Chapter 297: Hermit's Insight

Chapter 297: Hermit's Insight

The Puppet Substitute lay motionless on the experiment table.

Its surface runes flickered with a dim, oily sheen under the weak glow of the Mana Crystal Lamp.

Luo En stood beside it, his gaze sweeping across the meticulously arranged Mana Isolation Formation surrounding the workspace.

This experiment carried risks far beyond ordinary research—any minor mana leakage could trigger unpredictable chain reactions.

"This time’s conduction must be especially cautious. Remember to maintain constant monitoring of the instruments and keep the highest-ranked Isolation Protection Barrier active", he instructed the Tree Spirit beside him, his hands cradling the Abyss Crystal obtained from the Gambling Stone Shop.

It was an irregularly shaped, dark purple crystal, its surface covered with vein-like patterns. When light hit it at certain angles, something within seemed to flow and writh—almost as if the crystal itself were a miniature ecosystem.

"According to my calculations of the Mana Threshold", Luo En continued, his tone steady but his eyes sharp, "if all the mana within this Abyss Crystal were released at once, it would be enough to reduce this entire workshop to rubble."

"And to fully extract and stabilize its mana transformation", he added, "we’ll need at least two to three weeks."

"Master plans to use segmented conduction?" Ai Lan asked softly, her branches swaying slightly.

"Exactly."

Luo En nodded, retrieving a set of precision alchemy tools from the table. "First, we must carve mana conduction runes onto the crystal’s surface. We’ll create a micro-circuit to stabilize the mana flow, allowing it to release at a controlled rate."

He picked up a Fine Carving Knife and began etching the Abyss Crystal. Each contact of the blade to the surface sent faint but palpable mana ripples through the air.

Using "Transcendent Perception", Luo En could clearly see how the mana moved and aggregated within the crystal—how it resisted external intervention.

"Abyss mana’s vitality is even higher than I imagined", he muttered, his hands never stopping. "It seems to possess a degree of 'instinctive reaction,' actively resisting external interference."

As the rune network gradually neared completion, the crystal’s surface began to glow faintly. The constrained mana within was attempting to discharge itself through predetermined channels.

Luo En retrieved a small crystal container, placing it at the center of the experiment table before connecting it to the Puppet Substitute with specialized silver wires.

This device was a masterpiece of precision, crafted entirely by Luo En over nearly two weeks—a "Mana Guidance Apparatus."

Inside the container, complex mana filtration runes had been carved to capture and purify contaminants from the Abyss mana, retaining only its purest essence.

"Begin the first conduction test."

He inhaled deeply and pressed his right hand against the rune-carved crystal.

A thread of spiritual energy extended from his palm, guiding the first wisp of mana along the pre-established path.

Instantly, purplish-black mana seeped from the crystal’s surface, forming thin Mana Threads in the air—like ink diffusing in clear water.

The threads did not immediately rush toward the target container. Instead, they spiraled and twisted midair, resisting Luo En’s guidance as though possessed of self-awareness.

"Not surprising for high-purity Abyss Crystal", Luo En muttered, his expression grim as sweat beaded on his forehead. "Even the first wisp is this difficult to control."

He increased his spiritual energy output and traced a complex rune in the air with his right hand. This activated the auxiliary arrays pre-prepared on the experiment table.

Silver light surged from the Formation like an invisible net, gradually enveloping the writhing Mana Threads and forcing them into the crystal container.

When the first wisp was successfully captured, the air in the entire room seemed to grow heavier.

Inside the container, the purplish-black mana rotated slowly under the containment of silver runes, gradually breaking down and purifying into a steady stream of dark purple mana.

Connected by the silver wires, the Puppet Substitute’s core rune at its chest location began faintly glowing purple—confirmation it had begun absorbing the transformed mana.

"Stabilized, for now", Luo En exhaled, though his vigilance didn’t waver. "This is merely one percent of the crystal’s total mana. To fully extract it will require at least fifty to sixty cycles."

He stood up, stretching his stiff shoulders from prolonged immobility. "Also, intervals between each operation must be no less than twenty-four hours. Otherwise, mana accumulation will accelerate too quickly."

Ai Lan listened quietly, her emerald branches carefully recording the experiment’s parameters. "Master intends to automate this process completely?"

"No—it’s far too dangerous", Luo En shook his head. "Abyss mana’s instability surpasses conventional mana. I must personally monitor every conduction, at least during the first ten cycles. If the process stabilizes later, we might set up a semi-automated system—but still require periodic inspections."

He glanced at the Puppet Substitute. Its chest now glowed with steady purple light, indicating successful mana absorption.

"With this Abyss Crystal and the 'Chaos Breath' I possess", Luo En calculated mentally, "two months should suffice to charge the Puppet Substitute to 100%. At that point, the 'Incarnation Stance' function will fully activate—a brand-new beginning."

...

In the following days, Luo En divided his time among three primary tasks: teaching, critical experiments, and meditation cultivation.

Each morning, he lectured apprentices in the Crystal Spire classroom, teaching alchemy and bloodline formulation. Afternoons were dedicated to Abyss Crystal conduction, autophagic slime mold cultivation, potion orders, and weapons training with Aksa.

Dusk and night were reserved for deep study of enchantments, rune carving practice, and occasional historical research training.

During the dead of night, when constellations projected maximum radiance, he entered deep meditation in his consciousness space to cultivate The Murmuring of the Star Devourer. Simultaneously, he refined his connection to the stars through techniques from the "Astrology Art."

This near-brutal schedule left him less than two hours of rest daily, yet yielded significant progress.

The Abyss Crystal conduction experiment progressed smoothly—daily charging increased by approximately 0.5%, with the Puppet Substitute’s mana indicator now reaching 85%. More importantly, his meditation cultivation achieved a breakthrough.

The time required for Ascension Dawn Star Rank was nearly complete. Tonight marked the optimal timing for his breakthrough attempt.

According to Astrology Art calculations, a rare celestial phenomenon—"Hermit’s Eye"—would occur tonight. During this event, the "Hermit Star" would form a unique mana resonance with the earth.

Standing at the Meditation Chamber’s center, Luo En gazed through the crystal dome at the stars, searching for the Hermit Star’s position.

Night descended, constellations hanging low like fishing lines.

Tonight, the stars burned with exceptional clarity—no clouds disturbed the sky.

"Perfect timing."

Luo En settled cross-legged, inhaled deeply, and adjusted his breathing rhythm to match the meditation pattern recommended by The Murmuring of the Star Devourer.

As his consciousness gradually sank deeper, external sounds faded into the distance, replaced by a peculiar humming—a sound that seemed to originate from the whispers of distant stars.

Within his consciousness space, the familiar starry ocean reappeared. Countless star specks shimmered in the darkness, forming an immense and intricate star chart.

One star, significantly larger and brighter than the others, radiated a gentle silver glow—the projection of the Hermit Star within Luo En’s mind.

His consciousness drifted toward the luminous star like a wisp of breeze.

The Hermit Star's light intensified as he approached, not blinding but warmly reassuring, as though welcoming him.

He began attempting to forge a deeper connection with the celestial body. Using the guidance techniques he’d mastered through the Astrology Art, his spiritual energy transformed into countless delicate Mana Threads. These coiled gently around the Hermit Star, seeking to perceive the mysteries it held.

Initially, the star remained unperturbed, its radiance steady and unchanging.

Yet as Luo En persisted, a subtle transformation emerged. The Hermit Star's light began pulsing rhythmically, as if responding to his call.

"Each star possesses its own unique 'language.' Through the correct methods, a deeper connection truly can be established."

He adjusted his spiritual energy to match the star’s rhythmic flashes, gradually synchronizing their frequencies.

At the peak of this silent communion, a silvery beam erupted from the Hermit Star, piercing directly into the core of Luo En’s consciousness.

The beam carried no heat or cold, yet bore an indescribable aura of antiquity, as if traversing endless epochs to deliver an ancient Memory.

In an instant, a colossal flood of unfamiliar information surged into his mind, nearly overwhelming him.

This was no ordinary knowledge or recollection—it was pure Perception and comprehension, a direct grasp of the world’s essence.

Most astonishingly, the torrent contained vast secrets about the Hermit Star itself.

Luo En’s consciousness seemed to transcend the Time River, glimpsing an era long past.

In a dark, frigid cosmos, an immense entity drifted silently. Its form defied human description—neither physical nor purely mana-based, but something existing between all realms.

If forced to describe it, one might say it resembled a mist of countless light points or a colossal network woven from thought itself.

This being—the Hermit—was one of the universe’s oldest observers.

It wandered between galactic systems, gathering cosmic knowledge and enigmas without interference, merely observing the rise and fall of all things.

At an unknowable moment, a terrifying presence descended—the Devourer.

A monstrous entity beyond dimensional comprehension, its existence contrasted sharply with the Hermit’.

Where the Hermit was a guardian of knowledge, the Devourer was an existential predator, feeding on other beings and assimilating their traits.

Even the Hermit, ancient and mighty as it was, appeared fragile before this terror.

When the Devourer turned its attention toward the Hermit, the latter instantly sensed danger, beginning a desperate flight through galactic systems to evade its relentless pursuer.

Yet the Devourer moved faster, wielding a spatial-transcending ability to anticipate the Hermit’s maneuvers.

Finally, during a spatial leap, the Hermit was caught by one of the Devourer’s Tentacles.

Not a physical appendage, but an extension of the Devourer’s will—a being beyond material realms.

Contact between the Tentacle and the Hermit’s original form ignited a battle defying comprehension.

The collision of these cosmic titans twisted and shattered the surrounding space.

Several galactic systems disintegrated under the shockwaves, reduced to cosmic dust.

Despite the Hermit’s fierce resistance, the Devourer’s power proved insurmountable.

The Tentacle began eroding the Hermit’s core, gradually disintegrating its essence.

The Hermit’s consciousness shattered, scattering fragments of knowledge like a breathtaking Thought Rain.

Finally, the Devourer consumed the Hermit’s core—yet a fragment, perhaps the purest shard of its consciousness, escaped, drifting through the void.

After eons, these consciousness fragments condensed into a stable structure, ultimately becoming a unique star—the present-day Hermit Star.

It was both a cosmic entity and a vessel of thought, belonging to this universe yet transcending ordinary perception.

As these ancient Memory fragments flowed through Luo En’s mind, he felt an unprecedented shock.

This knowledge surpassed his comprehension—every concept vast and abstract, nearly overwhelming his consciousness.

Yet it was precisely this transcendent experience that catalyzed a qualitative leap in his spiritual energy.

He could feel his spiritworld expanding rapidly, its previous limitations shattering layer by layer.

[The Murmuring of the Star Devourer Progress: (Mastery 30/500)]

[Spiritual Energy has reached a new critical threshold: 5.5]

[Dawn Star Rank First Stage Breakthrough Complete]

[Hermit Star Activated. Acquired Additional Trait: Hermit’s Insight]

Hermit’s Insight:

1. Enhanced thought speed, significantly improved comprehension and memory of knowledge, with additional bonuses when unraveling complex information.

2. Elevated spiritual energy entanglement layers, boosting Spirit Attack potency.

3. Acquired partial danger precognition.

This chain reaction of growth was exhilarating, immersing Luo En in unparalleled euphoria.

Simultaneously, his mana pool expanded unprecedentedly under the Constellations Projection trait.

In the brief span of this breakthrough, his mana attribute surged to 4.6—a leap that would typically take months of conventional cultivation.

A new Perception Ability awakened within him—Hermit’s Insight, a unique gift bestowed by the Hermit Star.

He sensed an imperceptible shift in his perspective.

No longer limited to the material world, even mana flows, thought fluctuations, and time’s subtle traces became vividly perceptible.

Combined with Transcendent Perception and Element Perception, this ability evolved into a deeper, more fundamental Insight Power, greatly enhancing his Inspiration.

Luo En immersed himself in this newfound strength, savoring the transformations from his breakthrough.

However, as he prepared to end his meditation and return to reality, a faint but unmistakable sense of danger prickled his awareness.

Subtle yet undeniable, it felt as though something unseen watched him, scrutinizing his every move.

Instantly vigilant, he refocused his consciousness, cautiously probing his mental space.

At first, nothing amiss appeared.

The starry ocean remained tranquil, the Hermit Star glowing serenely—nothing seemed out of place.

Yet activating his newly acquired Hermit’s Insight, an unsettling discovery emerged.

In a remote corner of his consciousness space, an almost imperceptible Microscopic Crack existed—finer than a hair by countless magnitudes.

This fissure did not belong to his own mental structure but marked an invasive trace.

It was a minuscule passage, connecting his consciousness world to an unknown dimension.

More chillingly, through this crack, an anomalous energy fluctuation seeped slowly inward.

This force was tied to time itself—ancient, frigid, and carrying the unmistakable aura of a predator.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end