Chapter 226
The hourglass in front of Xia Zhi had become more refined, ancient, and compact. He placed it into his inventory and checked its updated properties.
[Hourglass of Time]
- Quality: Diamond
- Type: Special Equipment
- Traits: Time Stasis, Time Rewind, Time Flow
- Effects: Allows an area to enter a state of time stasis or time reversal; enables control over time acceleration or deceleration within a designated area.
- Hidden Effects: Comprehend the rules of time; immune to time erosion.
Xia Zhi noticed that its type had changed.
Previously, the [Hourglass of Time] was categorized as a rules-based tool, but now it had become special equipment.
Its traits now included a new ability, [Time Flow], which allowed him to manipulate the acceleration or deceleration of time at will.
As for the original [Time Stasis] and [Time Rewind], they were no longer limited by the need to invert the hourglass.
The most significant improvement lay in its hidden effects.
The previous "eternal youth" had been upgraded to "comprehend the rules of time" and "immune to time erosion."
After reviewing its updates, Xia Zhi equipped the hourglass in his character panel.
Just as when he ascended to godhood, his mind was automatically imprinted with a new rule sigil, granting him mastery over time-based rules.
At the same time, the system's notification echoed in his mind.
- "Host has acquired the trait: Time Rewind."
- "The cooldown limitation on [Shadow Hand]'s Skill Steal trait has been lifted. It can now be activated anytime."
This marked the second occurrence of traits combining synergistically.
The first instance involved [Space Rip] ( Void Break changed to Space Rip '-' ) and [Skill Steal], allowing the latter to be activated remotely.
Now, [Time Rewind] and [Skill Steal] had combined, removing cooldown limitations altogether.
This meant Xia Zhi no longer had to worry about missing opportunities to copy abilities.
However, Xia Zhi pondered over something.
The [Time Rewind] trait had already existed in the platinum-tier [Hourglass of Time], so why hadn't this synergy occurred before?
He speculated:
- Could it be that a minimum "diamond quality" was required to trigger trait combinations?
- But then, the [Phantom Mirror], acquired from the diamond-tier treasure chest, hadn't triggered any combinations.
Was it a matter of trait compatibility? Or perhaps only special equipment worn on the character panel could interact in this "set effect" manner?
Xia Zhi couldn't draw a definitive conclusion just yet. He realized this question might only be resolved as he acquired more diamond-tier and higher-grade items in the future.
---
To test the hourglass, Xia Zhi picked up a dried flower petal, a spice from Sumeru, and activated [Time Rewind].
Time began to flow backward at his fingertips.
The withered petal instantly became fresh and vibrant, as if it had just bloomed.
Bringing it to his nose, he inhaled its fragrant scent.
Compared to the rules of light, the rules of time were far more wondrous.
Placing the petal down, Xia Zhi traced a complex sigil in the air with his finger—a sigil representing the rules of time.
Compared to the sigil of light, the time sigil was even more intricate.
Next, he sketched a simpler symbol next to it—one representing the godly language of time.
Careful observation revealed similarities between the time rule sigil and the time godly language symbol.
This confirmed his earlier theory: The godly language was derived from rule sigils.
"Who created the godly language, I wonder… Was it the gods who mastered different rules? Or was it one god who possessed mastery over all rules?"
Unconsciously, Xia Zhi thought of the supreme deity in the void.
How many rules did that entity wield?
Or was there something even more fundamental beyond the rules?
---
Returning to his experimentation, Xia Zhi took out the [Blazing Incense Burner], placed a prepared blend of spices into it, and aligned the patterns on its cover.
The incense burner began to operate, and under normal circumstances, the incense would take ten minutes to finish crafting.
Xia Zhi extended his hand, activating [Time Acceleration] on the burner.
Within seconds, a familiar aroma wafted from the burner.
The incense was ready.
Opening the lid, Xia Zhi retrieved a perfectly crafted piece of incense.
Time-accelerated creations were indistinguishable from those made under normal conditions.
To test further, Xia Zhi tossed the incense into the air and activated [Time Deceleration].
The incense seemed to lose its weight, floating down as lightly as a feather.
After watching for a while, he caught it in his hand.
[Time Deceleration] would undoubtedly be most useful in combat.
Reflecting on his battle with Osial, Xia Zhi realized that if he had used [Time Deceleration] to slow Osial, he could have easily pierced its eyes with his light spear.
---
After testing the hourglass's abilities, Xia Zhi noticed that his mental and divine energy reserves were nearly depleted. He tried using [Time Rewind] on himself to see if it would restore his energy.
It had no effect.
Perhaps his immunity to time erosion, or the system's independence from the rules, prevented this.
Though a bit disappointed, Xia Zhi cleaned up his workspace and went to bed.
---
In the dream world, Xia Zhi met up with Shenhe. The two played games together and went mushroom-picking.
---
The next afternoon, after closing the shop, Ningguang arrived with her secretary.
Xia Zhi gave her a massage.
Lying on the small bed, Ningguang looked visibly relaxed.
"As expected, Xia Zhi's skills are the best."
"You've been working hard lately, haven't you, Ningguang?"
"Indeed. There's a mountain of work left by the events at Guyun Stone Forest that we need to handle carefully."
"Thank you for your efforts."
"Thankfully, Shenhe was there. Otherwise, the Millelith's losses would have been unimaginable."
"Shenhe is that powerful?"
"Very. At the time, she froze an entire tsunami. Otherwise…"
"She deserves proper gratitude."
"I've been thinking about how to thank her, but I'm at a loss. Do you know what she likes?"
"She… likes candy."
"Candy?"
"Yeah."
"I could prepare a collection of every type of candy in Liyue for her, but that alone doesn't seem enough."
"Shenhe doesn't care much about material things. It's the thought that counts."
"That may be true, but I still want to do something meaningful. I'll think about it… Oh, by the way, I'll be hosting a banquet at the Jade Chamber next week. I hope you'll attend."
"Just me?"
"Of course not. Bring everyone."
"Alright."
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