Global Abyss: My Skills Can Enhance Infinitely

Middle-earth, Ithilien.

The desolate land occupied the majority of Ithilien, a region in Middle-earth that was somewhat insignificant. It somewhat belonged to the territory influenced by the western reaches of Gondor and had once been under the sway of the spirits summoned by the Witch-king of Angmar.

Even now, it was barely populated, with evil spirits appearing only occasionally. It was home to a small number of humans, and even some Hobbits who had migrated here.

"Oh, crap, four thousand kilometers? Why is it so far..."

Amidst the swirling wind and sand, having just completed a Yuan Force Acceleration and with the accumulation of his practice in the current world, Tao Shi's Yi Jin Jing was still at lv1, but he could already feel a significant increase in his consumption from the Acceleration.

He could no longer employ such a high rate of Acceleration.

However, this also meant that his strength had improved slightly. The noticeable increase in his Yuan Force consumption was the best proof of that.

"Ah, I wonder if I can reach lv2 in fifteen days. It's going to be tough; Yi Jin Jing requires so much, but let's aim to reach lv3 within a year..."

Now equipped with two 'Holzman Shields' and a full set of advanced bulletproof vests, carrying an AT200 assault rifle, and with the 'Green Light Sword' at his waist, Tao Shi was armed to the teeth. In terms of preparation, he was even better off than most of the Inner City youths.

"My talent 'Dynamic Vision' is C+. Actually, that's not bad. At least with the AT200 and my shooting skills, I can deal with an Alien horde to some extent. It's just that the journey is a bit too long."
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Looking at the direction of the signal source marked on his watch, and a rough estimate of the distance, Tao Shi couldn't help but sigh.

When he first arrived, he used the long-wave radio transmitter to send a message to his brother's channel, then set it to loop transmission; but at this distance, he probably wouldn't be able to receive anything.

While listening to the newcomer channel's radio broadcast from the base, Tao Shi roughly determined his location based on the environment and his position.

"Middle-earth, an area yet to be explored by the Pioneers. I hope I don't run into any trouble."

After checking his equipment one more time, Tao Shi started walking in the general direction indicated.

The tactical boots crunched on the stony ground of the Gobi desert.

He pulled down his windproof and bulletproof goggles, which also had some infrared imaging capabilities, allowing him to see footprints where animals had recently passed.

"The rations will last for fifteen days, but with constant movement, the water will only last for three or four days. Relying on my Inner Strength to hold out could push it to two more days, but that would affect combat capability. The desert environment is a bit troublesome."

While walking, Tao Shi continued to look around cautiously, even though his Inner Strength wasn't robust enough for external projection. Still, circulating it within his body made it easier to carry his gear.

He was also tuning the watch in his hand, searching for nearby frequency channels. He didn't send out any messages, just set it to a synchronous receiving mode.

Base broadcasts, nearby public broadcasts, and the Chaoyang Society's channel.

About half a day later, he received a message on the public screen.

"Stop heading northwest; it's the sea out here, damn it. Either cross the sea or continue north to see if there's land connected. Middle-earth should be connected to Rainforest 01, and on the other side, possibly to Dune 01 or Rainforest 02."

The direction was judged based on the magnetic field of the current world, which wouldn't be too far off if everyone was in this world.

And after this message was transmitted through the previously silent public screen, another voice that seemed to be eavesdropping also spoke up.

"Haha, brother, what's the situation on your side? If there's seawater, we can get some fresh water with a desalination device. Seems like following the water could work. I'm Feng Xing of the Feng family on Chang Street. How about teaming up?"

"Oh, so it's Young Master Feng. I'm from an ordinary family. I've found an Outsider along the way; we could gather together."

"Lucky you; bringing an Outsider over can earn you a reward. Right now, credits in the new Development Zone are quite valuable and can be exchanged for teleportation slots."

"Haha, luck indeed."

As Tao Shi listened to the two boasting on the public screen, he took out his long-wave radio and said,

"Brother, can you hear me? I've picked up traces of two Inner City Pioneers on the public screen. It looks like this drop mostly landed in this area. I'm planning to team up with them; one of them is Feng Xing from the Feng family in the Inner City."

Since it was just long-wave radio for broadcasting outward, after speaking and setting it to loop transmission, he then put the radio back into his bag.

This was what Tao Yu told him: to be careful when encountering Inner City youths on the road, but if he discovered any offspring from Inner City noble families, to tell her through the long-wave radio and then confront them to have them lead the way.

After all, Tao Shi truly began systematic practice of various skills not long ago, far short of the time spent by normal Inner City youths. Many things and experiences required time to accumulate, and having Inner City youths with him wouldn't be bad.

Tao Yu was more infamous than famous in the Inner City, having offended more people than she had helped.

But that didn't matter; Tao Yu was not a person to reason with, and the persona she had established was actually quite useful...

...

At dusk, in front of a fire by the seaside, several sea fish were roasting over the flames.

And a figure with mechanical traces on his arms, along with Feng Xing who showed no apparent changes in appearance, were both looking somewhat ambivalently at Tao Shi, who was hugging a long-wave radio and updating information.

"...The other person is called Temor, he's mechanical-augmented. Right now we are by the seaside, preparing to head north along the coast, and we plan to traverse Rainforest 01. There are also two other Outsiders from the Development Zone with us..."

Having heard Tao Shi finish, he then set the radio to loop the broadcast and stuffed it into his backpack.

Feng Xing also managed to force a slight smile onto his face.

"Brother Tao Shi really is very cautious, actually, to save power, there's no need to update so frequently."

"Indeed, indeed."

Temor, also mechanically-augmented, likewise had the corner of his mouth twitch.

Eight-Armed Vajra's brother!

Really a character!

This dirty fellow's fame is now even greater than those elite families of the Inner City!

To some extent, even more headache-inducing than the president of the Chaoyang Society, Gu Qiu!

Gu Qiu always led by example, was upright in conduct, and emphasized integrity.

So although his strength was high, being discreetly recognized as the top expert of the Inner City.

But in reality, the people 'afraid' of him were not many, especially some ordinary families needn't worry too much.

However, Eight-Armed Vajra was completely different.

Although his current strength may be less than Gu Qiu's, that style of doing things was truly headache-inducing.

Moreover, judging by his growth rate, it would be normal for him to reach or even surpass Gu Qiu in the future!

Having strength and acting without any scruple, relentless in retaliation, truly makes one want to steer clear of him!

Not to mention, now that his brother is sitting over here updating the long-wave radio signals, they were left scratching their heads.

Well, no matter what, they had to escort this one safely on the road.

But fortunately, judging by his equipment, he's not a weakling. By exchanging information with each other, "Dynamic Vision" was also a talent that could be quickly mastered. They could consider it mutual cooperation.

And they also had two Outsiders who could be used as cannon fodder at their disposal. Although the distance to the new Development Zone was somewhat far, as long as their luck wasn't exceptionally bad, they shouldn't be too worried.

Generally speaking, for Inner City Pioneers, unless their luck was particularly bad, there were rarely any losses on their awakening day.

"Brother Tao Shi, have a good rest tonight. Temor and I will take turns keeping watch."

With the two Outsiders, one for each to team up with, and the two automated machine gun turrets that Temor had modified, their defenses were quite complete.

It's just that the journey was long, and they definitely couldn't reach their destination within half a month, and there might be some pressure on ammunition and logistics. They might need to make a return trip midway.

It's considered a long-term team mission; for this period, they were essentially bound together.

"Thank you both."

Tao Shi didn't mention anything about his brother possibly coming to pick him up, nor the coverage range of his long-wave radio. The things that should remain mysterious, he kept mysterious, which in turn provided a greater deterrent effect.

Have to say, his brother's way was quite practical.

But as the night deepened, and Tao Shi began to meditate, an alarm from the warning sensors Temor had set up caused his forehead to mechanically twitch.

"Be careful, something's coming."

His irises then began to switch views, displaying the footage from the warning sensors.

Several people in armor, with ugly faces and carrying weapons, were sniffing something and stealthily approaching their campfire-lit side.

It seemed the flames had drawn the attention of these fellows.

Judging from the sensors' footage, their armor was damaged, and many parts were stained with dried blood. The weapons in their hands also seemed battered, as if they had fled from some great battle.

Looking at the continuous drooling and swallowing motions at the corners of their mouths, they must be starving...