152: Chapter 152 The Abyss on the Tip of the Tongue: You call this "dropping SAN"?

pangu-003, First Heavens · Netherworld Heavy Industry Layer.

The Netherworld Layer at this moment was completely devoid of the eerie, terrifying atmosphere from a few hours ago.

The mountains of wreckage from Titan Battleships had been dismantled down to the last screw by the tireless efforts of three thousand 'Grind Kings' players.

The ground was polished until it gleamed, and some players had even used scrap iron to spell out the four characters: 'Tianhe Is Awesome'.

"Ding! Regional Quest [Infrastructure Maniac] Phase One complete."

"Scrap Iron Clan Favorability +1000 (Adoration)."

"General Gu Favorability +500 (These little rascals are really capable)."

The System notification sounded in every player's ear.

"That's it?"

The player whose ID was 'Long Aotian' tossed aside the wrench in his hand, rubbing his stomach.

Although pain perception was weakened in the game, this damned realistic System even made the 'hunger' feel so real.

"Developer, come out and take a beating! You only let us work and don't give us food? My satiety level has dropped into the red!"

"Exactly! I want to file a complaint! This is child labor abuse (even though our avatars are adults)!"

Just as the players were growing indignant and preparing to dismantle the large gate that T-9 had just repaired to burn as firewood.

The sky (actually the dome of the First Heavens) suddenly cracked open.

A * *[Light Rail Train]* * shimmering with seven-colored neon light rushed down from the upper space, accompanied by a Cyberpunk-style electronic BGM, and stopped steadily in front of the players.

The train door opened, and an Abyss Attendant floated out. It wore a tailcoat, had eight tentacles, and its head was a mass of glowing jellyfish.

It elegantly curved a tentacle (though it looked like it was convulsing):

"Good evening, newly arrived 'Warriors'."

"Your Excellency Li Mo, Dean of Tianhe Academy, invites all of you to the Second Heavens — the [Abyss Neon Layer] for a meal."

"Tonight's theme is: The Unspeakable Buffet Carnival."

The players were stunned for a second, then erupted in cheers even more ferocious than when they were demolishing things earlier.

"Food! It's finally time to eat!"

"Abyss Neon Layer? Based on the name, it sounds like an Advanced map!"

"Hurry up and get on the train! Whoever shoves me, I'm going to fight them!"

...

Second Heavens · Abyss Neon Layer.

When the Light Rail Train passed through the thick dimensional membrane and docked at the floating island's platform, even the well-informed 'Hardcore Players' were rendered speechless for three seconds by the sight before them.

This was absolutely not the 'Underworld' they had imagined.

It was a sleepless city floating in the Void Realm.

Countless gigantic Abyss Plants emitting bio-luminescence stood tall like skyscrapers, covered in neon signs written with a mix of Chinese characters and Cthulhu runes:

【Void Food Stall】, 【Eyeball Sashimi House】, 【Tentacle Hotpot (24 Hours Open)】.

The air was filled with a scent that mixed spices, machine oil, and a certain indescribable fishy sweetness.

This smell wasn't unpleasant; rather, it was like a hook, tugging at the most primal appetite of all living things.

"Holy crap... This art style is incredible!"

Streamer Old Wang held up his virtual camera, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.

"Brothers! What kind of Cultivation game is this? This is *Cyberpunk 2077* mixed with *The Cthulhu Mythos* and seasoned with *A Bite of China*!"

"Look over there! That skeleton frame playing the guitar! That sound effect is amazing!"

"Stop looking! Hurry up and grab a seat!"

Long Aotian took the lead, rushing toward the nearest * *[Flame Demon BBQ Flagship Store]* *.

"Boss! Give me ten skewers of big kidneys! Extra spicy!"

"Roar?"

The Flame Demon Head Chef (a four-meter-tall demon engulfed in hellfire) busy at the grill froze.

It looked at the human in front of it, who wasn't even knee-high and showed no trace of Spiritual Qi fluctuations, yet dared to shout at it, and fell into deep contemplation.

In the Abyss, a Mortal seeing it would either wet themselves or die of fright.

This guy... was placing an order?

"What are you looking at? Think I don't have money?"

Long Aotian swaggered over and slapped down a * *[Tianhe Ration Ticket]* * just earned from a quest.

"Hurry up! I'm starving!"

The flames in the Flame Demon Head Chef's eye socket flickered.

It really wanted to swat this insect to death with one palm.

But it didn't dare.

Because suspended right above its head was the terrifying man's * *[Administrator Warning]* *:

"The customer is God. Anyone who dares to lay a hand on a player will be stuffed into the T-9's furnace as fuel."

"Hmph..."

The Flame Demon forcibly suppressed its anger and squeezed out a smile uglier than crying (though it had no facial skin).

"Yes, yes... Please wait a moment, honored guest."

It picked up several skewers of * *[Abyss Worm Meat, sprinkled with a handful of {Sulfur Cumin Powder}]* * and began roasting them fiercely over the demonic fire.

...

Ten minutes later.

The entire Second Heavens fell into a bizarre frenzy.

The Abyss ingredients that once made interstellar civilizations tremble in fear were now considered 'premium items' in the eyes of the players.

"Brothers! I'm testing the poison!"

Streamer Old Wang sat in the * *[Eyeball Sashimi House]*, in front of him was a plate of a giant eyeball (from some Abyss behemoth) that was still twitching.

He swallowed his saliva and said to the camera:

"This thing... looks a bit creepy. The System is notifying me that my [SAN Value is slowly decreasing]."

"But! Its attributes are too tempting!"

【Item: Steamed Void Eye.】

【Consumption Effect: Satiety +50, permanently enhances eyesight (may gain night vision ability), and even has a chance to awaken the 'Spiritual Sight' trait.】

【Side Effect: May see things that should not be seen (like your mother's secret).】

"For the sake of getting stronger! I'll risk it!"

Old Wang closed his eyes and took a bite.

Splash!

Juices splattered everywhere.

It wasn't a disgusting bloody taste, but a cool, mint-jelly-like texture that instantly shot straight to the top of his head.

"Holy crap! That's amazing!"

Old Wang suddenly opened his eyes; his pupils had actually turned into eerie vertical slits, emitting a faint green light.

"I see it! I see data streams floating in the air! Is that Spiritual Qi?!"

"Brothers! This isn't eating! This is taking drugs! Bring me another plate!"

The players went crazy.

"Boss! Give me a whole basin of that still-moving tentacle! I want it raw! I heard eating it raw increases Strength!"

"Waiter! Can I pack up this skull in the soup? I want to take it back as a helmet!"

"Is there a secret menu? Like 'Braised Ancient God' or something?"

Those Abyss waiters were completely bewildered.

They originally thought they were the monsters.

But these players... ate things more like monsters than they did!

One player, to test his 'poison resistance,' actually hugged the Flame Demon's grill and took a bite of charcoal, then shouted, "Delicious!" while spitting out black smoke.

...

Thirty-Third Heavens · Tianhe Academy.

Li Mo watched the scene of chaotic revelry on the monitor, his mouth twitching slightly.

"Are these guys' adaptability just too strong?"

He had originally worried that the Abyss Layer might scare the players away.

But now it seemed the only thing to worry about was the mental health of the Abyss creatures.

"Captain..."

Star Spirit Navigator, Star Spirit Navigator, stood beside him, her face pale, even the milk tea in her hand no longer seeming appealing.

"Are those... really humans?"

"I saw someone drinking * *[Corrosive Acid]* * (a beverage of the Industrial Scrap Iron Clan) and saying it was 'Strong-flavored Sprite'?"

"Does this race... not have the concept of 'fear'?"

"No."

Li Mo shook his head, a deep gleam flashing in his eyes.

"They don't lack fear."

"They just data-tize their fear..."

"In their world, death is just a respawn countdown, monsters are just experience packs, and the unspeakable terror... is merely a negative BUFF."

"This is the fourth calamity."

Li Mo set down his teacup and opened the * *[Server-Wide Announcement]* * System.

"Since they are enjoying themselves so much, let's add some spice."

"After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch."

...

Second Heavens · Central Plaza.

Just as the players were gorging themselves until their mouths were slick with oil and they had started doing square dancing in the plaza.

A massive golden holographic projection was suddenly cast across the sky.

It was their 'Village Chief' — the Daoist of Tianhe (Li Mo).

【Server-Wide Announcement: First Beta Event Begins — Abyss Glutton Challenge!】

【Background】: The ingredient reserves in the Abyss Neon Layer are running low! To maintain ecological balance, we need more... 'Raw Materials'.

And wandering in the * *[Misty Forest]* * of the Third Heavens are a group of mutated 【Void Slimes】 and 【Irritable Wild Boars】.

【Quest Objective】: Travel to the Third Heavens, hunt ingredients, and transport them back to the Second Heavens for the Flame Demon Head Chef.

【Rewards】:

For every 100 catties of ingredients handed in, Sect Contribution Points +50.

Outstanding performers may receive the special title * *[Abyss Gourmet Connoisseur]* * (with +10% Poison Resistance).

Unlock New Feature: 【Life Profession · Chef】 (Allows players to cook dark cuisine themselves).

【Special Note】: The wild boars in the Third Heavens look like pigs, but they breathe fire and have extremely foul tempers. Please act according to your ability.

"Holy crap! An event is starting!"

"Hunting? I like that! I've long wanted to try out this game's combat System!"

"Wild boars breathe fire? Doesn't that mean they come pre-roasted? Saves trouble!"

"Form teams! Get someone who can tank! I just ate an eyeball, and my aim is super accurate now!"

In an instant, the players who were just eating heartily immediately dropped their chopsticks and grabbed the bricks, steel pipes, or even the bone clubs they had just finished gnawing on.

The green light flashing in their eyes was greedier than that of the Abyss monsters.

That wasn't appetite.

That was the craving for experience points and equipment.

"Charge! To the Third Heavens!"

"Kill pigs! Drop equipment!"

"For the tribe... No, for Tianhe Academy!"

Watching the player army surge toward the teleportation array like a tide.

The Flame Demon Head Chef standing behind the grill couldn't help but shiver.

It suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for the wild boars in the Third Heavens.

Once targeted by these 'starving ghosts'... they would probably have their ashes taken to brew wine.

Li Mo stood in the clouds, watching this scene, and closed his notebook with satisfaction.

"Very good."

"After eating, it's time to work."

"Next, let me see what your combat power is... and if it truly deserves the title of the 'fourth calamity'."