The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

A chilling, bone-chilling abyssal pressure, like a tangible tsunami, surged forth from the slowly opening dark portal, crushing across the ruined battlefield. The air froze, the elements groaned, and even space itself distorted under the immense pressure. At the center of the portal, the enormous, tentacle-covered shadow, teeming with suction cups and ghastly white eyes, had already extended most of itself, radiating a soul-chilling greed and destructive will. This was the projection of the Abyss Lord! Its power level far surpassed the previous shadow demons, comparable to a third or even fourth-ring wizard!

Elder Anderson's face was ashen, despair flashing in his eyes. Anne gripped Rowe's arm tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. Barton held his sword horizontally before him, his burning battle aura flickering like a candle in the wind before this absolute darkness. Lilith and Lina were even more overwhelmed by the terrifying aura, barely able to breathe.

A desperate situation! A truly desperate situation!

However, at this breathtaking moment, where the mysterious starlight arrow that had pierced the demonized assassin from the distant sky vanished, ripples appeared in the space. A tall, graceful figure stood silently, stepping into the void.

She still wore that tattered gray tower master's robe, but the madness and resentment she once possessed had vanished, replaced by a bottomless calm and a profound sense of history. In her eyes, there was the birth and death of stars, an ancient desolation; her body radiated a pure and vast starlight, originating from the same source as the star power within Luo Wei, yet a hundred times purer and more powerful! It was none other than the long-lost Master Elena!

No, at this moment, she may no longer be "Elena." That aura belongs to an ancient Star Speaker!

"Star... Guardian of the Star Speaker's Legacy..." Annie murmured to herself, gazing at the figure with excitement and awe in her eyes, confirming Rowe's guess.

"Elena..." Elder Anderson's face was also filled with disbelief. "You... succeeded? Or... were you possessed?"

Elena's gaze swept over the crowd below, lingering briefly on Rowe and the key in his palm. A complex, indescribable expression flickered across her face—a mixture of relief, scrutiny, and perhaps...guilt? She didn't answer Anderson, but instead looked up at the abyss projection that was about to fully descend. Her clear, cold voice resonated throughout the heavens and earth, carrying an ancient rhythm:

"You corrupt and defiled beings, this is not your territory. In the name of the stars, begone!"

She lightly raised her hand, sketching in the air. Countless profound star runes emerged from the sky, converging into a dazzling river of starlight that surged towards the abyss's gate! Wherever the river passed, the pervasive dark energy melted away like ice and snow, and the terrifying pressure was temporarily forced back!

"Roar!" The abyss projection roared in fury, its enormous tentacles stirring the darkness and colliding violently with the starlight river!

Rumble—!!!

An indescribable energy explosion resounded above the academy! Blinding starlight and filthy darkness ravaged and annihilated everything, and the shockwave once again leveled the ruins on the ground! Luo Wei and the others had to defend themselves with all their might just to keep their footing.

A battle between formal wizards (third circle and above)! No, this is even a clash of rules!

"It's a high-level application of the 'Star Purification' sequence! She's at least recovered some of the strength of a Star Speaker Instructor!" A tremor ran through Luo Wei's mind from the Star Key, conveying a vague message. A Star Speaker Instructor corresponds to the third circle or even higher in the wizarding system!

Elena (or the consciousness of the Star Speaker) clashed fiercely in the sky with the Abyss projection, starlight and darkness colliding endlessly, neither gaining the upper hand. However, Rowe keenly sensed that while Elena's starlight was pure and powerful, it seemed to be waning, as if she hadn't fully recovered. Meanwhile, the Abyss projection's power appeared inexhaustible, constantly increasing!

"She can't hold on much longer!" Elder Anderson coughed up blood, struggling to speak. "We must close that door, or... escape immediately!"

Closing the doors? Easier said than done! Escape? Where could one possibly escape to?

Just then, the Key of Star Language in Luo Wei's palm burned intensely once more, and a clearer, more urgent thought entered his mind, originating from the core of the "Stargazer":

[WARNING! High concentration of Abyssal Source Material Infusion Detected, Dimensional Barrier Stability Drops Sharply! The Stargazer's Stealth Status is Disrupted, Risk of Exposure!]

[The compatible candidate (Love) has been detected in a high-risk area. The final emergency response plan option has been activated.]

Option A: Execute the 'Purification Protocol'. Guide the 'Stargazer's' main cannon ('Starfall') in an orbital strike to attempt to destroy the Abyss Portal. Risk: Extremely energy-intensive, may trigger uncontrollable spatial collapse, expose the 'Stargazer's' coordinates. Estimated success rate: 37%.

Option B: Execute the 'Ark Protocol'. Initiate an emergency jump, transporting the compatible individual and designated target to the 'Stargazer,' abandoning this plane and embarking on a deep-space escape. Risk: Jump energy fluctuations may attract the attention of the Abyss's will; the escape's future is uncertain.

[Please make your decision within 60 seconds if you are a temporary user!]

A choice! A choice that concerns the fate of everyone, and may even affect the future of the entire plane!

Option A is a risky gamble that could destroy the portal, but it could also result in mutual destruction and expose the last spark of human civilization—the "Stargazer".

Plan B: Preserve the flame, abandon this world, and embark on an unknown path of exile, but this may lead to disaster in deep space.

Lowe's heart pounded; the immense pressure almost suffocated him. He looked at his companions: Elder Anderson, heavily wounded but with unwavering eyes; Annie, weak yet hopeful; Barton, covered in blood but still fighting spirit; and Lilith and Lina, their eyes filled with trust. He looked up at Elena, her identity shrouded in mystery, battling the abyss high in the sky; and at the innocent victims who might still be struggling in the distant ruins…

He thought of Master Walter's possible sacrifice, of the destruction of the Academy, of the world that had nurtured him...

"Love! Is there any way?" Barton roared, interrupting Love's thoughts.

Time ticked by, second by second. The countdown of the star core tolled like the tolling of death's bell.

High in the sky, Elena's starlight dimmed noticeably. A dark tentacle grazed her body, leaving a trail of starlight-like blood droplets. The abyss portal had expanded once more!

There's no time to hesitate!

A resolute glint flashed in Luo Wei's eyes. He couldn't stand by and watch the world be swallowed up, nor could he allow the "Stargazer," their last hope, to be so easily exposed. He had to take a gamble! A gamble on a tiny possibility!

"Star Core!" Luo Wei transmitted his thoughts through the key. "Choose Plan A, execute the 'Purification Protocol'! But the objective is not to destroy the portal, but to precisely strike the energy node at the portal's core, attempting to interrupt the infusion of Abyssal Essence, creating an opportunity for Elena... for the Star Speaker to close the portal! At the same time, conceal the source of the attack to the greatest extent possible, and prepare to activate Plan B as a backup!"

This was the most risk-reward balanced solution he could think of, based on his understanding of the star runes and energy structure! Interrupting the infusion rather than destroying the portal consumed less energy and exposed less risk. If successful, Elena would have a chance to close the portal! Even if it failed, there was still a chance to activate Plan B and escape!

[Command received. Recalculating... Target revised: Precision strike on energy node. Energy consumption reduced to 45%, exposure risk reduced to 18%, estimated success rate: 22%. Prepare Plan B. 50 seconds countdown...]

The success rate is only 22%! But this is the only chance!

"Elder Anderson! Anne!" Rowe cried urgently, "I need your help with Elena! Elder, use your Lawful Words to try and temporarily stabilize the spatial structure around the portal to prevent the attack from triggering a massive collapse! Anne, use your Natural Resonance to help Elena sense the portal's most vulnerable structural points!"

Although Anderson and Annie were confused, seeing the unwavering determination in Rowe's eyes, they immediately nodded. Anderson, despite his severe injuries, once again raised the Codex of Law and chanted incantations to stabilize the space. Annie closed her eyes and focused her mind, extending her natural senses towards the portal high above.

"Barton, Lilith, Lina! Prepare for the impact! Regardless of victory or defeat, we may have to evacuate immediately!" Rowe quickly gave the order. Barton's greatsword slammed into the ground, its battle aura surging. Lilith distributed several vials of potent healing and energy potions to everyone. Lina, meanwhile, focused all her senses on alerting for any other potential threats.

Elena, high in the sky, seemed to sense the commotion below and the communication between Lovi and the Star Core. She gave Lovi a deep look, and her attack suddenly became even more fierce. She did not hesitate to consume her primordial star power to tightly entangle the Abyss projection, creating an opportunity for the "action" below!

[Starfall main gun charging begins... Target locked... 10, 9, 8...]

Luo Wei held his breath, using all his strength to maintain the connection with the star core through the Key of Star Language, guiding the destructive energy from beyond the heavens.

[3, 2, 1! Launch!]

There was no deafening roar, only an extremely thin and bright pure white beam of light, seemingly condensing the power of the entire galaxy, ignoring spatial distance, piercing through nothingness and precisely striking the very center of the abyss portal, the singularity where the energy flow was most violent and unstable!

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

The next second—

Buzz!

A deep, resonant hum, seemingly capable of shattering the soul, emanated from within the portal! The entire portal twisted and trembled violently, countless cracks appearing on its surface! The infused stream of dark energy abruptly halted, then became chaotic and surged back! The abyss projection at the center of the portal roared in pain and rage, its form becoming blurred and indistinct!

Success?! At least partially successful! The energy infusion was interrupted!

"Now!" Elena (the Star Speaker)'s eyes flashed with starlight, and her hands formed an extremely complex ancient star seal, her star power boiling as if burning!

"In my name, I summon the power of the stars to seal this gate! Starry Sky Seal!"

Countless enormous phantom stars appeared behind her, transforming into a massive starlight net that stretched across the heavens and earth, enveloping the violently shaking abyss portal!

The abyssal projection struggled frantically, trying to stop it, but the interruption of its energy supply greatly weakened its power. The starlight net gradually contracted, forcibly pressing the massive portal, along with the projection within, into the depths of the collapsed ruins of the Tower of Slumber!

"No—!!!" A roar filled with resentment resounded through the heavens and earth. Finally, with a deafening explosion, the abyss portal and its projection were forcibly sealed back underground, leaving behind only a bottomless, enormous pit emanating residual black energy and a desolate wasteland.

The dark red clouds in the sky began to slowly dissipate.

Is it over...?

Elena (the Star Speaker) swayed slightly in the air, her face as pale as paper, her aura rapidly weakening, clearly indicating that the seal had consumed a great deal of her power. She slowly descended from the sky, her gaze once again fixed on Lovi, her expression complex and unreadable.

Elder Anderson collapsed from exhaustion, and Annie rushed to help him up. Barton, Lilith, and Lena all breathed a sigh of relief, but still kept a wary eye on Elena and their surroundings.

Luo Wei breathed a sigh of relief, but his vigilance remained. The Star Core transmitted a notification: [Purification Protocol completed. Energy consumption 45%. Concealment system intact. No tracking signal detected. Plan B ready.]

He walked towards Elena and asked in a deep voice, "Who... exactly are you? Master Elena, or... the Star Speaker?"

Elena (tentative name) looked at Rowe, then at the key in his palm, and slowly spoke, her voice tinged with weariness and remoteness: "I am Elena, also known as 'Velna,' one of the last Star Speaker mentors. The ritual of the Tower of Slumber was originally my plan to awaken the Star Speaker heritage and fight against the Abyss, but it was exploited by Caspar and the will of the Abyss, nearly causing a catastrophe. My consciousness was mostly corrupted and suppressed, until recently, when, with the help of... some external force and the resonance of the 'key' in your hand, I barely awoke and merged with some of my memories."

She looked at Lo Wei with admiration: "Young Star Speaker, you've done well. Your choice has saved the world... for now."

"Temporarily?" Luo Wei frowned.

"The erosion of the abyss will not stop. This portal is only temporarily sealed; the will of the abyss has already taken notice of this plane. Moreover..." Her gaze swept over Anderson and Annie, "the interior of this world is not peaceful either."

Elder Anderson struggled to sit up, looking at Elena (Velna) with a complex expression: "Elena... no, Instructor Verna. I will take responsibility for the Discipline Tower's mistakes. But now the academy is destroyed, and the human world faces a tremendous threat. How... should we deal with this?"

Verna looked at Lovi, then at the distance: "The 'Stargazer'...it's still there, isn't it?" She seemed to be able to sense the presence of the star core.

Luo Wei was startled, but did not deny it.

"It is hope, and it is also a responsibility," Verna said softly. "Will you choose to repair it, rebuild the glory of the Star Speakers, and fight against the abyss together? Or will you steer it and escape this star field that is about to be engulfed by war? The choice is in your hands."

Her words once again placed the final choice in the hands of Lowe and his companions. To stay and rebuild, or to venture into deep space? This was not only a matter of their fate, but also of the future of the world.

Above the ruins, the last rays of the setting sun pierced through the gradually dissipating clouds, casting their light on the faces of the survivors, reflecting their exhaustion after surviving the disaster, as well as their confusion and heaviness in the face of the future.

And in the distant depths of the starry sky, it seems that even more eyes are gazing upon this tiny plane that has just undergone a life-or-death test.