Chapter 290: Knowledge of the Hermit
The substitute puppet lay quietly on the experimental bench.
The runes on the surface flickered with dim luster under the faint magic crystal light.
Luo En stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over the carefully arranged energy isolation array around him.
The risk of this experiment far exceeded ordinary research; any slight energy leakage could trigger an unpredictable chain reaction.
"This guidance must be extra cautious; you remember to keep the monitoring instruments and the highest-level isolation protective barrier at all times."
He said to the tree spirit beside him, holding the Abyss crystal obtained from the gambling stone shop in his hand.
It was a dark purple crystal with irregular edges, covered with fine veins like blood vessels on the surface.
When light shone from a specific angle, something seemed to be flowing and squirming inside, as if the crystal itself was a miniature ecosystem.
"According to the energy threshold I calculated, if the energy contained in this Abyss crystal is released all at once, it is enough to raze this workshop to the ground."
Luo En's tone was calm, but his eyes were unusually focused:
"And if you want to guide its energy out completely and stabilize its conversion, it will take at least two to three weeks."
"Is the master planning to guide it in stages?" Ailan asked softly, branches swaying slightly.
"That's right."
Luo En nodded, taking a set of precision alchemical tools from the side of the experimental bench:
"First, it is necessary to engrave energy guidance runes on the surface of the crystal to establish a miniature energy stable cycle, allowing the energy to be released at a controllable rate."
He picked up a fine engraving knife and carefully began to engrave on the surface of the Abyss crystal.
Every time the knife tip touched the crystal surface, it caused a faint but clearly perceptible energy ripple.
Through "Extraordinary Identification," Luo En could clearly see how those energies flowed and aggregated inside the crystal, and how they tried to resist external intervention.
"The activity of Abyss energy is higher than expected."
He frowned slightly, but his hand movements did not stop at all:
"They seem to possess a certain degree of 'instinctive reaction,' actively resisting external interference."
As the rune network was gradually completed, the crystal surface began to emerge with subtle light.
That was the energy restricted in fixed channels trying to release itself.
Luo En took out a small crystal container, placed it in the center of the experimental bench, and connected it to the substitute puppet with special silver wires.
The structure of this device was exquisite, the "Energy Guidance Device" he had spent nearly two weeks building with his own hands.
Complex energy filtering runes were engraved inside the container, capable of capturing and purifying pollution factors in Abyss energy, retaining only the pure essence of energy.
"Start the first guidance test."
He took a deep breath, his right hand lightly touching the crystal surface engraved with runes.
A strand of spiritual power like a thin thread probed into it, guiding the first wisp of energy to flow along the preset path.
In an instant, purple-black energy overflowed from the crystal surface, forming a thin energy thread in the air, like ink diffusing in clear water.
The energy thread did not rush directly toward the target container, but circled and twisted in the air, as if resisting his guidance with self-consciousness.
"As expected of a high-purity Abyss crystal."
Luo En's expression was solemn, beads of sweat seeping from his forehead:
"Even the first wisp of guidance is so difficult."
He increased his spiritual power output, while his right hand drew a complex rune in the air, instantly activating the auxiliary array already prepared on the experimental bench.
Silver light surged from the formation, like an invisible net, gradually wrapping and constraining that twisted energy thread, finally forcibly guiding it into the crystal container.
When the first wisp of energy was successfully captured, the air in the entire room seemed to become heavier.
Inside the crystal container, that wisp of purple-black energy rotated slowly under the restraint of the silver runes.
It was gradually decomposed, filtered, and finally converted into a pure dark purple energy stream.
And the core rune on the chest of the substitute puppet connected to the container also lit up with a faint purple light.
This indicated that it had begun to absorb this converted energy.
"Temporarily stable."
Luo En breathed a sigh of relief, but his eyes remained alert:
"This is only one percent of the energy of the entire crystal; if you want to guide it out completely, it will require at least fifty to sixty cycles of operation."
He stood up and stretched his shoulders, which had become stiff from maintaining the same posture for a long time:
"Moreover, the interval between each operation cannot be less than twenty-four hours, otherwise it will lead to excessive energy accumulation."
Ailan listened quietly, while carefully recording the various parameters of the experiment with emerald green branches:
"Is the master planning to fully automate this process?"
"No, this is too dangerous."
Luo En shook his head and answered:
"The instability of Abyss energy far exceeds conventional energy; every guidance requires my personal monitoring, at least within the first ten cycles."
"If the operation is stable, semi-automated guidance processes might be set up later, but it still requires my regular inspection."
He looked at the substitute puppet; at this time, the purple light on the puppet's chest had become uniform and stable, showing a good energy absorption state.
"Within two months, combined with this Abyss crystal and that 'Breath of Chaos,' it should be enough to charge the substitute puppet's energy to one hundred percent."
Luo En calculated the time in his heart:
"At that time, the 'Avatar Posture' function will be fully activated; that will be a brand new beginning."
…………
In the days that followed, Luo En allocated most of his time to three main tasks:
Teaching, various experiments in critical periods, and meditation cultivation.
Every morning, he would teach in the classroom of the Crystal Spire, imparting knowledge of Potionology and Bloodline Modulation to apprentices;
In the afternoon, he focused on the energy guidance of Abyss crystals and the cultivation and strengthening of Autophagic Slime Monsters, as well as the configuration of various potion orders, and studying weapon techniques with Aksa;
Dusk and night were dedicated to in-depth learning of Enchantment, as well as rune engraving practice, and every few days he would conduct training in historical research;
Late at night, when the light projected by the stars reached its maximum, he would enter a deep meditation state, practicing "Whispers of the Star Eater" in the consciousness space.
At the same time, he also continuously deepened his connection with the starry sky through the guidance techniques of "Astrology."
This near-harsh time arrangement left him with less than two hours of rest every day, but it brought significant progress.
The energy guidance experiment of Abyss crystals progressed smoothly, with a charging progress of about 0.5% every day, and the substitute puppet's energy indicator had risen to 85%.
Of course, the core he focused on was the breakthrough in his own meditation cultivation.
It had been nearly half a year since his advancement to the Morning Star level; tonight was the best time for him to attempt a breakthrough.
According to the calculations of Astrology, a rare celestial phenomenon—"Eye of the Hermit"—would appear tonight.
Under this special celestial phenomenon, the "Hermit Star" would form a special energy resonance with the ground.
He stood in the center of the meditation room, gazing at the starry sky through the crystal dome, looking for the position of the "Hermit Star."
Night falls, stars fishing...
The starry sky tonight was unusually clear, without a trace of cloud or fog.
"Perfect timing."
Luo En sat down slowly, took a deep breath, and began to adjust his breathing frequency to match the meditation rhythm recommended by "Whispers of the Star Eater."
As his consciousness gradually sank, the sounds of the outside world gradually faded away, replaced by a peculiar humming, seemingly from the whispers of stars. In the consciousness space, that sea of stars emerged again.
Countless star points flickered in the darkness, forming a huge and detailed star map.
A star that was clearly larger and brighter than other star points was emitting soft silver light—that was the projection of the "Hermit Star" in his consciousness.
Luo En's consciousness, like a wisp of breeze, drifted gently toward that bright star.
The light of the "Hermit Star" became more intense as he approached, but it was not dazzling; instead, it carried a kind of warmth that made one feel at ease.
He began to attempt to establish a deeper connection with this star.
Through the guidance techniques learned from "Astrology," his spiritual power turned into countless tiny energy threads, gently circling the "Hermit Star," attempting to perceive the mysteries contained within.
Initially, the star seemed indifferent, only emitting stable light.
But as Luo En continued his attempts, a subtle change began to appear.
The star's light began to flicker according to a certain rhythm, as if responding to his call.
"Every star has its unique 'language'; communicating in the right way can indeed establish a deeper connection."
His spiritual power adjusted according to the rhythm of the star's flickering, and the frequency between the two gradually synchronized.
At the moment this tacit understanding reached its peak, a silver-white beam of light suddenly shot out from the "Hermit Star," pointing directly at the core of Luo En's consciousness.
This beam of light was neither scorching nor cold, but carried a kind of indescribable ancient feeling, as if crossing endless time and space, carrying some kind of long-lost memory.
In an instant, a vast and strange information torrent rushed into his consciousness, almost drowning him.
That was not knowledge or memory in the conventional sense, but more like a pure perception and understanding, an intuitive grasp of the essence of the world.
The most amazing thing was that this information contained a large amount of secrets about the "Hermit Star" itself.
Luo En's consciousness seemed to cross the long river of time, returning to a distant past
In the dark and cold universe, a vast and incomparable existence was quietly cruising.
Its form was difficult to describe in human language; it was neither a physical entity nor energy, but a form of existence between all things.
If one had to describe it, perhaps one could say it looked like a mist composed of countless light points, or a huge network woven by thoughts.
This existence—the "Hermit"—was one of the oldest observers in the universe.
It wandered between galaxies, collecting various knowledge and mysteries of the universe, but never interfered, just quietly observing the birth, death, rise, and fall of everything.
At some unknown moment, a terrifying existence descended—the "Devourer."
That was a terrifying entity that transcended dimensions, and its way of existence was completely different from the "Hermit."
If the "Hermit" was the guardian of knowledge, then the "Devourer" was the natural enemy of all higher-dimensional existences.
It lived by devouring other existences, integrating the traits of the devoured into itself.
Even an existence as ancient and powerful as the "Hermit" appeared so fragile in front of the "Devourer."
When the "Devourer's" attention turned to the "Hermit," the latter immediately perceived the danger and began a long escape.
The "Hermit" shuttled between galaxies, trying to shake off the terrifying pursuer.
But the "Devourer" was faster, and seemed capable of predicting the "Hermit's" actions through some ability that transcended space.
Finally, in a jump, the "Hermit" was caught up by a "tentacle" of the "Devourer."
That was not a tentacle in the conventional sense, but an extension of the "Devourer's" will, a kind of existence that transcended matter.
When this "tentacle" touched the "Hermit's" main body, a battle beyond understanding erupted.
The collision of two cosmic-level existences caused the surrounding space to begin to twist and shatter.
Several galaxies were destroyed by the aftermath of this conflict, turning into cosmic dust.
Although the "Hermit" resisted with all its might, the "Devourer's" power far exceeded imagination.
Its "tentacle" began to erode the "Hermit's" main body, gradually decomposing it.
The "Hermit's" consciousness began to shatter, and countless knowledge fragments splashed everywhere, like a magnificent rain of thoughts.
Finally, the "Hermit's" core was devoured by the "Devourer," but a part of it...
... perhaps the purest consciousness fragment escaped and drifted in the void.
After a long period of time, these consciousness fragments condensed into a stable structure, eventually turning into a special star—which was the "Hermit Star" today.
It was both a cosmic entity and a thought carrier, belonging to this universe while also transcending conventional cognition
When this fragment of ancient memory flowed through Luo En's consciousness, he felt an unprecedented shock.
This information far exceeded his existing cognitive scope; every concept was so vast and abstract that his consciousness could almost not bear it.
Yet it was precisely this experience of transcending boundaries that allowed his spiritual power to achieve a qualitative leap.
【Whispers of the Star Eater current progress: (Proficient 30/500)】
【Spiritual power has reached a new critical value: 5.5】
【Morning Star level first stage breakthrough complete】
【Hermit Star has been lit, gaining additional characteristic: Knowledge of the Hermit】
【Knowledge of the Hermit:
1. Thinking speed improved, understanding and memory of knowledge significantly enhanced, with additional bonuses when interpreting complex information
2. Spiritual power entanglement level improved, spiritual attack power enhanced
3. Possess a certain ability to predict danger】
This kind of chain-like improvement experience was so beautiful, allowing Luo En to immerse himself in an unparalleled growth pleasure.
At the same time, his magic power pool was also experiencing unprecedented expansion under the effect of the "Star Projection" characteristic.
Just in this short breakthrough process, his magic power attribute had risen to 4.6, which would take several months in conventional cultivation.
A brand new perception ability also awakened in his body—"Knowledge of the Hermit," which was the unique ability bestowed upon him by the "Hermit Star."
He felt that his perspective had changed unknowingly.
Not just the material world, but even energy flows, thought fluctuations, and even subtle traces of time became clearly visible.
This perception ability combined with "Extraordinary Identification" and "Elemental Perception," turning into a more essential and in-depth insight, and significantly enhanced his inspiration.
Luo En immersed himself in this newborn power, enjoying the various changes brought by the breakthrough.
However, just as he was preparing to end his meditation and return to reality, a subtle sense of crisis suddenly surged in his heart.
That feeling was very faint, yet incomparably clear, as if something was watching him in the dark, scrutinizing his every move.
He immediately became alert, his consciousness refocused, and he began to carefully probe the surrounding consciousness space.
Initially, he found nothing.
The sea of stars remained calm, and the "Hermit Star" still emitted soft light, with no abnormalities visible.
But as he activated the newly acquired "Knowledge of the Hermit" ability, an unsettling discovery emerged.
In a corner of the consciousness space, there was a fine crack that was almost imperceptible, a thousand times thinner than a hair.
This crack did not belong to his consciousness structure, but was some kind of external trace.
It was a micro-channel, connecting his consciousness world to an unknown dimension.
What was even more terrifying was that through this crack, an abnormal energy fluctuation was slowly seeping in.
That was a kind of energy related to time itself, ancient and cold, carrying a kind of indescribable predator aura.
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