314: Chapter 314 Undercurrents and Keeping the Appointment

Silver Splendor Empire, the capital city.

"Zhang Huaiyuan? Is he a newly promoted Vice Tower Master from one of the Association's Tower of Knowledge?"

In the solemn great hall, a middle-aged man wearing a crown frowned as he looked at the unfamiliar name in the intelligence report submitted by his subordinate.

With a civilization promotion imminent, the last thing one wants is to encounter an unfamiliar Special Envoy.

Not knowing the other party's preferences or which faction they belong to makes it impossible to know how to curry favor.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to my investigation, the Special Envoy Zhang Huaiyuan announced on the Association's platform is indeed the genius student that the Seventh Princess mentioned before, Zhang Huaiyuan."

A close minister with a hint of joy in his eyes stepped forward to report:

"When the Destiny Chamber of Commerce sent people to besiege his hometown, you even dispatched the Holy Knights to relieve them."

"It's him?"

The ruler of the Silver Splendor Empire was stunned for a moment, then said in surprise:

"Are you sure it's not just the same name?"

He had naturally heard of this character who had previously been taken as a disciple by two Tower Masters and later won the Academic Competition, enjoying great popularity.

However, the Special Envoys for the Ascension Battlefield are usually hosted by figures at the Vice Tower Master level, so he hadn't thought in that direction.

"My subordinate has already verified it; it is indeed that Lord..."

"That's great!"

Before he could finish, several other ministers couldn't help but interrupt with faces full of joy.

They bowed to the monarch above:

"Your Majesty, this is a good thing. As far as I know, Special Envoy Zhang has not been in the Sea of Time for long, has no entanglements with any interests, and is not affiliated with any faction."

"With the connection of the Seventh Princess, even if he is unwilling to intervene, he shouldn't make things difficult for us."

"Of course, I suggest that the generous gifts should be prepared in double."

"That goes without saying."

The Empire's ruler nodded slightly.

In the past, the biggest headache wasn't how much to pay, but that the gifts couldn't be delivered at all.

Under the Sea of Time, there are over 100 level-six civilization battlefields alone, and even more below that.

Moreover, Special Envoys at the Vice Tower Master level usually have their own biased factions, and even the few who are neutral have different preferences; giving too little or giving the wrong thing is a crime.

"Fifth, you have always had the best relationship with Little Seven, so I will entrust this matter to you. The entire Empire must cooperate fully."

He thought for a moment and instructed a dashing man below.

"Your son obeys."

The named Fifth Prince looked happy and quickly bowed in response.

One must know that the current ruler is about to reach the age to enter the Ancestral Pavilion, and this is the critical moment to vie for the throne; if this matter is handled well, his chances will greatly increase.

The other princes glanced over with some jealousy, but they dared not say anything more.

There was no help for it; who let this Special Envoy be the Seventh Princess's classmate.

...

Meanwhile, in a certain independent private channel.

A piece of news was suddenly forwarded into the channel.

The 1677th Ascension Battlefield — Sea of Time Regional Management Team Appointment:

Interim Director: Zhang Huaiyuan.

Permanent Director: Qiao.

Permanent Director: ...

"Have you all seen the latest announcement on the Association's official platform?"

"I saw it. How could they send a Junior Scholar as the main director? The Association really doesn't take us seriously anymore."

A user with the ID "Anonymous 0027" quickly responded.

The Ascension Battlefield usually has 12 permanent directors to handle daily issues.

Only when it comes to settlement will a main director be parachuted in from headquarters, also to prevent those twelve permanent directors from being corrupted or engaging in malpractice.

"You can't say it like that. I checked the information on this Special Envoy; he is a true peerless genius and a direct disciple of two powerful Tower of Knowledge Masters. Overall, he is barely qualified."

Another anonymous user said.

"But in any case, he is currently just a fourth-rank junior. Whether he can grow up is secondary; as for us lowering ourselves to send him gifts and curry favor, I can't stand it."

The user "Anonymous 0027" said again.

"Emperor 27 is right. He's just a little guy, probably just here to see the world. Just send someone to go through the motions."

"I agree."

"Seconded..."

Soon, a consensus was reached on the surface in the channel.

"Heh..."

Inside a gloomy mountain shrouded in black mist, a creature cloaked in black robes sneered and exited the channel.

He was the anonymous "0027".

This was a private channel; the only thing known was that only leaders of level-six civilizations had the qualifications to enter.

The remarks just now were naturally intended to fool as many as possible.

"Come here."

With a dry voice, several clouds of gray mist floated in.

"My Lord, what are your orders?"

"Prepare the supplies on this list for me. If you can't collect them, go rob them. You must have them ready within three months."

"Yes, my Lord."

The gray mists took the list and quietly dissipated on the spot.

"Zhang Huaiyuan..."

The creature in black robes, addressed as My Lord, murmured twice on the spot, its eyes flashing with strange light.

...

Time Island, in front of a laboratory.

Zhang Huaiyuan naturally did not know about the undercurrents surging in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms following his appointment.

At this moment, he was eager to share his newly created algorithm with his two partners.

"It seems it's already finished."

Zhang Huaiyuan stood at the laboratory entrance and tentatively touched it lightly; the door opened automatically.

"Statue of Liberty, Asroth, I have some good news to share with you."

Zhang Huaiyuan walked straight in with an excited smile on his face.

"Eh, why is it so dark?"

Zhang Huaiyuan looked around; the entire laboratory was dim, with only a glimmer of fluorescent light extending inward, seemingly guiding something.

"Interesting."

He raised an eyebrow slightly and, with great interest, followed the guidance step by step, soon arriving in front of a cylindrical vessel.

In front of it was a console with only two simple options.

Activate.

Keep Appointment.

"Hmm... was this left specifically for me... is this the sense of ritual belonging to the Creator..."

Zhang Huaiyuan paused slightly, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he reached out to press the second option.

In an instant, strands of golden light points suddenly flashed from the edge of the vessel, then spread to the entire crack.

The metal on the surface of the cylindrical vessel dissipated inch by inch.

Cheerful music rang out in the dim space, as if celebrating a reunion.

A somewhat familiar figure slowly emerged.

It was a face that could only be described as perfect, precise to every inch, with impeccable proportions.

It was as if aesthetics and calculation had been applied to the limit.

The simple moonlight-colored long dress fluttered without wind, rippling with waves.

Combined with the silver long hair that hung down like liquid light trails, it was noble and mysterious.

The tightly closed eyes slowly opened, and for a moment, the entire dim space seemed to become bright.

Her gaze fixed on the smiling Zhang Huaiyuan, her eyes seemingly hiding endless things to say, but in the end, it only turned into a few simple words:

"Long time no see, Your Excellency."