The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

The decision to venture into the Shattered Star Mountains in search of the mysterious "Seven-Colored Gem Mushroom" was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. The Luo Wei team was well aware of the risks involved. The unpredictable and troublesome nature of the Void Mirage, the spatial instability of the Shattered Star Mountains themselves, and other potential unknown dangers all meant that this operation required meticulous planning, far exceeding their previous infiltration of the outer perimeter of the Tower of Slumber.

They spent three whole days preparing.

Luo Wei once again immersed himself in the third floor of the library, focusing on reviewing all the records regarding the "Void Mirage" and the geological environment and anomalous energy zones of the Shattered Star Mountains. The Book of Truth operated at full power, attempting to construct a more comprehensive response model. Combining this with Carlson's conjectures about "information field disturbances" and "subconscious mappings" in his notes, he speculated that the essence of the mirage was likely the void energy spilling from spatial rifts, mixed with fragments of intense emotions remaining in the environment and the collective fear of living beings, forming a kind of information pollution aggregate. This meant that powerful mental defenses and methods to stabilize the mind might be more effective than pure elemental attacks.

Based on Loewy's theory, Lilith frantically produced a batch of special potions: a potent "Mind-Cleansing and Spirit-Protecting Potion" to resist mental pollution and illusions; "Space Stabilizing Agent" (extremely expensive and with limited effects) to temporarily reinforce the space around the team and reduce the risk of being swallowed by the rift; and several enhanced versions of "Flash Bombs" and "Holy Light Dust," specifically designed to target the characteristics of shadow and void creatures.

Barton was in charge of equipment preparation and tactical planning. He not only inspected his own greatsword and tower shield, but also specially exchanged a small arm shield engraved with "exorcism runes" for Rowe, and found a lighter and more flexible set of leather armor for Lilith. Based on the mountain map and the approximate location mentioned in Uncle Pip's last communication, he planned several routes for advancement and retreat.

Lina, using her unique material perception, prepared many unusual auxiliary items: "Rift Moss" sachets that could provide early warning of spatial fluctuations; "Silverleaf Grass" extract that could neutralize weak poisonous miasma; and even some "Stinky Flower" powder that emitted an odor that most low-level monsters found repulsive.

Pip also wanted to come, but everyone strongly dissuaded him. He lacked the strength, and going would only be dangerous. However, he provided his uncle's caravan with a detailed itinerary log and a list of goods, hoping it would be helpful.

Once ready, the four-person team (Love, Barton, Lilith, and Lina) once again used the academy's short-distance teleportation array to arrive at the outer edge of the Shattered Star Mountains.

Unlike the oppressive atmosphere of the previous visit to the Tower of Slumber, this time, stepping into the mountains, the feeling was far more eerie and unpredictable. The spatial folds and energy turbulence here seemed to possess a life of their own, constantly shifting. One moment, sunlight filtered through the sparse leaves, casting dappled patterns; the next, mist might blanket the area, distorting the light, and faint whispers or weeping sounds could be heard from different directions. The ground was sometimes solid, sometimes like walking on a damp sponge, uneven and unsteady.

"Stay close to me, watch your step and the energy changes around you." Luo Wei walked in front, fully utilizing his spatial perception and information capture abilities, like a sophisticated human radar, constantly guiding the way to safety. A faint silver-gray light flickered in his eyes, and his Void Affinity allowed him to detect subtle spatial distortions and hidden cracks earlier than ordinary people.

The compass needle in Lilith's hand swung wildly, continuously reporting energy readings: "Thirty meters to the left front, negative energy concentration abnormally high, suspected to be a small gathering point of resentment, detour recommended." "Spatial stability to the right continues to decrease, there may be a hidden rift, Rowe?"

"Confirmed, the space on the right is fragile, detour." Luo Wei responded immediately, leading the team to change direction.

Lina, like a wary fawn, twitched her nostrils and occasionally crouched down to touch the ground or rocks, whispering, "The soil here has a faint scent of 'Nightmare Grass,' so there may have been mirage activity not long ago." "Spores of 'Sad Moss' have been detected in the water ahead. The water may contain hallucinogenic components, so we do not recommend using it."

Barton, wielding a greatsword and tower shield, guarded the flanks of the group. His fiery protective aura was contained, like a silent rock, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

The four worked together seamlessly, cautiously advancing towards the possible area marked at the end of Uncle Pip's diary.

However, the dangers of the Shattered Star Mountains far exceeded what was written on paper. As they ventured deeper, the surrounding environment began to undergo even more bizarre changes.

They passed through a silent woodland, where all the trees were twisted into the agonizing silhouettes of human figures, their bark oozing a dark red sap that emitted a mixture of rust and a sweet, cloying odor. A suffocating sense of despair permeated the air.

"It's the 'Painful Woods'!" Lilith's face paled. "Countless lives have been tormented and died here. The intense negative emotions have polluted the environment, creating a natural field of spiritual curse! Get out of here immediately!"

The group sped through the woods, each person feeling a heavy weight in their heart, as if countless hands were dragging their souls away. Rowe had to channel a faint trace of the "Keystone Rune - Stability" to help everyone keep their minds focused.

Then, they encountered a sudden "spatial refraction" phenomenon—the scene ahead split and reassembled like a shattered mirror, the original mountain path disappeared, and in its place was a constantly rolling, colorful mist, from which the cries for help from their comrades and the roars of monsters could be faintly heard.

"It's an illusion! Everyone stay where you are, hold hands!" Luo Wei shouted, unleashing his spatial awareness at full power, struggling to distinguish the boundary between reality and illusion. "Follow me, every step you take must land where I place my foot!"

Like a blind man leading the way, he guided the team through the distorted light and shadow, nearly stepping into sudden, light-swallowing spatial rifts several times. Only his fractions of a second's advance warning and the team's absolute trust saved them from danger.

Darkmoon Academy World Encyclopedia: Spatial Refraction

One of the high-risk phenomena in the Shattered Star Mountains. Due to the extremely unstable spatial structure, the propagation paths of light and energy are severely distorted and overlapped, leading to complete confusion of vision, hearing, and even mental perception. One may see things that don't exist, hear sounds from distant places, or even perceive teammates in the opposite direction. This can easily cause the team to become separated or fall into deadly traps. Only those with extreme spatial sensitivity or who possess special, stable magical artifacts may have a chance to barely discern the true path.

After several close calls, they finally approached their target area—a deep, misty valley nestled between two oddly shaped mountain peaks. According to Uncle Pip's diary, the colorful mushrooms were somewhere in this valley.

However, as soon as he stepped into the valley, Lowe felt a strong, ominous premonition.

The space here is unusually "smooth," even eerily so, as if all the wrinkles and cracks have been forcibly smoothed out by some force. But beneath this smoothness lies a deeper, more viscous sense of nothingness. A sweet, cloying fragrance permeates the air, and the surroundings are eerily silent; even the sound of the wind has vanished.

"Everyone be careful, something's wrong here." Luo Wei lowered his voice, his spatial perception extending forward like tentacles, but it seemed to sink into a bottomless quagmire, the information returning was extremely blurry and chaotic.

Lilith's compass needle completely malfunctioned, spinning wildly. Lina anxiously signaled, "The scent is strange; it can paralyze our senses. Quickly, use the antidote!"

The four immediately took the antidote prepared by Lilith, and their minds cleared instantly.

As they ventured deeper into the valley, the fog thickened, reducing visibility to almost nothing. Suddenly, Lina, who was walking ahead, exclaimed softly, "Look over there!"

Following the direction she pointed, through a gap in the thick fog, the group saw faint, iridescent light shimmering on a rock face not far away! The light was soft and dreamlike, constantly changing colors, and its shape did indeed resemble a peculiar type of fungus.

"Found it?" Barton's spirits lifted.

Luo Wei suddenly grabbed him: "Wait! Don't go over there! Spatial perception... is completely disabled! The spatial structure there... is fake!"

The moment the words were spoken, the sweet, cloying aroma around us intensified! The scene before us rippled like water!

The seven-colored light on the rock wall suddenly magnified and twisted, transforming into countless dazzling ribbons of light that seemed to possess life as they coiled around the crowd! At the same time, blurry, distorted figures emerged from the surrounding mist—some were the terrified faces of Pip's caravan members, some were the images of people they cared about or feared deep in their hearts, and even the coldly smiling figure of Master Elena and the terrifying abyssal giant hand from the Tower of Slumber appeared!

These phantoms emitted silent wails or seductive whispers, frantically assaulting the four people's mental defenses!

"It's a mirage! A massive swarm of mirages! They've woven a trap, and those mushrooms are the bait!" Lilith screamed, scattering handfuls of holy light dust!

A blinding burst of white light temporarily repelled the approaching phantoms, but more phantoms poured out of the mist, seemingly endless. The flashbang's effect was also greatly diminished; the phantoms, after being blasted apart, quickly reformed.

Barton roared and swung his greatsword, his fiery aura evaporating the approaching phantoms. However, there were too many phantoms, and the physical attack had limited effect, causing his battle aura to deplete rapidly.

Lina kept throwing out smelly pollen and fissure moss sachets in an attempt to disrupt the mirage's aggregation, but to little avail.

Luo Wei focused his mind intently, his "Heart of Analysis" operating frantically, attempting to see through the illusion's true nature. In his unique vision, the phantoms were not physical entities, but rather composed of countless distorted streams of information and ethereal energy, filled with negative emotions. Their source of power was this abnormal spatial region, smoothed by a special force and now resembling a mirror! This was a mirage's nest!

"Their power comes from this space! We must disrupt the peace here!" Lowe shouted. "Lilith! Space Stabilizer! Don't stabilize, reverse the activation, create turbulence!"

Lilith instantly understood, and immediately took out several bottles of precious space stabilizing reagents, smashing them hard against the surrounding ground!

The reagent bottle shattered, and instead of finding a stable environment, the medicine inside experienced a violent energy conflict under Lilith's deliberate guidance!

Om-! ! !

A deep rumble resounded, and the originally smooth, mirror-like spatial structure instantly rippled violently, like the surface of water tossed with a pebble!

The surrounding phantoms emitted a silent shriek, their forms became extremely unstable, flickering and their power greatly diminished!

"It works!" Barton was greatly encouraged, and with a swing of his greatsword, he instantly cleared away a large area of ​​illusions.

However, their actions seemed to enrage the core of the lair. From the depths of the thick fog came an angry, inhuman howl. All the phantoms receded like a tide, converging and merging into a gigantic, shapeless, and ever-changing mirage aggregate!

It exuded a despair-inducing pressure, comparable to a high-level demon! Its enormous body was entirely composed of distorted illusions and void energy, and it pounced directly on the four of them!

"Scatter!" Barton roared, raising his tower shield and unleashing his full power of Flame Protection to withstand the frontal impact of the aggregate!

boom!

Barton was sent flying as if struck by a battering ram, crashing heavily into the rock wall. The runes on his tower shield dimmed instantly, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Though his defense was strong, the power of this aggregate was far beyond ordinary.

Lilith's potion and Lina's interference methods had little effect on this massive aggregate.

Luo Wei's eyes narrowed; he knew conventional methods would be insufficient to achieve victory. He took a deep breath, focusing all his attention on his eyes, maximizing his spatial perception and information-gathering abilities, and locking onto the massive mirage aggregate!

In his view, the aggregate was not invincible. At its core, there was a constantly shifting, unstable node composed of highly concentrated void energy and information turbulence! That was its weakness, and also the source of its power!

"Barton! To the left front, three meters above the ground, that constantly flickering dark vortex! Attack there with all your might!" Lowe shouted hoarsely, pressing his hands together as he mobilized the newly generated spatial energy within his body. He no longer used it for defense or perception, but instead attempted to create extremely difficult microscopic interference! He wanted to create extremely subtle spatial folds around that node, making it more unstable and creating an opportunity for Barton!

This was a huge burden for him, and even the deepest imprints in his soul were slightly agitated as a result.

Barton trusted Rowe's judgment without reservation. He roared, ignoring his injuries, and channeled all his fighting spirit into his greatsword, unleashing his strongest attack—"Explosive Flame Slash: Concentrated Thrust!"

The blazing sword energy condensed into an extremely thin crimson ray, which shot with astonishing speed and precision toward the location indicated by Luo Wei!

At the same time, the spatial folds created by Loewe were also formed!

puff!

A sound like a balloon being popped rang out! The flame ray struck the extremely unstable node with pinpoint accuracy!

The enormous mirage aggregate suddenly froze, letting out a deafening, silent roar filled with pain and resentment. Its massive body twisted and expanded violently before finally exploding with a deafening roar! It transformed into countless scattered fragments of void energy and information that quickly dissipated!

The terrifying pressure vanished instantly.

The thick fog gradually dissipated, revealing the valley's original appearance—a desolate, silent area filled with ordinary gray rocks. Where was the rainbow light?

However, at the very core of the mirage aggregate's explosion, something lay quietly on the ground.

It wasn't the expected rainbow-colored mushroom, but a fist-sized, irregularly shaped, pure black stone that exuded a deep, almost impenetrable aura, as if it could absorb all light. Its surface was adorned with countless tiny, star-like specks of rainbow light, slowly flickering and emitting an extremely faint yet uniquely distinctive fluctuation of information.

The gray stone slab in Luo Wei's arms once again resonated with a clear and peaceful feeling, even stronger than when it pointed to the Discipline Tower and when he heard the description!

The source of the guidance is this peculiar stone!

The four people gathered around, looking at the stone that had burst out from the core of the mirage with surprise and uncertainty.

"What is this...?" Lilith asked curiously, reaching out to touch it, but was stopped by Rowe in time.

"Don't move! Its information field is very strong, but its structure is unknown, and it might be dangerous." Luo Wei cautiously probed with his spatial perception. "The mirages are gathering here, even creating illusions of seven-colored mushrooms, perhaps to protect or... devour it?"

Lina sensed it carefully and whispered, "It... is very sad... but also very pure... as if many, many stories are sealed inside..."

A thought struck Lowe, recalling the conjecture in Carlson's notes. Could this stone be some kind of natural "information sediment"? A miniature fragment of a "source library"?

He carefully took out a specially made insulating cloth, wrapped the black stone in it, and put it in his backpack. The stone's resonance immediately diminished.

Although the process was thrilling and the expected mushrooms were not found, this unexpected gain seems to be of greater value.

Just as they were about to rest, check Barton's injuries, and then leave, Rowe's spatial perception suddenly detected an unusual, rapidly approaching spatial disturbance coming from afar!

It's not a natural fissure, but more like... fluctuations caused by short-distance spatial teleportation!

And there's more than one!

"Someone's coming! They're fast! Get ready to be on guard!" Luo Wei shouted immediately, his relaxed nerves tensing up again.

Who is it that appears in this dangerous area at this time?

Friend or foe?