The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Carlson's notes were like a boulder thrown into Lowe's already turbulent ocean of knowledge. Those seemingly far-fetched and unproven conjectures resonated remarkably with his own experiences and the function of the grey slate.

"Information sedimentation layer," "source library," "sea of ​​collective consciousness"... Aren't these concepts describing a vast, omnipresent database that records the world's knowledge and ideas? And is his gray slate a "terminal" or "key" that can access and "download" specific information from this database to a limited extent?

This idea sent a chill down Luo Wei's spine. If this conjecture was true, then the "Source Codex" might not be a specific book, but rather refer to the vast and boundless "Source Library" itself, or the ultimate knowledge contained within it! And the "key" is a tool like the stone tablet for access, or... a method for understanding and mastering the information within!

He immediately shared this discovery with Lilith and Lina (omitting the specific location of the stone tablet, only stating that it was based on a deduction from some ancient theory). Lilith showed great interest, as it provided her with a completely new perspective on the ineffable "inspiration" and "intuition" in potion formulations. Lina, on the other hand, was more focused on the conjecture mentioned in the notes about the unique "imprint" that certain materials might leave in the information field, which might explain her almost instinctive sensitivity to the properties of materials.

The three-person research team temporarily shifted their focus from the practical application of the alchemical beacon to the theoretical verification and expansion of Carlson's notes. They divided the work: Lowe, using his "analytic heart" and spatial awareness, attempted to capture more subtle information remnants in the environment; Lilith was responsible for organizing the drug formulas mentioned in the notes that could be used to enhance perception or stabilize information reception (most of which were incomplete); and Lena, based on the clues in the notes, searched for rare materials that might have a special response to the information field or carry more "historical imprints".

This process was slow and arduous, often like groping in the dark. But they persevered, finding joy in each small discovery or verification, which deepened their understanding of the world.

Luo Wei's development of his abilities has also entered a new stage. He no longer simply uses spatial perception to "see" the flow of energy and the structure of matter, but begins to try to "listen" to the more subtle echoes of information remaining in space.

In the quiet bookshelves of the library, he could vaguely "hear" the fragments of thought left behind by those who had read and pondered; in the ruins of an ancient laboratory, he could capture the intense emotional fluctuations that erupted when experiments succeeded or failed; even in the bustling corridors, he could sense the faint traces of thought left by apprentices who had stayed briefly... These messages were chaotic, fleeting, and difficult to interpret, yet they truly existed.

This confirms part of Carlson's conjecture. The world is indeed like a giant hard drive, constantly recording everything. And his Void Affinity and the Gray Slate are like a constantly upgraded "receiving and parsing device."

[The Book of Truth] is being updated simultaneously…

[Slight improvement in environmental information flow capture capability...]

[Information Fragment Filtering and Parsing Algorithm Optimization...]

[Preliminary verification suggests that the "Source Library" hypothesis has some merit...]

[Warning: The risk of information overload is increasing; it is necessary to strengthen mental filtering and psychological protection.]

Meanwhile, the development of the alchemical beacon also made progress. With the help of a special material called "Silent Crystal" found by Lina, they successfully solved the problem of the beacon's energy fluctuations being easily detected. This crystal, which originates from a place where specific elements are dormant and naturally possesses the property of concealing energy, perfectly serves as the core carrier and shielding layer of the beacon runes.

The final product is a thin, silver-gray sheet about the size of a fingernail, with a smooth, mirror-like surface and a slightly cool touch. It normally emits almost no energy fluctuations, but only when it receives a specific frequency of starlight moss resonance will it produce extremely weak, regular vibrations that are difficult to detect by conventional means.

They named the new beacon "Silent Star." While the issues of effective sensing range and limited functionality have not been fully resolved, its stealth capabilities have been greatly improved, giving it the potential for deployment in actual combat.

Current status: Rowe (Late-stage Intermediate Apprentice)

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Strength Assessment: The realm is stable, spatial perception has advanced (able to capture faint information echoes), knowledge of runes/alchemy has greatly increased, and the theoretical foundation is extremely solid.

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Core abilities: Void Affinity (Beginner → Intermediate Prototype), Keystone Rune Recognition (Basic), Information Perception (Introductory), Optimized Sorcery Model (Master), Basic Rune Mastery (Proficient).

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Team progress: The "Silent Star" beacon has been successfully developed, and preliminary theoretical verification has been achieved in the Carlson Notes research.

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Development priorities: Enhance information perception capabilities, conduct long-distance beacon tests, and continue research on Carlson's notes.

Just as Rowe's team was immersed in the joy of their research and discoveries, Elder Anderson's "Overseer Contract" arrived as scheduled. A stern-faced Discipline Tower Deacon (peak Advanced Apprentice level) came to Field's laboratory and informed Rowe to go to the Discipline Tower for his first regular report.

Stepping once more into the cold, oppressive hall of the Discipline Tower, filled with the invisible power of the law, Luo Wei felt calmer than before, yet also more vigilant. He knew that here, every word and action required caution.

The presentation was tedious and rigorous. He omitted his conjectures about Carlson's notes and the "Source Library" (which are unproven theories), as well as the specific details of the "Silent Star" beacon (which involve the team's research results). He mainly reported on the stability of his own soul state (emphasizing the suppression of the Abyss Mark by spatial energy), his learning progress on the third floor of the library (rune literature and contract theory), and his preliminary exploration of the Void Affinity Constitution (limited to spatial perception, concealing information perception).

Elder Anderson (a third-circle wizard) sat above, listening expressionlessly, occasionally posing a pointed question or two, focusing on the stability of the Abyss Mark, whether he had felt any unusual temptation, and his attitude towards the Academy's laws. Lowe answered cautiously, respectfully, and truthfully (after careful selection).

In the end, Elder Anderson seemed to find no obvious loopholes, but he reiterated that he must strictly abide by the contract and not pry into taboos, and handed Rowe a gray potion that needed to be taken regularly to "monitor the soul's state".

"This is the 'Heartmark Potion,' to be taken once a month. It helps the Discipline Tower monitor fluctuations in abnormal energy within your soul, ensuring the Abyssal Mark remains under control," Elder Anderson said firmly.

Luo Wei felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that this was both a form of monitoring and a means of control. But he had no choice but to accept the medicine and indicate that he would take it on time.

As he finished his report and was about to leave the Discipline Tower, the gray stone tablet in his arms once again emitted an extremely faint yet exceptionally clear resonance!

This time, the source of the resonance did not come from outside the tower, but from... the depths of the Discipline Tower! Moreover, the object of the resonance was not the previous abyssal whispers full of temptation and malice, but rather a very subtle echo of a certain cornerstone rune representing "judgment" and "sealing" within the framework of the "Lawful Word Contract" that he had just reported and was studying!

The resonance was fleeting, as if it were instantly suppressed by the powerful law within the tower, but Luo Wei clearly caught it!

What's going on? Inside the Discipline Tower, what is echoing the cornerstone runes of the "Lawful Covenant"? Is it some kind of powerful sealed artifact? Or... is the sealed Master Elena trying to connect with the knowledge she knows in some way?

He dared not show the slightest emotion, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and left the Tower of Discipline with a calm expression.

Back in the lab, Lowe immediately recorded the unusual resonance of the Discipline Tower and focused even more intently on his research into the theory of "Lawful Contracts." He had a premonition that understanding this power at the level of rules was not only a way to enhance his strength, but also potentially the key to unlocking the secrets of the Discipline Tower and even dealing with future crises.

However, a few days later, an unexpected message interrupted their peaceful research.

Lilith learned from family sources that Pip's distant cousin's caravan, who had previously provided clues about the Starlight Moss, failed to return on time after their last trade trip to the northern border. Preliminary investigations suggest they may have been attacked by a rare "Void Mirage" at the edge of the Shattered Star Mountains, and all members have disappeared.

Darkmoon Academy World Encyclopedia: Void Mirage

These are bizarre phenomena or creatures that inhabit areas of unstable spatial structures (such as the Shattered Star Mountains). They are not physical monsters, but rather phantom clusters with weak self-awareness formed by the ethereal energy seeping from spatial rifts, mixed with local environmental information and the subconscious of living beings. They can distort light and perception, creating incredibly realistic illusions to lure prey into becoming lost within them, ultimately leading to assimilation or the depletion of their life force. They are extremely dangerous; conventional physical and elemental attacks are largely ineffective, requiring strong mental resistance or specific spatial stabilization methods to deal with.

Pip was dejected after hearing the news. Although he was not close to his cousin, the cousin had gone to the dangerous area because of his previous inquiry.

After discussing it, Lowe, Lilith, and Barton (who had finished his short-term seclusion and whose strength had improved further) decided to visit Pip. After all, although the initial clue later proved to be a trap set by the Gray Tower, Pip's intentions were good.

In the lounge next to the Seventh Laboratory, they found Pip looking dejected.

"...Uncle...he always brags, but he's not a bad person..." Pip choked up. "In our last communication, he mysteriously said that in a valley he'd never seen before on the outskirts of the Shattered Star Mountains, he'd discovered a kind of jewel-like mushroom that emits seven-colored light, and that he'd bring it back for me to see...I never expected..."

A mushroom that looks like a rainbow gem? Lowe's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't think much of it and just comforted Pip a few times.

However, just as they left the lounge and turned the corner of the corridor, the gray slate in Rowe's arms resonated strongly once again without warning!

This time, the resonance was exceptionally clear and intense! It was instantly linked to the description in his mind of Carlson's notes that "high-value information carriers are often accompanied by unusual energy signatures or unique forms," ​​as well as Pip's image of "a mushroom like a seven-colored gemstone"!

Meanwhile, the direction indicated by the resonance of the stone slab was not the Tower of Discipline or the Tower of Slumber, but rather pointed far away outside the academy—to a general location in the Shattered Star Mountains!

A startling conjecture flashed through Lo Wei's mind like lightning!

What Pip's uncle saw might not have been an ordinary magic mushroom at all! It was very likely an extremely rare natural alchemical material containing a unique information imprint! It might even have been a strange existence, as speculated in Carlson's notes, that could serve as a natural information receiving node or storage medium for the "Source Library"!

The attack by the Void Mirage may not be accidental! That strange material may have a huge attraction for the Mirage, which relies on void energy and information fields!

"Lilith! Barton!" Rowe stopped abruptly, his eyes sharpening. "We might... have discovered something incredible!"

He quickly and quietly shared his speculation with the two of them.

Lilith and Barton both looked shocked after hearing this.

"You mean, Uncle Pip's disappearance might not be due to an accident, but because he discovered some kind of...treasure?" Barton lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with excitement and seriousness.

"And that thing might be related to the 'Source Library' you're researching, Luo Wei?" Lilith's breathing quickened. "If that's the case, then its value..."

The three exchanged a glance, each seeing the determination in the other's eyes.

We must find it!

Not only for the possible valuable materials, but also to verify Carlson's theory, to find Uncle Pip's whereabouts, and also... potentially, to obtain a new breakthrough in the research of the "Source Library"!

However, the Shattered Star Mountains are fraught with danger, and even more so with the elusive mirages that appear and disappear unpredictably. This operation must be carefully planned and thoroughly prepared.

A new adventure quietly unfolds amidst seemingly ordinary daily life. This time, their goal is no longer intrigue and battle, but exploration and discovery, though its danger may be no less than before.

Luo Wei touched the gray stone slab in his arms, which had returned to calm, and his gaze seemed to pierce through the walls of the academy, looking towards the mountain range shrouded in mist and danger.