"This experience is by no means ordinary spiritual contamination or random hallucinations..."
Ron frowned:
"That perplexing ’gaze’, the trial formed by ’hair’ left behind... It’s all too deliberate."
A bolder conjecture formed in his heart:
Maybe the essence of the Star Eater’s Ravings Meditation Technique is a way to gradually be recognized by ’Them’?
And each burst of inspiration and trial is a step towards that ultimate goal?
Meditation is not the purpose, but a means;
The real purpose is to emulate those great beings, gradually understand and approach their essence, and even... transform into them?
"If it’s really the case..." Ron’s eyes became complex and profound:
"Then what am I truly pursuing? What lies at the end of this path?"
While pondering, sharp pain suddenly exploded from his temples, as though a red-hot steel needle pierced into his brain.
Immediately followed by an indescribable pressure, his entire head felt like it was being brutally crushed by an invisible hand.
The fragments of scattered knowledge in his mind began to collide irregularly, producing intense mental anguish.
A familiar chill rose from his spine, Ron felt he was tightly bound by a python.
"Spiritual contamination..." He immediately realized the issue at hand; the recent consciousness battle and breakthrough brought quite severe spiritual contamination.
Moreover, the intensity of this contamination far exceeded any previous occurrence—if not dealt with promptly, it could cause irreversible damage.
Ron endured the discomfort and swiftly grabbed the "Wake" potion from the table, uncorked it, and drank it down.
As the potion went down his throat, a cool sensation spread through his body, like a clear mountain spring dispersing the chaotic thoughts.
[Spiritual contamination has been temporarily suppressed, current contamination level: approaching moderate]
The potion took effect, but Ron knew it was only temporary suppression, not complete eradication.
He must address it immediately; otherwise, prolonged accumulation would lead to unimaginable consequences.
He realized he needed to act right away.
He retrieved the Silver Pocket Watch from his waist, the most reliable safeguard.
His fingertip lightly grazed the surface of the black gemstone, which immediately glowed with a strange red light, seemingly sensing its owner’s intent, and the faint sound of the internal gears’ movement became clearly audible.
[Detecting spiritual contamination, proceed with reset?]
"Begin reset." Ron commanded without hesitation.
The black gemstone on the pocket watch surface shone brightly, the central gear symbol started spinning wildly.
A peculiar suction was released, directly acting on Ron’s spiritual world.
The spiritual contamination was extracted as if drawn by an invisible hand, continually being absorbed into the pocket watch.
The black gemstone gradually became turbid, like a crystal stained black by ink.
Ron felt unprecedented relief, as though shedding a burden carried for years.
The entire process lasted about several dozen seconds, much longer than the typical reset time.
He could feel the stubbornness of the spiritual contamination, like oil stains embedded deep in the skin, requiring repeated scrubbing to be thoroughly removed.
Once the last trace of contamination was drawn out, the watch’s light dimmed, returning to tranquility.
[Successfully reset negative state: spiritual contamination, energy - 10]
[Current energy quota: 20/30]
Ron exhaled deeply, feeling the regained clarity in his mind, akin to a clear sky after a storm.
Unlike other rare artifacts, the Time Guardian’s pocket watch indeed felt exceptionally unique in its mechanism.