226: Becoming an apprentice

"Kraft, you want to make a move on my turf?"

The old man snorted coldly as countless invisible particles in space merged into his body, his aura growing stronger and stronger.

"Heh... My virtual network is everywhere and exists in all places. How can you call this your turf?"

"Fine, then let's have a fight. Whoever wins gets the boy."

"Bring it."

In the middle of their exchange, Zhang Huaiyuan was shocked to discover that the surrounding space had completely transformed from the lab on the forty-fifth floor into a high-dimensional space.

Its existence was beyond his imagination; even his True Sight couldn't see through it.

He couldn't even understand the methods they were using to fight. He only knew that even a tiny ripple from such a clash could easily destroy him ten million times over.

About ten minutes later.

The scene shifted back to the lab on the forty-fifth floor.

"You old geezer, you're really hard to kill. A hundred million years of high-dimensional folding attacks, and you haven't even lost a layer of skin."

Kraft appeared in his original position as if he had never made a move, though his expression didn't look very good.

"You're not bad yourself."

The Myriad Things Tower Master appeared at the same time and said indifferently, "Even I can't easily walk out of the current virtual illusion anymore."

"A hundred million years...?"

Listening to their conversation, Zhang Huaiyuan questioned his life for a moment.

In just those ten minutes, the two of them had fought for a hundred million years?

And they didn't even lose a layer of skin?

"So, who does the boy belong to now?"

The Myriad Things Tower Master's eyes flickered slightly.

He reached the forty-fifth floor at just over a hundred years old... With talent second only to that supreme existence, he must be brought under my wing.

"Of course he belongs to my Virtual Tower."

Kraft said proudly:

"After all, during those hundred million years, you were taking a beating the whole time and didn't even touch my sleeve. There's no need to debate who's superior."

"Nonsense."

The Myriad Things Tower Master snorted coldly. "A coward who hides his head and shows his tail, not even having the courage to take a single direct hit from me, and you dare say you won?"

"Another round?"

"Let's go."

"Cough... Wait, seniors, please stop fighting."

Zhang Huaiyuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

What kind of situation was this?

"Hmm?"

Both of them looked over at the same time.

The Myriad Things Tower Master's eyes lit up slightly as he mused:

"Fine, even if we fight for billions of years, it'll be hard to determine a winner. In that case, let's leave the choice to the boy himself. Kraft, what do you think?"

"I have no objection."

The corners of Kraft's mouth curled up slightly as he turned around and said:

"Kid Zhang, you've got some skill. One of my virtual clones told me that you actually managed to use the resources of a low-level world to reverse-invade a level-three cultivation civilization."

"Senior?"

Zhang Huaiyuan's pupils contracted slightly at those words, and he looked up at Kraft.

He saw the other man smiling without a word, nodding gently.

He suddenly remembered what the Statue of Liberty and Asroth had told him when they returned.

Initially, the reincarnation mirror's firewall was indestructible, even forcing Asroth to consider self-destructing his core to open a loophole for the Statue of Liberty. But later, the reincarnation mirror's intelligence suddenly became an idiot.

Looking at it now... it must have been this big shot's virtual clone who took action!

So that's how it was.

"Thank you for your help back then, Senior."

Zhang Huaiyuan immediately gave a grateful bow.

"It was just a small favor; it was your own merit."

Kraft smiled slightly.

He was telling the truth. If it hadn't been for the boy's decent talent back then, which piqued his appreciation, he wouldn't have spared a second glance at such a speck of dust.

"You're too kind, Senior. Your 'small favor' saved my entire world. I will keep it in my heart."

Zhang Huaiyuan bowed solemnly once more, then looked at the Myriad Things Tower Master and said apologetically:

"Thank you for your favor, Tower Master, but Teacher Kraft has shown me great kindness, I..."

"Wait a moment."

Sensing things were going south after hearing their conversation, the Myriad Things Tower Master waved his hand to interrupt.

"What, Myriad Things? You must accept your loss. You're not going to try and snatch him by force, are you?"

Kraft's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression somewhat unfriendly.

"This... Kraft, a word in private."

The Myriad Things Tower Master's eyes flickered, and his tone softened.

"Hmm?"

Seeing this, Kraft's expression also changed. He waved his hand, the space shifted again, and they disappeared.

Zhang Huaiyuan only faintly heard a few words:

"...not enough..."

"His talent... perhaps..."

"...won't be able to hold out much longer..."

Before he could think it over, the two of them returned to their original spots as if nothing had happened.

However, it was clear that their expressions had become slightly more solemn.

"Kid Zhang."

After a moment of silence, Kraft spoke first:

"Your talent in virtual technology and Material Science is very high. To reach this level through self-study with only scattered resources..."

"Giving up either one would be a massive loss. Fine..."

He said with a somewhat reluctant expression:

"After discussing it with Myriad Things, we've decided to both take you as an honorary disciple. Are you willing?"

"This... Of course I am."

"Greetings, Teacher Kraft. Greetings, Teacher Myriad Things."

Zhang Huaiyuan hadn't expected it to turn out like this, and he felt a surge of wild joy.

These were truly incredible big shots!

He immediately and respectfully performed the formal bow of a disciple to both of them.

"Good, good."

A slight smile appeared on the Myriad Things Tower Master's serious face. He thought for a moment, reached into the void, and kneaded a small purple stone, handing it over.

"Since you call me teacher, I can't let you go without a gift. Take this and press it against your skin. No power below the level of a Level 6 Law or higher can harm you in the slightest."

"This... Thank you, Teacher Myriad Things."

Zhang Huaiyuan reached out to take it. The moment he touched it, the purple stone suddenly melted like snow and merged into his skin.

He looked at his hands with joy, a mysterious sense of security rising from the bottom of his heart.

Immune to power below Level 6 Laws. As long as these big shots didn't make a move, who else could harm him?

"Tch, you have the nerve to give that out."

Kraft smiled disdainfully and also took out a thumb-sized chip, saying with a smile:

"Take this back and upload a portion of your consciousness into it."

"As long as the Virtual Tower stands, you can be resurrected infinitely."

"Thank you, Teacher Kraft."

Zhang Huaiyuan took the chip, his heart incredibly excited.

These treasures were at least Level 6 Law level or higher, and he had obtained them so easily!

"It's only right."

Kraft shook his head.

Their Time Traveler Association trained Scholars; naturally, safety was the first priority for their students.

Only those uncivilized cultivation-focused civilizations would be stingy with their disciples, claiming it was for their own good—that they couldn't have it too easy and had to go through life-and-death crises to grow stronger.

"By the way, Teachers, my credits aren't enough yet. I still need to continue the assessment..."

"Cough... No need. Your talent doesn't require further assessment. I'll instruct them to officially register your name in the association shortly."

Kraft and the Myriad Things Tower Master exchanged a glance and said quickly.

They didn't dare let this exceptionally talented disciple go through assessments anymore. It would be disastrous if someone else tried to snatch him away!

...