Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 400 "The Prodigal Son Returns Home"

The following morning, the Abyss Observatory's submersible platform activated those unsettling rune arrays once more.

Ron stood alone in the center of the platform.

Unlike last time, this time he did not request an escort from the exploration team.

"It's just a matter of periodic material collection and environmental surveys."

He responded to Miller and others' volunteering in the following way:
"I am quite familiar with the environment on the fourth floor, and I am more efficient when acting alone."

A flicker of worry crossed Miller's single eye. As a seasoned explorer, he knew all too well the dangers of venturing alone into the abyss.
“Wizard Ralph, even on a routine mission, the fourth level of the Abyss is far from safe. The environmental changes are random, and past experience may not be applicable this time…”

“I understand your concerns, Captain Miller.”

Ron's tone was gentle, but his attitude was firm:
"However, some experiments need to be conducted in an absolutely quiet environment, and any external interference may affect the accuracy of the results."

He did not explain the real reason in detail.

Meetings with Nari, and experiments involving forbidden areas, should not be conducted in the presence of outsiders.

Blake wanted to say something, but Camilla gently tugged at his sleeve.

As the most perceptive member of the squad, the witch sensed an undeniable resolve in Ron's attitude.

I appreciate everyone's kindness.

Ron concluded by saying, "If I encounter a situation that I cannot handle, I will immediately activate the emergency call procedure."

Just as the atmosphere was becoming tense, Yutel's ethereal projection slowly condensed on the platform.

The silver light rippled like water, and the old professor's voice carried an unquestionable authority:
“We understand everyone’s concerns, but Researcher Ralph’s decision is also reasonable.”

The phantom's gaze swept over everyone present:

"Given his current strength and adaptability to the Abyss, there isn't much risk in him undertaking the routine mission on the fourth level alone. Moreover..."

Utter's tone became meaningful:

"Some research does require special environments and privacy protections."

Hearing this, Miller and the others had no choice but to accept reality.

In the station's power structure, the words of the station chief, Professor Yutel, are the highest standard.

"Well then, I wish you all the best, Wizard Ralph."

Miller ultimately offered his blessings, but the worry in his eyes was still evident:
"Please be sure to return on time. If you are late..."

“I’ll be back on time,” Ron nodded to them.

As the platform was activated, Ron began to sink into the depths of the abyss.

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

"Professor, what's the current situation of Master Maxim's expedition team?"

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

"It's been a full ten days past the scheduled return date."

The old professor's voice grew heavy:

"In accordance with standard procedures, we have already dispatched three search and rescue teams."

But the complexity of the sixth level, the 'Labyrinth Realm'... makes finding them seem very unlikely."

This news sank Ron's heart.

Although Maxim is heavily polluted in the abyss, he is still a fairly experienced explorer.

Moreover, the strength of a peak Morning Star level expert is quite good, plus that team of mercenaries.

Even such a seasoned squad met with misfortune in the abyss...

"Even experienced explorers are only slightly better than novices when facing the terrifying environment that begins at the sixth level of the abyss."

Yutel seemed to have read his mind:
"This is the harsh reality of deep exploration: no matter how careful you are, no matter how experienced you are, death can come at any time."

Ron nodded silently, gaining a deeper understanding of the danger.

Then, he remembered another thing that had been on his mind:
Those who were erased from the "Forgotten Lands"—Tracy, Corinna, and others whose names are not even remembered.

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

He secretly pondered another possibility:
"Faced with the curse of the abyss and the dangerous environment, I'm afraid I have to proceed with extreme caution and avoid it at all costs."

Just like the exploration on the fifth floor before meeting Nari, when he used the substitute puppet.

The journey alone was fraught with challenges, with a constant stream of twisted monsters and bizarre, dynamic environments, making each step incredibly difficult.

Meeting Nari and establishing a parent-child relationship with him was indeed his greatest fortune.

With the protection of this "mother," he was able to thrive more and more in the abyss, even regarding it as a treasure trove for acquiring power.

But for other ordinary explorers, the abyss is always a terrifying, dark place that devours life.

"After I become a historian..."

Ron secretly planned in his mind:
"We can then begin to try to analyze and track Trish's situation, even if by then she may have already been swallowed up by the 'Forgotten Lands,' at least we need to confirm her ultimate fate."

This is not only a remembrance of former comrades, but also a testament to the perseverance in one's heart.

During the descent, Ron could see the complex internal structure of the observation station slowly rising around him through the platform's transparent shield.

Those massive biological conduit systems are not just part of the architecture, but the core of the entire abyssal material processing flow.

The daily operation of the deep-sea observation station is far more complex and busy than outsiders imagine.

Aside from the high-profile deep-sea exploration and research projects, most of the staff actually spend their time on relatively tedious basic work.

Every day, a large amount of abyssal basic materials are transported to the observation station by various means:
The samples brought back by the exploration team, the harvest from the automated collection device, and even the particles filtered from the abyssal airflow...

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

It requires a complex purification and optimization process to be transformed into valuable research resources or traded commodities.

"Detoxification of Abyssal Blood Algae... Energy stabilization of Soul Stone Fragments... Shape Correction of Twisted Metal..."

Ron recalled the assembly line operations he had observed:
"Almost every type of abyssal material requires a specialized processing procedure."

In the central area of ​​the observation station, there is a large set of materials processing facilities.

These facilities are mostly biomechanical fusions, with bizarre appearances but powerful functions.

For example, "flesh and blood filters".

A filtration device, transformed from a giant organ, is capable of separating pure energy essence from murky abyssal liquid.

The heart of this device beats tens of thousands of times a day, powering the entire filtration system.

Operators need to have their heart health checked regularly, and "surgery" may be required for maintenance if necessary.

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

It can identify the inherent properties of various abyssal materials, automatically classify them, and recommend the most suitable treatment plan.

However, this device is extremely sensitive, and absolute mental quiet must be maintained when operating it, as any emotional fluctuation may lead to deviations in the analysis results.

The "rune engraving machine" is one of the most sophisticated pieces of equipment at the observatory.

It uses living tentacles as carving tools, enabling it to carve extremely complex rune patterns on the surface of various materials.

Each tentacle possesses independent sensing capabilities, allowing it to adjust the carving depth and angle in real time based on the material's properties. However, the maintenance cost of this equipment is extremely high.

Those tentacles need to be "fed" with a special nutrient solution regularly, and they have a very short lifespan, needing to be replaced about every three months.

Most researchers' daily work involves using these unusual devices to process materials.

Besides studying some mutated materials, they repeat this tedious but highly specialized operation every day.

Everyone must be thoroughly familiar with the equipment they are responsible for, understanding its "temperament" and "preferences".

Because these biomechanical fusions often exhibit a reaction pattern similar to emotions.

Ron observed this operating model and some ideas gradually formed in his mind:
"If these processing devices could be further automated..."

He began to conceive of improvement plans in his mind:

"Using more advanced intelligent control systems reduces reliance on manual operation, improving processing efficiency and product quality..."

But he also knew that with his current level of technology, such a vision was far from being realized.

This level of automation transformation requires deep integration of multiple cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, bioengineering, and runic literature.

Even the alchemists of ancient times might not have been able to accomplish this easily.

"After I advance to the Ancient Alchemist level, I might consider researching in this direction."

He recorded this idea in the consciousness library:
"Automated deep-sea material handling systems can not only significantly improve the operational efficiency of observation stations, but also reduce the occupational risks faced by staff."

After all, prolonged exposure to abyssal materials, even with protective measures, can have potential impacts on physical and mental health.

Reducing the need for direct contact would undoubtedly make the entire system safer and more sustainable.

The platform descends, passing through the first layer of blood-red shallows and the second layer of vesicle regions.

These familiar sights gave Ron a strange sense of belonging.

For him, the abyss was no longer a purely dangerous place, but another "home".

The third layer of black sand and wasteland was as eerie as I remembered, with the bone sand making a faint rustling sound in the breeze.

But Ron had completely adapted to the environment and could even clearly feel the pull from deeper within.

It wasn't a malicious drag, but a gentle guidance, like a mother's outstretched embrace.

"That is indeed rare..."

Yutel sensed an unusual energy fluctuation:

"The special connection you've established with certain beings in the abyss seems closer than I imagined. This guiding energy field isn't naturally formed."

Ron nodded, not denying the obvious fact:
"That's true, but this connection is beneficial to me, so you don't need to worry."

"hope so."

The old professor's ghostly figure flickered, expressing his concern:
"Remember, child, any relationship in the abyss is dangerous."

Even seemingly friendly individuals can turn on you in an instant. Stay vigilant and always prepare for the worst.

The feeling of traction became even stronger when the platform reached the fourth level.

The distorted outline of the flesh and blood forest appeared in the distance, and the familiar, rotten, sweet scent began to fill the air.

"Soon, I'll be able to see Nari..."

Ron gently stroked the demon sword on his chest, feeling the warm response emanating from it.

This journey into the abyss will be a crucial step for him to reach a higher level.

Whether it's the breakthrough in bloodline modulation, the activation of the demonic sword form, or those daring fusion experiments...

All preparations are complete; now all that's needed is Nari's support and the catalyst of the abyss environment.

He bid farewell to Yutel and walked out of the protective range of the Void Shield alone.

Countless organ-shaped "trees" wriggled in the bloody mist, and the air was filled with the sweet smell of rotting flesh.

But this time, he did not stay here.

A gentle storm surged from deeper within, caressing his body.

The wind carried the unique scent of Nari—ancient, chaotic, yet warm and comforting.

Ron allowed the force to envelop him, and his body began to sink to the fifth level.

He sensed a shift in space as he traversed the blurred boundaries between layers.

The environment here is completely different from the time he used a stand-in puppet to explore a few months ago.

What should have been a more chaotic and distorted corner of the Sea of ​​No Light now presents a breathtaking and strange beauty.

Deep blue seaweed stretched out all around, and the seawater was as clear as a liquid starry sky.

Countless strange deep-sea creatures gracefully swim within them:

The enormous, transparent jellyfish emitted a silky glow like the aurora borealis;
Schools of luminous fish, like ribbons, weave intricate patterns of light and shadow in the seawater;
Even those abyssal predators that were once ferocious and terrifying have now become elegant and harmonious.

The most breathtaking sight is the magnificent crystal palace in the distance.

The entire building seems to have grown naturally from the seabed, and is composed of countless living crystals of various colors.

Each spire was slowly rotating, its surface textures pulsating like blood vessels, radiating a warm bioluminescence.

Countless graceful, curved corridors connect different building areas, like a giant spider web, yet breathtakingly beautiful.

“Nare is…” Ron murmured to himself, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

He could imagine the immense effort Nari had put in to build the palace.

Every detail reveals a careful consideration of human aesthetics, and every decoration reflects a desire to please him.

A transparent energy bubble enveloped him and carried him toward the palace.

As the bubbles passed through the palace's massive entrance, the sheer opulence of the interior became even more breathtaking.

The spacious hall is three stories high, and the floor is paved with living tiles that are as smooth and warm as jade.

These floor tiles sense visitors' footsteps and emit a soft glow along the path they walk, like a starlit avenue paved for distinguished guests.

The walls are made of translucent coral, with countless tiny luminous creatures swimming inside, creating a dreamlike light and shadow effect.

The most eye-catching thing was the stunningly beautiful figure in the center of the hall.

A girl who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old stood there quietly, like an elf princess who had stepped out of an ancient legend.

She had long, deep green hair that cascaded down to her curvaceous waist.

Her skin was as white as the purest pearl, gleaming faintly in the soft light of the palace.

Her facial features were so exquisitely sculpted that they resembled the most perfect sculpture.
A high, straight nose, full red lips, and eyes as dazzling as rubies.

She exuded an ethereal aura, so beautiful that she seemed almost otherworldly.

"Welcome home, my child."

When the girl spoke, her voice was indeed as sweet and innocent as Nari's telepathic communication, but it carried a distinct sense of unnaturalness.

It's like a perfect musical instrument playing a pre-composed piece.

Although it sounds pleasant, it lacks natural rhythmic variation.

(End of this chapter)