The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

For those seventy-two hours, Lowe worked almost non-stop. He devoted most of his energy to researching and optimizing the blueprints for the "Soul Amulet". Master Field granted him special permission to use a quiet, small workshop within the factory and provided all the auxiliary materials except for the Purifying Crystal and the Tranquilizing Flower.

Creating a soul amulet is far more complex than simply processing materials or constructing a temporary energy field. It requires the maker to permanently imbue the mithril base and core material, along with specific intentions of tranquility and protection, along with pure energy. This involves extremely delicate techniques of spiritual micro-sculpting, energy guidance, and stabilization.

The traditional method requires apprentices to first use their mental energy to etch fixed energy channels onto a mithril base. Then, powdered purifying crystal (which filters out distractions and negative energy) is embedded into the channel nodes using specific techniques. Finally, the essence extracted from the tranquilizing flower (which provides a continuous field of mental calm) is used as a fusion agent to connect all the parts into a whole. Each step requires extremely high precision; even a slight fluctuation in mental energy or improper energy guidance can lead to the base being ruined or the amulet's effectiveness being greatly reduced.

However, Luo Wei possessed an optimized solution provided by the Book of Truth. The core of this solution lay in borrowing superficial concepts from the "Constant Energy Field Base Construction Method" regarding the "self-consistent circulation" and "structural stress dispersion" of energy circuits. It didn't change the fundamental principles of the amulet, but rather optimized the geometry of the energy-conducting circuits on the mithril base, making its energy flow smoother, reducing internal losses, and fine-tuning the inlay points of the luminous crystal powder to improve its energy filtering efficiency, while simultaneously lowering the mental energy consumption threshold for subsequent fusion steps.

This is similar to using a curve that is more in line with the principles of mechanics when building an arch bridge, making the bridge stronger and reducing the difficulty of construction.

Luo Wei first attempted dozens of unsuccessful trials using ordinary practice materials (inferior mithril and substitute crystals). Although the optimized solution reduced the difficulty, the precision required for mental control remained insane. He had to use his mental power to outline energy circuits finer than a hair on the hard mithril, as if wielding a nanoscale carving knife, and with absolute accuracy.

Countless times, the circuit was broken just before completion due to a tiny mental ripple; countless times, deviations occurred during energy guidance, causing the practice base to overheat and melt or explode.

The immense drain on his mental energy left him pale and his head throbbing. But he didn't give up. With each failure, the Book of Truth recorded the data and fine-tuned his operating parameters. Under this extreme pressure, his control over his mental energy became increasingly refined and subtle.

On the afternoon of the third day, after consuming a massive amount of practice materials and almost exhausting his mental energy, he finally succeeded in perfectly etching the optimized energy-conducting circuit onto a standard mithril base plate! The circuit lines were smooth and beautiful, emitting a faint silver glow, as if they possessed life.

Next came the replacement with the embedded luminous crystal powder. He held his breath, enveloping the extremely fine crystal powder with his mental energy, as if performing the most precise minimally invasive surgery, and accurately placed it at the seven key nodes of the circuit. The moment the powder made contact with the mithril base, it emitted a soft white light, perfectly fusing together.

Finally, the fusion process begins... Once all the nodes are lit, the entire mithril base hums, and a faint but real, calming force field spreads out from its center!

Success! Even using alternative materials, this practice version of the amulet base has taken shape!

A surge of immense accomplishment and exhaustion washed over him simultaneously, leaving Rowe nearly collapsed. But he knew this was only the first step. The real challenge lay in finding and processing genuine Purifying Crystals and Tranquilizing Flowers during the mission, and completing the final creation in potentially disruptive environments.

In the evening, Tina brought the final briefing on the cleanup operation and the team assembly notice.

The teams include:

**Team Leader:** A **First-Ring Formal Wizard** named **Walter**, skilled in elemental attacks and protective magic arrays, is the absolute core and safety guarantee of this operation.

* **Guards:** Four **High School Apprentices**, including **Barton** (Captain, melee and defense) whom Rowe knew, and three other apprentices specializing in tracking, archery, and healing, respectively.

* **Technical Consultant:** **Lowe** (**Intermediate Apprentice**, Contamination Treatment and Field Theory).

* **Potion Support:** A **Advanced Apprentice** named **Lilith** (a potion-making genius, Tina's rival, and aloof) is responsible for providing antidotes and healing potions and dealing with any magical plant-related traps that may be encountered.

* **Reconnaissance:** A **high school apprentice** named **Edgar** (small in stature, agile, and skilled in stealth and reconnaissance).

This seven-person team (including a certified wizard) is fully equipped, demonstrating the importance the Academy attaches to this mission.

When Rowe arrived at the assembly point at the castle gate, he could clearly sense the different gazes from the group. Barton nodded to him as a greeting. Lilith merely glanced at him indifferently before checking her potion pack. The scout apprentice named Edgar, however, scrutinized Rowe from head to toe with a critical look, a hint of disdain playing on his lips—clearly, the fact that a mid-level apprentice had infiltrated such a group puzzled and even displeased him.

Wizard Walter, a middle-aged man with a stern face and sharp eyes, surveyed the group and spoke in a steady, powerful voice: "Mission objective: Clear the shadowy strongholds within 'Rift Canyon,' assess the level of contamination, recover valuable items, and destroy them completely if necessary. I am Walter, the leader of this mission. My orders must be obeyed unconditionally. Anyone who acts without authorization will face the consequences. Move out!"

Without further ado, the group quietly left the academy under the cover of night, stepping once again into the dark forest and heading towards the more dangerous Ridge Canyon.

This journey was far more somber than the gathering mission. Wizard Walter led the way, his invisible force field deterring many low-level monsters from approaching. Barton and his guards vigilantly watched their surroundings. Edgar moved like a ghost along the front and flanks, occasionally signaling that everything was safe with hand gestures.

Luo Wei walked in the middle of the group, meditating to restore his mental energy while silently observing. He could feel that the closer they got to the Rift Canyon, the more pronounced the faint, oppressive chill in the air became. The surrounding vegetation also began to twist and dim abnormally, with strange, vein-like black streaks hanging from some trees—signs of contamination by shadow energy.

"We have entered the contaminated radiation zone," Lilith's cold voice rang out. In her hand, she held a crystal compass-like instrument, its pointer trembling slightly as it pointed into the depths of the canyon. "The concentration of shadow energy particles in the air and soil is rising. Prolonged stay will cause slow erosion to the body and mind."

Without turning his head, Wizard Walter said, "Stay alert. Lilith, monitor the changes in pollution. Rowe, sense the flow of pollution and try to pinpoint the core area."

"Yes," Luo Wei replied, while quietly activating [Low-Level Energy Vision]. In his vision, the entire world seemed to be shrouded in a gray veil, and deep within the canyon, a dense, impenetrable negative energy field, like a black tide, was slowly surging, showing a tendency to converge towards a certain central point.

"The polluting energy... is mainly converging towards the mountain fissures about 1.5 kilometers away in the 2 o'clock direction," Luo Wei concluded, based on his perception and the map.

Wizard Walter continued walking, but slightly adjusted his direction: "This aligns with the entrance direction Edgar previously scouted. Speed ​​up!"

As they ventured deeper, the environment grew increasingly eerie. The remains of small creatures began to appear on the ground, covered in black, moss-like colonies of contaminating bacteria. A cloying, rotten stench permeated the air. Even the light seemed to be swallowed up, and the surroundings grew ever darker.

Suddenly, Edgar, who was scouting ahead, issued a warning signal!

The group immediately took cover. In front of them, on a clearing covered with black gravel, roamed three strange creatures. They were roughly humanoid, but their skin was an unhealthy grayish-white, their eyes were empty and lifeless, and their bodies were covered with a constantly writhing, dripping black slime-like carpet of shadowy fungus. Their hands and feet were twisted into claw-like shapes.

**[Analysis Target: Shadow Servant (Low-Level Corruption Creature)]**

**[Energy Attributes: Highly tainted by shadow pollution, chaotic, weak to fire, weak to light.]**

**[Characteristics:** Lacking independent consciousness, controlled by a corrupted core, attacks any life form that approaches; its minions inflict mental pollution and physical corrosion.

"Shadow Minions! The guards outside the stronghold!" Barton whispered. "Not many, but they're tough. Be careful not to get scratched!"

Wizard Walter's eyes turned cold: "A swift victory is crucial to avoid attracting more trouble!"

With a wave of his hand, three pale fireballs, each the size of a fist and radiating terrifying heat, instantly coalesced and, as if possessing life, shot precisely at the three shadow servants!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The fireball struck its target, unleashing a blinding light and a scorching shockwave. The shadow servant let out a silent howl, its shadow creep rapidly melting in the light, its body dissolving like a wax figure, finally vanishing into wisps of black smoke.

The power of a **formed wizard** was on full display! With a mere gesture, he eliminated enemies that even advanced apprentices found troublesome.

However, Rowe noticed that after the light from the fireball burst dissipated, three small, even denser, writhing black stains remained on the ground where the three shadow servants had stood, emanating a strong stench of pollution.

"Pollution residue!" Lilith frowned. "It needs to be cleaned up, otherwise it will continue to pollute the environment and may even breed new slaves."

Wizard Walter looked at Rowe: "It's up to you. Use your methods to get rid of it as quickly as possible."

All eyes were on Rowe. Edgar's eyes still held suspicion, Barton looked somewhat worried, and Lilith was simply curious.

Luo Wei took a deep breath and stepped forward. He didn't try the complex and energy-consuming "reverse resonance field" or "energy flow field" again. He chose a more direct and relatively energy-efficient method—based on the optimized [Miniature Blazing Flame Technique], but incorporating subtle guidance of the "light" and "purification" energy fields.

He stretched out his hands, guiding the active fire element and the sparse light element in the air with his mental power, condensing two small, pure golden flames, no bigger than eggs, above his palms! These flames were no longer just high temperature, but also carried a unique aura that dispelled darkness and purified filth.

"go."

With a gentle push, two golden flames floated lightly towards the three patches of contaminated residue.

laugh--!

Like a scorching hot iron plunged into ice water, a piercing corrosive sound rang out. The three writhing black stains, under the scorching of the golden flames, churned and contracted violently, emitting large amounts of foul-smelling black smoke, before finally being completely purified and disappearing, leaving only the traces of the ground being scorched by the high temperature.

The entire process was quiet and efficient, a stark contrast to the raging fireballs of the wizard Walter.

The scene was completely silent.

Edgar's disdain vanished, replaced by seriousness. Barton breathed a sigh of relief, a look of admiration on his face. A glint of surprise flashed in Lilith's beautiful eyes.

Even the usually stern wizard Walter showed a rare hint of approval: "Very good. Very efficient, the contamination has been thoroughly removed. Keep it at this level."

He paused, gazing at the dark entrance to the crevice deep within the canyon, which resembled the mouth of a giant beast, and said in a deep voice:

"The stronghold entrance is just ahead. Be prepared, we may be facing the real 'Shadow Believers'."