Just like the appearance of a city after civilization has faded away for millennia.
Now the sense of desolation seems to be slowly dissipating due to the arrival of this visitor.
Could it also be related to his increased maze exploration level?
He came before the nearly ten-meter-tall ancient insectoid stone statue, and previously didn’t take a closer look, but this time he raised his head to observe.
The insectoid’s figure was grand and full of majesty, and even from his human aesthetic, it certainly was not unsightly, perhaps even possessing a unique and peculiar beauty.
The overall shape was streamlined, its shell enveloping its body like armor, and the two insect claws hanging down on either side were like scythes, even now, after countless years, one could vaguely sense a frightening power emanating from them.
Presumably, the original owner of this statue must have been a powerful figure within the insectoid race during their life?
At this thought, Gauss suddenly felt a bit dazed.
No matter how strong an individual, they seem utterly small before time, so much so that those who might have once been dominant, standing at the top of the pyramid, now could potentially have no stories passed down.
Even the hero, the Legendary Sword Saint, known across the human continent for slaying the Demon King, will anyone remember their story in ten thousand years or twenty thousand years?
It may also stand silently like this statue in a corner, and then be gazed upon with puzzlement by the next visitor, wondering curiously about the identity and deeds of the statue’s original owner?
And what about him, Gauss? If he had the chance to stand at the pinnacle of humanity, how long would his story be passed down?
Gauss bitterly smiled and shook his head.
Perhaps because he recalled that he too seemed to have a statue erected by someone, he felt a bit of kinship as he looked at the insectoid statue, pressing his palm against the cold surface of the stone statue.
A voice emerged in his ear from the depths.
As he guessed, after the exploration level broke through 10%, there was indeed a special reward for the statue on the mysterious floor of the maze.
"Racial Talent [Insect Nest Consciousness Precursor] has been upgraded."
"Currently upgraded to Blue Quality Racial Talent [Weaver’s Seal]"
A talent that Gauss had long neglected was now enhanced.
Gauss felt a myriad of threads of power converging within him and then coalescing on his right arm, forming a white pattern like wings spread.
Why did he overlook the Racial Talent [Insect Nest Consciousness Precursor]? It wasn’t because he was careless.
It’s just that although this talent initially marked as upgradeable when he first acquired it, later he found he couldn’t leverage the Elite Points and Commander Points rewarded by the Adventurer’s Handbook to achieve a breakthrough.
Actually, this is understandable because obtaining this talent was different from other racial talents. It was awarded by the maze itself after Gauss passed the trial on the maze’s second floor, killing a monster, and completing the [Hero’s Trial].
Strictly speaking, this has nothing to do with the Adventurer’s Handbook.
After all, the reward was not only given to him but also to his teammates, Aaliyah and Serdur, who fought alongside him.
Just their rewards weren’t as good, likely because they didn’t contribute much in combat.
Aaliyah received a Spirit Contract Partner, a Scale Powder Butterfly, which unfortunately died protecting her during a battle with the Dragon Worship Sect followers.
Serdur received the skill [Swift Insect Wing], greatly enhancing his mobility capabilities, a skill he still uses today, allowing him, as a healer, to often dodge many attacks on the battlefield, and Gauss secretly teased his "slippery movements."
It was unexpected that this white quality talent has now upgraded.
[Weaver’s Seal]
Gauss perceived the scorching power on the back of his hand.
After some feeling, he understood the effect of this talent.
It primarily divided into two major abilities.
The first is the intrinsic ability of the Insect Nest Consciousness Precursor, his perception of surrounding insect life has strengthened, and he could even command them to voluntarily execute his orders, which he couldn’t do before—as before, he could only hear their trivial murmurs.
Moreover, the mental link ability thus extended has been enhanced.
Previously, this mental link ability was almost always used in conjunction with [Clay Magic].
Otherwise, how could a simple 2nd Ring spell exhibit powerful effects; it aided by this unassuming talent.
Manipulating small spiders to gather intelligence, sharing vision, and skillfully managing more than a dozen.
And even creating a powerful Goblin Clay Giant remained firmly controlled like a puppet, unable to escape his grasp.
Now, after upgrading from white quality to blue quality [Weaver’s Seal], the mental link has become more robust.
Furthermore, after creating a mental link to control clay life, he would experience a richer sensory experience, including auditory, olfactory, gustatory, etc., and while strengthening the mental link, it became more covert.
This would greatly enhance his abilities in intelligence gathering using Clay Magic.
The second ability is newly emerged, focused on weaving.
He discovered a special mastery over Magic Energy.
Like a skilled weaver’s control over threads, he could mold the magical power in his grasp into any desired shape.
He extended his palm, playing with the magic he gathered.
The magic appeared like pliable adhesive enveloped by myriad forces, ultimately morphing freely at his fingertips.
Despite understanding the talent’s effects, he currently has little idea of applying the second ability of Weaver’s Seal practically.
No matter what, more sensitive control over energy is always a beneficial thing.
At least, it would further enhance effects of spells like [Water Manipulation] and [Bigby’s Hand].
In the future, with adequate proficiency, he could begin improving some evocation spells with the effect of [Weaver’s Seal], developing personal exclusive magic.
For instance, currently, Bigby’s Hand is merely a spectral forearm; could he leverage [Weaver’s Seal] to create more parts, forming a complete forearm, then an upper arm.
A more complete limb evidently caters better to his human usage habits.
Moreover, to think further, could he break free from the original effects of [Bigby’s Hand], giving birth to more comprehensive magic?
Create a torso, a head, thighs, ultimately crafting a hundred-meter Energy Giant standing firm on the land.
Theoretically, it seems possible; once actualized, he would possess magic exclusively created by him, likely possessing formidable power.
It might even achieve strength of 6th Ring or even 7th Ring.
As he thought further, Gauss couldn’t help but swallow, his mood even a bit excited.
He realized that the potential might be immense for the talent [Weaver’s Seal].
Even though the current blue quality level may not suffice for complex tasks, what about enhancing to higher quality?
Later on, there’s purple quality, gold quality...
If he guessed correctly, further upgrades of this talent should be obtainable from the maze, enhancing it seamlessly.
Currently, it’s only 10% exploration level; increasing it isn’t that difficult for him.
Gauss glanced around.
He wasn’t sure if it was just his illusion, but those ruins seemed to have renewed a bit.
Even the surface of the insectoid statue appeared faintly shrouded in a silver sheen.
He couldn’t resist looking up and making eye contact with the insectoid’s head.
He always felt the statue was watching him as if alive, but soon shook his head, how could a life perhaps survive so long?
Such existence might be akin to the gods?
The brief bizarre sensation faded away, that life force soon vanished.
Instinctively feeling no threat, Gauss merely shook his head, then once more surveyed his surroundings, gripping the iron piece infused with magic as he departed.