As Chu Xiu spoke, the gaze of everyone gradually shifted from suspicion to shock, and finally to utter admiration.

A D-level Support Profession, paired with a D-level Talent, managed to carve a bloody path out of this dangerous Abyss!

This was not something that could be achieved by sheer luck. Besides a calm mind and meticulous planning, exceptional battle instincts and the courage to walk on the edge of life and death are also indispensable!

This filled everyone's face with admiration.

Shen Zhuo felt even more inadequate. He had a B-level Profession provided by his family, three pieces of treasured Equipment, and a start of 300 Cause and Effect Points. It could be said that he had a comprehensive advantage over Chu Xiu, yet in just six days, he was left behind!

Even Guan Ke, when he looked at Chu Xiu, had a bit less animosity and a bit more admiration.

No matter what kind of person Chu Xiu might be, his bold decisiveness and precise judgment of the situation are things few people can possess.

However, Guan Ke still had confidence that with his own Talent, he could catch up with and surpass Chu Xiu in the future.

At this moment, Chu Xiu suddenly sighed and said, "There's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time, and that is the current upgrading method in the base is more about maintaining than progressing."

"While this certainly ensures safety, it gives everyone a delusion of steadily improving, making you too comfortable, unwilling to take risks, and even beginning to pursue comforts in life."

"But the Abyss is like a turbulent river, full of change and uncertainty. Nobody knows what sudden change might occur, just like this Blood Moon Ceremony."

"So, only by desperately squeezing out your potential and planning ahead can you truly survive in the Abyss!"

Chu Xiu's words made everyone present show reflective expressions. Indeed, they had been too comfortable these days, even delaying the regular upgrade hunts because a member wanted to sleep in, often stopping for breaks during the process.

Especially in contrast to Chu Xiu, it highlighted their lack of ambition. The tiny advantage Chu Xiu painstakingly accumulated each day seemed trivial, but over time, it could effect a qualitative change!

Chu Xiu continued, "This is also why I didn't choose to join you all initially, though I wasn't even sure if my way was correct because high-intensity hunting certainly meant increased risk."

"And so, I just followed the path I believed was right without critiquing how you chose to do things."

As Chu Xiu finished speaking, the others also heaved sighs.

They never thought that the aloof, unsociable Chu Xiu had such thoughts in mind.

With such a comparison, the others appeared more like immature children.

Seeing everyone's expressions, an almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Chu Xiu's mouth.

This was his goal: using monster-hunting to subtly reshape the image of him in everyone's mind, and then spinning a half-true narrative of his inner journey to align his behavior logically, dispelling their doubts.

"In this way, these people at the base will be very easy to manipulate and use during future explorations."

"Though their strength is mediocre, with Shen Zhuo, this rich second-generation member, I should be able to get some support, at least in solving the logistical supply issues."

After a thorough consideration and confirming the logical closure with not many loopholes, Chu Xiu let out a long breath.

Of course, this excuse couldn't fool everyone.

For example...

At this moment, Guan Ke was studying Chu Xiu with an assessing gaze filled with slight suspicion.

Chu Xiu smiled faintly, turned around, and said, "Guan Ke, I saw you being chased by that Corpse Demon earlier; why weren't you with everyone else?"

As Chu Xiu finished speaking, the other people's gazes shifted to Guan Ke. Under the influence of the Blood Moon, her Power, which was no less than Shen Zhuo's, couldn't be concealed.

Shen Zhuo's face slightly darkened, "Guan Ke, explain yourself."

Guan Ke was silent.

After a long while, she raised her head and said, "I admit, I deceived you all. My profession is not Puppet Master (D), but Mechanician (A)."

"I did so because I wasn't sure what dangers I might face in the future. When I first met you all, I also couldn't be sure of your character, so I used this identity as a disguise."

"Sorry."

To her response, no one said anything.

No one blamed her because, in the Abyss, mutual trust is inherently not an easy thing.

But inevitably, their attitude toward her turned distant.

Chu Xiu's mouth also curved into an almost imperceptible smile; after this, Guan Ke could no longer pose a threat to him.

However, at this moment, Yun Lu suddenly said, "Everyone, although Sister Guan kept something from us, her contributions to the base aren't fake. Without her surveillance puppets, we wouldn't have been so precise in tracking the horde's movements, would we?"

"Ask yourselves, if I were a High Tier Professional, I'd also have reservations, but I believe Sister Guan has no malice towards us!"

Yun Lu's words made the others' expressions improve significantly.

Guan Ke, seemingly surprised that someone would stand up for her, thanked her emotionally, "Thank you, little Lu."

After pondering for a while, Shen Zhuo also nodded and said, "Guan Ke, I respect your way of surviving. You can continue to live in the base as before. Of course, if you want to leave or take on more tasks, I also agree."

Shen Zhuo's words left Guan Ke with her head bowed in shame.

Unexpectedly, others also stepped forward to offer a few consoling words, and at least no one openly opposed her.

This left Chu Xiu, who observed everything, dumbfounded.

He couldn't hold it in.

This was just too "Holy Mother"-like. How does one have a team full of "Holy Mothers"!?

It must be an excellent matching mechanism.

Could it be because all the unholy ones were killed by me?

With some speechlessness, he rubbed his forehead, but this feeling didn't last long before Chu Xiu relaxed.

Holy Mother is great, Holy Mother is wonderful.

He really liked the Holy Mother-type, the holier, the more he liked it.

And after consoling Guan Ke, Shen Zhuo let out a breath, smiled, and said, "Alright, everyone, stop looking so grim. We've already survived the toughest phase. Once it's tomorrow, we can go home!"

This statement enlivened the previously dull atmosphere. Hearing the words "go home," a smile appeared on everyone's faces.

"Come, let's go back and rebuild the fortifications, to endure this final stage!" Shen Zhuo exclaimed, punching the air.

Everyone agreed in unison, but at this moment, Chu Xiu suddenly said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have an unreasonable request."

Everyone was taken aback and looked at him.

Chu Xiu continued, "Not to hide from you all, regarding the Blood Moon reward, I want to take the risk and compete for it."

"So, could you give me the corpses in your base to upgrade my Equipment?"

As his voice fell, everyone was stunned, and Shen Zhuo said gravely, "Chu Xiu, although you are a Level 6 Awakened, aiming for the top thousand is still too risky, isn't it? After all, you're just a Support Profession lacking Combat Skills."

Yun Lu also worriedly said, "Yes, why not stay with us? Didn't the teacher say we have a long future ahead, no need to risk it during the newbie Trial?"

Facing their persuasion, Chu Xiu just smiled calmly, "My mind is made up; for someone like me in a Low Grade Profession to advance further, I must seize every opportunity."

Hearing his words, admiration filled the eyes of the others.

Chu Xiu did what they didn't have the courage to do.

Shen Zhuo no longer tried to dissuade him and instead firmly punched Chu Xiu, "Take any corpses you want from the base. I also have 100 Cause and Effect Points for you, oh, and this."

He took off the Recovery Ring on his finger and handed it over, "With Armor and weapons already on you, wear this and make sure you come back alive!"

Showing an expression of "gratitude," Chu Xiu accepted the Cause and Effect Points and the ring, solemnly saying, "Certainly!"

Yun Lu showed a look of loss; at this moment, it seemed she realized the vast difference between her and Chu Xiu.

This little girl's sentiment was keenly picked up by Chu Xiu, but naturally, he couldn't dwell on it and quickly shifted his focus back to hunting.

"There are now 45 minutes until the end of the ceremony, with three-quarters of the time left, but the monster density has drastically decreased! No more time can be wasted; the longer we wait, the fewer and stronger the monsters become! The difficulty of hunting will skyrocket!"

"Spend fifteen minutes refining all the corpses and then start hunting!"

Chu Xiu was a greedy person.

Outside the Trial Dungeon, the drop rates wouldn't be as high.

He aimed to maximize his gains at the very end of the Trial!

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