215: Reach an agreement

"Who's there!"

Zhang Huaiyuan turned his head sharply, dozens of phase shields lighting up on his body.

He had his detectors on at all times, yet there hadn't been any reaction at all.

"It's me."

A luminous humanoid creature floated not far away. The space around him seemed completely distorted, making his entire body appear exceptionally blurry.

"Brie Dawn?"

Zhang Huaiyuan recalled the name instantly.

That was a strange existence he had encountered before in the Time Spire.

At that time, the two of them had even signed a contract:

"1. Party A must reach an academic level of 35 or higher within ten thousand years."

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

"3. Party B will provide some assistance to Party A; Party A must repay at least 1 billion time coins of debt for Party B."

"4. After Party A meets the prerequisites, Party B needs to recommend them for entry into the 'Time Traveler Association'."

Even that "Time Traveler Association Compulsory Education Textbook: General Edition" had been provided by the other party.

Relying on it, he had been able to take his research on intelligent lifeforms a step further, creating a more perfect Miracle Algorithm, reverse-invading the Xuanjian Sect's reincarnation mirror, and finally turning defeat into victory.

Thinking of this, Zhang Huaiyuan couldn't help but cup his hands and smile.

"I must thank you, Mr. Buli, for your help back then."

"Call me Scholar Buli."

The Light Figure corrected him solemnly.

"Uh... Scholar Buli?"

Only then did the Light Figure show a satisfied smile.

"Don't mention it; this is all your own credit. To be honest, I didn't expect you to be able to create a megastructure weapon of this level in a low-tier world, and even defeat those from the Xuanjian Sect."

Pausing slightly, the Light Figure continued:

"In this way... you can be considered to have fulfilled the first and second agreements. Our contract can continue."

"Scholar Buli, do you mean you'll recommend me for entry into the Time Traveler Association?"

Zhang Huaiyuan's eyes lit up slightly.

He didn't know much about this organization, but judging from scattered fragments of information, it was definitely not simple.

Just from the name of that item, "Time Traveler Association Compulsory Education Textbook: General Edition," content involving level 3 rules was actually basic education for them!

And the person before him, who called himself Scholar Buli, could even control time to a certain extent.

If he could join this organization, perhaps all his problems would be easily solved.

"That's right. According to the agreement, I will submit your name to the Association, but whether you can pass the assessment will depend on your own ability."

There was a hint of anticipation in the Light Figure's eyes.

He was still waiting for the other party to repay a portion of his debt.

"There's an assessment?"

Zhang Huaiyuan frowned slightly. It wasn't that he was afraid, but if there was an assessment, he didn't know how much time it would take. It would be disastrous if he couldn't make it back in time.

"Of course."

Scholar Buli said as if it were a matter of course:

"The Time Traveler Association is the highest hall of knowledge. In the myriad realms of the universe, billions upon billions of geniuses take pride in being able to become an apprentice of the Association."

"While your talent is decent and you might be hiding some secrets, when placed among the vast sea of geniuses, you can only barely be considered alright."

Buli shook his head and sighed.

"The Association's minimum requirement is to have mastered one subject to level 30 within ten thousand years. And judging from the weapon you created, it's at most at the level of 36-37."

"Your biggest disadvantage is being in such a low-tier plane. Think about it: those geniuses at the same level as you have received the best knowledge inheritance since birth. How can your level compare to theirs?"

"Then, according to your calculations, Scholar Buli, roughly what chance do I have of passing the assessment?"

Zhang Huaiyuan wasn't surprised by these words.

In the final analysis, his abilities had only awakened in this indigenous world. Although he didn't know why they far exceeded those of other Transcendents.

But surely in the myriad realms, there were plenty of people whose talent and abilities were higher than his.

"At most 9.37 percent."

Scholar Buli thought for a moment and gave a relatively precise answer.

"Of course, I don't know the secrets you're hiding, so I can't factor those in."

"I see..."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded. This probability was about what he had expected. He immediately said with some hesitation:

"Scholar Buli, I wonder how much time it takes to go to the Association... If I can join the Association..."

"You also know you've caused quite a bit of trouble."

Scholar Buli interrupted with a half-smile, clearly aware of the other party's predicament.

"I had no choice. I couldn't just sit and wait for death."

Zhang Huaiyuan spread his hands, looking quite helpless.

"So, Scholar Buli, you still haven't given me an answer."

Hearing this, the Light Figure studied him quietly.

He saw that Zhang Huaiyuan's gaze was clear and there was no look of resentment in his expression, which made him feel a bit more satisfied.

After all, the road of scientific research was also full of thorns. If one backed down at the slightest difficulty, their achievements would inevitably be limited and not worth investing in.

He then spoke: "In principle, out of interest and agreements, these chambers of commerce will spare no effort to correct a variable world like yours. However... certain forces are the principle itself."

Scholar Buli paused slightly, a hint of pride appearing on his face.

"The Time Traveler Association is one of them."

"In other words, if you can successfully pass the assessment and become a formal apprentice of the Association, then this so-called trouble of yours will become someone else's."

"Is that true?"

Zhang Huaiyuan raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected this so-called Time Traveler Association to have such a high status.

"Of course. As for the time..."

Scholar Buli calculated briefly and said calmly: "Counting the journey and the time for the assessment, if you can successfully pass the final round, even if I take you there with all my strength, it will take at least 100 years of your world's time."

"100 years..."

Zhang Huaiyuan was stunned for a moment, and then a hint of regret appeared in his eyes.

"Then it seems I won't be able to participate in the short term."

"Why? Like I said before, this might be the only chance in your life to truly change your fate."

Scholar Buli's tone was calm.

"Why ask when you already know the answer, Scholar Buli?"

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head and gave a light laugh. "Since you know the predicament I'm facing, you naturally understand that if I leave for 100 years, this world will have been destroyed long ago."

"If you stay, you'll just be one more person dying in vain."

Scholar Buli narrowed his eyes, looked directly at Zhang Huaiyuan, and asked, "You have a great future ahead of you. Is it worth it?"

"Many things cannot be measured by whether they are worth it or not."

Zhang Huaiyuan's expression was composed.

"As the king of this world, my partners trust me, so naturally I cannot let them down."

"Heh..."

The Light Figure stared intently into the other's eyes. After a long while, he suddenly let out a light laugh.

"Not bad. I can help you, but you need to promise me one condition."

"What is it?"

"Help me repay another 1 billion time coins of debt."

...