Chapter 357: Identity Exposed

Miller and the others watched this process nervously.

Although they didn't understand divination, they could all feel the strange aura in the air.

"Damn it, this thing looks like some kind of evil ritual."

Blake muttered in a low voice, his hand subconsciously gripping the battle axe.

"Shut up, Blake." Camilla glared at him, "Any interference might affect the result of the divination."

A few minutes later, the bones stopped moving, forming an abstract pattern in the divination plate.

The seven bones presented a twisted star shape, but Luo En immediately noticed the abnormality within:

Three bones pointed in the same direction—the direction of the deeper abyss.

The blood in the divination plate began to flow spontaneously.

The blood formed connecting lines between the bones.

These blood lines constituted a complex network, with its center point corresponding exactly to Luo En's current position.

All images were blurred, requiring the diviner to use their own knowledge and intuition to interpret them.

"Start interpreting..."

Luo En stared at this complex pattern and began to use his astrological knowledge to analyze it.

First, three bones pointing in the same direction is called 'Fate Convergence' in divination studies.

It indicates that the diviner will inevitably encounter a major event in the specified direction.

And this encounter is unavoidable; no matter how the route is changed, it cannot be escaped.

But what exactly will be encountered, bone divination itself cannot give a clear answer.

Luo En needs to combine other information to infer.

The bone of the corrosive insect points to the deep layer, meaning this encounter is related to decay and rebirth, possibly involving some form of transformation;

The pointing of the blood-tear flower hints at the fusion of pain and passion, foreshadowing a strong impact at the emotional level;

And the participation of the variable beast bone is the most eye-catching; it represents new life and hope.

"Three completely different symbolic meanings point in the same direction..."

Luo En analyzed in his heart:

"This might mean I will encounter a complex existence that simultaneously possesses the dual characteristics of destruction and creation."

Next is the network analysis formed by blood lines.

He could identify some traditional symbols within:

There is a pentagram structure representing protection, implying the existence of some kind of sheltering power;

There is an infinity symbol symbolizing connection, foreshadowing some kind of eternal bond relationship;

There are also some more complex patterns, seemingly related to bloodline, inheritance, and recognition.

"The center of the network is myself, but the edges extend in several different directions..."

Luo En continued to interpret:

"This indicates that this event is not just a simple contact between two parties, but will also involve the participation of other forces."

The pattern formed by blood was still changing.

In the northeast area of the divination plate, the blood gathered into a blurred human silhouette.

This silhouette was very small, giving a feeling of a young body or a newborn.

But as time passed, this silhouette began to connect with the surrounding blood lines, as if establishing some kind of special relationship network.

"This should be the symbol of the substitute puppet." Luo En's heartbeat accelerated slightly:

"Blood divination shows that my contact with the abyss existence is indeed closely related to the puppet."

In this specific context, it might mean the establishment of some kind of special relationship.

As the blood continued to change, more scenes appeared in the divination plate.

In the southern area, the blood formed a huge eye shape, and this eye was surrounded by countless tiny tentacle-like blood lines.

Luo En recorded this important information in his heart.

But what truly shocked him was the relationship between this huge eye and the small silhouette.

The blood formed a special connection mode between them, not a simple straight line, but a spiral-shaped bond structure.

In traditional symbology, this spiral bond has a very special meaning.

It represents bloodline relationship, especially the bond of kinship.

The changes in blood continued, but the subsequent patterns made Luo En feel even more confused.

In the northern area of the divination plate, a blurred human silhouette appeared, but this silhouette was obviously different from himself.

It was more slender, giving a feeling of a female.

And this silhouette was surrounded by red whirlpools representing danger and temptation.

"Third-party force?" Luo En frowned, "A female, and with obvious threatening nature."

Besides this, a blood line connection was also formed between this female silhouette and the center point representing himself.

But the color of this connection line was deep red, which in divination studies represents bloodshed, conflict, and life-and-death choices.

"Threats will come from multiple directions simultaneously..." Luo En began to feel the complexity of the situation.

Immediately following, warning changes appeared in the divination plate.

The blood began to surge violently, forming a scene of intense conflict.

Countless twisted figures were slaughtering each other in the sea of blood, including human silhouettes and completely unrecognizable alien existences.

The focus of these conflicts was concentrated on several small silhouettes representing his teammates.

"If we proceed with contact in the conventional way..."

He carefully analyzed these overly abstract images:

"Miller and the others will become victims of the conflict; the prophecy is very clear, their survival probability is close to zero."

The final scene of the prophecy completely confirmed his judgment.

Blurred figures of Miller, Blake, Camilla, and others emerged in the blood.

But these figures were all surrounded by heavy black fog, representing the inevitable arrival of death.

Luo En took a deep breath, and had already made a decision in his heart:

"I must face the upcoming challenge alone; letting them continue to follow will only lead to unnecessary sacrifice."

The final part of the prophecy also gave some specific action guidelines.

The blood silhouette changed again, showing a complex time sequence:

First is separation—representing Luo En's silhouette separating from others;

Then is approach—two main silhouettes (Luo En and Nari) begin to approach each other;

Next is communication—a symbol representing communication appeared in the middle;

Finally is fusion—all silhouettes merged into a larger, stronger whole.

"The key lies in attitude..."

Luo En carefully observed the details of the communication stage and found an important piece of information:

When Luo En's silhouette approached Nari, it needed to show a specific emotional state.

The blood presented a warm orange-red color at this stage, symbolizing closeness, care, and... family-like warmth.

"I need to show a family-like closeness to that abyss apostle?"

This conclusion sounded absurd at first.

But connecting it to the 'mother-child' relationship that might exist between the substitute puppet and Nari, this attitude became reasonable.

After the divination ended, the blood gradually congealed, and the bones also lost their luster.

But that complex pattern was still clearly imprinted in the divination plate, reminding Luo En of the revelation he had just obtained.

He took a deep breath and began to organize the information he had just obtained:

"First, the encounter with the abyss apostle, most likely Nari, is unavoidable."

"Secondly, the event will involve multiple forces, including a female character with threatening nature."

"Finally, the entire process will bring fundamental changes, which could be good or bad."

But the divination didn't tell him: how to deal with these challenges, and how to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.

These questions needed him to use his own knowledge, experience, and judgment to solve.

"According to the symbol of the bloodline bond, I should approach that abyss apostle with some kind of 'family' identity."

Luo En formulated strategies in his heart:

"Since it treats the puppet as a child, then as the 'other side' of the puppet, I might be seen as some kind of special existence."

"But the key is how to prove this relationship, and how to avoid the threat brought by that mysterious female."

He carefully put away the divination tools, while noticing the nervous expressions on the faces of Miller and the others.

"What's the result?" Miller's voice was very low, "Judging from your expression, the situation is not very optimistic."

"The situation is quite complex." Luo En answered truthfully, but omitted most of the details:

"We are very likely to encounter an existence at the Apostle level, and more than one."

This news made the other members of the team nervous.

Blake gripped his battle axe subconsciously, Camilla began to check her spell materials, and even Miller, who was always steady, revealed a serious expression.

"Retreat?" Miller asked concisely.

"No." Luo En's answer was beyond everyone's expectations:

"But you need to retreat to a safe area; I must conduct the next contact alone."

This decision caused controversy in the team.

"What? Wizard Ralph, are you crazy?" Blake was the first to object, "Facing an abyss apostle alone? Isn't that suicide?"

"Mr. Luo En, please reconsider." Camilla's tone was equally worried:

"Even if you are powerful, you shouldn't take this kind of risk alone."

But Miller nodded after a brief thought.

"If this is your decision, we will respect it."

The veteran's voice carried helplessness, but more of it was understanding: "In the abyss, sometimes having too many people is a burden. And..." He looked at the other team members:

"If it is really a threat at the Apostle level, we people staying behind won't be able to help, and might instead become a drag."

He understood his own limits and wouldn't make stupid decisions because of so-called 'loyalty'.

"You retreat to a relatively safe area on the second layer." Luo En began to arrange subsequent plans:

"If I haven't returned within 72 hours, report the situation directly to the observatory."

"Understood." Miller nodded to confirm, "But are you sure you don't need to leave some support? At least leave a communication device?"

"No need." Luo En shook his head:

"Divination shows that this contact needs to show a specific attitude. Having others present might instead destroy this atmosphere."

Although the team members were still worried, they finally accepted this arrangement.

In the abyss, individual will is often more important than team coordination.

Everyone must be responsible for their own choices, including bearing the corresponding consequences.

After the last low hum emitted by the magic isolator, it fell into dead silence completely.

Luo En carefully put the divination tools into the special silk bag.

Raising his head, he looked at the Miller team who were packing their equipment.

In this strange forest composed of blood vessels and tendons, several human figures appeared exceptionally small and fragile.

Blake's face, full of scars, twisted in the dim light.

His rough palms rubbed the handle of the battle axe repeatedly, and that prosthetic eye rotated uneasily in the eye socket, making a subtle mechanical friction sound.

"Wizard Ralph..." Blake's voice was as rough as sawing wood:

"Are you sure you don't need us to leave one person? Even if we just follow from afar, we can provide cover if something happens..."

"Blake." Miller's voice was as hard as a giant rock, instantly interrupting his companion's words.

He stood up slowly, his eyes sweeping over every team member.

"You are all old brothers who have been through life and death with me; you should understand what kind of judgment to make at what time."

His words were short and powerful, every word knocking on the team members' hearts like a hammer:

"In the abyss, acting on impulse is more lethal than any monster or curse.

If Mr. Luo En says he needs to act alone, then he must have his reasons."

Miller's gaze finally landed on Luo En, that look full of trust:

"We are not nannies, nor are we a burden. Since the other party has firmly chosen this path, we must give corresponding trust."

Camilla put the last healing potion into the storage bag.

"At least..." She turned to Luo En, "At least take the emergency signal flare. If you really encounter a situation you cannot handle..."

"It's useless." Luo En's voice was as calm as discussing experimental data:

"The perception radius of existences at the Apostle level is usually over hundreds of miles.

Any magic power fluctuation, including signal flares, will only expose the position and add unnecessary variables."

His eyes swept over every team member, his voice carrying unquestionable decisiveness:

"Believe in my analysis; this is the optimal solution."

Miller stared at Luo En deeply for a long time, and finally nodded slowly.

As a veteran explorer, he knew clearly where the limits of himself and others were.

"Understood. Seventy-two hours." The veteran's voice was as heavy as a dull knife cutting meat:

"If you haven't returned, we will report to the observatory according to the original plan."

He paused:

"May knowledge light up your path, Mr. Luo En."

After the figures of the Miller team completely disappeared into the twisted organ forest, the Flesh Forest returned to dead silence.

Only the body fluids oozing from the surface of those 'trees' dripped slowly, each drop making a rhythmic sound like a heartbeat.

Luo En put away the last bit of gentleness on his face, his eyes becoming as cold as ice.

Facing the upcoming danger alone, what surged in the depths of his heart was not fear, but a kind of near-morbid excitement.

"Every real breakthrough requires taking corresponding risks."

He stroked the storage bag at his waist, feeling the state of 'Explorer One' through the spiritual link.

The golem was running stably deep in the forest, and all systems showed normal.

The air was filled with a mixed scent of death and despair, and every breath felt like swallowing the resentment of countless dead souls.

But Luo En had long since fully adapted to this environment, and even began to appreciate a certain primitive beauty contained within.

"Now, it's time to confirm the specific condition of the substitute puppet."

He closed his eyes and began to deeply mobilize the spiritual link with the puppet.

As his consciousness extended, his perception instantly crossed countless distances and arrived at the depths of the Sea of Lightlessness...

………………

Deep in the Sea of Lightlessness, a huge existence beyond imagination surged in the oppressive darkness.

Nari's body cruised slowly in the seabed like a moving mountain range, every breath causing a huge rise and fall of seawater.

But at this moment, this terrifying existence that made countless explorers hear its name and tremble, revealed a completely different side.

"My little baby, how are you feeling today?"

Nari's huge face, covered with countless eyes, leaned close to the nutrient vesicle, its voice in the consciousness domain as soft as a lullaby.

"Mom specially went to the sixth layer yesterday and found the freshest 'Fruit of Time' for you."

It carefully took out a strange fruit flickering with silver light.

Liquid time flowed on the surface of the fruit; just watching it made one feel the thickness of the years.

The substitute puppet floated quietly in the special vesicle; after this period of careful care, it had begun to emit a subtle life aura.

Suddenly, the runes on the surface of the puppet began to flicker violently, the light brighter than ever before, and the entire vesicle was illuminated like a miniature sun.

All of Nari's eyes widened instantly, and its huge body stopped swimming:

"Baby? What's wrong with you?"

It was somewhat nervous, and countless tentacles began to gently stroke the surface of the vesicle:

"Is something uncomfortable? Or are you hungry? Mom will go find something better for you to eat right away..."

Just at this moment, a miracle unprecedented for Nari occurred.

The puppet began to 'speak'.

Not sound, but a stream of information transmitted directly to the depths of Nari's consciousness.

This communication method made it so excited that it almost lost its sanity; all its tentacles danced crazily in the seawater, setting off huge whirlpools.

"Mo... Mom..."

The information transmitted by the puppet was intermittent, carrying the ignorance and confusion unique to a newborn:

"I... I can feel... a very strange feeling... like... like there is another me..."

Nari felt its heart almost stop beating—if that strange energy core could also be considered a heart.

The puppet's communication was so precious and so dreamed of for it that it didn't know how to respond for a while.

"Baby can speak! Baby can communicate with Mom!"

Nari's voice echoed throughout the treasure house, full of pure joy.

After a brief emotional high, Nari quickly noticed the key information in the puppet's words.

As an ancient existence that had lived for thousands of years, even if its mind was as simple as a child's, its understanding of life phenomena was still far beyond ordinary people:

"Another you? Baby, you mean... you have another clone?"

"No... not a clone..."

The puppet's consciousness began to become clearer, as if it was learning how to express itself better:

"It is... a symbiont... two bodies... one soul... the main body is... in a very, very far place..."

This explanation made Nari fall into deep confusion.

It had seen countless strange life forms, but this situation...

"You mean..." Nari asked cautiously, afraid of disturbing the child's thinking:

"You have another body? Like... like some deep-sea jellyfish that can split off free-living bodies?"

"Yes, Mother."

The puppet's response became more fluent; as the communication progressed, its expressive ability seemed to be growing rapidly:

"And... and only when the two bodies merge again can I exert my true potential.

Just as you hope, become more powerful, and be able to bring you more spiritual stability power."

Hearing this, Nari's expression began to undergo subtle changes.

"But... but where is the other body?"

It asked anxiously, its huge eyeballs beginning to search everywhere in the treasure house, as if that 'clone' was hiding in some corner:

"Mom can go find it back! No matter how far, no matter how dangerous, Mom will bring your other half back!"

Nari's promise was so sincere and so unreserved.

So much so that even the puppet... or rather, Luo En, who was far away in the Flesh Forest, felt a subtle sense of guilt.

"You don't need to go find it yourself, Mother."

The puppet's voice became gentler, carrying gratitude for this care:

"Actually, my other half has already sensed my location and is rushing here.

It can find the accurate direction through the symbiotic connection between us."

This news made Nari tremble with excitement, but soon, it realized something:

"But... but what if other Apostle Lords discover the existence of your other half?"

The puppet was silent for a moment, then responded in a tone close to sorrow:

"It is very weak, Mother. Just an ordinary wizard body, without my special abilities. If it is discovered by other apostles..."

"No!"

Nari's thought riot caused surging tides in the surrounding sea area, and nearby abyss creatures were all scared and scattered:

"No one can hurt my child! No one can!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 358 =====