The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

The cold tombstones of the "Shattered Star Corridor" receded into the distance, the heaviness of the silent encounter with the ancient dead not dissipating, but rather, like shadows blending into the ship, adding a somber solemnity to the atmosphere within the "Stargazer." The voyage continued, shrouded in "Eternal Night," gliding day after day towards the unreachable light of the "Desolate Beyond." The passage of time became blurred in the absolute darkness; only the ship's strict schedule and the continuous progress of various tasks marked the extension of the journey.

Verna's "Shadow Cloak" system entered its final debugging and combat simulation phase. In a virtual environment, she simulated various detection beams and psionic scans to test the system's stealth effectiveness under different background radiation and gravitational disturbances. The results showed that in the relatively psionic "Eternal Night" region, the system's "weaving" effect was weakened; the ship's outline and energy fluctuations could still be detected at close range by highly precise active scanning. However, it was sufficient to handle the passive perception of most celestial bodies and conventional, non-targeted interstellar detection. This was the limit of what they could currently achieve.

Luo Wei's work on "nurturing" and "suppressing" the Star Key Crack never ceased. Hours of focused guidance each day were like the most patient craftsman polishing a rough gem. With continued effort, the "aggressiveness" of the silvery-white crack's light was further suppressed, the intensity of its outward-emitting rule fluctuations stabilized at about 8% lower than initially, and its growth trend was effectively curbed. More importantly, Luo Wei himself became increasingly familiar with the "feel" of this "order" eroding power. He even began to experiment, under safe conditions, guiding a diluted, neutralized, extremely weak "order" fluctuation into his constructed "Star Vortex Guardian" model, observing its reaction with his own star power, hoping to give the shield stronger targeted resistance in the future. This attempt was dangerous and daring, progressing extremely slowly, but it represented his active exploration of deeper possibilities for fusion and confrontation. Meanwhile, the core rune structure and energy flow path of the "Star Vortex Strangulation" technique that was conceived had been basically determined after countless mental simulations and small-scale energy simulations. What was lacking was a real, controllable practice to test and improve it.

Current status: Luo Wei (mid-stage, nearing late stage of the second-ring Star Speaker)

Key advancements: The Star Key Rift suppression effect has been consolidated, and efforts are being made to integrate combat experience into the defense system; the theory of "Star Vortex Strangulation" has been completed and awaits practical verification.

Enhanced capabilities: Improved ability to analyze and respond to the corrosive forces of "order", and refined energy manipulation and model building capabilities.

Combat capability forecast: The defensive targeting and tactical innovation potential have been enhanced, and there is an urgent need to test the new capabilities in actual combat.

Barton's training reached a new bottleneck. He had mastered the "Psionic Resonance Body Tempering Technique" to perfection, his Stellar Battle Qi completely fused into a unified whole, its calm surface containing explosive power. His Stellar Warrior (early first ring) realm was completely stable, his aura perfectly harmonious. The alloy battle swords he had initially "enchanted" were also nurtured day and night with his Battle Qi, a stable high-frequency oscillating psionic energy structure solidified within the blades. Although far from reaching the level of generating "rule" interference, their armor-piercing ability and erosion effect on energy shields were significantly enhanced. However, lacking a true, evenly matched opponent for a life-or-death struggle, he felt that his ultimate use of power and his ability to adapt to changing situations seemed to have hit an invisible ceiling. He began to spend more time studying the data compiled by Anderson on the attack patterns and weaknesses of various known enemies (Static Court units, Crystal Devouring Bacteria, Abyssal creatures, and even some rare interstellar beasts), simulating battles in his mind.

Lilith's treatment of Airi entered a stable period. The micro-injection of the "awakening agent" seemed to have some effect; Airi's psionic fluctuations during her slumber were more stable and prolonged, and the resonance with the surrounding "psionic infiltration matrix" became more harmonious and natural. Occasionally, the crystalline patterns under her skin would spontaneously combine into extremely simple, fleeting pale golden rune phantoms, as if her subconscious was learning or reorganizing something. However, the seal of "order suppression" remained firm, showing no signs of loosening. Lilith devoted more energy to in-depth research into the "Principles of Order Suppression Psionic Potions" and, using the purified substances from the "Psionic Essence Pool," successfully formulated the first generation of experimental "purifying dust" and "neutralizing mist." Their power was unknown, but at least they had a theoretical means of counteracting the effects.

Lena's practice of the Deep Space Rhythm Listening Method is progressing well. She can now filter out most meaningless background noise with relative ease, focusing her intuition on specific directions or types of rhythms. She has even begun to experiment, within safe limits, with extremely subtle "plucking" of her own intuition to create "harmony" with certain relatively stable deep space rhythms she detects, in order to enhance the clarity or scope of her perception. This technique is still very rudimentary, extremely energy-consuming, and cannot be sustained for long, but it has allowed her to enter a new level of control over her intuition. She also devotes some attention to continuously monitoring the deep space rhythms ahead of her flight path, alerting her to possible spatial structural anomalies or energy turbulence.

Annie's breakthrough opportunity arrived quietly on the eighty-ninth day of her voyage. At that time, under Verna's guidance, she was attempting to independently draw a complex first-circle composite rune—"Tranquil Guardian"—on a miniature rune workbench. Its purpose was to stabilize the energy environment within a small area and slightly enhance mental resistance. This rune's complexity far exceeded all the basic runes she had practiced before, and it was one of the key tests for advancing to the first-circle Astrologer. She concentrated intently, her fingertips guiding pure stellar energy, outlining smooth and precise lines on the specially made substrate. As the rune gradually took shape, and the internal energy circuits were about to close, Annie felt her mental energy being drawn to the "tranquility" contained within the rune, involuntarily immersing herself in it. Her connection with the outside world became blurred; only the flowing stellar energy under her brush perfectly matched the rhythm of the rune's structure itself.

hum...

A soft, barely audible sound, audible only to herself, resonated deep within her soul. The "Tranquil Guardian" rune on the workbench suddenly glowed with a gentle, steady pale blue light. Its internal energy flowed automatically, forming a perfectly self-contained small domain that smoothed out energy fluctuations within a half-meter radius of the workbench, bringing a cool, soothing comfort to Annie's spirit. Success! And a perfect, one-shot success!

The instant the rune was successfully activated, Annie felt a shackle within her body break. Long-accumulated stellar energy surged forth, naturally following the most orthodox path recorded in "The Fundamentals of Primal Psionic Runes," condensing and building at the core of her soul to form a tiny, yet perfectly structured, foundational star rune core! Pale blue starlight seeped from her pores, and her aura rose steadily and solidly upwards, officially marking her entry into the realm of Star Speaker (First Ring)!

"Congratulations, Annie," Verna's voice rang out from beside her, tinged with a relieved smile. She had been following Annie's progress closely, and now, sensing the steady rise in her promotion, she felt reassured. Annie's success meant that the team had gained another reliable member.

Annie opened her eyes, feeling the new, more intuitive Star Power within her, and the stable core in her soul. Her small face beamed with barely suppressed joy, a hint of tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Instructor Verna! I...I did it!"

Her promotion brought a bright spot to the somewhat dull voyage. Everyone offered their congratulations, and Lilith specially prepared a gentle consolidation potion for her. Annie quickly adapted to her new level, began learning several practical spells for a first-ring Star Speaker, and became more actively involved in various support tasks within the ship.

The voyage has reached its 107th day.

The Stargazer spacecraft is traversing a sparse interstellar dust cloud marked on star charts as a "light-stagnant dust cloud." The dust particles here are extremely fine, almost completely absorbing visible light, but exhibiting a slight scattering and delay effect on energy fluctuations in specific frequency bands, making the "perpetual night" here even more murky and further reducing sensor performance.

As usual, Lina was practicing the "Deep Space Rhythmic Listening Method" while on duty, casting her spiritual senses like an invisible net along the path ahead. Suddenly, she frowned and opened her eyes.

"Brother Luo Wei, Mentor Verna, something's wrong up ahead..." Her voice came through the communication channel, tinged with a rare hint of confusion. "The rhythm of deep space... is being disrupted. There's a very chaotic, very... 'viscous' 'noise,' mixed in with the dust background, slowly moving, and its direction... is intersecting with ours. It doesn't seem like a natural phenomenon, nor does it seem like machinery... more like..."

She struggled to find the right words: "...like a wounded, chaotic 'life' flowing unconsciously? The energy response is weak, but the properties... are somewhat familiar, yet somewhat different."

"Familiar?" Lowe immediately became alert.

"Hmm...it's a bit like...the 'cold hunger' we felt when we rescued Sister Airi from the 'Crystal-Eating Bacteria,' but even more...dead? Broken? It's like it's lost its 'core,' leaving only a scattered, instinctive 'devouring' desire drifting around." Lina's description sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Mutated or surviving crystal-eating bacteria? In the depths of eternal night, so far from the γ-7 star system?

"Activate 'Shadow Cloak,' all ships silent, slow down," Rowe immediately ordered. "Mentor Verna, intensify scanning in this direction, focusing on analyzing the energy spectrum. Barton, prepare for boarding action. Elder Anderson, plan an emergency evasive route. Lilith, prepare 'Purifying Dust' and medical support. Lina, continue monitoring, estimating its size, speed, and precise trajectory."

"clear!"

The Stargazer instantly went into high alert, its engine power reduced to the minimum needed to maintain levitation, and the Shadow Cloak system operated at full power, making the ship seem to blend into the surrounding viscous darkness and dust.

Soon, the enhanced scan yielded results. About 0.5 light-minutes ahead, behind a relatively dense dust cloud, an irregular, slowly writhing dark purple energy cluster was detected. The energy cluster was small, about 100 meters in diameter, with a loose structure and highly unstable internal energy fluctuations. Spectral analysis showed that its core energy characteristics were highly similar to the "Crystal-Eating Bacteria," but even more "inert" and "chaotic," resembling a "bacterial corpse" or "remains" that had lost collective consciousness and was merely writhing and consuming trace amounts of surrounding dust energy on instinct. Its movement was aimless, drifting slowly with the weak gravitational pull of the dust cloud, intersecting with the "Stargazer's" course.

"Target confirmed: Suspected mutated remnant or degenerated offspring of 'Crystal-Eating Bacteria'. Energy level: Low. Threat assessment: Low for a single individual, but uncertain whether it possesses the ability to swarm or release pheromones." Verna quickly analyzed, "Recommendation: Avoid. Its structure is loose and its speed is slow; we can easily bypass it."

However, as Rowe stared at the slowly writhing dark purple mass on the scan, a thought arose in his mind. This was an excellent, relatively risk-controlled "litmus test." It could test the stealth effect of the "Shadow Cloak," test the actual lethality of Barton's new combat skills and enchanted battle sword against this type of enemy, and also... let him try out the long-conceived "Star Vortex Strangulation."

"No, we won't evade it." Lowe made his decision, his voice calm. "This is an excellent opportunity to test our new capabilities and collect sample data on this 'Degenerate Crystal-Eating Bacteria.' Barton, you'll pilot the 'Shadow Shroud' and try to clear it out using your new combat techniques and swords, paying attention to collecting tissue samples. I'll provide you with long-range support from the ship and try a new spell. Lina, monitor its interior for any abnormal psionic fluctuations or pheromone releases. Instructor Verna, lock onto it, and if anything unexpected happens, immediately launch a barrage of attacks with the ship's cannons. The operation must be swift and clean."

"I can't wait any longer!" Barton's eyes blazed with intense fighting spirit as he charged toward the hangar.

A moment later, the "Shadow" reconnaissance boat, which had been modified for stealth and whose surface was pulsating with the same frequency as the "Shadow Cloak," silently slid out like a piece of debris peeled from the shadow of the mothership and headed toward the dark purple fungal skeleton.

The "Shadow Cloak" successfully approached within several hundred meters of the fungal remains, but the remains showed no reaction and continued to wriggle aimlessly. The "Shadow Cloak's" stealth effect seemed to be completely effective against this low-activity degenerate offspring.

"I'll go first!" Barton roared, donned his makeshift psionic protective suit, grabbed his twin blades, and leaped out of the "Shadow Shroud" hatch. His battle aura surged, leaving a blazing white trail in the vacuum as he hurtled towards the fungal skeleton!

The dark purple fungal skeleton seemed to only "notic" the abnormal energy disturbance when Barton entered the hundred-meter range (Barton's battle aura could not be completely concealed). Its wriggling speed suddenly increased, and several viscous, dark purple tentacles with a corrosive energy luster extended from its surface, like hagfish that smelled blood, wrapping around Barton!

"Well done!" Barton neither dodged nor evaded, his twin swords crossed in front of him. His lava-platinum-like battle aura erupted, its high-frequency vibration characteristics pushed to the limit, the blades emitting a faint hum! He swung his swords, without any fancy moves, only the purest power and speed!

"Star Rock Wave-Breaking Slash!"

laugh!laugh!laugh!

With a flash of light, the several dark purple tentacles that had been coiling around the tentacles were easily severed as if a hot knife were cutting through butter! There was no liquid splattering at the cut; only dark purple energy dissipated like dissipating smoke. Furthermore, the high-frequency oscillating energy remaining at the cut continued to damage the energy structure of the severed tentacles, preventing their regeneration! The severed tentacles quickly lost their activity and turned to ashes.

"Effective!" Barton's spirits soared, and he moved like lightning, rapidly traversing the surface of the bacterial remains. His twin blades transformed into a blazing white net of blades, stripping away and dissolving large swathes of the bacterial remains wherever they passed! The defensive capabilities of these degenerated bacterial remains were far inferior to the active bacterial swarms encountered in the γ-7 star system, and they appeared extremely vulnerable under Barton's attack, which incorporated his new power.

However, just as Barton had cleared about a third of the fungal remains, a sudden change occurred! At the core of the attacked fungal remains, a faint, ember-like dark purple light flashed violently! Immediately afterward, a chaotic, piercing, pain- and greedy psionic shriek erupted from the center of that light! This shriek was not a sound, but a direct mental shock!

"Watch out!" Lina's warning and shriek came almost simultaneously.

Barton groaned, feeling as if his head had been struck by a heavy hammer, his movements momentarily halting. The mental shock wasn't strong, but it caught him completely off guard. At the same time, all the remaining fungal remains seemed to be "awakened" by the shriek, no longer aimlessly rushing towards Barton, their speed increasing several times over! The dark purple embers at their core also suddenly became brighter and more unstable, as if about to explode!

"Now!" Inside the bridge, a glint flashed in Luo Wei's eyes; the long-awaited opportunity had arrived! He rapidly drew his hands in front of him, his stellar power surging within him in an unprecedented way and along an unprecedented path. Combining the framework of "Initial Explanation of Star Laws" with the "guiding" intent of the "Source Codex" fragments, he sketched a complex, three-dimensional, rapidly rotating miniature star vortex model in the void! At the center of the model, an extreme darkness and gravitational force were being generated!

"Star Vortex Strangulation - Activate!"

With a low shout, Luo Wei instantly released the completed star magic model through the starship's external psionic projection array, precisely positioning it above the core of the fungal skeleton and the unstable dark purple embers!

Om-!

The void seemed to be twisted by an invisible hand! A miniature spatial distortion field, about ten meters in diameter, invisible to the naked eye but triggering frantic alarms from gravity sensors, suddenly formed! Inside the field, powerful, chaotic gravitational turbulence tore and spun wildly, forming a small-scale, violent "gravitational strangulation vortex"! The dark purple embers about to explode, along with the large swathes of fungal remains surging towards Barton, were suddenly sucked in and engulfed by this strange gravitational vortex!

Sizzle—!

The teeth-grinding sound of energy and matter being brutally torn apart and annihilated could not travel in the vacuum, but everyone could "feel" that the energy in that area was rapidly decaying and becoming chaotic! The dark purple fungal remains were pulled and crushed in the gravitational vortex, eventually turning into the most basic energy particles, along with that unstable core ember, which were swallowed and annihilated by the darkness at the center of the vortex!

In just three seconds, the gravitational vortex vanished abruptly. What remained was a patch of void, cleaner than its surroundings, and some extremely thin, rapidly dissipating dark purple energy dust. The threat had been completely eliminated, without even a chance to self-destruct.

The "Shadow" quickly approached, its robotic arm collecting samples of drifting energy dust. Barton shook his still slightly dizzy head, and after confirming it was safe, returned to the reconnaissance boat.

"The Star Vortex Strangulation...the effect...exceeded expectations." Verna looked at the abruptly "clean" area on the sensor, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes. "Although the range is small, the duration is short, and the consumption is probably not small, it has an extremely strong instantaneous clearing and control effect on loose energy aggregates and small-scale dense targets. Moreover, its gravitational disturbance characteristics are remarkably effective against targets that rely on stable energy structures."

Luo Wei slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling that nearly 30% of his mental energy had been consumed, but his heart was filled with excitement. His first practical use of "Star Vortex Annihilation," although amplified and stabilized by the starship's projection array, had achieved the expected power and control precision, validating the feasibility of the theoretical model. His mid-stage Second Ring Star Speaker realm had subtly advanced a small step forward after this creative spellcasting and high-intensity consumption.

"Well done, Barton. Did you recover the sample?" Rowe asked on the channel.

"Retrieved. This thing won't rest in peace even in death." Barton's voice came, tinged with lingering fear and excitement. "However, my new sword and combat skills are quite effective against this kind of thing! It's just that the mental impact was a bit sudden."

"Lina, was that scream just now a pheromone or a distress signal?" Rowe asked.

Lina sensed it carefully for a moment, then shook her head: "It's very chaotic, just instinctive pain and a final counterattack, without any signs of directional spread, so it shouldn't have attracted anything else. However... the core of this degenerated fungal skeleton still retains a faint psionic reaction similar to 'pain' and 'self-destruction,' which is a bit strange. Lilith might need to analyze the sample."

"Return to base. Instructor Verna, analyze the sample, focusing on the cause of its energy inertia, the nature of the residual psionic energy in its core, and its differences from the active microbial community in the γ-7 star system. Lilith, prepare to receive the sample. Everyone else, remain vigilant, we continue onward."

"Shadow" returned safely, and "Stargazer" set off again. This brief encounter, though dangerous, was of great significance. It tested the team's new equipment, combat skills, and spells, yielded valuable samples of degenerate crystal-devouring bacteria, and gave everyone a clearer understanding of their own growth during the long voyage.

"It seems that the remnants of 'Crystal-Eating Bacteria' are more widely distributed and exist in more diverse forms than we thought." Elder Anderson marked the point of this encounter as a dim purple dot on the Star Sea Situation Map, connecting it with the huge dark purple area in the γ-7 star field with a dotted line.

"Perhaps the early testing grounds of the Stasis Court, or out-of-control experimental subjects, once contaminated this star system," Verna speculated. "These degenerated bacterial remains are like the 'radioactive dust' left over from that ancient catastrophe, impossible to eradicate."

Luo Wei didn't participate in the discussion. He returned to his cabin, recovering his mental strength while savoring every detail of the "Star Vortex Strangulation" he had just executed. The Star Key floated quietly in the isolation tank, the crack still there, but Luo Wei felt that his connection with it, after this successful creation and practice, seemed to have become even closer and clearer.

The eternal night continues, and the voyage is long. But the flame in the hearts of those aboard the "Stargazer" burns even more steadily and brightly because of this small victory. They are forging themselves, step by step, into sharp blades and strong shields capable of withstanding the storms of the future on this thorny and unknown road.

There are still more than eighty days' journey to the "desolate other side". The real test may be quietly waiting for them in that unknown place interwoven with pale gold and dark purple light.