The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

The new round of extermination operations, spearheaded by Wizard Walter, is larger in scale than the one in Rift Canyon. The target is a shadowy stronghold known as "Wailing Cavern," where intelligence suggests there may be more than one shadow priest, and perhaps something even more troublesome. The recruitment list includes familiar faces from the previous collaboration, such as Rowe, Barton, and Lilith, as well as several new **Higher Apprentices**.

This time, the gazes Luo Wei felt were more complex. There was admiration, scrutiny, curiosity, and also a hint of barely perceptible repulsion—the fact that a **mid-level apprentice** had been repeatedly conscripted for operations of this caliber spoke volumes.

At the tactical briefing before departure, Wizard Walter clearly outlined Rowe's mission: "Your primary responsibility remains to use your special perception to locate the core of the contamination, identify weaknesses in the energy nodes, and provide regional mental protection support when necessary. Your safety will be primarily the responsibility of Barton's team."

Barton nodded solemnly to Rowe.

After the briefing, Lowe was about to leave when Lilith called him back. This usually aloof potion genius now wore a rare look of hesitation on her face.

"Love," she handed over a small crystal bottle containing a shimmering, starlight-blue liquid, "This is the 'Deep Sea Tranquility Potion,' much more potent than the Cleansing Potion, effectively combating high-intensity mental pollution and hallucinations. Thank you for last time...

Luo Wei was somewhat surprised, but accepted the potion: "Thank you, Senior Lilith. It's what I should do."

Lilith glanced around and lowered her voice, "Be careful. This mission... might not be as simple as it seems. I heard that some people at 'Grey Tower' are also very 'concerned' about this operation." With that, she hurriedly left.

Lowe felt a chill run down his spine. Lilith's warning confirmed his suspicions. The reach of "Grey Tower" was farther than he had imagined.

Just as he was pondering, a gentle voice sounded behind him: "Apprentice Lowe, please wait."

Luo Wei turned around and saw an elderly man with a kind face, dressed in a simple gray robe, standing behind him. The old man did not have any powerful energy fluctuations and seemed like an ordinary old man, but Luo Wei's [Low-Level Energy Vision] instinctively felt an unfathomable obscurity, as if facing a tranquil but boundless ocean.

"Who are you?" Rowe asked warily.

"I am the keeper of the library; you can call me Old Moore." The old man smiled slightly, his eyes clear and wise. "Your reading in the library... is very interesting. It's rare to see a young man so fascinated by basic theory and ancient runes."

The library keeper! Lowe was deeply shocked. The library was a highly secure area of ​​the academy; the keeper was no ordinary person. He immediately bowed respectfully: "Mr. Moore."

Old Moore waved his hand, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over the soul amulet worn on Rowe's chest, a barely perceptible hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "No need for formalities. Just a reminder, knowledge is power, but revealing knowledge that doesn't belong to your current level too early can sometimes lead to unnecessary trouble. On the second floor of the library, there are some introductory notes on 'field stability' and 'energy self-circulation,' which might be more suitable for your current stage of reference. Of course, additional access is required."

Old Moore's words struck Luo Wei like a resounding bell. He was reminding him that the concepts of "constant energy fields" gleaned from the stone tablet were too advanced and easily aroused suspicion! Furthermore, he seemed to have seen the extraordinary nature of the soul amulet, yet he didn't point it out, instead offering kind guidance and a path to acquiring deeper knowledge!

"Thank you for your guidance, sir!" Luo Wei sincerely thanked him. This tower keeper seemed to be a neutral and friendly powerful being.

Old Moore smiled, and his figure slowly disappeared as if merging into the air.

The attitudes of the three parties are clear: the Academy officials, represented by Field/Walter, are using and protecting him to some extent; the Grey Tower is coveting and testing him; and the mysterious old Moore, the tower keeper, seems detached and offers a well-intentioned reminder.

Lowe felt as if he were walking on a tightrope and had to be even more careful.

He didn't immediately apply for access to the second floor of the library; that would be too conspicuous. He returned to his room, began to process Old Moore's advice, and started to re-plan his research direction.

He focused his main efforts on two seemingly basic projects that effectively masked and connected his core competencies:

First, he delved into the "Detailed Explanation of Basic Rune Structure" and the "Training Method for Fine Manipulation of Mental Power" obtained from the first floor of the library. He no longer rushed to grasp the advanced concept of "constant energy field," but instead diligently practiced the energy guidance and structural stability of basic runes, as well as how to manipulate mental power more precisely and sustainably. This not only solidified his foundation but also provided a reasonable trajectory for his ability to wield "fields"—which could be interpreted as the result of innate talent combined with rigorous training.

Secondly, he focused on optimizing the "Primary Energy Aggregate" recipe. Utilizing the workshop's resources, he obtained a large quantity of low-grade materials with varying properties, conducting numerous synthesis experiments under the guise of "researching material energy compatibility." The Book of Truth, based on its new knowledge base, continuously deduced new recipe variations. Ultimately, he successfully stabilized and optimized the recipe to the level of a "Secondary Energy Aggregate," increasing energy output to **0.3 standard magic stones**, with improved purity. While still not comparable to true low-grade magic stones, the output was considerable, and the raw material costs were extremely low.

He secretly established a small-scale production line in his dark chamber, strictly controlling output and hiding most of the products as strategic reserves. Only a small amount was occasionally used to aid his cultivation and compensate for the shortage of magic stones. This provided him with an unknown source of energy.

The night before setting off for the "Wailing Caverns," Rowe once again took out the gray stone tablet. With his solid foundation in basic theory and steady growth in mental strength (he had quietly reached the **late stage of intermediate apprenticeship**), he once again attempted to synchronize with the tablet.

This time, he didn't try to force himself to understand the complete construction method of the "constant energy field base". Instead, he focused on the fragmented information he had previously acquired about the "seventeen basic runes" and the "energy flow trajectory", and combined it with the newly learned knowledge of rune configuration to verify and deduce.

He picked up a thin mithril sheet for practice, and his mental energy, like the finest carving knife, no longer adhered to a fixed shape, but instead tried to guide the energy to flow and solidify along what he considered a more "natural" and "efficient" trajectory.

Failure, failure, and more failure.

The mithril tablets he practiced on repeatedly shattered or lost energy due to their unstable structure.

As dawn approached and his spirit was about to be exhausted, he had a sudden inspiration. Instead of deliberately "guiding" it, he immersed his spiritual power into the microstructure of mithril itself, to "feel" the natural "tendency" of its internal energy, and then, as if going with the flow, applied a subtle "initial force" that conformed to its internal laws.

hum!

The mithril sheet in his hand trembled slightly, and a very simple rune appeared on its surface, yet it exuded a perfect and harmonious artistic conception! This rune was not one of the seventeen types. Its structure was extremely simple, yet it was exceptionally stable, emitting a faint but continuous energy fluctuation, forming an extremely weak "solid" field covering the sheet itself!

Although this is still a long way from "constancy" and may only last for a few days, it means that he has successfully and actively constructed a miniature energy field with "semi-constancy" characteristics for the first time! This is a breakthrough from 0 to 1!

**[Understanding: Basic Field Inscription Technology (Prototype)]**

**[Effect: Can inscribe a simple energy field on the surface of small objects; the effect is weak and short-lived.]**

**[Evaluation: This demonstrates a deeper understanding of the nature of energy and serves as a foundation for advanced enchanting and the construction of stable fields.]**

Looking at the homemade, rudimentary "sturdy talisman" in his hand, Luo Wei wore a tired but satisfied smile. This was the reasonable direction for progress that suited his current "persona."

He carefully put the talisman away, hoping it might play an unexpected role at a crucial moment.

The next day, the team assembled and prepared to depart.

Wizard Walter surveyed the fully equipped and ready-to-go troops, his gaze lingering on Rowe for a moment, seemingly noticing a slight change in his mental energy, but said nothing more.

"Set off!"

The team once again ventured into the dark, dense forest, heading towards the even more dangerous and enigmatic "Howling Cave."

Luo Wei touched the sturdy talisman he had made himself in his pocket, and then felt the soul amulet he wore close to his body and the several pieces of "secondary energy aggregates" hidden in the dark compartment, feeling somewhat at ease.

He knew the road ahead was fraught with danger, not only from the shadowy monsters in the cave, but also from the (potential) spying of his companions and external forces. But he was no longer the weak apprentice who had just entered the academy and was easily manipulated.

He clenched his fists, his eyes resolute.

This time, he not only needs to complete the mission, but also find his own foothold in this vortex of three-way competition, and acquire enough resources and knowledge to build a path to becoming stronger...

**The foundation of stability**.