Chapter 941: Spatial Freeze

Lei En simultaneously sensed the information of the Nine‑Ring Key of Doors.

It is still a legendary Element; when upgraded to nine rings, one can choose to master a new Arcane, but that is secondary—the effect of the Key of Doors is to grant oneself the ability to traverse any plane!

Any adjacent planes can be traversed.

Especially the Prime Material Plane, the Ether Plane, and the Shadow Plane—projections on different dimensions—can be reached with a mere thought, at no cost, instantaneously, ignoring all obstacles; Dimensional Anchor, spatial lockdown, and phase distortion cannot stop it.

Just this ability alone can place a person in an invincible position!

Imagine that whenever danger or a critical moment arises, one instantly shifts to another plane; even an enemy most versed in planar knowledge could hardly catch up, easily buying time to breathe, or even escaping outright.

Moreover, distant planes can also be traversed, the effect identical to interdimensional teleportation, only faster.

Lei En himself could not help but shake his head.

The Nine‑Ring Key of Doors and the Phase Walker—these two legendary Elements are a perfect match!

The Phase Walker can sense distant planes; the distances and relative positions between planes are reflected in the heart, serving as navigation, then using the Key of Doors to teleport there, or directly to a Phase Beacon—no one in this world could ever keep one in place.

If you can't win, run; who can stop me?

When the Key of Doors is upgraded to nine rings, it gains one Void Resonance, totaling two; plus one obtained via soul sharing from Ao Xiliya, which Reslin duplicated at his birth, bringing Void Resonance to three, enhancing the potency of all Arcane.

Magic affinity is the most practical Element, able to speed casting, reduce cooldown, increase power and range, boost resistances, and so on.

Three Void Resonances considerably amplify Arcane potency.

However.

For Reslin, the greatest value of the Nine‑Ring Key of Doors lies in the soul transformation it effects during its upgrade, and the massive knowledge that floods his mind.

These insights contain an understanding of the nature of space‑time, priceless in value.

Knowledge is power!

Reslin closed his eyes and contemplated briefly, absorbing the knowledge like a sponge, instantly gaining a deeper grasp of space‑time spells.

When he opened his eyes again, his pitch‑black gaze seemed able to pierce space, looking toward the river of time.

Distant void planes also materialized before his eyes.

These profound understandings of space‑time immediately manifested in his spells; the few space‑time spells he already mastered each showed varying degrees of change.

Most notably, Time Stop's casting interval was directly reduced by one third.

Reslin has wielded Time Stop for over a year, studying it whenever he has free time, pondering casting techniques, hoping to shorten its interval and speed casting, but Time Stop is so profound that research yields negligible results.

Time Stop can be cast only once every thirty seconds.

Each cast requires waiting until the Time Stop effect ends before the timer restarts.

Now, Time Stop's cooldown is directly reduced by ten seconds!

Although it still requires a twenty‑second interval to recast, this leap saves Reslin hundreds of years of effort.

The effect of Time Jump has also been extended.

Originally it could only jump to six seconds later; now it can jump eight seconds.

Additionally, Time Flashback, Spatial Barrier, Temporal‑Spatial Interference, and a series of teleportation spells have all received various enhancements—some cast faster, some last longer, some defenses sturdier, and some teleport distances farther.

Lei En stroked his chin, his face showing contemplation.

He recalled Augulevi Master.

This epoch‑shaking, history's strongest Wizard commands awe because his mastery of space‑time spells is unfathomable, far ahead of all mortals.

Augulevi Master's Time Stop has a cooldown of only fifteen seconds, the theoretical limit, impossible to shorten through scholarly research.

But Augulevi Master possesses Time's End.

This mighty staff, comparable to a divine artifact, reduces Time Stop's cooldown by another five seconds, allowing recast after only ten seconds.

Then, Augulevi Master, through research, improved Time Jump so it can now jump to ten seconds later.

The two spells combine perfectly, seamless.

Anyone dueling Augulevi Master feels like a turn‑based game where, when it's your turn, the round is skipped; it's always Augulevi Master's turn, and with Time Duplication, one must face double the enemies each round…

This game is simply unbeatable.

【12】 Back then, on that unknown minor plane, nearly the entire Supreme Council was mobilized to defeat Augulevi Master's fallen Lich.

【13】 And that was only a fallen avatar.

【14】 During the battle, Black Robe Duke Tu Zilei, another avatar aware of all details, assisted, and the master had prepared in advance.

【15】 If confronting Augulevi Master's true form, Lei En doubts that even the full deployment of the Supreme Council would have any chance of victory.

【16】 Moreover, I couldn't succeed either!

【17】 Augulevi Master has countless avatars; who knows how many Holy Soul Wizards, Grand Mages, and Liches he has created over the years?

【18】 He might alone outnumber the Supreme Council's Holy Soul Wizards.

【19】 But after the Key of Doors was upgraded to nine rings, Lei En saw hope.

【20】 Augulevi Master also possesses the Key of Doors, likely also at nine rings; this is one of the reasons his mastery of space‑time spells is unfathomable.

【21】 Since Augulevi Master can, then I can too!

【22】 Only magic can defeat magic.

【23】 Likewise, only by manipulating time can one resolve the dilemmas of time spells.

【24】 Lei En calculated in his mind.

【25】 Reslin's Time Stop cooldown is twenty seconds, and Time Jump can leap to eight seconds later, leaving a twelve‑second gap. I lack Time's End, and in the short term cannot shorten the cooldown through research. So I must think of another method.

【26】 Lei En immediately had an idea: the casting intervals of the main body and its avatars are calculated independently, with no mutual effect.

【27】 I will upgrade the Key of Doors to nine rings, then also master Time Stop.

【28】 Thus I can shave another six seconds.

【29】 Still six seconds…

【30】 How to bridge this six‑second interval? Lei En's mind raced—perhaps another Grand Mage avatar?

Back then, in that unknown small plane, it took almost the entire Supreme Council to defeat the fallen lich of Augulevi Master.

Moreover, that was only a fallen clone.

During the battle, there was also another clone of the Black Robe Duke Tuzlei who knew all the details and helped, and the teacher had also made preparations in advance.

If facing Augulevi Master's true body, Lei En doubts that even if the entire Supreme Council were mobilized, there would be no chance of victory.

Besides, I myself can't either!

Augulevi Master has countless clones; who knows how many Holy Soul Wizards, Grand Mages, and Liches he has created over the years?

Perhaps he alone has more Holy Soul Wizards than the entire Supreme Council.

However, after the Key of Doors was upgraded to the ninth ring, Lei En saw hope.

Augulevi Master also possesses the Key of Doors, and it is very likely also ninth ring, which is at least one reason for his profound mastery of spacetime magic.

Since Augulevi Master can do it, so can I!

Only magic can defeat magic.

Likewise, only by controlling time can one overcome the dilemma of time magic.

Lei En began to calculate in his mind.

Reslin's Time Stop cooldown is twenty seconds, and Time Jump can jump to eight seconds later, giving a twelve-second interval. I don't have Time's End, and in the short term I cannot shorten the cooldown through research. So I can only think of another way.

Lei En immediately had an idea: the casting intervals of the main body and the clone are calculated independently, with no mutual influence.

I will upgrade the Key of Doors to the ninth ring and then also master Time Stop.

That would further shorten it by six seconds.

There are still six seconds…

How to spend this six-second interval? Lei En's mind raced, could it be another Grand Mage clone?

Right inside the Obsidian Tower, I still have twelve mage avatars.

Originally there were eleven; one was blown apart a few years ago when he went to Yilaientu to see Augulevi Master, and not long ago Lei En replenished it, bringing the total back to twelve. These mage avatars are all Level 19, but they know too few spells, their ring count isn't high, and their casting power is a far cry from Reslin's at Level 19—about eight streets worse.

Recently I harvested a lot of energy, but only a small amount was allocated to the mage avatars; even with a Hess magic array it isn't enough to impact the Grand Mage.

Advancing to Saint Rank isn't easy.

Even though Lei En already has three experiences, it can't guarantee the mage avatars will succeed; without the Key of Doors and without enough Void Resonance, it's too difficult for a mage avatar to master Time Stop and ascend to Grand Mage.

At least for four or five years one can't expect a mage avatar to master Time Stop.

It still only relies on myself and Reslin.

Lei En's gaze fell on Reslin, and suddenly a flash of insight struck his mind—Reslin could still choose another Arcane.

He immediately thought of a spell—Space Freeze!

It is a super‑strong spell of the same tier as Time Stop, also a Nine-ring Technique; souls that possess this Arcane Element are extremely rare, and a Grand Mage attempting to construct its spell model faces difficulty no less than Time Stop, with very few casters mastering it.

Of course, Augulevi Master can.

In addition, there is Eternal Chosen Aikon's "Crown of Dominion", which also carries Space Freeze.

The spell's range is similar to Time Stop, its duration also six seconds, just enough to cover the remaining six‑second cooldown interval.

Lei En immediately devised a combat pattern.

When battle begins, Reslin acts first, casting Time Stop for six seconds; after the effect ends the spell cools down, then the main body releases Time Stop, also six seconds. When my Time Stop ends, Reslin immediately follows with Space Freeze, likewise six seconds.

When Space Freeze ends, Reslin enters a Time Leap, jumping to eight seconds later.

Exactly twenty seconds!

When Reslin exits the Time Leap, his Time Stop cooldown finishes, allowing him to cast again.

Two rounds of Time Stop, one round of Space Freeze—the casting sequence can perfectly control the field for eighteen seconds; Lei En doesn't think anyone in the mortal world can withstand his attack for eighteen seconds. Even against Augulevi Master, a showdown is possible.

The only flaw is that after eighteen seconds, if the enemy isn't dead and Reslin jumps back into time, only the main body is left to face the enemy alone.

One must wait until eight seconds later for Reslin to appear and cast Time Stop.

Those eight seconds are the most dangerous.

"Um…"

Lei En pondered, and if he truly met an enemy that could withstand his eighteen‑second assault, he would first strategically retreat for eight seconds.

He would instantly shift to another plane, then return after eight seconds to fight again.

That's my turn again!

Lei En thought it over a few more times, confirmed the casting mode was viable, and without hesitation let Reslin activate the Key of Doors.

In an instant, the Lake of Stars reflected the night sky, and a star burst into light.

A dim, profound gate materialized before his eyes.

The ancient, distant gate bore no decoration; its unstable frame seemed formed from countless translucent tendrils and worms entwined, constantly writhing, sending a chill up the spine.

Reslin's expression showed no change; he stepped forward and pushed the door open.

The Key of Doors element in his soul activated.

The gate thundered open to both sides, exhaling an unspeakable horror, as if from the deep source of time and space; countless bubble‑like light clusters overlapped, emitting billions of radiance that stung Lei En's eyes. Beneath the dazzling glow, a massive flesh mass with countless tentacles and eyes loomed vaguely, and a single glance made his soul shiver.

Lei En was already familiar with this scene.

As his power grew, the information seen beyond the gate increased, and the mystery shrouding that unknown entity began to loosen.

It is a great being higher than a deity's stature, yet without self‑awareness, seeming merely a naturally born phenomenon that represents a rule.

Or rather, it is the embodiment of the rule.

A beam of light shot out from behind the gate, piercing Reslin's brow and entering his soul, adding another shining star to the Lake of Stars.

It is the Nine-ring Technique Space Freeze!

The plain ancient gate closed instantly, the Obsidian Tower's meditation chamber returned to calm, and the horrific aura dissipated.

Reslin sensed the newly acquired spell; the element runes of Space Freeze are extremely complex and profound, exactly as the magical texts described—lasting six seconds, everything within the spell's range is bound, a restraint originating from space itself, exceedingly hard to break.

Targets within Space Freeze can think, retain their will, but cannot do anything.

Unless they possess divinity.

Or at least have undergone eight soul metamorphoses—i. e., be a transcendent above Level 25—to have some resistance to Space Freeze; however it's merely resistance, with speed and actions severely weakened, almost at the mercy of others.

It merely cannot cut off the enemy's thoughts; both sides see each other clearly and die plainly.

Thus Space Freeze isn't as terrifying as Time Stop, and its reputation is slightly lesser.

In fact, Space Freeze's power is no less than Time Stop.

Reslin tried casting Space Freeze several times.

The Nine-ring Key of Doors and three Void Resonances both amplify Space Freeze, shortening its casting time. The Legend Grade magical items "Endless Storm" and "Crimson Seal Ring" each can accelerate spells of Seven-ring or higher by one second.

Space Freeze, which originally required three seconds to complete, was reduced to under half a second, very close to instant cast.

Time Stop is the same.

However, achieving true instant cast is extremely difficult; this is a Nine-ring Technique, the strongest of the Nine-ring Techniques. It seems that shaving another half‑second would make it instant, but that half‑second is like a celestial chasm, impossible without centuries of research.

"My turn now."

Lei En opened his phone interface, poured in energy, and upgraded the Key of Doors to Nine-ring.

A few minutes later the upgrade finished; his soul was deeply restructured, a flood of knowledge and information surged in his mind, granting him the ability to traverse planes, adding a Void Resonance, and his mastered Arcane was enhanced to varying degrees.

Then Lei En activated the Key of Doors.

The plain ancient gate reappeared, the horrific aura returned, Lei En stepped forward, pushed the gate open, and saw the billions of radiance behind the gate and that unnamed great being.

Its countless tentacles waved, and its many eyes turned.

"I want Time Stop."

Lei En whispered internally, expecting a beam of light to soon emerge, granting the spell he desired, but found no response behind the gate. The other side seemed hesitant, then a baffling, maddened howl erupted, an intangible sound piercing his soul, making his soul shiver while delivering vague information.

It seemed to say, "Why is it you again?"

"Uh…"

Lei En's scalp tingled, unsure how to respond. Had he summoned this gate twice in a row and upset it?

Doesn't it lack self‑awareness?

Lei En fell into doubt and astonishment as a beam of light finally pierced his mind; at the tip of a branch on the World Tree, formed from faintly glowing bubble demon souls, a new leaf sprouted, its Element rune obscure and profound, exactly the Time Stop he desired!

Bang!

The ancient gate, formed by a cluster of worms, shut swiftly and vanished even faster than before.

(End of chapter)