Chapter 265: Professor Eutel

Chapter 265: Professor Eutel

The towering spires of early morning bathed in the soft glow of dawn, their soaring peaks piercing the heavens like lances, fracturing a wisp of morning sunlight into radiant beams that bathed every corner of the city.

Luo En strode along the Main Road of the Central Lands, feeling the subtle mana pulse of the floating islands beneath his feet.

Unlike the stagnant mana field of the Black Mist Jungle, the mana here surged like a raging river, every inch of air pulsing with an electrifying mana density that quickened his heart.

The "Star Projection" trait thrived in this environment, acting like a ravenous Devourer, constantly siphoning nourishment from the surrounding mana ocean.

In mere days, his Spiritual Energy had surged by several increments, its quality elevated significantly.

Luo En calculated silently:

"If this growth rate is maintained, within two years, my Spiritual Energy could rival that of a Moonlight Rank mage."

Of course, Spiritual Energy alone wouldn't match an experienced Moonlight Rank mage.

Seasoned spellcasters wielded countless refined spells and secret techniques honed over decades of accumulated expertise.

Yet there was no denying the Central Lands' environment had provided him with ideal conditions for growth.

Today, he headed toward an unassuming structure in the western district—the Abyss Observatory's Central Lands branch.

As agreed, Reynolds would await him there to guide his tour and explain the benefits of joining the Observatory.

Along the Main Road, extraordinary species and professionals bustled about.

Dwarf craftsmen hawked gleaming metallic tools;

catfolk crouched under eaves, eyes scanning passersby with wary vigilance;

several robed half-spirit scholars argued fiercely over a mana formula derivation, their mana models transforming mid-discussion.

Luo En took it all in but didn't stop.

As he drew closer, his senses sharpened—subtly, he entered a special zone.

It felt like wading from shallow to deep water, the surrounding Mana Fluctuation shifting in imperceptible ways.

Outwardly calm, yet teeming with hidden currents beneath, a palpable danger lingered in the air.

"This mana composition... laced with Abyssal Breath."

Activating Transcendent Perception, Luo En analyzed the energy fluctuations in the air.

That faint, slightly corrosive gray mana flow was one of the Abyssmana's unmistakable signatures.

"Lalfmage! This way!"

A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

He raised his head and saw Reynolds waving from the entrance of a low-rise building.

Unlike his casual airship demeanor, Reynolds now wore a formal deep-blue robe, a silver six-pointed star badge—the mark of an Abyss Observatory member—pinned to his chest.

"Reynolds mage, good morning", Luo En nodded, his tone appropriately cordial.

"Good morning! Seems you've fully adapted to the Central Lands' environment", Reynolds beamed, shaking Luo En's hand warmly.

"Most new mages would still be bedridden with Mana Overload headaches at this stage!"

His gaze swept over Luo En, surprise evident in his eyes:

"You look remarkably energetic and spiritually stable—rare for a newcomer."

"Thanks to my meditation techniquetrait's unique adaptation ability", Luo En smiled modestly. "Appreciate you making time for this tour."

"My pleasure! Congratulations on joining Crystal Spire", Reynolds clapped his shoulder, his enthusiasm contrasting Luo En's calmness. "Could be colleagues soon. Come, let me show you the Abyss Observatory's true face."

They passed through an unassuming wooden door.

But Luo En's Transcendent Perception immediately detected three layers of hidden runic wards:

The first concealed internal energy fluctuations;

the second blocked external spirit scans;

the third, a memory-interference structure making passersby unconsciously overlook the entrance.

Clearly, this nondescript building harbored many secrets.

Beyond lay a narrow corridor, its walls crafted from a peculiar deep-gray stone.

The air carried a metallic rust scent mingled with an indescribable exotic aroma—a faint echo from the Abyss's depths.

"This corridor serves as the facility's buffer zone", Reynolds explained in a lower voice. "It helps visitors acclimate to the internal environment and forms our first line of defense against Abyssmana leakage."

Luo En nodded, scanning the runes lining the walls—designed to both shield external scans and contain internal mana anomalies.

As they ventured deeper, he sensed subtle shifts in the air's mana composition.

Beyond standard Mana Fluctuations flowed a strange gray mana stream—raw, chaotic power.

"Abyssal Breath concentration is heavier than expected", Luo En noted.

"Keen observation!" Reynolds patted the wall. "Here, we maintain Abyssal Breath within safe thresholds. This serves two purposes: keeping researchers attuned to Abyssmana while providing a realistic study environment without posing physical or spiritual harm."

At the corridor's end stood a massive silver-white metal door fitted with a complex hexagonal verification system.

Reynolds pressed his badge against the scanner and input a mana password.

The door groaned open, a sinister atmosphere seeping out as if countless unseen eyes watched every intruder.

Indeed, as records described, Abyssal Breath could silently infiltrate one's spiritworld, breeding negative emotions and twisted thoughts. Without sufficient Spiritual Energy and willpower, prolonged exposure could drive one mad or corrupt their soul.

Beyond the door lay a vast circular chamber. Dozens of small laboratories and storage rooms ringed its perimeter, with a colossal multi-tiered observation platform dominating the center.

The space hummed with intricate instruments and mana monitoring devices. Over a dozen researchers in uniform bustled about their workstations.

"Welcome to the Abyss Observatory", Reynolds declared with a grand gesture, his eyes gleaming with pride. "This is where the Abyssal Continent Cluster's finest resources and minds converge—the ultimate gateway to Abyssal mysteries."

Luo En's gaze swept the hall. Every surface—floor, walls, ceiling—bristled with microscopic detection and Protective Runes, forming an impenetrable safety network. Any mana anomaly or Abyss contamination would trigger immediate quarantine protocols.

"Truly remarkable equipment. No wonder Archmage Cassandra invested so heavily in this project", Luo En praised sincerely.

They boarded a specialized mana elevator descending into underground levels.

"The first sublevel houses our primary research laboratories", Reynolds explained.

Reynolds gestured as he introduced:

"The second sublevel is the specimen storage and preliminary analysis area.

The third sublevel houses the highest security zone, requiring special authorization to access. Even my privileges aren't sufficient."

The elevator halted at sublevel two. As the doors slid open, a stunning sight unfolded.

It was a colossal circular chamber. The walls bristled with hundreds of containment units of varying sizes.

Each emitted a faint blue glow, housing sinister-form Abyss Substances of various kinds.

"Specimen Storage Area", Reynolds' tone turned professional:

"This is where we preserve material samples collected from every layer of the Abyss—ranging from the most fundamental Abyss dust to the most dangerous mutated tissues. For researchers like myself, this place is an inexhaustible Treasure Vault."

Luo En approached several larger containment units. Activating his Transcendent Perception, he scrutinized the specimens within.

The first unit held what appeared to be an ordinary gray rock. Yet through Luo En's Perception, its interior revealed a mana flow defying natural laws.

It was consuming its own substance to sustain an abnormal state of existence, akin to an endless self-devouring cycle.

"Seventh Layer Abyss—'Memory Stone'", Reynolds explained.

"It can Record and replay fragmented Memories of nearby living beings. Activated under controlled conditions, it allows us to witness the final moments of extinct Abyss creatures."

The second unit contained a floating mass of black liquid constantly shifting shape. Every few seconds, it transformed—from sphere to cube, then to hexagonal pyramid, finally into geometrically impossible sinister forms.

"Fourth Layer's 'Twisted Jungle'—'Form-shifting Fluid.' One of my previous expedition achievements."

A trace of pride colored Reynolds' voice:

"I personally extracted it from a moving tree trunk. This liquid temporarily alters matter's foundational structure—turning metal into flowing water, or water into stone-like hardness."

Luo En nodded, unperturbedly storing the information.

These Abyss Substances' traits matched descriptions from his earlier readings in Abyssal Life Compendium. Yet direct observation differed vastly from textual records.

They proceeded deeper into the storage zone. The containment measures grew significantly more rigorous—each unit enveloped in multiple mana Barriers, surrounded by additional monitoring instruments.

Luo En's gaze locked onto a special containment unit at the farthest point.

A two-meter tall hexagonal crystal pillar housed a grotesquely twisted deep purple mass.

Resembling some creature's limb, its surface bristled with countless tiny tentacles and eye-like structures.

Despite multiple seals, Luo En sensed heart-pounding energy fluctuations—radiating primal malice, as if chaos born from the universe's dawn.

"That is..." He instinctively whispered.

Reynolds' expression turned grave:

"Apostle limb fragment.

Twelve years ago, a Dusk Sun Rank mage briefly clashed with an Apostle during Abyss exploration, managing to sever a fragment. With Professor Eutel's remote support, they barely escaped back, successfully retrieving this sample."

Luo En examined the mutated limb.

Though bound by layers of seals, its power suppressed to minimal levels, the tiny tentacles still writhed almost imperceptibly—like dream-induced twitches.

More terrifyingly, those eye-like structures seemed possessed of vitality. Their "eyelids" occasionally quivered, as if about to awaken and fix their gaze upon this world.

Even under such stringent containment, it radiated undeniable vitality—like an eternal ember, waiting to blaze anew under suitable conditions.

"This specimen ranks among the Observatory's highest-level Research Subjects", Reynolds lowered his voice.

"Even researchers like me rarely get direct contact. It's only briefly activated for study during special experiments supervised personally by Professor Eutel."

"Apostles' power truly commands fear", Luo En remarked simply, mentally assessing this level's Abyss Substance value and danger.

Apostles—terrifying entities dwelling in Abyssal depths, wielding near-deity power.

Even a tiny fragment contained potential to annihilate cities.

Such research material was undoubtedly every Abyss researcher's coveted treasure.

"However, I noticed no Abyssal Treasures here."

He casually mentioned, gaze still fixed on the Apostle limb.

Reynolds showed mild surprise: "You've studied Abyssal Treasures?"

"Just passing curiosity", Luo En replied cautiously. "At the Black Mist School, I once obtained an item called 'Puppet Driver'—rumored to be one type of Abyssal Treasure."

"You actually possess an Abyssal Treasure!"

Reynolds' eyes gleamed with envy:

"Those far surpass ordinary Abyss Substances in rarity. Each possesses unique powers and effects."

Shaking his head, he added with regret: "The Observatory does keep several Abyssal Treasures, but they're locked in the top-security vault on sublevel three."

As they continued exploring, Luo En constantly evaluated these Abyss Substances' research value and potential applications.

"If you're interested in Abyss Substance research, joining the Observatory would be wise."

Reynolds' tone grew fervent after their tour:

"As a formal member, you'll gain priority research privileges and purchase non-high-risk Abyss Substances at internal prices for personal study."

They entered a quiet conference room. Reynolds produced a detailed document, handing it to Luo En.

"This outlines membership details", he explained. "Including rights, obligations, benefits, and ascension paths."

Luo En accepted the document, reading carefully.

This file was exceptionally thorough, covering nearly everything an Observatory member needed to know.

"Of course, signing confidentiality agreements comes first", Reynolds added. "Much of our research involves top secrets—unauthorized leaks are strictly prohibited."

"I understand—entirely reasonable", Luo En nodded.

The document highlighted several advantages:

Members could apply for expense reimbursement related to station research plans;

During Abyss explorations, they'd receive Professor Eutel's remote guidance and necessary support;

Most importantly, outstanding members gained opportunities to participate in high-level core projects, accessing Abyss secrets normally restricted to Dusk Sun Rank mages and above.

"Professor Eutel is the Observatory's soul figure", Reynolds' tone brimmed with obvious reverence. "Without his persistence and contributions, the Observatory would never have reached today's scale."

As Reynolds spoke, the room's ambient Mana Field suddenly underwent a subtle transformation.

Initially imperceptible, the shift soon became undeniable—a primordial energy fluctuation radiated from all directions, creating a peculiar Resonance in the air.

Luo En instantly became vigilant, though he maintained no defensive posture.

He'd sensed this faint surveillance sensation since entering the Abyss Observatory—as if the entire space remained under some entity's watchful gaze.

Sure enough, the moment arrived—the seemingly ordinary portrait on the wall suddenly spoke:

"Mentioning my name again? Makes these old bones itch!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end