Chapter 225: Eternal Inscription

At this time, there were only a few days left until the day of the "Star Ring Convergence".

And Luo En's "Flowing Barrier" was still missing the last bit of experience value.

He had already performed enough basic attempts; the only thing he hadn't done was the special technique finally revealed by Ka La Ze Ke—the activated barrier using abyss matter as a medium.

"Abyss matter as a medium... activated barrier." Luo En felt both expectant and vigilant in his heart.

Ka La Ze Ke's warning still echoed in his ears—although abyss matter can greatly enhance the barrier's performance, it also brings risks that cannot be ignored.

"Weighing it, it's still worth a try." Luo En made a decision and began to prepare the final set of experiments.

He took a small bottle of black viscous substance from a special storage box—this was a special liquid extracted from the body of a manticore, containing trace amounts of abyss energy.

It was one of the stocks he exchanged with the school through Ka La Ze Ke's relationship.

Compared to purer abyss matter, this liquid that had been purified and processed was more stable, and the risk was relatively lower.

Luo En carefully added a drop of liquid to the mixed medium and observed the changes.

At first, the liquid seemed to be rejected, floating on the surface of the medium and unable to integrate.

Luo En tried several different methods, all failing to make it integrate smoothly.

"It seems direct mixing won't work."

He pondered, then remembered a detail from Ka La Ze Ke's demonstration—abyss matter requires specific "guidance" to be accepted by a normal medium.

Luo En adjusted his strategy, first building a miniature guidance array around the droplet with spiritual power, then carefully introducing it into the core position of the mixed medium.

This time, the abyss liquid slowly integrated into the medium, causing a series of subtle changes.

The color of the medium gradually deepened, taking on a hint of ink-blue luster.

More notably, the medium itself seemed to have "come alive".

It was no longer static powder, but slowly flowing like liquid, even spontaneously forming complex ripple patterns without external force.

"Successfully introduced, but the abyss energy is still too active and needs further stabilization."

Luo En observed this change and quickly recorded key data in the record book.

He tried several different stabilization methods and finally chose a special energy sealing technique.

Constraining abyss energy within a certain range to avoid excessive diffusion and erosion.

The state of the medium gradually stabilized; although it still maintained that "activity", it no longer appeared so manic and unruly.

Luo En nodded with satisfaction and began to try to build a new barrier.

This time, the formation process of the barrier was significantly different.

It didn't need his complex spiritual guidance; the medium seemed to "understand" his intention and automatically combined and arranged according to the expected model.

The three-layer structure no longer needed to be built step by step, but formed almost simultaneously, and the energy channels between layers were also naturally generated, without additional design.

"This is the effect of activation." Luo En sighed softly, looking at this barrier that almost had "life".

It no longer looked like an ordinary barrier, static and passive, but constantly pulsed slightly, and the patterns on the surface also slowly flowed and changed, as if "breathing".

Even more magically, it seemed to be able to perceive the surrounding environment.

When Luo En approached, the barrier would expand slightly to accommodate him; when a potential threat approached, it would automatically strengthen the defense of the corresponding area.

"Truly amazing..." Luo En walked around the barrier, carefully observing every detail change.

The active trait of the barrier greatly enhanced its practicality, no longer requiring the user to pay attention and adjust at all times.

It could autonomously make responses according to changes in the surrounding environment and threats, significantly reducing the burden of spiritual power.

"Still missing a little bit." Luo En pondered, recalling another key component mentioned by Ka La Ze Ke in his later teachings—Soul Steel.

Soul Steel is an extremely rare and difficult-to-control material with excellent energy conductivity and plasticity.

More importantly, it can remember and adapt to the user's spiritual fluctuations, forming a unique resonance relationship.

Luo En took out a small piece of Soul Steel fragment from his storage bag.

This was a scrap piece left over from his previous research on Soul Steel; although the volume was not large, it was enough for the barrier experiment.

"If Soul Steel is integrated into the barrier structure, perhaps it can further enhance its flexibility and adaptability..."

Luo En pondered and began to try to integrate Soul Steel into the already activated barrier.

This process was extremely difficult; Soul Steel itself is an extremely difficult material to control.

Coupled with the fact that the already activated barrier has a certain "will", there is a natural repulsion between the two.

Luo En tried many methods and finally decided to adopt an extremely risky strategy—integrating Soul Steel directly into the barrier's core control center, making it the neural center of the entire system.

He carefully placed the Soul Steel fragment at the barrier core and then began to guide the energy fusion between the two.

At first, the two energies collided violently, almost tearing the entire structure apart.

Luo En had to use near-limit spiritual power control to barely stabilize the situation.

"Hold on, it's almost successful..."

Luo En gritted his teeth, sweat beads seeping from his forehead.

This high-intensity spiritual power consumption was a huge burden even for a high-level apprentice like him.

Just at the moment he felt his spiritual power was about to be exhausted...

【Flowing Barrier experience value +1】

【Breakthrough! Flowing Barrier (Proficient 100/100) -> Flowing Barrier (Mastery 1/200)】

【Trait Advancement: Memory -> Eternal Inscription

(The barrier can not only remember attack patterns but can also actively learn and evolve defense strategies, forming a continuously self-perfecting defense system)】

The energy of Soul Steel and the barrier resonated harmoniously, the conflict disappeared, replaced by a perfect fusion.

The entire barrier structure underwent a qualitative change, no longer a simple three-layer structure, but evolved into a more complex organic whole.

Soul Steel turned into countless tiny energy lines, spreading throughout the barrier, forming a structure similar to a neural network, allowing the barrier to respond to various situations more intelligently and flexibly.

Luo En let out a long breath, looking at this fully activated barrier in front of him, a light of accomplishment flashing in his eyes.

"Flowing Barrier" finally broke through to the mastery level, and the trait also advanced from "Fluid Memory" to the more powerful "Eternal Inscription".

This was a significant leap on the original "Memory" trait.

After every successful defense, the barrier would analyze the attack pattern and automatically adjust its structure to better deal with similar attacks.

Over time, it would become increasingly powerful, with almost no fixed weaknesses.

"Eternal Inscription..." Luo En felt the possibilities brought by this trait.

To verify this trait, Luo En decided to conduct a series of more demanding tests.

He started the laboratory's various attack devices in stages, from simple physical impacts to complex elemental attacks, and then to some advanced attack modes simulating special spell effects.

After each round of testing, he could clearly feel the changes in the barrier.

Initially, the barrier had different resistance effects against different types of attacks, some strong, some weak.

But as the testing progressed, it began to quickly adjust its structure, especially strengthening the defense of those weak links.

By the tenth round of testing, the barrier was already able to easily withstand attacks that had once caused damage.

It was no longer passively bearing damage, but actively predicting the attack path, making corresponding defensive preparations before the attack arrived.

"This is simply..." Luo En exclaimed: "A continuously evolving shield system."

He continued to test in depth and found that this barrier had another amazing trait:

It could "remember" the user's habits and preferences, automatically adjusting its performance to better cooperate with the user's fighting style.

When Luo En tried to use more aggressive attack strategies, the barrier would become more flexible and aggressive, with the active counterattack function becoming more active;

and when he adopted a conservative defensive posture, the barrier would become more solid and stable to protect the user to the greatest extent.

This adaptability made the barrier and the user form a near-perfect symbiotic relationship, no longer a simple tool, but an indispensable partner in battle.

"Perhaps this will become one of my most powerful defensive means."

Luo En summarized, looking at this fully evolved barrier with satisfaction, and carefully put it into a special storage container.

Looking at the sky gradually darkening outside the window, Luo En took a deep breath, feeling the power flowing in his body.

There were only a few days left until the star ring convergence, and his preparations were nearing completion.

"Sonic Oscillation mastery, Brilliant Ring mastery, and now a mastery-level Flowing Barrier..."

Luo En took stock of his combat power in his heart, a confident smile appearing on the corner of his mouth: "Star ring convergence, I am ready."

The twilight glow spilled onto the windowsill of the laboratory, dyeing the entire room in a golden-red light.

………………

Above the Black Fog School, the starlight was brighter and denser than usual, as if the entire night sky was decorated with countless diamond fragments.

The most eye-catching was the sky in the northeast direction, where several bright stars were moving slowly, forming a strange geometric pattern.

And in the distance, a dim but strange purple-glowing star cluster was gradually approaching that pattern.

Inside the school, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

The patrol density of the law enforcement team doubled, with members in uniform guarding every corner, and even the edge areas that were usually sparsely populated were full of vigilance.

All apprentices received strict orders—not to leave their residences unless necessary, and violators would be severely punished.

Near Luo En's workshop, several hidden protective arrays were quietly activated, shrouding the entire area within them.

These arrays were very advanced, even carrying obvious formal wizard aura, clearly deployed by Ka La Ze Ke or Suo Lun personally.

At the edge of the array, several hidden monitoring points were kept on high alert by school mentors.

"Is everything normal?" Ka La Ze Ke's voice came from a shadow, low and cautious.

"So far, no abnormal fluctuations have been found."

Suo Lun's response was equally vigilant, his gaze never leaving Luo En's workshop:

"But the magic concentration in the air is rising, already exceeding one-third of the normal level."

"According to the decree, we cannot interfere, only observe and protect."

Ka La Ze Ke said in a low voice, his tone carrying a rare seriousness: "No matter what happens, don't act rashly."

Suo Lun nodded slightly, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "I hope this time, the ending can be different."

At the same time, in Lady Ailan's herb shop, Li Li Liya, Daier, and Xi Wa Na had safely arrived.

This was Luo En's arrangement—at this critical moment, he didn't want any ties or interference around him.

"Teacher will be fine, right?" Li Li Liya looked at the starry sky outside the window, her voice carrying undisguised worry.

Lady Ailan's teacup paused slightly, and those emerald green eyes flashed with an elusive emotion:

"That depends on his own choices and strength. There are no shortcuts to the True Path; everyone must face that unspeakable fear alone."

Daier and Xi Wa Na stood aside; although they didn't fully understand what happened, they could also feel the heavy atmosphere in the air.

"Master... will come back." Daier said firmly, her golden eyes shining with firm light: "He never fails."

Lady Ailan looked at the little sea siren and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "I hope so."

Her gaze turned to the strange starry sky outside the window again, and she couldn't help but recall her own attempt many years ago.

That experience, even after so many years, was still deeply branded on her soul, unforgettable.

At the highest point of the workshop, on the stargazing platform, Luo En stood quietly, his gaze cast toward that starry sky.

This is the place closest to the starry sky in the entire workshop, and also the best position for attempting the True Path.

He had made all preparations—spiritual pollution had been completely cleared, physical strength and spiritual power were at their peak, and various protective measures were in place.

The only thing that made him feel uneasy was that vague feeling of being watched, but even so, he would not give up.

Luo En set up the precision telescope from before.

He carefully adjusted the angle and focal length of the telescope until the "Hermit Star" and "Annihilation Star Cluster" completely entered his field of vision.

It was a heart-palpitating scene—the "Hermit Star" was like a lonely diamond, exuding cold silver light;

while the "Annihilation Star Cluster" was a blurry purple-black cloud, in which countless tiny light spots seemed to be constantly flickering and extinguishing.

The two were approaching at a speed almost invisible to the naked eye, about to form a rare geometric arrangement.

In the telescope, Luo En could clearly see the strange patterns formed between those stars:

That was not a simple line or shape, but a complex structure that defied common sense, as if existing in multiple dimensions simultaneously.

"This is..." Luo En couldn't help but frown, feeling a wave of dizziness.

Even just observing through the telescope, that twisted pattern was enough to cause an impact on the observer's spirit.

He could feel his thinking being interfered with by some external rule, as if forced to understand a language that the human brain should not understand.

At the same time, the magic concentration in the air was also constantly climbing.

Luo En could feel that every breath brought in more magic particles, making his body gradually filled with an abnormally active energy.

"Star ring convergence, it has begun." He muttered to himself, put away the telescope, and took a deep breath.

In this abnormal environment, he was about to attempt to establish contact with that terrifying existence from the depths of the starry sky, which was simply like a self-destructive attempt.

Even with many preparations, even with the panel showing a success rate as high as 91%, Luo En still couldn't be completely calm in his heart.

Who exactly is that existence known as the "Devourer"?

Why would it accept contact from mortals?

And what kind of power and price would it bring?

These questions swirled in his mind, but no one could give an answer.

But hesitation couldn't change anything.

Luo En knew deeply that the True Path was never a safe road.

Every attempter is gambling with their life, and the winner will obtain power beyond common sense.

"Final preparations."

Luo En felt the gentle and lasting grace power flow into his body, purifying the remaining subtle pollution one by one.

Subsequently, he took out the silver pocket watch and gently brushed the patterns on the surface.

The watch face glowed with soft light under the moonlight, the hour hand moved slowly, and every slight "tick" sound seemed to be counting down for him.

"Reset." Luo En whispered.

In an instant, he felt every cell in his body washed clean, all fatigue, tension, and anxiety disappeared completely.

Replaced by an unprecedented lightness and clarity, as if he were a newborn baby who had just woken up, with senses and consciousness in the best state.

【Current breakthrough success rate: 92%】

Luo En looked at the panel prompt and nodded with satisfaction.

Such a high success rate was extremely rare in attempts at the True Path.

But he was not satisfied with this, but took out the last preparation from his arms—the "Star Dew Morning Glow" potion Lady Ailan gave him.

The liquid in the crystal bottle glowed with silver-blue light under the moonlight, like a miniature starry sky sealed within.

Luo En carefully pulled out the bottle stopper, and a cold and distant fragrance immediately rushed toward him, as if it were a call from the depths of the universe.

"For power, for true knowledge." Luo En said softly, then drank it in one gulp.

The moment the potion entered his throat, a cold power swept through his whole body like an electric current.

He felt his body become light and transparent, as if leaving the shackles of matter, sublimating toward a higher dimension.

At the same time, his senses became abnormally keen.

Not only could he see the smallest starlight, but he could even "hear" the energy fluctuations between the stars, like a silent cosmic symphony.

Most amazingly, his spiritual power seemed to have obtained some kind of transcendent improvement.

The spiritual power that had already reached 4.9 became purer and more active, and the resonance with the starry sky became stronger.

Luo En could feel that the distant existence seemed to have sensed his existence and cast some indescribable gaze.

【Current breakthrough success rate: 95%】

Luo En looked at the success rate that had increased again, and a firm determination surged in his heart.

95%, this was already the limit he could reach; next, it was the real challenge.

"Let's start." He took a deep breath, sat down slowly, and began his final meditation.

As his spirit sank into the depths of his heart, Luo En felt his consciousness expanding rapidly, exceeding the boundaries of his physical body, extending toward a broader realm.

This process was not unfamiliar; he had experienced it countless times through the "Whispers of the Star Eater" meditation method, but never as clearly and intensely as today.

【Experience value of "Whispers of the Star Eater" +1】

【Breakthrough! "Whispers of the Star Eater" (Proficient 300/300) -> "Whispers of the Star Eater" (Mastery 1/500)】

With the accumulation of the last experience point, Luo En's meditation method finally broke through to the mastery level.

This meant that his connection with that high-level existence had reached a brand-new level.

But he no longer had time to celebrate this breakthrough, because as meditation deepened, his consciousness was rapidly pulled into a brand-new realm.

The perception of the material world gradually faded, replaced by an endless darkness, dotted with countless flickering stars.

This was not a simple visual illusion, but a reality existing in a higher dimension.

Luo En could feel his consciousness floating in this starry sky, like a small boat sailing in the endless cosmic ocean.

In the distant front was an area darker than the surroundings.

There was no starlight, no energy fluctuation, just like a huge void in the universe.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 226 =====