Lilianna was surprised that Schiso007 knew about her rare talent skill, but then she thought it wasn't so strange since Schiso 007 is currently the goddess of this plane of existence. It's likely she has some unknown means to acquire information about talent skills.
Schiso 007, however, said, "I know what you're thinking, but no, I didn't use any goddess powers to find out about your rare talent. Players' talents are granted by the world will of Aethercross, and divine power cannot override any world will.
I deduced you had a rare talent. That's the advantage of having an organization behind you – far greater resources for information gathering and analysis.
We've noticed a pattern. When players first traverse into a new plane, they usually replace a commoner or low-level character. It makes sense because replacing a high-level character right off the bat would consume a terrifying amount of world essence and world rule fragments. Plus, if there's at least one deity in that plane, such a discrepancy would definitely be noticed.
Deities pay attention to significant individuals in their planes, like I've been watching over Lilianna for a while. Before your traversal, she was someone I planned to entrust with important tasks in this plane. But then, you bizarrely replaced her.
Such replacements by life forms from outside the plane, other than players, could mean other plane deities setting up undercover agents for invasion preparation.
Normally, players or undercover agents would replace inconspicuous individuals. However, there's an exception for players with special talents; they tend to be matched with characters that align with their unique talents."
"I did feel my current identity is quite special, but I never imagined it would be of interest to a goddess," Lilianna said. "But there's something I've always found interesting. No matter which plane I traverse to, I'm always called Lilianna, just like my game ID. It's not something I'm questioning, just curious."
"Let me give you a free answer," Schiso 007 offered. "According to our analysis, it's likely a manifestation of the system's adaptive rules. No matter what the traversed character's original name was, it changes to the player's ID, and the entire plane accepts this as fact. Even as a goddess, I can only sense a bit of discordance.
You might've noticed that this rule doesn't always apply in replica worlds, as the traversal target might be a projection of some important figure from the replica's plane.
Now, back to your question, what's your talent skill?"
"Insight," Lilianna replied simply.
Schiso 007 whistled, "That's quite a talent there."
"You know about this skill? Do other players have it too?" Lilianna asked in surprise.
"Talent skills are not exclusive to players; they're granted by the world will, so both players and natives could possess them. The last known person with this talent appeared in this plane 6000 years ago, a god-slayer who changed the course of history and had significant ties to you, or rather, the original Lilianna.
That's quite a piece of information for you. Well, my turn to ask—oh, it seems I have no more questions. Our question game can end here," said the goddess Schiso 007, looking at Lilianna. "But for you, this should be enough to ponder for a while."
Lilianna took a deep breath and sincerely said, "Thank you for your guidance and answers. I do have one final question."
"Oh? Let's hear it," Schiso 007 responded.
"I want to know what I should do next. This Q&A seems like a review of my political identity. It seems I passed, so as an apostle, what can I do for you, or rather, for 'Eyes of the Deep Void'?"
Schiso 007 smiled, "I love talking to smart people. I had special plans for this role, but now that you, as a player, have replaced it, I'll give you an additional task."
While Lilianna and goddess Schiso 007 continued their conversation, in the goddess's biological research lab, Lumiya's wolf ears perked up, looking at Sky floating in the medical pod.
The pod had been filled with nutrient solution over thirty times. Unknown to Lumiya and Lilianna, these solutions contained not only nourishing substances for bodily repair but also low concentrations of divinity. Each vat of solution was worth at least 500 divine points.
At this moment, Sky's body, as if finally satiated, stopped absorbing the solution, expelling black impurities. However, the vibrations that had been ongoing throughout his body changed.
From every minute part to every robust muscle and every cell, Sky was awakened by an unknown force, the vibrations intensifying. It was as if a primordial beast, dormant in ancient times, had been activated, unleashing world-shaking energy in an unstoppable awakening.
As this energy was released, the vibration amplitude increased, growing more intense, like a cosmic storm brewing within. In the confined space of the medical pod, the nutrient solution rippled and surged, creating overlapping waves.
During this tumultuous upheaval, black-red blood slowly seeped from every pore of Sky's body.
This blood was extraordinary, not following normal physical laws but spreading about 2 centimeters above his skin, like clusters of both real and illusory black-red flames, flickering with eerie light, fierce yet cold, exuding a power beyond life and death.
In Sky's consciousness, he felt on the verge of exploding. It wasn't just the physical pain inundating his awareness; it was the relentless assault of experiences foreign to him on his mind.
This felt like being inundated with memory fragments by the system, but more direct, like someone's insights about life, the universe, and spiritual ascension were packed into his consciousness.
Fortunately, Sky's experience with two system traversals helped him cope with this onslaught. These profound experiences were etched deep in his consciousness, ready to resurface in flashbacks.
After clicking "Use Item" in his system inventory, Sky hadn't been unconscious for long. The intense physical pain soon woke him, but his consciousness seemed locked in a space, unable to control his body, yet every bit of pain was felt.
Just as he was about to succumb to the dual torment of body and mind, the assault in his consciousness ceased, and he felt his soul return to his body.
But when he thought the ordeal was over, the physical pain suddenly intensified, and he felt every cell in his body vibrating madly.
In these vibrations, a wave of power surged from the depths of his body, filling every muscle, vein, and drop of blood, spreading with every heartbeat. The power accumulated, becoming too much for his body to contain, slowly seeping out through every pore.
This escaping power didn't vanish but coalesced around him, dancing like flames. This blood-colored flame, as if connected to his bloodstream, became an extension of his body.
Feeling the immense power of these black-red flames, Sky suddenly realized: this was the "Primordial Blood" used by the ancient deity Nuwa to create life in this plane.
As this realization dawned on him, Sky suddenly "woke up." The shaking and pain vanished instantly, as if they had never existed.
Sky blinked in confusion, wondering if everything he had just experienced was an illusion. Then, the sound of a massive glass tank shattering jolted him back to reality, accompanied by Lumiya's cry: "Goddess, come quickly! Sky's bleeding everywhere."
Opening his eyes, Sky was startled by his surroundings. Glass shards and green liquid were scattered everywhere. Most importantly, a huge section of the medical pod's top hung precariously overhead, creaking ominously.
Lumiya stood there, staring at Sky, who was clad only in his underwear. His body had undergone noticeable changes since entering the medical pod. The excess fat that had clung to him due to a lack of exercise was now gone, transformed into tight, powerful muscles. His physique resembled a meticulously sculpted piece of art, perfectly proportioned.
These weren't the exaggerated muscles of a bodybuilder but a more restrained and elegant display. Sky's muscle lines were smooth and well-defined, wrapping around his torso, arms, and legs like flowing sculptures, embodying both strength and agility.
This newfound physicality wasn't overt but rather hidden within, ready to unleash its power at a moment's notice, like a leopard poised to pounce. The transformation rendered Sky's frame leaner and more striking, slim yet in no way less powerful, adding a calm yet forceful charisma.
As the goddess, followed by Lilianna, hurriedly entered the room, they were greeted by the sight of Sky amidst the wreckage.
Upon seeing Sky, Schiso 007 exclaimed, "How did your physique improve so much? I don't recall the medical pod having a body sculpting feature!"