"Of course it could be sensed, as long as it hadn't been ground into powder and scattered through the air.
"All things, whether living or dead, carried genes within them."
Zhou Yanjun explained.
"The genes of the living possessed vitality.
"But the genes of the dead had lost all characteristics, just like a corpse."
Instead of growing more worried after Zhou Yanjun's explanation, Daoist Qingsong and the others heaved a sigh of relief.
They all asked, "If there's a gene lock, perhaps it simply failed in cultivation and ultimately died.
"There shouldn't be anything sinister at work."
When the branch Daoist Qingsong had condensed touched the skeleton, it curled around it and wrapped it up.
Nothing unusual happened during the process.
Then the branch began to contract, drawing the skeleton over bit by bit.
As the skeleton drew nearer inch by inch, everyone could see it more clearly.
The faint halo on the skeleton had not originated from the skeleton itself.
It came from a gemstone embedded in the skeleton's brow.
The gemstone was triangular in shape, embedded there like an eye.
If they had not been so close, and if the light had not obscured it, it would have been difficult to see clearly.
"Something's wrong. The gene lock inside is unstable."
Zhou Yanjun gave a low shout.
He was the first to retreat several steps, shouting at the same time.
"Everyone, back away! Don't stay close together!"
The instant he spoke, the skeleton suddenly changed.
The light upon it abruptly blazed.
It nearly engulfed Daoist Qingsong within it.
Qiu Baiyin and Xu Zimo, who stood nearby, retreated the fastest.
They had long been on guard.
Youjin and the two-headed bear were a step slower, and their arms were swallowed by the light.
Yet both of them knew the