The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Inside the "Stargazer" eco-capsule, time slipped away quietly amidst a tense but orderly flurry of activity. Since deciding to make this place their base and take root in this ravaged world, the surviving small group has been like a tightly wound gear, operating at full speed.

Mentor Verna (Elena, whose consciousness was dominated by the Star Speaker) devoted almost all her time to analyzing and deducing repair plans for the "Heart of the Stars" engine. Leveraging her knowledge as a high-level Star Speaker and combining it with the vast data in the starship's database, she continuously optimized the repair path. However, the core problem remained the scarcity of high-purity energy crystals (star crystals) and several key rare metals. Without these materials, even the most perfect plan was merely a castle in the air. Her aura grew increasingly deep and focused, as if she were attempting some kind of deep meditation to restore more of the depleted primordial star power, but progress was slow.

Lilith was completely immersed in the vast ocean of starship databases. The advanced alchemy, energy-matter conversion principles, and gene-modification techniques opened a whole new door for her. She was no longer content with merely concocting potions; instead, she began experimenting with the starship's remaining, limited "matter reconstruction units" to analyze and replicate basic starship repair materials, and even attempted to improve existing healing potion formulas to more effectively combat the residual pollution of abyssal energy. Her mental strength steadily increased through efficient learning and practice, and her microscopic manipulation of energy greatly improved, solidifying her position at the peak of advanced apprenticeship, touching the threshold of a quasi-wizard. With Lina's assistance, her prototype "Abyssal Purification Potion" showed a certain neutralizing effect on small-scale pollution.

Elder Anderson's injuries had largely healed under the life support system, but the loss of the Discipline Tower's authority and the Academy he had protected his entire life had aged him considerably. He devoted most of his energy to studying the starship's database on the history, geography, and resource distribution of the continent of Chilva and its surrounding areas, hoping to plan safe routes for the team's future resource gathering and external communications. At the same time, he also began to reflect on the gains and losses of the Discipline Tower, occasionally exchanging views with Verna on the construction of order and the nature of power, their relationship subtly easing somewhat.

As Verna's assistant, Anne eagerly learned the basics of Star Speaker. Her natural affinity and star power seemed to complement each other, leading to rapid progress and a stable position in the late intermediate apprentice stage. Lina, on the other hand, played an irreplaceable role in "early warning" and "harmonizing." Her natural perception resonated with the starship's life support system, allowing her to detect subtle anomalies in energy flow and even soothe any anxiety that might arise from prolonged confinement. She also meticulously cultivated several plant samples brought back from the outside world that had survived the pollution of the Abyss, attempting to establish a miniature ecological cycle experimental zone within the starship.

Barton was the most restless member of the team. While the starship's training facilities were advanced, they couldn't satisfy his thirst for real combat and exploration. After familiarizing himself with the basic operation of several energy weapons in the starship's arsenal, he repeatedly requested to go out and explore again, his target being the areas suspected of containing mineral deposits discovered during previous reconnaissance.

As for Luo Wei himself, he faced entirely new challenges. As the temporary holder of the "Stargazer's" access and the de facto core of the team, he not only had to coordinate the work of all parties, but also prioritized improving his own strength. In the starship's rich astral energy environment, his Star Speaker path training progressed rapidly. The core of his stellar runes became increasingly solid, his control over stellar power became exquisite, and he had mastered several practical stellar spells such as "Starlight Barrier," "Star Pull," and "Starlight Ray." He even began to try more complex combinations of runes to simulate a small-scale "Star Purification" field. Although the effect was far inferior to that of Verna, it was still a great help for squad-level operations.

However, the biggest bottleneck remained—his cultivation level. He learned from the Key of Stars and Verna that the advancement of a Star Speaker differed from that of a traditional wizard. It wasn't simply about accumulating energy; it required a profound understanding of the rules of the stars and a deep resonance with the energy of the astral plane. The leap from a prospective wizard to a full-fledged Star Speaker (first ring) required a crucial "Morning Star" ritual, guiding stellar power to inscribe one's unique "natal star symbol" within the soul. This required not only accumulation but also a stroke of luck.

Current team status summary:

Lovi: Quasi-Wizard (Peak of the Star Speaker Path), his strength is steadily increasing, but he is facing a bottleneck in his advancement. He is the team leader and coordinator.

Verna: Her strength is unfathomable (at least at the third level, not fully recovered), chief technical advisor, and core member of the repair plan.

Barton: Peak Quasi-Wizard (Starry Sky Battle Aura), main combat force, eager for external action.

Lilith: Peak Advanced Apprentice (Alchemy/Potion), Technical Backbone, Logistics Support.

Lina: Novice Apprentice (Natural Affinity/Spiritual Awareness), Early Warning and Support Core.

Annie: Late-stage intermediate apprentice (Star Speaker apprentice), Verna's assistant, rapidly growing in skill.

Anderson: Former third-ring wizard (damaged in strength, mentally unstable), intelligence analyst and strategic advisor.

Overall: The base is operating smoothly and accumulating technology. The main problem is resource shortage and lack of external intelligence.

On this day, as Luo Wei was in the training room trying to combine "Star Traction" with "Glimmer Concealment" to create a new movement technique, the Star Core's notification sounded:

[WARNING! Persistent, anomalous spatial fluctuations detected. Source: Delta region (located approximately 300 kilometers northwest of the former Academy ruins, marked as an ancient battlefield). The fluctuation characteristics show 71.3% similarity to 'unstable spatial rifts' or 'large-scale energy focusing phenomena' recorded in the database. The fluctuation intensity is slowly increasing.]

Ancient battlefield ruins? Spatial fluctuations? A thought struck Luo Wei. Verna had mentioned that this area was one of the sites of fierce battles between the Stargazers and the Abyss's kin in ancient times; perhaps Stargazer facilities or…remains remained? Any ruins related to the Stargazers could contain crucial resources or technology for repairing starships!

He immediately convened a meeting of core members to discuss the matter.

"The fluctuations are intensifying. It could be the imminent appearance of some kind of relic, or it could be a harbinger of spatial collapse." Verna frowned slightly as she looked at the energy scan projected from the star core. "More than one Star Speaker has perished on that battlefield. The energy environment is extremely complex and chaotic, and it may even retain powerful abyssal curses. The risk is very high."

"But the opportunities are equally huge!" Barton's eyes lit up. "What if we find star crystals or that rare metal? It's better than just waiting here!"

Lilith was cautious: "We need more data. The type of fluctuation, the level of energy radiation, and whether there are any signs of life? Going there blindly is too dangerous."

Elder Anderson added, "That area is located on the edge of the continent's sphere of influence, close to the dangerous 'Withered Woods,' and few forces venture there except for adventurers. If the ruins were to appear, the commotion would likely attract other attention."

After a moment's thought, Lowe made his decision: "Risk and opportunity coexist. Lina, could you try to remotely sense the energy flow and life force in that area? Lilith, we need to quickly build several long-range reconnaissance robots that can operate for extended periods and are highly resistant to interference. Barton, prepare for an attack, but this time it's not a full-scale assault, it's reconnaissance. Mentor Verna, please assist us in analyzing the fluctuation data and preparing a plan to deal with any potential Star Speakers or Abyss-related traps."

With a clear division of labor, the team once again operated efficiently. Lina's perception was limited by distance and energy interference; she could only vaguely sense an intense atmosphere of death and chaos permeating the area, along with a faint...stellar afterglow, but no signs of large-scale life gathering. Lilith successfully modified several small engineering and maintenance robots using the starship's manufacturing units, adding simple energy sensors and image transmission modules. Verna provided several methods for identifying and dealing with ancient star-speaker rune traps and low-level abyssal curses.

Several days later, everything was ready. The reconnaissance team, consisting of Lowe, Barton, Lina, and three reconnaissance robots, once again left the "Stargazer" via a short-range teleportation array and stealthily headed towards the ancient battlefield ruins.

The journey was far from smooth. The closer they got to their destination, the more desolate and lifeless the environment became. The land took on a sickly gray-black hue, and the air was thick with corrosive, volatile energy. Occasionally, they would encounter mutated creatures corrupted by the abyss's aura and the skeletal remains of wandering undead. The team had to be even more cautious, relying on Lina's senses and Rowe's stellar perception to avoid danger.

After three days of arduous trekking, they finally reached the outskirts of their target area. The scene before them was breathtaking: a boundless, fragmented wasteland, riddled with bottomless cracks and twisted, crystalline landforms, as if ripped apart by an immense force. A oppressive energy pressure permeated the air, with eerie energy lightning occasionally flashing through the clouds. The source of the spatial fluctuations detected by the star core was located in the heart of the wasteland.

They found a relatively secluded cliff and set up a temporary camp. Lilith controlled the reconnaissance robots, which split into three groups and cautiously advanced towards the center of the fluctuations.

The transmitted images were chilling. As they ventured deeper, massive, shattered metal structures began to appear on the ground, similar in style to the "Stargazer," but far more ancient and…grotesque, covered in enormous claw marks and the imprints of energy weapon bombardments. These were the wreckage of the Stargazer warship! And not just one! Like the skeletons of colossal beasts, they lay scattered across the wasteland, telling the tragic story of that ancient war.

"This...is a graveyard of starships..." Barton said in a low voice.

Suddenly, the signal from one of the robots became extremely unstable, the image shook violently, and finally froze on a stunning scene—at the bottom of a huge impact crater ahead, a relatively intact half of a ship's hull, with a completely different style, was stuck diagonally! It was entirely dark silver, with smooth lines, and a complex emblem composed of stars and eyes could be faintly seen on the bow! And the intense spatial fluctuations were emanating from the broken part of this half of the hull!

"It's a ship from the 'Observer' series!" The Star Core's voice echoed in Luo Wei's mind, carrying a rare fluctuation. [Database comparison confirms the insignia belongs to the 'Eyes of the Distant Future' observation fleet under the Stargazer civilization. According to the last signal record, this fleet was responsible for covering the rear and detonating the hyperspace engine during the 'Final War' to stop the Abyss pursuers…]

Observer sequence! Lowe immediately recalled the mysterious star map he had found in the ruins of the Discipline Tower! Could this wreckage be related to the "ultimate signal source" that the star map pointed to?

Just then, another robot near the fracture point transmitted back a clearer image: inside the fractured hull, there appeared to be a relatively intact compartment, with runes still faintly flickering on the walls, and in the center, a complex device encased in crystal that was constantly releasing unstable arcs of energy!

"Is that... a core component of the 'Astral Beacon'? Or... an energy focuser for some kind of weapon array?" Verna's voice came through the communicator, filled with incredible excitement. "If we could obtain it, it might greatly accelerate the repair of the 'Heart of the Stars'! Perhaps... even unlock some advanced functions of the starship!"

Hope was within reach! But danger lurked nearby. Lina's face suddenly turned deathly pale. She grabbed Luo Wei's arm, her voice trembling, "Brother Luo Wei! Down underground... there are... so many cold, hungry things... awakened by the energy fluctuations! They... have come up!"

The words had barely left his lips when the earth began to tremble slightly! The ground around the impact crater cracked open, and countless pale, stitched-together monsters and skeletal golems, composed of bones and rotting flesh and exuding a strong abyssal aura, surged forth from the ground like a tide! These were undead creatures nurtured by the lingering deathly aura and abyssal pollution of the ancient battlefield, now activated by the abnormal spatial fluctuations, surrounding the half-ship wreckage—and the reconnaissance team at the edge of the crater!

"Prepare for battle!" Rowe shouted sharply, his star power instantly spreading throughout his body. Barton's greatsword was drawn, its blazing star energy burning fiercely. Lina quickly scattered seeds, causing thorny barriers to sprout, each radiating a purifying light.

However, there were too many undead, including several Abyssal Abominations that were over five meters tall and exuded the aura of a formal wizard!

The reconnaissance mission instantly turned into a life-or-death battle to break through the encirclement! And the alluring remains of the stargazers and the mysterious device within them seemed to have become a deadly trap.

As Luo Wei unleashed his starlight rays to pick off the charging skeletons, his mind raced. A direct assault to seize the device was nearly impossible; he had to outsmart them! He glanced at the broken section of the ship's hull, which was radiating spatial fluctuations, and a risky plan formed in his mind.

"Barton! Lena! Get closer! We're going into that crevice!" Rowe pointed to the broken section of the wreckage. "The space there is unstable; it might be our chance to survive! And a shortcut to that device!"

Can they successfully break through the wreckage surrounded by the undead army and access the ancient device that could change the course of the war? And what secrets and dangers lie hidden inside the wreckage of this "Observer" series starship?