Chapter 391

The next morning, the diving platform of the Abyss Observation Station started those unsettling rune arrays again.

Luo En stood alone in the center of the platform.

Unlike last time, this time he did not apply for an escort from an exploration team.

"Just conducting routine material collection and environmental surveying."

He responded to the active volunteering of Miller and the others:

"I am already quite familiar with the environment of the fourth layer, and acting alone is more efficient."

A flash of worry crossed Miller's single eye; as a veteran explorer, he knew well the danger of venturing deep into the Abyss alone:

"Wizard Ralph, even for a routine mission, the fourth layer of the Abyss is by no means a safe place. Those environmental changes are random, and last time's experience may not necessarily apply to this time..."

"I understand your concern, Captain Miller."

Luo En's tone was gentle, but his attitude was firm:

"But some experiments need to be conducted in an absolutely quiet environment, and any external interference could affect the accuracy of the results."

He did not explain the real reason in detail.

The meeting with Nari, and those experiments involving taboo areas, were not suitable for outsiders to be present.

Blake wanted to say something, but was gently pulled by the sleeve by Camilla.

As the most sensitive member of the squad, the female wizard read a certain unquestionable firmness from Luo En's attitude.

"I appreciate everyone's kindness."

Luo En said finally: "If I really encounter a situation I cannot handle, I will immediately initiate the emergency summoning procedure."

Just as the atmosphere was somewhat deadlocked, the void phantom projection of Youteer slowly condensed on the platform.

The silver light rippled like water, and the old professor's voice carried unquestionable authority:

"Everyone's concern is understandable, but Researcher Ralph's decision also has its rationality."

The phantom's gaze swept over everyone present:

"With his current strength and Abyss adaptability, there is indeed no great risk in conducting routine missions on the fourth layer alone. And..."

Youteer's tone became meaningful:

"Some research indeed requires special environments and privacy protection."

Hearing these words, Miller and the others could only helplessly accept reality.

In the power system of the observation station, the words of the station master, Professor Youteer, were the highest criterion.

"Then, I wish you all the best, Wizard Ralph."

Miller finally expressed his blessings, but the worry in his eyes remained obvious:

"Please be sure to return on time; if you exceed the scheduled time..."

"I will return on time." Luo En nodded to them in greeting.

With the activation of the platform, Luo En began to sink into the depths of the Abyss.

But before leaving, he asked Youteer a question that worried him:

"Professor, the exploration team of Master Ma Kusi... how is their situation now?"

Youteer's phantom dimmed slightly, and deep worry appeared in his silver eyes:

"It has been a full ten days past the scheduled return time."

The old professor's voice became heavy:

"According to standard procedures, we have already dispatched three search and rescue teams.

But the complexity of the sixth layer, the 'Labyrinth Domain'... the hope of finding them is very slim."

This news made Luo En's heart sink.

Although Ma Kusi had some serious Abyss corruption, he could also be considered a fairly experienced explorer.

And his strength at the peak of the Morning Star level could be considered quite good, plus that team of mercenaries.

Even such a seasoned squad encountered misfortune in the Abyss...

"Even experienced explorers are only slightly stronger than novices when facing the terrifying environment starting from the sixth layer of the Abyss."

Youteer seemed to see through his thoughts:

"This is the cruel reality of deep exploration; no matter how careful you are, no matter how rich your experience is, the Grim Reaper can arrive at any time."

Luo En nodded silently, having a deeper understanding of this danger in his heart.

Immediately, he thought of another thing that had been on his mind:

Those people erased by the "Forgotten Land" — Trish, Corinna, and others whose names he didn't even remember.

"If I hadn't met Nari..."

He thought to himself about another possibility:

"Facing the curse of the Abyss and the dangerous environment, I would probably have to be cautious at every step and avoid it at all costs."

Just like the exploration he conducted on the fifth layer using the substitute puppet before meeting Nari.

The various twisted monsters encountered while walking alone, as well as various strange activated environments, were almost difficult at every step.

Meeting Nari and establishing a parent-child relationship with her was indeed his greatest luck.

With the protection of this "mother," he could become more and more comfortable in the Abyss, and even regard it as a treasure trove for obtaining power.

But for other ordinary explorers, the Abyss is always a terrifying dark hole that devours lives.

"After I promote to a Historian..."

Luo En planned secretly in his heart:

"I can start trying to analyze and track Trish's situation. Even if she might have been swallowed by the 'Forgotten Land' by then, at least I must confirm her final fate."

This is not only a memory of his former companions, but also a proof of his own inner persistence.

During the descent, Luo En could see the complex internal structure of the observation station slowly rising beside him through the transparent shield of the platform.

Those huge biological pipeline systems are not only part of the building, but also the core of the entire Abyss material processing flow.

The daily operation of the Abyss Observation Station is far more complex and busy than outsiders imagine.

In addition to those eye-catching Abyss exploration and research projects, the time of most staff is actually invested in relatively boring basic work.

Every day, a large amount of basic Abyss materials are transported to the observation station in various ways:

Samples brought back by exploration teams, harvests from automatic collection devices, and even particles filtered from Abyss air currents...

Most of these raw materials contain chaotic Abyss energy and cannot be used directly.

They need to go through complex purification and optimization processes before they can be transformed into valuable research resources or trade commodities.

"Detoxification treatment of Abyss blood algae... energy stabilization of soul stone fragments... shape correction of twisted metal..."

Luo En recalled those assembly line operations he observed:

"Almost every type of Abyss material requires a specialized processing procedure."

In the central area of the observation station, there is a whole set of huge material processing facilities.

Most of these facilities are fusions of biomechanics, with strange appearances but powerful functions.

For example, the "Flesh Filter."

A filtering device modified from huge organs, capable of separating pure energy essence from turbid Abyss liquid.

The heart part of this device beats tens of thousands of times a day, providing power for the entire filtering system.

Operators need to regularly check the health of the heart and perform "surgical" maintenance when necessary.

There is also the "Neural Network Analyzer," an analysis device woven from the nerve fibers of countless Abyss creatures.

It can identify the intrinsic characteristics of various Abyss materials, automatically classify them, and recommend the most suitable processing plan.

But this equipment is extremely sensitive, and absolute spiritual quiet must be maintained during operation; any emotional fluctuation can lead to deviations in analysis results.

The "Rune Engraver" is one of the most precise pieces of equipment in the observation station.

It uses living tentacles as engraving tools, capable of carving extremely complex rune patterns on the surface of various materials.

Each tentacle has independent sensing capabilities and can adjust the engraving depth and angle in real-time according to the material's characteristics.