The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Having largely recovered and digested the initial takeaways from the mission, Luo Wei decided to head to the academy's treasury. He knew that his every move was likely being observed by certain people, and delaying would be pointless; it might even make him appear guilty or like he was trying to sell himself.

The academy's treasury was located deep beneath the castle, its entrance guarded by a team of imposing guards, all at least at the peak of the **Advanced Apprentice level**, led by a **First-Ring Wizard** with piercing eyes. After verifying Rowe's identity and access token, the guarding wizard slowly opened the heavy metal door behind him, engraved with countless defensive runes and seemingly capable of isolating time and space.

"Remember, you only have one chance to choose, and the time limit is one hour. You can only move around on the first floor, and you cannot touch any items marked with danger or with excessively strong energy fluctuations. Once you choose, you cannot change it," the guardian wizard announced the rules in a cold voice.

Lo Wei took a deep breath and stepped into the treasure vault.

The interior wasn't the glittering, opulent space one might expect, but rather an exceptionally spacious area with soft lighting. Rows of shelves, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen, were neatly arranged, displaying various items categorized by type. Some floated within soft light, others were held in specially crafted containers, and many more were simply displayed, all spotless and exuding an aura of age and magic.

The air was filled with a strange force field, composed of various energy fluctuations, quiet and solemn.

Without wasting any time, Lowe immediately began the "scan." He walked among the shelves, his gaze sweeping over each item, while his consciousness remained closely connected to the Book of Truth.

**[Discovery: Flaming Griffin Quill (Enchanted Item)... Contains fire elemental energy, can slightly increase the speed of fire-based sorcery training... Stable energy structure, low potential...]**

**[Discovery: Rock Guardian Ring (Magic Ring)...can activate an earth-based shield that can withstand a full-force attack from a Senior Apprentice...requires charging after use, and its structure is somewhat bulky...]**

**[Discovery: Boots of Swiftness (Enchantment Boots)... Increases movement speed and agility, with a slight gliding effect... Limited improvement to current combat power...]**

**[Discovery: The Enchanted Circlet (Enchanted Circlet)... Slightly increases mental regeneration speed and resists sleep spells... Its effect overlaps with but is inferior to the 'Glimmering Moon Amulet'...**

Magical items that would be fought over by apprentices in the outside world were revealed in their essence, structure, advantages and disadvantages under Luo Wei's "analysis." Most of the items either had effects that overlapped with his existing abilities, had limited potential, or required specific bloodlines or knowledge to unleash their true power, making them unsuitable for him.

Time passed second by second. Rowe walked through one area after another, seeing sharp enchanted weapons, gorgeous defensive ornaments, scrolls that could store sorcery, and even some notes that recorded unique tricks or incomplete meditation methods, but none of them gave him the feeling of "this is it".

Master Field's words echoed in his mind: "Choose what is most useful to you at this stage, not what seems most powerful. Sometimes, a suitable 'tool' is more valuable than a powerful 'weapon'."

His strengths lie in insight, control, and field theory. What he needs is a "tool" that can amplify these strengths or compensate for his current weaknesses.

Just as he walked into a relatively secluded area that mainly displayed various unidentified or unused materials, his eyes were drawn to an item placed on a crystal stand in the corner.

It wasn't a finished magical artifact, but rather an irregularly shaped thin crystal flake, about the size of a palm and two fingers thick, with a strange, absolute black color. It emitted no energy fluctuations, appearing lifeless; even light seemed to be slightly distorted and absorbed when it approached. The label beside it read: "Unknown material flake, extremely inert, unresponsive to known energies, exceptionally sturdy, purpose unknown."

Extremely inert? Unresponsive to energy?

A thought struck Luo Wei, and he stepped forward, concentrating his mind.

"Analysis target: Unknown inert crystal flake."

**[Analysis Target: Void Dust Deposits (High-Purity Condensate)]**

**[Energy Properties: Absolutely inert energy, ultra-high density, possessing excellent energy insulation and load-bearing properties.]**

**[Structural Analysis: The internal structure is highly stable, with a near-perfect crystal lattice, capable of withstanding extremely high-intensity energy impacts and inscriptions. It is a top-tier natural 'field substrate' material.]**

**[Potential Uses: Can be used as a core carrier for constructing a constant energy field; can be used to create extremely high-quality insulating protective layers; can serve as a stable base for certain powerful magical models.]**

**Natural, top-grade field base material!**

Lowe's heart skipped a beat! This was practically made for him!

He had been studying and experimenting with "field inscription," but limited by materials, he could only create temporary fields with weak effects and short durations. This "Void Stardust Flake," however, with its absolute inertia and extremely high stability, meant it could serve as a perfect "canvas," supporting the more complex and powerful constant or semi-constant energy fields he envisioned! Whether used to construct more powerful personal protection or energy-gathering arrays to aid cultivation, or to realize the industrialized production of his envisioned "energy reconstruction," this would be an indispensable core material!

It is not a weapon in itself, but with it, he can create "tools" that are far more valuable than ordinary magical items! This perfectly aligns with Master Field's reminder and also perfectly fits his own development path!

Almost without hesitation, Rowe reached out and picked up the cold, incredibly heavy black crystal shard.

"Are you sure you want to choose this?" The guardian wizard's usually calm face showed a hint of surprise when he saw Luo Wei's choice. "This thing has been in the treasury for almost a hundred years, and no one has ever chosen it. It has almost no practical value."

"I'm sure." Lowe nodded calmly, carefully putting the slice away. "It'll be useful to me."

The guardian wizard said no more, and after registering, gestured for Rowe to leave.

Carrying this seemingly insignificant "inert crystal base" that could potentially alter the trajectory of his future, Luo Wei left the treasure vault. He knew that this choice might seem foolish to some—abandoning powerful immediate combat capabilities for "scrap"—but it was precisely the disguise and long-term investment he needed.

Back in his room, he eagerly began studying the crystal shard. He tried every method imaginable—burning it with flames, impacting it with water, penetrating it with his mental energy, and even attempting to concentrate the burn with the optimized [Miniature Blazing Flame] technique. The results were exactly as the [Book of Truth] had analyzed: the crystal shard remained completely unharmed, showing no energy reaction whatsoever, as if it existed independently of the world's energy system.

"Perfect..." Luo Wei stroked the cold, smooth surface of the thin plate, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He began to conceive in his mind how to use this base to inscribe his first "experimental stable field." Should he construct a miniature "tranquil training ground"? Or an enhanced "energy aggregation reaction field"?

This requires a lot of calculation and design, which can be made possible by the deductive capabilities of the Book of Truth.

However, just as he was immersed in the joy of his newfound gains and his plans, a soft but urgent knocking interrupted his thoughts.

Outside the door stood Pip, who looked rather grim. He was still in Laboratory Seven, but was keeping in touch with Rowe.

"Brother Rowe!" Pip whispered, a hint of panic in his voice. "I just saw Marco, the one from the Gray Tower. He was with a few apprentices from the enforcement team, and they seemed to be asking about that abandoned storage room you used to frequent!"

Luo Wei's heart sank.

Gray Tower acted even faster than he expected! They actually found his secret laboratory? Although it currently only contained some cheap, low-grade materials and rudimentary tools, and the real core (the energy aggregate production line and reserves) was well hidden, this was undoubtedly a dangerous sign!

What are they trying to do? Search? Or are they planning to set a trap there?

It seems the peaceful days are truly over. The shadow of the Gray Tower has already begun to loom over us without any attempt at concealment.

Luo Wei's gaze grew cold. He gently stroked the cold, inert crystal shard in his hand.

Perhaps it's time to give these prying eyes a little...

**What a surprise!**