Now, he is able to establish a certain level of communication with plant-based lifeforms in the Abyss, becoming an indispensable guide in the exploration team."
Ron’s gaze swept over these explorers, a complex feeling surged within him.
These people are both victims of the Abyss and, to some extent, beneficiaries.
They paid an unimaginable price, yet gained special abilities unattainable through conventional means.
"Despite being riddled with distortion and chaos, this group exhibits astonishing vitality and creativity," Ron murmured:
"They not only adapted to mutation but also turned it into an advantage, creating a unique set of survival rules."
"This is precisely the paradoxical allure of the Abyss." Reynolds nodded in agreement:
"It is both a source of destruction and a place of creation;
it brings about deformity, yet offers the possibility of transformation.
The Extraordinary System of the Ring Abyss Continent Group, ultimately, is intricately connected to the Abyss.
We fear it, yet rely on it; we study it, yet are changed by it."
The usually reticent Kasso also joined the conversation at this point:
"The Abyss gives, and it takes.
This is the eternal equivalent exchange.
Some gained power, but paid with their appearance;
some gained knowledge, but paid with their health;
and others... gained incredible abilities, but paid with their humanity."
After passing through several narrow alleys, the three came to a hemispherical building that was out of place with the surrounding architecture.
The entire building had no windows, and its exterior walls appeared to be a nearly transparent bright blue, with countless delicate energy patterns flowing on its surface, akin to the veins of a living being.
"Here we are." Kasso stopped: "Aize’s ’Ripple Dome’.
Ron gazed at this peculiar building and activated his "Extraordinary Recognition" skills to analyze its structure.
In his special vision, the entire building revealed a complex energy network.
Each pattern carried a specific function, serving both as protection and a medium for communication.
"No door?" Ron asked, noticing no obvious entrance on the building’s surface.
"To elemental lifeforms, a physical ’door’ is meaningless."
Kasso stepped forward, placing his metallic right arm on a specific spot on the building’s surface:
"The method of entry is to communicate directly with its consciousness."
As Kasso made his move, the building’s surface rippled, and an oval opening slowly formed in the wall.
The light emitted from inside was soft and mysterious, like moonlight refracted through water.
"He agreed to see us, which is quite a rare stroke of luck."
Kasso breathed a sigh of relief, gesturing for Ron and Reynolds to follow:
"Once inside, try to keep calm, and refrain from showing excessive surprise or fear at anything you see. Aize... is very sensitive."
As soon as he stepped through the opening, Ron felt a wave spread from his feet throughout his body, as if passing through some invisible barrier.
The world within his vision completely transformed as well.
The internal space was much more spacious than it appeared from the outside, with no traditional furniture or decorations under the dome, only countless crystals suspended mid-air.
These crystals varied in size and shape, some resembling standard geometric forms, others twisted into indescribable shapes.
Each crystal emitted a faint glow, illuminating the entire space.
Most striking was a massive energy vortex in the center of the room.
It was not a tangible entity but a spiral structure formed purely of energy.
The color transitioned from deep blue at the base to bright white at the top.
The vortex continually rotated, emitting a hum that inexplicably brought a sense of peace.
"Aize." Kasso bowed slightly towards the vortex, his voice carrying a clear tone of respect:
"I have brought two guests, as previously mentioned, who have a special need for high-purity energy crystals."
The vortex’s rotation speed slightly increased, making the entire space flicker a few times in response.
There was no sound, but Ron suddenly felt a stream of information directly establishing a link to him:
New visitors... rare... perceive your vibrations... complex, interesting...
These fragments of thought were not in any linguistic structure, more like a direct impression of consciousness, yet understandable.
Simultaneously, Ron also felt a slight discomfort, as if something was gently scraping the surface of his brain.
"This is his way of communicating."
Reynolds whispered, his expression showing slight pain, clearly also experiencing similar discomfort:
"Elemental lifeforms seldom use language to communicate, and Aize’s Abyssal transformation exacerbates this trait."
Suddenly, the vortex split off an energy tendril, which slowly extended towards Ron.
It was not a physical entity, just a stream of energy more concentrated than the surroundings, with the end presenting a blurry eye-shaped form.
You... very interesting... soul anomaly... Wizard... unconventional... growth...
The energy tendril hovered around Ron, seemingly observing or analyzing something.
With his keen perception, he could sense that this observation was targeting not his surface consciousness but a deeper-level scan.
However, detecting an anomaly in his soul... typically requires someone like Uther, a Great Wizard.
No wonder Kasso and Reynolds showed some reverence when mentioning this mutated elemental lifeform; it indeed has its terrifying aspects.
"I need high-purity energy crystals, especially products from the fourth layer or deeper."