Chapter 158: The River of History Projection
“All right, Watson, you should first collect the sun and moon gems you fused. While treasures are essential in that world, one’s power is the most important thing. Instead of pursuing those, why don’t you study the two spells I just taught you?” the astrologer inquired. On the one hand, he was trying to mask his surprise, but on the other, he was sincere.
One day, one would fail to rely on external factors; one was only powerful when they were strong.
“I understand, Master. I’ll start studying now.” Watson nodded modestly as if he had been taught a lesson. Then, with a step forward with his right leg, the ma.s.sive tree trunk that had covered the entire Blackmoon Castle vanished. The 100 fruits that grew on it all fell to the ground. They were entangled by the branches that squirmed out of his skin and flew into his body.
That was because the Sun and Moon staff possessed a power known as the World Barrier, which could seal everything. That trait was retained after it merged with the Great Sin Mask.
The astrologer appeared pleased. “There is no need to be in such a rush. As long as we can successfully research the magic within a month, it will be fine.”
The two spells that he had taught Watson were both platinum-tier spells. No matter how talented Watson was, it would not be so easy to learn them. After all, Watson was only a gold-tier mage, and he could only cast platinum-tier spells by relying on external forces.
Watson double-checked the sun and moon gems that had been absorbed into his body as the astrologer spoke. After ensuring that there were no mistakes, he raised his head and said, “Master, a month is far too long. I don’t think I’ll need a month to learn these two spells.”
“Is that correct? How long would it take you then?”
The astrologer thought that Watson was a genius, indeed. His talent was still beyond his expectations. The astrologer was a little happy.
“I can learn it right now.”
“Now?”
The astrologer was stunned. He saw Watson close his eyes and muttered softly, “System fusion.” Then he saw Watson open his arms. The ground under his feet shook with him as the center and spread in all directions. Green vines emerged from the ground as bright flowers and fruits grew on top of them, exuding the smell of life.
Earth-elemental platinum-tier spell, Dreamland.
That, without a doubt, was the magic he had just imparted upon Watson. The young boy had figured it out with a single glance. After all, that was platinum-tier magic, and the difficulty of learning it varied greatly depending on the level of magic.
Iron-tier spells, for example, might only require a single incantation or none at all. The circulation routes of magic elements in the body were also relatively simple for that tier, perhaps only a dozen. As for a bronze-tier spell, it could increase to a hundred. One could only imagine how difficult it was to cultivate a platinum-tier spell.
The mage would need to memorize at least a hundred thousand magical circulation routes for a platinum-tier spell. An average person would need at least a few years to memorize something that complex. Then, they would need to make sure that they did not make any mistakes when they cast it, which needed time to perfect. It was impossible to accomplish that without more than ten years of effort.
The astrologer was the most knowledgeable mage in the kingdom because he had lived for a long time and had the time to do research. Even if other mages were stronger than him, their control over magic would not be comparable to his.
On the other hand, Watson had mastered the magic that he had taught him in an instant.
“Perhaps Watson can only learn earth-elemental magic quickly. Other kinds of magic are not like that,” the astrologer consoled himself.
After Watson cast the earth-elemental platinum-tier spell, Dreamland, he felt a majestic life force surged into his body from the earth. It was as if the earth had become a part of his body. No matter how severe his injuries were, he could recover in an instant.
That life force was far too powerful, and it relieved his tired body. There was still a lot of life force left in him.
He transferred the remaining life force to the other people in Blackmoon Castle, including the Blackmoon Knights, the Golden Flash, and Emperor Cluck. They all felt a powerful force enter their bodies at that moment, and their wounds had utterly disappeared, as were those who had broken their arms and legs.
“Thank you very much, Young Master Watson!”
Everyone knelt as they praised Watson.
“You are very welcome. That is what you deserve.”
Watson waved his hand as he attempted to memorize another spell.
He had just used the system to combine the Dreamland and the Time Stripping spell with a peak platinum-tier spell called the River of History Projection.
[Peak platinum-tier fusion spell, River of History Projection: Reverse Time and summon one’s self that once existed in the gap in history. There is no limit to the number of past selves that can be summoned at the same time. However, each past self must be at least one day apart from each other. Furthermore, the projection will not carry any equipment.]
[This is similar to the cloning spell, with a slight difference. Master’s Time Stripping spell is equivalent to abandoning and storing a portion of your body’s power. As a result, you will experience a period of weakness. The purpose of the River of History Projection is to summon one’s past self to aid in battle. It can be used anytime and in any place, and there are no side effects.]
For example, Watson was a gold-tier warrior and Mage. He could summon his past self from a day ago with the same strength. As his power increased, his past self would arrive stronger as well, even though they were only one day apart. So, the one-day minimum requirement was not a big deal. The only drawback was that his past selves would not have any equipment with them.
Watson sighed inwardly. He had learned two spells, and he had already fused such a powerful fusion spell. If he were to learn more spells from the astrologer, would he be on his way to the peak of his life?
He could instantly master the spells as long as he fused them, including the spells used as fusion materials. If the astrologer was willing to teach him, he could learn hundreds of platinum spells in a single day.
“Watson, what are you doing? Is it difficult to learn the Time Stripping spell? Shall I demonstrate to you?”
When the astrologer noticed that Watson had fallen silent and not moved for a long time, he a.s.sumed that it was because he could not cast another spell. He heaved a sigh of relief. As expected, Watson only had a special talent for earth-elemental spells; it was not easy to learn elemental magic.
He had said it before; how could a person learn all the platinum-tier spells in an instant? Was he still a human being?
“Thank you, Master, but there is no need. I have already mastered that spell.”
Mastered it?
“Then show me,” the astrologer exclaimed in disbelief.
Watson cast the spell as soon as he heard that. A mysterious aura emitted from his body and burst into the air, transforming into an illusory and mysterious long river. Countless images of the past rolled inside; there were mountains and rivers that had once existed and many countries that had faded. Everyone else also looked up at the colorful sky; their expressions moved.
The river of time, the River of History Projection, flowed above their heads.
A youth who looked like Watson descended from the river. He spread his combat aura wings on his back and flew in front of Watson. “h.e.l.lo, my main body. I’m Watson, the one who had merged the Platinum Dragon King, the Golden Flash, and the hybrid Phoenix, Emperor Cluck, yesterday.”
Then, several people in black robes, who looked exactly like Watson, emerged from the river; they spread their combat aura wings and descended from the sky.
“h.e.l.lo, main body. I’m Watson from a few days ago, the one that fought against the Demoness Bandit Gang.”
“h.e.l.lo, I’m Watson, who just became a silver-tier warrior a few months ago.”
“h.e.l.lo, I am Watson from a year ago.”
…
More than ten Watsons fell from the sky and into the people’s line of sight.
“This is not the Time Stripping spell, Watson.”
The astrologer looked up at the sky as well; the corner of his mouth twitched. The young boy had summoned his former selves. He had not taught the young boy that magic. Did he do it on his own?
“Master, this is not the Time Stripping spell. It is a new spell that I created by combining the Dreamland and the Time Stripping spells—this is the River of History Projection.”
As one would expect of Watson.
The astrologer covered his face as he heard Watson’s words. The young boy had not only learned platinum-tier magic instantly, but he had also fused it to improve it. That was already beyond the realm of monsters. He was desperate to find a place to calm down.