220: Preliminary test

"Broka, natural age 1587."

"Cumulative use of time acceleration items totals 8412 years."

"True Age: 9999 years old."

"Please place your hand on the Book of Truth."

In front of the study, a book roughly three meters square floated in the air.

Below it, a one-eyed man carefully reached out and touched the book.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

The pages immediately flipped rapidly, only stopping at page 30.

"Overall score: Age 9999, highest knowledge level 30."

"Pass."

A calm voice sounded, and the back door of the study opened in response.

Joy instantly appeared on the one-eyed man's face, and he quickly walked inside.

"Tsk... Stuck at 9999 years, barely scraping the passing line. A guy like that has no hope; going in is just a waste of time."

An onlooker shook his head.

"Hey, buddy, you don't understand. Even if he doesn't pass, he can still claim afterward that he participated in the Time Traveler Association assessment and narrowly failed by one point. That's a resume that signifies a peerless genius."

While everyone was discussing, the Book of Truth continued its testing.

"Overall score: Age 6542, highest knowledge level 32. Pass..."

"Overall score: Age 9951, highest knowledge level 30. Pass..."

"Overall score: Age 1131, highest knowledge level 39. Pass... The Hall of Knowledge welcomes your arrival, Seeker of Knowledge."

The originally calm voice of the Book of Truth suddenly rose by three degrees, and it even uncharacteristically added a word of welcome.

"Hmm?"

The Scholars who were guarding Scholar Buli, afraid he might escape, couldn't help but look over.

They saw a woman dressed in plain clothes. Her appearance wasn't stunning, but her eyes were exceptionally bright, as if they could see through everything. Coupled with the strong, scholarly aura of an academic genius, she made people feel inadequate.

"Just over 1,000 years old, level 39? This must be the most outstanding talent in the last ten thousand years. Just over a thousand years old and already close to the threshold of a Scholar. The Association is about to welcome another colleague."

"Not bad, not bad. This talent is worthy of being my apprentice."

"Heh, that old geezer is dreaming. With talent like this, as long as she isn't just a test-taking machine, the Senior Scholars in the Tower will want to take her as a disciple."

"Indeed, she probably won't take many years to surpass you."

While everyone was discussing, over a dozen more people were tested.

Naturally, those who dared to take the assessment were not opportunists, but most were merely lower-tier geniuses who barely passed by hitting the age limit.

Soon, it was Zhang Huaiyuan's turn.

"That's the kid Scholar Buli brought. Wonder if he's any good."

"Heh, you believe that big liar? Keep an eye on him. If this kid fails, don't let him run."

"Don't worry, don't worry."

Scholar Buli was incredibly nervous. He found that somehow, dozens of Space-Time Locking Devices had been deployed around him, making escape impossible.

He could only force a calm expression and say, "This kid is a genius I found after traveling through billions of worlds. He'll definitely succeed."

"Hmph, it better be."

Seeing his confident declaration, everyone temporarily restrained themselves and looked toward the man in the center.

"Hmm... judging by his eyes and demeanor, he looks like a researcher."

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Zhang Huaiyuan curiously looked at the Book of Truth floating above, and a stream of information flowed into his mind.

[Book of Truth]

A supreme treasure passed down by an Unspeakable Existence, rumored to record over ninety percent of the truths across the myriad worlds.

Contains Knowledge Rule Level: 9. (Note: Level 9 in ability analysis is equivalent to Level 90+ in Association assessment.)

Ability: Currently unanalyzable.

"This... Level 9 Rule..."

Zhang Huaiyuan's pupils slightly contracted, and his understanding of the Association's power increased by another level.

At the same time, the Book of Truth subtly shed light and began its test.

"Zhang Huaiyuan, natural age 62."

"Cumulative use of time acceleration items totals 99 years."

"True Age: 161 years old."

"Please place your hand on the Book of Truth."

Hearing this, Zhang Huaiyuan extended his right hand and gently placed it on the book.

Whoosh!

The pages flipped, only stopping at page 36.

"Overall score: Age 161, highest knowledge level 36."

"Future Top Scholar, welcome to the Hall of Knowledge."

As the emphasized voice fell, the surroundings instantly erupted in an uproar.

"My heavens, level 36 at 161 years old? Another peerless genius, not inferior to that little girl just now."

"That's right. Judging from the Book of Truth's welcome message, this kid's... ahem, this young man's talent might even be higher."

"Scholar Buli, you really struck gold."

A Scholar turned his head, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Although time is the least valuable thing to the Association.

But talent is innate. A genius who can reach level 36 in just over a hundred years, when cultivated with the same resources, will naturally achieve far more than a lower-tier genius who barely scrapes the limit.

More importantly, once one reaches Level 4 Rules, which is Level 40 in the Association, the difficulty of any subject increases exponentially.

Someone lacking talent cannot advance even with infinite time.

"I told you I wasn't lying this time."

Scholar Buli felt relieved, and a smile appeared on his face.

He hadn't expected this kid to receive an active welcome from the Book of Truth. It seems he truly hides many secrets. Twenty billion is within reach.

"It looks like I can start my next research project early. I'll have money."

The Scholars surrounding Scholar Buli also eased their expressions.

Since there was hope of getting paid, there was no need to pressure him too much.

"This way, esteemed Seeker of Knowledge, please."

Inside the study, a pretty, slightly young girl voluntarily stood up to lead the way, pointing toward the open back door with a sweet smile.

"Thank you, young lady."

Zhang Huaiyuan paused slightly, glanced at Scholar Buli behind him, and seeing him nod, followed the girl inside.

Next, he would face the true assessment for joining the Association...