Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 170 His "Gaze"

He glanced back and saw Soren watching him with a subtle look in his eyes.

There was a scrutinizing look in his eyes, as well as a hint of elusive interest, like a connoisseur admiring a magnificent work of art.

He bowed respectfully to his mentors and then stepped away from the central tower.

As we walked back to the workshop, dusk deepened, and the eerie atmosphere of the Black Mist Forest grew stronger.

Strange hissing sounds could be heard from afar, sending chills down one's spine.

But none of this could affect Ron's thoughts.

"The bloodline of the lion scorpion does indeed have unique value."

He mentally assessed what he had accomplished that day:
"The dual-heart system can process material energy and magical energy separately, a design that has a significant advantage in the abyss environment; while the distributed neural network gives it extremely strong resilience, allowing it to maintain basic functions even when severely damaged."

However, he also did not ignore the potential risks:
"However, the characteristics of abyssal creatures are often accompanied by some kind of 'contamination' or 'erosion,' so adequate isolation measures must be taken to ensure that harmful factors are not introduced while extracting useful characteristics."

This is Ron's consistent research attitude: his thirst for knowledge never ceases, but every step of exploration must be based on experimentation.

As the sun began to set in the west, Ron returned to the workshop.

"Teacher!" Lilia rushed forward, her eyes filled with concern.

"Is everything going smoothly? I heard there was some controversy surrounding the final rewards distribution for the gladiatorial tournament."

"Master is back!"

Dyer jumped up and down excitedly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity:

Have you received your prize? Have you received your prize?

Ron smiled slightly and gently stroked Dale's silver hair:

"Everything went smoothly. Not only did we receive all the rewards, but we also obtained some valuable research materials as an extra bonus."

He briefly shared his experiences and takeaways from the day with the two of them, but omitted the potentially overly technical details.

"and."

His tone was filled with barely concealed anticipation: "I've already got this."

Ron carefully took out the ebony box containing the substitute puppet and showed it to the two of them.

Wow! What a strange puppet!

Dyer curiously moved closer, but did not reach out to touch it; she simply opened her eyes wide and examined it carefully.

She had been repeatedly instructed not to touch any supernatural objects that might be dangerous, even if driven by curiosity.

“Those eyes…” the little siren murmured, a hint of instinctive fear in her voice:

It seems to be watching us.

Lilia's expression was more cautious, her brows furrowed slightly, and her lips pressed into a thin line:
"Is this the Abyss Treasure that can create substitutes? It looks rather ominous. This aura reminds me of those stories about cursed dolls."

Indeed, even inside the wooden box, the bluish-gray puppet exuded a sinister and eerie aura, as if carrying whispers and memories from the deepest abyss.

Especially those dark red gemstone eyes, even when still, seemed to be constantly observing everything around them.

"Don't worry."

Ron reassured him:
“These items from the abyss often carry a certain unsettling aura, but that is mostly just a facade; what truly matters is their function.”

He closed the lid, and the eerie aura immediately diminished, as if it had been resealed.

"However, the specific research and activation need to be carried out in a safer environment. I will handle this matter in the isolation array of the laboratory."

His gaze swept across the workshop, and he began to plan the next sequence of actions in his mind:
First, it is necessary to study how to use the substitute puppet, as this is related to whether his future "furnace concept" can be successfully realized;
If there is free time, we should use the knowledge and samples gained from this anatomical guidance to further improve our research on blood vessel modulation.
Finally, and most importantly, he focused all his efforts on breaking through the meditation technique to reach the level of an advanced apprentice. This was a crucial step for him to reach a higher realm.

"Lilia, prepare some calming potions for me tonight, especially 'Clarity' and 'Mental Shield'."

Ron skillfully assigned tasks.

Lilia nodded; she had grown accustomed to not asking too many questions about the teacher's instructions.
"I'll get ready right away. You have three bottles of 'Sobering Up' and two bottles of 'Mental Shield' stored in the cabinet."

Ron then turned to Dale, his voice softening slightly:
"Little one, you should rest well today. Tomorrow I will make you some new 'food' to help you better digest the energy you absorbed earlier. This 'food' will have some special ingredients added, so it may taste a bit more unusual than before."

Dyer nodded happily, her large blue-violet eyes filled with anticipation:
"I'll be good! Master's 'food' is always the best, even if it tastes weird!"

Her trust in Ron was so pure, like a stream's attachment to its riverbed, unconditional and without reason.

After arranging everything, Ron went to the laboratory on the second floor of the workshop and carefully placed the stand-in puppet in the center of a specially made magic circle.

He activated all the ritual formations inside and outside the workshop.

The runes shimmered like fireflies in the darkness, weaving an invisible barrier that completely isolated the internal energy fluctuations from the outside world.

Ron sat cross-legged in the center of the laboratory, in front of him was the eerie puppet that had been taken out of the ebony box and placed on a specially made silver base.

The candlelight inside the room was dim and flickering, as if it might be blown out at any moment.

"Ready."

He took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on the puppet's dark red gem-like eyes.

Through his [Extraordinary Recognition] ability, he had a general understanding of the working principle and activation method of this abyssal treasure.

Like other rare and precious artifacts, activation usually requires his blood as a medium, and only his blood has the effect.

However, unlike the previous shapeshifter's skin and pocket watch, the substitute puppet requires the user to actively import a part of their consciousness or soul in order to complete the true binding.

This is a more profound and dangerous process than a simple blood connection, and requires extreme caution.

Ron took out a small silver dagger and gently made a small cut on his index finger.

Bright red blood seeped out along the wound, like a string of tiny pearls.

He gently squeezed the wound, letting a drop of blood fall precisely into the center of the puppet's forehead, where there was an almost invisible shallow indentation.

The moment the blood touched the puppet, it was absorbed by the runes on the puppet's surface at a speed visible to the naked eye, disappearing without a trace, just like rainwater being swallowed by the desert.

After being completely absorbed, the puppet seemed to emit a faint humming sound, like a sigh coming from afar.

A moment later, the previously dim runes began to flicker with a faint red light.

The flickering light, like the beating of a pulse, endowed this inanimate object with a quality almost like life.

As he channeled his magic, the puppet began to inflate rapidly, like a balloon being blown up.

"Next is the consciousness transfer."

Ron frowned as he watched the strange puppet, which quickly grew to be almost the same size as him, and reached out to touch its forehead.

A chill immediately followed, a chill that was not merely a matter of temperature, but more like a sense of emptiness existing on a spiritual level.

But as the contact continued, this coldness was gradually replaced by a sense of familiarity, as if touching a fragment of a lost self.

Ron closed his eyes and began to try to channel a portion of his consciousness into the puppet's body through his fingertips.

As the amount of water introduced increased, he began to feel a subtle resistance and discomfort, as if the cup was almost overflowing and it was difficult to pour in even one more drop of water.

"As expected, it's not a matter of affinity, but rather a matter of limited capacity."

As Hayek stated, there are indeed limitations on the amount of consciousness that can be introduced into a substitute puppet.

Insufficient imports prevent effective control.
Importing too much will have a negative impact on the original content, just like a piece of paper being torn in half, where neither half can fully perform its original function.

This limitation is probably the main reason why even formal wizards find it difficult to effectively use this treasure.

Ron carefully adjusted the amount of energy he was introducing; his mental control was far more precise than that of ordinary people.

As a portion of his consciousness was successfully introduced, he suddenly felt a strange sense of "split," as if his self had been cleaved in two by an invisible knife.

[The substitute puppet has been successfully activated!]

Current Energy: 0/100%

[Effect: Creates a clone that shares some of the user's abilities; currently in normal simulation state.]

[Maximum distance: 100 meters]

【Characteristic: Dual Consciousness (The user can control both the main body and the substitute simultaneously)】

Ron tried to control the puppet's movement, focusing some of his attention on commanding it to raise its arm.

The puppet did indeed move according to his will, but the movements appeared extremely mechanical and stiff.

Like a baby learning to walk or a rusty tin man, the movement of each joint is marked by obvious stiffness and sluggishness.

"It's more difficult to control than we imagined."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Ron's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He could sense that the part of his consciousness that had been separated could control the puppet, but the effect was far less flexible and natural than when he controlled his main body.

"This should be what Hayek called the problem of 'multitasking'."

Ron suddenly realized what the vice dean had meant by his warning.

For ordinary apprentices, this kind of division and control is indeed a difficult obstacle to overcome.

Without sufficient mental strength and conscious control, it is difficult to manage two bodies simultaneously without serious coordination problems.

Most people who try to do this will probably fail, and may even get injured due to mental exhaustion.

However, thanks to his "dual soul" talent, Ron has a clear advantage over ordinary apprentices in this regard.

"The state of the substitute puppet is only a highly simulated one, not a real physical body."

Through a series of meticulous experiments, Ron gradually came to understand the nature and working mechanism of puppets.

The puppet does not simply divide the user's consciousness into two parts, but works under a "transmission-imitation" mechanism.

The user needs to expend a lot of magic power to transmit their own information to the puppet.

The puppet is then highly replicated to a certain extent, generating movements and abilities similar to the original puppet.

The problem is that such replication can never be perfect; there will always be some degree of information loss and delay.

This also explains why, although puppets can simulate the user's abilities, the effect is always greatly reduced, as if there is a damper in between.

"As a result, the double cultivation effect I envisioned cannot be achieved for the time being."

Ron thought with some disappointment.

He originally hoped to cultivate simultaneously through both his main body and his substitute, thereby achieving double the progress.

However, it now seems that the puppet is more like a remote-controlled robot. Although it is more flexible than simple remote control, it still cannot achieve the true effect of "dual cultivation". Information flows in one direction only, and the puppet cannot transmit its own experience and gains back to the main body.

At the same time, this also means that his plan to have his stand-in bear the risks of the Witcher route while his main body enjoys the benefits cannot be realized for the time being.

The Witcher class change requires a real physical transformation, not just a superficial simulation.

He checked the panel information again:
[Note: When the charge reaches 50%, the "Deep Binding" function will be unlocked, enabling two-way information transmission between the Stand and the user.]

"This might solve the current problem."

Ron pondered, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes:
"If the puppet can transmit its state back to the main body, then the ideas of 'dual cultivation' and 'one-way risk-taking' could be realized."

But the puppet is not charged at all right now, and there is still a long way to go before it reaches 50%.

He had previously asked the shapeshifter that the high concentration of magic contained in the magic stone was actually applicable to all "rare artifacts".

But the workshop is just getting on track, and his magic stone reserves are not that many.

He had tested it several times before and found that a complete magic stone could only replenish 1%. He planned to use it for the recording ability of "Thousand Transformations".

The recharging of this "stand-in puppet" will have to wait a while longer.

With that in mind, Ron continued to conduct several more sets of precise experiments to test the various capabilities of the puppet.

"As an initial state, this is already quite good."

He concluded: "Despite numerous limitations, the tactical value of the stand-in puppet should not be underestimated."

In battle, a Stand that can share damage and perform support tasks can undoubtedly greatly enhance his survivability and tactical flexibility.

Using puppets to scout ahead, distract the enemy, employ feints, or act as scapegoats in times of crisis are all highly practical tactical applications.

Most importantly, this abyssal treasure does indeed have a good compatibility with his "dual soul" talent, and its effects far exceed the "mechanical stiffness" state described by Hayek.

But to truly unleash the puppet's full potential, Ron knew what he needed to do: break through to the advanced apprentice stage and gain greater mental strength.

Only when one's mental strength reaches a sufficiently high level can one better control this complex state of consciousness fragmentation.

To make the two bodies work together seamlessly, instead of the current precarious situation.

"A breakthrough is now imperative."

Ron withdrew his mind from the experiment and retrieved the part of his consciousness that had been introduced into the puppet.

The puppet's movements immediately ceased, like a broken string puppet; the light in its eyes faded, and it returned to its still, sealed state.

But a subtle connection has been established.

He carefully placed the puppet, which had shrunk back to its original size after losing its magic, back into the ebony box, ensuring the seal remained intact to prevent any energy leakage.

Then he went to the preparation room to check the various auxiliary potions that Lilia had prepared.

The potion bottles were neatly arranged on the shelf, each with a detailed label showing the recipe, effects, and applicable scenarios.

The two key potions, "Clarity" and "Mental Shield," stood out prominently, emitting pale blue and golden light respectively, quietly awaiting their use.

"Let's start the all-out sprint!"

Ron looked at the potions prepared for his breakthrough, his eyes filled with a complex mix of anticipation and caution.

Breakthroughs in meditation techniques are often accompanied by risks.

The quantitative change leading to the qualitative change of mental strength is like the moment when a kettle is about to boil—it is both a critical point and the most unstable state.

A tiny mistake can lead to total defeat, or even irreversible psychological damage.

Moreover, Mrs. Allen had warned him:
"Inspiration is both an opportunity and a danger. Many brilliant wizarding seeds lose themselves at this juncture."

Unfortunately, he was the kind of person with extremely high inspiration.

Ron let out a long sigh, his gaze falling on the auxiliary potions, as if confirming the final safety measures.

He picked up the first bottle of potion, "Amber Mind Fluid," which could temporarily eliminate distractions, improve mental concentration, and help users get into a state of focus more quickly while reducing external interference.

He carefully uncorked the bottle, and the medicine immediately released a faint grassy scent, like the first breeze at dawn.

Ron tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, letting the liquid slide down his throat and into his body.

Almost immediately, he felt a cool sensation spread from his throat to his whole body, like a clear stream washing over every cell.

Those chaotic thoughts that constantly pop up every day are blown away by the wind like mist, leaving only pure thought and focus.

Next, he picked up the second bottle, which was "Mental Enhancement Liquid," capable of temporarily increasing the activity level of mental energy.

However, a side effect is that it can cause a mild headache after taking it, and overdose may even cause temporary hallucinations.

He cautiously administered only a moderate dose to avoid any accidents caused by overstimulation.

The slightly spicy liquid slid into my stomach, spreading like a flame within my body.

He could feel his mental energy being infused with a powerful vitality, becoming more acute.

Finally, he took the third bottle of "Mental Shield" potion, a last resort specifically designed to resist potential high-intensity mental pollution.

With preparations complete, Ron sat cross-legged.

As his body relaxed, his consciousness began to detach from his perception of the physical world, gradually sinking into that familiar meditative state.

As his consciousness deepened, his mental world slowly unfolded, like a boundless star map.

Complex star trail runes formed naturally in the consciousness space, like a precise model of the universe.

Each node emits a faint but steady light, and they are interconnected to form a complete and harmonious whole.

This is the core structure of "The Star Eater's Whispers". After a long period of training, Ron has been able to easily construct this complex model and keep it running stably.

Compared to its initial fragile and precarious state, the current rune structure is robust and flexible, capable of accommodating a greater flow of spiritual energy.

His spiritual energy flowed along the rune's trajectory, like water flowing in a galaxy, forming a perfect cycle.

Each cycle gave him a deeper understanding of the universe and the nature of spiritual power, as if each cycle was a small death and rebirth of the mind.

Gradually, Ron felt his consciousness drift away from his physical body and enter a wider space.

All around was the boundless universe and starry sky, with countless stars twinkling in the darkness.

They are no longer just simple specks of light, but living entities, each containing unique energy and information, as if countless eyes are watching him, the intruder.

This wasn't the first time he'd experienced something like this, but each time it brought him new feelings and insights.

The appearance of the starry sky seems to be subtly different each time, like a constantly changing living entity rather than a static background.

"My meditation state is very stable today."

Ron silently focused on guiding and circulating his mental energy.

Based on past experience, he needs to remain in this deep meditation for a sufficient amount of time.

Time seemed to slow down and stretch out endlessly during meditation.

Ron didn't know how much time had passed; it could have been minutes or hours.

In this state of deep meditation, the concept of time becomes extremely blurred, or even disappears completely.

He could only sense the flow and accumulation of spiritual energy, a feeling like a sponge slowly absorbing water, gradually becoming heavy and full.

[Experience points for "The Whisper of the Star Eater" (Proficient) + 1]

[Current progress: "The Whisper of the Star Eater" (Proficiency 197/300)]

With just a few more experience points, I can complete the first stage of training in "The Star Eater's Whispers" and officially enter the realm of advanced apprentice.

He focused his attention more intently and devoted himself entirely to meditation.

The mental energy flowed faster and faster along the rune's trajectory, like water about to boil.

As his spiritual power accumulated, his ocean of consciousness gradually became surging.

It was as if something was about to burst forth from the ground.

The feeling was both exciting and terrifying, like standing on the edge of a cliff, afraid of falling but also longing to fly.

[Experience points for "The Whisper of the Star Eater" (Proficient) + 1]

[Current progress: "The Whisper of the Star Eater" (Proficiency 198/300)]

As the value approached the critical point, the stars in the surrounding sky appeared to become brighter.

Their light was no longer just a static flicker, but had taken on a certain rhythm, as if conveying some kind of message to him.

It is an ancient and mysterious language, not expressed through sound, but conveyed through changes in light and shadow.

[Experience points for "The Whisper of the Star Eater" (Proficient) + 1]

[Current Progress: The Star Eater's Ramblings (Proficiency 199/300)]

The surge of mental energy grew stronger and stronger, and Ron felt an unprecedented pressure, as if the entire universe was squeezing him, trying to crush him into dust.

The entire starry sky seemed to come alive, filled with some indescribable vitality.

The stars flickered, their light increasing in intensity, like some mysterious drumbeat, vibrating at the core of Ron's consciousness.

This is the most dangerous yet most precious part of "The Star Eater's Whispers"—the "Initiation" feature has been triggered.

[Inspiration has been triggered, please be extremely cautious! ]

The originally orderly stars suddenly began to rotate and move violently, as if stirred by an invisible hand, forming a huge vortex.

Ron's consciousness was drawn into the vortex, unconsciously drifting deeper into it.

At the center of the vortex was a deep darkness, darker than the surrounding universe, as if it could devour all light.

The darkness suddenly stirred, as if the eyelids of some enormous creature were slowly lifting.

A gigantic, indescribable "eye" opened in the darkness and stared straight at Ron.

That is not the eye as understood by humans; it is more like a concept, a phenomenon, or something of a higher dimension.

It has no specific form, yet it can give people an overwhelming sense of presence.

Unlike usual, this time the "eyes" seemed to be really looking at him, rather than just aimlessly scanning him.

That gaze contained an indescribable emotion—not anger, not curiosity, not indifference…

Or is it a kind of...doubt?
(End of this chapter)