Ron’s consciousness extended into the depths of the Abyss like invisible threads.
Crossing layers of reality barriers, searching for the Stand-In Puppet he had cast into the "Sea of Darkness."
After a perilous encounter with the Chaotic Spirit Monster last time, he had taken the opportunity to send the puppet to the Abyss Fifth Layer.
A mysterious sea that, for him, only existed in documented records.
Now, more than half a month had passed since that event, and he could finally find time to re-establish the connection and explore the forbidden place.
As consciousness traversed layer upon layer of abyssal barriers, Ron could feel the drastic changes in the surrounding environment.
From the blood-colored wasteland of the First Layer to the space bubbles of the Second Layer.
Then to the Black Sand Wilderness of the Third Layer, and the Twisted Jungle of the Fourth Layer, each layer had its distinct rules and threats.
And when his perception touched the Fifth Layer, an unprecedented chill instantly struck.
It was not a coldness of temperature but a more profound sense of void, as if existence itself was frozen.
"Found it."
In the depths of endless darkness, a familiar energy signal flickered weakly.
It was the unique Magic Power characteristic of the Stand-In Puppet, which could still be precisely located despite severe interference from the Abyss environment.
Ron concentrated his Spiritual Power, beginning to activate the deep connection with the puppet.
This process was much more difficult than expected.
The environment of the Abyss Fifth Layer produced strong distortional effects on spiritual links, each attempt accompanied by intense mental shock.
But relying on his painstakingly studied techniques of spiritual manipulation, combined with the assistance of "Hermit’s Knowledge" and "Seeking Heart," he spent time successfully establishing a stable control linkage.
Instantly, a brand-new perception world unfolded before him.
The Stand-In Puppet’s "eyes" opened, revealing a scene of despair.
Sea of Darkness, true to its name, there was no light source here.
It wasn’t mere darkness, but an absolute void devouring everything.
Even the starlight, magic glow, and even the faint life radiance within organisms would be absorbed instantly by the environment here.
Yet, the Stand-In Puppet’s mode of perception was entirely different from ordinary beings.
It didn’t rely on light but "observed" the surroundings through the energy fluctuations unique to the Abyss.
Under this special vision, the Sea of Darkness presented a bizarre and magnificent spectacle.
This wasn’t truly an ocean, but an "fluid" area formed by liquefied abyssal energy.
Those seemingly calm "waters" were, in fact, extremely concentrated chaotic consciousness.
Each drop contained a terrifying power enough to destroy ordinary people’s sanity.
There were no undercurrents below but even more terrifying "consciousness storms."
Countless twisted thoughts and fragments of memory danced in the air, forming eerie vortexes.
These mental storms would appear randomly, utterly crushing the consciousness of any creature touched by them, then assimilating the fragments into themselves, growing stronger and more chaotic.
Most unsettling was the "activity" of the sea water.
When Ron controlled the puppet to touch the "sea water," the liquid reacted immediately, writhing like a living creature attempting to envelop the puppet’s arm.
Yet strangely, after coming into contact with the puppet, these abyssal energies didn’t produce an adverse erosion effect but instead showed a sort of "affinity."
As if welcoming an old friend returning after a long absence.
"Just as expected."
Ron made a judgment in his mind, the Stand-In Puppet’s Abyss Adaptability was even stronger than he anticipated.
Not only was it completely immune to the Spiritual Contamination here, but it could also absorb energy from the environment to repair itself.
The energy levels in the charging display on the puppet’s chest were slowly but steadily rising.
Though the growth speed wasn’t fast, this ability for autonomous energy recharge was extremely precious.
Ron controlled the puppet to float up, beginning to explore this eerie sea domain.
All islands here shared a common trait—they were slowly "breathing," like massive biological organs.
When the puppet approached one smaller island, Ron discovered even stranger sights.
The island’s surface was covered in a type of "plant" he had never seen before, if these things could still be called plants.
They lacked traditional structures of roots, stems, and leaves, instead composed of countless tiny tentacles.
These tentacles continuously writhed, their surfaces covered with flickering fluorescent spots.
Even more alarming, these "plants" possessed obvious predatory instincts.
As the puppet stepped onto the island, the whole "vegetation" instantly became active.
Hundreds of tentacles shot towards the puppet like lightning, attempting to drag the outsider into their "digestive system."
But the Stand-In Puppet’s reaction speed far exceeded the attack of these plants.
Ron controlled the puppet to display exquisite swordsmanship, a longsword materializing in its hand.
This weapon generation ability was one of the extended abilities after the puppet’s advancement, allowing it to create different types of weapons according to combat needs.
The sword light danced like silver serpents, instantly severing a dozen tentacles.
The severed parts immediately began to rot, emitting a pungent acidic smell.
But more tentacles surged from all directions, seemingly endless in number.
"This ecosystem indeed possesses research value."
Ron, while analyzing the attack patterns of these plants, continued to control the puppet in combat.
Through observation, he found that these plants were actually part of a gigantic network.