164: Agreement reached

"What did you say?"

The light figure appeared somewhat taken aback.

"I refuse."

Zhang Huaiyuan repeated himself once more.

His gaze lingered on that scroll, a flicker of an unreadable emotion passing through his eyes.

【Deceiver's Blindfold】

A spell used on contract-type items to mask the true contents.

Contains Knowledge Rule Level: 3.

【General Contract of the Lord of Truth (Printed Edition)】

Possesses extremely strong binding power; once the contract is violated, one will receive punishment from the Lord of Truth.

Contains Knowledge Rule Level: 5.

True Contract Content Displayed:

"Under the witness of the Lord of Truth, both parties have reached the following agreement."

"1. Party A must reach academic level thirty-five or above within ten thousand years."

"2. Party A needs to escape Slave World No. 00736 through their own strength and survive."

"3. After Party B fulfills their promise, Party A must become their registered apprentice and repay a debt of 37.66 billion time coinss on Party B's behalf."

"4. After Party A meets the prerequisites, Party B must recommend them to enter the 'Time Traveler Association'."

Zhang Huaiyuan wasn't sure why his ability couldn't fully display information about the other party, but there were no issues when looking at these items.

He vaguely guessed that it might be because the other party's true body was not in this world and was not covered by the gamification process, whereas this scroll was physically present in this world.

Regardless, he certainly couldn't agree to this predatory contract.

What a joke!

Although he didn't know what 37.66 billion time coinss represented, for a high-level existence capable of creating a Time Spire to discard their dignity and deceive a native, one could imagine it was an astronomical sum.

"Tsk... So he's actually a peerless pauper."

The way Zhang Huaiyuan looked at the light figure couldn't help but change slightly.

"Wait... What's with that look! I am..."

"The Deceiver's Blindfold—did you think I wouldn't recognize this spell?"

Without waiting for the other party to finish, Zhang Huaiyuan sneered, putting his hands behind his back and appearing full of confidence.

He suddenly realized that encountering an entity from a high-rule world who was willing to communicate amicably was indeed a unique opportunity.

Furthermore, even looking at the true contract content...

The other party at least intended to keep the promise of recommending him to the 'Time Traveler Association'.

He clearly wasn't some Great Demon King who would destroy the world over a disagreement.

Perhaps... he could bluff the other party to fish for some intelligence regarding the higher planes.

"How do you know about the 'Deceiver's Blindfold'!"

The light figure's expression changed abruptly.

"I also know, Scholar Scholar Buli, that you seem to owe quite a lot of debt. Tsk tsk... 37.66 billion time coinss."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head with an air of profound mystery.

"You can see the true contents of the contract!"

This time, it seemed completely beyond the light figure's expectations, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "You aren't a native of this place!"

"Correct. In a sense, I am not a person of this world."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded with a smile.

The light figure silently retrieved a water box about thirty centimeters in diameter from a dimension invisible to Zhang Huaiyuan, upon which a golden crown floated.

A moment later, the crown wobbled and sank.

—It represented the truth.

This was the work of that master; it was impossible for it to be wrong.

The light figure's gaze became solemn as he murmured, "No wonder... I was wondering how someone in a rule-restricted slave world like this could break through the level barrier so easily."

"I am Scholar Buli, a Rank 3 Probationary Apprentice of the 'Time Traveler Association'. May I ask who you are?"

Zhang Huaiyuan smiled without speaking.

The more he said, the more likely he was to make a mistake. How could he know which factions existed in the outside world? So far, besides the "Time Traveler Association," the only other name he knew was the "Lord of Truth."

He couldn't exactly claim to be a student of the "Lord of Truth."

"You cannot say..."

The light figure clearly misinterpreted his silence and said with a slight apology, "My apologies. In fact, even the true contract was generous enough for a native. But since you also hail from the outside, my actions were indeed a bit presumptuous."

"No matter. One cannot be blamed for what they do not know."

Zhang Huaiyuan weighed his words and looked at the other party. "Escaping this Slave World No. 00736 through my own ability is actually one of my trial objectives. Perhaps we can try to cooperate."

Hearing this, the light figure glanced toward the void, his brow furrowing slightly before smoothing out. He tested the waters calmly:

"How do you want to cooperate?"

"The first two terms of the contract remain unchanged. The third term regarding becoming a registered apprentice is canceled, and the repayment of the 37.66 billion debt is changed to providing a reward at my discretion. Additionally, you need to provide me with intelligence regarding the owner of this current world and offer some assistance."

Zhang Huaiyuan said after a moment's thought.

"The first parts are fine, but I'm afraid I cannot provide intelligence or assistance."

The light figure's expression relaxed as he explained of his own accord, "Interfering with a claimed world in any subjective form carries immense penalties. This rule can be ignored by certain big shots, but as you know, I am heavily in debt. Even the slightest fine would be enough to kill me."

"Then it seems our cooperation is unnecessary. I shall take my leave."

Zhang Huaiyuan narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke with regret.

After all this time, he had already used the Eye of Truth to find the exit to this space. He made a move toward that spatial node.

Seeing this, the light figure's eyes flickered, as if he had made a decision:

"Wait."

"I can give you a little help."

As he spoke, he took out a massive book shimmering with specks of light and said through gritted teeth, "This is a specialty of the 'Time Traveler Association'. Since you are from beyond this world, you should know its value. However, you must change the 'reward at your discretion' in the third term to a reward of at least 1 billion time coinss!"

"Hmm?"

Zhang Huaiyuan's eyes flickered as a stream of data flowed into his mind.

【Compulsory Education Textbook of the Time Traveler Association, Common Edition (Single-use)】

After use, you can choose one subject you wish to learn. The content will be adjusted based on your current mastery. Current knowledge range: Level 0-30.

Author: Not yet analyzed.

"Judging by the name, it has a bit of a cheap feel to it... but perhaps it's just something circulated on a small scale. And looking at this guy's expression, this seems to be his limit. Fine, at least it's something useful. If I keep pushing, I might reveal more flaws."

After a brief deliberation, Zhang Huaiyuan nodded slowly.

"A single-use compulsory textbook from the Time Traveler Association. While not exactly precious, it is indeed what I currently need. Very well, let us sign the contract."

"A wise choice."

A smile appeared on the light figure's face. With a wave of his hand, the 'Deceiver's Blindfold' vanished, revealing the true contents of the contract.

After making the minor adjustments, he inscribed his mark.

Zhang Huaiyuan used his ability to sweep over it once more. After confirming there were no errors, he also inscribed his mark.

As the signing was completed, the entire scroll split into two copies, flying into their respective hands.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

The light figure stowed the scroll away with satisfaction and smiled. "My partner, I wish you success in passing your trial. Do you need me to send you back?"

"I appreciate the kind words. Please do."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded slightly.

The light figure snapped his fingers, and Zhang Huaiyuan's figure gradually faded from the space.

The smile on the light figure's face grew even more radiant.

"Tsk... truly a strange person. Not a native, yet knowing absolutely nothing about..."

"Whatever, why bother... If he really is some big shot or genius, then all the better; he can pay off my debts for me. It won't have been in vain that I left ruins in so many worlds."

"If he's just an ant, I haven't lost anything either."

"Regardless, he might make a small profit, but I definitely won't lose!"

With a few barely audible murmurs, the light figure also gradually dissipated...