133. I Am the Abyssal God Master
Li Aozi shook his nonexistent neck, confirming that all his doors and windows were locked. He contacted his friends and classmates, saying he was sick and planned to go back home to rest and recover.
After receiving a slew of well-wishes, Li Aozi lay in his bathtub, activating the dormant mode of his bioweapon implantation, making sure his life support systems were all functioning normally.
After completing all these checks, Li Aozi confirmed there were no remaining issues, finally setting his mind at ease. Only then did he open his personal interface.
Li Aozi felt his consciousness plunge, sinking into the endless abyss.
[Would you like to switch accounts?]
[Switching...]
[Detected first-time login, would you like to watch the opening cinematic?]
[Skip]
....
" Star Abyss (Stabyss), the end of all things, or perhaps the origin of us all."
"Now, all meaning has become meaningless. Moving forward is our only hope."
"Submerge into the endless abyss."
"May your path be filled with courage and curses."
"Do not care that we will ultimately fade; eternity is nothing before miracles—the stars will bear witness to us!"
[Skip]
...
[An QiQiao Network Production]
[Skip]
...
[Welcome to "Star Abyss" version 1.0 — Now playing: 'The Whisper of Contempt']
[Skip]
....
"QiQiao Network, do you really need to stack all the expansion and CG in one go before letting me enter the game?"
Li Aozi couldn't help but complain.
[Transfer Complete]
[You have logged into account—Real #10752]
[Current server: Terra Federation—Yanxia Division—Azure Star]
[Please answer the following questions to locate an appropriate recruit.]
"Let's do this, time to fill out the questionnaire."
Li Aozi took a deep breath. In his past life, his start had been abysmal, making his gaming experience extremely poor. It wasn't until he became a [Mutant] that he finally found his path.
Li Aozi had a long-term plan.
In this life, through prolonged effort, he had gained the qualifications of a [Domination]-type path leader. If he were to continue along the [Domination] path, the yield from this account would be considerably lower—its ceiling would be far inferior to 'Li Aozi.'
How could he maximize his gains?
[Li Aozi had no other choice. In the Frost-Plated Republic, besides choosing 'Unremembered,' there were nearly no options. Either follow David Lin to the end and lay low for two versions, or bounce between the Red Arrow and Tianhuan, reaping benefits through constant back-and-forth maneuvering.]
But as a player, there were far better options.
[Besides, weren't there players doubting the strength of the [Domination] type? Currently, most [Domination] players just used it for fun. Why not do something different and kickstart some competition within the [Domination] type?]
After pondering for a while, Li Aozi started answering the questions posed by the system.
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Question A: "Can you accept having a family?"
Answer: I can accept it, but they should also treat me like family.
Question B: "Faced with vicious criminals and enemies, will you step up?"
Answer: If I'm capable, if there's benefit, and it doesn't violate my principles, I will. If even one of those isn't satisfied, I'll stay far away.
Question C: "When your country is invaded, would you be willing to serve, regardless of the means?"
Answer: I'd first change my citizenship, then seek asylum abroad, and denounce the invaders.
Question D: "Do you like cats or dogs?"
Answer: I like humans.
Question E: "Choose your desired background among the following—Government Employee, Retired Soldier, Prison Inmate, Bounty Hunter, Street Beggar, Civil Rights Activist, Bankrupt Tycoon."
Answer: Retired Soldier.
Question F: "Select your origin—Red Arrow Empire, Frost-Plated Republic, Zhengxu Democratic Republic, Tianhuan, Outside World, Triangle Town, Abyss Heavy Industries, GTB, Subway Brotherhood, Green Foundation, Junkmen..."
Answer: Red Arrow Empire.
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[An individual matching your requirements has been located]
[Ready for descent—Would you like to descend?]
[Yes/No]
Li Aozi didn't rush to enter but instead tweaked his character's appearance, spending a lot of time on customization.
The new character didn't need high charisma—sharp features, thick brows, large eyes, and a mix of fourth-generation Red Arrow ethnicity: short hair of mixed gold-brown, violet eyes, and healthy skin with a tinge of rosiness.
Pure-blooded Red Arrow individuals were often caught up in extreme incidents. Li Aozi didn't want any of that; being an ordinary Red Arrow person was more aligned with his goals.
This time, his goals were clear, mainly threefold. As long as he accomplished one, it would be a success:
1: Using the account-switching function to learn the extraordinary knowledge of White Candle Star.
2: Helping the [Domination] type become more competitive, thereby restoring Li Aozi's honor as a [Domination] instructor.
3: Investigating the advanced knowledge released on Azure Star, assessing its connections to the Maxwell Consortium.
These three tasks were crucial, and nurturing this new account was also vital—if anything happened to his original self, he'd need this character to make a comeback.
Ideally, he'd raise the new account to help clear the way for the main one, to brave dangers and experiment...
[It arrived at just the right time... I almost suspect that subconscious entity is sharper than I am.]
Considering that after all, they shared the same body, the idea of a "spiritual guide" seemed validated—this guy really wouldn't harm him.
Now that he had the truth serum to suppress the influence of that entity, he could take it a step further and collect all the resources that Azure Star hadn't yet seized.
For example—the advanced specialty of [Everlasting Love Hunt].
Everything was ready, and Li Aozi decisively clicked on the option:
"Descend."
Li Aozi's consciousness instantly plunged. Even as an 80-level Delta-tier powerhouse, he still felt an irresistible force.
But this time, compared to his memories of past descents, he sensed something different.
His soul felt tougher.
[Though I can't sense the connection to Omega Energy, there's a peculiar force coming from it that sustains my consciousness.]
Unlike players, he could vaguely sense how his consciousness detached, moved, shifted, searched, and descended.
Faintly, Li Aozi could even see three intertwining threads, tightly coiling around his consciousness, as if his fate was tied to them.
[Gravity, Calamity, Bloodline... These are the Omega Sequences!]
Omega Sequences could strengthen his soul.
Li Aozi suddenly realized something:
If he accumulated more Omega Sequences, maybe he'd be able to witness the entire descent process into "Star Abyss" and maybe, he'd uncover the truth behind the 'system.'
['Sequences are authorities.']
Mr. Liuer's words echoed in his ears, sending a shiver through Li Aozi. He finally understood how crucial this 'authority' truly was.
[Perhaps, the supreme Omega power of Leozi could reveal the truth behind the Star Abyss and "Star Abyss".]
But there was no time to think further; his entire consciousness plunged like a free fall, rapidly crashing toward a fixed target, colliding head-on.
......
Red Arrow Empire, D15 Military District, 22nd Field Camp.
"At ease! Attention! Stand at ease!"
Major Einstein von Leclair lifted his chin proudly as he surveyed the ranks of young men, brimming with valor and pride.
Today was a special day.
Normally disheveled, drunk, and a habitual gambler, he now wore his dress uniform meticulously. His beard was trimmed, revealing a clean and crisp jawline, with polished boots that made him look like the fresh recruit he'd been twenty years ago.
As he gazed at the Empire's soldiers before him, he felt a surge of sentiment. Some soldiers wore reluctant expressions, others showed defiance, but most were either bewildered or relieved. Regardless of how they came, today marked the end of their three-year military life, and they were now about to face their futures.
"I'm not great with words, so I'll keep it simple."
Einstein began:
"To all the veterans of the Empire, congratulations on completing your service. You are all exemplary men. But remember, the world is not peaceful, and our great Motherland and His Majesty the Emperor will someday need your strength. I hope you'll keep yourselves in shape even after returning to everyday life."
With that, he saluted the veterans retiring today:
"Long live the Red Arrow Empire! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
The veterans stood solemnly, hands behind their backs, and shouted in unison:
"Long live the Empire! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
Einstein nodded, chatted with them briefly, and watched as the veterans began picking up their bags and boarding the trucks to leave.
"Every year, a batch leaves." Einstein sighed. "The rookies from boot camp are coming up soon; that's good, time to train another set of young blood."
As he spoke, from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a young man sitting dazedly by a flowerbed, his bag resting at his feet. Judging by his rank—a private second class—he had short, mixed gold-brown hair, violet eyes void of focus, seemingly lost in thought.
Out of concern, Einstein approached, patting the young man's shoulder:
"Hey, kid, everyone else has left, why are you still here?"
Suddenly, Einstein sensed something odd. He quickly reached out, placing his hand beneath the young soldier's nose.
"No breath?!"
Einstein's face changed. Just as he was about to call for a medic, the young man's eyes suddenly lit up, and he stood up entirely.
"Ugh!"
The young man shook his head, looking bewildered as if he'd just woken up. After gathering himself, he looked at Major Einstein before him and asked:
"Sir, who am I?"
"You?" Einstein noticed the young man's gaze was locked on his own eyes, as if trying to see his own reflection through them. Though puzzled, he looked at the soldier's dog tag and answered:
"Isaac Maxim, Private Second Class. You were discharged today; it's time for you to go home."
The young man nodded slightly, his gaze drifting elsewhere. With a faint smile, he said:
"Yes, I should go home, Major."