one’s own comrades, making their corpses into undead creatures is even less acceptable.

Even though the Undead Mages are thick-skinned, they can’t escape being criticized.

Therefore, learning Flesh Transformation technology is an excellent supplement to combat power.

Creatures from the Mythical World, once modified, can fight for you when alive.

Even after dying, they’re not wasted but transformed into undead creatures, continuing to provide posthumous service for Fang Zhou.

Thinking about this, Fang Zhou couldn’t help but feel moved.

...

Subsequently, Fang Zhou entered a rare period of tranquil strength growth.

The Blood Spirit Lord Clone cautiously explored the City of Strife.

Meanwhile, as the Undead Mage, aside from daily patrol duties and meditation time, Fang Zhou also learned Flesh Transformation technology with Shen Zhongyun.

A prodigy like Fang Zhou encountered no learning obstacles.

Facing technical difficulties, he would directly use Soul Power to expedite the learning state.

This astonished Shen Zhongyun, as Fang Zhou’s speed in learning and absorbing was truly remarkable.