Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 300 Dog King
Ron's heart raced slightly, a sense of alertness rising within him.

Logically, such memory fragments that could clearly cause mental pollution should trigger his warning skills such as "supernatural recognition" and "hunting evil".

In previous analyses, these skills have helped him avoid danger on numerous occasions.

However, the warning system remained silent at this moment, failing to react to this obviously dangerous memory fragment.

Ron frowned slightly, but did not disconnect.

Instead, he further adjusted his mental energy output mode, exploring this memory more cautiously.

As the explorer's consciousness deepened, the blurry outline gradually became clearer...

It is an existence beyond comprehension, its form constantly changing, and each change violates the fundamental laws of the physical world.

Sometimes it resembles a giant sphere with countless tentacles, the ends of which grow eyes, a mouth, and various organs;

Sometimes it resembles a mountain made of living tissue, with every surface constantly wriggling, growing new limbs, and then rapidly shrinking away.

Even more terrifying is that this entity seems to exist in multiple dimensions simultaneously, causing its image to always be in an indescribable "superposition state".

Staring at it for more than two seconds can cause intense dizziness and nausea, as if the brain is being forced to process some kind of information structure that it shouldn't understand.

This scene should have triggered a strong mental pollution reaction, or at least caused the "Hunting Evil" skill to issue a strong warning.

But strangely, Ron still didn't sense any signs of contamination.

There is only a purely visual discomfort, like the instinctive reaction to seeing a disgusting image, rather than the deep-seated pain of pollution that penetrates the soul.

"Interesting..." Ron thought to himself, his mind racing.
How can an "apostle" reveal his true form without causing spiritual pollution?

There is only one explanation for this anomaly—this "apostle" is a fake.

The explorer in the picture clearly lacks Ron's composure and analytical skills.

When he saw that enormous being slowly moving, with countless bizarre organs staring at him simultaneously, fear instantly overwhelmed his reason.

A pure, primal fear erupts within the explorer, an experience far beyond conventional fear, as if the soul itself is screaming.

As fear accumulates, the explorer's vision begins to distort and fragment, eventually plunging them into complete darkness.

He lost consciousness.

As for what happened afterward, the memory crystal left no clues.

Whether the explorer was preyed upon by this fake "Apostle" or managed to escape remains unknown. After all, the "memory crystals" generated by the abyss only retain what the recorder saw.

"Connection interrupted, parsing complete."

Ron said calmly, while carefully withdrawing his mental energy.
To ensure that no residue is left or any subsequent effects that could cause entanglement.

He opened his eyes and found that Yutel's ethereal projection was observing him in a peculiar way.

"A very fruitful analysis, wasn't it?" The old man's voice was slightly more cheerful than usual.

"Indeed, Professor."

Ron looked at the memory crystal, pondered for a moment, and then got straight to the point:
“I’ve discovered some anomalies. The ‘Apostle’ that appeared in this memory crystal is very likely a fake.”

"Oh?" Yutel's phantom rippled slightly, revealing a hint of curiosity. "Tell me your analysis."

"First of all, my pollution detection system did not react at all when it appeared."

Ron explained clearly and logically:

"Logically speaking, even if it is just a projection of an apostle in memory, it should be heavily contaminated by the high level of the abyss."

But I didn't sense any signs of pollution, only a purely visual discomfort.

He paused for a moment and continued:
"Secondly, this 'Apostle's' behavior is too dramatic, as if it is deliberately creating a terrifying effect."

True Apostles are typically more…efficient. They rarely waste time visually intimidating their prey, preferring direct mental intrusion or energy drain.

At this point, Ron suddenly realized that his description might be too technical and didn't seem like the image of a novice who had only recently started researching the Abyss.

Yutel's phantom remained silent for a moment, the silver light flowing slowly in the air, as if it were engaged in some kind of deep contemplation.

“Very precise observation and analysis, Ron.”

Yutel's tone was clearly appreciative, yet it also contained an elusive, deeper meaning:
"Your knowledge of the creatures of the abyss seems to far exceed what a beginner should be at. Especially your insights into the behavioral patterns of the apostles... very interesting."

Ron could sense that the pair of silver eyes in the phantom were watching him intently, as if trying to see through some hidden secret.

But he had long since learned to remain calm under any circumstances. Faced with this subtle probing, he simply smiled slightly, his eyes calm and composed.

“I have always had a special interest in the study of the abyss, and I obtained some non-public information through various channels when I was in the Black Mist School.”

Yutel's phantom swayed gently in the air and chuckled softly.

He clearly sensed the tact in Ron's words and did not press further, instead turning to a more academic discussion:
“Your observation is absolutely correct. That is not a real apostle, but a disguise of an extremely rare abyssal plant—the ‘Phi-ro-Phi-ro Grass’.”

“Pui Luo Pei Luo Grass?” Ron raised an eyebrow; the name did indeed sound rather strange.

"It is an abyssal subspecies of a fern, an extraordinary plant."

Yutel's tone shifted to the steady rhythm he usually used when explaining professional knowledge:

"They are among the few plant-based life forms in the abyss with high intelligence. They can use special sensory abilities to detect the source of fear in approaching creatures and then project it as an illusion."

For Abyss explorers, the greatest fear is encountering Apostles, so they often create illusions of Apostles.

Ron narrowed his eyes; the characteristics of this creature were indeed worthy of study.
Why do they do this? For hunting? For defense? Or some form of communication?

“It’s mainly a defense mechanism,” Yutel replied.
"The physical defense of the 'Pui Luo Pei Luo Grass' is very weak, but its illusion-making ability is extremely sophisticated and can scare away most potential threats."

In the abyssal ecosystem, they occupy a very special position—neither apex predators nor simply prey, but rather they maintain their survival through this unique form of deception.

Ron couldn't help but have more questions: "So, if the explorers aren't scared off by the illusions, what will happen to the Phurba Phurba grass?"

“An interesting question.” Yutel’s phantom image lit up briefly.
"Typically, they will try to evoke stronger fear stimuli to stir up the target's fear as much as possible."

If that still doesn't work, they release a special neurotoxin in an attempt to directly induce a coma in the intruder.

The last resort was a mass escape, leaving some members behind as sacrifices to preserve the majority of the tribe.

“Based on the degree of energy decay within the memory crystal, I can determine that this memory was formed approximately two months ago,” Yutel continued, his tone filled with anticipation.

"This means that we are very likely to find this rare plant in the same area."

"Does it have any special value?" Ron's eyes revealed a pragmatic glint.

“It’s quite valuable.” Yutel’s phantom became more solid; this topic had greatly piqued his interest.
"The condensate of the Pepe Pepe Grass contains a special energy crystal called 'Illusion Crystal,' which is the core ingredient for making the highest-grade illusion materials. A small piece of Illusion Crystal can sell for hundreds of magic stones on the market."

He paused, his voice becoming more serious:

"But its true value lies in the field of research. The energy structure of the Peluo Peluo grass contains a natural understanding of consciousness projection and has unique value in constructing the prototype of the ethereal body."

Ron immediately understood the importance of this discovery.

For any wizard preparing to become a great wizard, all research materials that help build the prototype of the Void are invaluable.

Ron carefully placed the memory crystal back into the special container, pondered for a moment, and then his gaze returned to Yutel:

"Professor, I have some questions about the Time Hound that Princess Eve briefly mentioned to me before."

Yutel's phantom suddenly froze for a moment, and the silver flow completely stopped.

He then became active again, but noticeably less frequently and more slowly: "You've encountered them."

This was an affirmative statement. Ron didn't deny it, he simply nodded:

“During my most recent meditation breakthrough, I may have… touched on some fragments of memory that I shouldn’t have.”

He selectively omitted the specific details about the "Hermit" and the "Devourer," providing only enough information for the other party to understand the situation.

Yutel's phantom floated in mid-air, and Ron could sense that the other was observing him, an observation that was deep and comprehensive, as if it were assessing something.

Finally, Yutel let out an almost imperceptible sigh:

"Since you have experienced it firsthand, you must have your own observations and conclusions."

Tell me, young man, what did you learn from this dangerous encounter?

“They are far more dangerous than I anticipated,” Ron admitted.

"When we first came into contact, I was almost powerless to resist. Their attack methods were extremely peculiar; their mouthparts seemed to be able to ignore any conventional mental defenses, and they were so fast that I could barely react."

Furthermore, they possess a certain ability to reset their own state, capable of undoing damage already inflicted.

He paused briefly, then continued:
"But during the crisis, I also discovered some characteristics that might be weaknesses."

They seem to rely on certain special shadow angles to attack, these angles are like the intersections of time flows.

Eliminating these shadows would, to some extent, limit their range of movement and their attack capabilities.

Yutel's phantom image expanded slightly:

"Extremely accurate observation! Even experienced wizards might not be able to spot this crucial detail on their first encounter."

His tone was full of admiration:
"The Time Hounds do need to take advantage of those 'shadow angles' you mentioned... which are actually special points where the flow of time subtly intersects, to unleash their ability to attack from any angle."

"But I also found that even using light to dispel shadows and restrict their movement, it was still difficult to truly defeat them," Ron recalled of that thrilling duel.
"Especially when it comes to their ability to reset their own state... it feels almost impossible to solve."

"Time reset." Yutel nodded in confirmation.

"This is one of the most fearsome abilities of the Timehound."

They can undo any damage they suffer, as if the damage had never happened.

Many Moon-level wizards also choose to avoid combat when facing the Time Hounds.

"So, is there any way to really defeat them?"

Ron asked directly, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for knowledge.

Yutel's phantom paused in the air for a moment, as if weighing something.

"To truly kill a time hound, you need to meet three key conditions."

He extended a finger made of silver light:
"First, you must have a mental strength of at least the Moon level, which can be applied to multiple points in time at the same time."

These are the basic requirements; without sufficient mental strength, it's impossible to stably capture the true form of the Time Hound.

The second finger lights up:
"Secondly, you need to master at least one special spell that can 'fix time', such as 'time anchor'."

These spells can temporarily impair the Timehounds' time manipulation abilities, preventing them from resetting the time.

However, these kinds of spells are extremely rare. They should be listed in the school's contribution point exchange list, and generally require several thousand contribution points.

The third finger then lit up:
"Finally, and most importantly, you must be able to attack their 'past, present, and future' time states simultaneously."

This requires a special mental attack technique we call 'Triple Blast,' an advanced variant of 'Mental Blast,' which can simultaneously trigger mental shockwaves at multiple points in time.

Ron carefully noted down this information, and began to construct a possible cultivation path in his mind.

"Time anchoring" and "three-phase explosion" are also quite interesting advanced areas. Although you may not have to try them right away, it's always good to learn more about them.

"Are there any specific training methods to improve this ability?" he asked further.

“Of course.” Yutel nodded, seemingly pleased with Ron’s eagerness to learn.
"As for 'time anchoring,' it's too far removed from your current situation, and I can't tell you that just because of confidentiality agreements."

Ron wasn't disappointed and was about to politely thank him, but Yutel suddenly changed the subject:
"However, I can briefly explain the training methods for 'Triple Blast,' which may be helpful in improving your 'Mental Blast.'"

“Training for ‘three-phase shockwave’ is extremely complex,” Yutel continued.
"It requires a kind of mental splitting training method on the premise of mastering the basic 'mental shock'."

This training requires dividing one's consciousness into three parts, each fixed at a specific point in time—past, present, and future—and then launching a mental attack simultaneously at all three points in time.

His tone became more cautious:

"I must warn you, this kind of training is extremely dangerous."

Excessive fragmentation of consciousness can lead to permanent mental damage, or even personality disorder.

Without sufficient mental fortitude and professional guidance, never attempt it.

Perhaps to change the subject, Yutel's tone suddenly became somewhat ethereal, as if he were lost in some kind of memory:

"Speaking of the Time Hound, I can tell you the story of the 'Clock King' and the 'Dog King'."

Ron sat up slightly, his eyes revealing keen interest.

Yutel rarely mentioned such historical anecdotes when they met alone, so this sharing undoubtedly carried a special significance.

"Timehounds are not all solitary hunters," Yutel said, his voice carrying a hint of warning.
"They are divided into different levels. The weakest are the wanderers, who mainly roam the shallows of the river of time, preying on the faint consciousness that accidentally touches the boundary of time;

The middle level consists of authoritarian hunters who possess stronger spatial and temporal awareness and are able to actively track targets.

At the very top are the dog kings.

"The king dog is different from ordinary hunting dogs. They are the leaders of their respective packs. Not only are their all-around qualities far superior to ordinary hunting dogs, but they can also command ordinary hunting dogs to form hunting teams."

Yutel's voice lowered:

"The most terrifying thing is that the Dog King can autonomously create 'dimensional angles' within the 'hunting grounds' of the consciousness realm, which can be used for movement and attack."

This means they no longer rely on naturally formed spacetime gaps, but are able to actively create attack paths.

Ron couldn't help but recall his thrilling duel with the Time Hound.

If the opponent possesses the ability to create "dimensional angles," the outcome of that battle will be entirely different.

"A hunting party led by a dog king is enough to threaten most great wizards, and even some top great wizards who are incompatible with the dog king can only choose to flee when faced with the dog king's party."

“And ‘Clock King’ Erica is the only wizard to break this restriction…” Yutel’s tone suddenly turned somewhat sad.
"She was one of the most outstanding wizards in the middle of the Second Age."

He is also the only one who was revered as 'King' during the era of top-tier wizards.

It is said that she was able to briefly contend with many true witch kings, and her precision in manipulating time remains unmatched to this day.

Yutel's phantom dimmed slightly:
"His most well-known feat was finding the Time Hounds' fatal weakness and then hunting them down."

This behavior quickly attracted the attention of the dog king.

Before becoming a great wizard, Erica devised a plan to kill a dog king and incorporated its main structure into her 'soul anchor'.

This event caused a huge sensation at the time and earned him the title of 'King of Clocks'.

“Soul anchor…” Ron repeated the word softly, his face full of deep thought.

He was familiar with this term; it was described in detail in the "Illustrated Compendium of Abyssal Creatures," referring to a special item created by great wizards to combat the curse of the abyss.

In fact, due to his recent progress in "historical research" skills, he has already made many guesses about the origin of his "rare and precious artifacts".

Furthermore, considering the powerful timekeeping capabilities demonstrated by his pocket watch, and the similarities between the title "King of Clocks" and the pocket watch itself...

(End of this chapter)