Chapter 299: "Spare Rations"

Chapter 299: "Spare Rations"

Yet with the final shadow dispelled by the Radiant Halo, there was nowhere left for it to hide.

The high-dimensional contamination continued eroding the Time Hound's form, making it increasingly unstable until its physical shape began dissolving into amorphousness.

Its iconic needle-like proboscis started melting away, transforming into a hazy cloud of mana.

The erosion was terrifyingly intense, but clearly insufficient to kill its target.

...Or rather, whether such entities dwelling within the Time River even possessed the concept of "death" remained uncertain.

"Hurry—retreat while we can!" He seized the moment, forcibly severing his connection to the Time River.

His consciousness surged back like receding tides, and Luo En withdrew from the perilous dimensional convergence at unprecedented speed, fleeing in disarray back to his familiar world.

As the final thread of connection snapped, he seemed to hear a piercing shriek echoing from afar.

The Time Hound's fury and frustration—but now, it could no longer reach him.

Returning to reality felt like traversing a tunnel lined with shattered glass, every inch piercing his very essence.

When his consciousness fully returned to his physical body, Luo En abruptly opened his eyes. The crystal lights within the Meditation Chamber stung his tear-ached eyes.

A cold sweat dripped from his temple—only now did he realize his entire body was drenched in perspiration.

"Ugh..." He steadied his breathing, letting his racing heart gradually calm.

"I survived... at least temporarily..."

Gasping weakly, he couldn't truly relax.

This harrowing confrontation with the Time Hound had proven far more dangerous than he'd anticipated. His spiritual energy was nearly depleted, and the high-dimensional contamination left wounds scarring his body.

Shattered fragments of high-dimensional memories surged through his mind like tidal waves.

The experience shards from the "Hermit" existed in ways beyond human comprehension.

They wove themselves through existence not as language, but as transcendental patterns.

Each image, each concept, compressed violently into his limited cognitive framework like collapsed galactic systems.

Darkness and coldness—but not as humans understood them.

This "darkness" transcended absence of light spectrum, this "coldness" wasn't mere temperature drop, but fundamental alteration of mana state.

Within that indescribable void, an immense presence drifted silently.

The "Hermit's" form defied classification by any known terminology.

It was neither physical entity nor pure mana, not even thought or consciousness alone.

It existed at a more fundamental level—something Luo En couldn't even find words to describe.

He could only tentatively label it as a "fissure lifeform", a hyper-dimensional individual dwelling at intersections between all known material forms.

This ancient observer drifted between galactic systems, collecting cosmic knowledge and mysteries.

It didn't interfere—only observed, silently recording the rise and fall of civilization after civilization, the birth and death of star after star.

The "Devourer", however, eclipsed even the Hermit in terror.

In the memories Luo En received, the Devourer's form remained equally indescribable.

It wasn't a singular whole, but countless overlapping existences occupying the same space.

Each perspective revealed different forms, yet they were one and the same entity.

With those horrifying "tentacles", it had effortlessly pierced the dimensional barrier containing the Hermit, tearing it apart.

In that moment, something fundamental within the universe changed permanently.

An ancient observer was destroyed, countless knowledge shards scattering like cosmic debris.

"...The Hermit was hunted and consumed by the Devourer..."

Luo En murmured internally, a chill crawling up his spine.

[History Research (entry-level) experience points +1]
[History Research (entry-level) experience points +1]
[History Research (entry-level) experience points +1]
...
[Current Progress: History Research (entry-level 38/50)]

[Astrology Art (entry-level) experience points +1]
[Astrology Art (entry-level) experience points +1]
[Astrology Art (entry-level) experience points +1]
...
[Current Progress: Astrology Art (entry-level 29/50)]

System prompts surfaced one by one, confirming the significant gains from this perilous experience.

Yet simultaneously, a heavy spiritual contamination enveloped his consciousness like toxic mist.

This unspeakable burden clouded his thoughts, muddying his cognition.

Shadows of unnatural colors emerged at the edges of his vision—hues beyond visible spectrum, yet sinisterly perceivable.

Incessant whispers and murmurs echoed in his ears, voices carrying no known language yet seeming to transmit some unknown message.

More horrifyingly, these abnormal perceptions were gradually integrating into his normal cognition, making the bizarre seem "natural", attempting to alter his fundamental understanding of reality itself.

"This level of contamination..."

Luo En struggled to maintain clarity, yet nausea and vertigo surged:

"...Certainly the worst I've encountered. It exceeds even the contamination from my first contact with The Murmuring of the Star Devourer inspiration activation, and surpasses even my High Apprentice 'Dead Universe Battlefield' experience."

Without hesitation, he activated the silver pocket watch hidden within his robes.

The moment his fingertips touched its surface, familiar temporal fluctuations radiated out—like a taut string gently plucked.

Carefully injecting a wisp of spiritual energy, he awakened the dormant power within the pocket watch.

Silver-white light overflowed from its face, forming a miniature time bubble that enveloped his entire body.

Time twisted strangely within this tiny realm.

Luo En felt the contamination infecting his spirit being gradually erased.

His spiritual essence felt like a sheet of paper scribbled with chaotic lines, now being vigorously erased stroke by stroke by this eraser.

Clarity returned to his thoughts. The unnatural colors and shapes faded from his vision. The whispers quieted.

[Reset Complete, mana -20]
[Remaining Mana Quota: 18/50]
[Pocket Watch Trait Activated: Detected trace Time Hound mana residue. Absorption complete.]
[Mana Quota capacity increased: 50→60]
[Remaining Mana Quota: 28/60]

Luo En raised his eyebrows in pleasant surprise at this unexpected boon.

"An unexpected gain indeed..."

A flicker of satisfaction warmed his heart as he gently traced the intricate patterns across the pocket watch's surface:

"During my battle with the Time Hound, the pocket watch actually absorbed some of its temporal mana, strengthening itself."

This trait made him ponder the pocket watch's mysterious origins.

Was it mere coincidence, or did this pocket watch share some intrinsic connection with the Time Hound itself?

Carefully tucking the watch back into his chest, Luo En fell into contemplation.

This meditation breakthrough had indeed brought both fortune and misfortune.

On one hand, he'd successfully illuminated the "Hermit Star", gaining the valuable "Hermit's Insight" trait.

His spiritual energy breakthrough reached 5.5, mana rising to 4.6—substantial gains.

Yet on the other hand, the memory fragments glimpsed during star-gazing—those concerning the Hermit and Devourer—had stirred both questions and an indescribable fear.

"The Hermit was once an ancient, mighty existence, yet the Devourer's tentacles dismantled and consumed it...

And through The Murmuring of the Star Devourer, I've been envisioning that very terrifying constellation—the Devourer... What does this mean?"

His mind raced, piecing together every fragment of information to reconstruct the complete picture.

"The Murmuring of the Star Devourer guided me to envision the Devourer, while simultaneously connecting me to those already devoured like the Hermit Star... This guidance seems paradoxically contradictory."

A dark realization slowly crystallized within him.

Could it be possible that The Murmuring of the Star Devourer wasn't merely a power lineage technique?

Could its true purpose actually be to provide the Devourer with more "Spare Rations"?

"Who created this meditation technique... and what was their true intention..."

Luo En rubbed his temples, trying to alleviate the pressure from these heavy thoughts.

Regardless of The Murmuring of the Star Devourer's hidden secrets, currently, he lacked both the capability and information to uncover definitive answers.

Luo En had long abandoned the futility of endless speculation and self-doubt. Growth demanded focus, not anxiety. His concerns would solve nothing, and with the interface system amplifying his abilities, he might even sidestep the pitfalls that claimed ordinary cultivators.

"At least now I'm undeniably stronger", he reassured himself, though a quiet warning echoed in his mind: I must tread this path with greater caution. I need to gather more information.

The newly acquired "Hermit's Insight" granted not only accelerated thought processing but also a deeper Insight ability—one that pierced illusions to grasp underlying essence. Combined with "Transcendent Perception" and "Elementperception", it created an almost omniscient sensory experience.

"If I hadn't gained this ability", Luo En mused, "I'd never have detected the Time Hound's presence or uncovered its weakness—the specific shadow angles it required to attack." He exhaled sharply, reminded once more: danger and opportunity always walked hand in hand. Such cyclical cause-and-effect felt like fate's deliberate test.

He stood, stretching limbs stiff from prolonged meditation. Now was no time for hesitation. He needed to adjust his state and prepare for the coming research.

"Regardless", he concluded, "the gains outweighed the risks this time. I'll visit Professor Eutel in a few days for the routine Memory Crystal analysis. Perhaps I can ask him about the Time Hounds then."

---

The Observatory's special containment center marked Uther's private mentorship session with Luo En.

Inside the sealed analysis chamber, Luo En faced a translucent, pale blue Memory Crystal. Its surface gleamed smooth, yet "Transcendent Perception" revealed complex mana patterns within—an intricate three-dimensional maze.

This marked his fourth Memory Crystal analysis. Previous attempts had taught him foundational mana detection, how to establish safe spirit links, and extract fragmented information. Each effort carried risks, but Uther's guidance ensured he withdrew before danger escalated.

The chamber's mana control runes formed a complete defensive network, sealing potential mana leaks and severing links between analyst and crystal if emergencies arose.

"This Memory Crystal originates from the Abyss' fourth layer", Uther's hologram hovered near the crystal, silver light refracting across its surface, triggering subtle manaresonance. "It's far more complex than your past attempts. Begin—I'll assess your progress."

Luo En nodded, activating "Transcendent Perception" and "Hermit's Insight" for a comprehensive scan. The crystal's mana displayed relatively stable blue-green waves, save for several anomalous nodes and a core area shielded by an unfamiliar pale purple manabarrier.

"Internal energy fluctuation remains stable, no malice detected", he reported. "However, the core's Barrier requires special attention, and several unstable mana nodes should be avoided during analysis."

Uther's hologram flickered approvingly. "Excellent observation. The core's Barrier often marks pivotal events in a Memory Crystal's formation. Proceed cautiously."

Taking a breath, Luo En extended his hand over the crystal's surface, releasing spiritual energy tentacles. Unlike previous crude attempts, his energy now spread like a spiderweb across critical nodes, monitored and adjusted in real-time through "Hermit's Insight."

Locating a weak Barrier point, he focused energy for a breakthrough. The crystal resisted instinctively, repelling his energy like an immune system attacking a pathogen. Yet he persisted, patiently tuning his energy's frequency until harmony emerged.

After ten minutes, a match clicked. The crystal's outer defenses parted like a key unlocking a door.

"Good", Uther encouraged. "Establish an information channel, but avoid the core for now."

Luo En redirected his energy, carefully weaving a safe extraction circuit. This delicate phase required balancing stable connection, hazard avoidance, and protective barriers against spiritual contamination.

With aid from "Hermit's Insight", "Microstructural Modification", and "Essenceinsight", his spiritual control reached unprecedented precision. Dozens of energy streams obeyed him simultaneously, each performing distinct tasks—a maestro conducting a symphony.

A stable information channel formed. Data flowed into his consciousness like a gentle stream, not a flood. Fragmented images coalesced into a complete memory:

A surreal Abyss landscape materialized—purplish-black soil supporting metallic, blade-edged ferns that shifted shapes as though breathing or communicating. Pale purple mist swirled, seemingly aware, avoiding the explorer's path. Distant mana surge outlets radiated deep violet light.

The memory's "owner", an explorer, meticulously collected samples while recording surrounding energy fluctuations. Through his eyes, Luo En observed an eerie symbiosis—the plants' root networks exchanging mana like an organic computing system.

Suddenly, the explorer sensed an unusual pressure. The vision wavered. He raised his head.

At the edge of sight, a hazy, colossal outline flickered into view—watching from the Abyss' deeper layers.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end