Chapter 323: Hourglass of Time

Lei En saw Anxiwodasi's expression, felt a "gulp" in his heart, and was immediately hit with a wave of embarrassment, as his actions were seen crystal‑clear by the teacher.

He thought the teacher hadn't meant it, but now it seemed intentional.

"Teacher." Lei En bowed in salute.

Anxiwodasi set down his pen, chuckling as he stroked his snow‑white beard, "Lei En, don't blame me for spoiling your good fortune; as a teacher, I only hope you won't make mistakes."

"Mistakes…" Lei En's face showed astonishment.

"Did you forget that Half‑elf lady?" Anxiwodasi's expression grew serious as he said, "A man's flirtation can be understood, especially since I know you're not a wanton. However, that Countess's status is far from simple; you should know better than I do. If the matter of Ao Xiliya reaches Longshande, how will you explain it to the Silver Star Duke?"

Lei En was both amused and exasperated; it turned out the teacher feared a backyard fire that would bring the Silver Star Duke's accountability.

Teacher, aren't you meddling too much in a student's private life?

He could only explain, "Teacher, Viola approved this."

Anxiwodasi's face froze; he hadn't expected this outcome. He stared blankly for a while before shaking his head, his tone complicated, "I don't know whether to say that the Half‑elf is magnanimous, or that you youngsters really know how to have fun."

"Actually I'm also surprised," Lei En scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.

"However, I must warn you," Anxiwodasi resumed his serious tone, "Ao Xiliya's background is more complicated than you imagine. Walking with her will inevitably entangle you in her fate; even I can't be sure I could protect her. If you withdraw now, it might still be possible."

"Because she's a Rainbow Dragon?" Lei En asked tentatively.

"Not entirely," Anxiwodasi sighed, "Legendary dragon breeds are rare but cause little trouble; it's her human bloodline that attracts many covetous eyes."

Lei En was puzzled; what was so special about a human bloodline?

In the world of Ai Lun E Si, all humans bear the Blood Soul Curse, passed down generation after generation, so no powerful human bloodlines remain; everyone starts from the same line, truly equal at birth.

Nevertheless, Ao Xiliya does have a peculiar trait.

Half of her lineage comes from humans, yet her soul lacks the Blood Soul Curse.

This could be because the Rainbow Dragon's potent innate talent repelled the curse; or because the human parent reached Level 20 in a transcendent profession, entered Holy Soul or Saint Rank, and after lifting the curse gave rise to her.

He wanted to ask further, but Anxiwodasi waved his hand, "That's Ao Xiliya's private matter; she'll tell you when she's willing."

"Alright." Lei En nodded in understanding.

But he showed no sign of retreat, saying, "Teacher, whether Ao Xiliya and I are close or not, she's my friend; I won't stand by while she falls into danger."

Anxiwodasi looked at Lei En seriously, seeing his resolve, and smiled appreciatively, "Since you think so, then it's up to you. Treat her well."

"Thank you, teacher."

Lei En stopped the topic and asked, "Teacher, are you still in good health?"

"Same as always."

Anxiwodasi seemed relaxed, but Lei En frowned.

Since half a year ago, the teacher was afflicted by Sazastan's Death Finger and Disintegrate, leaving his body on the brink of collapse, sustained only by Fu Kong Cheng's energy, and the problem remains unresolved.

According to the teacher's prescribed method, several Ultra‑Exceptional Elements that strengthen the physique are needed to withstand Disintegrate; several councilors have been searching privately, and Lei En has been probing in secret, yet after six months nothing has been found.

Ultra‑Exceptional Elements are a matter of chance, even with Weizelan's Fu Kong Cheng influence, obtaining the specific elements still depends on luck.

Perhaps luck is poor, time short, and they cannot mobilize forces openly for fear of alerting the teacher's opponents.

But as a member of the Supreme Council's three pillars, the teacher cannot hide in Fu Kong Cheng forever.

Delaying too long will eventually expose the matter, giving others a chance to exploit it.

Lei En sighed inwardly, yet remained powerless.

Anxiwodasi inquired about his experiences on the plateau; Lei En did not conceal, repeating what he had just told Ao Xiliya.

When he heard the Titan Elder, he also let out a gasp of amazement.

Seizing the chance, Lei En produced the source crystal ore that Sorim had given him and asked, "Teacher, have you ever seen a source crystal?"

Anxiwodasi picked up the silvery, crystalline ore, examined it for several minutes, then shook his head, "I'm not skilled in alchemy, and my knowledge of minerals is limited; this is my first time seeing a source crystal, so I fear I can't help you."

Lei En was not disappointed; each discipline has its specialty, so it's normal the teacher doesn't understand.

Anxiwodasi suggested, "You could consult Councilor Dalandon; he's Weizelan's finest alchemy master, and should know more than I do on this matter."

"Alright."

Lei En put away the source crystal and recalled something, telling the teacher about the mysterious wizard he encountered in the Death Forest Sea.

Anxiwodasi, upon hearing, seemed to know who it was and laughed, "That wizard should be Tu Zilei's simulated duplicate."

"Sure enough, the Black Robe Duke!"

Lei En suddenly understood; the answer made sense yet was unexpected.

In fact, after leaving the Death Forest Sea, he had been pondering the Black Robe Wizard's identity, gradually matching it with a certain prominent figure: one of the Supreme Council members, the least senior Holy Soul Wizard to date—the Black Robe Duke Tu Zilei Silin.

This duke's ascent to Holy Soul took less than a century; prior to that his history is virtually blank. People know almost nothing of his origins, age, or lineage; he seemed to emerge from nowhere, rising from obscurity to instantly become a Holy Soul Wizard.

For unknown reasons, the Supreme Council of Kemiatis recognized and accepted him, promptly granting him the duke title.

However, which region of the Empire the Black Robe Duke chose as his domain remains a mystery.

Rumor has it he possesses a Wu Shi Ta, yet no one has ever seen it with their own eyes.

Lei En had heard of the Black Robe Duke from the teacher; this Holy Soul Wizard has maintained neutrality in the Supreme Council, and since joining, regardless of how crucial a vote, he always casts an abstention and often skips sessions.

That means he has never exercised his authority.

Nevertheless, the Black Robe Duke's strength is indisputable.

Imagery Technique is a Nine-ring Technique; even Legendary High‑rank wizards only reach eight rings. Only Holy Soul Wizards can wield Imagery Technique, creating a duplicate at half their own level.

The simulated duplicate, aside from having half the level, is identical in every other way—thoughts, memories, casting skills, etc. —perfectly inheriting the original, like another independent human; as long as it doesn't die, it can persist indefinitely, but it cannot level up further.

A Holy Soul Wizard's duplicate, even at half level, is at least a Level‑10 wizard, which qualifies as Legendary.

No wonder the Soul Eye cannot pierce the opponent's soul, yet it suffers no backlash.

Curiously, Lei En asked, "How did the Black Robe Duke's simulated duplicate end up in the Death Forest Sea, and become bound by a Soul‑binding Circle?"

"That's nothing unusual," Anxiwodasi said, "The Death Forest Sea is the duke's chosen domain by Tu Zilei."

Lei En was extremely surprised, "Isn't the Death Forest Sea the domain of the Green Dragon King 'Zhanqing'?"

"Tuzi Lei was originally only a legendary Wizard, capable of a leap‑style Holy Soul Ascension as a Wizard, and his Wizard Tower was inseparable from him. That tower was ancient, its origins mysterious, hidden deep within the Death Forest Sea; Tuzi Lei, in order to fully control the Wizard Tower, inevitably clashed with 'Zhan Qing', and the two have been locked in an endless struggle for over a hundred years." Anxiwodasi slowly revealed the secret.

"So that's how it is." Lei En thought for a moment, "Why doesn't the Supreme Council intervene to help the Black Robe Duke?"

Anxiwodasi replied, "Zhan Qing is a Primordial Dragon, possibly a demigod; the Supreme Council also does not wish to provoke this Green Dragon King. Our ability to support Tuzi Lei from behind, carving the Death Forest Sea into a ducal domain, is already a gamble relying on the Empire's great strength."

"Tuzi Lei relies on the Wizard Tower and is proficient in both Arcane and Shadow spell lines, which only barely allows him to trade blows with Zhan Qing. Their conflict will not be resolved in the short term; it may last several hundred years, perhaps even a thousand."

Lei En nodded and sighed, "So that's how it is."

He speculated that the Black Robe Duke's illusory duplicate had been taken under the Green Dragon King's control; Monajias, to set a trap for Shiweifute, borrowed this enslaved duplicate from the Green Dragon King, transformed it into a Green Dragon, and when it encountered himself, the Soul‑binding Circle was released.

"That speculation should be close to the truth."

Anxiwodasi affirmed with a smile, "Since Tuzi Lei says he owes you a favor, given his character he will keep his word. You should cherish this favor; it may prove very useful in the future."

"I will remember, teacher."

Lei En knows very well how precious a Holy Soul Wizard's promise is.

It may be the greatest gain he has obtained within the Death Forest Sea.

He did not forget to ask the teacher; the Black Robe Duke saw that he had a way to break the Soul‑binding Circle—what is that miraculous ability?

Anxiwodasi's expression grew solemn as he replied, "That should be the Legendary Element Hourglass of Time."

Lei En's spirit jolted.

The Legendary Element is recorded in the Book of a Thousand Souls, but the information is scant, only a few lines. It is said that those who possess the Hourglass of Time can see past and future, and even at a glance discern the fate of any sentient being—whether alive or dead.

The Hourglass of Time is the most mysterious Arcane Element, and its only known source is the mightiest legendary dragon species—the Time Dragon!

Lei En reflected for a moment, did not linger with the teacher, rose and took his leave.

(End of Chapter)