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Chen Ye looked at the remaining two interaction opportunities. He needed to convert or cancel out the energy and logical properties of the "dissipating" star.

His gaze fell upon a star outside the triangular area, its energy level at 3 and its rune the word "Absorb". The "Absorb" rune can absorb specific types of energy and logical properties.

However, the trajectory of the "absorbing" star does not directly intersect with the "dissipating" star within the triangular region. A transfer is required.

Chen Ye quickly locked onto a tiny star that was hovering nearby, with an energy level of 1 and the rune "Connection". The "Connection" rune itself has almost no energy, but it can serve as a temporary logical bridge.

The fourth interaction! Chen Ye manipulated the "Connection" star to draw a brief energy trajectory between the "Dissipation" star and the "Absorption" star, "connecting" the two.

The energy (2) and properties of the "Dissipating" star are slowly absorbed by the "Absorbing" star through the "Connecting" bridge. The energy of the "Absorbing" star rises to 5, while the energy of the "Dissipating" star drops to 0, the runes dim, and it temporarily loses its activity.

Within the triangular region, only two active stars remain: “Basic” (4) and “Transformation” (14), with a total energy of 18, slightly lower than the target of 20, but with a clearer and more stable logic chain.

This is your last chance to interact!
Chen Ye looked at the "Amplification" star, which had initially interacted with the "Flowing" star, whose energy had decreased to 5, and whose logic chain had changed to "Flowing-Amplification (Weakening)". Its current position was exactly where it briefly intersected with the "Basic" star in the triangular region.

"That's it!"

Fifth interaction! Chen Ye connects the "Amplification (Weakening)" star with the "Basic" star.

“基础”星的能量从4提升至9，同时获得了微弱的“增幅”特性。整个三角区域的能量总和变为：基础（9）+转化（14）=23，超过了目标20。但更重要的是，一个完整的逻辑闭环形成了！
"Flow (external) → Increase (weakening) → Foundation (internal) → Transformation (internal) → Transmission (external bridge) → Increase (external source)..."

Although the closed loop is not strong due to the weakening of the "amplification" star, it has indeed formed a self-sustaining, energy-flowing micro-logical system. The triangular region stably emits soft starlight, and the energy fluctuation is maintained at around 20 (due to the adjustment effect of the logical closed loop, the actual output is slightly higher than the input, but it is automatically balanced by the system).

"Basic logic puzzle, solved successfully. Time taken: one-sixth of standard time. Rating: Excellent." Sage Sophia's voice rang out, still calm, but Chen Ye seemed to detect an extremely faint...praise?
As the starlight faded, Chen Ye stood once more in the mausoleum, facing the data stream tomb of Sage Sophia.

He felt a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead, his mind quite exhausted. Although the rehearsal was brief, the intense logical deduction, spatial calculations, and timing required had taken a heavy toll on his mental energy.

"Your logical foundation is decent, and you have a basic understanding of the dynamic characteristics of the Star Runes. However, your adaptability and multi-dimensional thinking skills still need further refinement," Sage Sophia commented. "The puzzles in the real corridor are more varied, more disruptive, and subject to time pressure."

"Remember, the essence of wisdom lies in seeing the rules beneath the surface, utilizing those rules, and even... redefining them under specific conditions. Don't be bound by fixed mindsets."

"This item is given to you; it may provide a crucial clue in the corridor. But use it with caution; relying on external things is not the way of a wise person."

A tiny, silvery chip, resembling a crystal chip, separated from the data stream and floated into Chen Ye's hand. The chip was cool to the touch, and it seemed as if countless tiny points of light were flowing inside.

"Logic Hint Chip (One-Time Use): Can be used when encountering an unsolvable logic deadlock, providing a hint of the optimal deduction path based on the current information. It becomes invalid after use."

"Thank you, wise one!" Chen Ye carefully put away the chip. This thing was equivalent to a life-saving opportunity, and could be priceless in a critical moment.

Just as he put away the chip and was about to express his gratitude again, the entire mausoleum space suddenly trembled slightly!
Above, the starlight began to shift faster and dim! An invisible, gentle yet irresistible repulsive force began to permeate the air.

Three hours have passed!
"The time limit has been reached. Successor, depart." The grand voice of the mausoleum's guardian spirit rang out again, this time with a hint of urging.

Chen Ye dared not delay and bowed deeply one last time before the tomb of Sage Sophia and the entire mausoleum space.

"Junior Chen Ye thanks all the esteemed predecessors for their guidance! I will certainly live up to their expectations!"

After saying that, he turned around and walked quickly back towards the entrance.

They arrived slowly and returned hastily.

As he stepped out of the passage and stood once again before the two stone statues and the open doorway, the doorway behind him began to slowly close.

The golden light in the statue's eyes gazed at him calmly.

"Inheritor, may you rediscover the Holy Light and reactivate the Star Array. The spirits of our ancestors are with you."

The portal was completely closed, restoring its original smooth, mirror-like appearance.

Chen Ye stood in the cave, feeling the significantly enhanced power of the Holy Blood within his body, the vast new knowledge in his mind, and the precious items in his arms.

Although his injuries and spiritual power have not fully recovered, his foundation is more solid, his direction is clearer, and he has also obtained key auxiliary tools.

More importantly, he has a deeper understanding of "loyalty" and has a preliminary understanding and preparation for the upcoming trial of "wisdom" (the Starry Sky Puzzle Corridor).

He looked at the teleportation platform he had come from. It was completely dark and clearly unusable for the time being.

Now, he must find a way to leave this place, reunite with Jiu Feng and the others, and then head to the "Lost Garden" to find the "Star Speaker" and obtain the first fragment of the Holy Spirit's Heart. After that, he must find a way to enter the Tower of Eternity to obtain the Star Key of Wisdom and the Star Key of Courage, and finally, when the starlight converges, enter the Star Core to awaken the Holy Spirit's radiance.

The task is arduous and time is of the essence.

But Chen Ye's eyes were filled with unprecedented confidence and fighting spirit.

With the legacy and expectations of their ancestors on their shoulders, and the waiting of their companions ahead, the shadow of the Dark Abyss looms over the starry sky.

He must move forward.

He walked to the edge of the cave and observed the outside environment.

This place seems to be inside the sacred mountain, where a narrow, natural stone staircase winds its way upwards, leading into unknown darkness. The air is filled with a rich, holy aura and the cold smell of rocks.

Chen Ye climbed up the stone steps. The steps were slippery and covered with moss, clearly indicating that no one had walked on them for a long time.

After climbing for about half an hour, a glimmer of light appeared ahead. He quickened his pace and finally emerged from a hidden crevice in the mountainside.

Suddenly, everything became clear.

He stood on a protruding platform halfway up the sacred mountain. Below the platform lay a bottomless, dark valley; above it rose the majestic main peak of the sacred mountain, shrouded in a pale golden halo. At the summit, the outline of the Eternal Tower was faintly visible in the hazy light, still dim and lifeless. To his left, about several hundred feet away, on another ridge, an area shrouded in pale purple mist was vaguely visible. Within the mist, the shadows of exotic flowers and rare herbs swayed, and the faint sound of flowing water could be heard, a stark contrast to the solemnity of the surrounding sacred mountain, filled with an atmosphere of dreamlike mystery.

"Could that be the 'Lost Garden'?" Chen Ye's heart skipped a beat. According to the information left at Elvira's cenotaph, the Lost Garden was located in the Holy Mountain area.

He took out the "Star Key Resonance Disc" and tried to activate it. The silver patterns on the disc's surface glowed slightly, but the light was extremely dim, and the sensing range was indeed only about ten miles. The center of the disc pointed in three directions: one towards the main peak of the Holy Mountain (towards the Tower of Eternity), with strong and chaotic fluctuations; one towards the pale purple mist area on the left, with weak but pure fluctuations; and the other towards the distance below the mountain (possibly in the direction where Jiu Feng and the others were), with fluctuations that were almost imperceptible.

"The fluctuations pointing towards the fog area... though weak, are very pure, somewhat similar to the description of the Heart of the Holy Spirit. Could the first fragment really be there?" Chen Ye pondered. "But the fluctuations are too weak; it could just be a special energy emanating from the garden itself."

In any case, he had to investigate first.

He carefully followed the ridge towards the area of ​​pale purple mist. The mountain path was rugged, but fortunately, he encountered no danger. The Holy Mountain area seemed to be protected by an invisible force; the traces of the Dark Abyss's erosion were far less than those in the forest and river valleys, with only some scattered, faint traces of chaotic energy remaining.

The closer one gets to the mist, the fainter the holy aura in the air becomes, replaced by a strange energy that relaxes the mind and lulls one into a deep sleep. Faint songs and whispers can be heard in the distance, indistinguishable from reality or illusion.

Finally, he reached the edge of the fog.

The mist didn't completely obscure his vision; rather, it flowed like a veil, allowing him to vaguely discern the scene within: a garden beyond the comprehension of ordinary description. There were paths formed by glowing mushrooms, streams flowing with silvery liquid, trees with leaves as clear as crystal, and countless flowers he had never seen before, radiating a dreamlike glow. Deeper into the garden, the outlines of pavilions and towers seemed to appear, but even more indistinct.

At the entrance to the garden stood a waist-high, smooth white jade stele. Inscribed on the stele were the script of the Holy Spirit Clan:
Lost Garden

"The boundary between dreams and reality, the place where mental images are projected."

"Entry is forbidden without permission; otherwise, you will remain in a state of perpetual slumber."

The warning is quite strong.

Chen Ye stood before the stone tablet, pondering for a moment. He needed to enter the garden, find the "Star Speaker," pass her test, and obtain the fragment of the Holy Spirit's Heart.

But how do you find a "Star Speaker"? And how do you pass the test?

He recalled the message Elvira had left behind: "...hidden in... the 'Lost Garden'... in the deepest part of the dream..."

"The deepest dream..." Chen Ye murmured to himself. Was he about to enter some kind of dream state?
He tried to probe his thoughts into the mist. The mist gently enveloped his thoughts, bringing a drowsy feeling, but there was no further reaction.

He then tried to activate the trace of "life imprint" within his body, a gift from the Ionian prophet and belonging to Elvira.

As this faint yet unique aura of life emanated, the mist in front of them suddenly rippled slightly!

The mist parted to reveal a winding path paved with glowing mushrooms, leading deep into the garden.

At the same time, a woman's voice, ethereal and otherworldly, as if coming from the depths of countless dreams, softly rang out:

"The breath of life... the mark of Lady Elvira..."

"Stranger, what brings you here?"

Chen Ye's spirits lifted, and he proclaimed loudly into the depths of the mist, "This junior, Chen Ye, has come under the guidance of Senior Elvira to seek the 'Star Speaker' and obtain the fragments of the Holy Spirit's Heart in order to fulfill the mission of restarting the Holy Spirit's Radiance and fighting against the Dark Abyss!"

A moment of silence fell over the garden.

Then, that ethereal voice rang out again, carrying a hint of curiosity and scrutiny:

“Mission… Fragment… Star Speaker…”

"I am but a remnant of the 'Star Speaker' here."

"To obtain the fragments, you must enter my dream and resolve my doubts."

"However, dreams are unpredictable, and the mind is full of countless images. To become immersed in them may lead to eternal sleep."

"Do you dare enter my dreams?"

Chen Ye took a deep breath, his gaze resolute.

"This junior is willing to try entering your dream!"

"As you wish."

As the ethereal voice faded, the glowing mushroom path in front of Chen Ye suddenly twisted and extended, and the surrounding pale purple mist seemed to come alive, surging and enveloping him!

An intense drowsiness swept over him, crashing against Chen Ye's consciousness like a tidal wave. He felt his body become light and ethereal, as if he were about to melt into this dreamlike mist.

He tried to stay conscious and attempted to circulate the power of the Holy Blood, but that warm and vibrant power seemed to vanish into thin air, instead making the drowsiness even more intense and irresistible.

"Give up resistance... Dream... Accept..." The Star Speaker's voice, like a lullaby, lingered in my ears.

Alarm bells rang in Chen Ye's mind. He knew that once he completely lost consciousness, he might truly be trapped in this eerie dream garden forever.

But if you don't enter the dream world, how can you find the Star Speaker and pass the test?

He recalled the teachings of the sage Sophia: "The essence of wisdom lies in seeing the rules beneath appearances and utilizing those rules..." He also recalled the hint in the ancient lamp: "Light... needs light... true light..."

“True light…” Chen Ye’s heart stirred. The power of holy blood, the power of the star crown, and even the “light of enlightenment” all seemed to be suppressed or distorted here. But there was another kind of “light” that might be unaffected—that was… the “light of one’s true nature”? Or rather, the “light of wisdom” condensed from one’s own will and cognition?
He stopped trying to fight off drowsiness with his strength, and instead slowly closed his eyes, sinking his mind into the depths of his consciousness.

There, he found everything he had experienced, his perseverance, his questions, his understanding of "loyalty," the knowledge he gained from the sages, and his hopes and responsibilities for the future. (End of Chapter)