229: Those who are virtuous will receive much help.

Clang, clang, clang!

Amidst the violent tremors of space, a section of a heavenly ladder tore through the void and descended with terrifying power.

"Honored guest, you have arrived at your destination. The time spent accompanying you is always cherished; we look forward to traveling with you again."

Amidst the soft farewell, the hatch of the Gate of Boundlessness opened, and a young man stretched as he walked out from within.

"It really is good to enjoy the shade under a big tree."

A relaxed smile appeared on Zhang Huaiyuan's face.

He still remembered when he went to the Time Traveler Association with Scholar Buli; they were almost refused entry and had to use the most ordinary rest cabin.

After Third Senior Brother modified his permissions, not only could he use the "Gate of Boundlessness" for free permanently, but he also received supreme treatment the moment he stepped on.

"I don't know when I'll be back after I leave this time. I'll take the Statue of Liberty and Asroth with me, leaving the AI Brain to look after this place. Then I'll say goodbye to some friends... Hm?"

As Zhang Huaiyuan was thinking about flying toward the Initial World, he suddenly saw a large group of people looking at him with equal shock.

"Who are you?"

The high-ranking official from the Heavens Mandate Merchant Guild frowned as he spoke.

He hadn't expected such a distinguished being, capable of riding the Gate of Boundlessness, to arrive in a place like this.

"You don't know who I am?"

Zhang Huaiyuan's gaze swept over them, lingering for a moment on that massive apparatus, and the smile on his face slowly faded.

He hadn't expected this scene.

The news of him being taken as a disciple by two Tower Masters of the Time Traveler Association was no secret.

He had originally thought these fellows would have backed off long ago and hadn't even made any preparations. Anyway, with two supreme treasures protecting him, no one could hurt him.

He didn't expect these guys would actually dare to come.

"Huh?"

The high-ranking official from the Heavens Mandate Merchant Guild was slightly stunned by those words and sized the other party up carefully.

Only then did he realize the face seemed somewhat familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere... "You're that native kid!"

Before he could recall it, the Xuan Jian Sect Elder on the side suddenly pointed and cried out in alarm.

"That's right, I can't be mistaken! I saw you kill the Seventeenth Elder with my own eyes. If I hadn't run fast, I would have died there too."

His vision was limited; he didn't realize what kind of status someone arriving via the Gate of Boundlessness would have, so he wasn't deterred by it.

He recognized the other party's identity at a glance.

"Native kid..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the official from the Heavens Mandate Merchant Guild remembered as well.

Wasn't this the culprit who controlled those primitive weapons within the world-prisoning bead to kill Venerable Xuan Jian!

"Just who are you?"

He looked at Zhang Huaiyuan with a cautious expression.

With the Gate of Boundlessness and the standard Universal Language, he didn't look like a native no matter how one looked at it.

"Seeing as you haven't harmed this universe yet."

"One minute. Leave the contract for this universe behind, then pack up your things and get back to wherever you came from."

Zhang Huaiyuan's gaze swept over the still-intact world barrier as he dropped those words.

His tone was flat, as if it were only natural.

A few years ago, let alone these behemoth-like merchant guilds, even a Xuan Jian Sect Elder required a careful sneak attack to possibly defeat.

Venerable Xuan Jian and the others descending to the lower realm had made the entire world feel despair.

Even the Statue of Liberty had planned to sacrifice herself to stall Venerable Xuan Jian and the others so he could escape.

And now, although his strength hadn't risen significantly, he naturally no longer regarded them as a threat.

"Who exactly are you, sir? I am Duan Li of the Heavens Mandate Merchant Guild, serving as the Chief External Manager."

The high-ranking official of the Heavens Mandate Merchant Guild became increasingly uncertain.

In their line of work, the most important thing was discernment; he could see that the other party wasn't bluffing.

His speech subconsciously became a bit more polite.

"My Lord, this is just a native kid who escaped, why don't we..."

"Shut up, you have no say here."

Duan Li scolded him in a low voice.

You've got to be kidding. Setting aside the fact that a single trip on the Gate of Boundlessness costs at least ten thousand time coins.

Being able to summon it to such a remote place was not something an ordinary person could do. Could it be... He was suddenly startled and hurriedly asked:

"Was the time barrier of this universe set up by you, sir?"

"No. You have 30 seconds left."

Zhang Huaiyuan said indifferently.

"No?"

He caught a subtle glimpse of the lie-detecting device, which showed no movement, and his eyes narrowed as he looked at Zhang Huaiyuan.

"Could it be he luckily stumbled upon an inheritance, or his talent was spotted by some powerhouse who took him as a disciple? Yes, that must be it."

Duan Li associated this with how a native could forcefully kill an expert from the Xuan Jian Sect, and he couldn't help but become more certain of his theory.

"However... since he's not from the Time Traveler Association, then there's nothing to worry about."

His expression immediately turned cold as he said deliberately:

"Ignorant junior. This universe belongs to the Xuan Jian Sect, and my Destiny Chamber of Commerce is responsible for its quality assurance. My intervention is completely within the rules. However... considering you are quite gifted to have escaped the world-prisoning bead on your own, if you leave now, I can grant you a way out."

There was still a trace of unease in his heart, hoping the other party would back down.

After all, the guild didn't fear lone powerhouses, but he personally did.

For three thousand time coins a month, why risk his life? It would be best to take it without conflict.

To his disappointment, however, the other party's expression didn't change at all.

"10 seconds left."

Zhang Huaiyuan counted down silently, reaching out to open the Association Mall that only he could see.

He had a total of 1,290 credits, including 90 from the assessment and the remaining 1,200 as compensation from his two teachers.

By spending 1,000 credits, he could request an expert from the Association to take action once. If these people were stubborn, he could only consider spending the credits to eliminate the problem forever.

"5... 4... 3..."

As the silent countdown neared its end, the atmosphere in the void became increasingly tense.

A long saber unconsciously flickered into Duan Li's hand.

He intended to see what tricks the other party had; if it was just a bluff, then he would certainly have to teach him a lesson.

While Zhang Huaiyuan silently turned his gaze to the 'call for help' option and was about to click it—

Countless lights and shadows suddenly flashed in the void.

Spatial barriers were broken one by one as more than a dozen factions wearing different attire broke through into the world.

"Who is it!"

Duan Li was startled and quickly looked over warily.

"The Holy Knights of the Silver Splendor Empire... the Modified Demon Gods of Demon Cloud Mountain... and... Zero Degree Merchant Guild, Elder Mu, why are you here too?"

His face was filled with uncertainty for a moment.

Any one of these factions was no weaker than the Heavens Mandate Merchant Guild. How could they all come to such a remote place at the same time?

"Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan, I am the Vice Commander of the Holy Knights from the Silver Splendor Empire. Our Seventh Princess and Fifth Prince were in the same assessment batch as you."

A majestic warrior in silver-white full-body armor squeezed a trace of a smile onto his serious face and said flatteringly.

"Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan, I am a Demon Tamer from Demon Cloud Mountain. My young master was also in the same assessment batch as you."

A hideous creature that looked like it was stitched together from rotten meat grinned, revealing what it considered a friendly smile.

"Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan..."

One enthusiastic voice after another rang out.

Even Zhang Huaiyuan couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

He only reacted after a bit of thought.

These people were clearly the factions behind that group of examinees from his batch.

Not surprisingly, they must have investigated his origins immediately and come here in advance to hide, thinking of showing their goodwill at a critical moment.

"It seems the status of a Tower Master's disciple is much higher than I imagined."

Seeing these beings, who were far stronger than himself, acting so flatteringly, Zhang Huaiyuan couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

So this is what it feels like to have a powerful backer...