As he left the Hall of Falling Stars, Ron could still feel the faint resonance of the "Time Crystals" echoing in his mind.
The "Eyes of Time" medallion on his chest emitted a warm sensation, as if a living entity was breathing slowly.
This foreign sensation instinctively made him want to take it off, but reason told him the time was not right.
Night had fallen deeply; the high towers of the Central Lands lay under the moonlight like sleeping giant beasts.
Ron quickly traversed a few familiar streets to return to his residence.
Ailan was organizing some experiment records in the living room, her green branches gently swaying under the magic crystal lamp.
"Master, you seem a bit fatigued." The Tree Spirit keenly detected the subtle change in his mood.
"Prepare some calming tea and then set up a soundproof barrier."
Ron instructed briefly: "I need to conduct an important communication."
Ailan nodded without asking further.
As his assistant, she had long been accustomed to her master’s occasional mysterious behavior.
Ten minutes later, Ron sealed the "Eyes of Time" and sat alone in the study protected by the soundproof barrier, holding the familiar Tri-Element Communication Crystal in his hand.
When Lady Allen’s visage appeared in the projection, her first words startled Ron.
"It seems my student has encountered some... complicated circumstances."
Lady Allen’s tone was unusually calm, but Ron could read deep worry in her eyes:
"Cassandra has acted much quicker than I anticipated. Let me guess, she gave you some special honor in public today?"
"You already know?" Ron was somewhat surprised.
"My information channels are broader than you might think."
Lady Allen smiled faintly:
"Moreover, I know Cassandra’s style too well. She always likes to collect valuable talents in such seemingly generous ways."
Her tone became serious: "Tell me the specifics, don’t leave out a single detail."
Ron recounted everything that happened today in detail, from the declaration of conquest to personal appointments, from public commendations to private dinner invitations.
Lady Allen listened quietly, occasionally nodding, but her expression grew increasingly grave.
"The temporary second seat of the ’New Star Plan’..."
She repeated the name of the position:
"Right now, your greatest concern shouldn’t be the position itself, but why she chose you."
"I thought it was because of my talent and ability..."
"Talent?" Lady Allen shook her head:
"Ron, in this world, talent is never the sole factor determining fate.
Cassandra chose you because you meet her three key needs."
She raised three fingers:
"First, you are a Primordial Wizard, which means your favor’s purity is extremely high and can provide unique value for her research."
"Second, you lack deep family background, making you easier to control and mold."
"Third, and most importantly..." Lady Allen paused:
"You and her share the same source in Meditation Technique."
She paused for a moment, seemingly hesitant to reveal a heavy secret.
Finally, the elderly woman took a deep breath, her eyes becoming exceptionally serious:
"Ron, I am now going to tell you a truth about ’Star Eater’s Ravings’, a secret unknown to most official wizards."
The air in the room seemed to solidify, even the soundproof barrier trembled slightly.
"Do you know why this pattern is called the ’Path of Truth’? It’s not because it keeps the cultivator true to themselves, but because..."
Lady Allen’s voice lowered to nearly inaudible: "It will eventually turn the cultivator into the true embodiment of the ’visualized presence’."
Ron, though anticipating it, still felt a chill rush from his spine to his brain: "You’re saying..."
"’Star Eater’s Ravings’ is not an ordinary meditation technique; it’s a trap."
Lady Allen’s eyes revealed deep fear:
"Every cultivator who reaches the pinnacle of this method will ultimately be replaced by the true will of the ’Devourer’.
Their bodies remain, memories remain, even personalities remain largely unchanged, but at the core of their souls... they are no longer themselves."
"In history, a total of seventeen wizards have become official wizards through this meditation technique."
Her voice began trembling:
"Among them, sixteen mysteriously disappeared shortly after reaching the pinnacle; the only exception was the ’Eye of Observation’, but that was because it itself was an Exotic Realm existence."
Ron felt a churn in his stomach: "Then Cassandra Tower Master..."
"Cassandra has not yet reached that critical point, but she’s very close."
Lady Allen’s eyes showed pain:
"Master Yuter should have told you she’s undergoing subtle changes. Her mental patterns are increasingly aligning with the essence of the ’Devourer’—endless greed and desire for conquest."
"However..." The elderly woman’s tone suddenly became hopeful:
"Ancient texts record a possibility: if two wizards cultivate ’Star Eater’s Ravings’ simultaneously, some sort of resonance between them might produce a balancing effect."
Ron understood instantly: "So when you chose to teach me this meditation technique..."
"Yes." Lady Allen admitted without hesitation:
"I hope you can become the safeguard against Cassandra potentially losing control.
Of course, this is also a form of protection for you.
If only she meditates on this technique, the ’Devourer’s’ attention would be entirely focused on her, but if there are two cultivators..."