A Hypothesis About Fallen Ones Being Able to Pass Through the Gate

"So you're saying you're unaffected by the Ascension Curse?"

The Rabbit Girl sized up Zhou Qing, Romantina, and Dugu Bo, confirming that they were not the kind of perfectly transformed Fallen One like herself.

It's not even Fallen One.

But what is unaffected by the Ascension Curse?

"Is it because you have Martial Soul?" Riko asked curiously.

"Definitely not." The Rabbit Girl answered Riko's question. "I've seen foreign Soul Master before. When they ascend, they are also affected by the Ascension Curse."

"That's right."

Zhou Qing no longer concealed anything, because the Abyss People were simple and pure. As long as he told them not to tell anyone afterward, they would definitely keep the secret. "The key is to adjust one's own Aura Field to maintain balance with the downward Aura Field of the Abyss Ruins, which is what you call the Ascension Curse."

The Rabbit Girl scratched her bunny ears and asked, "Could you explain the concept of Aura Field first?"

"If we compare the human body to the earth and mountains, the blood flowing in the human body is like the rivers, lakes and seas flowing between the earth and mountains; and the process of breathing is like the movement of air between heaven and earth."

Zhou Qing was already quite adept at explaining the concept of "Aura Field."

"Take Abyss Town as an example. You must have climbed to the top of the mountain pass surrounding Abyss Town before, right?"

Sitting atop the peak, facing the sea breeze, and gazing at the entire Abyss Town, you must feel a sense of exhilaration.

On the contrary, if the Abyss Town were to disappear, leaving only a dark Abyss, it would certainly make you feel uneasy.

Aura Field, in this context, refers to the most immediate and direct impression one gets at first glance.

Such is the natural scenery.

Humans are the same.

After Zhou Qing's explanation, the Rabbit Girl, Riko, Mithras all understood the general idea.

So--

The Ascension Curse is essentially a natural environmental Aura Field generated by the Abyss Ruins as a whole. It allows external creatures to descend or live on the plane, but to ascend, they must resist the environmental Aura Field.

The consequence of resisting this downward Aura Field is that one's personal Aura Field cannot withstand it and thus collapses, or one forcibly undergoes a transformation to adapt to this environment.

Why are the creatures on each level of the Abyss Ruins unaffected?

Simple!

In order to survive, these organisms have long since evolved organs and tissues that can adapt to the corresponding environmental Aura Field.

"So that's how it works."

Riko realized, "So, you can use your Soul Power to adjust your body's Aura Field to maintain harmony with the Aura Field of this Abyss Ruins, so that you won't become Fallen One and won't be affected by the Ascension Curse."

Similarly, if the Fallen One can freely pass through the Gate to the Fifth Layer, then theoretically, those of you who can harmonize your own Aura Field should also be able to pass through without the White Whistle?

That's wonderful!

Riko always been naive, feeling happy for Zhou Qing and the others, but then becoming troubled.

She can't do it!

"This is just my guess; we'll need to test it out to find out for sure."

In fact, you don't necessarily have to go through the Gate on the Fourth Layer to get to the lower level.

Saundin was indeed a bit eccentric, and his moral compass was close to that of Fallen Ones, but he ultimately retained the innocence of Abyss People and disdained to lie.

Namiki, the friend of the Rabbit Girl, is said to have led an entire Exploration Team from the bottom of the Sea of Corpses to the Fifth Layer.

If all else fails, Dugu Bo can forcefully lead them through the seabed—yes, that's the main reason Zhou Qing invited Dugu Bo to come along.

Since we can't go through the normal channels, we have no choice but to resort to brute force to remove the bricks.

"Riko, don't worry. I've already promised you I won't abandon you. Besides, you're our hired guide. How can we let tourists wander around the attractions on their own?" Seeing that Riko was still a little down, Zhou Qing comforted her, "I will definitely take you with me."

"I want to go too!"

Mithras raised his arms, hoping to join the expedition.

Unlike Riko's search for her mother, the Rabbit Girl's desire to learn about Namiki's situation, and Zhou Qing and others' interest in understanding the resources of each level of the Abyss Ruins, or finding a Teleportation Array that could transport people to another continent, Mithras's goal was very simple:

I hope to go on adventures with my friends.

"May I?"

Riko looked at Zhou Qing expectantly, hoping to bring Mithras along as well. Besides wanting another partner for the adventure, she also wanted to take this opportunity to keep Mithras away from that madman Saundin.

This feels more like child abduction!

A thought suddenly popped into Zhou Qing's mind, but upon closer reflection, he realized that he had also been abducting Tang San back then, so he seemed to have no right to advise Riko on this matter.

After a long silence, he finally said, "It's possible, but will Saundin agree?"

Judging from what Saundin said earlier, the other party must be paying close attention to the emotional development between Riko and Mithras.

Mithras himself is fine.

This is certain.

Reason?

Besides Zhou Qing being able to sense that Mithras was sincere, the birth of the White Whistle required one person to make the most sincere sacrifice for another.

Specific process —

Zhou Qing is not yet clear, but given this condition, it is unlikely that Saundin would tell Mithras the whole truth. It is highly probable that she was cultivated like a flower in a greenhouse, making her as innocent as a blank sheet of paper and extremely eager for friendship.

Therefore, although Saundin may seem to ignore Riko and the Rabbit Girl, she is definitely keeping an eye on Mithras, and will surely track her down if she goes missing.

As Saundin's daughter, Mithras was definitely Saundin's most valued research subject.

Taking her away would inevitably lead to a conflict with Saundin.

Moreover, whether Saundin will actually harm Mithras is still unknown. After all, when She Long stole Saundin's White Whistle, the latter immediately went berserk, unleashing his strongest battle state and blasting Snake Lance Douluo to smithereens.

This shows that no matter how crazy Saundin, he still values emotions.

"My father will definitely agree. He has always hoped that I would become a capable adventurer, and he even awarded me the Black Whistle."

Mithras grabbed the black whistle around his neck and showed it to Zhou Qing. "But Dad said that one can't take risks alone; one needs to find companions first!"

"And now, I have found my companions!"

"Riko, Bunny Girl Ryo, and the three of you, we will surely find true joy and happiness in our downward adventure."

Romantina said thoughtfully, "That Saundin is quite good at fooling children."

Deception?

Zhou Qing believes this is some kind of alternative pyramid scheme brainwashing method, keeping Mithras completely unaware...