Chapter 352: Temporal Stagnation, Echoes of the Ancient High‑Power War

A two‑kilometer‑deep underground chamber.

'Prophecy', 'Waiting'.

These two words made Luosen and the others glance at each other, feeling a strange sense of destiny.

A prophecy that spans eleven thousand years is already absurd, and the mage who, because of that prophecy, pre‑emptively hid inside a law‑hunter to sleep and wait.

Either a mad gambler or a supremely confident genius.

There is another odd detail: this person clearly traveled through ancient time, yet as soon as she awoke, she instantly mastered the language they are using now, speaking with no stiffness at all, as if it were her mother tongue.

Her demeanor shows no sign of madness.

Thus, she is most likely an exceptionally extraordinary individual.

After a while, Luosen finally asked, "Madam, may we know your name?"

"Tilarilin Star‑Gaze."

As she spoke, the woman stood up.

She first inspected her clothing, then performed a few arm‑ and leg‑stretching motions, feeling her newly restored body; finally she removed the golden‑thread crystal glasses from her face, examined them closely, put them back on, and only then calmly nodded.

"My body has recovered quite well, the clothes are beautiful, and especially these glasses—I like them a lot."

Without waiting for a question, she turned to Luosen and began a detailed self‑introduction.

"I am the magical adviser to Saffinos, the last emperor of the Dawn Empire, and also one of the Seven Great Time Insight Mages of the Imperial Round Table Mage Council."

"My highest duty is to assist the emperor in making the most correct decisions, thereby extending the Dawn's glory to the greatest extent."

She paused, raised a hand to rub her forehead, and slightly furrowed her brows.

"Oh, the ancient ages have severely damaged my soul, causing me to lose many memory details."

"But it's fine; the threads of memory remain. As long as you give me enough time and detailed hints, I can always recall them."

She then turned the question back: "Sir, what is your name?"

"Luosen Saxon."

The so‑called Time Insight Mage, upon hearing the name, stared blankly and began murmuring the name repeatedly.

He looked just like a scholar completely immersed in his own world.

Naili whispered, "His Majesty was spot on; this lady has no combat ability at all."

Beilu Dandi shrugged, "I feel I could defeat her with a single finger."

Adela showed no contempt: "The scholar wields the great power of wisdom; in the right setting, he is more terrifying than a million legendary warriors!"

On the other side, after repeating it many times, the ancient Sage suddenly spoke.

"The name has caused the Time Threads to tremble intensely, and achieving such magnitude indicates that at least billions of people know this name and harbor a wide range of strong emotions toward it."

She pushed her glasses up with a hand and fixed her gaze on Luosen.

"Usually only an imperial emperor possesses such influence."

"So you command an empire, right?"

Luosen, increasingly surprised by her method, replied, "Exactly."

"Ah~ My prophecy has come true once again."

A faint smile of delight appeared on Tilarilin's face.

"Then your empire has already obtained some high‑level power, correct?"

"Obviously."

"How wonderful!"

The smile turned into a hint of excitement, which quickly shifted to worry.

"But your time is likely short, for the Abyss is about to completely break through the constraints of Temporal Stagnation and return to the main flow of time once more."

"Oh~~ Not good, I vaguely sense raging waves in the River of Time, yet my power is severely limited."

"Can't see clearly~~ Nothing is clear."

She once again fell into her own thoughts.

She clenched one fist and hammered her forehead with some force, producing a 'puff‑puff' sound.

But the action clearly did not boost her power, so she struck harder and harder, as if trying to force the answer out of her mind.

Luosen quickly used Mage Hand to stop her slightly frantic move.

"Lady Tilarilin, don't be too impatient; it won't be too late to look after your injuries have healed."

A deeper worry darkened Tilarilin's face: "Your Majesty is correct, but I fear there isn't enough time."

Luosen asked immediately, "I didn't quite understand; could you explain in detail?"

Tilarilin thought for a moment, then said cautiously, "The nature of time is extremely complex; I will try to explain, but I'm not sure you can comprehend it."

As she spoke, she waved her hand in front of her, and a ribbon of light made of countless threads materialized in the air before her.

"The endless Time Threads form an infinite, boundless river of time."

"The river flows forward without ever turning back, and no means exist to reverse it."

"However, like a real river, the flow speed within the Time River is not uniformly constant."

"Some parts are fast, some are slow."

"From the perspective of the entire Star Realm, this speed disparity is enormous; in one place a second may pass, while elsewhere millions of years may have elapsed."

"Of course, this is the global picture, and our Solar Star Realm occupies only an infinitesimally tiny fraction of the whole, negligible in size."

Speaking of this, the time traveler adjusted her golden‑thread glasses again, looking at the four listeners before her.

Among them, Beilu Dandi and Naili stared blankly, Adela seemed thoughtful, and Luosen urged, "And then?"

"Then, under normal circumstances, the Time River surrounding our Solar Star Realm has almost a completely uniform flow speed."

Luosen nodded: "We've experienced that so far."

Tírālìlín raised her eyebrows, having already noticed that Luosen could understand her meaning, so she quickened her speech.

Translation: Tírālìlín raised her eyebrows, having already sensed that Luosen could understand her meaning, so she quickened her speech.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: "Tírālìlín raised her brows, having already sensed that Luosen could understand her meaning, so she quickened her speech."

Note: we previously used "raised her brows" versus "raised her eyebrows"; we decided to keep "raised her eyebrows". Thus: "Tírālìlín raised her eyebrows, having already sensed that Luosen could understand her meaning, so she quickened her speech."

"However, by using certain special high-energy temporal spells, one can significantly alter the flow of time in a local area."

Translation: "But through some special high-energy temporal arts, one can greatly alter the flow of time in a local area."

We need to keep meaning: "But through some special high-energy temporal arts, one can greatly alter the flow of time in a local area."

"Our Dawn Empire has mastered a similar technique called the 'Time Stagnation'."

Translation: "Our Dawn Empire has mastered a similar technique called the Time Stagnation."

We should keep the quotation marks: perhaps "Our Dawn Empire has mastered a similar technique called the Time Stagnation." The original Chinese title translates to "Time Stagnation"; quotation marks are not needed.

"Eleven thousand five hundred years ago, the war between the empire and the Abyss had already lasted a full two hundred years."

Translation: "Eleven thousand five hundred years ago, the war between the Empire and the Abyss had already lasted a full two hundred years."

"Finally, the empire collapsed, and on the eve of its collapse, Emperor Safinocus gathered all remaining imperial power and cast a planar-level temporal stasis spell upon the three major planes controlled by the Abyss."

Translation: "Finally, the Empire collapsed, and on the eve of its collapse, Emperor Safenoss gathered all remaining strength of the Empire and cast a planar-level Time Stagnation on the three major planes controlled by the Abyss."

"Under the influence of this spell, one year passes in the Abyss while a thousand years pass in normal time."

Translation: "Under this spell's influence, one year in the Abyss equals a thousand years of normal time."

Everyone was shocked to hear this.

Translation: "Everyone was shocked."

They were astonished both by the spell's immense power and by the huge impact of its effect itself.

Translation: "They were shocked both by the greatness of the spell's power and by the huge impact of its effect itself."

Adela whispered, "So, in the eyes of the Abyss's powerful beings, only eleven years have passed since the empire's war ended?"

Translation: "Adela whispered: 'So, in the eyes of the Abyss's strong ones, only eleven years have passed since the Empire's war ended?'"

Tírālìlín nodded, but then corrected herself.

Translation: "Tírālìlín nodded, but then corrected herself."

"'More precisely, it's fourteen years, because the spell's effect is gradually weakening, and the flow of time in the Abyss is continually speeding up.'"

Translation: "More precisely, it's fourteen years, because the spell's effect is gradually weakening and the flow of time in the Abyss is continually accelerating."

"'I estimate that at most fifty years will pass before the Abyss breaks free of its bonds.'"

Translation: "I estimate that at most fifty years, the Abyss will be able to break free of its bonds."

Beluandi said, "Fifty years is not exactly a short time."

Translation: "Beilu Dandi said: 'Fifty years of time is not short either.'"

Tírālìlín smiled faintly, speaking in the tone of an elder to a junior: "Child, for an empire that wields high-level power, fifty years is merely a moment—far too little to even reshape a planet."

Translation: "Tírālìlín smiled faintly, using the tone of an elder to a junior: 'Child, for an empire that wields high power, fifty years is merely a moment, and far from enough to reshape a planet.'"

Beluandi instinctively tried to rebut, opening her mouth, but found she could not utter a counterargument, because the other's knowledge far surpassed hers.

Translation: "Beilu Dandi instinctively wanted to retort, but opened her mouth and could not find words, for the other's insight truly far surpassed hers."

Tírālìlín turned her head to Rosen again: "Your Majesty, how long has your empire been exploring the high-energy field?"

Translation: "Tírālìlín turned her head to Luosen again: 'Your Majesty, how long has your empire been exploring the high-energy field?'"

"'Less than ten years.'"

Translation: "Less than ten years."

If measured by the time required to build a mature solar core, it is even less than six years.

Translation: "If calculated by the time needed to build a mature sun core, it's even less than six years."

Tírālìlín let out a soft sigh, and anxiety once again appeared on her beautiful face.

Translation: "Tírālìlín let out a soft sigh, and anxiety once again appeared on her exquisite face."

"'Then, even if your empire devoted all its efforts to development for fifty years, it would still have no ability to resist the returning Abyss.'"

Translation: "Then, even if your empire devoted all its strength to development for fifty years, it would have no ability to resist the returning Abyss."

Regarding her words, Rosen believed only half; the other half was not doubt that she was lying, but doubt about her ability.

Translation: "To her words, Luosen believed only half; the other half was not doubt that she was lying, but doubt in her ability."

After all, her soul is severely damaged at the moment, leaving her with only seventh-ring power.

Translation: "After all, her soul is severely damaged now, leaving her with only Seven Ring power."

Moreover, even if her injuries fully healed and her power returned to its peak, she certainly would not be omniscient; otherwise the Dawn Empire would not have fallen.

Translation: "Moreover, even if her injuries fully healed and her power returned to its peak, she certainly would not be omniscient; otherwise the Dawn Empire would not have fallen."

Therefore, her words are not truth, merely her personal opinion.

Translation: "Therefore, her words are not truth, merely her personal view."

Thus, he smiled and said, "Miss Tírālìlín, fifty years is still not short."

Translation: "Thus he smiled and said: 'Miss Tírālìlín, fifty years is still not short.'"

"'During this period, countless unforeseen events could occur, and there certainly exist other paths besides outright confrontation.'"

Translation: "'During this period, countless unforeseen events could occur, and there certainly exist other paths besides outright confrontation.'"

The real world is not a chess game; if ordinary means fail, one can use stratagems. If stratagems also fail, one can still join in.

Translation: "'The real world is not a chess game; if ordinary means fail, one can use stratagems. If stratagems also fail, one can still join in.'"

After all, the Solar Star Realm is vast enough to accommodate high-energy planes.

Translation: "After all, the Sun Star Realm is vast enough to accommodate high-energy planes."

"'So, I believe that what you should do now is rest.'"

Translation: "'So I believe what you should do now is rest.'"

Tírālìlín's brow twitched slightly; beneath her beautiful gold-wire crystal glasses, her violet star-flecked eyes gazed deeply at Rosen.

Translation: "Tírālìlín's brow twitched slightly, and beneath her exquisite gold-thread crystal glasses, her violet star-speckled eyes gazed deeply at Luosen."

"'Your Majesty, are you not worried that the empire will be destroyed by the Abyss?'"

Translation: "'Your Majesty, are you not worried that the Empire will be destroyed by the Abyss?'"

Rosen gave a faint smile: "If worrying were useful, I would immediately issue an order for everyone in the empire to worry with me, but that is clearly not the proper way to solve the problem."

Translation: "Luosen gave a faint smile: 'If worry were useful, I would immediately issue an order for everyone in the empire to worry with me, but that is clearly not the correct way to solve the problem.'"

Tírālìlín slowly nodded: "You're right, but my physical condition is still alright for now; I don't need to rest yet."

Translation: "Tírālìlín nodded slowly: 'You're right, but my condition is still okay for now; I don't need to rest yet.'"

"'So, why don't you tell me about the current state of the star realm?'"

Translation: "'So why don't you tell me about the current state of the Star Realm?'"

This is simple.

Translation: "This is simple."

But Rosen had been busy for over ten hours, didn't want to talk much, so he gestured for Adela to take over, while he himself used transmutation to conjure a few stone chairs for everyone to rest on.

Translation: "But Luosen had been busy for over ten hours, unwilling to say more, so he gestured for Adela to take over, while he himself used Transformation Technique to conjure several stone chairs for everyone to rest on."

Next, Adela began to give a detailed account of the situation in the major planes of the present star realm.

Translation: "Next, Adela began to give a detailed account of the situation of the major planes in the present Star Realm."

She is knowledgeable, broad-minded, and her information is truly well-informed; she presented it in great detail and depth.

Translation: "She is knowledgeable, broad-minded, and her information is truly well-informed; she introduced everything in great detail and depth."

Tírālìlín closed her eyes and listened attentively.

Translation: "Tírālìlín closed her eyes and listened attentively."

After Adela roughly finished speaking, she let out a light sigh.

Translation: "After Adela roughly finished speaking, she let out a soft sigh."

"'It seems the Abyss's power is far greater than we imagined; even though it was hit by the temporal stasis spell, it still managed to do all this.'"

Translation: "'It seems the Abyss's power is far greater than we imagined; despite being hit by Time Stagnation, it still managed to do all this.'"

"'If not for the Abyss's continual interference, a second high-energy empire might have arisen long ago.'"

Translation: "'If not for the Abyss's continual interference, a second high-energy empire might have arisen long ago.'"

That statement is correct.

Translation: "That statement is correct."

In past ages, indeed many promising civilizations have been destroyed by the Abyss.

Translation: "In past ages, indeed many promising civilizations were destroyed by the Abyss."

Rosen also became extremely curious about the fate of the Dawn Empire, and asked: "Miss, please forgive my boldness, but I would like to know how your Dawn Empire was destroyed."

Translation: "Luosen also became greatly curious about the Dawn Empire's fate and asked: 'Miss, please forgive my boldness, but I would like to know how your Dawn Empire was destroyed.'"

Tírālìlín's face showed a hint of pain.

Translation: "A hint of pain appeared on Tírālìlín's face."

"'Your Majesty, this is truly a question one would rather not recall.'"

Translation: "'Your Majesty, this truly is a question one does not wish to recall.'"

"'But for the wise, history is the best teacher, so I am willing to share this painful past with you.'"

Translation: "'But for the wise, history is the best teacher, so I am willing to share this painful past with you.'"

After a pause, she continued: "The Dawn Empire's downfall was due half to the Abyss."

Translation: "After a pause, she continued: 'The Dawn Empire's downfall is half due to the Abyss.'"

"'The Abyss was the first civilization in our Solar Star Realm to set foot in the high-energy domain.'"

Translation: "'The Abyss was the first civilization in our Sun Star Realm to set foot in the high-energy field.'"

"'They began very early and progressed very far.'"

Translation: "'They started very early and went very far.'"

"'When our Dawn Empire had not yet been established, the Abyss had already fallen and activated some kind of self-binding mechanism.'"

Translation: "'When our Dawn Empire had not yet been established, the Abyss had already fallen and activated some kind of self-binding mechanism.'"

"'However, this self-binding force is limited; about twelve thousand years ago, the binding force began to accelerate its decline, and the power escaping from the Abyss grew ever greater.'"

Translation: "'But this self-binding force is limited; about twelve thousand years ago, the binding force began to accelerate its decline, and ever more power escaped from the Abyss.'"

"'Initially, they sent many infiltrators who slipped into the empire from the shadows, greatly accelerating its corruption; when the empire fell into chaos, they formed a powerful Abyss legion that invaded from the front lines.'"

Translation: "'At first they sent many spies to infiltrate the Empire from the shadows, greatly accelerating its corruption; when the Empire fell into chaos, they formed a powerful Abyss Legion that invaded from the front lines.'"

"'The external legion and internal infiltrators worked together, inflicting massive damage on the empire and ultimately greatly accelerating its destruction.'"

Translation: "'The external legion and internal spies cooperated, inflicting massive damage on the Empire, ultimately greatly accelerating its downfall.'"

As she said this, Tírālìlín's face showed an expression of unbearable regret.

Translation: "Upon saying this, Tírālìlín's face showed an anguish too painful to look back on."

"'To be honest, I once optimistically believed the Dawn Empire was invincible, but the harsh facts tell me that in this world only time is unbeatable, while everything else is merely ripples in the flow of time.'"

Translation: "'To be honest, I once optimistically believed the Dawn Empire was invincible, but the cruel facts tell me that in this world only time is unbeatable, and everything else is merely ripples in the flow of time.'"

Upon hearing this, Rosen raised his eyebrows: "Then, who contributed the other half of the cause of the empire's downfall?"

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Luosen raised his eyebrows: 'Then who contributed the other half of the cause of the Empire's downfall?'"

Tírālìlín took a deep breath: "That other half is simply because the empire grew old."

Translation: "Tírālìlín took a deep breath: 'That other half is simply because the Empire grew old.'"

The Abyss was formed from the fall of the ancient divine realm, and we, the Dawn Empire. Actually we are also retracing this old path.

To be honest, the power of the Abyss has actually been restrained all along; although the power from the Abyss is strong, it is not invincible.

If it were 5000 years ago, when the empire was first founded. No, I should say it was 3000 years ago, when the empire was at its peak, we might have to pay a considerable price, but we would ultimately win.

But the aging empire, like an elderly person in decline, cannot withstand any wind and frost.

Emperor Safen Nuosi wanted to revive the empire, but he was too young, too weak, and his abilities were greatly insufficient. Faced with the challenge from the Abyss, he made too many wrong choices.

We have wasted too much time on endless arguments, rather than concrete action.

The empire's marshals and generals, not receiving proper advice, act like headless flies, and in the end they even stop obeying the emperor's orders, each becoming a warlord ruling their own territory.

The soldiers don't know why they fight, the people don't know where the future lies. In a senseless and helpless chaos, the empire that had shone for 5000 years collapses with a bang.

Saying this, Tiralin took off her glasses, and her long, white fingers gently wiped away a tear at the corner of her eye.

You surely want to know why this place is filled with white bones, right?

You definitely want to know why this place is full of white bones, right?

Tiralin's expression was sorrowful.

This place was once a huge underground shelter of the empire, where the empire's civilians hid.

Because of a series of accidental coincidences, and the result of my deliberate control, I also became a refugee.

At that time, the empire had completely lost order; Emperor Safen Nuosi's fate was unknown, and I fell from my lofty position as a Round Table Mage to become a wanted criminal of the various warlords.

At that time, the empire had completely lost order; Emperor Safinonos's life or death was unknown, and I too fell from the lofty Round Table Mage to become a wanted criminal of all the warlords.

His legion developed a powerful high-energy weapon called 'Doomsday Yang Flow', intending to test its lethal effect on underground fortifications. So he threw this weapon onto the ground.

Although the weapon exploded on the surface, its explosive force went vertically downward, penetrating over a kilometer of soil to reach the shelter.

In just an instant, the terrifying destructive force completely vaporized the flesh and blood of millions, leaving only piles of white bones.

I foresaw all this in the Time Flow, hid in advance in the Hunter's protective cabin, entered hibernation, and awaited the rebirth foretold in the prophecy.

Saying this, she looked at Luosen: "Your Majesty, your empire is still young, right?"

Luosen nodded: "I am the founder of the empire."

Tiralin immediately smiled: "Great, I got the prophecy right again."

Beilu Dandi couldn't help but ask: "I say, you keep mentioning your prophecy over and over; can you tell us the full content of the prophecy?"

Tiralin thought for a moment, then nodded: "On the eve of the Round Table Council's dissolution, I expended great power to discern the direction of the Time Flow; I went with the flow, kept looking and looking, and all I saw was darkness."

Of course, this darkness has little to do with barbarism, backwardness, ignorance, or evil; it is purely literal, meaning I did not see the light of the high-energy nation.

Those ordinary mortal nations wield power too weak to illuminate the dark star realm.

I kept looking for over ten thousand years before finally seeing the appearance of light.

I vaguely saw that not long after the light appeared, a ray of radiance came to our current position, so I came here in advance to wait.

I also discovered that, with my abilities, I cannot see the end of this sea of light; even if I looked further ahead for another five thousand years, the sea of light remains undimmed, in fact growing brighter, becoming an extraordinarily brilliant sea of light.

Beilu Dandi listened happily: "So, will our Natural Empire defeat the Abyss and become the greatest nation in history?"

Tiralin shook her head: "I'm not certain; I can only say it's very likely."

Beilu Dandi exclaimed in astonishment: "Why aren't you certain?"

Because time is the most capricious existence in the world; when you think you are correct, you often find it is merely time's prank.

Saying this, Tiralin sighed: "For example, there is also a possibility that the Abyss completely breaks free of its restraints, regains the glory of the Divine Realm, and successfully unifies our Solar Star Realm."

Speaking of this, Tirarilin sighed: "For example, there is also a possibility that the Abyss completely breaks free of its shackles, regains the glory of the Divine Realm, and successfully unifies our solar star realm."

Everyone was speechless, feeling that the time prophetic art of this Time Insight Mage is hard to describe.

Say she was wrong, but she indeed waited for Luosen.

Say she was right, but she ended up waiting many extra years without saying so; many conclusions remain ambiguous, making it impossible for people to use them as reference.

After a moment of silence, Luosen asked: "Miss, what are you going to do next?"

Tiralin seemed to have been waiting for this very sentence.

She immediately said: "I have lost many high-energy arcane memories."

If possible, take me to tour the homeland of the Dawn Empire; I need various hints to help me recover these precious memories.

Furthermore, I hope Your Majesty can continue to use the Observer's Staff to help me restore my power.

As repayment, I will unreservedly share with you the high-energy knowledge I have recovered.

This is a win-win cooperation; although there is some risk, it is worth taking.

So, Luosen readily nodded in agreement.

As you wish, miss.

Today I have slight cold symptoms, so only one chapter.

(End of chapter)

(End of chapter)