Nari only escorted Ron to the border of the Sea of Darkness.
Because soon he would contact the Void Power of Uther, as an Apostle, it was inconvenient for Nari to show up.
She could only hide under the surface of the sea far away, casting a lingering gaze upwards.
The specially-made small dock platform at the observation station was now suspended at the boundary between the eerie blue waters and the Twisted Jungle.
Ron walked to the edge of the platform, staring at the eternally writhing darkness below.
Even at such a distant range, he could still feel that unsettling call.
It was like countless mouths whispering indescribable secrets simultaneously.
And as the appointed time with Uther arrived, the platform began to emit a silver glow.
That was the materialization of the Void Power.
The glow descended slowly, like a luminous ribbon dancing in the dark.
As it approached, Ron could feel the tremendous power contained within Uther’s Void.
But this feeling made his brow furrow involuntarily.
Too strong.
Stronger than reasonable.
A few months ago, Uther’s Void state was visibly weakening.
The signs of life energy gradually waning could not be concealed.
But now, the Void Power rising from the Abyss was unusually stable, even stronger than when he first saw it.
"This feeling..." Ron activated "Extraordinary Recognition," carefully perceiving the subtle changes within the silver glow.
In his special vision, Uther’s Void indeed exhibited surprising solidity.
But upon closer observation, this strength was not natural.
Deep within those silver lights lay an unstable fluctuation.
As if energy forcibly compressed, ready to release explosively at any time.
He remembered a term he had heard in a past life—flash of lucidity before death.
Many critically ill patients exhibit abnormal spirits briefly in their final stages, appearing more lively than usual.
This state often signifies the last burning, the final burst before death.
As this term surfaced in Ron’s mind, his heart grew inexplicably heavy.
The silver glow gathered before the platform, gradually forming Uther’s familiar apparition.
The old professor looked younger than ever, silver hair shining, eyes full of wisdom.
Yet from that seemingly perfect state, Ron felt deep unease.
"Ron, welcome back."
Uther’s voice remained gentle, but the power contained within it caused a subtle resonance in the surrounding space:
"It seems your harvest this time is quite good."
"Professor..." Ron cautiously spoke, his gaze lingering on Uther’s apparition:
"Your state looks... much better than expected."
"Ha, keen observation." Uther nodded lightly with a smile, a glint of approval in his silver eyes:
"The aging process of the Void is not linear, sometimes... there are fluctuations."
He did not directly answer Ron’s implicit question, instead guiding the connection procedure.
The silver glow enveloped Ron gently like a ribbon, then began to elevate his height.
During the ascent, Ron could perceive the gradual distortion of surrounding reality.
The direction of gravity started to blur, and the passage of time produced a subtle dislocation.
This was the Abyss environment’s impact on physical laws, only those who have dived multiple times could fully adapt.
"These past months, I have indeed put considerable effort into concealing your frequent trips to the Abyss."
Uther calmly said during the descent, his voice exceptionally clear within the silver glow:
"The Court of Truth’s inspectors have recently increased their focus on Abyss activities."
"Apologies for the inconvenience." Ron sincerely expressed regret.
"No need for pleasantries." Uther waved his hand, the edges of the apparition slightly fluctuating:
"Your growth benefits the entire observation station, and also..."
He paused, revealing a certain significance in his silver eyes:
"The recent changes in the situation solidify my belief that investing resources in you is the right choice."
This statement stirred something in Ron’s heart.
Uther rarely expressed his support so directly, such a statement implied a certain urgency.
As the depth decreased, the surrounding environment began to shift.
Blood-colored mist surged within the silver light, forming various peculiar patterns.
In the distant twisted space, occasionally flashed indescribable shadows, Abyssal creatures conducting their daily activities.
"Speaking of which, your rate of progress indeed exceeds my expectations."
Uther’s tone carried sentiment, as well as a subtle contentment:
"From the initial novelty to now, whether in interpersonal relationships, academic skills, or Spirit cultivation, all aspects have leaped steadily... Such growth trajectory is rare in History."
"This is thanks to your guidance and the environment provided by the observation station." Ron humbly responded.
"Humility is a virtue, but too much humility is hypocrisy." Uther shook his head:
"Your talent and effort are the main factors; the external world only provided suitable conditions."
The old professor’s apparition became more solid, indicating they were approaching the core region of the observation station:
"Moreover, judging from your recent Abyss exploration reports, you already possess the ability to handle complex situations independently. This level of maturity..."