The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Seven days have passed since the incident involving the abandoned teleportation hall.

For the past seven days, Darkmoon Academy has outwardly returned to its usual order, with classes, missions, and research proceeding as before, as if the abyssal aura and spatial tremors of that night were merely a dream. But beneath the calm surface, the undercurrents are growing ever more turbulent.

Rowe spent most of his time in the meditation room attached to Field's laboratory, or in his own secret chamber. The purification effect of the two formal wizards working together was significant; the abyssal mark, like a persistent affliction, had been suppressed to the deepest recesses of his soul, no longer continuously emitting pollution, but it had not been eradicated. Like a cold seed, it lay dormant, occasionally stirring with a barely perceptible tremor when Rowe was in deep meditation or experiencing intense mental fluctuations, reminding him of its presence.

Current status: Rowe (Late-stage Intermediate Apprentice)

•

Soul Trauma: The Abyss Mark is strongly suppressed and there is no risk of it going out of control for the time being, but it causes occasional stagnation in the flow of mental power, making it difficult to maintain peak performance.

•

Strength assessment: Due to a hidden danger in his soul, his actual combat strength is slightly lower than that of a normal mid-level apprentice in the late stage. He should avoid prolonged high-intensity battles or the casting of complex witchcraft.

•

Advantages: The "Heart of Analysis" imprint is further refined by combating the pollution of the abyss; observing the master's purification process deepens the understanding of the nature of energy.

Master Field concocted a special "Soul Purifying Potion" for him, to be taken daily to gently nourish his soul and slowly erode the remnants of the mark. Lilith (a senior apprentice and a genius in potion making) also contributed her "Tranquilizing Flower Essence," which she modified based on an ancient formula, effectively calming the subtle mental ripples caused by the mark.

The healing process was tedious and slow, but Luo Wei did not waste his time. Unable to conduct high-intensity field construction experiments, he turned his energy to theoretical research and low-energy skill refinement.

He repeatedly studied Master Walter's "Purifying Flame Rune" and Master Field's life energy channeling techniques. Although he couldn't directly replicate that power, with the help of the records in the Book of Truth and the deductions of the Heart of Analysis, he gained a deeper understanding of the basic rune configuration of the "purification" attribute energy. He began to try fine-tuning the energy output frequency when casting the optimized version of "Miniature Blazing Flame," imbuing it with an extremely faint trace of "purification" characteristics. Although the effect was negligible, it was a completely new direction.

Meanwhile, his concept for the "energy signature" tracking project became increasingly clear. The primary challenge was designing a unique and difficult-to-detect "signature." He thought of an extremely rare material—"starlight moss."

Darkmoon Academy World Encyclopedia: Starlight Moss

A rare magical plant that grows only on cliffs at extremely high altitudes, under the constant illumination of specific starlight. Its inherent energy is extremely weak, almost unusable for cultivation or spellcasting. However, it possesses the unique ability to absorb and store starlight energy of specific wavelengths, releasing an extremely faint but distinctive "fingerprint"-like fluorescence in completely dark environments. The fluorescent "fingerprint" of starlight moss collected from different locations and years exhibits subtle differences, making it difficult to imitate. Often used by ancient wizards as a secret marker or a locating beacon for specific rituals, its limited practicality and difficulty in collection have led to its seldom being mentioned by modern wizards.

In a secluded area on the second floor of the library, Luo Wei found a record about starlight moss. "Its unique, unreplicable energy fingerprint" was the perfect medium for his envisioned "signature"! If only the fluorescent properties of trace amounts of starlight moss could be somehow integrated into the energy aggregate…

This idea thrilled him. He immediately tried to purchase samples of Starlight Moss at a high price through Lilith's channels, but learned that this material was too rare; the academy's internal inventory had long been exhausted, and it was also hard to find on the outside market. The lead seemed to have gone cold, but Rowe did not give up. He noted down the need and waited for an opportunity.

During this time, the atmosphere at the Academy subtly shifted. The patrols by the Enforcement Team increased noticeably, especially in some remote areas and around important facilities. Some apprentices or fringe deacons with close ties to the Grey Tower found their activities under stricter "watch" and restrictions. This was a disciplinary measure taken by the Disciplinary Elders after pressure from Walter and Field.

After that thrilling experience, Barton (peak of advanced apprenticeship, nearing the level of a wizard) seemed to have been moved and applied to Master Walter for a short-term "Elemental Body Tempering" trial, aiming to further solidify his foundation and make final preparations for breaking through to the level of a wizard. He temporarily left the core area of ​​the academy.

On this day, as Lowe was in the meditation room trying to guide a faint flame of purification to nourish his soul, Lilith rushed over, her expression not very pleasant.

"Love, we have news," Lilith said in a low voice, "about 'Starlight Moss'."

Luo Wei's spirits lifted: "Where can I find it?"

"It wasn't found, someone leaked the word." Lilith's tone was tinged with doubt. "Just this morning, in the academy's small exchange circle, someone anonymously posted a small batch of 'Centennial Starlight Moss,' asking for an extremely high price, and only accepting barter, specifically requesting... 'Ancient amulet-making methods or equivalent knowledge that can stabilize the mind and ward off prying eyes.'"

Luo Wei's heart sank. This exchange was far too targeted! He had just demonstrated the extraordinary nature of the Soul Amulet in the duel (though later explained as being inspired by ancient technology), and now someone was immediately offering him a much-needed, obscure material, demanding precisely knowledge related to the amulet?

"Is it a trap?" Lowe's eyes sharpened.

"Most likely." Lilith nodded. "I checked. The channel that leaked the information is very discreet, but if you follow the trail, the clues vaguely point to... a few supply brokers who usually have indirect dealings with Gray Tower. They want to lure you in."

Luo Wei was silent for a moment, then sneered, "It seems that although the Gray Tower is temporarily lying low, they haven't given up testing me. They want to know the details of my 'ancient heritage,' or perhaps they just want to use this to confirm my current state."

He decisively gave up: "We can't touch this. Starlight moss is rare, but it's not the only option. We can look for other materials with unique energy fingerprints."

Lilith breathed a sigh of relief. "That's what I thought too. Also, there's something else... You asked me to keep an eye out for any apprentices with special aptitudes who might fit the description of 'pure souls' who have recently gone missing or acted strangely, but I haven't found anything yet. However..." She hesitated for a moment, "Through family channels, I heard some uncertain news from outside the academy... In 'Twilight Town,' near the northern border, several young men and women with weak wizarding aptitude have mysteriously disappeared over the past two months. The local lord's investigation has yielded no results, and he suspects it's the work of wandering monsters or slave traders."

Duskwood? Lowe noted the name. The Gray Tower's tentacles might have already extended beyond the academy.

After seeing Lilith off, Rowe felt a little heavy-hearted. The Gray Tower's conspiracy was like a spider web; although a corner had been broken, it still covered everything. He needed more information and greater power.

He sank his consciousness into his sea of ​​consciousness, facing the gray stone slab once more. After his soul was injured, synchronizing with the stone slab seemed to have become more difficult, but each time he tried to communicate, the "Heart of Analysis" mark originating from the essence of his soul would resonate faintly with the stone slab, slowly nourishing his damaged soul, and even having a slightly imperceptible auxiliary effect in suppressing the Abyss Mark.

[Synchronization rate with the gray slate: 22.1% (Increase of 0.1%, but progress is extremely slow due to the wounded soul and the continued resonance of the 'Heart of Analysis')]

Today, when he probed the stone slab with his spiritual power, besides the fragmented information about energy circulation and the construction of the tower's foundation, he seemed to capture a new, extremely vague image—an endless gray desert, in the center of which stood a huge, broken obelisk, its surface covered with incomprehensible runes, exuding an ancient, desolate, and... aura of suppressing all things.

The image flashed by, yet it sent a jolt through Luo Wei's soul, and even the mark of the abyss seemed to shrink back.

"Suppression..." Luo Wei seemed to understand something. The knowledge contained in the stone tablet might not only concern creation and construction, but also... sealing and suppression? Could this offer any inspiration for resolving the abyssal mark within him?

While Rowe was engrossed in his research, he was unaware that hundreds of miles away from Darkmoon Academy, in a desolate mountain range shrouded in a perpetual gray mist, the Gray Tower's new stronghold was under construction at a rapid pace.

This is the ruins of the Tower of Slumber.

Darkmoon Academy World Encyclopedia: The Slumbering Tower

The ruins of a laboratory belonging to a legendary wizard known as the "Sleeping Sage," dating back a thousand years. Legend has it that this sage dedicated himself to researching dreams, souls, and the laws of eternal sleep, his tower filled with bizarre dream experimentation sites and soul-binding devices. In a major experimental accident, the entire tower and its surrounding area were dragged into a chasm between reality and dreams, the spatial structure becoming extremely unstable, filled with all sorts of bizarre dream remnants and spatial folds. The tower itself has largely collapsed, covered by a thick layer of gray crystalline material, as if trapped in an eternal slumber. This place is designated a highly dangerous forbidden zone by the academy, and ordinary wizards dare not approach it. However, due to its unique spatial characteristics, it is often coveted by wizards conducting forbidden experiments or requiring absolute secrecy.

At this moment, deep within the Tower of Slumber, in a relatively intact obsidian-constructed circular hall, Master Elena (a second-circle wizard) stood before a reconstructed altar, far more complex and massive than the abandoned teleportation hall. In the center of the altar floated a pulsating, dark heart-like phantom, the size of an infant's head, emanating a suffocating abyssal aura.

Several trusted Gray Tower members (all advanced apprentices) stood respectfully behind him.

"The coordinates have been recalibrated. Based on the spatial folds of the 'Tower of Sleep,' this energy fluctuation can be perfectly concealed," an apprentice in charge of the ritual reported. "A new 'container' has also been identified. The target is Dusk Town. The soul's purity meets the requirements, and it has a natural affinity with the 'Sleep' characteristic, making it a more perfect vessel than the previous one."

A hint of satisfaction appeared on Master Elena's usually indifferent face: "Very good. Is the 'Guide' arranged?"

"They're all set. They'll stage an 'accident' so that the target will 'justifiably' disappear on the way to some 'wizard academy' without arousing any suspicion."

"Speed ​​up," Master Elena commanded. "The old fogies at the academy are watching closely; we don't have much time. We must complete the implantation ritual of the 'Seed of the Abyss' before they react. Once the seed takes root and sprouts within the perfect container, we can bypass the spatial barrier, establish a stable connection directly with that being, and obtain the true power of the abyss!"

She paused, a glint of cunning in her eyes: "As for that Luo Wei... we don't need to worry about him for now. Once we master the power of the Abyss, we'll naturally uncover his little secret. Give the order to continue observing, but any action must be approved by me; we must not alert him."

"yes!"

The phantom of the dark heart on the altar beat more powerfully, its deep throbbing echoing through the empty hall, as if synchronized with the pulse of some distant and terrifying being. Gray mist churned outside the tower, silently concealing all sin and ambition.

Inside Darkmoon Academy, Rowe finished his meditation for the day, feeling the stagnation in his soul lessen somewhat. He walked to the window and looked north, towards Dusk Town, which was also the general area where the Tower of Slumber was located.

A strange intuition made him feel uneasy.