Chapter 1046: Lei En's Secret

Lei En stared straight at the Black Robe Duke.

Because what was on the stage was only a projection, the Soul Eye could not observe the opponent's soul condition, but since the Black Robe Duke was unharmed, that shows Augulevi is not dead.

This gives rise to several possibilities.

The Black Robe Duke is not an Augulevi duplicate, though that possibility is low.

Although Tuzlei never verbally admitted it, a few years ago on the Saen Plateau he stepped in to stop himself from using a Star Destroyer to slay the Green Dragon King Zhanqing; at that time there was a private conversation, and Tuzlei's words and deeds tacitly acknowledged that he was Augulevi.

Another possibility is that Tuzlei is not a duplicate; he is the true body of Augulevi Master!

"It shouldn't have..."

Lei En immediately denied it, having met the Black Robe Duke face-to-face many times, and the Soul Eye saw him clearly; Tuzlei is a Level 24 Holy Soul Wizard.

Even with Augulevi's power, the Soul Eye could not be deceived.

Moreover, he does not know the Soul Eye exists.

"Could the one just killed also have been only a duplicate?" Lei En thought, uncertain and startled; this speculation seemed the most likely.

If that were true, it would be terrifying.

Such a powerful Spirit-absorbing Monster brain Lich, at least Level 40 Holy Soul Lich, turned out to be only a duplicate!

"Where is Augulevi Master's true body?" Lei En stared at the Black Robe Duke, feeling it was a thorny issue; he had not anticipated this situation and at that moment did not know how to handle it, and could not simply ignore Augulevi's existence.

The voting was still ongoing, nearing its end.

In fact, there was no suspense about the result.

The Black Robe Duke shifted his gaze, his expression returning to indifference, as if nothing had happened, and everything in the council hall was unrelated to him.

Suddenly, something happened on Reslin's side.

In the palace, only Reslin and three real Mirror Images stood, while Augulevi's ten duplicate corpses lay on the ground, with spell blast scars everywhere; even with Time Reversal restoration, the palace was still riddled with wounds, severely damaged.

All at once, every damage in the palace began to repair itself automatically, the cracks in the walls sealed, the pits in the floor were smoothed, and scattered stone fragments vanished.

Reslin shivered in shock.

This scene was identical to the effect of Time Reversal!

But he instantly recognized that this was not Time Reversal; he was unaffected by any spell, and the flow of time had not been reversed.

It was a completely different kind of power effect.

In just a few seconds, the damaged palace was restored to its original state, and what terrified Reslin was that Augulevi's ten duplicates moved; they each stood up, their souls—once torn apart by the Banshee Wail—reborn, their eyes shining with the light of wisdom, as if they had never died.

"What is this..."

Reslin felt his breath halt; it seemed like the effect of a Full Resurrection Technique, yet clearly it differed from it.

Moreover, the Full Resurrection Technique is a Divine Technique, and how could a Lich possibly master it?

Splash!

In the middle of the palace, the brain pool churned, producing a splash; from beneath the water rose a sphere of light, gently hovering on the surface, within which a tall, slender figure appeared.

His skin was pale and withered, he wore a splendid magical robe, bore a huge ugly head, and in his sunken eye sockets burned two pale‑blue flames; his dried palm gripped a silver‑gray staff, and three magical rings adorned his fingers, one of which was entirely jet‑black, shaped like a seal.

It was Augulevi!

Reslin was a little stunned; he did not understand how Augulevi had been revived.

If it were not for Lei En's synchronized perception memory, and the ten duplicates outside Yilaientu, he even began to doubt that the battle just now had been an illusion...

Illusion!

Far away in the Empire, a flash of insight sparked in Lei En's mind, but before he could think it through, he heard Augulevi speak.

"I must admit," Augulevi floated down to the ground, looking at the four Reslins, his ugly face expressionless, and said in a calm voice, "Although I have made the utmost judgment, I still underestimated your strength, and severely so. Lei En, you have now earned the right to be my opponent."

Being called an opponent by the strongest wizard in history is enough for anyone to feel proud.

Reslin felt no joy at all.

His vigilance rose to the extreme, his face remained calm, and he bowed, saying, "Master, it is my honor, but if I had a choice, I would not wish to become your opponent."

"Did you forget that I possess Heart Energy of Ten Thousand Forms?" Augulevi hummed.

Reslin fell silent.

The legendary element "Heart Energy of Ten Thousand Forms" allows one to sense others' goodwill or malice; if the target's rank is lower and lacks a strong mental shield like Truth Willpower, one can directly read the other's thoughts.

Just now Reslin said he did not want to be an opponent, but in his mind he was thinking how to kill the other again.

It was not that he forgot, but that he simply could not conceal his murderous intent.

Augulevi's power is too terrifying; the threat to him far exceeds any other, and if this hidden danger cannot be resolved, he will never find peace.

However, at this moment Augulevi seemed to have no intention of striking again, at least for now.

Obviously he also fears his own strength.

Reslin asked directly, "Master, I do not understand." His gaze swept over the restored palace and the ten duplicates scattered around, the All-Seeing Eye and Soul Eye already fully activated, yet revealed nothing, "What spell is this?"

"Hehe..."

Augulevi's face showed a hint of pride, but he quickly restrained it and retorted, "How did you manage it, Instant Ten-ring Spell?"

No wonder he is the greatest wizard in history; he instantly grasped the key point of the recent battle.

Reslin couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The crucial factor in his ability to slay Augulevi was using the "Miracle Gem" to unleash a true illusion, seizing the initiative; the entire battle employed it four times, laying the foundation for victory.

Ten-ring Spell!

It is the highest-level spell that mortal casters can normally master, requiring nine Soul Transformations; after mastering it, few can apply it in actual combat.

Because the casting time is too long.

Any Ten-ring Spell, even after years of research, without powerful magical items, takes at least about ten seconds to cast; some large spells require abundant materials, taking several hours to perform, or even ten days to half a month to prepare.

The Instant Ten-ring Spell is almost the domain of deities.

And not every deity can achieve it.

So, Lei En named the synthesized Qierdaling gem the "Miracle Gem", surpassing the abilities of many deities; if it isn't a "miracle", then what is it?

Ao Gu Le Wei developed a strong interest in this.

"Master, I employed a gem," Reslin answered.

"Nonsense!"

Ao Gu Le Wei's skin twitched; of course he saw Reslin crush a gem to release a true illusion, but could not identify it. He had lived over two thousand years, his reading of magical knowledge was as vast as the sea, and his mind held no related impression.

He suspected it was a Qierdaling gem, but the gem Reslin crushed looked completely different from a Qierdaling gem.

Reslin fell silent again.

Ao Gu Le Wei gave him a cold stare a few times and said in a deep voice, "Do you know that, in my eyes, your importance now far exceeds the entire Empire?"

Reslin felt a chill in his heart, as if he were prey stared at by the most terrifying predator.

"I've investigated you, Lei En."

Ao Gu Le Wei continued, his voice devoid of any feeling, "Before you turned twenty you were just an ordinary person who achieved nothing—mediocre, frivolous, naive, with limited experience and not very smart, just like countless youths who came from the countryside to the city, pitifully unlikely to become a transcendent."

"If you had no special circumstances, you would eventually return to the countryside, inherit your family's fields and mill, marry a woman of ordinary looks, have a few children, and finish a sad and brief life."

"But in July 2528, you became entangled in a murder case caused by a Loxi follower."

"From then on you changed."

Ao Gu Le Wei's flame in his eyes steadied, and he stared at Reslin, "After that, your life's trajectory underwent an earth‑shattering change."

"You began to understand restraint, you crafted a special Soul Gun, your talent leapt to become world‑top, achieving perfect Soul Transformation, taking a position as a battle Wizard, swiftly killing those linked to the murder, befriending the great‑granddaughter of Silver Star, entering the upper echelons of Longshande, and later using that to join Weizelan…"

"The achievements you've made over these years would even make Ai Er Fa Da Di feel ashamed."

"How could a young man from the countryside accomplish all this?"

"From 2528 to now, in just seventeen years, you've grown from an ordinary person to your current strength; even I can't match such talent. Kai Er Si Tong claims to be 'the first genius in history,' yet his talent is still inferior to yours, though he underwent his first Soul Transformation at ten and became a Wizard."

"If you were born with such overwhelming talent, why did it never manifest before you turned twenty?"

"Lei En…"

Ao Gu Wei Le suddenly smiled, "Did you used to be called this name?"

Reslin gave no answer, his face calm, as if the protagonist of the story the other mentioned was not himself and had nothing to do with him.

A few ripples rose in his heart, and that was all.

If it had been earlier, say before I achieved Holy Soul Wizard, hearing this might have struck me hard.

But now, it no longer matters.

Even if I told everyone that I'm not the original Lei En, that an alien soul seized this youngster's body, what then?

Who would dare trouble me?

In the Prime Material Plane, aside from Ao Gu Le Wei, those who could threaten me are few enough to count on the fingers.

Even if deities sent down a Saint's incarnation, the result might merely waste divine power; they would not wage war over a mortal, nor would their true forms descend

Moreover, everything I have done has always been from the standpoint of humanity, on the side of wisdom and justice, eliminating evil, pioneering the New Continent, developing the Empire, spreading the teachings of the God of Magic, to gain more faith power for Him and increase divine power.

And my deeds have always been from humanity's standpoint, on the side of wisdom and justice, eradicating evil, opening the New Continent, expanding the Empire, spreading the God of Magic's doctrine, gaining more faith power for Him, and enhancing divine power.

VijesCui has likely long since realized that I am not that Lei En.

Master, the Holy Soul Wizard of the Supreme Council, the people around him, and some high-ranking figures of the Empire—many have guessed the truth, but they all pretend not to know.

Master, the Holy Soul Wizards of the Supreme Council, their associates, and some high‑ranking figures of the Empire—many have guessed the truth but all pretend not to know.

The Empire has long harbored a rumor that the Consul is the reincarnation of a deity long fallen!

Lei En neither admits nor denies; when he occasionally hears people gossiping behind his back, he just laughs it off. As long as he doesn't speak, who could guess that he is fundamentally not a deity, has nothing to do with Emperor Aelfa, and is actually from another world?

Lei En neither admits nor denies it; when he occasionally hears whispers behind his back, he just smiles it off. As long as I say nothing, who could guess that I'm not a deity at all, have nothing to do with Ai Er Fa Da Di, and actually come from another world?

So, even if these words come from Ao Gu Le Wei's mouth, his heart remains unmoved.

"I've always been Lei En, just a mortal," Reslin replied with a smile.

Aogulewei gave a cold chuckle, obviously disbelieving, "In the history of Ai Lun E Si, there has never been a mortal like you; even if a deity were reborn, they could not achieve your accomplishments." He paused, waved his hand, and said, "I don't care whether you are human or god; I care about your secret."

Ao Gu Le Wei sneered, clearly unconvinced, "Ai Lun E Si has never seen a mortal like you; even a reborn deity could not match your achievements." He paused, waved his hand, and said, "I don't care whether you're human or god; I care about your secret."

I suspect you possess at least a high-grade divine artifact-level magic item that allows you to gather special energy, quickly raise your wizard rank, and also use it to strengthen elements; even spells can be directly upgraded from low circle to high circle.

"I speculate that you must possess at least a high‑tier artifact‑level magical item, allowing you to gather special energy, swiftly raise your Wizard rank, and even enhance Elements, letting spells ascend directly from low circles to high circles."

"Thus you could ascend to Holy Soul Wizard so quickly, and have so many duplicates rise to Grand Mage!"

"Your primary mind core must be at least level nine, to create that many duplicates!"

Aogulewei stared fixedly at Reslin; although Reslin's expression showed no change, he still sensed something—the flames in his eye sockets burned brightly, and the pale purple tendrils on his chin twisted a few times as he sighed, "Tenth-circle Key of Doors!"

Ao Gu Le Wei stared intently at Reslin; though Reslin's expression did not change, he still sensed something. The flame in his eyes flared, the pale‑purple tendrils on his chin twisted a few times, and he sighed, "Ten‑ring Key of Doors!"

"I have possessed the Key of Doors for fifteen hundred years, studied it countless times, poured in incalculable soul power, and it is still only nine rings."

I admit your talent surpasses mine, but I don't believe the gap between us is this large.' Aogulewei's face showed arrogance; he pointed a withered finger at Reslin and said in a deep voice, 'It is precisely because of the Tenth-circle Key of Doors that I am convinced you possess an unprecedentedly powerful divine artifact.'

"I acknowledge your talent surpasses mine, but I cannot believe the gap between us is that vast." Ao Gu Le Wei's face showed arrogance; with a withered finger he pointed at Reslin and said in a deep voice, "It is precisely the ten‑ring Key of Doors that convinces me you possess an unprecedentedly powerful artifact!"

Four Reslins clapped together; the Reslin body laughed, "Master's guess is reasonable and well-founded, too bad it's wrong."

Four Reslins clapped together, and the original Reslin laughed, "Master's conjecture is logical and well‑founded, but unfortunately it's wrong."

I indeed have a divine artifact, but Master should know it is the 'Holy Blood Amber,' and there is no second one.' Reslin said lightly, "If Master doesn't believe me, you can use Detect Lies to probe me; I am telling the truth. Everything I have today is entirely due to my own talent and effort."

"I indeed have an artifact, but Master should know it's the 'Holy Blood Amber'; beyond that there is none." Reslin said casually, "If Master doesn't believe, you can use 'Detect Lies' to examine me; I'm telling the truth. Everything I have today is solely due to my own talent and effort."

"Would a low‑level spell like Detect Lies be useful on you?" Ao Gu Le Wei scoffed, "He hasn't forgotten that Lei En and Res both possess the Will of Truth."

Perhaps what you possess is not a divine artifact, nor even a magic item, but perhaps a rare element or a secret technique.' Aogulewei's tendrils waved, not hiding his strong intention, 'I am very interested in your secret.'

"Perhaps what you possess is not an artifact, nor even a magical item, but a rare Element, or a secret technique." Ao Gu Le Wei's tendrils waved, unabashedly showing his strong intent, "I am very interested in your secret."

"If, when you first arrived at Thus Place: Yilaientu, I had sensed your secret, I would have seized it without hesitation."

The Spirit‑absorbing Monster's primary brain Lich glanced at the four Reslins before him, its eye corner twitching, and said regretfully, "But now…"

【121】 "Hehe."

Reslin laughed; it's already too late now.

After seeing the power of these clones of his own, Aogulewei understood that Lei En's true form would be even more fearsome and even stronger; he had no confidence he could kill Lei En.

Conversely, Lei En also had no confidence he could kill Aogulewei, and he didn't even know where his true form was.

Both sides mutually feared each other.

For a long time to come, their contact, struggle, and cooperation will be carried out by their clones; unless it comes to a life-or-death showdown, their true forms will never meet.

Kings do not meet!

Aogulewei revealed Lei En's secret, expressing this meaning: he did not want both of them to suffer mutual destruction.

"Lei En, we can make another deal." Aogulewei finally put forward the idea.

(End of chapter)