Deep in the Living
Chapter 149 - 143: The Path of Ascension

Chapter 149: Chapter 143: The Path of Ascension

Luo Di was originally considering what preparations to make in the last week before heading to the assembly, but now there’s no need to think about it—that time will most likely be spent in the Punishment Room.

The two of them were still suspended in midair, engaged in daily conversation.

Mr. Hook started with a question, "What do you think is the prerequisite for Consciousness Projection into the True Hell?"

"Hell Symbol?"

Fingers with Hooks instead of nails swaying back and forth, "No, no. While the symbol is a necessary condition, it is not the most important one.

The reason you are able to project your consciousness into True Hell and the reason you can clearly remember such complex symbols is because of yourself... it is because you are so well-suited for this place that True Hell seeks you out because of the symbol.

The reason you can project your consciousness to the battlefield in advance is probably related to your early Open Spine, and the rapid feeding of your spine in a short period of time.

You have been constantly fighting to the death during this time, right? You’ve even been contemplating matters related to fighting and battling in your sleep, haven’t you?"

"Pretty much."

"That’s right, it is the deep desire for slaughter and war within your consciousness that has triggered the symbol within the depths of your brain, projecting your consciousness there.

Luckily, it was just an experience ticket. If you were really sent to the battlefield now, you’d quickly meet a tragic end."

"How do I control it? I can’t even be aware of it on my own; my consciousness gets projected there involuntarily."

"It’s simple! Since ’Suffering’ has already become your secondary system, use it to balance out. Suppose you just finished a life-and-death duel, and your subconscious is still immersed in that sort of slaughter.

If you feel embarrassed to torture yourself in public, find a room quickly.

Use the left arm I gave you to construct torture devices.

For example, form a barbed iron whip to thrash yourself madly,

Or hang Hooks all over your body and pull in different directions,

Or heat up iron rods and stuff them into the holes of your body,

In any case, you see to it yourself.

When the pain reaches your limit, your brain, even your soul, will be emptied of everything, and in that moment, you will be completely calm, without a single impurity in your thoughts.

In the next few days, you’ll learn some basic stuff with me, to strengthen the metal hidden in your Spine, and strive to catch up with the spine’s growth rate.

That way, you can experience pain more deeply, understand the mechanics of it, and then use it to balance your longing for slaughter."

Having the guidance of Mr. Hook, no matter how painful, was seen as a good thing by Luo Di. Or rather, as long as he could become stronger, as long as he could come closer to his true inner image of a Murderer, he didn’t care about anything else.

He nodded in agreement, but there was one more thing before starting the lessons.

"Okay, it’s just that I have one more question.

The reason I was originally able to come to the Punishment Room is mainly due to the high architectural similarity between the Fifth Hospital where my real body is and the Punishment Room.

The various patients in the hospital correspond to the convicts here,

And the old Dean of the hospital corresponds to Mr. Hook,

Whenever I talk to you in the Punishment Room, the real me would unconsciously go to the Dean’s office.

I initially thought this was just a parallel manifestation between reality and Consciousness Projection, only affecting me. But lately, I’ve noticed that the Dean seems different, and even metal Hooks have appeared on him.

Does this have anything to do with you?"

Mr. Hook, who has always been skilled at clarifying doubts, revealed a mysterious smile this time and slowly spread his arms.

"The influence of all things is always mutual,

Since you are in contact with Hell, Hell can naturally touch you and everything around you.

If you were in contact with a Spine on the same level as me, your nursing home should have already experienced major turmoil, with walls painted in blood in the form of Hell graffiti.

It might even have started a spatial transformation; the so-called Fifth Hospital will become a space stronghold, and in no time, a vast army will descend upon your world.

But me, I don’t like to complicate things too much.

I am merely taking this opportunity to peek into your world for a moment, to take a look at those so-called movies you talked about last time.

Regarding that old Dean, indeed, there are substantial similarities to me. I fear that no world could be found whose space matches me and the Punishment Room so well.

He is an important medium for me to peer into your world. Not only will he not die, but he will also live a long life. His self-consciousness will remain intact.

If you have any other questions, ask them quickly~ in a moment, you’ll be in so much pain you won’t be able to utter a single word."

For a moment, things opened up a bit. Since Mr. Hook didn’t recommend asking questions, Luo Di decided to speak out about all the questions that had been pressing on his mind.

After all, the sights of the Hell Battlefield are like the paintings of a famous artist, lingering in the mind and proving unforgettable.

"True Hell, every life there seems to have a path of evolution, or a way of ascension, right? The beings I saw on the battlefield varied in strength, some so fearsome that a mere glance could inspire intense dread.

My projected self seemed more like a pawn sent to fill the ranks of the battle."

"That is inevitable.

A world without paths of ascension is doomed to be the lowest tier, destined to be just food for other worlds.

Based on my observations so far, the essence of your world should be a bottom-tier world without paths of ascension. Humans can only engage in scientific research within their limited and short lifespans, which has produced some interesting things, but ultimately, they are incredibly weak.

However, due to some intervention, your world has opened up a ’path of ascension’.

This path might not be inherent to your world, but rather composed of some external unknowns.

This ’Pathway’ is directly related to the pituitary I received from you and has also made your world exceedingly active, with a minority of humans being able to connect to different worlds under extreme conditions.

I’m not wrong, am I?"

"No... You’re not wrong." Luo Di was startled, having not expected Mr. Hook to have already discerned so much information.

Mr. Hook’s right hand opened, revealing a pituitary that had been pierced by a hook and was cut open on the surface.

"Although I can only glimpse it, the analysis of the ’pituitary’ over this period has revealed that your world’s ’path of ascension’ is quite extraordinary.

Even though you are Hell’s Apostle, I personally suggest you explore both paths, as you might gain more from doing so.

After all, here in True Hell, especially among those Spines who are never short of people, the internal competition is fierce. To stand out, you need different things, even if your Spine Type is already uncommon. The more unique you are, the better.

The way you’ve embedded the pituitary in the back of your hand is merely an external use; it doesn’t count as truly stepping onto your world’s ’path of ascension’."

Luo Di nodded, "Yes, once I find the pituitary that is most suitable for me, I will establish a connection with the Corner Depths using it through devouring or brain injection.

Currently, all our investigators access the ’path of ascension’ in this manner, and we should be able to continue growing by heading to the deeper parts of the Corner subsequently."

"Good, as long as you can retain your autonomous consciousness."

Luo Di continued to inquire: "What about the ’path of ascension’ here in Hell? After my spine becomes saturated, will I be able to sense it directly?"

"Different powers in True Hell hold different tickets to pathways, known as ’Hell Items.’

The Hell’s Spine on your back,

The Painful Metal here with me,

Or the Holy Grail Pustules possessed by the powers you faced on the battlefield,

They all count as ’Hell Items.’

Every day, billions of lives are born in True Hell,

They are the lowest slaves, without any rights, mere trash, filth, *excrement.

If this trash excels in some aspect, they might be chosen by a power; those who survive the selection process are granted ’Hell Items.’

Just like your current self.

However, the requirements are higher for extraterritorial personnel like you since True Hell very rarely recruits from outside.

Obtaining a Hell Item means stepping onto the ’path of ascension.’

Once an individual has saturated different ’Hell Items’ in various forms, they will truly merge with the Hell Items, displaying an external form that is related to the individual’s subconscious.

This is what your ’Open Spine’ is, except you are so special that you’ve expressed it prematurely without full saturation.

Different powers have different names for such a transformation; our Order calls it ’Demonstration of Sin.’

The next stage will be a bit more challenging; it’s not just about feeding, but you need to go to True Hell yourself to find the ’Gate of Demon Ascension’ that suits you the best."

"I strongly advise you to pursue the ’paths of ascension’ in both worlds simultaneously, taking advantage of your natural benefits as an Outer Realm Apostle."

"Alright."

"Then let’s not waste more words, there’s not much time! In order to ensure your growth through Suffering isn’t left behind, even your sleeping hours must be put to use in these coming days."

Mr. Hook cared greatly about Luo Di’s growth through Suffering and couldn’t wait to properly train him.