Back to the materials analysis department of the observation station.
Ron’s nearly perfect performance this time earned him significant recognition and status elevation in both of the distinct factions.
In the research team, Wayne, the supervisor, was deeply impressed by the exceptionally keen perception ability he showed.
"The warning ability you exhibited today is truly rare,"
Wayne expressed his opinion frankly in private communication:
"I intend to recommend you to participate in the upcoming ’Deep Materials Trait Analysis’ project.
This project will involve samples brought back from the Abyss Fourth Layer and even deeper, with high research value, but the corresponding risk level cannot be underestimated."
He paused for a moment, adding:
"Also, if you agree, I would like to recommend you to join the observation station’s ’Anomalous Phenomena Investigation Team.
It is specifically responsible for analyzing and handling abyssal phenomena that cannot be explained by conventional means.
With your perception ability as shown today, you should be able to play a vital role in this field."
In terms of the exploration team, leader Miller also informed Ron of some explorer-related information.
"According to the personnel policy of the observation station, the identities of researcher and explorer are completely compatible,"
Miller explained in detail:
"In fact, some of our most excellent core members have dual identities.
You can continue to focus on materials analysis and research work, while also participating as a part-time explorer in some relatively safe but highly valuable abyssal missions."
He took out a detailed document from the chest pocket of his uniform:
"The rights enjoyed by part-time explorers include:
Priority access to rare abyssal materials, eligibility to participate in high-value exploration missions, extra danger allowances, and most importantly—legal entry permits to deep abyssal areas."
This arrangement indeed holds great allure for Ron.
As an official explorer, he will gain more legal opportunities to access the deep abyss, which is invaluable for his various secret research.
Meanwhile, the explorer identity can provide perfect official cover for some of his "special activities," such as today’s successful secret operation of deploying the Stand-In Puppet.
"I accept this arrangement,"
Ron made a decision after careful consideration:
"The identity of a part-time explorer does indeed provide more possibilities for my research."
Besides these overt gains, today’s action brought a highly significant covert achievement.
The Stand-In Puppet was successfully deployed to the "Sea of Darkness" region of the Abyss Fifth Layer, establishing a critical forward observation point for his subsequent in-depth exploration.
Through the real-time perception information transmitted by the puppet, he already has a preliminary understanding of the basic environmental characteristics of the Fifth Layer:
It is a boundless water area shrouded in eternal darkness, the seawater is highly corrosive and possesses some unknown active characteristic.
Various bizarre-shaped deep-sea creatures swim within, some even possessing rudimentary collective intelligence.
.........
At this moment, in the Abyss Seventh Layer, extremely far from the Main World.
This is the secret meeting place of the Supreme Apostles, a special space even the Great Wizard cannot easily perceive or reach.
The surrounding environment itself is a complete negation of normal reality:
Gravity changes arbitrarily according to the observer’s thoughts, colors transform into sounds, time flows in a spiral form here, and thoughts leave visible light trails in the air.
The three Supreme Apostles participating in the meeting are:
"The plan has failed."
The voice of "Invisible Fog" Nas is like whispers from numerous different spaces superimposing:
"This little guy actually managed to precisely foresee the target coordinates of the transport."
Its fog-like body rolled violently, with all internal eyes turning in one direction, staring at the direction of the observation station:
"I already swapped the transport coordinates of the Chaotic Spirit Monster, even the most advanced detection equipment of the observation station was completely deceived.
But he was able to perceive the threat in advance, this perception ability absolutely surpasses the normal range."
"Flesh Sculpture" Grush let out a roar that shook the entire dimension, the sound like a thousand beasts all roaring at once:
"I’ve always said, such convoluted strategies are too complex! Directly dispatch the Apostle Legion to attack the observation station, capture that brat back for transformation, isn’t that more straightforward and effective?"
Its massive flesh tentacles frantically waved in the void, leaving deep red energy traces with each swing:
"Is a small character who has just been promoted to Official Wizard worthy of such a fuss? Direct military conquest is the fundamental way to solve the problem!"
"You still don’t understand, Grush."
Nas’s tone became more cold and dangerous, all the eyes in the mist turned towards the flesh conglomerate:
"There’s something on this human that we cannot completely understand.
Not just the pure soul of the Primordial Wizard himself, but some deeper, more mysterious traits."
It paused for a moment, its voice echoing as if from the deepest abyss:
"I can sense that successfully converting him to be one of us will have a decisive impact on the entire grand plan.
Compared to simple and brutal capture and torture, I hope he can ’voluntarily’ join our cause."
"Void Spider" Maggs, on the side, used its special perception ability that can traverse different timelines, scrutinizing countless possibilities in a distant future.