Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 419 Observation Period

A crystal capsule located high up in the specimen storage room slowly began to glow with a star-like light.

The upside-down figure was exceptionally tall, surrounded by countless tiny points of light, like a compressed star field.

Whenever he moves slightly, the points of light rearrange themselves to form different constellation patterns.

"It seems that everyone has felt that... subtle calling."

His voice was like the harmonious melody of celestial bodies in motion, carrying a profound charm that transcends countless years.

As they spoke, a subtle resonance resonated throughout the entire specimen library, as if the universe itself were listening intently.

This is Perust, the "Zenith Star," who was active in the early Third Age and was the last great wizard to master complete astrological magic.

His ethereal form can sense the most subtle changes in the universe and even predict the fate of distant galaxies.

"This should be a sign of a reboot...?" In Perust's star system, certain stars began to flicker abnormally:
"I can feel the ripples in the river of time; those great ones... are indeed plotting something."

As soon as he finished speaking, more ancient beings who had never participated in the discussion before began to awaken.

The chamber of "Recorder" Gould emitted a steady blue light.

His ethereal form was a mobile library, with countless scrolls constantly rotating around his core consciousness, each recording his life's accumulated knowledge.

The content of these books will be automatically updated as needed.

"Based on my historical research..."

Gould's voice was very hoarse, carrying the rigor and caution characteristic of a historian:
"Our current level of civilization is far from reaching the critical point where a restart is necessary. Such an early warning signal is extremely rare in history."

Among the scrolls revolving around this great wizard, several opened automatically, revealing densely packed data analyses:
"While the policy of conquest was radical, its scale and impact were relatively limited compared to the real catastrophes in history."

Cassandra's degree of alienation is also within a controllable range and is not enough to trigger a civilization-level collapse.

The professional analysis made the other hanged men fall into deep thought.

If even a historian like Gould cannot explain the current situation.

The complexity of the matter may have exceeded everyone's imagination.

"Let's first look back at history."

Subsequently, the recorder Gould recounted "The Eleventh Great Reboot—The Era of Knowledge Cancer":
"Those scholars obsessed with absolute knowledge..." His books began to reveal the records of that era:

"They created the 'Omniscient Web,' attempting to record and analyze all information."

"Initially, it did bring unprecedented prosperity, but once the knowledge system reached a certain level, it automatically began to produce 'knowledge pollution'—false information mixed with real knowledge, and the entire civilization fell into cognitive confusion."

Gould's voice became melancholic:

"People have forgotten what is real and what is false. Language has lost its function of communication, and civilization has self-destructed in complete chaos."

Another great wizard, "The Serpent of Light" Lafatis, then mentioned an even more recent disaster:
"The Sixteenth Reboot - Abyss Corruption".

His multiple timelines begin to overlap, revealing that bloody era.

In those overlapping images, one can see the terrifying sight of the abyss's power reaching its peak.

"Twenty-five Supreme Apostles exist simultaneously, and even the 'Mother' has awakened..."

Lafayette's entire timeline simultaneously displays a complex expression—awe, fear, and a hint of ineffable worship.

"But just as the abyss was about to completely devour reality, the 'Evil Hunter' was born."

That being simultaneously wielded three completely different power systems, possessing absolute control over the Abyss…

In the video, a blurry figure walks alone under a blood-red sky, and wherever it passes, countless abyssal creatures fall like wheat being harvested.

"Eight Supreme Apostles died at his hands, the Abyss system was almost completely wiped out, and even the 'Mother' was forced to fall into slumber again..."

Lafayette's voice became complex and contradictory:
"But in the end, his triple power system clashed fatally, falling apart under the final blow of 'Mother'."

That reboot was reactive, because the final showdown between the Abyss and the Evil Hunter nearly tore the entire fabric of reality apart.

As these historical events were revisited, the atmosphere in the specimen collection became unusually somber.

These truly apocalyptic scenes deeply shocked every one of the Hanged Men present.

Even for such a knowledgeable and ancient being as they were, the scale and destructive power of those disasters were still terrifying.

"Compared to these..." the curse master Mondragon said slowly in his distorted voice, a hint of disdain in his tone:
"Cassandra's mad conquests, and even the debate over the course of the entire civilization, are merely... insignificant ripples."

“Indeed,” Gould agreed, the scrolls around him displaying the current data analysis:
"Although the conquest faction is radical, the traditionalists still have considerable influence; although the Abyss is active, it is far from out of control; and the overall stability remains within an acceptable range."

He paused for a moment, his voice tinged with confusion:

"But that's precisely the most puzzling part. If the current situation is indeed relatively stable, how can this collective early warning phenomenon be explained?"

The discussion became more intense, with various speculations and analyses intertwined in the specimen library.

Some Hanged Man proponents believe this may be a deterrent strategy employed by the Great Ones to restrain various forces by signaling a restart.
Some people suspect the existence of hidden threats they are unaware of;
Some people worry that this reflects internal divisions among the great leaders.

The sounds of debate echoed through the specimen library, and various ethereal energies began to interfere with each other, making the entire space unstable.

The fluid in the crystal capsule began to fluctuate violently, and some of the smaller capsules even developed tiny cracks.

Just as the discussion was about to turn into chaos, an incredibly powerful and suffocating pressure emanated from the deepest part of the specimen storage.

The oppressive force felt like the weight of the entire universe pressing down on everyone, instantly suppressing all sounds and energy fluctuations.

Three enormous crystal capsules, located at the highest point of the specimen collection, began to glow; they were more than ten times the size of ordinary capsules.

These chambers are also made of a distinctly different material, consisting of a kind of translucent star crystal, with colorful bands of light flowing across their surface like the aurora borealis.

These are the oldest beings of the Second Age, the most senior Hanged Men in the Court of Truth, all of whom are top-tier archmages.

In the first chamber is Drake, the "empty brain".

His ethereal form is a bizarre, gigantic brain.

Its interior is sparkling with countless star-like points of light, each containing an unimaginable amount of knowledge.

Within his transparent brain structure, countless fragments constantly shifted like a kaleidoscope.

The second chamber contains the "Reality Web," Oberon.

His ethereal form is like an ever-weaving net, with each thread representing a fragment of a rule.

When he moves slightly, the spatial structure of the entire specimen library will change accordingly.

The third chamber contains Atlas, the "root of existence".

His ethereal form is a vast tree of concepts, its roots deeply embedded in the most fundamental level of existence.

The branches are covered with "fruits" of various shapes, each representing a possibility of existence.

When these three ancient beings awoke simultaneously, the entire specimen collection trembled under their oppressive power.

Those who had been having a heated discussion just moments before fell into absolute silence, even their breathing became cautious.

"...noisy little guys."

Drake's voice is like the flowing sound of time, each syllable carrying the endless weight of years.

“Your concerns… are not entirely unfounded.”

His transparent brain projects a complete picture of the current timeline.

It was a complex and dazzling multidimensional picture, in which every detail was constantly changing.

“There is indeed an adjustment coming soon, but its scale and impact will be extremely limited.”

"Adjustments?" Gould asked cautiously, his voice tinged with obvious nervousness.

“Yes.” The voice of Oberon, the Great Web of Reality, was rhythmic, like the turning of a loom:
"It's not a comprehensive reconstruction of reality, but rather a targeted correction of certain...specific problems."

His woven net shows the specific range of adjustments, which are areas that are not particularly wide.

But even these limited adjustments have the power to change the fate of countless beings.

"It mainly targets the overexpansion trend of the conquerors, as well as the uncertain impact of some heterogeneous factors."

Oberon continued, "But the core structure of civilization will be preserved, and most of its existence will continue." This news brought a sigh of relief to all the Hanged Men.

This is much milder than a full restart.

However, even such a "small-scale" adjustment is a catastrophe for those selected targets.

"What is the main purpose of this adjustment?" Perust, the "Zenith Star," asked cautiously.

"A collection of multiple causes," Atlas, the Root of Being, answered in his voice as steady as the earth.

His tree of concepts glitters with the light of various possibilities, each leaf representing a different cause-and-effect relationship.

"The policy of conquest is indeed deviating from its intended course, but more importantly..."

At this point, his wording became more cautious:
"The emergence of certain heterogeneities brings too much uncertainty to the system."

"How much longer is the observation period?" the jellyfish woman Mora asked.

“About a hundred years.” Drake checked the specific timeline in his mind:
"If the current problems can be resolved naturally during this period, the adjustment plan may be cancelled."

There was a glimmer of hope remaining in his tone:

"Great beings prefer to see the natural process of self-correction rather than forceful intervention. After all, every adjustment consumes the essence of all of us, and..."

He didn't say it explicitly, but everyone present understood what he meant.

While forced adjustments may solve the current problem, they may also create new ones.

There have been historical examples of this where a single adjustment triggered a chain reaction, ultimately leading to a larger-scale restart.

"Master Drake, what... do we need to do?"

"Varian, the scaly old man, asked, scratching his neck with some unease."

"Do nothing." Drake's answer was concise and clear:
"Continue to observe, continue to record, or continue... to sleep. This is our duty as Hanged Men, and the meaning of our existence."

As the three ancient beings finished speaking, their light began to dim.

This brief awakening has depleted a small amount of their mental energy, and they need to immediately return to a deep sleep to recover.

The other hanged men gradually quieted down, and the lights in their respective chambers went out one by one.

Since the highest level has already given clear instructions, there is no point in continuing the discussion.

But beneath the surface of quiet, each of the hanged men was engaged in intense internal debate.

A hundred-year observation period is but a moment to these beings.

But for those lives still struggling in reality, it is a long time that can change everything.

In the darkness, only Drake's chamber occasionally flickered with a faint light.

"One hundred years..." Drake silently recited the number in his mind, the vortex of knowledge in his head slowly swirling:

"Enough to make everything clear, and enough to make everything even more... confusing."

The energy fluctuations in the specimen library gradually subsided, and the hanging specimens returned to a semi-conscious state.

But beneath this apparent tranquility, crucial information is being transmitted through clandestine channels.

Those Hanged Men who still maintain a weak connection with the real world have begun to subtly hint at the possibility of "adjustment" in various ways.

Some people influence their descendants through dreams;
Some people use divination results to guide astrologers' predictions;

Others use more direct but covert methods to pass information to trusted real-world contacts.

This information is deliberately obscured and symbolized during transmission to avoid attracting excessive attention.

But for those recipients with sufficient wisdom and experience, the meaning is clear:
Some higher power is assessing the current state of civilization, and the outcome of that assessment could determine the fate of everyone.

Subtle divisions began to emerge within the conquest faction.

The high priests who had initially supported Cassandra's expansionist policies began to privately discuss risk assessments and exit strategies.

No one was willing to say it outright, but everyone was thinking about the same question:
If we continue down the current path, where will we end up?

This is precisely the clever way that great men exert their power.

Apply pressure subtly, allowing the target to adjust their behavior without realizing it.

Compared to direct, coercive intervention, this method is more covert and more effective.

………………

Ron sat alone on the observatory of the North Estate.

Through the crystal dome, he gazed at the artificial, tree-like network in the sky.

These are not naturally formed celestial bodies, but rather nodes of magic arrays set up by great wizards throughout history to construct a stable network of magical energy.

Each "star" is actually a giant crystal suspended outside the atmosphere.

They are arranged in a complex geometric pattern, forming an energy transmission network that covers the entire central area.

The “restart” crisis revealed by Yutel is like a sword hanging over his head, preventing him from truly relaxing.

Fifty years? One hundred years?

In the timescale of millennia used by the greats, this amount of time is but a fleeting moment.

His current strength is still a world apart from that of a Grand Wizard who could survive the reboot.

Tonight, the light from artificial celestial bodies appears somewhat unstable.

The starlight, which should have been pulsating regularly, now flickered erratically, like the gears of some giant machine starting to loosen.

"Even the magic network is feeling the tension..."

Ron gently stroked the crystal railing, his fingertips able to feel the faint vibrations transmitted through it.

This vibration is a resonance reaction of the entire central land's magic field.

It was like a giant organism trembling in fear.

The entire environment was conveying a silent warning: a storm was coming.

Just then, the Sanyuan Liantong crystal placed in the corner of the observatory suddenly started flashing.

It was a yellow flash that carried a sense of urgency.

Ron immediately realized that this was the emergency contact signal he had set up.

He strode toward the crystal and gently pressed his palm against its surface.

The magic circuit was instantly activated, and Elliott's slightly tired face appeared in the projection.

Unlike his usual spirited self, Elliott looked unusually haggard tonight.

Her golden curls had lost their luster, her blue eyes were bloodshot, and even her voice sounded noticeably tired.

What's even more striking is the environment behind him.

That wasn't a luxurious study for everyday communication, but rather a secret underground room clearly intended for security.

The stone walls are covered with intricate diacritics.

"Ron, I've finally got in touch with you!"

Elliott's voice was filled with a sigh of relief:
“I’ve been trying to contact you all week, but the signal interference at the observatory is too severe.”

"What happened?"

Ron keenly sensed the abnormality in the other person's condition:

“You look terrible, and… why are you communicating in a secret room?”

Elliott shook his head with a wry smile, his right hand unconsciously stroking his temple.
"Nervous? If you knew about the recent changes in the Central Lands, you would be nervous too."

My 'Listening to the Wind' talent has been issuing alarms almost non-stop lately, with unsettling messages spreading throughout the entire magic network.

(End of this chapter)