Wizard: Starting with Dealing with Magical Plants

Chapter 312 The Discovery of the Outpost

As he left the reading room and passed the central counter, Deacon Vincent glanced up at him and said casually, "You've stayed this long on your first visit?"

"It seems Master Evelyn was right about you."

"Remember, knowledge is like the deep sea; when exploring it, you must also take breaks to avoid mental overload."

"Thank you for the reminder." Rowling nodded slightly and left the archives.

It was already evening outside.

The sky over Muta City was dyed a brilliant golden-red by the sunset, creating a striking contrast with the vast plains in the distance.

The air was fresh and slightly cool, carrying the scents of grass, trees, and cooking smoke.

Instead of returning to the stone house immediately, Rowling went to the communal dining area and used his contribution points to buy a simple dinner.

A few perfectly toasted rye breads, a bowl of thick broth, and a small dish of fresh vegetables.

The dining area was filled with members of the council, who were chatting quietly about their research or mission experiences, creating a peaceful yet busy atmosphere.

After finishing dinner, Rowling returned to his stone house.

Baha flew down from the shelf and landed on his shoulder, gently nuzzling his cheek.

Duan Yu and Lan Yu flew in through the window, circling around him and chirping happily.

Rowling fed them some water and grain, then went to the worktable.

He needs to organize his findings for the day and plan the next steps in his research.

I lit the magic lamp on the workbench, and its soft light illuminated the tools, materials, and spread-out notes on the table.

Rowling picked up his quill and began to write on a new sheet of parchment.

"Current status of observer civilization research: The Parliament has limited information, but it has already systematically organized it."

Key features: geometric aesthetics, metallic materials, self-regulating protocols, and exceptional sensitivity to rules.

"Protocol rune characteristics: abstract, logically strong, highly efficient, and tightly integrated with energy feedback."

Analysis approach: Energy tracing, logic simulation, and finding protocol vulnerabilities.

Key points of Master Evelyn's "General Rune Logic Syntax": ————

He listed out the key information one by one.

Then, I pulled out the energy diagram of the rule baseboard fragments and the rune analysis notes that I had drawn before.

Referring to Master Evelyn's "Universal Rune Logic Syntax", he re-examined the first-layer "Protocol Compatible Command Reception" runes and the second-layer "Energy Modulation Stability" runes that had been deciphered.

Indeed, under the new framework, the arrangement and energy flow of many runes can be interpreted with clearer logical meaning.

For example, a specific combination of runes in the first layer might correspond to a simple process of "receiving instructions, verifying the source, and providing feedback on the ready status".

A certain energy loop in the second layer may be performing the functions of "matching command energy frequency, adjusting local energy output, and maintaining stable output".

"If we can decipher the third layer, or even deeper layers of runes—" Roland's finger lightly tapped the undeciphered area on the diagram, "perhaps we can find the key to that fragment's ability to issue 'protocol overriding commands.'"

However, the third layer of rune array is more complex and closely nested with the previous two layers, making it much more difficult to analyze.

A more solid foundation in ancient languages ​​and semiotics is needed, as well as more sophisticated energy detection methods.

Rowling turned his attention to the new reading list given by Master Evelyn, which included textbooks on the introduction to ancient languages ​​and the basics of semiotics.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll go to the archives in the morning to study ancient languages ​​and semiotics, continue analyzing fragments in the afternoon, and organize and experiment in the evening." He quickly set a new schedule.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the studio door.

"Mr. Rowling, are you there?" It was Ellie's voice.

Rowling got up and opened the door. Ellie stood outside, carrying a wicker basket covered with a cloth, a faint smile on her face.

"Today, Instructor Edna taught us how to make a calming herbal tea that helps soothe the nerves and rejuvenate the spirit." I brewed some with the first batch of successful ingredients and wanted to share it with you.

Ellie came in, placed the wicker basket on the table, and lifted the cloth to reveal a small ceramic pot and two cups inside.

"Also, here are my study notes for this week, please take a look."

Rowling took the notebook from Ellie.

The document, written in delicate handwriting, records her insights into the fine manipulation of natural energy, along with model diagrams of several basic healing and fertility spells, and includes annotations from her mentor, Edna.

It's clear that she studies very diligently and is making rapid progress.

"Very good." Luo Lin closed his notebook and nodded. "The cultivation of natural energy cannot be rushed; the key is in comprehension and accumulation."

.

"Your mentor, Edna, is an expert in this field. You should learn from her."

"Mmm!" Ellie nodded vigorously and poured a cup of herbal tea for both herself and Rowling.

The pale golden tea liquor exudes a refined and tranquil aroma. It has a slightly sweet taste with a hint of coolness, and as it slides down the throat, it truly invigorates the spirit, dispelling much of the fatigue accumulated from reading during the day.

"This tea is quite good," Luo Lin praised.

Ellie smiled happily.

"Mr. Rowling, are you settling in well here? Is your research progressing smoothly?"

"It's alright. I've just come across some new knowledge and need time to digest it," Luo Lin said simply, without mentioning any specific sensitive content.

"How are things on your end? How are things getting along with the other apprentices?"

"Everyone is doing well." Ellie thought for a moment, "except for a few apprentices from wealthy families who initially looked down on me because I came from the wilderness."

"However, Professor Edna is very fair, and I have followed your teachings to talk less, do more, and work hard to learn my skills, so they are not causing me much trouble now."

"Well done," Rowling said. "Here, strength and results are what matter. Other things don't need to be worried about too much."

The two chatted for a while longer, mainly Ellie sharing interesting stories and knowledge she had encountered in the Department of Life and Nature Research.

Luo Lin occasionally offered a few pointers on the essentials of energy control and practical application.

As night deepened, Ellie got up to say goodbye and left with her empty basket.

After seeing Ellie off, Rowling sat back down at his worktable.

After drinking the calming flower tea, I felt much better.

Instead of continuing his research late into the night, he packed his things and began his routine evening meditation.

Star power circulated within his body, and the light of the [Quiet Dust Star] flowed calmly in his sea of ​​consciousness.

The mark on his wrist fell silent, and the amulet in his arms lay obediently against his chest.

For now, everything is calm.

But Rowling knew that beneath this calm lay a threat from an ancient agreement, as well as unknown risks that the secret of the Moon Silver Flower might bring.

He must hurry and improve his strength as soon as possible to unravel the mystery.

The next day, Luo Lin began his regular study and research according to the new schedule.

In the morning, he arrived at the archives' general reading room on time and began to systematically study the basic vocabulary and grammar of the ancient common language.

The textbook is a relatively complete compilation by the parliament, titled "An Introduction to and Comparative Study of Ancient Languages," based on comparative studies of unearthed documents from multiple ancient civilizations.

The learning process is tedious and difficult; the distorted characters and grammatical structures that are so different from modern languages ​​require extremely strong memory and logical thinking skills.

Fortunately, Rolin's mental strength was strong enough, and the characteristics of [Quiet Dust Star] also allowed him to maintain focus for a long time.

In the afternoon, I returned to the Stone House Studio to continue the in-depth analysis of the regular substrate fragments.

With Master Evelyn's "Universal Rune Logic Syntax" as a framework, and with the knowledge of ancient language symbols learned in the morning as an aid, the progress of the analysis is still slow, but the direction is clearer and the understanding is more in-depth.

In the evening, I organize my notes, conduct some simple energy simulation experiments, or continue writing the encounter report that needs constant updates.

The days passed by, fulfilling and peaceful.

In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed since Roland arrived in Wooden Tower City.

During this period, his classical Chinese improved significantly, and he was able to barely read some simple, non-professional fragments of ancient documents.

The analysis of the regular substrate fragments has also progressed to the middle section of the third layer of the rune array.

This layer of runes seems to have a more core function, involving complex logic such as "instruction priority determination", "abnormal state handling", and "communication interface with higher-level protocols".

Meanwhile, through Master Evelyn's assistant, he submitted several small reports on the progress of fragment analysis and received timely feedback and guidance.

Ellie's progress is even more obvious.

She has become proficient in several basic natural healing spells, and her ability to stimulate and guide plant growth is beginning to show results. It is said that she has also received extra praise and contribution points from her mentor, Edna, for her unique discovery of the energy properties of a certain rare swamp moss.

That afternoon, as Rolin was recording data after finishing an energy probe of a key node on the third layer of the fragment, the door to the studio was knocked on again.

It wasn't Ellie who arrived, but Master Evelyn's stern assistant.

"Assistant Rowling, Master Evelyn requests your presence in her office now." The assistant's tone was flat. "There's a new discovery that requires your discussion."

A new discovery?

A thought struck Luo Lin, and he immediately put down his tools and straightened his robes.

"I'll be right there."

Following his assistant to Master Evelyn's office, Rowling discovered that in addition to Master Evelyn herself, Hawke was also there, as well as a middle-aged male wizard whom Rowling had never seen before, wearing a dark green robe, with a gloomy demeanor, and holding a twisted wooden staff.

The atmosphere in the office was somewhat heavy.

"Rolling, you've arrived." Master Evelyn gestured for Rolling to sit down, then pointed to the dark green-robed wizard. "This is Marcus, a senior investigator from the 'Department of Relics Survey and Exploration.'"

"He just returned from the edge of the permafrost in the north, bringing back some—interesting things."

Marcus nodded to Rowling as a greeting, his face expressionless, his voice low and hoarse: "We have discovered the remains of a new, unrecorded Observer civilization facility deep within an ancient battlefield near the Pale Ice Cliff on the edge of the wasteland."

"It's not large in scale, and appears to be a small reconnaissance or outpost. It's badly damaged, but the core is largely intact."

He carefully took an item from a sealed metal box he carried with him and placed it on Master Evelyn's desk.

It was a fist-sized, dark gold-colored, multifaceted metal core with an even more intricate and complex pattern on its surface.

Inside the core, a faint, dark red light flickered slowly and rhythmically.

A familiar, cold yet orderly energy fluctuation emanated from this core.

Rolin's pupils contracted instantly.

This fluctuation—is from the same source as the fluctuation marked on his wrist!

Even the fluctuations are similar to those of the core of those secondary arbiters!

But it is more reserved, more focused on a specific function.

"This is what we found in the center of that outpost." Marcus's voice carried a hint of weariness and vigilance. "It was preserved in a powerful low-temperature sealing array, and its condition is very strange."

"The energy activity is very low, but the logic seems to still be working, constantly sending a kind of—extremely weak, directional scan pulse."

"We tried to analyze it with standard detection spells, but they were all blocked by a powerful protocol barrier, and we almost triggered some unknown defense mechanism."

Master Evelyn looked at Roland: "Roland, you should be familiar with this kind of fluctuation."

"Based on your understanding of the rule baseboard fragments and protocol runes, as well as the characteristics of your amulet—we would like you to try to establish a preliminary connection with this core and decipher the information it may carry without triggering the defenses."

Her gaze was sharp: "Of course, risks also exist."

"This could be a trap, or once connected, it could trigger something, or even attract unnecessary attention."

The choice is yours.

Roland's gaze fell on the slowly pulsating dark gold core on the table.

A new discovery—from the edge of the permafrost, in an area potentially connected to the Pale Hand—the core of a still-functioning observer outpost—

This may contain valuable information about the purification protocol, the movements of the observer civilization, or even the intentions of the Pale Hand.

Dangerous, but worth a try.

In particular, he possesses a fragment of the rule substrate that may contain a "protocol-compatible key," as well as an interference talisman made based on it.

Roland took a deep breath and looked at Master Evelyn.

"I'll give it a try."