Chapter 344

"Three, two, one..."

With the end of the count, the neural connection began to disconnect.

Lei Kesi's eyelids trembled slightly, then he slowly opened his eyes.

He sat up from the chair, the aftertaste of the intense battle just now still remaining on his face.

"My God..."

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice carrying disbelief:

"I almost thought I was really in the abyss... that sense of oppression, fear, and the adrenaline surge during combat... it was a completely real experience!"

"Any discomfort?" Captain Miller stepped forward with concern to ask:

"Headache, nausea, or other strange feelings?"

"None at all." Lei Kesi moved his limbs, carefully checking his physical condition:

"Instead, I feel particularly focused, remembering every detail of just now clearly.

I think... I think if I really go to the abyss now, my reaction will definitely be much faster than before."

This positive feedback made the explorers on the scene excited.

"I want to try it too!"

"Is the training effect really this magical?"

"When can we all experience it?"

Facing the explorers' enthusiasm, Luo En maintained the necessary caution:

"Today is just a preliminary verification; we still need to collect more data and conduct a more comprehensive safety assessment."

But on the other side of the audience, the researchers' reactions were much more complex.

Wei En's face became paler; he gripped the recording board in his hand tightly, his knuckles turning white:

"This level of consciousness manipulation... hard to imagine..."

His colleague beside him asked in a low voice: "Do you think there will be any problems?"

"I don't know." Wei En shook his head: "Let's wait and see for now; new things always have a break-in period."

Youteer's phantom drifted slowly around the device, his silver eyes carefully observing every technical detail.

His expression was complex, containing both admiration for the technological achievement and worry about the unknown consequences:

"Luo En, this level of reality simulation is already approaching certain... dangerous boundaries."

The old professor's voice carried worry: "Some doors, once opened, can never be closed again."

"But I must also admit that the value of this technology is undeniable."

He continued: "If it can be used reasonably, it can indeed significantly reduce the mortality rate of explorers."

Luo En nodded in understanding:

"This is exactly why we need to be extra cautious. Any new technology is accompanied by risks; the key is how to control the risks within an acceptable range."

After the test ended, the audience began to disperse one after another.

But everyone left with a deep impression; this epoch-making technological breakthrough was destined to have a profound impact on abyss exploration.

The explorers discussed the possibilities of this new training method excitedly;

The researchers thought about the potential risks with worry;

The management had already begun to consider how to incorporate this technology into the formal training system.

And behind all these reactions, a deeper change was quietly taking place.

Through this successful demonstration, Luo En proved his technical strength and also established a new image of authority within the observation station.

"Anyway, the news can't be hidden; I'll tell Lord Tea Leaf first."

………………

On the other side, deep in the Sea of No Light, Nari's huge body was swimming anxiously in the treasury.

Its tentacles swayed neurotically, each movement stirring up turbulent undercurrents, causing the entire treasury to fall into uneasy tremors.

The dense eyes on the walls felt their master's emotions and revealed worried expressions one after another.

Some smaller eyes even began to shed tears; those tears condensed into precious abyss essence, but at this moment, Nari had no heart to pay attention to these riches.

"No, no... this can't go on like this..."

Nari's voice echoed in the consciousness domain, carrying the anxiety and urgency unique to a young mother:

"My little treasure is growing so fast, and its appetite is getting better and better..."

It swam to the almost empty storage room, gently stroking the remaining containers with its tentacles.

The once full precious ingredients now only had some stock of ordinary quality left.

With the lifting of the second layer of the seal, the suitcase began to undergo drastic changes.

Nari turned and swam toward the center of the treasury, staring at the special vesicle containing the substitute puppet.

Tea Leaf is still conducting daily extreme training, its huge body bearing high temperature and pressure sufficient to melt mountains.

Whenever Nari felt that warm and pure energy, a kind of uncontrollable maternal protective desire would surge in its heart.

"Mommy's little angel..."

It whispered, its voice full of tenderness and doting:

"You are Mommy's most precious treasure; Mommy absolutely cannot let you go hungry..."

But reality is cruel.

The division of hunting territories in the abyss is extremely strict; this is the basic rule for maintaining a fragile balance between the various apostles.

Each apostle has their own fixed hunting area; hunting across borders is not only seen as a provocation, but more likely to trigger bloody territorial wars.

Although Nari is naive, it is not stupid.

It clearly knows that with its own strength and status, it absolutely cannot bear the consequences of a conflict with other apostles.

"But... but I cannot let my treasure go hungry..."

Nari struggled repeatedly in its heart, and finally summoned the courage to decide to ask Tea Leaf for help.

After all, he had clearly indicated last time that he would consider expanding the hunting authorization; now is the time to fulfill the promise.

"Lord Tea Leaf..."

Nari initiated communication cautiously, its voice carrying the timidity and expectation unique to a little girl:

"I... I have something I would like to ask for your help with..."

Deep in the magma sea on the ninth layer of the abyss, Tea Leaf was still engaged in cruel self-training.

His massive body endured high temperatures and pressure sufficient to melt mountain ranges.

All three faces were twisted, enduring pain unimaginable to ordinary people.

But this pain was exactly what he pursued.

Only in an extreme state can one continue to advance physical strength that is already near the peak.

Being suddenly interrupted by Nari, his mood can be imagined:

"You again..."

Tea Leaf's voice was as violent as a magma eruption, but it was quickly suppressed.

After all, Nari might bring valuable information, and he couldn't completely tear his face off yet:

"What is it, speak quickly."

"It's... it's about my treasure..."

Nari's voice became even more timid:

"It's growing too fast, and my current reserves are no longer enough for it to eat..."

It paused for a moment, summoned its courage, and continued:

"You said last time that if there was a need, you could consider expanding my hunting authorization..."

Tea Leaf's three brains began to operate simultaneously.

This was indeed an excellent opportunity.

Expanding Nari's range of activity could clearly better promote the changes and growth of that mysterious puppet.

Moreover, this arrangement hardly required him to pay any substantial price.

In the heart of the dragon-headed demon, he had long regarded that substitute puppet as his own possession.

After all, he is the second-ranked Supreme Apostle who can hold his own against that "Void Spider" Ma Genusi.

A guy like Nari who hasn't even figured out its own territory, what does it have to resist him?

"So that's how it is..."

Tea Leaf's tone began to become "kind":

"It seems your 'treasure' indeed has great potential. However, cross-regional hunting is no small matter..."

He paused deliberately, letting Nari's nervousness fully ferment:

"Where specifically do you want to go?"

"The territory of the Blood Tear Archduke..."

Nari said eagerly, its voice carrying the longing unique to a little girl:

"I heard there are many rare flowers of emotion there, as well as pure crystals of despair... these are very helpful for my treasure's growth..."

"And the territory of the Mad Biter; the mutated prey there is of high quality and rich in protein..."

It became more excited as it spoke; its greed seemed to have no limits at all:

Record any subtle abnormalities in detail. I need to master its growth trajectory.

Tea Leaf sneered in his heart.

Nari's choice exposed its nature; it picked all the resource areas with the most value.

"This is indeed... very challenging."

He pretended to be in a difficult position:

"You know, Asmonde, Mo Gelong, and Selina are not easy guys to get along with; getting them to agree to open hunting authorization..."

"I beg you!"

Nari's voice carried a crying tone:

"I really have no other way! I cannot let my treasure go hungry! It is the most important thing in my life!"

Hearing this sincere expression of emotion, Tea Leaf frowned, feeling somewhat speechless.

Is this still the living calamity "Eye of the Abyss" that the outside explorers talk about, which devours countless lives on the fifth layer every time it wakes up?

"Alright, alright."

He finally "reluctantly" agreed, his voice carrying tolerance:

"For the sake of you taking such good care of it, I can come forward to coordinate. But you must promise me a few conditions."

"What conditions? I promise everything!"

Nari was so excited it almost fainted:

"As long as it can help my treasure, I accept any condition!"

"First, you must regularly report the hunting situation and the changes in your 'treasure' to me."

Tea Leaf's tone became serious:

"I need to ensure that this arrangement does not cause unnecessary problems."

"Secondly, when hunting in the territories of other apostles, you must keep a low profile. Do not trigger conflicts, and do not expose the special nature of your 'treasure'."

"Finally, if there is any abnormal change in the situation, you must notify me immediately." "Okay, okay! I have remembered everything!"

Nari promised excitedly: "I will be careful, I will absolutely not cause you any trouble!"

After the communication ended, Tea Leaf immediately began to contact other apostles.

As one of the thirteen Supreme Apostles, he possessed the authority to coordinate abyss affairs.

But he only had coordination rights, not direct management rights; after all, every apostle is the absolute king within their own territory.

So the exercise of this authority also required strategy and skill.

The first to be contacted was the "Blood Tear Archduke" Asmonde.

This cunning young apostle was handling affairs in his own scarlet palace.

Surrounded by dozens of vampire descendants, several beautiful women were burying their heads and constantly serving their ancestor.

This power is something even Supreme Apostles cannot fully resist, at the cost of Nari itself possibly being torn apart in the process.

Asmonde signaled the woman beneath him to stop, his voice carrying alertness:

"You would actually take the initiative to contact me... it really makes me feel flattered..."

He elegantly toyed with the blood-colored rose in his hand:

"Let me guess... it definitely won't be anything good."

"It's about the hunting authorization issue of the 'Eye of the Abyss' Nari."

Tea Leaf said straight to the point:

"It is recently cultivating a special project and needs more high-quality resources. I hope you can open hunting authorization for some areas."

"Nari?"

Asmonde let out a contemptuous laugh:

"That waste who can't even handle cultivating one subordinate? What special project could it have? Don't tell me it found another 'perfect transformation target'."

His tone was full of sarcasm:

"It said the same thing last time, and what was the result? That poor Moon-Sun level wizard was turned into an idiot by it."

Tea Leaf maintained patience:

"This time is different. It's not convenient for me to reveal specific details, but I can guarantee that this is good for the overall stability of the fifth layer."

Asmonde stopped toying with the flower, a shrewd light appearing in his eyes.

The "Dragon-Headed Demon" Chaye is not the brainless madman that the wizards rumor him to be.

On the contrary, his mind is very clear, and he never does meaningless things.

Since Chaye is coming forward for Nari, it shows that the seemingly useless natural apostle has indeed discovered something valuable.

"It is indeed somewhat strange..."

Asmonde quickly analyzed the deep meaning of this request in his heart:

"This old guy Chaye suddenly caring so much about Nari must mean he can get some benefit."

He waved away the attendants on the left and right and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window of the palace.

Through the glass, one could see those strange and beautiful scenes in his territory.

Gardens cultivated with emotions, rare birds and beasts that feed on despair, and those fountains of tears that are always weeping.

"Since it is Lord Chaye's order, I can open hunting authorization for the southwest area."

He finally made a decision:

"But I have a condition: all of Nari's activities in my territory must be accompanied by my dependents.

I need to... ensure that it won't destroy the ecological balance I have meticulously maintained."

The true intention of this condition was obvious; Asmonde wanted to observe Nari's abnormal behavior at close range.

"This..."

Chaye pretended to hesitate for a moment:

"Alright, this condition is acceptable. But your dependents cannot interfere with Nari's normal hunting activities."

"Of course, my people are just observers."

Asmonde smiled elegantly, but the smile carried a dangerous meaning.

Next was the "Mad Biter" Mo Gelong.

This apostle, known for cruelty and tyranny, was watching the slaughter competition of his subordinates in his own arena.

Blood and violence are his greatest hobbies, and also the source of his power.

"Chaye?" Mo Gelong's roar was as rough as a beast: "You better have something important; I'm in a very bad mood right now."

His mood was indeed bad.

A wonderful slaughter just now was ruined by a cowardly gladiator.

That guy actually chose to surrender at a critical moment instead of fighting to the death.

The "Mad Biter" Mo Gelong is one of the oldest apostles.

So facing his rough attitude, Chaye was already accustomed to it.

"I'm here to talk to you about Nari."

Chaye said patiently: "It needs to conduct some hunting activities in your territory..."

"Let that waste enter my territory?"

Mo Gelong's roar almost collapsed the stands of the arena:

"Are you kidding! Last time it lost an experimental subject here, and it hasn't been found yet!"

He punched the stone pillar beside him in anger, and the entire pillar instantly turned into powder:

"That idiot can't even manage a half-dead experimental subject, and you still want to let it mess around in my territory?"

"That was just an accident." Chaye continued to persuade:

"Moreover, Nari's current state is much more stable than before. It won't cause you any trouble."

"Stable?" Mo Gelong sneered: "How stable can a natural chaos be? Unless..."

It suddenly stopped speaking, a cunning look appearing in its eyes.

As one of the oldest apostles, Mo Gelong keenly sensed the abnormality.

If Nari's mental state could be more stable than before, this change could not have happened naturally.

"Unless it really found something that can stabilize reason."

Mo Gelong laughed viciously twice: "In that case, it actually makes me somewhat interested."

Chaye cursed Mo Gelong's keenness in his heart, but remained calm on the surface:

"In short, this arrangement is good for everyone, don't you think?"

"Alright then, since you've asked, I'll give you some face."

Mo Gelong finally agreed, but dangerous red light flickered in his eyes:

"But I also have a condition: if Nari is discovered to have anything valuable, I want a share."

His tone became threatening:

"And, if that idiot causes any more trouble here, I will tear it into pieces directly."

"This... can be considered."

Chaye responded vaguely, already calculating in his heart how to deal with the possible complex situation.

Finally, there was the "Nightmare Queen" Selina.

This mysterious apostle rarely participates in the specific affairs of the abyss, and her Dream Palace is an even stranger space that outsiders find difficult to understand.

"Lord Chaye..."

Selina's voice was as smooth as silk, but it contained a certain relatively obvious hint:

"You seem very busy today. First Asmonde, then Mo Gelong, and now me. All for that poor Nari?"

Her voice carried a sense of mystery that knew everything:

"Let me guess... did it encounter some special situation?"

"Have you been monitoring our conversations?" Chaye's tone became dangerous.

"Not monitoring, noble lord." Selina laughed softly:

"It is perception; the emotional fluctuations of the entire fifth layer and part of the sixth layer are within my perception range.

Nari's recent state is indeed very... special."

Her voice became even more mysterious:

"That pure maternal love and protective desire, and the strange fluctuations emitted by its 'treasure'... do you think I wouldn't have noticed?"

Chaye realized that he had completely underestimated Selina's ability.

This Nightmare Queen not only sensed Nari's abnormality, but even perceived the existence of the puppet.

There was no point in hiding it anymore.

"Then what is your attitude?" Chaye asked directly.

"I will of course open hunting authorization." Selina's voice became even more alluring:

"But in exchange, I request to observe Nari's 'treasure' at close range when appropriate."

She paused:

"That kind of pure emotional fluctuation is very valuable for my research.

I am very curious, what kind of thing can make a chaotic being produce such stable maternal emotion."

"Alright." Chaye agreed helplessly.

After a round of negotiations, he found that not only did he not gain the advantage he imagined, but he instead made other apostles aware of Nari's abnormality.

Now, the apostles of the entire fifth layer began to pay attention to Nari and its "treasure."

"They are all old foxes who have lived for who knows how many years, sigh..." he sighed secretly.

Those who can become apostles, except for natural chaos like Nari, are indeed none of them easy to deal with.

"Forget it, at least it's still within a controllable range for now."

Chaye comforted himself in his heart:

"Moreover, with so many apostles paying attention, it can also more comprehensively evaluate the true value of that puppet."

Meanwhile, deep in the Sea of No Light, Nari was rolling excitedly in the treasury.

When it received the good news from Chaye, that joy almost scattered its reason.

"Great! Great!"

It circled the vesicle containing the puppet crazily, its voice full of excitement:

"My little treasure, Mommy has won the best hunting area for you!

From now on, I can prepare richer and more nutritious food for you!"

These fragments contain the maker's memories, skills, and personality traits, which are the key to the Master Sword acquiring independent will.

"You are also happy for Mommy, right?"

Nari gently stroked the surface of the vesicle, its voice full of maternal love and satisfaction:

"Don't worry, Mommy will protect you and let you grow up safe and healthy."

Behind this innocent joy, a storm was slowly brewing.

(End of chapter)