Chapter 69: Chapter 68: Intermediate Apprentice, One Step Further The familiar yet foreign scene appeared once more — the dark void between the stars and that terrifying presence resembling a Devourer. Unlike last time, this time he did not feel panicked but observed everything with an almost detached attitude. The colossal existence, indescribable with words, was devouring star after star, and each time a star was swallowed into that bottomless Abyss, the universe seemed to echo a cry of agony. For a beginner, such a sight would be enough to cause a mental breakdown, but after a month of honing himself, Ron had already managed to stay calm. [Spiritual Power entering unstable state!] [Potential Spiritual Contamination detected] After dozens of meditations and the accumulation of experience after a burst of inspiration last time, he had already figured out a way to deal with Spiritual Contamination. Like exercising muscles, a moderate amount of stimulation can instead promote better growth of Spiritual Power. In the void, catching sight of the "Devourer" again, an indescribable fear instantly enveloped him, as if his entire soul was being eroded by cold darkness. This fear didn’t simply stem from the threat of death or pain but was a more profound fear of the "true" essence of the universe. Ron felt as though his consciousness was being torn apart by the gaze of that immense presence, like a piece of paper fluttering in a gale. This was the most intense mental shock he had ever experienced, far surpassing all previous experiences during meditation. "Mental Rhythm... must find the Mental Rhythm..." he kept repeating this phrase in his consciousness, like clinging to a life-saving straw in a storm. But this time, with a solid foundation of Spiritual Power accumulated over the past month, and having reached the critical point of 2.9, his performance was undoubtedly much better than last time. With his spirit reaching a subtle balance, Ron suddenly felt an unprecedented epiphany surge in his heart. The obscure parts of "Star Eater’s Ravings" that troubled him in the past now became exceptionally clear. The movements of the stars, the flow of Energy in the universe, and even certain more profound dimensional concepts all presented themselves to him in an almost intuitive manner. When his consciousness vibrated according to this Rhythm, the external pressure seemed not as unbearable. The feeling of being torn apart gradually eased, replaced by a peculiar Resonance. "So this is it... the essence of this Meditation Technique is not in controlling Spiritual Power but in guiding it to flow according to the most fundamental Rhythm of the Starry Sky..." This surge of inspiration lasted for about ten minutes, and when Ron’s consciousness returned to the real world, he found his entire body soaked in cold sweat, clothes sticking to his skin, yet his mental state was surprisingly clear. What delighted him more was an unprecedented surge of Spiritual Power coursing through his body, sweeping through him like a flood breaking the dam. This was both a result of the qualitative change brought by a month of accumulated quantitative changes and the final push from this burst of inspiration. [Breakthrough in Spiritual Power!] [Spirit: 2.9 → 3.0] [Magic Power: 0.7 → 1.0] "Success!" Ron exclaimed softly, hurrying to calm his mind and quietly sensing the changes within his body. Reaching a Spirit level of 3.0 meant he officially stepped into the threshold of an Intermediate Apprentice. He could feel his perception of the surrounding Magic Power becoming more acute, even able to detect Energy Fluctuations in the air that were so faint as to be almost non-existent. More importantly, his Spiritual Power was no longer just a passive perception but could actively extend, forming a special "Spiritual Tendril" to probe environments further away. But for Ron, what’s more important is that this time, he did not rely on external objects but overcame the mental aberrations brought by inspiration through his own efforts, completing this transformation. This meant that even without the Pocket Watch of the Time Guardian, he already had the ability to independently face higher-level spiritual challenges. "Lady Allen was right, inspiration is both a curse and an opportunity, the key is how you handle this double-edged sword." [Warning: Detected mild Spiritual Contamination] He reached for the Silver Pocket Watch by the bedside, infused his consciousness into it, and completely purged the abnormal state within him. The black gem on the Pocket Watch immediately lit up, starting to absorb the negative state from him. [Successfully reset negative state: mild Spiritual Contamination, Energy -2] As the Pocket Watch absorbed the Spiritual Contamination, Ron felt his mind gradually ease. Although the contamination was lighter than the first time, it was better to remove it completely if possible. [Experience Points in "Star Eater’s Ravings" +10] [Current progress: "Star Eater’s Ravings" (Proficiency 128/300)] Despite making considerable progress, Ron also understood that the journey of this Gem Level Meditation Technique was just under halfway through. To reach what Lady Allen referred to as "completion of the first stage," there was still a long road ahead. And upon completing the first stage, it would be the time for him to step into the Advanced Apprentice stage, ready to break through to the level of an Official Wizard at any moment. A gentle breeze drifted through the window, taking away some of his sweat and awakening him from his contemplation. It was time to head to the Herb Store. Gathering the items he needed to bring, Ron took another look at his modest dormitory where he had lived for nearly a year. Gazing at the narrow wooden bed and the rickety desk, an inexplicable emotion suddenly welled up inside him. This place carried the confusion and fear he had when he first arrived and witnessed his journey towards strength step by step. But as his strength grew, this place no longer suited him. The simple conditions were tolerable, but the daily back-and-forth between the market and the various common facilities of the School also consumed a lot of his time, and it could no longer meet his current needs in all aspects. More importantly, as his strength increased, he grew increasingly aware that this dorm area had gradually become a safety concern. Recently, many people had begun trying to approach him, including some with ill intentions. Although he could now handle most troubles, long-term exposure to such an environment would inevitably keep one mentally on edge. "This place is not a permanent shelter after all..."