219: Arrival Association

"Arriving soon at Sea of Time, Cloud Peak Station."

"Passengers arriving at this station, please collect your belongings and step into the Inscription Array in the center of the room."

A soft voice reached their ears, interrupting their conversation.

"We've arrived."

Scholar Buli smiled and beckoned him to the center.

Zhang Huaiyuan glanced at the panoramic observation window in the cabin, seeing that this pillar-like building, resembling a sky ladder, was merely a branch of another similar structure. At this moment, it was slowly merging into the central pillar that reached the heavens, like a train returning to its nest.

As the two of them walked to the center...

Two nearly transparent bubbles rose, each enveloping one of them as they squeezed through layers of space.

He didn't know what substance this was. Although Zhang Huaiyuan could see its structure with the help of True Sight, he couldn't understand it.

It seemed as if it would shatter at a touch, yet it was exceptionally stable.

Ten minutes later, the bubbles quietly burst, and a magnificent sight came into view.

It was an endless ocean, layered and stacked, either converging in parallel or falling from the sky.

But upon closer inspection, one would find that those things appearing like water droplets could not be seen clearly no matter what.

"There really is an entire Sea of Time..."

Zhang Huaiyuan looked at the data being fed back into his mind, feeling a bit dazed.

[Sea of Time Droplet Type II]

A specialty of the Time Traveler Association, it contains 100 years of independent accelerated time for a single person's use. While a hundred years pass inside, only one second passes outside. It features special encryption and requires a member of the association to decrypt it before use.

Knowledge Rule Level: 5.

[Sea of Time Droplet Type III]

A specialty of the Time Traveler Association, it contains 100 years of independent decelerated time for a single person's use. While a hundred years pass inside, ten thousand years have passed outside. It features special encryption and requires a member of the association to decrypt it before use.

[...]

His eyes were filled with various types of droplets, at least ten different kinds.

And the length of this entire Sea of Time even exceeded ten light-years!

"Just how much wealth is this..."

Zhang Huaiyuan murmured softly. He didn't want to act like a country bumpkin, but all of this truly exceeded his imagination.

"Heh, shocked, aren't you?"

Scholar Buli stroked his few remaining hairs and grinned.

He loved the reaction of every newcomer he brought to see the Sea of Time.

"Let me tell you one more thing. Do you see this ocean spread across the starry sky?"

He pointed a finger and said proudly, "Every single drop represents a sealed segment of time. If you can become a Scholar of the Association, you'll get a free quota of some of them every year."

"In the Association, time is the least valuable thing. If you have an idea or research that catches the eye of the high-level Scholars, any amount of time you need won't be a problem."

"It's certainly an eye-opener."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head in wonder once more, his resolve to join the Time Traveler Association growing even firmer.

This was truly a researcher's holy land!

"Good. Let's go, I'll take you to the assessment."

Scholar Buli looked at his expression, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his glowing face.

He had intentionally mentioned so many benefits to stimulate the other's fighting spirit to the maximum.

After all, his debt of 2 billion time coins depended on him.

Once he had those two billion, he could sell some things to scrape together enough to bring his debt below 35 billion, and then he could gamble on credit again.

Thinking this, Scholar Buli's steps became lighter as he beckoned Zhang Huaiyuan onto a specialized Boat of Guidance.

That small boat was also of an unknown construction, yet it could move freely within the Sea of Time.

"Tsk... truly wandering in the ocean of time."

Zhang Huaiyuan activated his ability and looked around.

Most things were like the previous bubbles; although he could see through to the microscopic level, his lack of knowledge meant he couldn't understand them at all.

It was like a college graduate looking back at advanced mathematics after many years; they recognized every number, but when put together, it made no sense.

"Forget it."

He simply withdrew his ability and closed his eyes to rest, adjusting himself to his peak state for the upcoming assessment.

After drifting for about three days, the swaying stopped.

An island standing atop the layered ocean came into view.

The most eye-catching feature was the hundreds of eternally standing towers on the island, shimmering with the mysterious luster of knowledge.

At this moment, many Boats of Guidance were docked at the island's edge.

Some of the people, like Scholar Buli, wore a medal on their chests; they were likely Scholars of the Association bringing their disciples for the assessment.

Others had come alone, their faces shining with extraordinary confidence.

Clearly, they were all peerless geniuses from various worlds.

"Hey, isn't that Buli? When are you going to pay back the 200 million time coins you owe me?"

As soon as they stepped onto the island, a cold voice called out.

Scholar Buli's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected to be recognized immediately after being away for so long. He immediately tried to run, pulling Zhang Huaiyuan along.

But he was one step too late.

"Buli? Brie Dawn? Where is he?"

Upon hearing this, the previously quiet docking area instantly became noisy as many beings wearing badges followed the sound.

"That damn fellow tricked me into joining his invention and scammed me out of 50 million time coins, forcing me to clean the library for three years to pay off the debt."

"He owes me 18 million time coins too."

"Me too, he owes me 20 million!"

"Didn't this guy flee to a lower world? He actually came back!"

A dark crowd surrounded the two with unfriendly expressions.

"This... what's going on?"

Zhang Huaiyuan was stunned. Was this guy really that famous?

"Everyone... please let me explain."

Seeing he couldn't leave, Scholar Buli forced a stiff smile and quickly said:

"I will definitely pay it back, just give me a few more days..."

"Shut up, you said the same thing 3,672 years ago. Pay up. If you don't pay today, don't even think about leaving."

"That's right. Even if we take this to the Arbitration Court, we're in the right."

People nearby, who were there for the assessment or other business, were shocked by the scene.

They truly couldn't understand what this person had done to provoke such anger from a group of usually refined Scholars.

"Listen to me, everyone, I really won't run away this time, otherwise I wouldn't have come back!"

Scholar Buli sighed inwardly.

He had been so immersed in the joy of Zhang Huaiyuan helping him pay back 2 billion that he had momentarily forgotten he owed so many people.

"Look."

He pointed at Zhang Huaiyuan while pulling out a contract, saying quickly:

"I found a peerless genius who has agreed to pay 2 billion time coins for me. Once he passes the assessment, you can all just ask him for it."

"???"

Zhang Huaiyuan was completely dumbfounded. He felt like he had been sold the moment he arrived at the Association's island.

The apprentices following the Scholars also looked at each other, curiously sizing up this being who looked like a Light Figure.

To think he could make their usually strict and solemn teachers so impulsive.

"Eh, you're right... the contract is real."

A Scholar glanced at it and said in surprise, "Which great power's young master is this? He dared to sign for so much money?"

"No identity information. He seems to be a native from a lower world."

Another Scholar sniffed and frowned.

"What, a native? What if he doesn't pass?"

"Exactly. I doubt he'll even get past the Qualification Verification."

The crowd, whose expressions had just softened slightly, immediately surrounded them again.

"Calm down, everyone. The Qualification Verification is just ahead. It won't be too late to doubt him after he finishes the test."

Scholar Buli gestured with his eyes toward a Study Hall not far away.

There, dozens of people were lining up, waiting for their tests...