The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Inside the bridge of the "Stargazer," the last vestige of energy used for active detection and communication flickered weakly and dimmed like a candle about to burn out, emitting its final light. On the screens, icons representing various scanning beams and signal outputs dimmed and went out one by one. The cabin was once again enveloped by the oppressive, dark red emergency lighting, barely enough to sustain basic life support and core system monitoring. The energy reserve reading stopped at a chilling 6%, and the life support system's estimated duration jumped to thirty-eight standard hours. They had just conducted a massive, energy-intensive initial exploration and communication attempt on the ancient dodecahedral remnant, only to have it thrown into an abyss, producing nothing but a faint, cold, programmed echo of an "invalid protocol," with no further response.

Deathly silence reigned supreme once more. But this silence was now filled with a heavier, suffocating despair. The enormous, slowly rotating dodecahedron, like a cold, silent, eternal tombstone forged with unknown technology, hung outside the porthole. Its very existence seemed a silent mockery—look, we were once so glorious, yet we will ultimately turn into this cold, meaningless cosmic dust. You will too.

Luo Wei remained seated cross-legged, his back against the cold bulkhead, his face appearing even more ashen under the dim red light. He forcibly suppressed the burning pain and numbness emanating from the depths of his soul, exacerbated by excessive energy consumption and constant mental strain. His late-stage Second Ring Star Speaker realm now felt like a heavy burden, allowing him to acutely perceive his and the starship's deteriorating state, yet leaving him powerless to reverse it. He looked at the main screen, where the scan data, compiled by Verna and Annie using their last reserves of energy, was displayed coldly:

Target structure: a regular dodecahedron, material unknown, with extremely high structural strength, and large-scale internal collapse and devastating damage to the energy system have been confirmed.

Energy Reaction: Only the core area (<0.01%) contains extremely weak and stable ice-blue energy veins, suspected to be remnants of backup or emergency energy/control systems. The energy characteristics of the remaining areas are absolutely inert.

Signal source: Confirmed to be a periodic self-checking pulse from the core energy network region. The encoding method does not match any known civilization (Cradle, Order, Silent Observers, etc.). The logic level is extremely high. All current attempts (general protocol, logical greeting, simulated energy characteristics) have been judged as "invalid protocol" and rejected.

External Interfaces/Entrances: Seventeen large structural breaches were found on the surface, with most internal channels blocked by molten material or structural collapse. Only three breaches showed relatively stable energy field shielding (preventing direct exchange between the internal environment and vacuum), suspected to be remnants of pre-designed entrances or channels with some protective capabilities, but all were closed/locked and had no external activation mechanism.

Risk Assessment: The target structure is currently in an absolutely inert state, with no defensive weapon systems or intentional attacks detected. However, the nature of its core energy network is unknown, and any forced intrusion or high-energy contact could trigger unpredictable system reactions or energy backlash.

The conclusion was cold and cruel: they had found the relic of an ancient civilization, possibly technologically advanced but long dead, possessing only a faint, almost conditioned reflex-like "heartbeat." This relic had a "door," but it was locked, without a "key." Even their "language" (communication protocol) and "fingerprints" (energy signatures) were incompatible, rendering any effective communication impossible. Their "physical strength" (energy) and "time" (life support) were insufficient to search for or create a possible "key," or even to send out a slightly stronger scanning signal once more.

"It... doesn't 'recognize' us." Airi's voice was soft, breaking the oppressive silence. She still clutched the fragment of the "Fountain of Life," but her dark golden eyes gazed at the enormous dodecahedron outside the porthole, carrying a strange, complex emotion mixed with confusion and understanding. "Its 'lines'... are deep inside, following their own 'rules'... When we touch its 'shell' or 'talk' to it, it's like... the wind blowing across a stone, or ants ringing a bell... It can't 'hear' it, nor can it 'feel' anything is wrong, because our 'voices' and 'touches' are not within its 'rules'."

"It's not within its 'rules'..." Verna chewed on those words, the last glimmer of rationality in her eyes, a light she had been forcibly maintaining as a technologist, rapidly fading. "This means either we find its 'rules' (communication protocols and energy keys), or... we possess something that can forcibly 'rewrite' or 'overwrite' its underlying 'rules'..." She looked at Rowe, then at Airi, and shook her head. Whether it was "rules" or "overwriting," the required technology and energy levels far exceeded their current comprehension.

"Could it be... that after risking everything, all we found was a bigger, more exquisite... coffin?" Annie's voice trembled with a sob, but she quickly suppressed it, turning it into a weak choke.

Luo Wei did not respond. His gaze shifted from the cold analytical data on the screen to the dark behemoth outside the porthole, then slowly returned to the leather pouch at his waist—there lay the dimly lit, "tired" Star Key, along with the equally damaged "Light of Civilization" and "Engineer's Spark" crystals. Finally, his gaze settled on Ai Rui, on the warm, smooth rune between her brows.

The Star Key... fragments of the "Origin Seed," representing a certain "evolutionary" essence of the "Cradle" civilization and even earlier.

"The Light of Civilization"... a vehicle for "recording" and "existence".

"Spark of Engineering"...the concept of "creation" and "construction".

Ai Rui... is a special individual who combines the bloodline of "Cradle", the suppression of "Order", the resonance of "Earth Vein" and the harmony of "Life", and possesses a strange "structural vision".

What they carried were the sparks and fragments of the "Cradle" civilization, the embodiment of the power or ideas of concepts such as "evolution," "recording," "creation," "life," and "harmony." The relics of this ancient civilization, with their cold, absolute, inanimate rules and pursuit of ultimate logic and efficiency, seem drastically different from, and perhaps even contradictory to, the "Cradle's" civilization's concepts of "life," "emotion," and "evolution."

but……

In the end, "Harmony" said: "The true 'tuner' is not one who holds power in one direction, but rather... between stillness and chaos, to find that 'melody' that belongs to oneself, full of vitality and possibility..."

Is the "rule" of this ancient relic the same as the "authority" mentioned in "harmony," a kind of extreme, cold, and "stagnant" power? And does the "fire" they carry represent the opposite power, belonging to "evolution" and "vitality"?

Can we use the "key" of "evolution" to unlock the "lock" of "stasis"?

This thought, like a spark igniting in the darkness, instantly revitalized Luo Wei's nearly parched mind. No, not activation, perhaps… it was "resonance"? "Verification"? This ancient civilization, perhaps, wasn't entirely unrelated to the "Cradle"? Perhaps, during its rise, the "Cradle" civilization had encountered, studied, or even partially inherited from or resisted this more ancient civilization? The "source seed" of the Star Key might itself contain some "information" that transcends the "Cradle," touching upon the deeper rules of the universe—information that might be "recognized" by the underlying protocol of this ancient relic?

"As Arthas said, in the late stages of the 'Cradle' civilization, they began to study the conflict and reconciliation between 'order' and 'chaos'..." Luo Wei spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, yet carrying a strange, renewed focus. "The creations of this ancient civilization, with their cold, absolute 'rules' and their pursuit of ultimate logic and efficiency, coincide with the ideals of 'order.' They may even be more 'pure' and 'ancient' than the 'order' represented by the Stasis Court."

As mentioned in "Harmony," true "tuning" requires understanding and even mastering opposing forces.

"Perhaps... we've been looking in the wrong direction." Lowe's gaze sharpened again as he looked at Verna and Airi. "We've been trying to communicate with a creation that might represent an extreme logic of 'order,' 'non-life,' and 'stasis' using the logic of 'cradle,' 'life,' and 'evolution.' It's like trying to discuss philosophy with a cold computer using poetry—it's destined to fail."

"What should we do?" Verna asked instinctively, a faint glimmer of hope rekindling in her eyes.

"Use the 'key' itself, not the 'language' that the 'key' can unlock," Luo Wei said, enunciating each word clearly. He leaned against the bulkhead and slowly stood up, despite feeling a wave of weakness washing over him. "The resonance of the 'source seed' of the Star Key, the peculiar balancing force within Ai Rui that blends 'order suppression' and 'life,' even... the 'ideas' and 'existence' represented by these 'spark' crystals we carry, transcending specific technologies... these might be what this ancient creation, in its underlying protocol, might 'recognize' or 'verify'—not information, but 'qualification,' a certain kind of 'resonance' of the 'essence of existence'..."

"You mean...we're going to take Xingyao and Airi directly to that core energy network area and 'touch' it with the resonance itself?" Verna gasped. "The risk is too great! What if its reaction isn't 'verification,' but 'defense' or 'purification'..."

"We have no choice," Rowe interrupted her, his gaze sweeping over the glaring energy readings on the main screen. "Energy is down to 6%, and the life support system lasts for 38 hours. Staying here is waiting to die. Returning to drifting mode is also waiting to die. This is our only, our last chance, which we can actively try. And..."

He looked at Airi: "Your 'eyes' can see its energy network structure. If we can find the 'nodes' or 'sources' of the network, and guide the resonance of the Star Key and your power in the gentlest way, closest to its 'rules' frequency, perhaps we can, like 'tuning,' induce a 'change' or 'reaction' within its 'static' rules, rather than a brutal 'confrontation'."

Ai Rui met Luo Wei's gaze, the silvery-white starlight slowly swirling in her dark golden eyes. She didn't speak, only nodded slightly, gripping the fragment of the "Fountain of Life" tightly in her hand, and then touching the talisman between her brows. She could "see" the extremely regular yet extremely "fragile" structure of the ice-blue energy veins flowing within the core of that colossal object. Perhaps... she really could give it a try?

"Then let's move out." Rowe no longer hesitated. "'Shadow Shroud', prepare. I, Irene, will enter. Verna, Annie, you stay behind and monitor the status of 'Stargazer' and external signals. If we cause any uncontrollable energy bursts or structural changes inside, you... stay away as far as possible. Lilith, take care of Barton and Lina. Elder Anderson, be prepared for the worst."

The order was given, and no one objected. In such a desperate situation, any glimmer of hope was worth fighting for with one's life.

The "Shadow" reconnaissance boat launched again, the atmosphere inside heavy. Lowe piloted the vessel, with Airi beside him. The last, thin layer of "psychic camouflage" transferred from the "Stargazer" barely functioned on the hull's surface, barely noticeable against the backdrop of the "Eternal Silence Corridor." They slowly steered towards a breach on the dodecahedral surface, marked as having "relatively stable energy shielding, with a suspected entry point at the damaged edge."

The approach was incredibly slow and cautious. The enormous dodecahedron rapidly magnified in their field of vision, the honeycomb-like structure on its surface becoming clearly visible in detail. Each "cell" exuded a cold, inanimate technological beauty. Sure enough, at the edge of the breach, there was a faint, almost imperceptible energy field barrier that distorted light; the interior of the barrier was pitch black.

Like the most cautious gecko, "Hidden Shadow" clung tightly to the edge of the breach, searching for the extremely subtle, theoretically weak point that Ai Rui "saw"—the energy-shielded area created by structural deformation.

"It's here... to the left, thirty meters away, there... the 'line' of the barrier has a very thin 'knot,' and it seems to be a little 'thinner' than other places..." Ai Rui pointed out.

Loewe maneuvered the "Shadow" and aimed a specially modified probe on the bow, designed to release high-precision, low-power energy pulses, at the "knot" point.

"Use the Star Key to resonate, mix in a trace of the 'Constructing Stability' intention of the 'Engineering Spark', and simulate the energy frequency of this barrier..." Luo Wei said to Ai Rui, while taking out the Star Key himself and holding it in his hand, combining his remaining understanding of the "rhythm" of spacetime with the "tired" but pure "source seed" fluctuation of the Star Key.

Ai Rui gently placed her hand on Luo Wei's hand holding the Star Key, closed her eyes, and guided the unique power within her body—the "understanding" and "stability" of the rule structure brought about by "order suppression," and the gentle "guidance" power brought by the "source of life"—slowly infusing it in.

An extremely weak yet perfectly mimicking energy frequency of the barrier in front, and containing a trace of the essence of the "source seed" and the intention of "building stability," shot out from the tip of the probe and precisely "pointed" at the "knot."

hum...

The phenomenon of the barrier distorting light rippled slightly, like water, at the "knot" point! Then, centered on the "knot" point, the barrier seemed to melt, silently and slowly caved inward and thinned, eventually forming an unstable, constantly flickering circular "hole" about two meters in diameter, barely wide enough for a "shadow" to pass through! Inside the hole, there was an even deeper darkness, and a clearer, colder stream of air (inert gas) carrying the scent of ancient dust flowed out.

They succeeded! By using the essential resonance of the "key," they fooled (or rather, temporarily "assimilated") the barrier's verification mechanism, opening a crack!

"Go in!" Without hesitation, Luo Wei steered "Shadow" through the dangerous, potentially closing energy portal and into the interior of the dodecahedron.

The interior scene closely matched the external scans. Vast, empty, and structurally complex chambers and passageways were mostly twisted, collapsed, or blocked due to internal explosions or structural damage. Everywhere were broken, thick energy pipes, molten and then solidified molten metal, and numerous, long-deactivated, oddly shaped, and un-Cradle-style remnants of equipment and instruments. Fine metallic and mineral dust floated in the air, appearing like solidified gray snowflakes under the beam of the Shadow's searchlight. The temperature was extremely low, close to absolute zero, with only occasional, almost imperceptible traces of icy blue energy emanating from the depths of some broken pipes.

"The core of the energy network... is deeper down, below, and we have to go through at least three large structural partitions..." In this environment, although Ai Rui's "structural vision" was interfered with by the complex internal metal structure, she could still barely make out the direction.

Like a beetle slithering inside the carcass of a colossal beast, the "Shadow" laboriously descended and infiltrated the relatively "open" gaps and not-yet-completely-collapsed passages, guided by Ai Rui. Along the way, they saw more traces of this ancient civilization's technology—highly integrated control panels covered with unknown symbols; arrays of intricately structured robotic arms whose complex functions were still evident even in their damaged state; and some core components, encased in transparent, solid crystals, with incomprehensible shapes, seemingly related to energy or information processing. Everything was cold and lifeless, yet silently testified to the awe-inspiring technological heights it had once reached.

Finally, after passing through the last passage blocked by a huge metal gate (which was half melted and stuck), and painstakingly melting a gap with the small cutting beam of the "Shadow" (which only had energy left), they arrived at the target area.

The view suddenly opened up, yet it also made one hold their breath in an instant.

This is a relatively "complete" enormous spherical space, exceeding 500 meters in diameter. The space's "walls" and "dome" are constructed of a dark silver material capable of absorbing and scattering light, covered with denser, more complex energy pathways—like a cosmic star map—constantly flowing and flickering, interwoven with ice-blue and silver-gray hues. At the very center of the space, suspended in mid-air, is an enormous, indescribably complex core device—composed of countless nested, slowly rotating, translucent lattices and energy conduits—emitting a constant, stable, cold, ice-blue light, resembling a "multi-dimensional neural network" or an "ultimate crystal computer"!

This core device is the source of all external energy pathways! It occupies one-third of the entire spherical space, slowly rotating, with countless points of light representing different information flows or energy paths flowing, converging, and calculating along extremely complex trajectories inside. Even after being destroyed, it continues to operate, maintaining the most basic, periodic "self-check" and "status recording," and sending out faint but regular signals to the outside world.

Below the core device, on a relatively smaller, pyramid-shaped platform made of a denser, dark silver material, floats a fist-sized, deep blue, multifaceted crystal. Its interior seems to contain a rotating nebula, emanating a similar, but more "restrained" and "essential" fluctuation as the core device. This crystal appears to be the "keyhole," the "control core," or... the final data/energy interface for the entire core device.

"That's it!" Airi pointed to the deep blue crystal, her voice tinged with excitement. "The knot of all the threads, the heart of all the light! That's... the only place where you can still feel even a tiny bit of... waiting and confirmation!"

The "Shadow" slowly approached the pyramid platform and finally hovered a few meters in front of the dark blue crystal.

"This time, we'll do it together." Luo Wei took a deep breath, handed the Star Key to Airi, and then grasped it himself. At the same time, he took out the "Light of Civilization" and "Engineer's Seed" crystals from his pocket and placed them in front of him. "Using the Star Key's 'Source Seed' resonance as a catalyst, we will guide the 'existence' and 'recording' essence of the 'Light of Civilization,' the 'construction' and 'stability' concepts of the 'Engineer's Seed,' and, combined with the 'understanding of order' and 'harmony of life' within your power, we... will try to show it who we are, what we represent, and... why we came."

Ai Rui nodded vigorously, grasped the Star Key with both hands along with Luo Wei, closed her eyes, and focused all her attention on it.

Luo Wei closed his eyes as well. In his extreme exhaustion, the soul of the late-stage Second Ring Star Speaker forced out his last bit of power, slowly and carefully weaving his understanding of "evolution," "possibility," and "spacetime rhythm," along with the power of the three crystals in his arms and the harmony and resonance with Ai Rui, into a silent, formless ripple of pure "intention" and "existence" that contained complex "information" and "essence," transcending concrete language and energy. This ripple gently yet firmly touched the dark blue crystal, which resembled the last "eye" of an ancient behemoth.

There was no burst of energy, no change of light and shadow.

Only one indescribable resonance, as if two consciousnesses slumbering in different dimensions, occurred millions of years later in the void, in the first and perhaps last time, an extremely subtle one...

hum...

The swirling nebula inside the deep blue crystal suddenly paused.

Immediately afterwards, the constantly flowing ice-blue light of the core device suddenly stopped!

Within the entire spherical space, the flickering of all energy circuits instantly became chaotic and disordered, as if subjected to a massive impact! The flowing points of light increased in speed and their trajectories became erratic!

The "Hidden Shadow's" sensors are going on high alert! A terrifying surge in energy readings and an irregular burst of information flow have been detected!

"Oh no! A strong reaction has been triggered!" Verna's scream, filled with despair, came through the encrypted channel from the bridge of the "Stargazer".

However, just when Luo Wei and Ai Rui thought they were about to face a devastating energy backlash, the violent and chaotic fluctuations were suddenly "smoothed out" as if by an invisible giant hand, and subsided abruptly!

The core device's light returned, but it was no longer the cold, icy blue. Instead, it transformed into a soft, warm glow—a strange yet harmonious blend of pale gold, milky white, emerald green, dark gold, and icy blue, imbued with a sense of "harmony" and "inclusivity." The patterns of the energy pathways also began to change, becoming more complex and "vivid," as if infused with a completely new "logic" and "possibilities" that transcended its original design.

The azure crystal rapidly became transparent, its swirling nebula transforming into countless flowing streams of data—a vast expanse composed of incomprehensible ancient script and newly emerged runes imbued with the concepts of "cradle" and "tuning"! A colossal, ancient, and cold force, yet subtly infused with a new and gentle "understanding," descended upon the consciousness of Lovi and Airi, like an awakened ancient deity:

"Detected...excessive privilege complex verification signal..."

"Verification elements: 'Seed of Origin' resonance confirmed. 'Imprint of Civilization' confirmed. 'Creative Idea' confirmed. Additional harmonic variables confirmed..."

"Protocol compliance: 72.4%. Exceeds the minimum threshold for 'Residual Database Access' permission."

"Visitor identified: Individual associated with an unknown civilization, carrying some characteristics of a 'lost lineage' and... 'variable factors'. Meets the conditions of 'Final Record Protocol - Secondary Open'."

"Transfer initiation..."

"Civilization codename: 'The Pivot of Myriad Structures', final log summary, general technology framework index, core energy theoretical model (low-level access unlocked), and..."

"A deduction of the ultimate conflict model of 'Order-Chaos' (fragment), an assessment report on the potential impact of 'variable factors' (encrypted), and coordinates pointing to the lost fragments of the 'Seed of Origin' (fuzzy)..."

"Warning: The core energy reserves of this machine are about to be completely depleted. After the transmission is completed, it will enter permanent silence. Recipient, please make good use of knowledge and be wary of the erosion of 'order' and the annihilation of 'chaos'... The 'strings' of the universe... need a new 'tuner'..."

"Transfer initiated."

Immediately following, an unimaginable torrent of knowledge—far more vast, ancient, and "colder" and "more complex" than the "Tune Between"—like the outpouring of information from the universe itself, surged into Luo Wei and Ai Rui's minds through that strange resonance connection! This was no longer an inspiration of ideas, but rather real, tangible technological knowledge, theoretical models, and historical summaries from the peak period of an ancient civilization called "The Pivot of Myriad Structures," which had long since vanished, along with... fragmented clues pointing to even more astonishing secrets!

Luo Wei and Ai Rui's consciousness almost collapsed instantly under the impact of this information flood! But at this moment, the "Light of Civilization," "Spark of Engineering," and "Fountain of Life" crystals in their arms, as well as the Star Key itself, simultaneously erupted with unprecedented light. They resonated with the light emanating from the core device, which was a mixture of various "harmonious" colors, forming a tough and protective "barrier." This barrier forcibly stabilized, sorted out, and compressed the surging information, transforming it into a more "gentle" imprint of knowledge and coordinate information that they could barely understand and bear, engraving it deep in their memories.

No one knows how long the transmission process lasted. As the last wisp of information was injected, the light of the core device instantly dimmed and went out, returning to its cold, lifeless icy blue. The energy channels within it ceased flowing, falling into complete silence. The dark blue crystal transformed into an ordinary, dull grayish-white and gently landed on the pyramid platform.

"Transmission...complete..." The last echo of that ancient thought, like a sigh, dissipated into absolute silence.

Inside the "Hidden Shadow," Luo Wei and Ai Rui simultaneously went limp and slumped into their seats, drenched in sweat and pale as paper, but deep in their eyes burned an indescribable light of shock and enlightenment.

They succeeded. They used the "key" and the "essence" to move this ancient, cold "giant bell" and obtain its last and most precious "echo" before it fell into complete silence.

On the bridge of the "Stargazer," Verna and Annie watched as the last glimmer of light representing the energy reaction of the core device went out completely. This faint, periodic signal, representing the last "heartbeat" of the ancient civilization "Myriad Structures," which had lasted for billions of years, had also disappeared forever from the darkness of this "Eternal Silence Corridor."

They inherited the last legacy of a civilization. But their energy resources also jumped to the critical 5% threshold of survival.

Life support system remaining time: 33 standard hours.