Chapter 369: The Path of Advancement

Yute'er's virtual skeleton projection sat behind that desk made of living bone.

Silver light flowed slowly around him, like the afterglow of an ancient galaxy.

Luo En sat opposite, gently stroking the magic sword that had just finished fusion.

"Your harvest this time is far greater than I expected."

Yute'er's voice was like deep water in an ancient well, carrying the depth of accumulated years:

"Not only did you complete the perfect fusion of soul steel and the Master Sword.

And, the changes in your aura tell me that you have already come into contact with certain... very special existences."

The old professor's silver eyes carefully sized up Luo En.

That kind of gaze seemed capable of seeing through every secret in the depths of his soul.

Luo En nodded, neither denying nor explaining in detail:

"Indeed encountered some... unexpected situations. But overall, the harvest outweighs the risks."

"Wise answer."

Yute'er nodded satisfiedly, the silver light around the virtual shadow becoming gentler:

"In abyss exploration, knowing what should be said and what should not be said is itself an important survival skill."

He looked at the twisted abyss scene outside the window, his voice becoming deeper:

"Child, do you know? Before the Great Abyss appeared, it was much harder for us wizards to complete virtual skeleton condensation than it is now."

Luo En immediately concentrated his attention, activating "Hermit's Knowledge" to capture the precious information he might obtain next.

He was clear that such opportunities to obtain deep-level knowledge were extremely rare.

"Do you know when the abyss appeared?"

Yute'er's question seemed simple, but Luo En could feel the deep meaning contained within.

"Early Second Era, the Great Fission period." He answered, which was the content recorded in most historical classics.

"Indeed, what I want to talk about today is related to the Great Fission..."

Yute'er's virtual shadow began to weave complex timeline charts in the air:

"Before the Great Fission, those 'Age of Barbarism' God-Era wizards had a much harder time condensing virtual skeletons than now."

The chart displayed various attempts by ancient wizards to perform virtual skeleton condensation.

In those blurred images, Luo En saw ancient wizards meditating alone in the wilderness of different worlds;

Saw warriors fighting unknown creatures in dangerous caves;

And saw those crazy scholars performing self-modification in extreme environments.

"At that time, we could only grope forward in various different worlds."

Yute'er's voice carried the vicissitudes of history:

"Some went to the Fire Element Plane, forging the basic structure of virtual skeletons in magma;

Some went deep into the Snow Giant territory, condensing mental crystals in absolute zero;

Others chose time turbulence, searching for inspiration in chaotic time fragments."

"What was the mortality rate?" Luo En inquired, developing a strong interest in this hidden history.

"Nine out of ten died." Yute'er calmly gave a shocking number:

"And even if they successfully condensed a virtual skeleton, the quality was uneven.

Most people's virtual skeletons carried obvious environmental imprints, limiting subsequent development potential."

The chart continued to display the truth of that cruel era.

Countless geniuses turned into flying ash in the extreme environments of different worlds, and only a very few lucky ones could successfully advance to Great Wizards.

"But the Great Fission changed everything."

Yute'er's tone became more solemn, and the light around him began to flicker:

"That was a... special location deliberately manufactured."

This expression made Luo En's brows furrow slightly.

"Deliberately manufactured? You mean..."

"The appearance of the abyss is not a natural phenomenon."

Yute'er directly stated this shocking truth:

"It is a rehearsal ground manufactured by certain supreme existences to cultivate... troops to invade different worlds."

The air fell into deathly silence after this sentence.

The abyss was not a dangerous area formed naturally, but some kind of... training camp?

"Supreme existences?" he inquired cautiously.

"Existences at a higher level than Wizard Kings."

Yute'er's answer was vague and cautious, clearly this topic involved certain forbidden areas:

"Their purposes and motivations are not something our level can understand.

But the result is very clear... the abyss provided us with an unprecedented growth environment."

The virtual shadow waved to display more details:

"Each layer of the abyss simulates different types of different-world environments.

The blood-colored shallows of the first and second layers correspond to chaotic worlds with frequent wars;

The Black Sand Wasteland of the third layer simulates dead and silent planes with scarce resources;

The Twisted Jungle of the fourth layer reproduces the out-of-control ecology of excessive life reproduction..."

"And deeper layers..."

Yute'er's voice became more mysterious:

"Also simulate some extreme environments we can't even imagine.

Worlds where time flows backward, spaces where cause and effect are inverted, and even chaos dimensions where physical laws are completely rewritten."

Luo En listened with surging emotions; this macro perspective allowed his understanding of the abyss to rise to a brand-new height.

"Then... the relationship between virtual skeleton condensation and the abyss?"

"Inseparable."

Yute'er's answer was categorical:

"The essence of a virtual skeleton is a highly condensed magic power structure.

To achieve a sufficient degree of condensation, it must undergo long-term compression and tempering in extreme environments."

He paused, a complex light flashing in his eyes:

"And what the abyss provides is not just the environment, but... time."

"Time?"

"The deeper the abyss, the slower the flow of time relative to the main world."

Yute'er explained, while displaying a complex time flow speed comparison chart:

"The fourth and fifth layers are okay, the difference isn't particularly large, but after reaching the sixth layer, this flow speed difference will increase greatly.

Staying in the sixth layer for one day, the main world might have already passed more than a week.

And after reaching below the ninth layer, one day inside might be months or even a year or two outside."

This information corroborated the news he had obtained in Lan Si's notes before.

Lan Si's research also made breakthroughs in the special environment of the abyss.

"The speed of power transformation will also present a doubling effect with the change of flow speed."

Yute'er continued to explain this shocking secret:

"Performing magic power compression in the deep abyss is far more efficient than in the main world.

One or two months of deep-layer cultivation might be worth decades or even longer efforts in the main world."

Luo En began to understand why wizards valued abyss exploration so much.

This was not just a means to obtain resources, but a shortcut to rapid growth.

"But what is the price?" he inquired keenly.

"Pollution, madness, death."

Yute'er calmly listed the risks:

"The environment of the deep abyss is far more dangerous than you imagine.

It's not just physical threats, but erosion at the mental level.

Many wizards lost themselves in the deep abyss, and even if they were lucky enough to return, they were no longer the original themselves."

His voice became more solemn:

"Moreover, the difference in time flow speed brings another problem...

When you spend years in the deep abyss and return to the main world, you will find that the people you know might have already aged or died, and the world you are familiar with might have changed beyond recognition."

This made Luo En involuntarily think of his family far away in the Kingdom of Fa Lu Ke.

Eldest brother Ai De Meng, Father, and An De Lie...

If he chose to go deep into the abyss for long-term cultivation, would they still be there when he returned?

"Wizards who can survive in the abyss for a long time often possess... adaptability beyond ordinary people."

Yute'er's gaze refocused on Luo En:

"And judging from your performance this time, you happen to possess this precious characteristic."

"So..." Luo En had already vaguely guessed the other party's hint.

"When you reach the peak of the Moon-Illumination stage and begin preparing for the condensation of the Void Husk prototype, the Abyss will be your best choice."

Yute'er gave a clear suggestion:

"There, you can complete magic power compression with the highest efficiency, laying the most solid foundation for virtual skeleton construction.

And the special environment and energy support needed during the condensation process can also be provided by the abyss."

He paused, his tone becoming deeper:

"Even the 'special ritual' for advancing to a Great Wizard needs to be conducted in certain specific layers of the abyss.

That place contains... essential power that the main world cannot provide."

Luo En digested these precious pieces of information quietly, and his plan for the future began to become clearer.

The abyss was not just a resource acquisition place, but a necessary path for him to reach a higher level.

"However, it is too early to talk about these now."

Yute'er's tone became a bit more relaxed:

"You first need to reach the Moon-Illumination stage, then accumulate enough experience in Abyssal adaptation, and only then can you begin true long-term cultivation."

"I understand, Professor."

Luo En nodded seriously, then remembered another important thing:

"Regarding another participant in this exploration... Youfeimiya Peilei, how is her situation?"

Mentioning this name, Yute'er's expression became subtle.

"Ah, that interesting little girl..."

His voice carried some indescribable meaning:

"She returned to the observation station on the third day after you left, also carrying an abyss apostle's aura mark."

"Apostle aura?" Luo En inquired, pretending to be surprised.

"Characteristics of the Blood-Tear Grand Duke Asimonde."

Yute'er explained in detail:

"Judging from the aura intensity, her contact time with that apostle shouldn't be short."

The old professor's virtual shadow drifted slowly in the room:

"But considering her bloodline characteristics, this contact is also within reason.

The creations of the Blood King naturally have a certain affinity for blood kin apostles."

"What is her current condition?"

"Isolated and inspected for a full week, all indicators are normal."

Yute'er answered:

"I gave her a temporary identity as a Copper Ring Explorer, and currently everything is handled according to rules and regulations.

There are no extra restrictions on advancement, all depending on personal ability."

He paused, a playful look appearing in his eyes:

"She behaves quite... honestly. Most of the time she is performing ordinary material collection missions in the first three layers, and when there is no mission, she focuses on meditation and spell practice."

"Occasionally she goes to the library to check some information related to bloodline modulation, but they are all public basic content, not involving any sensitive information."

Luo En heard the subtext in Yute'er's words.

Such orderly behavior instead appeared a bit deliberate.

"What is your evaluation of her?"

"A dangerous person trying hard to prove she is harmless."

Yute'er's answer was quite direct:

"She is very smart, knowing how to appear 'normal' under monitoring."

The old professor's gaze refocused on Luo En:

"I feel you want to discuss certain things about her with me, but this is not an area I should intervene in."

He waved his hand, the light around the virtual shadow becoming softer:

"Whatever decision you have, think and handle it yourself.

After so many things, you have already proven yourself; believe in your own judgment, and believe in your own ability."

"However..."

Yute'er added, his voice carrying a kind reminder:

"If you want to have any in-depth... communication with her, I suggest doing it within the observation station.

Here, my virtual skeleton power is the most powerful and can provide sufficient... protection."

A certain deep meaning appeared in his eyes:

"The virtual skeleton mark I left on her can shield most external interference within the scope of the observation station.

Even the Blood King would find it very difficult to monitor her actions here."

This information made Luo En's heart move.

It seems Yute'er had long anticipated Aiden's monitoring ability and had made corresponding protective measures.

"Thank you for your reminder, Professor."

"No need for polite words."

Yute'er waved his hand to interrupt his thanks:

"Your growth is good for the entire observation station, and providing necessary support is what I should do."

Luo En thought for a moment, then mentioned another purpose for his coming:

"In addition, I also want to apply to return to the Central Land next week to handle some important affairs."

"Of course." Yute'er agreed readily:

"The regular airship schedule happens to have one the day after tomorrow. I will arrange for you to board. Do you need special transport permission?"

"If possible, I hope to transport some experimental equipment and materials."

Luo En thought of his mobile workshop:

"And two assistants, they also need to go to the Central Land with me."

"No problem." Yute'er nodded: "I will arrange a special cargo hold. With your current status, these are all within reasonable authority." ===== CHAPTER 370 =====