Chapter 330: Time Shadow Stone

If possible, Helag truly wanted to earn the reward.

Both the 100,000 magic stones and 500 contribution points were urgently needed.

However, with so many skilled array masters present, including several second-level ones, his chances were slim.

Even with Deep Blue’s assistance, solving the problem faster than others wasn’t guaranteed.

As the spotlight focused on Goodwin, a circular space formed around him.

A server wheeled out a small table with a small, irregularly shaped, translucent stone on a red cloth.

“Time Shadow Stone!” someone in the crowd exclaimed.

Hearing this, Helag looked up at the stone, recalling hearing the term before. He asked Deep Blue to search the database, finding its description.

The Time Shadow Stone is a rare stone used to record scenes and sounds over time, originating from polluted zones.

It’s only been found in polluted zones, with no known origin or creation method from past wizards.

Due to its rarity, it’s nearly impossible to purchase, with only high-ranking individuals possessing one or two.

Anything recorded with a Time Shadow Stone is of great importance.

All eyes were on the stone, curious about its contents.

Goodwin approached the table, addressing the crowd, “We’ve invited you, esteemed array masters, to help break an array in a polluted zone. This Time Shadow Stone contains images of the location. Observe carefully and see if you can discern anything.”

“The relic was discovered by Seranthiel, and with such a diverse crowd, isn’t revealing the images risky?” Helag whispered to Israel.

Helag observed the crowd, noting many weren’t Seranthiel members, with various affiliations or none at all.

Many unfamiliar faces added to the complexity.

Helag worried the images might reveal the relic’s location, potentially leading to theft or murder.

In polluted zones, anything could happen, and the Land of Dawn wouldn’t know.

Israel smiled, “You’re overthinking. Polluted zones are vast, and identifying a location from an entrance is difficult. Even if pinpointed, reaching it is challenging, so there’s little concern.”

“Besides, with Seranthiel’s strength, even if they reach it, they must overcome us.”

Helag realized traversing polluted zones was risky, and reaching the relic uncertain.

Seranthiel’s strength was formidable, and few could confidently challenge them.

Thus, revealing the images posed little risk, stemming from confidence in their strength.

“Now, observe carefully. If you have ideas, tell me. Our association will evaluate them, and if likely successful, inform the pioneers in the zone. If they succeed, rewards will be given,” Goodwin said.

He touched the Time Shadow Stone, projecting an image above it.

It showed a wheel.

The wheel had eight rings of varying sizes, each rotating at different speeds and directions, with intricate runes on each.

The image showed only the rotating wheel, nothing else.

Helag thought, “No wonder they dare show the entrance; pinpointing the location from this wheel is nearly impossible.”

The wheel seemed like a door, likely the relic’s entrance.

Unlocking the wheel was necessary to enter the relic.

Forcing entry was ignored, as such arrays were often linked to the entire relic.

Forcing entry could trigger defenses, destroying the relic or teleporting its contents elsewhere.

Thus, breaking in by force was unlikely to succeed.

Seranthiel’s pioneers awaited a solution from the array masters.

They were truly waiting.

Helag didn’t know how the Time Shadow Stone was delivered or how solutions would be sent.

In polluted zones, the magic network was unusable, requiring special communication methods, like messengers.

As the image displayed, the room fell silent.

Everyone, whether seeking the reward or not, studied the wheel intently.

Helag also observed, letting Deep Blue record data.

He noticed the wheel contained nine arrays.

Each ring held a first-level array, and the eight combined to form a ninth.

Helag speculated the relic’s owner, caught off guard, couldn’t set up higher-level arrays.

Wanting to maximize security, they created this complex array.

To unlock it, runes must be inserted when each ring reached specific positions.

The eight rings were interconnected, each affecting the others.

Thus, observing their trajectories and potential interactions was crucial.