Title: True: Gazing into the Abyss

Deep within the mist to the southeast of the town, Tiger-man Theo smiled as he successfully harvested his treasure. Just as the location in his [Great Prophecy] had indicated, he had obtained his first ring.

As long as he entered the ruins to the northeast and retrieved the other ring, he would have gathered two of the seventy-three initial rings.

Unlike his previous life, the time at which he obtained these two rings had been significantly advanced.

This also meant that he would enjoy the greatest benefits brought by the rings, and he would very likely secure two seats because of them.

Suddenly, Tiger-man Theo sensed something and looked toward the direction of Human Race Town No. 74396, where a pillar of blood-colored light was descending from the sky.

The blood-colored pillar was profound and mysterious, clearly visible even through the obstruction of the mist.

"This town has received an Abyss inheritance? Is it the Great Pirate Pei Chao? No, his body hasn't fused with the uncanny yet, so it shouldn't be him. Then who could it be?"

Theo furrowed his brows. After all, in his [Great Prophecy], he was supposed to arrive in this world a year later, so he wasn't clear on the details of many things.

"Could it be that this Human Race Town No. 74396 hides other secrets?"

Theo whispered softly.

Inexplicably, the tiger-man felt as if something bad was about to happen.

It was similar to the feeling he had when he used the [Ghost Servant Art] on Pei Chao back then, but this time it was clearer. He felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and his subconscious seemed to be urging him to flee this place.

Theo took a deep breath and clutched the ring he had just harvested tightly in his hand.

Tiger-man Theo gripped the ring and muttered to himself, "Is this the resistance I must suffer for changing my fate?"

In the center of the town, just shortly after Zhao Gang's speech ended, the blood-colored pillar of light descended from the sky and poured directly into the Town Crystal, appearing like a divine miracle.

It looked as if Zhao Gang's words had triggered the change.

In an instant, the people below erupted in excitement.

But in reality, Zhao Gang was completely bewildered by the appearance of this pillar of light; he had no idea what had actually happened.

In a corner of the town, the shadow watched the blood-colored pillar of light with surprise and excitement.

The shadow exclaimed excitedly, "It's an Abyss inheritance!"

"An Abyss inheritance?"

Feng Buzhi recalled the reward settlement from the previous Deep Abyss Trial.

He had taken first place in the [Million-Player Battle Royale] trial and achieved third place on the historical score leaderboard, which had earned the Human Race 31 points of Abyss inheritance.

Could it be that some of these 31 points of Abyss inheritance had been distributed to this town?

The delay seemed a bit long.

The shadow did not notice Feng Buzhi's confusion and explained to him on its own, "You should know about this town's [Basic Cultivation Assistance], right? It's an excellent trait."

"In fact, this trait is drawn by consuming Abyss inheritance; every town has different traits."

"No, why would an Abyss inheritance appear?"

"Generally speaking, an Abyss inheritance only appears after a member of the race has made a huge contribution."

"Could it be Zhao Gang and Qian Zheng?"

"Did Qian Zheng [Promotion] and leave, causing the humans of the main world to notice us here, so they sent a little reward to encourage Zhao Gang's actions?"

"But even if this town possesses an Abyss inheritance, no one can use it, right?"

The shadow's expression was confused and blank.

Although this town was still functioning, it had no administrative personnel, so even if the Town Crystal had obtained the Abyss inheritance, no one could activate or use it.

After speaking, the shadow drifted straight toward the Town Crystal.

Not long after, the shadow drifted back.

The shadow said, "It is indeed an Abyss inheritance, but Zhao Gang and the others haven't discovered it at all, let alone used it. What exactly is going on?"

Feng Buzhi was lost in thought, and soon he went to the central plaza with the shadow and Pei Chao.

By this time, Zhao Gang had already led the people gathered in the plaza on a grand march toward the east side of the town to lead everyone in exploring the mist together.

The entire plaza was empty. Feng Buzhi reached out and pressed his hand against the plaza's crystal.

Just as the shadow had said, he did not see any mention of Abyss inheritance in the [Information] column, even when he switched his personality to Damo, who had obtained the rewards; there was no change.

However, although he did not find that he had authorization, Feng Buzhi discovered that his [Personal Information] had undergone a clear change.

His title "Mortal Gazing into the Abyss" had disappeared, and he had obtained a new title: "True: Gazing into the Abyss."

[Personal Information]

Feng Buzhi

Title: "Goblin Butcher" (Activated), "True: Gazing into the Abyss" (Inactive). (Currently can activate 1 title)

Race: Human Race

Rank: Alienation Stage (27%)

Soul Level: Unranked

Abyss Points: 3.387 million

"True: Gazing into the Abyss": You and the Abyss gaze into each other; the Abyss has remembered you, and It finds you quite interesting.

Title Effect: Upon activating this title, the side effects of all anomalies are weakened for you, your control over all anomalies increases, and you receive an Abyssal Blessing each time your rank improves.

Current total holders of this title: 209

Acquisition conditions:

Must satisfy the following three points.

1. Gaze into the true Abyss for three seconds or more.

2. You must not be corrupted by the Abyss.

3. You must not have died (resurrection after death does not count toward obtaining this title).

Feng Buzhi quickly activated the new title, "True: Gazing into the Abyss." Compared to his original "Mortal Gazing into the Abyss," this title was more than just a little stronger.

After activating this title, the effects of the Red Name Curse he endured weakened further, and in conjunction with his mental state, he could almost completely ignore them.

At the same time, his control over the anomaly within his skin improved further, and his control over external anomalies via his Domain Realm became easier; he could even slightly manipulate the shadow's body.

For instance, he controlled a small cluster of black mist on the shadow's back to twist slightly, causing the shadow to look around suspiciously.

Feng Buzhi felt that with this level of control over anomalies, the success rate of integrating anomalies into his meridians should reach over ninety percent.

Without dwelling on the sensation, Feng Buzhi quickly used Basic Cultivation Assistance, then exchanged for an Extravagant Meal, receiving a plate of dumplings.

Just like with ordinary training, after Basic Cultivation Assistance, his alienated organ—his skin—produced a sensation of tightness and became hungry.

As he ate, Feng Buzhi felt the food transform into nutrients that flowed into his skin, where they were devoured and absorbed by the anomaly within.

The anomaly in his skin was continuously strengthened, and soon, some dead skin began to flake off his surface.

After eating only half the plate of dumplings, his alienation stage increased from 27% to 34%. He estimated that after finishing the entire Extravagant Meal, his alienation progress might increase by about 13%.

Looking at it this way, if he continuously consumed the anomalous power within his body and then used Basic Cultivation Assistance and Extravagant Meal to train, Feng Buzhi felt he might be able to complete the alienation stage in about a day.

However, Feng Buzhi did not continue; he stopped eating after half the plate and handed the dumplings to the bearded Pei Chao standing nearby.

"What's wrong, Boss? Is the taste of these dumplings not to your liking?"

Pei Chao said as he took the dumplings and ate two, finding the three-delicacy filling incredibly delicious.

Feng Buzhi explained, "Using Basic Cultivation Assistance and Extravagant Meal to train basic physical fitness is fine, but using this method to accelerate the alienation process is not a wise choice."

Following Feng Buzhi's explanation, the shadow glared at him with rage once again...