The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

The gentle yet melancholic thought that emanated from the hibernation pod stirred ripples in Luo Wei's heart like a pebble thrown into a deep pool. "The starlight of the Cradle...is it still shining brightly?" The expectation and despair behind this question made Luo Wei's throat tighten, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer. How could he tell this comrade, who had just awakened from a long slumber and might come from the glorious end of the "Cradle" civilization, that the civilization he cherished, protected, and even went to great lengths for behind enemy lines had long since been reduced to sorrowful embers and shattered tombstones in the starry sea by the betrayal of "Silver Glow" and the calamity of "Crystal Devourer"?

However, there was no time to hesitate, much less time to weave a well-intentioned lie. They were in dire straits, their energy dwindling, surrounded by powerful enemies; every second of the truth could be a matter of life and death. Luo Wei took a deep breath, using the resonance of the Star Key as a bridge, honestly and clearly, yet with as much restraint as possible, transmitting his thoughts back:

"Respected Sleeper, my name is Luo Wei. I possess the key formed from a fragment of the 'Source Seed,' and I am the inheritor and seeker of the legacy of the 'Cradle' civilization."

"I bring you... devastating news. The starlight of the 'Cradle' civilization... has been extinguished. It was destroyed approximately eight thousand standard years ago by the betrayal of its high-ranking members—by what you call 'Silver Glow,' and by the erosion of an unknown life form from the 'Chaos Side' called 'Crystal Devourers.' The core of the civilization collapsed, leaving only a few sparks and legacies scattered across the stars."

"We are one of the survivor groups who are searching for these sparks. We have come here to find the last legacy that the Cradle may have left here—Beacon 12-ω-1, or the final solution to the hybrid threat of Order and Chaos."

"We are not orthodox, our power is meager, and we are currently in dire straits ourselves, our energy is running out, and we are exposed to the shadow of the 'Silver Glow' outpost. Awakening you was an accident, and also... our attempt to seek a glimmer of hope."

The message was transmitted, and the light inside the hibernation pod flickered briefly and violently, as if the sleeper's mind was experiencing a cataclysmic upheaval. Silence lasted for several seconds before the gentle thought returned. This time, the weariness and vicissitudes it contained were almost overflowing, yet it still maintained a remarkable resilience and rationality befitting an individual of a high-level civilization:

"...So that's how it is...Eight thousand years...and the world has changed so much..."

"The 'Cradle'...in the end...could not escape...the schemes of 'Silver Glow' and the prying eyes of 'The Abyss'..."

"My name is... Arthas, the last captain and executor of the seventh outpost ship 'Breath of Shadows' during the final period of the 'Cradle' civilization, belonging to the 'Deep Blue Watch' project."

"Thank you... for bringing this cruel truth to me. At least... I know that the long wait and slumber were not entirely meaningless... at least, there is a spark, still struggling to survive in the darkness."

Arthur... a former outpost captain from the late "Cradle" civilization, an executor of some kind of "Deep Blue Watch" project. His identity sent a shiver down Luo Wei's spine.

"Lord Arthas," Rowe pressed immediately, time was of the essence, "is the 'Deep Blue Watch' project you mentioned related to Beacon 12-ω-1, or the solution to the combined threat of 'Silver Glow' and 'Crystal Eater'? We don't have much time, our starship's energy is about to run out, and the risk of exposure is extremely high."

"'Deep Blue Watch'... is one of the ultimate contingency plans secretly launched by the Supreme Council of 'Cradle' after detecting the abnormality of the 'Silver Glow' faction and the increased fluctuations of 'The Abyss'." Arthas's thoughts quickly became clear and organized, as if the captain's sense of duty had overwhelmed his grief. "At its core, it is to establish several hidden, highly autonomous, long-term observation and intervention outposts in the border area between 'Frontiers of Order' and 'The Deep Abyss' to monitor the movements of 'Silver Glow', study the characteristics of 'The Abyss', and, in the worst-case scenario, attempt to execute a series of... 'unconventional' response protocols."

"12-ω-1... is not a single beacon, but rather the code name for the main protocol execution center of the 'Deep Blue Watch' project, pre-set in the 'Omega' quadrant. It contains the project's most core observational data, the deduction of the 'Silver Glow-Abyss' interaction model, and several... theoretical, high-risk 'countermeasures' and 'reconciliation' schemes. Among them are the ultimate theoretical model you are looking for to deal with the 'order-chaos hybrid,' and some... unfinished experimental device prototype designs."

"My flagship, 'Breath of Shadows,' was one of the vanguard units ordered to infiltrate this area, establish a covert observation post, and conduct preliminary reconnaissance and preparations for the possible activation of the 12-ω-1 main protocol. However..." A deep regret and a hint of self-mockery were evident in Arthas's thoughts. "We underestimated the strength and vigilance of 'Silver Glow' in this area, and we did not anticipate that the 'Abyss's' corruption would suddenly erupt in the form of 'Crystal Devouring.' During a high-risk close reconnaissance mission, we were caught in a pincer attack by 'Silver Glow's' hunting fleet and the 'Crystal Devouring' bacterial tide... In the end, only I remained, relying on this 'Time Source' hibernation pod, hiding here, falling into slumber, waiting... for a rescue that may never come, or the final triggering condition of the protocol."

The main protocol execution center! The ultimate theoretical model! Incomplete prototype design drawings! The information revealed by Arthas is far more valuable than imagined! This not only confirms the importance of 12-ω-1, but also clarifies its specific content! Moreover, Arthas himself is a direct participant in the "Deep Blue Watch" project, possessing firsthand intelligence and authority regarding this region, the forward deployment of "Silver Glow," and how to approach or even potentially activate 12-ω-1!

"Do you know how to safely reach 12-ω-1 in our current state?" Rowe asked the most crucial question.

"The preset coordinates of 12-ω-1 are located deeper within this 'Annihilation Zone,' in a relatively stable 'pocket space' hidden by 'spacetime folds' formed by the clash of multiple 'orders' and 'abyss' forces," Arthas replied. "But going there directly is almost impossible. The 'Silver Glow's' fortress has blocked all conventional routes, and the spacetime turbulence and energy collisions within the 'Annihilation Zone' are enough to tear apart any unprotected ship."

"The 'Deep Blue Protocol' carried by the 'Breath of Shadows' contains a pre-defined, extremely secretive emergency evacuation and infiltration route. This route utilizes the periodicity of the energy tides in the 'Annihilation Zone,' as well as minor 'blind spots' and 'delays' in several 'Silver Glow' monitoring networks. Theoretically, if the remaining navigation core connected to the 'Deep Blue Protocol' within the wreckage of the 'Breath of Shadows' can be repaired, the complete route data can be obtained, and a ship with a certain degree of stealth and anti-interference capabilities is available, perhaps... there is a glimmer of hope to attempt infiltration during the next energy tide trough (approximately after thirty-four standard hours)."

"However," he changed the subject, his voice filled with worry, "'The Breath of Shadows' is severely damaged. Whether the navigation core is intact, whether the protocol data is complete, are all unknown. Moreover, even if a path is obtained, given the state you described..."

Luo Wei immediately grasped the key point—repair the navigation core, obtain path data, and 34 hours later, the tide will be at its lowest point!

"Lord Arthas," Rowe's voice was resolute, "please guide us to the navigation core. We need to attempt repairs. Although our starship is damaged, the 'Veil of All Things' system can still maintain concealment for a short time, and our crew possesses certain technical skills... special abilities. This is our only chance. As for energy..." He glanced at the star key in his hand, and the "Light of Civilization" and "Fountain of Life" crystals in his pocket, an extremely risky idea surfacing, "We might have a way to obtain a short-term, high-intensity emergency energy source, but we need your knowledge to determine its feasibility."

Arthurs paused for a moment, seemingly making a quick assessment. Then, on the surface of the hibernation pod, near Rowe's side, a palm-sized access port slid open silently, emitting a soft glow. A thumb-sized, deep blue, rhomboid crystal with a faint shimmer inside floated out.

"This is the temporary access key and data interface for the 'Deep Blue Protocol.' Take it to the navigation core room next to the main power module on the lower level of the bridge. The key can attempt to activate the remaining protocol system and unlock some non-core data," Arthurs's thoughts transmitted. "Regarding emergency energy... the 'Source Seed' fragments and 'Light of Civilization' carriers you mentioned, if their internal 'evolution' and 'recording' psionic energy can be guided in a specific way, and a temporary energy circuit can be constructed using the 'Engineering Spark' concept, it might produce a one-time, powerful energy burst, but it is extremely dangerous, requires extremely high skill from the guide, and will permanently deplete some of the essential information of the 'Source Seed' fragments and 'Light of Civilization,' and may even trigger uncontrollable rule disturbances..."

"We have no choice." Lowe caught the deep blue key; its cool touch immediately revealed the ancient and complex psionic coding it contained, the same type as the hibernation pod. "Please transmit the most feasible guidance scheme and security threshold data that you know to me via this key. Irene! Barton! Lilith! Prepare for action!"

Lowe's thoughts were simultaneously transmitted upwards. Irene responded immediately; her "structural vision" had locked onto an area on the lower level of the bridge that was relatively intact and showed faint residual energy. Barton and Lilith also quickly prepared.

"Follow me." Rowe nodded slightly to the hibernation pod, then turned and rushed up the stairs. He didn't have time to ask Arthur more about the past or the details of the "Deep Blue Watch" project; survival was the only priority at the moment.

The four quickly left the secret chamber and, guided by Airi, traversed an even more dilapidated and dangerous passage to reach the navigation core room. It was similarly in disarray, but the deep blue polyhedral crystal device embedded in the control panel at the center—the "Deep Blue Protocol" navigation core—protected by multiple (now disabled) energy barriers, was relatively intact. Lowe inserted the key given to him by Arthas into the nearby interface.

The deep blue crystal device suddenly lit up! Countless tiny light symbols flowed across its surface, and a fragmented but still discernible three-dimensional star map, along with a large amount of complex data stream, appeared above the control panel. At the same time, Arthas's promised dangerous plan to construct a temporary high-energy loop using the "Source Species" and the "Light of Civilization" transformed into a highly condensed stream of information, flooding into Luo Wei's mind.

The plan was extremely complex and risky, requiring precise energy channeling, rune construction, and a deep understanding and instantaneous coordination of the three concepts of "evolution," "recording," and "engineering." Verna and Annie (accessed remotely via the encrypted data link of "Hidden Shadow") immediately began to analyze and calculate with all their might, combining the remaining energy loops of the "Stargazer" to design a temporary "grafting" plan.

At the same time, Luo Wei also saw the data for the hidden path provided by the "Deep Blue Protocol." The path was winding and tortuous, mostly located in the relatively weak "gaps" of energy collisions in the "Annihilation Zone." It required precise control of the rise and fall of energy tides and traversing at least three "scanning gaps" and "rule blind spots" of the "Silver Glow" monitoring network, which were theoretically limited to a few seconds in duration. The end of the path pointed to a complex gravitational anomaly deep within the "Annihilation Zone," which should be the hidden entrance to 12-ω-1.

Thirty-four hours later, during the next low point of the energy tide, the visibility and accessibility of the path will be at their best.

"Repairing the 'Deep Blue Protocol' main system is impossible, but extracting path data and some environmental monitoring logs is feasible!" Verna reported quickly. "The energy grafting plan has been calculated and is theoretically feasible, but it requires the cooperation of you, Airi, and Annie to operate near the core energy compartment of the 'Stargazer,' and it must be successful on the first try. Failure may cause the energy core to explode or irreversible damage to the 'Source Seed' fragments. After a successful grafting, it is expected to provide energy for full-power navigation and enhance the 'Veil of All Things' for about four hours. After that, the Star Key and the 'Light of Civilization' crystal will be severely damaged, and the energy circuit will also burn out."

Four hours. In exchange for a chance to infiltrate the depths of the "Annihilation Zone".

"Prepare for grafting. Barton, Lilith, return to the 'Stargazer' and assist Elder Anderson and Verna in preparing for departure. Once energy is restored, immediately proceed to the standby position according to the 'Deep Blue Protocol' and await the tidal low. Airi, Annie, come with me to the energy bay," Rowe decisively ordered.

Time was of the essence. The group immediately split up and set off.

The "Shadow" carried Barton and Lilith back to the "Stargazer" to report the news and provide assistance. Lowe, along with Airi and Annie (guided remotely via data link), struggled through the wreckage back to the "Stargazer" and went straight to a relatively open and easy-to-operate area near the core power module.

Lovi retrieved the Star Key and the "Light of Civilization" crystal, placing them in the center of a temporary composite rune array pre-drawn on the ground—designed by Verna under Annie's remote guidance and calibrated by Irene. Irene pressed her hands against the "Fountain of Life" crystal fragment and the "Engineer's Spark" crystal, using herself as a bridge to harmonize the powers of life and creation, stabilizing the impending raging energy. Meanwhile, Annie, at the "Stargazer's" main control console, transmitted Verna's millisecond-precise energy guidance loop and rune activation sequence to Lovi via a data link.

In his later years, the second-ringed Star Speaker, Lowe, devoted all his mind and stellar energy to this complex, fragile, and dangerous operation. He guided the resonance of the Star Key's "source seed," igniting the vast "record" psionic energy that had accumulated within the "Light of Civilization," and then, using the concept of "engineering sparks," constructed, compressed, and guided it back to the Stargazer's nearly depleted energy core. Airi's harmonizing power, like the most precise buffer and catalyst, ensured the smooth fusion and efficient transformation of energies of different natures.

This process was like building a bridge with strands of hair over a pot of boiling oil. The slightest error, the most lapse in concentration, could lead to a catastrophic energy backlash. Luo Wei's soul endured immense pressure; the pre-existing cracks throbbed with pain, but he forcibly endured it with an iron will. Ai Rui's face grew increasingly pale, and the rune between her brows flickered intensely.

Finally, at the moment Annie's countdown reached zero—

Buzz!

An indescribable torrent of energy, a blend of pale gold, milky white, emerald green, and dark gold, both gentle and incredibly powerful, erupted from the center of the rune array, flowing like a hundred rivers into the sea, instantly filling the "Stargazer's" depleted energy core and main circuit! The wrecked hull shuddered violently, and all the still-functioning lights, screens, and instruments inside suddenly lit up with a long-lost, stable glow! The main engine emitted a deep, powerful restarting hum! With the energy support, the simulation accuracy of the "Veil of All Things" system instantly recovered to 72%!

Grafting successful! Energy crisis temporarily resolved!

However, the cost was also obvious. The Star Key on the ground had lost much of its warm luster, and the resonance of the "Source Seed" within had become weak and "tired." The "Light of Civilization" crystal was even more subdued, the swirling stardust seemed to have stopped, and the "record" fluctuations it transmitted had become extremely thin. Both had suffered fundamental damage. Airi also groaned, her body swaying, and was supported by Luo Wei.

"Energy restored! All systems online! 'Veil of All Things' performance enhanced!" Verna's excited voice rang out. "Path data loading complete! 'Deep Blue Protocol' environmental monitoring synchronized... Detected a gap in the 'Eye of Arbitration' fortress patrol rotation. A relatively safe escape window of approximately 120 seconds is expected in 28 minutes! We must move to the path starting point before then!"

"Act immediately!" Despite his exhaustion and heartache over the damaged treasure, Luo Wei helped Airi up and quickly returned to the bridge.

The Stargazer, a starship that had just experienced a brief resurgence, was slowly emerging from the shadow of the wreckage of the Shadow's Breath under Elder Anderson's control. Its engines emitted a steady thrust as it quietly sailed along the first extremely secretive short route calculated by the Deep Blue Protocol toward the edge of the Annihilation Zone, towards the starting coordinates of the pre-set infiltration path.

After Rowe and the others left, the hibernation pod where Arthas was located fell silent once more. But this time, within the silence, there seemed to be a faint yet resolute fluctuation of will, forming an extremely secret connection with the navigation core of the "Deep Blue Protocol" and with the departing "Stargazer." This sleeping captain was, in his final moments, providing remote, silent guidance and monitoring to these inheritors of the "Cradle" spark.

Twenty-eight minutes later, the Stargazer arrived at the starting point on time, hidden in a sparse belt of asteroid debris disturbed by the energy turbulence of the Annihilation Zone.

Outside the porthole lay the turbulent, destructive "Annihilation Zone," where silver and deep purple light clashed wildly. To the left, in the distance, the "Eye of Arbitration" fortress stood like a cold overseer. To the right, however, lay the unfathomable boundary of the "Deep Abyss."

They are about to embark on a path paved with wisdom and sacrifice by the most outstanding sages and warriors of the "Cradle" civilization before the end of the world—a path leading to the ultimate secret and the last hope.

"Silence. Waiting for the tide to recede. Countdown... five hours and forty-two minutes." Lowe's voice rang out in the now brightly lit but somber bridge.

And from the Star Key in his arms came Arthas's last calm yet resolute thought:

"To those who succeed you... the road ahead is perilous. May the light of 'evolution' guide you through the final darkness."

"If the agreement is implemented... the last hope and expectation of 'Cradle' will be entrusted to you."

"...Farewell."

His will dissipated, and the connection was severed. Arthur, one of the last guardians of the "Cradle" civilization, may once again fall into eternal slumber, or perhaps his mission has ended with the transmission of the "Deep Blue Protocol" and the arrival of its successor.

Inside the "Stargazer," all was silent. Everyone was gathering every last bit of strength for the final sprint, calming the turmoil in their hearts.

Five hours and forty-two minutes later, they will rush into that forbidden zone where even light and time are distorted and annihilated, to find the final answer to civilization's fight against the shadows...