The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Endless darkness and the excruciating pain of his soul being torn apart were the first sensations Luo Wei felt upon regaining consciousness. It was as if he had struggled for countless centuries in the icy depths of the sea before finally managing to surface and rediscover his own existence. Each weak breath was accompanied by a needle-like pricking pain deep within his consciousness; his mental energy was completely exhausted, and even the simplest thoughts felt like wading through quagmire.

He didn't know how long he had been unconscious. It was still late at night outside the window, but the raging tide of magic had subsided, leaving only the patter of rain against the windowpane. The dwelling was deathly silent, except for the faint, cool ripples emanating from the gray stone slab in his arms, like a candle flickering in the wind, proving that the terrifying long-range resonance he had experienced earlier was not an illusion.

He strained to examine himself internally; the situation was utterly dire. His spiritual core was dim and riddled with tiny cracks, his soul extremely fragile from overexertion and backlash. His body was also weakened by the severe damage to his spirit. Worse still, he could feel the mark of the "Heart Scar Potion" on his soul, though slightly dormant due to the previous magical tides and the interference of Lilith's fragrance, was beginning to regain its "clarity" and "focus," like a resurrected viper, firmly locking onto his crumbling body.

The surveillance of the Discipline Tower never left.

Current status: Luo Wei (Peak Intermediate Apprentice - Severely Injured Soul)

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Strength assessment: Although his realm has not fallen, his spiritual power is exhausted, his soul is injured, and his strength is less than one-tenth of what it used to be, leaving him in a period of extreme weakness.

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Situation: Just waking up from a coma, still under surveillance, the Tower of Sleep is in imminent danger, and his own mobility is severely limited.

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Psychological state: Enduring excruciating pain, remaining clear-headed, rapidly considering countermeasures, and facing a crucial decision.

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Key information: Stone Slab warning (node ​​to open, door and key, stop or escape), interior view of the Tower of Sleep (dark heart, information stone, phantom of the Star Key).

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Primary objective: To urgently restore some operational capabilities, establish contact with Lilith and Lina, assess the situation, and make a decision.

He had to act immediately! During his unconsciousness, he didn't know how much time had passed in the outside world; the situation in the Tower of Slumber could have changed in an instant! He endured the dizziness and excruciating pain, and with trembling hands, fumbled for the advanced version of the "Soul-Cleansing Incense" Lilith had given him, lighting it again. The cool fragrance filled his lungs, slightly soothing the stinging pain in his soul, but also making him even more acutely aware of his own weakness.

He attempted to use the most basic meditation techniques to recover a sliver of mental energy, but as soon as he began, a stabbing pain shot through his mind, forcing him to stop immediately. Conventional recovery methods were ineffective; he needed more powerful assistance, and he had to avoid being monitored.

Just then, the gray stone tablet in his arms emitted a faint ripple once more. This time, it wasn't a stream of information, but a brief diagram of a basic rune array from an ancient tradition, concerning the urgent nurturing of a wounded soul! The array required very little energy, yet its structure was exquisite, focusing on guiding life energy to nourish the source—perfect for his current condition! This was undoubtedly the lifeline the stone tablet had provided in his most critical moment!

A warm feeling welled up in Luo Wei's heart. Not daring to delay, he immediately concentrated all his remaining thoughts and, relying on his memory, used his fingertips dipped in water to slowly and precisely trace the simple rune array on the bed sheet. After completing it, he lay down in the center of the array, guiding the faint life energy and fragrant medicinal power in the air, slowly infusing it into the array.

The effect was immediate! A gentle, nourishing force seeped into his parched sea of ​​consciousness like spring rain. Although the repair was incredibly slow, it at least stabilized his injuries, preventing them from worsening, and provided a faint source of spiritual energy. This finally gave him the ability to think and perform simple actions.

He must contact Lilith and Lina! But how can he do it without alerting the surveillance team?

He first tried to sense the "Silent Heart" beacon in his arms. The beacon was intact, but activating it would consume mental energy, and the fluctuations might be detected by the Discipline Tower. The risk was too great.

Just as he was becoming increasingly anxious, there was a very light knock on the door of his residence. It wasn't the cold, rhythmic knocking of a Discipline Tower deacon, but rather three long knocks followed by two short ones, repeated twice—this was the emergency contact code Lina had agreed upon through the network of trust!

Luo Wei was startled. He forced himself to get up, moved silently behind the door, activated the information camouflage layer to its limit, simulating the steady breathing and energy fluctuations of someone in a deep sleep, and then gently opened the door a crack.

Outside the door stood Lina's petite and anxious figure. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with worry, and she carried an inconspicuous food box. Behind her, the corridor was empty, but Rowe keenly sensed an extremely faint trace of energy around the far corner—Lilith must have set up some kind of interference or warning device there.

"Brother Luo Wei! Are you alright? We've been sensing unusual energy fluctuations at your residence for a whole day and night!" Lina whispered rapidly, shoving a food box into Luo Wei's hands. "This is 'Origin Nourishing Potion' and 'Soul-Concealing Powder' that Sister Lilith urgently prepared. Use them quickly! Something's wrong outside!"

Rowe felt a warmth in his heart. He took the food box and quickly pulled Lina inside, closing the door behind him. Time was of the essence. While signaling Lina to be vigilant, he immediately swallowed the emerald green potion, which radiated a rich life force. The potion entered his throat, transforming into a warm current that rapidly nourished his damaged soul and body—its effect was several times stronger than the rune array on the stone slab! Lilith's potion-making skills were indeed superb!

At the same time, he sprinkled concealing powder around him to further isolate his own aura.

"What happened? How long was I unconscious? What about the Tower of Slumber..." Luo Wei asked urgently as he recovered.

Lina nervously sensed the approaching door and quickly said, "You've been unconscious for a whole day! Last night's magical tide was terrifying! This morning, the patrol frequency of the Discipline Tower's deacons has doubled! And I sensed several very strong figures, carrying that chilling aura, quietly heading towards the western part of the castle, towards the Tower of Slumber! Sister Lilith said that the reagent she prepared to monitor the academy's energy background detected very strange spatial fluctuations in the western area since early this morning, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, as if... as if something is about to emerge!"

Lina's senses and Lilith's monitoring both confirmed the stone tablet's warning! The activation of the Tower of Slumber's nodes has begun! The Discipline Tower is in action!

"And," Lina added, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes, "I...I think I sensed a very faint but terrifying...crying sound coming from the direction of the Tower of Slumber...the crying of many people...and...laughter...it only lasted for a moment, but it was so scary!" Her natural senses once again picked up on the unusual echo.

Just then, the "Silent Heart" beacon in Luo Wei's arms suddenly vibrated rapidly and briefly! It was Lilith's highest alert signal! It meant that extreme danger was approaching, or that there had been a major change in the surveillance network!

Almost simultaneously with the signal, Luo Wei felt the monitoring mark of the "Heart Scar Potion" on his soul suddenly become extremely active and sharp! It was as if the monitor had suddenly focused all its attention on him! A powerful will, carrying a sense of scrutiny and command, like an invisible shackle, pierced through the concealment powder and pressed down hard on his soul!

It's Elder Anderson! He personally stepped in to strengthen surveillance!

"Apprentice Luo Wei." Elder Anderson's icy voice resounded directly in Luo Wei's mind, carrying an unquestionable authority. "A high-level spatial distortion has occurred in the Tower of Slumber region, determined to be a critical node in the 'Tracing the Origins Project.' According to the contract, you are hereby summoned as a temporary observer. Report to the Discipline Tower immediately to assist in the analysis and recording of energy fluctuations. No mistakes allowed!"

Summoned! At this critical moment! Is it a coincidence? Or has the Discipline Tower already detected his probing and intends to place him under direct control, or even... take him into that dangerous place as some kind of "sacrifice" or "key"?

To agree is to voluntarily step into the most dangerous vortex, where life and death are uncertain.

Refusing is tantamount to openly defying the orders of the Discipline Tower, and will be met with immediate suppression!

Lina also felt the terrifying pressure, her face turned pale, and she tightly gripped Rowe's sleeve.

Lovi's mind raced at an unprecedented pace. The stone tablet's warning (stop or escape), the summons from the Discipline Tower, his own severe injuries, the crisis at the Tower of Slumber, and the elusive "Key of the Star Speaker"...

In an instant, he made a decision.

Escape is impossible. The Tower of Discipline will not give him a chance. Since escape is impossible, he has no choice but to face the challenge head-on! Venturing deep into the lion's den might offer a glimmer of hope in this desperate situation! Moreover, only by getting close to the Tower of Slumber can he possibly access the "key" and unlock the ultimate secret!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his fear, gave Lina a reassuring look, and then, through their soul connection, responded to Elder Anderson in as calm a tone as possible:

"Yes, sir."

The oppressive aura in his mind receded like a tide, but the cold, locked feeling remained.

"Very good. Ten minutes from now, someone will meet you at the entrance of the Discipline Tower." Elder Anderson's voice disappeared.

Lovi immediately instructed Lina: "Tell Lilith to prepare for the worst. If I don't send back a safe signal via beacon within a day, activate 'Project Spark' immediately! Protect yourselves!" "Project Spark" was their agreement: in a desperate situation, Lina and Lilith would use all hidden channels to spread some of the truth about the Tower of Discipline and the Tower of Slumber, creating chaos as a last resort to try and find a glimmer of hope.

With tears in her eyes, Lina nodded heavily and quickly disappeared out the door.

Lowe took a deep breath, maximizing the effects of Lilith's potion, and then used the nourishing array on the stone slab to barely recover about 10% of his mental energy. He changed into a clean apprentice robe, carefully concealed the remaining Origin Nourishing Potion and Breath Concealing Powder close to his body, and also held the Explosive Flame Amulet given to him by Barton in his hand.

He glanced out the window at the deep night and the dark sky to the west that seemed to devour all light—the direction of the Tower of Slumber.

Then, he resolutely pushed open the door and walked towards the cold tower that symbolized order and constraint.

Every step was incredibly heavy, and every step could lead to an abyss of no return.

But he had no way back.

This final gamble, where lives are at stake, has begun.