The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Time seemed to slow down and thicken within the "Crystal Remains Forbidden Zone." Silent, grayish-white spiritual dust floated, isolating the outside world from all danger and noise, leaving only a profound sense of sorrow and desolation, accumulated over countless millennia, permeating every corner. The "Stargazer" hovered in a relatively open area. The temporary "ordered" protective membrane on its surface, permeated by the psionic energy of the indomitable will of the "Primordial Spirit Race" evolutionary warriors, spontaneously began to slowly repair and stabilize itself. It even subtly absorbed the extremely thin, pure psionic particles scattered in the air, converting them into meager energy to replenish the ship's nearly depleted energy network. Energy reserves, starting at 11%, gradually recovered at an extremely slow but undeniable pace.

But this is no safe haven. The star core's warning is crystal clear: spatial stability is "extremely low." Every tiny adjustment in the ship's attitude, every instance of the engine operating at its lowest power, or even a slight emotional fluctuation among the crew could be the final straw that breaks this fragile balance. They must tread carefully.

After a brief moment of shock and silence, Instructor Verna took the lead. "Anderson, Barton, you stay on the bridge and monitor the ship's condition and the external environment, especially the spatial structure readings. Lina, you're responsible for sensing the psionic flow and potential instabilities within the forbidden area; issue an immediate alert for any anomalies. Lilith, Annie, you take care of Irene and prepare to receive any samples that may be collected. Rowe, you and I will work together; we need to conduct a quick, limited exploration of this forbidden area, focusing on finding relatively stable 'Starflow Crystal' veins, and... see if we can communicate more deeply with the remaining will of this land to obtain more information about 'Crystal-Eating Bacteria' and leaving this place."

The division of labor was clear, and no one objected. Everyone understood that this exploration was crucial, yet extremely dangerous.

Luo Wei and Verna changed into simple spacesuits (primarily for basic survival and communication, with negligible defensive capabilities) and stepped into this gray, desolate world through the airtight pod. The "ground" beneath their feet didn't exist; they hovered in the dust, relying on the magnetic boots and miniature thrusters on their spacesuits. Gravity was extremely weak and erratic, making their sense of direction blurry. All around, enormous, broken, and strangely shaped crystalline structures and metallic remnants stood silently, their surfaces covered in thick layers of spiritual dust. Only the occasional, solidified, faint glow emanating from deep within the cracks testified to their former activity.

"Stay close to me, and don't touch anything, especially those crystals that still seem to have residual energy," Verna whispered through the encrypted channel. She gestured with her hands, and pure Star Speaker energy formed a soft halo before her, serving both as illumination and as a means of detecting and calming any unstable psionic disturbances in the environment. She could sense that the remaining will of this land held no hostility towards the star energy, especially the primordial aura emanating from the Star Key in Rowe's hand—it even showed a faint acceptance. However, a deep-seated rage and sorrow still lurked within, requiring careful handling.

Luo Wei followed closely behind, the Star Key now firmly in his hand, no longer bothering to conceal it. The Star Key was unusually "active" here, its surface radiating a warm, flowing light that resonated continuously with its surroundings at a low frequency. He could "hear" more subtle "sounds"—not language, but fragmented images, lingering emotions, and a rhythmic "pulse" buried deep beneath the crystalline remains. This pulse seemed connected to a core deeper within this forbidden land, in the distance.

"Mentor Verna, can you feel it? That... pulsation?" Rowe asked in a low voice.

"Hmm, it sounds like... a heartbeat. Very faint, very slow, but it's definitely there." Verna's expression was grave. "It could be an energy node that hasn't completely died out, or it could be... the last embers of some kind of sealing or self-destruct mechanism. Our investigation should not get too close to the core."

The two carefully avoided the massive, complex debris, slowly advancing along the "passage" where the dust of the spirit remains was relatively thin and the spatial distortion was less pronounced. Lina's intuition guided her, avoiding areas that caused her "stinging" or "dizziness." Occasionally, they would pass smaller, relatively well-preserved clusters of crystals, containing the remains of unidentifiable, non-carbon-based life forms. These creatures retained their postures from life, their expressions (if any) frozen in their final resolve or agony, silently recounting the brutality of that ancient war.

"Ahead to the left, about 800 meters away, at the point of attachment to the rock wall, a high concentration of inert energy crystallization reaction has been detected, consistent with the spectral characteristics of 'Starflow Crystal'." The Star Core's voice rang in their ears, while simultaneously projecting the scanned image onto the display inside their masks.

It was a vein embedded in a massive rock wall (actually a colossal piece of debris), exhibiting a deep, dark blue hue, as if nebulae were flowing within. The spatial distortion around the vein was relatively weak, suggesting relative stability.

"That's it. Approach carefully," Verna gestured.

Just as they were about to approach the mine, the Star Key in Rowe's hand suddenly vibrated, emitting a rapid but not warning resonance! At the same time, Lina, who had been maintaining contact with them through her spiritual senses, suddenly let out a short exclamation: "Wait! There... behind the mine... there's something! Not dead! It's a... dormant... 'Guardian' consciousness? Very faint, but it was awakened by your approach and the Star Key!"

The two stopped immediately. On the rock face where the mine was located, the dust covering the spirit remains suddenly moved without wind, slowly gathering and rising to form a blurry, humanoid outline made of dust! The outline had no facial features, but at the "head" position, two faint silver lights lit up, like eyes, "watching" Luo Wei and the Star Key in his hand.

There was no attack, no words, only a calm, desolate, and scrutinizing thought that entered their minds directly: "Latercomers... possessing fragments of the 'Source Seed'... what do you intend to do?"

It is the remaining collective will of this forbidden land, or rather, the manifestation of the last will of a powerful warrior!

Luo Wei steadied himself and transmitted his thoughts back through the Star Key as clearly and peacefully as possible: "Senior, we have no intention of offending Anmian. We are fugitives being pursued by the 'Crystal-Eating Bacteria,' and we have strayed into this place only to find some energy to continue our journey and fight against injustice. The Star Key has guided us here, and we wish to know the truth and... if possible, fulfill our unfinished wishes."

"Crystal-Eating Bacteria..." The outline of the dust rippled slightly, its thoughts revealing a deep disgust and understanding. "The Court of Order... cultivated... scavengers... gnawing at 'variables'... the desolate void... as expected... has spread here..."

"Cultivated?" Lovi and Verna were utterly shocked! The Crystal-Eating Bacteria weren't natural evolution or a cosmic disaster; they were actually "cultivated" by the Stasis Court? A tool used to eliminate "variables"?

"The Origin of All Things...records life...infinite possibilities...the fear of 'order'...out of control...thus using 'Crystal Devourer' as a blade...to obliterate everything...that does not conform to the 'model'..." The fragmented thoughts of the dust's outline revealed an even more terrifying truth, "Here...my comrades are buried...and sealed...an early 'Crystal Devourer' mother nest experimental field...the entrance...is right beneath...the core of the forbidden area...we annihilated with our spirit cores...temporarily sealed..."

Luo Wei and Verna gasped! This "Crystal Remains Forbidden Land" was not just a battlefield or a tomb, but also a sealed place that suppressed the early "Crystal Devouring Bacteria" mother nest experimental field of the Stasis Court! Those warriors were true heroes; they were not only fighting against their pursuers, but also using their lives and souls to seal away a terrifying source that could wreak havoc on the starry sea!

"The Crystal-Eating Bacteria...fear this place...not our remnant souls...but...the power of the seal...and the aura of the 'Origin Seed'..." the dust outline continued. "You...can take some 'Starflow Crystals'...these are formed from the combination of our spiritual remains and the energy of the earth's veins...containing a trace of 'evolutionary' power...which can temporarily hinder the 'Crystal-Eating' erosion...restraining its 'order' assimilation..."

It "looked" at the vein, and the surface of the vein shimmered with a spiritual light, as if in response.

"However... the seal... has loosened over the years... the 'Crystal Devourer' mother nest... is gradually regaining its activity... the external flora... may be summoned or influenced by it... this place... cannot be lingered in..." The dust-like outline's consciousness began to become unstable, and its form began to dissipate. "After taking the crystal... leave quickly... follow the 'Source Seed's' senses... southwest... there... may be... another place... a remnant of our race... perhaps we can... take refuge there temporarily..."

Finally, the two points of silver light gave Luo Wei a deep "look," conveying an extremely complex emotion—a sense of entrustment, a warning, and a faint expectation: "Those who possess the 'Source Seed'... beware... the court... is everywhere... 'Crystal Devourer'... is merely a henchman... the true enemy... is the cold 'Libra'..."

As the words fell, the dust outline completely dissipated, returning to its floating, ethereal form. The awakened protective will seemed to have exhausted its last strength.

Luo Wei and Verna remained speechless for a long time, their shock beyond measure. In just a short moment, they had received a massive and terrifying amount of information. The Crystal Devouring Bacteria was a biological weapon created by the Stasis Court, and this place suppressed a Mother Nest experimental field, the seal of which was loosening... And the Star Key was a fragment of the "Source Seed," containing the "evolutionary" power to resist the "Crystal Devouring Bacteria" and even "Order."

"We must act immediately," Verna said first, her voice low. "Collect the Star Crystals and leave. This place is more dangerous than we imagined."

The two arrived at the mine. This time, they encountered no obstacles. Verna carefully used a specially made energy cutter to mine several fist-sized, high-quality dark blue star crystals from the edge of the mine. The crystals felt warm to the touch, and starlight flowed within them. They indeed contained a strange activity, completely different from common energy crystals. Luo Wei could feel the Star Key's subtle affinity for them.

After collecting enough star crystals to replenish about 20% of the starship's energy reserves, the two dared not linger and immediately returned.

Back on the bridge, everyone was horrified after hearing the two men's account. This "safe zone" beneath their feet was actually a volcano that could erupt at any moment! It was suppressing the source of a terrifying biological weapon created by the Silent Court!

"Prepare for evacuation immediately!" Rowe said in a deep voice. "Mentor Verna, immediately begin researching how to use Star Crystals to power the starship, and attempt to create shields or weapon modules that can counteract the erosion of the Crystal-Eating Bacteria. Elder Anderson, calculate the optimal evacuation route, targeting the southwest direction, the area where Lina's perception of the 'Ancient Echo' is stronger, and where the Star Key also senses it. Barton, check all weapon systems. Lilith, Annie, prepare to receive Star Crystal samples for analysis. Irene..." He looked at the Crystal Rock Clan girl who had been silent, only hugging her knees tightly, her eyes somewhat vacant, "How are you feeling? How is the environment here affecting you...?"

Ai Rui slowly raised her head, her face even paler than before. The fine crystalline patterns beneath her skin seemed to faintly emit a greyish-white glow, the same as the surrounding spiritual dust. She looked at Luo Wei, her amber eyes filled with confusion, pain, and an indescribable longing. She opened her mouth, her voice dry and trembling: "I...heard...the voice of those 'stones'...they're crying...and calling...to me...something...is awakening...inside my body...it hurts...and feels so...warm..."

Her words sent a chill down everyone's spine. Airi was a half-Crystal Rock Clan member, possessing silicon-based life components within her. This forbidden land was formed from the spirit remains of warriors from the Primal Spirit Clan's evolutionary lineage, also containing powerful psionic energy and silicon-based material information. Could it be… that the remnant will of this land was attempting to resonate with the silicon-based components within Airi's body? Perhaps… even awakening or altering something?

"Lilith, give Ai Rui a full check-up immediately! Focus on monitoring her vital signs, energy fluctuations, and genetic stability!" Rowe urged.

Lilith immediately pulled Irene into the medical pod. A moment later, her voice, filled with shock, came through: "Her cellular activity is abnormally high! Her metabolic rate has increased tenfold! Previously dormant gene fragments belonging to the silicon-based ancestors are being activated and expressed by some external force! The energy readings... are slowly climbing, and their properties... are converging towards the psionic energy of this forbidden area! This... this seems to be a passive, rapid... 'evolution' or 'assimilation'?!"

Evolution? Assimilation? Everyone was horrified. Airi was being forcibly altered by the environment of this "Crystal Remains Forbidden Land"!

"We must get her out of here immediately!" Verna declared resolutely. "If she stays any longer, she might be completely assimilated into this land, or... become some kind of unknown entity!"

"But... the changes within her body seem to have given her a peculiar affinity for the energy of the Star Crystal," Lilith added, her voice complex. "I just tried letting her touch a small piece of Star Crystal, and the energy within the crystal spontaneously and gently flowed into her body, repairing her previous injuries, and even... promoting that kind of 'evolution.' This is happening so fast that I can't tell if it's good or bad."

Crisis and opportunity have once again intertwined in an unexpected way.

"No time to hesitate. Start the engines, warm them up, prepare to evacuate!" Rowe gritted his teeth and ordered. "Target: southwest! Full speed ahead! Irene... we'll take you with us. Lilith, do everything you can to stabilize her condition, use medication to suppress her rapid evolution, at least... keep her conscious and self-aware!"

The Stargazer's engines hummed again, and the ship slowly turned around. Inside, the atmosphere was extremely tense. On one side was the threat of the Crystal-Eating Bacteria Nest, whose external seal was loosening and could erupt at any moment; on the other side was the uncontrollable and rapid mutation of Airi inside.

Just then, Lina's face turned deathly pale again. She pointed deeper into the forbidden area, her voice trembling with fear: "The core... the seal... is shaking! That 'mother nest'... seems... to sense something... Is it the Star Key? Or... Sister Airi's change? It's... challenging the seal! There are many... many cold, hungry 'little thoughts'... gathering below!"

As if to confirm her words, the entire "Crystal Remains Forbidden Land" suddenly trembled slightly! The grayish-white spiritual dust surged violently like a disturbed swarm of bees! In the distance, deep within those silent ruins, came a low, eerie sound, like rocks rubbing together or countless tiny mouthparts gnawing!

The seal has broken! The suppressed Crystal-Eating Bacteria Nest sensed the fragments of the "Origin Seed" and the aura of a possible "kindred spirit" (Airi?), and began to struggle!

"Run!" Rowe roared.

The Stargazer's tail engines blazed brightly, abandoning all concealment, and the powerful thrust propelled the ship forward! Like an arrow released from a bow, the starship crashed through the churning dust of spirit remains, speeding desperately towards the outer edge of the forbidden area, towards that unknown region to the southwest—a region that both Star Key and Lina had sensed simultaneously!

Behind them, deep within the gray-white graveyard of the dead, a chilling dark purple light, like the awakened eye of a demon, seeped out bit by bit from the broken crystals and cracks in the earth, accompanied by increasingly dense and greedy hissing sounds, as if issuing a silent roar and a declaration of pursuit.

A new escape begins, and this time, they are not only pursued by the Stasis Court and facing the crisis of energy depletion, but also a companion undergoing an unknown transformation within him, and... a newly revealed truth about the terrifying origins of the Crystal-Eating Bacteria. To the southwest, what awaits them: the refuge of another "Primordial Spirit Race Relic," or yet another bottomless trap?

The "Stargazer" transformed into a streak of light, piercing through the invisible veil at the edge of the "Crystal Remains Forbidden Zone," and plunged back into the chaotic gravitational labyrinth outside. Behind it, the grayish-white mist was being permeated and devoured by the ever-expanding dark purple...

The cruelty and mystery of the starry sea have never ceased to reveal their ferocious and profound side to these struggling survivors. And their journey, in a spiral of despair and hope, continues its arduous ascent into deep space.