Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 299 "Spare Rations"

But with the last shadow dispelled by the "Radiant Ring," it had nowhere to hide.

The high-dimensional pollution continues to erode the form of the Time Hound, making it increasingly unstable and even beginning to lose its specific shape.

The iconic cone-shaped mouthparts also began to dissolve, turning into a blurry cloud of energy.

It has a terrifying corrosive power, but it is clearly not enough to kill the opponent.

...Or rather, whether such special units, which reside in the river of time, have the concept of "death" is unknown.

"Get out of here now!" He seized the opportunity and forcibly severed his connection with the river of time.

His consciousness flowed back as quickly as the tide, and Ron escaped that dangerous dimensional intersection at an unprecedented speed, fleeing back to his familiar world.

As the last link was severed, he seemed to hear a sharp screech coming from afar.

That was the Time Hound's anger and resentment, but it could no longer reach him.

The process of returning to reality was like traversing a tunnel filled with shards of glass, each inch piercing the very essence of his being.

When his consciousness fully returned to his body, Ron suddenly opened his eyes, the crystal lights in the meditation room stinging his eyes.

A drop of cold sweat slid down his temple, and he realized that his entire body was soaked in cold sweat.

"Hoo..." He adjusted his breathing, letting his heartbeat gradually calm down.

"I survived...at least for now..."

He was breathing weakly, but he couldn't truly relax.

This thrilling showdown with the Time Hound was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

This almost completely depleted Ron's mental energy, leaving him with scars from the high-dimensional pollution.

Fragments of higher-dimensional memories surged through my mind like a tidal wave at this moment.

Those fragments of experience from the "hermits" do not exist in a way that human thinking can comprehend.

They are woven in a form that transcends language.

Every image and every concept is like a galaxy that has been forcibly compressed, piled up within his limited cognitive framework.

Darkness and cold—no, that's not the darkness and cold that humans understand.

That kind of "blackness" transcends the absence of the spectrum, and that kind of "coldness" is not a decrease in temperature, but a fundamental change in energy state.

In that indescribable void, an enormous being silently roamed.

The form of the "hermit" is difficult to summarize with any known term.

It is not a physical entity, nor simply energy, nor even pure thought or consciousness.

He is something more essential, something... Ron couldn't even find the right words to describe it.

We can only temporarily regard it as a kind of "gap life," a super-dimensional individual existing at the intersection of all known forms of matter.

This ancient observer travels among galaxies, collecting knowledge and mysteries of the universe.

He does not interfere, but merely observes and silently records the rise and fall of civilizations and the birth and death of stars.

The "devourer" is even more terrifying than the "hermit".

In the memories Ron received, the image of the "devourer" was equally indescribable.

It is not a single entity, but rather countless overlapping entities occupying the same space simultaneously.

It takes on a different form from every perspective, yet it is the same entity.

With those terrifying "tentacles," He easily pierced through the dimensional barrier where the "Hermit" resided, tearing it to pieces.

At that moment, something in the universe was permanently changed.

An ancient observer was destroyed, and countless fragments of knowledge scattered in all directions.

"'The Hermit'... was preyed upon by the 'Devourer'..."

Ron murmured to himself, a chill running down his spine.

[Historical Research (Beginner) Experience Points +1]

[Historical Research (Beginner) Experience Points +1]

[Historical Research (Beginner) Experience Points +1]

……

[Current Progress: Historical Research (Introduction 38/50)]

[Astrology (Beginner) Experience Points +1]

[Astrology (Beginner) Experience Points +1]

[Astrology (Beginner) Experience Points +1]

……

[Current Progress: Astrology (Beginner 29/50)]

The prompts on the panel appeared one by one, confirming that he had indeed benefited greatly from this dangerous experience.

But at the same time, a heavy mental pollution enveloped his consciousness like a poisonous fog.

It was an indescribable burden that made his thinking vague and confused.

At the edge of his field of vision, some colors that shouldn't exist began to appear—colors that didn't even belong to the visible spectrum, yet he strangely "saw" them.

Meaningless whispers and murmurs echoed in my ears; the sounds were not uttered in any known language, yet they seemed to be conveying some kind of message.

Even more frightening is that these abnormal perceptions are gradually integrating into his daily cognition, making the abnormal seem "normal" and attempting to change his basic understanding of reality.

"This level of pollution..."

Ron tried to keep his mind clear, but felt a strong wave of nausea and dizziness.
"This is probably the most serious pollution I have ever encountered, surpassing the inspiration I had when I first came across 'The Star Eater's Whispers' and the 'Dead Universe Battlefield' during my time as an advanced apprentice."

Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately activated the silver pocket watch in his pocket.

The moment my fingertips touched the surface, a familiar fluctuation of time emanated from it, as if a taut string had been gently plucked.

Ron carefully infused a wisp of spiritual energy into the pocket watch, awakening the dormant power within.

A silvery-white light slowly emanated from the dial, forming a miniature time bubble that enveloped his entire being.

Time appears strangely distorted in this tiny space.

Ron felt that the pollution that had corrupted his mind was being erased little by little.

One's mental state is like a piece of paper covered with messy lines, which is being erased by this eraser, one stroke at a time, until it is restored to blankness.

My mind gradually cleared, and the colors and shapes that shouldn't have been there disappeared from my vision, and the whispers in my ears fell silent.

[Reset complete, Energy -20]

[Remaining Energy: 18/50]

[Pocket Watch Special Feature Triggered: A trace amount of Time Hound energy residue detected, has been absorbed]

[Energy limit increased: 50 → 60]

[Remaining Energy: 28/60]

Ron raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at this unexpectedly pleasant notification.

"This unexpected gain is not bad..."

He felt a surge of joy, his fingertips lightly tracing the fine lines on the pocket watch's surface:

"In the battle against the Time Hound, the pocket watch actually absorbed some of its time energy, thus strengthening itself."

This characteristic reminded him of the potential origins of pocket watches.

Is it a coincidence, or is this pocket watch somehow connected to the Time Hound?

Ron carefully tucked the pocket watch back to his chest and fell into deep thought.

This breakthrough in meditation can be described as a mixed blessing.

On one hand, he successfully lit up the "Hermit Star" and gained the valuable "Hermit's Insight" characteristic.

My mental strength has broken through to 5.5, and my magic power has also increased to 4.6. These are substantial and significant gains.

On the other hand, there are the fragments of memories about the "Hermit" and the "Devourer" that are glimpsed during stargazing.

Yet it also filled him with doubt, and even a kind of indescribable fear.

"'The Hermit' was once an ancient and powerful being, but it was disintegrated and devoured by the tentacles of 'The Devourer'... And through 'The Star Eater's Ramblings,' I contemplated precisely that terrifying Star Eater... What does this mean?"

Ron's mind raced, piecing together every tiny fragment of information in an attempt to paint a complete picture.

"The 'Devourer's Ramblings' guided me to contemplate the 'devourer,' while at the same time connecting me with those beings who have been devoured by the 'devourer,' such as the 'Hermit Star'... This guidance is extremely contradictory."

At this moment, a dark idea gradually took shape in his mind.

Is it possible that "The Star Eater's Whispers" is not simply a channel for the transfer of power?

The real purpose behind its design is actually to find more "reserve food" for the "devourer".
"Who created this meditation method... and what is his true intention..."

Ron rubbed his temples, trying to relieve the pressure from these heavy thoughts.

Whatever secrets are hidden behind "The Star Eater's Whispers," he currently lacks the ability and information to obtain the exact answer.

Instead of getting caught up in endless speculation and self-doubt, focus on the growth in front of you.

One's own worries cannot solve any problems, and with the help of the panel system, one may be able to avoid the traps and risks faced by ordinary practitioners.

"At least, I am definitely stronger now."

Ron reassured himself, while silently reminding himself:
"We must explore this path more cautiously and find ways to collect more information."

The newly acquired "Hermit's Insight" is not only an improvement in thinking speed, but also a deeper level of insight, enabling one to see through appearances and grasp the essence.

When combined with "supernatural perception" and "elemental perception," it forms a sensory experience that is almost omniscient.

"If I hadn't acquired this ability back then, I might not have been able to discover the existence of the Time Hounds in time, let alone figure out their weakness of only being able to attack from specific shadow angles..."

Ron couldn't help but sigh.

Danger and opportunity often go hand in hand.

This cyclical chain of cause and effect seems like a test meticulously designed by fate.

Ron took a deep breath, stood up, and stretched his limbs, which were stiff from maintaining the same posture for so long.

Now, he needs to adjust his mindset as soon as possible to prepare for the work and research to come.

"In any case, the gains outweigh the risks this time."

He ultimately concluded:
"I'll be meeting Professor Yutel in a few days for our routine analysis of the 'Memory Crystal,' so I'll ask him about the Time Hound then."

……

The observation station's special containment center was currently serving as a private instruction session for Ron by Yutel.

Ron was standing in a closed analysis room, with a crystal clear light blue memory crystal in front of him.

The surface of this memory crystal appears smooth, but "superhuman identification" clearly captures the complex energy patterns inside, like a three-dimensional maze layered upon layer.

This is his fourth time participating in memory crystal analysis.

In his first few attempts, he started with the most basic energy detection, gradually learning how to establish a secure mental link and extract fragments of information from the memory crystal.

Every attempt comes with considerable risk, but under Yutel's guidance, he is always able to extricate himself from danger before it becomes uncontrollable.

The analysis room was filled with intricate energy control runes, interlocking to form a complete protective network.

These runes not only ensure that any energy leaks that may occur during the analysis process are promptly blocked, but also forcibly sever the link between the analyzer and the memory crystal in an emergency.

“This memory crystal comes from the fourth layer of the abyss and is a more complex entity than the samples you tried before.”

Yutel's phantom floated around the memory crystal, its silver light reflecting off the crystal's surface and causing a subtle energy resonance.

"Let's begin. Let me see the results of your studies these past few sessions."

Yutel drifted backward, giving Ron enough room to maneuver, while also being prepared to intervene at any time.

Ron nodded, focusing all his attention on the memory crystal in front of him.

He first activated "Supernatural Recognition" and his newly acquired "Hermit's Insight" to conduct a comprehensive scan of the memory crystal, attempting to obtain as much surface information as possible before further exploration.

In his perception, the energy inside the memory crystal exhibited a relatively stable waveform, with most areas displaying a healthy blue-green light.

But deep within the crystal, he noticed several unusual energy nodes.

The energy fluctuation frequency there is significantly higher than that of the surrounding area, forming a local "hotspot".

More noteworthy is that there is a core area in the center of the crystal, which is surrounded by a light purple energy barrier.

This structure had never appeared in the memory crystals he had previously analyzed.

"The internal energy fluctuations are relatively stable, with no obvious malicious characteristics."

Ron calmly assessed the situation:
"However, there is an unusual barrier in the central core area, which may require special attention."

In addition, several unstable energy nodes were detected, and these areas should be avoided during the analysis process.

Yutel's phantom flickered slightly, indicating approval:
"The observations were very detailed. Indeed, in memory crystal analysis, thorough preliminary assessments can often avoid many unnecessary risks."

Especially the barrier in that core area; it's usually the location of the key event in the formation of the memory crystal.

Having received confirmation, Ron took a deep breath and began to analyze the situation.

He gently placed his palm above the surface of the memory crystal and carefully released strands of mental energy tendrils.

Unlike his previous rough attempts, this time his mental energy was distributed more precisely, covering every key node of the memory crystal like a spider web.

Through the accelerated thinking brought about by the "Hermit's Insight," he was able to monitor the energy feedback of dozens of contact points simultaneously and adjust the intensity and frequency of his mental energy at each point in a timely manner.

Once his mental network was fully deployed, Ron began searching for the most suitable entry point.

On the surface of the memory crystal, he discovered a region with relatively weak energy fluctuations, where the barrier was weakest, making it an ideal entry point.

“Found it,” Ron said in a low voice, concentrating his mental energy on that point and beginning to carefully penetrate it.

The process of breaking through the surface barrier was not smooth.

Whenever his mental energy tried to penetrate deeper, the memory crystal would produce an instinctive rejection reaction, like the immune system fighting off an intruder.

But Ron was not impatient. He patiently adjusted the frequency of his mental energy, trying to achieve a harmonious resonance with the energy fluctuations of the memory crystal.

After nearly ten minutes of repeated attempts, he finally found the right frequency.

Mental power acted like a precise key, easily unlocking the outer defenses of the memory crystal.

“Very good,” Yutel encouraged.
"Now we're trying to establish initial information channels, but let's not touch that core area yet."

Ron nodded and continued to guide his mental energy deeper into the memory crystal.

He carefully avoided those unstable energy nodes, focusing instead on building a secure information extraction loop.

This is the most meticulous work in the analysis process.

He needs to maintain a stable connection with the memory crystal, avoid potentially dangerous areas, and establish a protective layer that can filter harmful energy.

Problems in any link could lead to mental pollution or even more serious consequences.

With the aid of multiple attributes, including "Hermit's Insight," "Microstructural Adaptation," and "Essential Insight," Ron's mind control achieved unprecedented precision.

He can divide his mental energy into dozens of streams, each performing a different task simultaneously, much like a musician conducting a complex orchestra, ensuring that every note is just right.

Gradually, a stable information channel took shape.

Ron could feel the information in the memory crystal beginning to flow into his consciousness at a controlled rate, like a clear stream rather than a raging torrent.

The information stream initially consists of fragmented images and perceptions, but as the connections deepen, they gradually come together to form a complete memory:

A strange, abyssal scene appeared in Ron's mind.

A fern-like plant grows on the purplish-black soil, but its leaves have a metallic texture and sharp, knife-like edges.

Even more bizarrely, these leaves constantly change shape, as if they are engaged in some kind of complex breathing or communication.

A pale purple mist filled the air, and the mist seemed to possess a faint consciousness, actively avoiding the explorers' path.

In the distance, several fountain-like energy outlets continuously released deep purple light, illuminating the entire area.

The explorer—the owner of that memory—is carefully collecting samples while using a special device to record the surrounding energy fluctuations.

Through his perspective, Ron observed a peculiar symbiotic relationship among these plants.

They are interconnected through their root systems, forming a vast network in which energy flows and exchanges, much like an organic computing system.

As the explorer focused on recording data, he felt an unusual pressure.

The screen shook slightly, and the explorer looked up.

At the edge of the field of vision, a blurry, enormous outline loomed in and out of sight, seemingly peering into this layer from a deeper abyss.

(End of this chapter)