285: Chapter 285 The Third Round of Assessment Begins

"The third and final round of assessment will last for a total of 100 years."

"Within these hundred years, you may play an unlimited number of matches."

"Ultimately, the match with the highest points will be counted as your final score..."

The High Priest of the Elf Race waited for everyone to digest the rules before gently waving her staff, and the same soft power as the previous round showered down.

Instantly, all the examinees felt the mental exhaustion from the continuous fighting vanish, and their bodies returned to their peak state.

"You have ten minutes to choose your opponent. After ten minutes, the final round of assessment will officially begin. If no choice is made, it will be automatically regarded as a forfeit."

The High Priest of the Elf Race waved her hand again, and five Elven elders with outstanding appearances and steady temperaments appeared together on the branches of the World Tree.

Clearly, these were the other five examiners available for selection.

At the same time, an illusory pillar rose from the flat ground in front of everyone, simply recording the basic information and confirmation buttons for the six examiners.

"Junior, in your opinion, should we choose the High Priest as our opponent, or the other examiners?"

The people from the Time Book House all turned their gazes toward Zhang Huaiyuan.

After the first two rounds of competition, everyone was already completely convinced by this junior, whom they had originally thought was just someone with connections.

No, what connections? He was a godsend!

"Choose the regular examiners."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head and gave his advice.

One must know that back then, even with the help of True Sight, it had taken him a full 3,600 years to successfully capture a single piece.

And although this was an extremely weakened version of the 'Truth Chess Game'...

For these people who had never encountered it, just becoming familiar with the rules would take at least several decades.

If they chose the High Priest as their examiner, it would probably be a miracle if they could score a point or two by the end of the assessment.

"Alright, then we'll do as you say, Junior."

Talix, Fang Qingran, and the others nodded without hesitation.

Although they had never seen this kind of stage, just a rough glance at the stars floating in the galaxy gave them a headache.

It was all complex knowledge of mixed types.

With their points currently far in the lead, they didn't need to take risks; they could win by playing it safe.

After quickly browsing through the basic information, they each chose the examiner they felt most confident against as their opponent.

"Has 93 academic research papers included in 'Page 37'... 38,627 core patents... Most Talented Contestant of the 123rd Academic Discussion Competition..."

"As expected of the High Priest of the Elf Race, her resume is terrifyingly impressive."

Zhang Huaiyuan scanned the brief information provided, his heart tightening slightly.

'Page 37' was the highest-level journal in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, spearheaded and established by the Time Traveler Association, containing the most valuable academic research from across the realms.

One of the requirements for the Senior Scholar promotion assessment was to have an academic paper worthy of being included in 'Page 37'.

Even with his current status as a disciple of two Tower Lords, he did not have the authority to view it.

He had only vaguely heard the reason why it was called by that name.

It was because the first thirty-six pages were all written by the 'Lord of Truth' personally, representing the true 'Truth'.

And the research that could be included on the thirty-seventh page was undoubtedly the closest existence to the truth.

"But it's fine, I'm only facing the High Priest with twenty thousand years of knowledge. I've experienced the full assessment of the Truth Chess Game, which is enough to bridge a ten-thousand-year gap. This is a good chance to see the distance between me and a true genius."

Zhang Huaiyuan felt a bit excited and immediately confirmed his opponent.

About a minute later.

The metal pillars sank back into the ground and disappeared.

The High Priest of the Elf Race's voice rang out again:

"All examinees have finished their selections. The third round of the competition officially begins. Do not resist; follow the pull of the World Tree's power."

As her voice fell.

Zhang Huaiyuan felt a gentle force lifting him toward the man-made galaxy in the sky.

At the same time, six massive phantoms appeared in the galaxy; judging by their faces, they were the six examiners.

"Eh, so many people chose the High Priest?"

Zhang Huaiyuan looked around and found that a total of 8 students were flying toward the area where he was.

Among them, except for Saintess Jiang Nian, the Saintess of the Holy Light Monastery, the other seven were all students from Leviathan Academy.

"It seems they knew they had no chance and wanted to take a gamble."

Zhang Huaiyuan understood after a moment of thought.

"Zhang Huaiyuan?"

At this moment, a crisp voice rang in his ear.

Zhang Huaiyuan subconsciously looked toward the sound and saw a woman holding an ink-jade colored staff, smiling at him from a distance.

Not daring to be slow, he took out a grain-sized metal ball, placed it by his mouth, and returned the greeting:

"Miss Saintess Jiang Nian."

"You should be familiar with this round of assessment, right?"

"Yes, I've seen more complex ones."

Zhang Huaiyuan did not hide anything upon hearing this.

Although she phrased it as a question, her tone was full of certainty.

Besides, she had borrowed a virtual game login device from him before and had given him a supreme treasure in exchange.

"Heehee, then that's perfect... then it won't count as taking advantage of you. How about it, shall we compete again this round? If you win, I'll give you a great gift. If you lose, how about joining my Holy Spirit City? I'll make the call—all your existing benefits will be increased tenfold."

Upon hearing this, the woman's bright eyes twinkled, and the smile in the depths of her eyes grew a bit more pronounced.

"Miss Saintess Jiang Nian, I'm afraid that won't do."

Zhang Huaiyuan was stunned for a moment, then he apologetically cupped his hands from afar and said:

"Thank you for your kindness, but I am highly valued by the Association and the Academy. For now, I have no intention of changing my allegiance."

Judging by the other party's generosity and the attitude of the Elves, Holy Spirit City was clearly a powerful force and would not make empty promises.

But although the Time Traveler Association was a Scholar organization with relatively loose management...

As an honorary disciple of two Tower Lords who had been treated exceptionally well since joining, it was naturally impossible for him to abandon them after getting what he wanted.

"Well, you've won two rounds in a row. What, do you lack confidence in yourself now?"

Saintess Jiang Nian was not surprised; her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she continued to persuade him:

"Besides, the heritage of your Time Traveler Academy has a deep connection with my Holy Spirit City, so it wouldn't be considered a betrayal."

"I certainly have confidence."

Zhang Huaiyuan's expression remained unchanged, neither humble nor arrogant:

"However, not everything is suitable for betting. As for the connection you mentioned, if my two teachers give their consent, I will naturally follow their instructions."

"Very well."

Saintess Jiang Nian looked at this highly talented fellow once more, shook her head with a light smile, and said no more.

If he were really so easily swayed, she would actually think much less of him.

"Just as well, I'll have a good match and see exactly what this guy's potential is."

Saintess Jiang Nian then withdrew her gaze and took a step forward.

A phantom of the High Priest of the Elf Race rose out of thin air and arrived at the other side of the chessboard.

Seeing this, the other examinees also stopped wasting time and entered their respective match states one after another.

At this moment, the third round of assessment officially began.

...