An invasion from the Abyss? I, a demonic cultivator, laughed.

Chapter 48 Explanation
As Chu Xiu recounted his story, the crowd's expressions gradually shifted from doubt to shock, and finally to utter admiration.

A D-rank support class, combined with D-rank talents, actually managed to carve out a bloody path through this dangerous abyss!
This is by no means something that can be achieved by luck alone. In addition to a calm mind and meticulous planning, a strong fighting instinct and the courage to walk the line between life and death are also essential!
This filled everyone's face with admiration.

Shen Zhuo felt inferior. He had a B-level profession provided by his family, three treasured pieces of equipment, and 300 causal points at the start. It could be said that his advantage was overwhelming Chu Xiu in every way. However, under these circumstances, he was left behind by Chu Xiu in just six days!

Even Guan Ke looked at Chu Xiu with less hostility and more admiration.

Regardless of Chu Xiu's character, few people possess such boldness, decisiveness, and accurate judgment of the situation.

However, Guan Ke remains confident that, with his talent, he can catch up with and surpass Chu Xiu in the future.

At this moment, Chu Xiu suddenly sighed and said, "Actually, there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time. The current upgrade method for the strongholds is good at maintaining the status quo but not good at making progress."

"While this certainly ensures safety, it gives everyone the illusion of stability and improvement, making you too comfortable, unwilling to take risks, and even starting to pursue the enjoyment of life."

"But the abyss is like a turbulent river, full of changes and uncertainties. No one knows what will suddenly happen, just like this blood moon ritual."

"Therefore, the only way to survive in the abyss is to desperately squeeze out your potential and plan ahead!"

Chu Xiu's words made everyone present reflect. They had indeed been too comfortable lately. Even their daily leveling hunts would sometimes be delayed by half an hour because a member wanted to sleep in, and they would stop to rest from time to time.

Especially when compared to Chu Xiu, they seem even more unambitious. The little advantage that Chu Xiu accumulates through his hard work every day may seem insignificant, but after the test of time, it can produce a qualitative change!

Chu Xiu continued, "This is also the real reason why I didn't choose to join you before. But at the time, I wasn't sure if my approach was correct. After all, high-intensity hunting inevitably means increased risk."

"So I just quietly followed what I believed to be the right path, without interfering with your methods."

As Chu Xiu finished speaking, the others also sighed.

They never imagined that Chu Xiu, who had always been aloof and unsociable, actually thought this way.

In comparison, everyone seems like immature children.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Chu Xiu couldn't help but smile slightly.

That was his goal: to use the monster-killing as an opportunity to subvert his image in everyone's eyes, and then use a mix of truth and falsehood to make his behavior consistent and dispel everyone's doubts.

"In this way, during the subsequent exploration, these people in the stronghold will be very easy for me to control and utilize."

"Although their strength is mediocre, with Shen Zhuo, a rich second-generation, around, they should be able to provide me with some assistance. At the very least, they can help me solve the problem of logistical supplies."

After careful consideration and confirming that the logic was sound and there were no major loopholes, Chu Xiu breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, this explanation couldn't fool everyone.

such as
At this moment, Guan Ke looked at Chu Xiu with a scrutinizing gaze and a hint of suspicion.

Chu Xiu smiled faintly, turned around and said, "Guan Ke, I just saw you being chased by that corpse demon. Why weren't you with the others?"

As Chu Xiu finished speaking, everyone's attention shifted to Guan Ke. Under the influence of the Blood Moon, her power, which was in no way inferior to Shen Zhuo's, could not be concealed at all.

Shen Zhuo's expression darkened slightly: "Guan Ke, explain yourself."

Guan Ke remained silent.

After a long silence, she looked up and said, "I admit that I lied to everyone. My profession is not a puppeteer (D), but a mechanic (A)."

"The reason I did this is because I was unsure of what dangers I might encounter in the future, and I couldn't be sure of your character when I first met you, so I used this identity as a disguise."

"Feel sorry."

No one else said anything about her answer.

No one blamed anyone, because mutual trust is never easy in the abyss.

Inevitably, people's attitudes toward her suddenly became distant.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Chu Xiu's lips. After this incident, Guan Ke could no longer pose a threat to him.

But just then, Yunlu suddenly said, "Everyone, although Sister Guan is hiding something from us, her contributions to the stronghold are undeniable. Without her monitoring puppet, we wouldn't be able to so accurately grasp the movements of the zombie horde, would we?"

"Honestly, if I were a high-level professional, I would also hold back, but I believe Sister Guan has no ill intentions towards us!" Yunlu's words softened everyone's expressions considerably.

Guan Ke seemed surprised that someone would speak up for her, and said with emotion, "Thank you, Little Deer."

After thinking for a while, Shen Zhuo nodded and said, "Guan Ke, I respect your way of life. You can continue living in the stronghold as before. Of course, if you want to leave or take on more missions, I will agree."

Shen Zhuo's words made Guan Ke lower his head in shame.

Surprisingly, others also stepped forward to offer words of comfort, and at least no one openly opposed it.

This left Chu Xiu, who was watching all this, dumbfounded.

He couldn't stand it any longer.

This is just too much of a saint! How can the whole team be so saintly?
All I can say is that it's an excellent matchmaking mechanism.

Could it be because he killed all the non-saintly ones?

Chu Xiu rubbed his forehead, somewhat speechless, but his speechlessness didn't last long before he felt relieved.

Holy Mother, how wonderful! Holy Mother, how marvelous!

He adores the Virgin Mary; the more Virgin Mary-like she is, the more he likes her.

After comforting Guan Ke, Shen Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Alright, everyone, stop looking so miserable. We've made it through the toughest part. Tomorrow, we can go home!"

These words immediately lightened the somewhat somber atmosphere, and everyone smiled upon hearing the word "go home."

"Come on, let's go back and rebuild the bunker, and hold out through this final stage!" Shen Zhuo said, clenching his fist.

Everyone else responded in unison, but then Chu Xiu said, "Gentlemen, I have a request."

Everyone was taken aback and looked at him.

Chu Xiu continued, "To be honest, I'd like to risk competing for that Blood Moon reward."

"So, I wonder if I could hand over all the corpses in your base to upgrade my equipment?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was stunned. Shen Zhuo said with a solemn expression, "Chu Xiu, although you are already a level 6 Awakener, it is still too risky to compete for the top 1,000, isn't it? After all, you are just a support class and still lack combat skills."

Yunlu also worriedly said, "Yes, you should stay with us. Didn't the teacher say that there's still a long time ahead? There's no need to take risks in the novice trial?"

Faced with their persuasion, Chu Xiu simply smiled calmly: "My mind is made up. If someone in a low-level profession like mine wants to go further, I must seize every opportunity."

Upon hearing his words, the admiration in everyone's eyes deepened.

Chu Xiu did what they didn't have the courage to do.

Shen Zhuo stopped trying to persuade him and instead punched Chu Xiu hard: "You can take any of the corpses from the stronghold. I also have 100 karma points here, you can take those too. Oh, and this too."

He took off the recovery ring from his finger and handed it to him: "You have the armor and weapons now, wear this and make sure you come back alive!"

Chu Xiu's face showed gratitude as he accepted the causal points and the ring, solemnly saying, "Definitely!"

Yunlu looked disappointed. At that moment, she seemed to realize the huge difference between herself and Chu Xiu.

Chu Xiu keenly noticed this girl's thoughts, but he naturally didn't pay too much attention to it and quickly turned his attention to the hunt.

"There are still 45 minutes left until the end of the ceremony. Although there are still three-quarters of the time left, the monster density has dropped sharply! We can't waste any more time dragging this out. The longer it goes on, the fewer and stronger the monsters will become! The hunting difficulty will increase dramatically!"

"Spend fifteen minutes refining all the corpses, then begin the hunt!"

Chu Xiu is a greedy person.

Outside of the trial dungeon, the drop rate in other places is not as high.

He wanted to maximize his gains at the very end of the trial!
(End of this chapter)