234: Truth Chessboard

As a mechanized voice fell.

The entire library scattered like overturned pixel blocks, but in the blink of an eye, it reassembled into a shining starry sky.

Nebulae formed a chessboard.

A massive, faceless phantom appeared on one side and reached out to lightly grasp the air.

A star floated down from above and transformed into a chess piece.

“The second trial: Truth Chessboard.”

“There are twelve trillion stars here, each representing an unsolved mystery of the world.”

“You must solve the corresponding mystery to move a star as a chess piece.”

“The knowledge within each move must complement one another, forming a complete system to capture the pieces in between... (Click to view rule details).”

“This is an untimed trial. You may leave or return at any time until you meet the passing conditions or choose to give up.”

As the mechanized voice explained in detail.

Zhang Huaiyuan quickly understood the rules.

It was somewhat similar to a certain board game from before he transmigrated, but the difficulty was much higher.

He glanced at a random star and felt completely clueless for a moment.

The level of the knowledge and rules they contained wasn't high, but they were so mixed together that it was difficult to find a starting point.

It was like doing the final problem of a math exam; even though all the formulas were in his head, he didn't know how to solve it.

“This...”

Zhang Huaiyuan stood there blankly, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

He couldn't even pick up a piece, let alone win!

“The one you are playing against is the creator of this ruin and my master. If you can capture one of his pieces, you pass. You will be qualified to enter the core of the ruin.”

“If you can capture ten pieces, you can obtain one of the legacies left by my master.”

“If you can capture thirty pieces, you can take everything in the entire ruin.”

As he was thinking about how to break through, the mechanized voice spoke again.

“What if I win by half a piece?”

Zhang Huaiyuan asked subconsciously.

“...”

The mechanical voice fell silent for a moment, as if it hadn't expected anyone to dare say such a thing.

After a long while, it let out two dry laughs, unsure if it was mocking or simply unable to help itself:

“Forget winning; if you can draw with the master, then from then on, your words will represent truth.”

“Oh, right, I forgot to remind you. The master you are playing against is synchronized with your age. The longer you delay, the lower your chances of winning.”

“What! The same age as me...”

Hearing this, Zhang Huaiyuan looked at the faceless phantom in shock.

He had always considered his talent to be decent, and he worked hard enough.

With the help of his powerful innate abilities, there shouldn't be many of the same age who could surpass him.

But now, this phantom, which stayed the same age as him, could move pieces so effortlessly.

While he couldn't even solve a single one!

And now, the opponent had already finished solving the second star and placed it on the board.

“I was too self-righteous.”

Thinking about his previous words, Zhang Huaiyuan couldn't help but smile bitterly.

“Well? Do you want to go up and try now?”

A teasing voice came from the void.

“No, my current level isn't high enough.”

Zhang Huaiyuan looked at the sky full of stars and said with some reluctance.

But in the path of science, you either know it or you don't.

If a powerhouse on the cultivation side might have a slim chance of exploding with potential and counter-killing under extreme anger...

Then in science, no matter how much adrenaline you pump, you can't solve a problem you don't know.

“At least you recognize your own limits. Take this bracelet.”

A pitch-black bracelet materialized in front of Zhang Huaiyuan, and the mechanized voice spoke again:

“After using it, you can return here at any time for a match on the chessboard.”

“Over the long years, countless geniuses have tried, many of whom were far superior to you. But without exception, they all failed. In the end, their Dao hearts shattered, and they gave up the challenge. I hope you can be the only one to succeed.”

“I will do my best.”

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded and put away the black bracelet.

Although the talent of this ruin's master was despair-inducing, he didn't give up completely.

His starting point was too low; he only had the chance to encounter a relatively complete system in recent years.

So he planned to go to the Time Book House for further studies first.

According to his two teachers, there were the best lecturers and the most suitable, comprehensive teaching materials there.

He believed his level would definitely have a qualitative leap.

Thinking this...

Zhang Huaiyuan's gaze became firm again, and he bowed toward the void.

“Please send me out, Senior. Once I have achieved success in my studies, I will return to challenge you.”

“Fine.”

...To the southeast of the Sea of Time, outside a giant man-made island.

Countless specialized small boats were docked at the shore.

Boys and girls with pride and yearning on their faces formed long lines, undergoing entrance examinations.

They had stood out after several rounds of online testing to be qualified for the on-site assessment.

“Those below eighty points are directly eliminated.”

“Eighty to eighty-nine points enter the waiting list area.”

“Ninety points and above can enroll directly.”

A man dressed as a mentor spoke indifferently.

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

At the same time, hundreds of assistants in uniform blue and white clothing distributed glossy exam papers to everyone.

“Each person has ten hours to answer.”

“Begin now.”

The mentor waved his hand, and the Sea of Time flowing around the island surged with a wave, evenly scattering tiny water droplets that enveloped each student, forming independent Space-time Islands where the flow of time was much faster than the outside world.

After only five minutes, the effect of the water droplets dissipated.

The genius youths, who had been arrogant moments ago, now turned pale, dazed, at a loss, and began to doubt their lives.

“How... how can it be so hard... I didn't even have time to finish half of it... sob...”

Some with fragile psyches immediately burst into tears.

However, grades never know sympathy.

The next moment, the exam papers lit up and were automatically graded.

“79... 80... 312...”

Numbers appeared in front of everyone.

“Just one point short, damn it!”

“It's over... all over... I should have been able to get in... I didn't finish in time...”

“God bless, let there be fewer people with ninety or above so I can get in.”

Those below eighty points looked as if they had lost their parents, their faces filled with defeat.

Those between eighty and ninety were praying with tense expressions.

“Sorry, I seem to be late. Where do I handle the enrollment procedures?”

Just then, a clear voice rang out.

Everyone's gaze instinctively turned back...