The light of the crystal pillars became increasingly clear, illuminating the faces of the trio, casting shifting red shadows.
The red crystals on the ground also became clearer as they approached, resembling some kind of translucent flesh paving the ground.
As they got closer to the core area, Ron fell into deep thought, recalling his experiences at the "control point."
He vaguely sensed that the transmission process was far from simple.
When his palm touched the surface of the control point’s stone pillar, a peculiar energy fluctuation spread from the contact point, swiftly extending along his arm and permeating his entire body.
The sensation was both unfamiliar and unsettling.
It was as if countless invisible hands were traversing his body inside and out, touching every inch of his skin, every nerve, and even every corner deep within his soul.
Through the special perspective of "Extraordinary Recognition," he saw information flows imperceptible to the ordinary eye.
Countless tiny energy threads extended from the control point, entwining his body, constructing a complete blueprint of his life structure.
These energy threads not only scanned his surface but penetrated deep into his flesh, even infiltrating the spiritual level.
An astonishing revelation formed in his mind:
The control point was not just a transmission tool but a complex life-scanning device.
It read everything about him—bloodline traits, ability structure, thinking patterns, and even the hidden desires and fears deep in his subconscious.
"What are you thinking, Ron? Did you discover something?"
Trish turned her head, asking with some inquiry.
Her brown eyes reflected an unusual glow under the light of the blood-red crystals, exceptionally captivating.
Holt also stopped, casting a probing gaze.
Unknowingly, Ron had become the backbone of this trio.
"I’m thinking about the mechanism of the control point."
Ron replied softly, his gaze still warily scanning the surroundings:
"Have you noticed that when we touch those stone pillars at the ’control point,’ it feels like we’re being ’read’?"
Holt furrowed his brows slightly: "There’s indeed a strange feeling, like someone is rummaging through my memory."
"It’s not just memory." Ron shook his head, his voice growing even lower:
"I discovered that the control point is actually scanning our entire life structure—bloodlines, abilities, even the subconscious."
What he didn’t tell his companions was that at that moment, he felt a subtle reaction from the Stand-In Puppet at his waist.
The unremarkable little puppet suddenly became unusually active, trembling lightly but urgently, as if stimulated by something.
More eerily, the energy fluctuation it emitted resonated with the control point, as if some silent communication was occurring between the two.
"The Stand-In Puppet also comes from Abyss Fourth Layer..."
Ron speculated privately:
"Though the space where the control point is located is not the true Abyss, it indeed carries the Abyssal energy traits... some interaction effect occurred between them."
This discovery made him both excited and cautious.
He realized that his replica might not merely be a simple bloodline mapping.
But during its generation, it was influenced by the traits of the Stand-In Puppet, endowing it with qualities beyond standard replicas.
"I believe the generation of the replica is based on the scanning results during the transmission process." Ron came back from his thoughts, forcing a smile:
"But some variables have emerged..."
He did not tell his true thoughts to the two companions, as this information involving the Stand-In Puppet was too sensitive to share with outsiders.
"Indeed, everything here permeates a sense of eeriness."
Holt nodded in agreement, continuously surveying the surroundings, ready to summon the Earth Elemental Golem at any time.
The trio continued onward, while Ron persistently organized his thoughts about the replica deep within.
Through that strange contact, he established an extraordinary connection with his replica—a one-sided, unequal connection.
This connection allowed Ron to vaguely perceive the actions and emotions of the replica, while the replica remained completely unaware of it.
More interestingly, he discovered that the replica seemed to inherit some of the Stand-In Puppet’s traits—especially the ability to absorb Abyssal Energy and the tendency for self-evolution.
It was no longer a simple projection but an existence with autonomous consciousness and growth potential.
From the emotional fluctuations transmitted by the replica, Ron sensed a strong craving—a hunger for power, a desire to devour other lifeforms.
Yet, at the same time, there was an indescribable fear, an instinctive dread of unknown threats.
"It’s afraid of me..." Ron sneered internally: "Even it doesn’t know why."
This one-sided informational advantage allowed him to gradually become fully aware of its actions.
The replica’s every move was within his prediction;
its every devour, every enhancement, every hint of fear, was fully seen by him.
Through this abnormal connection, he captured the behavioral pattern of the replica:
It would first seek weaker targets to accumulate energy and experience, then gradually challenge stronger opponents.
This behavioral pattern was extremely similar to Ron’s own way of thinking, like a distorted mirror reflecting some inner traits of his own.
He could feel the excitement after each devour of other replicas, the fear in the face of unknown threats, even the instinctive dread of the imminent true self.