Chapter 46: The Dean’s Inquiry and the Laws of Time

Ye Xingchen had deliberately let slip the news of Su Liyue’s formidable master, primarily because he understood that in any world, swift growth hinged on both resources and a strong backing.

Even within the Star Dome Magic Academy, intense competition was unavoidable.

What was more, beginning today, they would officially embark on practical combat training, a true initiation into the world of mages.

While acquiring cultivation resources through individual strength was undeniably crucial, securing the academy’s unwavering support would prove immensely beneficial to Su Liyue’s magical practice.

Similarly, this support could also be a tremendous boon for Ye Xingchen as he sought a deeper understanding of this world, researched the power of time and space, and ultimately, searched for coordinates to return home.

Yu Qinglan’s words were unequivocally clear, an implicit inquiry into the relationship between the two students and their mysterious master.

A spatial-type powerhouse capable of moving mountains and filling oceans? Across the entirety of the Aetherland Empire, such an existence was utterly unprecedented.

When Duke Xiao had first brought it up, he had dismissed it as mere exaggeration, only to reconsider upon learning that even a Saint Archmage had been present to corroborate the claim.

Ye Xingchen gently clasped Su Liyue

’s hand, his voice imbued with a natural yet resolute conviction:

“In truth, Su Liyue is my fiancée.

Our families share a long-standing history, and an engagement has bound us since childhood.

We are to formally wed following our graduation.”

He observed a flicker of comprehension in Yu Qinglan’s eyes, signaling that this revelation was not entirely unforeseen.

After all, the Dean had already conversed with Duke Xiao, who had likely disclosed this information well in advance.

A faint blush bloomed across Su Liyue’s cheeks, yet she offered no denial.

Instead, she affirmed the statement with a subtle nod.

Her slender fingers intertwined with Ye Xingchen’s, a silent, intimate gesture far more persuasive than any spoken word.

“I see.

It’s no wonder your coordination is so seamless.

It appears Duke Xiao was not exaggerating in the slightest.”

Ye Xingchen inwardly exhaled, a quiet sigh of relief escaping him.

Proactively disclosing this information had proven to be a shrewd move, serving both to ease some of the Dean’s suspicions and to deter him from further probing into their relationship.

Occasionally, a judicious revelation of certain truths could lend greater credibility to even the most meticulously crafted deceptions.

“As for my master… he has always been rather elusive, and we aren’t particularly clear about his whereabouts or details,” Su Liyue interjected, deftly redirecting the conversation.

“Not clear?

Someone who doesn’t even hold the Duke’s manor in high regard…” Yu Qinglan murmured, his eyes narrowing with deep meaning.

His words trailed off there, for some sentiments, a hint was far more potent than a full explanation.

***

The staff suddenly gestured towards Qizai.

“This sword, I presume, is your master’s handiwork?”

Ye Xingchen had been pondering the best way to account for Qizai, but the Dean’s pointed question instantly sparked an idea within him:

“This sword is, in fact, a protective artifact Yueyue’s master prepared for her.

After all… a beloved disciple always warrants an extra layer of security.”

“A companion sword, you say… While its presence is certainly unexpected, it does bring to mind the Xuanhuang Sword Domain Empire (TL Note: A nation that cultivates ‘Dou Qi’ instead of magic, focusing on martial arts and sword energy).“

“A nation of Sword Qi?” Ye Xingchen exclaimed, surprised.

A hint of recollection flickered in Yu Qinglan’s gaze:

“That is a realm utterly distinct from Aetherland; they do not cultivate magic, but instead refine a power known as ‘Dou Qi’ (TL Note: A form of martial energy or battle aura, often associated with fantasy cultivation novels, granting enhanced physical abilities and elemental control).“

With a wave of his hand, scenes of the two nations at war materialized within a crystal ball.

A torrent of fiery rain clashed with fierce sword qi, the flowing robes of mages interwoven with the light armor of swordsmen across the battlefield.

“Those who cultivate Dou Qi possess bodies of steel; their sword edges can cleave mountains and sunder peaks.

These two nations have waged war for millennia, with magic and sword qi each claiming victories, yet to this day… neither has truly gained supremacy.“

Upon hearing this, Ye Xingchen ventured, “So, Dean, are you suggesting that Su Liyue’s master might be a formidable expert from a rival nation?”

Yu Qinglan gently shook his head.

“How could an entity powerful enough to shift mountains and fill oceans with a mere flick of the wrist ever be content to be confined to a single nation?”

He posed the rhetorical question with profound implication, his gaze oscillating between Su Liyue and Ye Xingchen.

Su Liyue, seizing the opportune moment, tilted her head, her long eyelashes fluttering delicately, and adopted an expression of innocent bewilderment, as if the profound conversation had entirely eluded her.

It had to be said, the Dean’s elaborate circumlocution ultimately aimed to ascertain the true identity of Su Liyue’s master.

Moreover, if he could seize this chance to forge a connection with this peerless expert, it would undoubtedly be an even greater boon.

“Is that so… If your master should be inclined, this old man would be delighted to delve into the profound mysteries of time and space magic with him.

As for Xiao Qicai, the academy will naturally handle the matter with due diligence.”

Ye Xingchen recognized that the moment had arrived.

Should he fail to disclose at least a modicum of information, this delicate exchange of interests would likely falter.

His plan hinged on seizing this opportunity to gain the upper hand; after all, actively soliciting the academy’s assistance was an entirely different proposition from being sought out by them.

Only by firmly retaining the initiative could he avoid being manipulated and ensure the maximization of his benefits.

“Dean, are you implying you possess an in-depth understanding of time and space magic?” Ye Xingchen inquired, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

While the Dean’s direct combat prowess might not appear overwhelmingly strong, he knew that knowledge, resources, and intelligence constituted a significant part of true power.

After all, wherever people gathered, social dynamics and intricate human relationships inevitably arose.

Given his position as the Dean of the Star Dome Magic Academy, it was inconceivable that he would be lacking in resources or vital intelligence.

Yu Qinglan replied, “To claim deep research would be presumptuous.

However… this old man has indeed been fortunate enough to witness such extraordinary magic firsthand.”

“As is widely known, the four foundational elements of the magic pentagram are earth, water, wind, and fire, alongside the spiritual power that governs them.

Yet, time and space… they exist entirely outside the elemental framework, not even falling within the pentagram’s purview.”

“Not within the pentagram system?” Ye Xingchen’s brow furrowed in a deep frown.

If this were indeed the truth, then even with Su Liyue’s exceptional affinity for all attributes and further advancements in her level, it would likely remain incredibly difficult for her to tap into the power of time.

“The prerequisites for cultivating potent spatial magic remain a mystery to this day; perhaps it’s an innate talent, or perhaps a unique lineage… but time magic diverges significantly.

Once a mage attains a certain realm, they will naturally begin to perceive the power of time.

Ancient texts document that upon breaking through to the ‘Eternal’ realm, one can begin to grasp the fundamental laws of time.”

So it was.

The power of space remained an enigma to mages, yet the power of time was a talent attainable by the strong, unlocked through the advancement of one’s own capabilities.

Thus, by elevating Su Liyue’s strength, she would naturally gain access to the laws of time—a concept cultivators yearned for but found unattainable.

Should she one day manage to fuse magic with her inherent spatial power to achieve true spatiotemporal manipulation, perhaps traversing time and space back to the Spirit Realm and Earth would no longer be an insurmountable feat.

With further research, even the fabled secret of immortality might finally be unraveled.

“The Dean’s insights are indeed extraordinary.

I believe Su Liyue’s master would also be most pleased to make the acquaintance of someone as learned as yourself,” Ye Xingchen remarked.

Yu Qinglan humbly waved a dismissive hand.

“To call me learned would be an overstatement.

However… having served as the Dean of the Star Dome Magic Academy for these many years, I have, to some extent, accumulated a few insights.

Should I be fortunate enough to receive even a word or two of guidance from that esteemed senior, it would undoubtedly prove immensely beneficial to my own cultivation.”