The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

The roar of the Stargazer's engines sounded particularly jarring in the deathly silence of the Ancient Dust Belt, only to be quickly swallowed and absorbed by the vast, boundless darkness. Inside the bridge, the flight path on the main screen, pointing to the anomalous coordinates of the Deep Star City, was slowly being obscured by the ever-extending trajectory line. However, the estimated twenty-two-day journey to their target now seemed shrouded in an increasingly thick fog of psionic turbulence and unknown dangers.

Lina's description of the "terrifying echoes" from the unknown area to the side, Ari's perception of the "Cradle Light" being devoured by the "Silver Ice Rust," and the chilling "wailing" resonance from the Star Key Crack—these were like three heavy shackles, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts. Their choice to continue towards the "City of Deep Stars" was not out of fearlessness, but because they knew it might be the only remaining organized force of the "Cradle" capable of resisting the Silent Court and the "Crystal Devouring" calamity. If even that place fell or was driven to despair, their pursuit would become even more elusive, and their hope even dimmer.

The voyage continued under high alert. Verna's "Veil of All Things" system operated at full power, constantly adjusting the characteristic parameters of the ship's energy field, simulating the psionic fluctuations of various "low-threat" or "harmless" celestial debris, attempting to conceal its presence under the scan of "high-dimensional harmonics." Lina's spiritual senses, like the most sensitive radar, continuously monitored the system's effectiveness against "harmonics," as well as every anomaly in the "deep-space rhythm" along the route ahead. Elder Anderson piloted the starship, performing extremely subtle evasive maneuvers amidst the sparse stardust and occasional small ice rocks of the "Ancient Dust Belt," striving to leave no traceable, regular navigational trail.

Lowe did not return to his meditation chamber. He remained on the bridge, assisting Verna in monitoring the operation of the "Veil of All Things" while simultaneously immersing himself in his perception of the navigation environment. He attempted to connect his own keen senses, honed to the mid-stage of a second-ring Star Speaker and already approaching the late stage, with the enhanced sensory array of the "Stargazer," creating a broader and more three-dimensional perceptual field. He no longer relied solely on Lina's warnings but actively "listened" and "felt" the subtle energy flows, gravitational ripples, and... the unnatural "traces" that might exist hidden beneath this natural backdrop within this ancient stardust belt.

Ariel stood quietly slightly behind Rowe. She no longer needed to stay in the area with the densest ley line energy; her evolved body, after awakening, seemed to be able to spontaneously maintain an internal circulation of energy from the same source as the "Cradle." The silvery-white vortex deep within her dark golden eyes swirled slowly with her gaze, sometimes gazing at the profound darkness outside the porthole, sometimes sweeping across the complex control interfaces and energy flow diagrams on the bridge. She rarely spoke, but whenever Verna looked at her questioningly about optimizing an energy circuit or a simulation parameter of the "Veil of All Things," she could always pinpoint a subtle adjustment point that could be made "more harmonious," "more stable," or "closer to a certain natural decay pattern," often resulting in unexpected improvements. The three-dimensional rune between her brows always emitted an extremely faint, stable halo, as if it were an external manifestation of the peculiar balancing power within her.

On the fifth day of the voyage.

The sensors ahead began to detect the anticipated, increasingly pronounced psionic background disturbances. It was no longer the near-frozen stillness inherent in the "Ancient Dust Belt," but a low, chaotic "hum" like distant ocean tides. On the psionic scanner, the area representing the coordinates of the "Deep Star City" had been rendered as a constantly churning and shifting chaotic spectrum interwoven with dark purple, silver-gray, pale gold, and countless other indescribable and eerie colors.

"We've entered the outer perimeter of the abnormal psionic turbulence in 'Deep Star City'," Verna reported, her voice tense. "The turbulence intensity... continues to rise, exhibiting irregular pulse characteristics. At least three different energy signatures have been detected: First, high concentrations of uncontrolled 'Cradle' psionic remnants, imprinted with 'emotions' filled with sorrow and anger; second, weak but highly corrosive 'Crystal-Eating Bacteria' activity fluctuations; third... intermittent, cold 'Order' rule interference signals, originating from the 'Inquisitor' and higher-dimensional harmonics, but even more... 'shattered' and 'chaotic'?"

"The battlefield remnants of three mixed forces..." Barton gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes a mixture of fighting spirit and solemnity. "It seems that Ari's perception was correct. The 'City of Deep Stars' has probably experienced a fierce battle, and the enemy is a hybrid of the Stasis Court and the Crystal Devouring Bacteria."

“It’s not just remnants.” Lina suddenly spoke, her face pale, clearly the strain of constantly battling the “high-dimensional harmonics” and perceiving the chaotic turbulence ahead was considerable. “Those ‘sounds’… are clearer now. They’re not single ‘shouts,’ but countless fragmented, overlapping… ‘distress calls,’ ‘warnings,’ ‘combat commands,’ ‘system alarms,’ ‘energy overload,’ ‘structural damage’… and other fragments of information, mixed in with the psionic turbulence, twisted, stretched, shattered, and then constantly echoing, annihilating, and echoing again… like the last chaotic ‘brainwaves’ of a giant city before its death. Moreover, deep within the turbulence, in some places, the ‘sounds’ are more concentrated and slightly more ‘stable,’ like… periodic signals emitted by a stubbornly operating, localized ‘automated system’ or ‘not completely destroyed area.’”

Is the system still running? Is the area not completely destroyed?

"Can you extract any useful information? Such as authentication signals, navigation beacons, or... the status of the defense system?" Verna immediately asked.

"It's too chaotic... We need time, and we need to get closer." Lina shook her head. "Moreover, those signal fragments of 'Order' and 'Crystal Devourer' are like toxic germs mixed in, causing severe interference. The effectiveness of 'Veil of All Things' is also decreasing here because the background environment itself is too 'noisy' and 'malicious,' making our disguise vulnerable to being mistaken for anomalies and attacked."

"Slow down, activate the highest level shield, and switch to 'Adaptive Stealth' mode," Rowe ordered. "Velna, try to incorporate simulations of the relatively stable 'Cradle' psionic fragment characteristics detected ahead into the 'Veil of All Things' to see if it can make us appear less 'obtrusive' in the turbulence. Lina, concentrate and find relatively 'safe' passages or 'gaps' in the energy flow within the turbulence. Airi, use your 'eyes' to see if there are any usable 'networks' or 'dangerous nodes' to avoid in this chaotic energy structure."

"clear."

The Stargazer slowly decelerated, and the new Leyline Deflection Shield glowed with a soft, ever-flowing pale golden halo on its surface. The psychic camouflage on the ship's surface began to mimic the psychic fluctuations of the broken, sorrowful, and angry Cradle ahead, attempting to disguise itself as a slightly larger, harmless piece of "wreckage" in this disaster-stricken landscape.

As they ventured deeper, the view outside the porthole became increasingly bizarre. No longer was it pure darkness, but rather a chaotic flux of energy, shifting and flowing like the aurora borealis. This energy erratically coalesced, sometimes coalescing into terrifying, space-tearing lightning bolts, sometimes scattering into countless swirling, ominous specks of psionic dust. Occasionally, enormous, unnatural fragments, gleaming with metallic or crystalline luster, could be seen tumbling and colliding slowly in the turbulent energy currents. Some of these fragments vaguely resembled parts of some kind of architectural structure or ship, covered in horrifying marks of erosion, tearing, and melting.

"Physical debris detected... Material analysis matches the technological style of the 'Cradle' civilization, but the degree of damage is extremely high... The surface is covered with trace amounts of inert residue from 'Crystal-Eating Bacteria' and traces of 'Order' energy erosion." Verna quickly analyzed the scan data. "The distribution of the debris has no obvious pattern, but overall it shows a trend of... being ejected outward from the core area. It is speculated that the 'Deep Star City' itself may have experienced a violent explosion or structural collapse."

This hypothesis sent a chill down everyone's spines. If the "City of Deep Stars" itself had been completely destroyed, then their journey...

Just then, Airi, who had been staring at the chaotic energy outside the porthole, suddenly spoke softly, her voice sounding particularly ethereal in the silence of the bridge: "No... it's not completely destroyed."

Everyone looked at her. In her dark golden eyes, the silvery-white star was spinning at an unprecedented speed, her gaze seemingly piercing through the thick energy mist and floating debris ahead, plunging into a deeper depth.

"I 'saw' it..." she whispered, as if in a dream, "Beneath those chaotic 'lines' and broken 'surfaces'... there's something large, heavy, and sorrowful... It's not broken, but it's full of 'cracks,' bleeding (energy leakage)... Its 'heartbeat' (core energy pulsation) is slow and weak, but it's still beating... And, outside it, there's a thick, complex 'shell' (possibly a defensive barrier or dimensional folds)... That 'shell' is also broken, with many 'holes,' but it's still trying to 'repair' itself, keeping those 'silver' and 'purple' 'bad things' out, or... 'locking' them inside?"

Ai Rui's description was extremely abstract, but combined with the scene before them and their previous speculations, a picture gradually formed in everyone's minds—a colossal, possibly dimensionally folded or spatially concealed, mobile fortress called "Cradle" (Deep Star City), after being attacked by the Stasis Court (Silver) and the Crystal-Eating Bacteria (Purple), suffered severe damage and explosion to its outer defenses and parts of its structure, with fragments scattering in all directions to form this psychic energy turbulence and debris field. However, the core of the fortress, perhaps relying on a powerful final defense or some kind of self-healing mechanism, had not completely collapsed, but was merely severely injured, sealed off, and isolated from the outside world. Some systems within it might still be struggling to function, and there might even be survivors trapped inside.

"Can we find a way to get into that 'shell,' or get closer to that 'core'?" Luo Wei asked immediately.

Ai Rui frowned, straining to "see" for a long time before slowly shaking her head: "'The path'... is chaotic and dangerous. Around those 'cracks' and 'holes,' energy flows like sharp knives, and 'silver' and 'purple' mists are drifting... Inside some 'holes,' there seem to be moving, cold 'light spots' (possibly automated defense units, remnants of crystal-eating bacteria, or cleanup units of the Static Court) patrolling. Going directly through... will result in being 'shredded' or 'eaten up.'"

A direct assault won't work. But Ai Rui mentioned that "in some of the 'holes,' there seem to be moving, cold 'light spots' patrolling"—meaning that there might be automated defense or cleanup mechanisms near those damaged entrances or cracks. Are they the "Deep Star City's" own defense system? Or are they surveillance and cleanup units left behind by the enemy?

"Lina, can you sense the specific energy characteristics and activity patterns of those 'cold patrol lights' that Irene mentioned?" Verna asked.

Lina focused her senses, and after a moment nodded: "Yes...it's very vague, but they are definitely there. They emit the same cold fluctuations as the 'Inquisitors' and 'Order Harmonics,' but are more...rigid and mechanical, like sentinels with pre-programmed routines. There aren't many of them, scattered near several larger 'gap' areas where the energy turbulence is relatively calm, patrolling along simple, regular paths. Their scans seem to primarily target targets bearing 'Order' markers (like us?) or highly active 'Crystal Devouring' fluctuations, and their reactions to the simulated 'Cradle' psionic fragments seem...less sensitive?"

This discovery is crucial! Are the enemy's automated sentinels insensitive to the "Cradle's" psionic signature? Is it because they assume the "Cradle" have been eliminated? Or was their identification system damaged in previous battles, or is the "Deepstar City's" last camouflage mechanism still functioning?

"Adjust the 'Veil of All Things' to further enhance the simulation of the 'Cradle of Sorrow and Wrath' psionic characteristics, and try to add weak, unstable 'energy dissipation' and 'structural damage' characteristics, so that we look like a large wreckage of the 'Cradle' that has just been ejected from the core area, lost power, and is slowly disintegrating." Verna quickly made tactical adjustments. "At the same time, calculate the patrol blind spots and trajectory patterns of those sentinels, and plan a route that can quietly 'slide' into one of the 'gaps' in a way that minimizes energy disturbance and closely resembles a natural drift trajectory."

"Ariel, be ready to point out any 'weak points' and 'danger points' in the energy structure ahead of the flight path," Lowe added. "Barton, prepare for any possible close-quarters engagements with the Sentinels. Everyone else, to your positions, remain silent."

A silent, covert operation to infiltrate a heavily damaged enemy (or our own?) fortress right under the noses of enemy sentries was about to begin.

The Stargazer completely shut down its active propulsion, relying solely on inertia, attitude adjusters, and the energy flow "gap" perceived by Lina. Like a real, out-of-control piece of wreckage in the universe, it slowly drifted toward a relatively "gentle" broken "gap" located at the edge of a huge energy turbulence vortex, which was locked onto by Ari and Lina.

As they drew closer, the scene at the breach gradually became clear. It was an irregular, dark opening torn apart against a backdrop of chaotic energy, its edges flowing with molten energy light, several kilometers in diameter. The interior of the opening was unfathomably deep, with only occasional flashes of dim, faint light, like emergency lighting. Around the opening, four fist-sized, silver-white "sentinel units," shaped like metal sea urchins, were slowly and mechanically circling along a fixed quadrilateral trajectory. The monitoring prisms on their surfaces would occasionally flash, emitting cold scanning beams that swept across every inch of space near the opening.

The camouflage of the "Stargazer" seemed to have worked. As it slowly "drifted" into the edge of the ranged patrol area, resembling a massive piece of "metallic debris" with a dim "cradle" glow flowing across its surface and occasionally sputtering harmless sparks of energy, the four sentry units routinely projected their scanning beams, lingering briefly on its surface. The scanning beams penetrated the damaged psionic field simulated by the "Veil of All Things," seemingly confirming that the "target" had extremely low energy activity, a damaged structure, no "order" markers (which were shielded), no high-threat "crystal-devouring" reactions, and a natural drift trajectory. The light on the surfaces of the sentry units flickered a few times, as if performing simple logical judgments, and finally, they moved away from the scanning beams, continuing their monotonous and routine patrols, making no attempt to hinder the approach of this "harmless debris."

Inside the bridge, everyone held their breath until the bow of the "Stargazer" silently slid less than a hundred meters below one of the sentry units into the dark, energy-disordered breach.

Upon entering the gap, the chaotic psionic light and roaring energy turbulence of the outside world were instantly shut out, replaced by a more oppressive, stifling atmosphere—a strange mix of metallic cold, stale air, and a faint, acrid smell of leaking energy. The passage wasn't straight; it twisted and meandered, the walls covered in scorch marks and cracks from battle, along with congealed, dark purple remnants resembling dried blood or fungal growth. Damaged pipes dangled down, occasionally sparking with electricity. A dim, almost extinguished emergency light flickered at the far end of the passage, casting long, distorted shadows.

"Enter the damaged outer structure of 'Deep Star City'," Verna whispered, activating all external lighting and enhanced scanning on the ship. "The environment is complex, containing trace amounts of toxic gases and inert radiation, but the life support system can handle it. Energy readings... are extremely erratic, but a relatively stable and powerful energy source can be detected deep within, its direction consistent with the 'core' location sensed by Airi."

"A weak but steady periodic signal detected... from deep within!" Lina suddenly said, a glint in her eyes. "No longer a chaotic echo, but a clear, regular, low-power authentication query signal, and... a universal distress code (Cradle Civilization standard)! The signal is weak, but it's definitely being sent continuously! The source... is right in front of us, deep within this passage!"

Authentication prompt! General SOS code!

This means that the core area of ​​"Deep Star City" still has intact, conscious systems, and possibly even... survivors! Moreover, they are actively sending signals outwards, attempting to contact possible allies or rescue efforts!

Hope, like the first spark ignited in endless darkness, suddenly ignited in everyone's heart.

However, before they could respond, a sudden change occurred!

The pale gold crystal patterns embedded in the walls on both sides of the passage, which had previously appeared dim and merely decorative or structural, suddenly lit up simultaneously without warning! The light was not gentle, but rather carried a rapid, wary dark red hue! At the same time, a cold, mechanical, yet distinctly "Cradle" psionic wave pattern echoed within the passage, and somehow directly intruded into the "Stargazer's" communication channel:

"Warning! Unauthorized intrusion detected! Energy signature: Simulates the remains of the 'Cradle,' but a high concentration of unknown psionic aggregates and... faint 'Source Species' contamination fluctuations have been detected inside!"

"In accordance with Article 7 of the Final Defense Agreement, the following actions shall be taken against any intruding unit: isolation, suppression, and analysis!"

"Activate the regional energy suppression field! Release the 'Purifier' drones!"

Om-!

A powerful, soul-crushing psionic field instantly enveloped the entire passageway! The psionic camouflage on the surface of the "Stargazer" fluctuated violently, the simulated damage features began to fail, and the ship's energy readings were significantly suppressed! At the same time, from the shadows of the passageway ahead, several slender drones, resembling metallic arthropods, covered in pale gold armor, and with heads flashing a cold red light, silently emerged. The tips of their flexible mechanical arms lit up with pale gold light blades condensed with high-energy "Cradle" psionic energy, locking onto the "Stargazer"!

"The 'Deep Star City's' own automated defense system!" Verna exclaimed. "It's treating us as 'sources of contamination' or 'intruders' that need to be 'purified'!"

Ahead lay the fortress's own defense system, which couldn't distinguish friend from foe; behind were the sentinels of the Silent Court. They had barely infiltrated when they found themselves in a new, inescapable predicament!

Looking at the rapidly approaching "Purifier" drones on the main screen, and then at the Star Key in his arms that was throbbing slightly again, as if responding to the identity verification signal, Luo Wei's eyes suddenly became extremely sharp.

"Velna, attempt to send the pure resonance signal of the Star Key's 'Source Seed' in reverse at maximum power to cover the previous 'contamination' fluctuations and respond to that identity verification inquiry!"

"Airi, concentrate and try to use your 'eyes' and the 'cradle's' shared energy to 'communicate' with the core runes of those defense systems or these drones!"

"Barton, prepare for boarding action, but focus on defense and paralysis, not complete destruction! Lina, Annie, Lilith, prepare for psionic shocks and possible gas leaks!"

"We are not intruders! We are the holders of the 'key'! We came after hearing the 'distress'!"

"Let us tell this dying ark—"

"Reinforcements have arrived!"