145: unexpected

Eric's projection was also standing by, stroking his chin with great interest.

"These symbols have an extremely ancient structure, containing a primitive and direct concept of life force."

A wisp of subtle magical energy flowed from Brian's fingertip, lightly sweeping across the stone slab's surface, sensing the residual energy.

"It shares similarities in underlying logic with the information flow we analyzed from the core life source essence, but the expression is simpler, more like an ancient diary or an inscription?"

Spirit Eye Avatar No. 2 controlled various rays to scan the stone slab, rapidly constructing 3D models of the symbols for comparison:

"Master, there is no perfectly matching character set in the database. However, by combining the basic vocabulary partially deciphered from the life source essence information flow, a limited, speculative translation can be performed."

On the light screen, intermittent annotations marked with question marks began appearing next to the symbols:

[... Silence... (?) Epoch...]

[... Pillar of Heaven... fractured... vitality... lost...]

[... Aggregation... will... born... self-salvation...]

[... Sanctuary... slumber... awaiting... the key... and... the awakener...]

[... Guardianship... is... duty... also... a trial...]

The information was still fragmented, but the picture pieced together was much clearer than before!

"The Pillar of Heaven fractured? Vitality lost?"

Eric frowned: "It sounds like this plane once suffered some kind of great catastrophe, causing a problem with the world's own vitality?"

"Then, the remaining vitality aggregated to form a collective will for self-salvation, which is the life network we are facing."

Brian analyzed the situation following this line of thought, a light flickering in his eyes:

"And the 'Sanctuary' is some kind of —ultimate measure? Or a refuge?—established by this collective will to cope with the crisis. It is in a state of slumber, requiring a key and an awakener to be activated."

"So, when Mr. Crystal said, 'The true key is not in our hands,' did he mean that we are not the designated awakeners and do not possess the corresponding key?" Spirit Eye Avatar No. 2 suddenly realized.

"Most likely."

Brian nodded:

"'Guardianship is duty, also a trial,' this indicates that the ancient guardians are not purely a defensive mechanism; they are also screening, judging whether the newcomers are qualified to become the awakener."

Just then, Spirit Eye Avatar No. 5's cheerful voice cut in through the internal communication, carrying a hint of eagerness:

"Master, master! The snack blind box has arrived! I'm sending it over now, okay?"

Brian was immersed in his deduction and replied casually, "Alright, send it over."

Moments later, a small transport robot delivered a gaudily packaged box, flickering with randomly colored lights, to the laboratory.

Spirit Eye Avatar No. 5's holographic image appeared as well, rubbing her little hands, her face full of anticipation:

"Hurry and open it to see what's inside! Maybe it's magical candy that increases intelligence!"

Spirit Eye Avatar No. 2 gave the excited No. 5 a helpless glance, but still controlled the robot to open the blind box.

Inside were three separate small packages, each labeled with blurry, foreign planar text that required translation.

The first package opened, revealing several deep blue candies that looked like miniature galaxies, slowly rotating.

[Star Vortex Candy], originating from a gas giant plane, has a cooling sensation and a spatial mint flavor.

The second package contained several red cubes that looked like burning charcoal but emitted cold air.

[Ice Flame Cake], originating from an elemental disorder plane, offers the unique experience of ice and fire simultaneously.

The third package was a small pinch of something unremarkable, resembling brown sand.

[Memory Dust], originating from the Memory Mirage Plane, may randomly trigger brief memory fragments from other organisms upon consumption (harmless, random, short-lived effect).

"Wow! They all look so unique!"

Avatar No. 5's eyes sparkled.

Brian's attention, however, was drawn to the [Memory Dust].

Randomly trigger memory fragments from other organisms?

His heart stirred, and he looked at the ancient stone slab.

The symbols on the slab were carriers of information, but after the passage of ages, the memory they contained might have long since fallen silent.

What if...!

He picked up the pinch of [Memory Dust], applied a faint energy guidance spell to it, and then gently scattered it toward the suspended stone slab.

"Master?"

Spirit Eye Avatar No. 2 was slightly puzzled.

The moment the powder touched the stone slab, it did not fall but, as if attracted, adhered evenly to the carved, twisted symbols and began emitting an extremely faint, dreamlike shimmer.

The laboratory fell silent.

Everyone watched the stone slab.

A few seconds later, an extremely faint, intermittent mental fluctuation, filled with a sense of ancient vicissitude, spread out from the stone slab!

It was not clear language, but a memory echo mixed with images, emotions, and sensory fragments!

... The sky is broken, massive fragments burning with green flames fall from the firmament... The earth is wailing, the green ocean is drying up, countless lives wither instantly... Despair... spreading like a cold tide... The instinct to survive calls out... Aggregation... We must aggregate... Find that last hope... Seek refuge in... the Sanctuary... Wait for... the key... to bring... new vitality... Guardianship... trial... judgment... to see if it is... the correct... one...

The echo lasted less than ten seconds before dissipating, and the [Memory Dust] lost its luster, turning into ordinary dust.

But the three individuals inside the laboratory fell silent.

That brief echo revealed fragments of the past more intuitively and shockingly than any textual translation!

"A cataclysm that affected the entire plane?!" Eric's voice carried a hint of solemnity.

"The aggregated will was for self-salvation, and the Sanctuary is the final refuge and source of hope," Brian said slowly, his gaze profound:

"And we, this unexpected variable who intruded, might be seen in their eyes as both a potential threat and possibly an unforeseen key or awakener?"

"Is that why Mr. Crystal's attitude was so complicated—he warned us, yet also seemed to want to guide us?" Spirit Eye Avatar No. 2 mused.

"Because it, or rather the collective will behind them, is also observing and judging," Brian concluded:

"They are testing whether we are qualified, whether we are capable, and whether we harbor goodwill!"

He looked at the secure passage on the light screen that was continuously extending toward the "Sanctuary."

The method of conquest might need to be adjusted again.

Pure military suppression might not be the correct way to open the "Sanctuary" door.

At least, not entirely.

"Spirit Eye, temporarily halt the forced expansion of the passage. Maintain the existing area for now."

Brian commanded:

"We need to have a more in-depth conversation with Mr. Crystal."

This time, he perhaps should go himself.

And the recently received [Star Vortex Candy] and [Ice Flame Cake] might serve as small gifts to break the deadlock and express—non-hostile intent.

Plane conquest sometimes requires a bit of diplomatic skill and the art of snacks!