The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

The instant the Stargazer's hull touched the pale golden crystal entrance, there was no expected impact or vibration, only a wondrous, smooth sensation, like melting into warm water. The view outside the porthole was instantly replaced by an endless, flowing, pale golden mist shimmering with starlight. The battles outside, the roar of the bacterial swarm, and even the spatial tearing sensation from the entire gravity labyrinth were all isolated and blurred the moment they entered, as if separated by a thick, warm frosted glass.

Inside the bridge, the light softened and became hazy, the air filled with a strange aura—fresh, tranquil, yet brimming with a powerful flow of information. The Star Key hovered before Luo Wei, its resonance becoming steady and lingering, like a traveler finally relaxing upon returning home. The silver gleam in Ai Rui's eyes had dimmed considerably upon entering this place, but it hadn't disappeared; instead, it resonated more subtly with the surrounding environment. The pain and confusion on her face lessened considerably, replaced by an instinctive comfort and curiosity, as if an infant had returned to the womb.

"We...we're in?" Barton looked around, his clenched fists loosening slightly, but his muscles remained tense. Years of combat experience had instilled in him a heightened level of vigilance in any unknown environment.

"An extremely high concentration of inert psionic energy environment was detected. Its energy properties are the same as those of the Starflow Crystal, but its purity and activity are several orders of magnitude higher. The spatial structure... is incredibly stable, as if it exists independently of external rules." Instructor Verna quickly analyzed the scan data, her eyes filled with amazement. "This place... is practically a small, highly ordered prototype of a psionic universe. The Primal Spirit Race's control over space and energy has reached a level akin to that of creators."

"Look there!" Annie pointed to the main screen. The starlight mist was slowly dispersing ahead, revealing a wide "road" composed of flowing pale golden light particles. On both sides of the road, countless crystal "pillars" of varying sizes and shapes, emitting a soft glow, floated. Inside the pillars, it seemed to seal flowing images, runes, or some indescribable artistic conception. The end of the road disappeared into a deeper mist, indistinct.

"The Corridor of Inheritance..." That grand, joyful, and urgent thought echoed in everyone's minds once more, this time clearer, as if whispering beside them, "Welcome home... Travelers wielding the 'Source Seed'... and... the unexpectedly awakened 'Eye'..."

"I am the 'Spirit of the Corridor'... or you could say I am the last remaining trace of collective memory of this place..."

"Time is of the essence... The tide of crystal devouring has sensed the resonance between the 'Source Seed' and the 'Pupil'... and is impacting the outer barrier of the Remnant... The barrier... cannot hold for much longer..."

"You must pass the 'Trial of All Things' as soon as possible... obtain the 'Final Legacy'... and then... depart..."

"Trials vary from person to person...reflecting your nature, desires, and potential...danger and opportunity coexist...failure...either you are forever trapped in your own mental image...or your spiritual energy dissipates...becoming the foundation stone of the corridor..."

"Choose... move forward... or... retreat?"

Retreat? Outside, the main force of the Crystal-Eating Bacteria is surging in; retreating means certain death. Moving forward, though dangerous, offers at least a glimmer of hope, and might even grant the power to fight the disaster.

"We have no choice." Lowe's voice was calm and firm. He looked at Verna, Anderson, Barton, Lilith, Anne, and Lina, and finally his gaze fell on the still somewhat dazed Airi. "We must pass the trial, obtain the legacy, and then... find a way to survive and complete the mission here... which is also our own."

The crowd nodded, their eyes showing no hesitation, only determination.

"Then...the trial...begins."

The moment the grand idea was unleashed, the crystal pillars on both sides of the corridor lit up simultaneously! Countless soft beams of light, each with a different color and aura, shot out from them, precisely enveloping everyone inside the "Stargazer"!

The instant the beam touched his body, Luo Wei felt his consciousness being gently lifted up by a tender yet irresistible force, detaching from his body. The surrounding scenery rapidly changed and faded away, and finally, he found himself standing in an endless void composed of flowing star runes and data streams.

A voice, similar to that of the "Spirit of the Corridor," but more neutral and evaluative, rang out:

"The holder of the 'Source Seed,' Luo Wei. Trial content: Analysis, Reconstruction, Choice."

"You bear the legacy of the Stargazers and are recognized by the 'Origin Seed,' yet both originate from the pursuit of the truth of the universe, but their paths differ. The Stargazers follow the rules and use the stars as their measure; the 'Origin Seed' evolves in countless ways, making change the norm."

"You are hereby granted three encrypted information streams, each containing a portion of the profound application of 'Initial Explanation of Star Laws,' the fundamental principles of 'rule interference' from fragments of 'Original Canon of All Things,' and... a partial dynamic model (incomplete) of the 'Libra Coordinates' of the Static Court. You must analyze their contents within the specified time and attempt to 'reconstruct' the seemingly contradictory or unrelated parts of the three according to your own understanding, deriving a feasible tactical approach to deal with the current 'Crystal Devouring Tide' crisis. The derivation process and results will determine the level of legacy you will receive."

"Note: The information stream contains advanced knowledge; forced analysis risks overloading the soul. 'Reconstruction' requires a profound understanding of the nature of power, not simple piecing together. Timer... Begin."

As soon as he finished speaking, three massive, complex streams of information, each emanating a different aura, surged into Luo Wei's consciousness like a flood bursting its banks! The profound mysteries of "Initial Explanation of Star Laws," the agile and unpredictable nature of "The Origin of All Things," and the cold precision of "Libra Coordinates" intertwined and collided, almost tearing his soul, which was still only a second-ring Star Speaker, apart!

Luo Wei grunted, instantly sitting cross-legged in a semi-conscious state, immersing himself completely in the task. His significantly increased computational and mental power after advancing to the second ring, amplified by the knowledge from the *Elementary Explanation of Star Laws* system, operated at high speed. The Star Key projected a warm glow into his consciousness, helping to stabilize his soul and subtly guiding his understanding of the "Source Codex" section.

Instead of trying to digest all three at the same time, he first built a cognitive framework based on "An Introduction to Astrology". Then, he regarded the "Libra Coordinates" model as a "problem" or "object of observation" that needed to be solved and incorporated it into the framework. Finally, he tried to introduce the unconventional and unrestrained "rule interference" perspective from the "source classic" to find the "variables" and breakthroughs in the framework.

This process was painful and lengthy, each second feeling like dancing on a knife's edge. He felt his understanding of the rules of the stars was deepening rapidly, and he had a more intuitive grasp of the cold "order" of the Stasis Court. At the same time, he began to vaguely touch upon the wondrous idea of ​​the "Primordial Spirit Race" that "guides the rules rather than follows them."

Gradually, a vague, frenzied tactical outline began to emerge in his mind—utilizing the Star Key's natural restraint on the "Crystal-Eating Bacteria" (Original Species Aura), combined with the analysis of the local model of the "Libra Coordinates," to predict the possible weak points of the Crystal-Eating Bacteria tide's "orderly" attacks, and then using the "Original Codex" interference principle to guide Ai Rui's newly awakened "Interference Eye" to disrupt the local rules at a critical moment, creating a breakthrough, and finally using the Starflow Crystal energy carried by the starship, containing the "Power of Evolution," to launch a targeted burst attack...

This was just an extremely rough and uncertain idea. But when he presented this idea, along with its derivation process, basis, and risk assessment, the assessment voice fell silent for a moment.

Resolution: 71%. Reconstruction completeness: 39%. Innovation: High. Feasibility: Low. Risk: Extremely high.

"However... in dire straits, the ability to break free from existing frameworks, attempt to integrate disparate systems, and glimpse a glimmer of opportunity for asymmetric breakthrough... this is the true meaning of 'evolution.' Assessment: Pass."

"I bestow upon you these gifts: fragments of insights from 'A Preliminary Exploration of the Interaction Between Stellar Laws and Origin Codex,' and a blueprint for the 'Directional Rule Perturbation Generator' (one-time use, incomplete). I hope you will make good use of them."

A more refined and targeted stream of knowledge flowed into Luo Wei's consciousness, while a complex design blueprint imprinted itself on his mind. He felt a significant increase in his mental power after being pushed to the limit, and his understanding of stars and rules reached a new level. The bottleneck of the mid-stage Second Ring Star Speaker quietly loosened. As his consciousness returned, he opened his eyes and found himself still standing on the bridge, holding a slightly warm, pale golden crystal in his hand.

Almost simultaneously, the others also "woke up" one after another, with different expressions, and some things in their hands or on their bodies.

Instructor Verna held a crystal with constantly changing three-dimensional runes in her hand, her eyes filled with shock and contemplation. It seemed that she had obtained more detailed information about the history of the "Primal Eldar" civilization, psionic technology, and the early conspiracies of the Stasis Court. This was crucial for her to decipher the starship blueprints and understand the enemy, and her theoretical knowledge and rune skills would surely improve greatly.

Barton was enveloped in blazing platinum-gold battle aura, which not only contained the explosive power of stars but also incorporated a trace of the heavy, mountain-like will of "Star Rock," as well as a strange "high-frequency oscillation" characteristic that seemed capable of dispersing energy structures. He had clearly obtained an enhanced inheritance that suited his fighting style and incorporated some combat technique concept from the "Primordial Era." His aura had already broken through the bottleneck, officially stepping into the Star Warrior (First Ring) realm! Although he had just broken through and still needed to consolidate his power, his combat strength had already undergone a qualitative change.

Floating before Lilith were several strange seedlings, half-crystalline and half-plant, slowly unfurling their leaves in a pale golden halo, and a crystal recording complex molecular formulas and energy reaction models. What she gained was knowledge about cultivating special medicinal plants using the psionic environment of this place, and synthesizing highly effective "phantom-order" dual-attribute neutralizers, which were crucial for treating Airy and combating the crystal-devouring bacteria's invasion.

Lina's transformation was the most subtle and mysterious. She stood there quietly, as if enveloped by an invisible, soft "membrane," filtering and smoothing out all the chaotic information from the outside world. Her eyes were clearer and deeper, the "noise" of her spiritual senses seemed to be greatly suppressed, while her ability to perceive and connect with specific targets was significantly enhanced. She had acquired advanced techniques of "deep spiritual harmony" and "construction of mental barriers," greatly improving her survivability and auxiliary value.

Annie held a scroll made of light that turned its pages automatically. It contained basic knowledge of "Primal Psionic Energy" manipulation and introductory runes. This was clearly a legacy tailor-made for her as a beginner, allowing her to lay a more solid and broader foundation on her path as a Star Speaker.

Elder Anderson received a complex data package on "multidimensional space trap deployment" and "reverse engineering of relic defense mechanisms," which was of invaluable to his tactical planning, environmental utilization, and potential future establishment of secure outposts.

Finally, everyone's eyes fell on Airi.

She still stood there, but her demeanor had undergone a complete transformation. The silver light in her eyes was now stable and restrained, devoid of pain and confusion, replaced by a serene depth that seemed to penetrate the very essence of all things. Her skin had become more radiant, its crystalline textures like natural artistic tattoos, shimmering with a subtle light. In her hand, she held a crystal-blue prism, the same color as her eyes, its interior seemingly sealed with a swirling vortex of stars.

"I..." Airi began, her voice ethereal and calm, carrying a sense of vicissitude beyond her years, yet her tone remained true to herself. "I saw... a lot... about the application of 'Universal Interference'... about the origin of the Crystal Rock Clan... about how we... have a distant bloodline connection with 'The Primordial Beginning'... and I also saw... how to temporarily stabilize the changes within my body and use these 'eyes' to a limited extent..."

What she obtained was a unique method for controlling the "Interference Eye," the truth about her origins, and a powerful inheritance that required a corresponding level of cultivation to fully activate.

Each person's trial was unique, and each gained the most needed or most promising improvement or knowledge at that moment. The team's overall strength and foundation underwent a qualitative leap in a short period of time.

"Congratulations... on passing the basic trial." The corridor spirit's voice rang out again, but this time, it was noticeably weak and hurried. "However... the final legacy... requires a collective decision..."

At the end of the corridor, the fog that had been shrouding the area completely dissipated, revealing three "doors" that emitted different lights and auras.

The first door is made of pure, ever-changing starlight, with runes of stargazers flowing across it, radiating the idea of ​​"inheritance and protection." Behind the door seems to lead to an environment full of knowledge and safety.

The second door, composed of countless ever-changing crystal facets, is mesmerizing in color and exudes the idea of ​​"evolution and possibility." Behind the door, it seems to lead to endless branching paths and unknown opportunities, but also hides unpredictable risks.

The third door is the most unique. It is not a physical object, but a constantly rippling, dark golden reflection on the water. The reflection does not show the scene behind the door, but rather the surging, purple tide of crystal-devouring bacteria outside the ruins where they are now—constantly crashing against the pale golden barrier! This door exudes a cold and resolute sense of "facing and resisting".

"Three gates...represent three roads."

"Star Gate: It can guide you to a relatively safe and resource-rich hidden star region and grant you full starship warp engine enhancement technology, enough to leave the current star region, avoid the sharp edge of the Crystal Devourer and the Court, and continue the flame of civilization."

"The Crystal Gate: A deep interface to the lost heritage network of the 'Primordial Spirit Race,' offering boundless opportunities but also endless dangers. It may provide the key to defeating powerful enemies, or lead to getting lost in endless corridors, or triggering ancient restrictions."

"Shadow Gate: No direct gift. However, you will be temporarily granted the highest control authority over the 'Legacy Barrier' and some core weakness data of the 'Crystal Devouring Nest'. Choosing this gate means that you will use the remaining power of the Legacy to actively confront the main force of the external bacterial tide, attempting to destroy or severely damage the nest and buy time for this star field... However, the chances of success are slim, and the odds are nine out of ten to one death."

"Of the three... only one can be chosen. Once chosen, the other doors will be permanently closed, and the corresponding legacy will be immediately granted or activated."

"Choose your path, heirs... Your choice will determine the direction of the flame..."

Three paths, three futures. A safe continuation, a dangerous exploration, or a tragic struggle.

Everyone looked at Luo Wei, the Star Key holder and the leader of the team.

Luo Wei's gaze slowly swept over the three doors, over his companions who had just been upgraded and whose eyes were filled with hope, over the dark purple tide outside the porthole that could be felt even through the barrier, and finally, it landed on the warm Star Key in his hand and on Ai Rui's calm, crystal blue eyes.

Guided by the Star Key, Airi awakened the "Interference Eye," gaining crucial knowledge and the rudimentary form of power to suppress the Crystal Devouring Bacteria. They also learned of the Silent Court's conspiracy and the tragic wish of the "Primordial Spirit Race."

If they choose the Star Gate, they can leave safely, but after the Crystal-Eating Bacteria swarm destroys this remnant, it will likely continue to spread, devouring more innocents, and the Silent Court's conspiracy will continue. They might survive for a while, but can they truly live in peace?

Choosing the Crystal Gate might lead to greater power, but that would take time, and the lives outside, being devoured and wailing, cannot wait. They may not even have the luck or the strength to find a way to survive amidst endless danger.

The Shadow Gate… is the most direct, and also the cruelest, choice. Use this last remaining resource to fight the all-consuming monster to the death. The odds are slim, but if successful, it could not only save countless creatures like the Ai Rui tribe on the edge of this starfield, but also deal a heavy blow to the Stasis Court's "Scavenger" program, and perhaps… even find an opportunity to completely resolve the "Crystal-Eating Bacteria" threat, or even confront the Stasis Court itself.

He thought of the warriors in the "Crystal Remains Forbidden Land" who would rather die than surrender, of Marbas's final awakening and sacrifice, and of the cruelty and injustice he had witnessed along the way.

"We..." Luo Wei began slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable firmness, "We escaped from the continent of Chirva not to eke out a living. We obtained the inheritance not to protect ourselves."

He looked at Verna, whose gaze was complex, but which ultimately settled into a firm nod.

He looked at Barton, who grinned, his fist burning with intense fighting spirit.

He looked at Lilith, Lina, Annie, Anderson, and Irene. In their eyes, he saw the same thing—perhaps fear, perhaps worry, but more so trust in their companions, anger at injustice, and… a deep-seated flame, unwilling to continue running away.

"The Star Key chose us, and Airi awakened here. We have gained the power and the means to restrain them..." Luo Wei gripped the Star Key tightly, feeling the compassion and resilience emanating from it, the same source as this legacy. "If even we choose to retreat, then who will stand up to fight against that cold 'order' and that greedy 'devouring'?"

He raised his head, his gaze sharp, staring directly at the "Shadow Gate" that reflected the purple tide.

"I choose... the Shadow Gate!"

"Rather than fleeing with guilt and unease, let's stay here and use this newly acquired power to fight our way out for those who have passed away, for those who are still struggling, and for ourselves!"

"Gentlemen, are you willing to fight alongside me...?"

Silence. Then came a unified response, filled with a do-or-die determination:

"war!"

"war!"

"..."

The voice of the "Spirits of the Corridor" remained silent for a long time. When it sounded again, the weakness was replaced by an indescribable, complex emotion that seemed both gratified and tragic: "As you wish..."

"Final Legacy: Temporary core access to the 'Legacy Barrier' and data stream revealing structural weaknesses in the 'Crystal Devouring Nest', transmission initiating..."

"May the light of 'evolution'... illuminate your path ahead..."

May courage not be in vain...

boom!

The "Shadow Gate" suddenly shone brightly, transforming into a massive light curtain that engulfed the entire "Stargazer"! At the same time, a massive stream of data and control permissions flooded into the consciousness of the starship's mainframe and Luo Wei and the others.

The starship trembled violently, and the pale golden barrier on its exterior suddenly became blinding. An unprecedented, vast, and resolute power rose from the core of the legacy, from the "Stargazer," and from every warrior who made the choice!

The moment of decisive battle has arrived.