Chapter 341: Abyssal Eye

Chapter 341: Abyssal Eye

Luo En's consciousness extended like invisible threads into the depths of the Abyss.

After his dangerous encounter with chaotic wraiths last time, he had taken the opportunity to deploy his Puppet into the fifth layer of the Abyss - the Darkless Sea.

That mysterious sea had previously only existed in literature and records.

Now, almost one month had passed since that event, and he finally had time to return and explore that forbidden territory.

His consciousness pierced through layer after layer of Abyss barriers. Luo En could feel the drastic transformation of the surrounding environment.

From the first layer's blood-red wasteland, to the second layer's Spatial Pocket.

Then to the third layer's Black Sand Wasteland, the fourth layer's Twisted Jungle - each layer possessed completely different rules and dangers.

When his perception reached the fifth layer, an unprecedented chill instantly coursed through him.

This wasn't cold from temperature, but a deeper sense of void - as if existence itself had been frozen.

"I found it."

Deep in the endless darkness, a familiar mana signal faintly flickered.

It was the unique mana signature of his Puppet Substitute. Although severely disrupted by the Abyss environment, he could still pinpoint its location precisely.

Luo En concentrated his spiritual energy and began activating the deep connection with his Puppet.

This process proved much more difficult than anticipated.

The environment of the fifth Abyss layer created intense twist effects on the spirit link. Every attempt was accompanied by violent spirit oscillations.

It took him some time to successfully activate the control chain.

In the next moment, a new world of perception unfolded before him.

Darkless Sea - true to its name, there was no light source at all here.

This wasn't simply darkness, but an absolute void that consumed everything. Even starlight, mana glow, or the faint life glow within living beings would be instantly absorbed by the environment.

But the Puppet Substitute's perception method differed completely from ordinary creatures.

It didn't rely on light, but "observed" the surrounding environment through energy fluctuations unique to the Abyss.

In this special vision, the Darkless Sea presented a sinister yet magnificent spectacle.

This wasn't a real sea, but a "fluid" region composed of liquefied Abyss mana.

The seemingly calm "seawater" was actually condensed chaos at its extreme.

There were no undercurrents beneath the sea, but instead far more terrifying "Consciousness Storms."

Countless twisted creatures fluttered about, forming numerous sinister vortices.

These storms would appear randomly, completely shattering the consciousness of any creature they touched.

Then they would absorb the fragments to become stronger and more chaotic.

Most unsettling was the "Vitality" of the seawater.

When Luo En activated the Puppet, those liquids reacted immediately, writhing like living things trying to surround the Puppet's arms.

But strangely, when these Abyss mana came into contact with the Puppet, instead of causing erosion, they displayed a certain "affinity."

As if welcoming an old friend returning after long separation.

"It's just as I thought."

Luo En judged in his mind. The Puppet Substitute's Abyss Adaptability was even stronger than he had imagined.

Not only was it completely immune to the spiritual contamination here, but it could also draw mana from the environment to repair itself.

On the Puppet's chest display, the mana Rank was slowly but steadily rising.

Although the growth speed wasn't fast, this autonomous charging ability was extremely valuable.

Luo En maneuvered the Puppet to surface and began exploring this sinister sea.

All islands here shared a common characteristic - they were slowly "breathing", like giant biological organs.

When the Puppet approached a smaller island, Luo En discovered an even more peculiar sight.

The island's surface was covered with an unprecedented kind of "plant", though it was questionable whether these things could even be called plants.

They lacked the traditional root-stem-leaf structure, instead composed of countless tiny tentacles.

These tentacles constantly writhed, their surfaces covered with flashing fluorescent spots.

More terrifyingly, these "plants" clearly possessed predatory instincts.

As soon as the Puppet set foot on the island, the entire "vegetation" became active.

Hundreds of tentacles shot out like lightning, attempting to drag the intruder into their "digestive system."

But the Puppet Substitute's reaction speed far exceeded these plants' attacks.

Luo En maneuvered the Puppet into battle mode, and a longsword materialized in its hand.

This weapon transmutation ability was one of the extended abilities the Puppet gained after advancing, capable of creating different types of weapons based on combat requirements.

The sword light danced like silver snakes, instantly severing over a dozen tentacles.

The severed sections immediately began rotting, emitting a pungent acidic smell.

But even more tentacles surged from all directions, seemingly endless.

"This ecosystem definitely has research value."

While analyzing these plants' attack patterns, Luo En continued maneuvering the Puppet in combat.

Through observation, he discovered these plants were actually components of a massive network.

Their root systems were interconnected within the island, forming a structure similar to a neural network.

This meant attacking individual plants was ineffective - he needed to find the core node controlling the entire network.

The Puppet leapt and dodged through the tentacle attacks with millimeter precision.

Every movement reflected the perfect execution of the rigorous training Luo En had undergone in the Simulation Combat Device.

Whether switching between the elegant Solar Corona Swordsmanship or the rampaging Beastkin Swordsmanship, he did so effortlessly.

However, relying solely on physical attacks clearly wasn't enough.

Earlier attempts to release spells through the Puppet had severely weakened effects.

The power of "Sound Wave Oscillation" was only a third of what his original body could produce, and precise control was impossible.

Spellcasting also consumed the Puppet's precious charging progress, which made him reluctant to use it.

"Stick to physical combat."

The Puppet moved like a ghost through the tentacle jungle, each sword swing precisely severing multiple tentacles.

The fractured plant tissues began releasing an alluring aroma.

Guided by his "Hunting Evil" Skill, he could clearly perceive the spirit temptation components within this fragrance.

For ordinary explorers, this aroma could be fatal, luring them willingly into the plants' "mouths."

But the Puppet was completely unaffected, even able to draw mana from these plants' "pain."

The battle lasted nearly twenty minutes before the Puppet finally located the core of the plant network.

At the island's center was a massive bud covered in densely packed eye-like organs.

Suddenly the bud bloomed, revealing a dark hollow interior.

A powerful suction force emanated from within, attempting to drag the Puppet inside.

But Luo En was prepared.

He maneuvered the Puppet to release a concentrated "Sound Wave Oscillation - Erosion State" directly at the core of the bud.

Amid sinister whispering, the entire plant network emitted a piercing shriek before rapidly withering away.

The previously active tentacles fell lifelessly, their vitality extinguished.

Though not nearly as powerful as when executed by his original body, the restraint effect was still significant at such close range.

He maneuvered the Puppet to move forward and begin absorbing the withered matter.

The Puppet reaped rich rewards from this battle.

[Successfully absorbed Vitality Abyss Substance, Charging Progress +0.5%]

[Current mana: 16.5%/100%]

"The mana transformation efficiency of Abyssal Creatures truly is astonishing."

Luo En thought with some satisfaction.

As the consumption continued, the Puppet's condition gradually improved.

For the Puppet, its "mana reserves" could only be replenished through such consumption, making it necessary to sustain itself through battle.

After clearing this small island, Luo En continued maneuvering the Puppet deeper into this sea.

Guided by his "Hunting Evil" Skill, he could perceive even more powerful presences in the distance.

Some exuded ancient and profound auras, while others radiated unrestrained destruction.

But what interested him most was the massive mana anomaly at the center of the sea.

There, a presence seemed to lurk beyond conventional understanding.

Puppet moved slowly across the sea surface, its movement peculiar.

It wasn’t swimming or floating—it walked directly atop the “seawater.”

The liquefied Abyssmana automatically solidified beneath its feet, providing stable establishment points.

This ability allowed Puppet to sprint across the sea at astonishing speeds, like the “water-skimming” fantasies of Luo En’s childhood.

During its journey, Luo En encountered the second type of Abyssal Creature.

A swarm of floating organisms, shaped like jellyfish but as large as houses.

Their bodies were semi-transparent, revealing complex internal organs slowly writhing within.

Most unsettling were the human heads suspended where their “brains” should be.

Those severed heads still exhibited life activity—their eyes rolled, mouths opened and closed, as if silently crying for help.

“Brain Jellyfish,” Luo En identified instantly.

These creatures captured sapient beings, extracting their consciousness to serve as their “computing core.”

The trapped heads had long lost their independent personalities, reduced to biological tools for complex calculations.

Upon detecting Puppet, the Brain Jellyfish launched an attack.

Their assault was sinister—firing countless threadlike spines from their bodies.

These spines targeted not Puppet’s physical form but sought to invade its Spiritcore.

But Puppet’s spirit structure was entirely different from ordinary lifeforms.

As the spines touched Puppet, they were counter-consumed by its Abyss essence instead.

Several Brain Jellyfish shrieked in pain, their internal organs convulsing violently.

“This devouring ability… perfect timing to turn the tables.”

Luo En keenly seized the opportunity, immediately commanding Puppet to retaliate.

He had Puppet grab the spines’ connecting threads and activate its “devouring” ability.

Suddenly, the palms of Puppet’s hands opened wide, revealing profound abyssal voids.

A powerful suction erupted, forcefully extracting the jellyfish entities’ spiritmana.

This reversal sent the Brain Jellyfish into utter panic.

They desperately tried retracting their tentacles, but it was too late.

Once Puppet’s devouring ability activated, it created a one-way mana flow, draining until the target was completely desiccated.

Within less than five minutes, three colossal Brain Jellyfish were entirely “digested.”

Their spiritmana was absorbed by Puppet, while the trapped human heads finally found release, their eyes closing peacefully.

[Automatically absorbed Vitality Abyss Substance. Charging Progress: +0.5%]

[Current Mana: 17%/100%]

This battle gave Luo En deeper insight into Puppet’s capabilities.

“After evolving, Puppet’s adaptability and combat power in Abyss environments far surpass its performance during the Bloodline Altar trial.”

Analyzing mentally, he mused:

“Returning to the Abyss feels like returning home for it.”

Just as he prepared to advance further, Luo En’s “Omen Star” trait suddenly flared with intense warning.

An unprecedented sense of crisis surged—like Death’s scythe grazing his neck.

“Immediately change direction!”

He manipulated Puppet without hesitation, veering off at full speed toward safer waters.

Moments after Puppet shifted course, the previously tranquil Abyssal Waters underwent violent transformation.

A terrifying vortex erupted on the sea surface, resembling the giant eye of a sea god opening.

The vortex spanned tens of kilometers in diameter, its center unfathomably deep—as if connecting to another dimension.

More horrifying, all life near the vortex began drastic transformations.

The already grotesque Abyssal Creatures mutated further upon contact with the vortex’s mana.

A giant octopus-like creature, under the vortex’s influence, began uncontrolled limb proliferation.

From eight tentacles, it multiplied to hundreds, then thousands, until the entire organism became a writhing mountain of flesh.

This mutation didn’t strengthen it—it collapsed into self-destruction, unable to coordinate its infinite limbs.

Smaller Abyssal Creatures simply exploded under the vortex’s mana surge.

Their flesh reassembled midair, forming new, even more terrifying lifeforms.

“An Apostle has awakened…”

Using “Transcendent Perception,” Luo En glimpsed some fear-inducing truths.

This terrifying power fluctuation was merely a byproduct of the Apostle’s “breathing.”

Its true power dwarfed imagination—even the slightest movement could destabilize the entire oceanic ecosystem.

“I’ve seen enough.”

He glimpsed briefly, then immediately deactivated his Transcendent Perception.

Even this fleeting observation left his spirit reeling.

An indescribable dread seeped into his consciousness—

Like dust attempting to grasp the scale of mountains, like fireflies challenging the sun’s brilliance.

This wasn’t a matter of degree—it was a fundamental difference in existence.

Battling the spirit-inflicted pain, Luo En commanded Puppet to suppress all mana emissions.

Its “Eyes” dimmed, body stiffened, reverting to a mundane wooden puppet’s guise.

Meanwhile, the vortex expanded, its edges racing outward at terrifying speed.

Sea currents formed colossal water pillars under immense suction, vanishing into the vortex’s darkness.

Even floating islands began tearing apart under this dreadful force.

Despite its camouflage, Puppet was still dragged toward the vortex’s heart by irresistible pull.

Feeling this transformation, Luo En decisively severed his spirit connection to Puppet.

Maintaining contact risked exposure, and with his current strength, resisting an Apostle’s will was impossible.

The moment his consciousness returned to his original body, a violent spiritual backlash struck.

Luo En felt his brain cleaved by blades, each breath sharp with pain.

Fragments of alien memories began flashing—

Gigantic writhing tentacles in darkness, countless creatures shrieking in twisted agony…

Residual fragments from the Apostle’s “overflow,” lethal spiritual contamination for ordinary beings.

“I must cleanse immediately.”

Gritting his teeth, Luo En retrieved the silver pocket watch from his robe.

As the pocket watch opened, time power flowed through his consciousness.

The invasive memory fragments were erased in the status reset, his spiritual wounds healed.

“This is the gap between a Dawn Star Rankmage and an Apostle.”

Leaning back in his laboratory chair, he gazed toward the Abyss’s distant direction.

Even a fleeting glance, even indirect contact from this distance, had inflicted such severe damage.

Yet this experience wasn’t fruitless.

Through Puppet’s exploration, he’d obtained first-hand knowledge of the Abyss’s fifth layer.

He’d also confirmed Puppet Substitute’s immense potential in Abyss environments.

If further developed, this mysterious tool might become key to unlocking the Abyss’s secrets.

As for Puppet’s current predicament…

Meanwhile, an ancient, chaotic consciousness stirred slowly awake.

“Abyssal Eye” Narai had slept for centuries, dreaming of flesh and soul.

Suddenly, a “fishhook” lodged in its throat, causing profound discomfort.

It spat out the “fishhook,” scrutinizing it carefully.

This tiny foreign object radiated mage’s mana, yet carried the Abyss’s essence.

Such a paradoxical existence intrigued it—it considered bringing this find to its lair.

As an ancient entity naturally born from the Abyss, it had seen countless wonders, yet this object was unprecedented.

Its chaotic mind couldn’t form complex logic, but instinct whispered—this small thing might hold special value.

Thus, it expelled a special capsule used for collecting treasures, carefully enveloping the Puppet Substitute within.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end