292: Chapter 292 Parting

"That one, I suppose."

Saintess Jiang Nian looked up, gave a casual glance, and pointed at an object that looked like a miniature garden.

It was a portable treehouse of the Elf Race.

Zhang Huaiyuan followed her gaze and understood immediately.

This was a specialty of the Elf Race, sold in various high-end malls across the Origin Star Sea; it wasn't particularly rare.

Since it was being offered as a prize, it was naturally of higher quality and more exquisite craftsmanship.

In terms of value, it was likely at the bottom of the list.

However...

Zhang Huaiyuan recalled the "Seraph Scroll" she had casually used to trade for his virtual game console. To someone like her, these items probably meant nothing.

"Miss Saintess Jiang Nian has excellent taste. This treehouse is a masterpiece by the famous Elf designer, Miss Seres."

"The interior features seventeen different styles of treehouses and 365 species of rare plants unique to the Elf Race. Every piece of furniture was designed and crafted by hand..."

On the other side, the High Priest of the Elf Race was clearly very fond of this work of art, praising it incessantly.

"The handicrafts of the Elf Race are indeed exquisite."

Saintess Jiang Nian nodded politely and put away the portable treehouse.

Such things were ordinary to her; only this item held a modicum of value.

—It would allow her to change into a more comfortable environment while playing games in her leisure time.

"Student Fang, it is your turn to choose."

Seeing that the two had finished their selection, the High Priest of the Elf Race turned his gaze toward the slightly constrained woman nearby.

"My thanks to the High Priest."

Fang Qingran bowed respectfully before looking toward the items floating in the sky.

Although she was a princess of the Silver Splendor Empire, the entire empire was far too small compared to a power like the Elf Race, which was on the same level as the Time Traveler Association. She did not dare to be disrespectful.

"At least a fifth-tier high-grade enchantment..."

Fang Qingran looked at the weapons radiating powerful auras with a hint of longing.

Her Silver Splendor Empire was a power that focused on Rune Magic. Weapons of this grade would be enough to serve as national treasures if brought back.

"However..."

Fang Qingran suppressed the desire in her heart, turned her gaze back to that crimson, sharp frontal pincer, and took a deep breath.

"Your Excellency High Priest, I want this one."

"Oh?"

The High Priest of the Elf Race raised an eyebrow slightly. He let his gaze linger on her determined face for a moment but said nothing more.

He simply beckoned with his hand, and immediately, the crimson severed limb, wrapped in plant vines, flew down.

At the same time, he handed over a shell-like disc and said indifferently:

"This decrypted file is soul-bound upon use and its contents cannot be disclosed. Consider carefully before using it."

"Thank you for the reminder, High Priest."

Fang Qingran nodded, took the disc and the crimson limb, and turned to walk toward Zhang Huaiyuan without hesitation, a smile in her eyes.

"Junior Classmate Zhang, this is for you."

"Ah? Senior, you're..."

Zhang Huaiyuan, who had been pondering the design for the Statue of Liberty's body in his mind, snapped back to reality. Looking at the items and the woman before him, he waved his hands in shock.

"Senior, this is the reward you earned. I can't accept this."

"No, Junior."

Fang Qingran shook her head.

"I know my own worth. If you hadn't turned the tide, then with just the strength of the rest of us, let alone winning the championship, we would have most likely ended up at the bottom."

"The collective rewards for the championship are already more than enough. If I took this individual reward, my conscience would trouble me for the rest of my life. Do you really want me to feel guilty every time I see you? I wouldn't even dare to ask you for guidance then."

As she spoke, Fang Qingran tilted her head up slightly, her lively eyes wide and appearing somewhat pitiful.

"This... I feel like I'm the bad guy if I don't accept it."

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

"Heehee, so just take it. Don't refuse, Junior."

A sweet smile appeared on Fang Qingran's face as she insistently pushed the crimson limb and the shell-like disc toward him.

"Uh... alright then, thank you, Senior. If there's anything you don't understand in the future, feel free to ask me."

Seeing her determination, Zhang Huaiyuan hesitated for a moment before stopping his refusal and giving his promise.

"I'm the one who should be thanking you, Junior."

The smile on Fang Qingran's face grew even brighter.

She had already made up her mind the moment she knew she had taken third place.

No matter how precious these divine artifacts and equipment were, they couldn't change the overall situation, but this junior with a limitless future was different.

Even ignoring his potential, just his status as a disciple of two Tower Masters meant a single word from him could decide the rise or fall of the Silver Splendor Empire.

Furthermore, she was about to graduate and enter the Association. There would be plenty of opportunities to rely on him then.

Therefore, while Zhang Huaiyuan was making his choice, she had been watching closely. She saw that aside from the World Tree branch, his gaze had lingered longest on this severed limb, so she chose it without hesitation.

Quite a clever one.

The High Priest of the Elf Race watched this scene with a flicker of amusement in his eyes before speaking:

"Since everyone has finished choosing, return to the ranks first."

"Yes, Your Excellency High Priest."

The group responded and, under the effect of levitation magic, slowly flew back to their original positions.

The High Priest of the Elf Race withdrew his smile, stepped forward two paces to the edge of the platform, and said in a deep voice:

"I declare the successful conclusion of this Tri-Academy Academic Discussion Grand Prix. Shortly, elven envoys will lead you to the banquet. I thank all the examinees for their brilliant performances and express my gratitude to the elites of all worlds for taking the time to attend..."

...

Just as the High Priest of the Elf Race announced the end of the Grand Prix.

Simultaneously, in a secret dark room within an unknown world.

"Gilos, how is the plan proceeding?"

"Master, everything has been arranged."

A humanoid lifeform with loose hair, whose gender was indistinguishable, spoke while kneeling on one knee:

"Once the people from the Time Book House leave the range of the Origin Star Sea, we will strike immediately. I will do my utmost to stall Mild. As long as he is occupied, the rest of the instructors and those few children are not worth worrying about."

"Very good..."

Accompanied by a low, ethereal voice, two illusory items suddenly solidified out of thin air.

"Of these two treasures, one can tear open a high-dimensional passage, and the other can create a real space-time dimension."

"Remember, no matter what, you must not expose my existence."

...