The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

Inside the cave, the air seemed to solidify into hard crystal. An invisible force field pressed down as if it were a tangible substance, making breathing difficult. The Star Key hovered in the air, its resonance with the pyramid growing stronger, its silvery-white light weaving into a net that enveloped the three intruders. The starlight flickering in the eyes of the three skeletons of the Stargazers cast a cold and heavy "gaze."

"Verification...start..."

The aged spiritual fluctuations resounded once more, not from a single source, but from three similar yet distinct thoughts, like three ancient echoes, simultaneously reverberating in the minds of Rowe, Barton, and Lina.

Luo Wei forced himself to calm down. The Star Key's unusual movement was unexpected, but since this was the "Starfire Chamber," a legacy left by stargazers, it was reasonable for the Star Key, as a token of inheritance, to trigger some kind of automatic mechanism. The key question was: what was this "verification"? And what would happen if it failed? The skeletons and the remains on the other side of the cave silently spoke of danger.

"Senior," Luo Wei tried to communicate with the fluctuations through his mind, while carefully controlling his own star power to prevent it from leaking out due to tension, "We come with the Star Key, following the guidance of the 'Guardians' Agreement.' We are not coveters, but only seek the lost wisdom and power of the Stargazers to fight against our common enemy."

The flames in the skeleton's eyes flickered slightly, and the three thoughts seemed to have a brief exchange.

"Words...are not enough to prove anything."

"The Star Key... is only one of the credentials."

"Those who coveted it... also once possessed fragments..."

"Verification...triple..."

As soon as the words were spoken, starlight burst forth from the eye sockets of the three skeletons, transforming into three orbs of flame of different colors and auras in the air.

The sphere of light on the left was dark gold, heavy as a mountain, exuding a pure and profound majesty of matter and power.

The central sphere of light is silvery-blue, constantly swirling, radiating a profound and sophisticated knowledge and wisdom.

The light sphere on the right is pale blue, ethereal and dynamic, conveying a resonance between a keen and inclusive mind and perception.

"Proof of strength..."

"Proof of knowledge..."

"Proof of the Heart..."

"Choose one and give it your all. Success grants entry into the field. Failure... and you are assimilated, forever among the stardust."

Three choices? And judging from this, some of the previous intruders may have failed and "assimilated" here, becoming remnants on the other side of the cave! This verification is no child's play.

Lowe looked at Barton and Lena. The three exchanged quick glances.

"I'll take the 'Proof of Power'!" Barton stepped forward without hesitation, his gaze fixed on the dark golden sphere. He was a warrior; his body and will, honed by the power of stellar battle qi, were best suited for a direct challenge to the trial of strength.

"I...I'll try the 'Proof of the Heart'," Lina said softly but firmly, her gaze meeting the pale blue orb of light. Her intuition was the most acute in the team; perhaps she could find a glimmer of hope in a trial related to the mind and spirit.

Luo Wei nodded, looking at the silver-blue sphere in the center—the "Proof of Knowledge." As the holder of the Star Key, the team leader, and the person with the most knowledge of the Stargazer civilization, he had an unshirkable responsibility to explore the trials of knowledge and wisdom. Moreover, he had a vague feeling that the fluctuations of the Star Key and this "Proof of Knowledge" were most compatible.

"Be careful. Your safety comes first. If it's impossible, give up immediately and we'll think of another way," Luo Wei solemnly instructed.

Barton grinned, and Lina nodded slightly.

Each of the three walked towards their chosen orb of light. The instant their spirits made contact with the orb—

Swish!

The three figures vanished from their original positions simultaneously, being pulled into three completely different independent spaces!

Loewy's "proof of knowledge" space.

He felt as if he were in a boundless cosmic library. Beneath his feet were flowing star charts, and all around him were endless bookshelves made of light, upon which countless shimmering runes and images floated. There were no physical entities, only a pure flow of information.

A voice, similar to the fluctuations of the skeletons but far more grand and rational, resounded: "Seeker of knowledge, answer three questions. Your answers will determine the level of knowledge you can acquire, and... whether you can leave."

"First question: The power of the stars originates from the rules and manifests in all things. But can there be a will above the rules? If so, where does that will come from? If not, what is the order by which all things operate?"

The question went straight to the heart, concerning the origin and order of the universe. Luo Wei was startled, recalling the interrogation of the "Stairway to Truth," the so-called "balance" of the Stasis Court, and the vast, ancient will of the Stardust Whale. He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Rules are the inherent patterns and constants of the universe, like the channels of a river. Will is the water flowing through those channels, the choices and performances of life, civilization, and even higher levels of existence. Rules are the stage, will is the actor and the drama. Rules are neither good nor evil, but will has direction and opposition. The Stasis Court places its own will above the rules, attempting to act as director or even screenwriter, stifling all 'inappropriate' dramas. This is not upholding the rules, but stifling possibility. The power of the stars borrows the power of the rule system; the will of its user determines whether it is a lighthouse or a sharp blade."

The starry sky rippled slightly, as if taking an assessment.

"Second question: The civilization of stargazers, in pursuit of truth and exploration of the cosmos, ultimately declined because it touched upon 'taboos.' Is the pursuit of truth itself a form of transgression? Where are the boundaries of civilization?"

Lowe recalled Iserline's grief and indignation, Malbas's struggle, and the temple's scars. "The pursuit of truth itself is not presumption, but the very nature of civilization. Presumption lies in regarding one's own discovered 'truth' or 'balance' as the sole and unquestionable standard, and using it to forcibly judge the existence of other civilizations. The boundaries of civilization should not be red lines drawn by others, but rather its awareness and responsibility for the consequences of its own actions, and its basic reverence for other existences. The Observer's mistake may lie in failing to recognize the existence of 'judges' like the Court of Stasis earlier and to prepare adequately for dealing with them, rather than believing that the exploration itself is sinful."

The brilliance of the information flow seemed to brighten slightly.

"Third question: You possess the Star Key and have received the inheritance, what do you intend to do? If you gain great power, will you keep it on a high shelf, use power to claim supremacy, or... repeat the mistakes of the past?"

This is the most crucial question. Lo Wei gazed directly into this sea of ​​knowledge, his words clear and distinct: "Power is a tool, a responsibility, not an end. I wish to use the power I have gained to protect my companions, to uncover the buried truth, and to fight against the oppression of injustice. If possible, I wish to be a bridge in this sea of ​​stars, not a new high wall; a guardian of the flame of civilization, not another cold 'balancer.' The legacy of the stargazers should not be the foundation of another stagnant court, but rather the fertile ground from which countless possibilities sprout anew. I cannot guarantee that I will never repeat the same mistakes, but I am willing to constantly reflect upon this and encourage each other with my companions."

Silence. After a long while, the grand voice rang out again, seemingly tinged with a subtle...relief?

"The answer... is acceptable. The logic is consistent, and the mind is beginning to understand. However, true knowledge requires the unity of knowledge and action. I bestow upon you a copy of 'An Introduction to Astrology,' which contains a systematic explanation by an astrologer of the fundamental cosmological constants, the nature of energy, and the principles of rune construction. This will help you solidify your foundation and discern the direction. In addition, I grant you access to the 'Spark Chamber' basic information database for one hour."

Countless points of light flooded into Luo Wei's mind, coalescing into a vast and systematic tome of knowledge. At the same time, he felt his connection with this information space tighten, allowing him to retrieve and access basic information to a limited extent. He immediately began searching for keywords such as "Silent Court," "Libra Coordinates," and "Original Terms of the Starfall Covenant."

Barton's "Proof of Power" space.

He stood on a vast, desolate wasteland composed of dark golden energy. Opposite him, a dark golden figure, as tall as Barton and made of pure energy, slowly rose, a giant sword materializing in his hand. His aura was heavy and solid, somewhat similar to Barton's Starry Battle Qi, but even purer and more ancient.

"The proof of strength lies solely in battle. Defeat the projection of 'Star Rock Guardian'. Time limit: One incense stick's time." A simple thought echoed.

Barton grinned, his eyes burning with fighting spirit: "Perfect!" Without further ado, his Starry Sky Battle Aura erupted, his platinum armor solidified, and with his greatsword in hand, he charged forward! There were no fancy techniques, only the purest clash of power, speed, and will!

clang!clang!clang!

The greatswords clashed, unleashing a deafening roar, and shockwaves raged across the wasteland. The dark gold figure's power was as steady as a mountain, each attack heavy and powerful, carrying a peculiar shockwave, attempting to dismantle Barton's aura structure. Barton, on the other hand, pushed offense to its extreme, his aura blazing and explosive, each sword strike carrying the power to cleave mountains and split rocks, while his movements were as swift as lightning, constantly seeking openings in his opponent's attacks.

The battle was incredibly fierce. Barton was quickly wounded; his opponent's power level seemed slightly higher than his own. But he fought with increasing ferocity. Under the pressure of life and death, his understanding of Stellar Battle Qi deepened rapidly. The corrosive properties of the Abyss Crystal Core spontaneously integrated into his attacks, adding a layer of penetrating power. He no longer simply pursued brute force; he began to experiment with circulating his battle qi in more refined ways, sometimes focusing it into a single point for a thrust, and sometimes spreading it out as shockwaves to disrupt the opponent.

Time ticked by. Just as the time limit was about to expire, Barton's fighting spirit was almost depleted, and his opponent's sword was about to strike his shoulder. Suddenly, he had a flash of inspiration. He neither blocked nor dodged. Instead, he poured all his remaining fighting spirit, along with the trace of "Star Rock" he had comprehended during the battle, into the tip of his sword, transforming it into a single point of extreme starlight. With a doomed momentum, he thrust it straight at his opponent's energy core!

The giant sword of the dark gold figure vanished before it touched Barton's shoulder. It "looked" at the deadly starlight and then slowly faded away.

"Proof of Strength... Passed. Comprehended 'Resilience of Strength' and 'Sharpness in Desperate Situations'. Granted a fragment of the 'Star Rock Body Forging Technique', which can strengthen the physique and fuse with stardust properties."

A warm current flowed into Barton's body, healing his injuries. At the same time, a method for using stardust energy to temper the physical body was imprinted in his mind. He knelt wearily on one knee, panting heavily, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light. This battle had been incredibly rewarding.

Lina's "Proof of the Heart" space.

She floated in a pale blue, boundless void. There was no sound, no image, only countless tiny, chaotic fragments of emotions from different life forms falling like snowflakes: despair, fear, greed, joy, sorrow, numbness... as well as the heavy, slow echoes of "thoughts" from silicon-based life forms, and the more distant, grander, and incomprehensible fluctuations of "stellar emotions".

"The proof of the heart: perception, understanding, and soothing. In the midst of chaotic emotions, find three 'pure lights of the heart' and guide them to peace. Time limit: unknown."

Lina closed her eyes, completely opening her mind. Like a fish plunged into an ocean of emotions, she was instantly overwhelmed by the chaotic fragments. She felt boundless oppression and confusion, and her own emotions began to stir. But she remembered her mission—not to fight, but to perceive and understand.

She carefully avoided the more violent and dark emotions, transforming her intuition into the gentlest of tendrils to touch and discern. She sensed the extreme desire for survival of a scavenger facing desperation (not purely); she sensed the slow yet resolute anger and rejection of a rock spirit when its territory was disturbed (not purely); she sensed the final grief and resentment of billions of lives at the moment of the destruction of a distant civilization (vast, but too complex)...

She was so engrossed in it that time lost its meaning. After an unknown amount of time, she finally caught the first ray of "heart light"—a pure and fervent wave of "joy" and "vitality" emanating from a newborn star. She gently enveloped it with her spiritual sense, conveying a sense of understanding and resonance, and the ray of heart light gradually became stable and bright.

Next, there is the second one—an ancient meteorite, during its long journey, yearning for the tranquility of returning to the embrace of the stars. Lina uses her intuition to simulate the pulse of the stars, soothing this lonely yearning.

The search for the third path was the most difficult. She had encountered too much darkness and pain, and her own spiritual senses began to feel tired and stinging. Just when she was about to give up, she suddenly "heard" an extremely faint yet exceptionally clear "voice"—it came from the "Spark Chamber" itself, from the very core of the pyramid, a faint, almost extinguished persistence and expectation for the "continuation of inheritance," and a trace of scrutiny and worry for the "verifier."

This "light of the heart" was the most special because it carried a clear direction—pointing to her, to Lowe and Barton. Lena concentrated all her energy and transmitted back, without reservation, the hardships the three had endured along the way, their yearning for the truth, and their intention not to be destroyed.

Silence. That persistent and scrutinizing "light of the heart" seemed to be savoring something. After a long while, it swayed gently, conveying a faint, relieved "comfort," before slowly returning to calm, no longer scrutinizing, but rather a kind of tacit "protection."

"Proof of the Heart... Passed. Pure spiritual awareness, keen perception, and compassionate heart. Granted the 'Communion with All Things' meditation method, which can deepen the connection with the spirituality of all things and distinguish truth from falsehood. Additionally, granted temporary 'Starfire Protection' resonance permission, allowing continuous perception of the core state of the secret chamber."

The pale blue space dissipated, and Lina returned to the cave, her face pale but her eyes clear. She felt a subtle connection between herself and her surroundings, especially the pyramid.

Almost simultaneously, Rowe and Barton reappeared in the cave.

The three looked at each other and saw the exhaustion and satisfaction in each other's eyes, as well as the joy of success.

The three orbs of light flew back to the skeleton's eye sockets, and the flames seemed to brighten slightly. The three spiritual fluctuations merged again, but the hostility had dissipated, replaced by a complex sigh:

"Power, knowledge, mind... all are excessive..."

"Star Key Resonance, Heart's Character Revealed..."

"You... are indeed different from those who coveted it in the past..."

The silver-blue flames in the eyes of the central skeleton projected a beam of light onto the base of the pyramid. A hidden side door slid open silently, revealing an entrance just wide enough for one person to pass through, from which a soft light and an even richer, purer aura of knowledge emanated.

"Enter, inheritors. The core of 'Spark' and parts of the sealed... 'Forbidden Truth' await you. But remember, knowledge brings power, but also weight and a price. Be cautious, be mindful."

Lowe took a deep breath and bowed deeply to the three skeletons: "Thank you, seniors." Then, he picked up the Star Key, which had returned to calm but felt even warmer, and together with Barton and Lina, stepped into the entrance leading to the true core of the "Starfire Chamber".

Behind the door was a small hexagonal room. In the center, a fist-sized, silver flame, like a beating heart, floated, radiating a warm and vast aura of knowledge. Below the flame was an ancient stone platform. On the platform, besides several crystals storing a vast amount of information, lay a tattered ancient scroll made of some kind of biological leather.

On the edge of the scroll was a mark that made Lo Wei's pupils shrink—not the stargazer's emblem, nor the scales and the eye of nothingness of the stagnant court, but a more abstract spiral emblem, seemingly composed of countless tiny runes, existing between "order" and "chaos"!

As the Star Key approached the scroll, it began to vibrate violently again, as if it had encountered something of the same origin but also repulsive to it.

Luo Wei suppressed the turmoil in his heart and reached for the scroll. The moment he unfurled it, a cold, vast torrent of information, as if from the beginning of the universe, accompanied by a series of soul-stirring images, rushed into his mind!

In the scene, he saw the original scene of the signing of the "Starfall Pact," but there were not two, but three signatories! In addition to the star emblem representing the Stargazers and the twisted mark representing the Abyss, there was also the "Spiral Emblem"! And the emblem represented a civilization completely different from the Stargazers and the Abyss, full of the aura of "evolution," "variables," and "possibilities"—the "Primordial Spirit Race"!

Immediately afterward, he saw a record that had been deliberately erased, yet left an afterimage due to the special material of the scroll: The Stasis Court was not a third party, but an extreme faction that split off from the "Primordial Spirit Race" after experiencing some unimaginable upheaval! They feared "variables" and pursued absolute "order," so they betrayed the original covenant, secretly altered the terms, and instigated a war between the Stargazers and the Abyss, intending to weaken both sides while banishing the main body of the "Primordial Spirit Race" to the depths of the turbulent currents of spacetime!

At the end of the scroll is a passage of Eldar text, written at the cost of a burning soul, filled with endless grief and warning:

"If you see this scroll later, it means that the 'spark' has not been extinguished, and the lies of our enemy, the 'Court of Order' (i.e., the Court of Stasis), have not yet shrouded everything."

"The truth is: the abyss spiraled out of control due to the court's inducements and contractual traps; the stargazers declined due to the court's betrayal and covert attacks."

"What the court fears is the infinite possibilities of life and civilization, the 'variables' that break the rigid 'balance.' Our race, the stargazers, and even some of the awakened ones in the abyss are all targets for its elimination."

"The Star Key is not only the key to the Stargazers' inheritance, but one of its core fragments originates from our race's 'Original Codex of All Things.' By collecting all the fragments, we may be able to reclaim the exiled core of our race and gain the true power to confront the Court..."

"Watch out... The court's 'Judgment Tribunal' has initiated proceedings to recover the Star Keys... They're coming soon..."

The message abruptly stopped. Lowe's hand, gripping the reel, trembled slightly; his back was soaked with cold sweat.

The truth is far darker and more convoluted than imagined. The Court of Stasis (Court of Order) is not a supreme arbitrator, but a traitor, a schemer, and the mastermind behind all the disasters! And the Star Keys they possess are even connected to another exiled ancient civilization, the Primal Eldar!

"Love, what's wrong?" Barton and Lina noticed his sudden change in expression and asked hurriedly.

Luo Wei didn't have time to explain further. He quickly put away the scroll and the information crystals, and carefully wrapped the "Silver Flame" (the materialized key to the core database of the secret room) in star power. "Go! Leave here immediately! Return to base! We've made a tremendous discovery, but we're also facing tremendous trouble—the pursuers from the Court of Stasis are probably much closer than we anticipated!"

The alarm bells in his heart had never been stronger. The monitor signal, Marbas's warning, the scroll revealing... all clues pointed to an imminent crisis.

Without a backward glance, the three turned and rushed out of the core of the secret chamber, returning to the main cave. The flames in the eyes of the three skeletons had been completely extinguished, as if they had completed their final mission. The rock gate slowly rose after they passed through.

They retraced their steps, returning to the reconnaissance boat's anchorage as quickly as possible. The journey was silent, save for the sound of their hurried footsteps and heavy heartbeats.

Only after the reconnaissance boat broke out of the Rock Spirit territory and entered the relatively safe wreckage zone did Lowe send a top-level emergency alert to the base through the newly restored and enhanced encrypted communications:

"Mentor Verna! Everyone! High alert! We have obtained crucial intelligence, but our location may have been completely exposed! The 'Judgment Chamber' of the Silent Court has initiated the pursuit of the Star Key! The enemy could arrive at any moment! Repeat, the enemy could arrive at any moment!"

"Base, countdown to 'deep dive' begins! We must evacuate immediately!"

Deep within the nebula, a storm is brewing. And the tip of the iceberg that has just been revealed foreshadows a new, more brutal and unknown phase in this battle that transcends eras.