Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 224 "Eternal Inscription"

At this point, only a few days remained until the "alignment of stars and rings".

Ron's "Flowing Barrier" is just one point away from being upgraded.

He had made enough basic attempts, the only one he hadn't done was the special technique Hayek revealed at the end—activating the protective barrier using abyssal matter as a medium.

"Abyssal matter as a medium to activate the protective barrier," Ron thought with a mixture of anticipation and caution.

Hayek's warning still rings in our ears—while abyssal matter can greatly enhance the effectiveness of protective barriers, it also brings risks that cannot be ignored.

"After weighing the options, it's still worth a try." Ron made the decision and began preparing for the final set of experiments.

He took out a small bottle of black, viscous substance from a specially made sealed box—a special liquid extracted from the body of the lion scorpion, containing trace amounts of abyssal energy.

It was one of the assets he acquired through his relationship with Hayek and the school of thought.

Compared to purer abyssal material, this purified and processed liquid is more stable and has relatively lower risks.

Ron carefully added a drop of liquid to the mixing medium and observed the changes.

At first, the liquid seemed to be rejected, floating on the surface of the medium and unable to integrate.

Ron tried several different methods, but none of them could get it to blend successfully.

"It seems that mixing them directly won't work."

He pondered this, then recalled a detail from Hayek's demonstration—that abyssal matter requires specific "guidance" to be accepted by normal media.

Ron adjusted his strategy, first using his mental energy to construct a miniature guiding array around the droplet, and then carefully guiding it into the core of the hybrid medium.

This time, the abyssal liquid slowly merged into the medium, causing a series of subtle changes.

The medium gradually darkened, taking on a hint of dark blue sheen.

More notably, the media itself seems to have come "alive."

It is no longer a static powder, but flows slowly like a liquid, and even spontaneously forms complex ripple patterns without the action of external force.

"The energy has been successfully introduced, but the abyssal energy is still too active and needs further stabilization."

Ron observed the changes and quickly jotted down key data in his notebook.

He tried several different stabilization methods and finally chose a special energy sealing technique.

The energy of the abyss is confined within a certain range to prevent its excessive diffusion and erosion.

The media gradually stabilized, and although it still maintained its "activity," it no longer appeared so frenzied and unruly.

Ron nodded in satisfaction and began trying to build a new protective barrier.

This time, the formation process of the protective wall was significantly different.

Without his complex mental guidance, the media seemed to "understand" his intentions and automatically arranged themselves according to the expected pattern.

The three-layer structure no longer needs to be built step by step, but is formed almost simultaneously, and the energy channels between each layer are also generated naturally without the need for additional design.

“This is the effect of activation,” Ron murmured, looking at the protective barrier in front of him that seemed to have “life” in it.

It is no longer static and passive like ordinary protective walls, but constantly pulsates slightly, and the texture on the surface is also slowly flowing and changing, as if it is "breathing".

Even more amazingly, it seems to be able to sense its surroundings.

When Ron approaches, the barrier will expand slightly to accommodate him, and when a potential threat approaches, the defense of the corresponding area will be automatically strengthened.

“It’s truly amazing.” Ron walked around the protective barrier, carefully observing every detail of the changes.

The active properties of the protective wall greatly enhance its practicality, eliminating the need for users to constantly monitor and adjust it.

It can autonomously react to changes in the surrounding environment and threats, greatly reducing the burden on mental energy.

“Almost there.” Ron pondered, recalling another key component Hayek had mentioned in his later teachings—Soul Steel.

Soul Steel is an extremely rare and difficult-to-control material with exceptional energy conductivity and malleability.

More importantly, it can remember and adapt to the user's emotional fluctuations, forming a unique resonance.

Ron took out a small fragment of soul steel from his storage bag.

This was a scrap piece left over from his previous research on Soul Steel. Although it was small, it was enough for the wall protection experiment.

"Integrating Soul Steel into the wall structure might further enhance its flexibility and adaptability."

Ron pondered for a moment and began to try to integrate the Soul Steel into the already activated protective barrier.

This process is extremely difficult, as Soul Steel itself is a very difficult material to control.

In addition, the activated protective wall has a certain "will," and there is a natural repulsion between the two.

Ron tried various methods and finally decided to adopt an extremely risky strategy—to directly integrate the Soul Steel into the core control center of the protective barrier, making it the nerve center of the entire system.

He carefully placed the Soul Steel fragments into the core of the protective barrier, and then began to guide the energy fusion between the two.

Initially, the two energies clashed violently, almost tearing the entire structure apart.

Ron had to use almost his absolute limit of mental control to barely stabilize the situation.

"Hang in there, you'll succeed soon."

Ron gritted his teeth, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

This intense mental exertion was a huge burden even for a high-level apprentice like him.

Just as he felt his mental energy was about to be exhausted...

[Experience points for flowing wall protection +1]

Breakthrough! Flowing Barrier (Proficiency 100/100) → Flowing Barrier (Mastery 1/200)

[Advanced Feature: Memory → Eternal Imprint]

(The protective barrier can not only memorize attack patterns, but also actively learn and evolve defensive strategies, forming a constantly self-improving defensive system.)

The energy of the Soul Steel and the protective barrier resonates harmoniously, eliminating conflict and replacing it with a perfect fusion.

The entire protective structure has undergone a qualitative change; it is no longer a simple three-layer structure, but has evolved into a more complex organic whole.

The Soul Steel transformed into countless tiny energy lines, spreading throughout the entire protective barrier and forming a neural network-like structure, enabling the barrier to respond to various situations more intelligently and flexibly.

Ron breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the fully activated protective barrier in front of him, his eyes gleaming with a sense of accomplishment.

The "Flowing Barrier" has finally broken through to the master level, and its properties have also advanced from "Fluid Memory" to the more powerful "Eternal Imprint".

This represents a significant leap forward from the original "memory" characteristic.

After each successful defense, the barrier analyzes the attack pattern and automatically adjusts its structure to better cope with similar attacks.

As time goes on, it will become more and more powerful, with almost no fixed weaknesses.

“Eternal Inscription.” Ron sensed the possibilities this characteristic brought.

To verify this property, Ron decided to conduct a series of more rigorous tests.

He activated various attack devices in the laboratory in stages, ranging from simple physical impacts to complex elemental attacks, and then to some advanced attack modes that simulated special spell effects.

After each round of testing, he could clearly feel the changes in the protective barrier.

Initially, the protective barrier had varying degrees of resistance to different types of attacks, some strong and some weak.

But as testing progressed, it began to rapidly adjust its structure, particularly strengthening the defenses of its weak points.

By the tenth round of testing, the protective barrier was able to easily withstand attacks that had previously caused damage.

It no longer passively endures damage, but actively anticipates the attack path and makes corresponding defensive preparations before the attack arrives.

“This is simply,” Ron exclaimed in amazement, “an ever-evolving shield system.”

He continued his testing and discovered another amazing property of this protective barrier:
It can "remember" the user's habits and preferences, and automatically adjust its own performance to better match the user's fighting style.

When Ron tries to use more aggressive attack strategies, the shield becomes more flexible and aggressive, and its active counterattack function becomes more active.

When he adopts a conservative defensive stance, the protective barrier becomes stronger and more stable to protect the user to the greatest extent.

This adaptability creates a near-perfect symbiotic relationship between the shield and the user, transforming it from a simple tool into an indispensable partner in battle.

"Perhaps this will become one of my most powerful defensive measures."

Ron concluded, looking with satisfaction at the fully evolved protective barrier, and carefully placed it into a specially made storage container.

Looking out the window at the gradually darkening sky, Ron took a deep breath and felt the power flowing within his body.

With only a few days left until the conjunction of the stars and rings, his preparations were nearing completion.

"Sonic vibration mastery, Radiant Ring mastery, and now a mastery-level Flowing Barrier."

Ron mentally assessed his combat strength, a confident smile appearing on his lips: "The Star Ring Convergence, I'm ready."

The afterglow of dusk spilled onto the windowsill of the laboratory, bathing the entire room in a golden-red light.

………………

Above the Black Mist School, the starlight was brighter and denser than usual, as if the entire night sky was decorated with countless diamond fragments.

Most striking was the northeastern sky, where several bright stars were slowly moving, forming a peculiar geometric pattern. In the distance, a dim cluster of stars, emitting an eerie purple glow, was gradually approaching that pattern.

Within the school of thought, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

The patrol density of the law enforcement team has doubled, with uniformed members guarding every corner, and even the usually deserted edge areas are now under surveillance.

All apprentices received a strict order—they were not allowed to leave their residences unless absolutely necessary, or they would be severely punished.

Near Ron's workshop, several hidden protective magic arrays quietly activated, enveloping the entire area.

These magic circles are very advanced, even bearing the distinct aura of formal wizards, clearly set up by Hayek or Soren themselves.

At the edge of the magic circle, from several hidden monitoring points, the school's mentors remained highly vigilant.

"Is everything alright?" Hayek's voice came from the shadows, low and cautious.

"So far, no abnormal fluctuations have been detected."

Soren's response was equally wary; his gaze never left Ron's workshop.

"But the concentration of magic in the air is rising, exceeding one-third of the normal level."

"According to the law, we cannot interfere; we can only observe and protect."

Hayek said in a low voice, with a rare seriousness in his tone: "Whatever happens, do not act rashly."

Soren nodded slightly, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "I hope this time, the outcome will be different."

Meanwhile, at Mrs. Allen's herbal medicine shop, Lilia, Dale, and Ailan had arrived safely.

This was Ron's arrangement—at this crucial moment, he didn't want any entanglements or distractions around him.

"Teacher will be alright, right?" Lilia gazed at the starry sky outside the window, her voice filled with undisguised worry.

Mrs. Allen paused slightly in her teacup, a fleeting, inscrutable emotion flashing in her emerald eyes:

"It depends on his own choices and abilities. There are no shortcuts on the authentic path; everyone must face that unspeakable fear alone."

Dale and Alan stood to the side, not fully understanding what had happened, but they could feel the heavy atmosphere in the air.

“Master will return,” Dale said firmly, her golden eyes shining with unwavering determination. “He never fails.”

Mrs. Allen glanced at the little siren, a faint smile appearing on her lips: "I hope so."

Her gaze returned to the eerie starry sky outside the window, and she couldn't help but recall her own attempt from many years ago.

That experience, even after so many years, is still deeply etched into my soul like a brand, unforgettable.

At the highest point of the workshop, on the observatory, Ron stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the starry sky.

This is the closest place to the stars in the entire workshop, and also the best location to try the authentic approach.

He had made all the preparations—the mental pollution had been completely eliminated, his physical and mental strength were at their peak, and all kinds of protective measures were in place.

The only thing that made him uneasy was the subtle feeling of being watched, but even so, he would not give up.

Ron positioned the sophisticated telescope he had previously used.

He carefully adjusted the angle and focus of the binoculars until the Hermit Star and the Annihilation Cluster were fully in view.

It was a chilling sight—the Hermit Star, like a solitary diamond, radiated a cold, silvery light;
The "Annihilation Cluster" is a blurry, purplish-black cloud, within which countless tiny points of light seem to flicker and extinguish.

The two are approaching each other at a speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye, and are about to form a rare geometric arrangement.

Through the binoculars, Ron could clearly see the strange patterns forming between the stars:

It wasn't a simple line or shape, but a complex structure that defied common sense, as if it existed in multiple dimensions simultaneously.

“This is…” Ron frowned involuntarily, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over him.

Even when viewed through binoculars, the distorted pattern is enough to shock the observer.

He could feel his thinking being interfered with by some kind of external rule, as if he were being forced to understand a language that the human brain should not be able to comprehend.

At the same time, the concentration of magic in the air is also constantly increasing.

Ron could feel that each breath brought in more magical particles, gradually filling his body with an unusually active energy.

"The star rings are converging, it's starting," he murmured to himself, putting away his binoculars and taking a deep breath.

In this abnormal environment, he was about to attempt to establish contact with that terrifying being from the depths of space, which was practically a suicide mission.

Even with all the preparations and even with the success rate displayed on the panel as high as 91%, Ron still couldn't be completely at ease.

Who exactly is that being known as the "Devourer"?

Why would it accept contact from mortals?
What kind of power and cost will it bring?

These questions lingered in his mind, but no one could provide answers.

But hesitation won't change anything.

Ron knew all too well that the authentic path was never a safe one.

Every participant is gambling with their life, and the winner will gain extraordinary power.

"Final Preparations"

Ron felt the gentle and lasting blessing flowing into his body, purifying the remaining subtle impurities one by one.

Then, he took out a silver pocket watch and gently stroked the texture on its surface.

The dial glowed softly in the moonlight, and the hour hand moved slowly, each soft ticking sound seeming to count down for him.

"Reset," Ron whispered.

In an instant, he felt every cell in his body being cleansed, and all his fatigue, tension, and anxiety disappeared.

Instead, there is an unprecedented sense of lightness and clarity, like a baby who has just woken up, with both senses and consciousness at their peak.

Current success rate of breakthrough: 92%

Ron looked at the panel prompts and nodded in satisfaction.

Such a high success rate is extremely rare in attempts to achieve the authentic approach.

But he was not satisfied with that. Instead, he took out the last item he had prepared—the "Stardew Dawn" potion that Mrs. Allen had given him.

The liquid in the crystal bottle shimmered with a silvery-blue light under the moonlight, as if a miniature starry sky had been sealed inside.

Ron carefully uncorked the bottle, and a cool and ethereal fragrance immediately wafted out, like a call from the depths of the universe.

“For power, for knowledge,” Ron said softly, then drank it all in one gulp.

The moment the medicine entered my throat, a cold force swept through my body like an electric current.

He felt his body become light and transparent, as if he were leaving the constraints of matter and ascending to a higher dimension.

At the same time, their senses become exceptionally acute.

Not only can you see the faintest starlight, but you can even "hear" the energy fluctuations between stars, like a silent cosmic symphony.

Most surprisingly, his mental strength seemed to have undergone some kind of transcendent enhancement.

The mental energy, which had already reached 4.9, became even purer and more active, and the resonance with the starry sky became even stronger.

Ron could sense that the distant being also seemed to have noticed his presence and was casting some indescribable gaze upon him.

Current success rate of breakthrough: 95%

Looking at the increased success rate, Ron felt a surge of determination.

95% is the limit he can achieve; the real challenge lies ahead.

“Let’s begin.” He took a deep breath, slowly sat down, and began his final meditation.

As his mind sank into the depths of his heart, Ron felt his consciousness rapidly expanding beyond the boundaries of his body, extending into a wider realm.

This process was not unfamiliar to him; he had experienced it countless times through the "Star Eater's Ramblings" meditation method, but never as clearly and intensely as it was today.

[Experience points for "The Whisper of the Star Eater" + 1]

Breakthrough! "The Star Eater's Whispers" (Proficiency 300/300) → "The Star Eater's Whispers" (Mastery 1/500)

With the last bit of experience points accumulated, Ron's meditation technique finally broke through to the mastery level.

This means that his connection with that high-ranking being has reached a completely new level.

But he had no time to celebrate the breakthrough, because as his meditation deepened, his consciousness was rapidly pulled into a completely new realm.

The perception of the material world gradually faded, replaced by an endless darkness, dotted with countless twinkling stars.

This is not a simple visual illusion, but a reality that exists in a higher dimension.

Ron could feel his consciousness floating in this starry sky, like a small boat sailing in the endless ocean of the universe.

Far ahead lay a region even darker than the surrounding area.

There was no starlight, no energy fluctuations; it was like a giant void in the universe.

(End of this chapter)