295: Chapter 295 Ascension Battlefield

"Switch the projection."

Seeing Zhang Huaiyuan nod, the student gave a light shout.

Immediately, the projection on the newspaper switched.

A glowing humanoid creature appeared on the screen.

Beside it, an editor from the Time Daily was asking a question with a smile:

"Scholar Bru Dawn, we all know that Scholar Zhang Huaiyuan was brought back to the Sea of Time from the fringe worlds by you. May I ask what reasons led you to make that decision at the time?"

"Good question! Naturally, it was because I discovered the boy was exceptionally gifted—a genius rare even in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms."

In the image, Brie Dawn was wearing an expensive-looking research suit and appeared to be in high spirits, completely devoid of his former destitute look.

"It would have been a pity for such a genius to be buried in the lower realms. So, even though I was living in dire straits back then, I gritted my teeth and brought him back to the Association."

"As it turns out, my choice was correct. In just over a hundred years, he led his team to win the championship of the competition that represents the highest honor for the younger generation."

Brie Dawn showed a look of gratification:

"And this experience has also taught me a lesson: even in low-level fringe worlds, there are geniuses with extraordinary talent. Therefore, I plan to establish a personal foundation."

His voice grew impassioned:

"To give those overlooked worlds a chance, so that these geniuses are not buried."

"I, Brie Dawn, have spent countless years traveling and researching in the fringe worlds; no one understands them better than I do. The only problem is that developing these fringe worlds requires a vast amount of resources and capital..."

"So, I welcome insightful people from all walks of life who have the means to contact me and support my project..."

"Eh... Isn't this the famous old... Scholar Brie Dawn?"

Looking at the image on the screen, Talix's eyebrows twitched slightly. He turned his head in surprise and said, "Junior Classmate Zhang, he actually has this history with you?"

"Senior, when Junior Classmate Zhang first arrived, you happened to be in seclusion for academic research. The reports at that time were causing quite a stir."

Before Zhang Huaiyuan could speak, a student laughed:

"Many factions were brought back to life directly from the brink of bankruptcy."

"Is Scholar Buli that famous? You all seem to know him?"

Zhang Huaiyuan was slightly puzzled.

With his current knowledge and status, he naturally knew that the other party was only a Junior Scholar. Although that already made him an upper-class figure in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, it shouldn't be to the point where ordinary students could recognize him at a glance.

"Heehee, Junior Classmate, there's something you don't know."

Fang Qingran seemed to think of something funny, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up:

"Although this Brie Dawn is only a Junior Scholar, his creative proposals are exceptionally tempting. I remember he once went to my Silver Splendor Empire and even swindled thirty million time coins in funding from my Eldest Imperial Brother."

"He even went to the Academy and, under the guise of training apprentices, made us work for him for free. He didn't act like a Scholar at all..."

"He even took free facilities from the Academy, replaced them with ultra-low-end imitations, and then used them to attract investment..."

Several students seemed to have suffered at his hands, and they complained with rather unpleasant expressions.

"To be honest, Junior Classmate Zhang, I really can't believe this guy could be kind enough to bring you back from the fringe worlds."

One of them couldn't help but ask, "Is everything this guy said in the interview true?"

"More or less..."

Zhang Huaiyuan thought of the twenty billion time coins in debt, and how things worth a hundred thousand time coins were sold to him for a full billion!

"However... in the early stages, that 'Compulsory Education Textbook' did indeed help him achieve a breakthrough in his intelligent lifeform technology studies. Only then was he able to delay the Xuanjian Sect's offensive, giving himself enough time to break through."

"It was also the other party who had brought him into the Sea of Time."

"The kindness far outweighed the faults."

Thinking of this, Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head helplessly:

"Although he scammed me quite a bit, overall, he truly did save my life."

"I see."

Everyone looked enlightened.

Although they didn't know the specific details, they had seen many similar occurrences.

"Fine, for Junior Classmate Zhang's sake, I won't hold a grudge against this guy."

A student muttered a few words resentfully and continued to look at the broadcasted report.

A middle-aged man wearing well-fitted black clothing appeared on the screen, talking eloquently:

"...What were your reasons for taking Scholar Zhang Huaiyuan as your disciple back then?"

"Although that boy was in a difficult situation at the time, unlike others who were numb and resigned to their fate, his eyes were still full of hope..."

"...When he first entered this field, he had a unique perspective and insight. Some of his flashes of inspiration were so brilliant that even a Star Mechanic like me, who has been working in this field for many years, was full of praise..."

The interview content, which had been slightly polished, was presented in the Time Annual.

"Eh, Teacher Vidi would actually praise me like that."

Zhang Huaiyuan couldn't help but smile as he looked at the familiar face.

Judging by his temperament alone, one could tell that his teacher was doing very well.

—That set his mind at ease.

It seemed that the Initial World was developing well under the control of the Intellectual Brain.

"Alright, don't just look at me. Let's take a look at the reports on the Ascension Battlefield."

Zhang Huaiyuan turned his head and looked at Fang Qingran:

"Senior, if I remember correctly, your Silver Splendor Empire is also in this battlefield."

"Yes."

Fang Qingran nodded:

"The Empire's total points currently rank seventh, placing it temporarily in the promotion sequence. Actually, it's not just me; Senior Talix and the factions those few belong to are also in the battlefield."

Saying that, she blinked: "Junior Classmate, why the sudden interest in this?"

"I just saw it and got curious... Speaking of which, what exactly is the Ascension Battlefield all about?"

Zhang Huaiyuan asked while looking at the switching screen.

He roughly knew it was related to civilization levels, but he hadn't looked into the specifics.

After all, he had been in the Sea of Time for too short a time, and there were too many things to learn.

"Simply put, this is an opportunity given to ordinary civilizations by several top-tier factions."

Fang Qingran pondered for a moment and explained:

"The All Heavens and Myriad Realms have existed for endless ages; many rare resources and classes have already become solidified."

"But new civilizations and ethnic groups are increasing every second."

"The Association and others divide all factions within their jurisdiction into civilization levels from one to ten."

"Starting from the desire to promote to a Level 3 civilization, one must participate in the corresponding level of the Ascension Battlefield. Provided the conditions are met, the top twenty percent of the group size can be promoted, the top fifty percent can maintain their level, and the bottom fifty percent will be demoted."

"Accompanying permissions and resources will be adjusted accordingly. By the way..."

As she spoke, Fang Qingran's voice suddenly became a bit more serious:

"The interests involved in the Ascension Battlefield are too great, and many Scholars from the Association are involved. Junior Classmate, you've made a big name for yourself this time and are the disciple of two Tower Masters; it's likely that many factions will come to contact you..."

"I see. I understand. Thank you for clarifying, Senior."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded. His heart stirred as he thought of the fringe world he currently possessed and the Xuanjian Great World.

Perhaps he could also take a hand in it.

After all, having his own direct subordinates would make many things much more convenient.

"But there's no rush for this. I'll wait until the Statue of Liberty's body is finished and leave it to her and Asroth to handle. Most of my energy should still be focused on academic research..."

Clang!

Just as Zhang Huaiyuan was secretly contemplating, the entire hull of the ship suddenly shook violently.

"Huh? What's going—"

Before everyone could react, a loud snapping sound erupted from the hull, and it completely disintegrated.

Immediately following was a terrifying tearing sensation.

Everyone was instantly startled; getting lost in a High-Dimensional Channel was no joke!

...