342: Chapter 342 Attempting the Challenge Again

"Finally, it's safe."

Inside Shengyao City, Zhang Huaiyuan looked at the mysterious, flickering Rune Magic on the world barrier and let out a long sigh of relief.

These Rune Magic were clearly the work of a powerful mage, containing rules of at least the sixth tier or higher; one could clearly perceive the terrifying magic power hidden within them.

"Zhang Huaiyuan, take this."

"Miss Saintess Jiang Nian, what is this?"

Zhang Huaiyuan took it, revealing a medal engraved with the pattern of a twelve-winged angel.

"It is a token of Holy Spirit City. With it, you can come and go freely within the areas belonging to Holy Spirit City."

Saintess Jiang Nian smiled slightly and explained:

"I snuck out, and the clone I left at the temple should be dissipating soon. I need to hurry back, or they'll nag me for ages if they find out. You can look around on your own for now."

"Please go ahead, Miss Saintess Jiang Nian. I happen to be looking for a place to rest; I'm quite tired from traveling for days."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded in understanding.

No wonder someone of her status was traveling without any subordinates; it turned out she had snuck out on her own.

After watching her leave, Zhang Huaiyuan squeezed the medal in his hand.

It contained twelve teleportation coordinates, which could lead directly to the twelve major cities of this transit world.

"What does it use for power?"

Zhang Huaiyuan examined the inscriptions on the medal and activated the teleportation.

The next moment, countless golden particles emerged from the void and poured into the medal.

A complex phantom of a teleportation array projected into the air, casting a beam of light that enveloped Zhang Huaiyuan before he vanished.

"So, it uses the power of faith as an energy source."

Recovering from the dizziness of teleportation, Zhang Huaiyuan realized this in his heart.

His mastery of Rune Magic knowledge was only around level 40, and the application of faith was an extremely advanced aspect of Rune Magic.

Although he could see the flow and transformation of energy through True Sight, he did not understand the specific principles.

"Sir, you should find a comfortable place to rest now. I have detected that your physical condition is extremely exhausted."

The light screen on his wrist lit up automatically, and the concerned voice of the Statue of Liberty came through.

"Uh... occupational hazard. You're right."

Hearing this, Zhang Huaiyuan paused slightly and nodded.

Continuously traveling through worlds not only damaged his body but also left his mind somewhat dazed from the spatial vibrations during travel.

"Let's go. It seems this thing allows free accommodation in all places under Holy Spirit City."

Zhang Huaiyuan weighed the medal in his hand and walked toward the nearest inn.

Three days later.

On a large bed enchanted with a calming Holy Light spell, Zhang Huaiyuan slowly opened his eyes.

"You are awake, sir. Do you feel better?"

The Statue of Liberty, who was guarding the side, revealed a joyful smile on her face.

As her eyes flickered slightly, countless nano-flying robots, invisible to the naked eye, carried food and floated in the air.

"Thank you, I feel much better."

Zhang Huaiyuan glanced at it; they were all things he liked to eat normally. Clearly, she had secretly noted them down, and he couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart.

"How is the situation these past few days?"

Zhang Huaiyuan tapped his wristband, and a cleaning-type nano-mecha covered his entire body, washing away the fatigue and dust, making him feel refreshed instantly.

He reached out to take a plate of steamed buns and asked while eating:

"Have those monsters attacked yet?"

"Not yet. They are gathering three world layers away from here. Judging from the energy levels, they are constantly increasing, seemingly preparing to launch a decisive battle here."

"The people from the Association and the Origin Star Sea have all arrived. Your senior brother came to look for you, but you were resting at the time. He asked me to pass on a message: there is no need to disturb you, just rest well, and they will handle the rest."

"That's good."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded and didn't ask further.

After all, with his current level, worrying was useless.

"It seems the plan must be advanced; otherwise, I won't even have the ability to protect myself."

Zhang Huaiyuan pondered while eating.

Among all the things he had encountered so far, the most inscrutable was the Ruin No. 1 of the Initial World.

Whether it was the complete Truth Chess Game or the fleeting glimpse of the three supreme treasures, they were all incredibly inconceivable existences.

If he could pass the assessment and become a true core disciple, perhaps he could gain the ability to truly control his own destiny.

"Statue of Liberty, I need to go into seclusion for a while. If there is anything important, you can send it to me; for everything else, you can decide on your own."

Thinking this, Zhang Huaiyuan quickly made his decision.

"Understood, sir. Do you need to change to a more suitable place?"

"No need. This place is close to the center of Shengyao City, and the environment is quite good in all aspects."

After giving a few simple instructions, Zhang Huaiyuan communicated with the relic token, and his consciousness gradually entered the unknown dimension.

"Eh, kid, you're back after such a short time. Your highest score last time didn't even exceed four pieces."

The ruins intelligence discovered Zhang Huaiyuan's presence immediately and joked:

"What, are you confident you can pass this time?"

"Senior."

Zhang Huaiyuan bowed to the void and smiled, saying: "I've had a bit of a breakthrough, and I'd like to try."

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, the ruins intelligence looked at him again and suddenly laughed:

"It seems you are quite confident. Fine, I'll see if you can become the second genius in endless years to obtain the master's inheritance."

"Start directly, or...?"

"Let's start a round first to test it out and find the feeling."

"Alright."

As the voice fell, the entire scene changed; a vast galaxy descended from the sky, with countless Knowledge Stars floating within it.

A majestic phantom slowly sat up on the other side of the galaxy.

Zhang Huaiyuan sat on the other side, familiar with the process, and began the game.

Similar to before, after both sides chose an aggressive opening, the opponent was superior in both the speed of placing pieces and the understanding of combinations. After losing three pieces, he was unable to resist and regretfully lost.

"Kid, the gap seems a bit larger than what you said."

The ruins intelligence on the side reminded him:

"I told you, the master's projection that plays against you grows in ability along with your age. If you think you can win just by having a small breakthrough, you'd better go back early and stop wasting time."

"Senior, I know what I'm doing."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head; he had expected this result.

And since he dared to come this time, he naturally had a trump card.

He sank his consciousness into his mind, activated his extraordinary ability, and glanced at his data panel:

Virtual Technology, Level: 49 (Progress: 99.99%).

Yes, as the Virtual Technology he had mastered to the highest degree, it had already reached the limit of the fourth tier, and he had been stuck without advancing specifically for this moment.

When his extraordinary ability achieves a major breakthrough in knowledge level, it grants his brain temporary infinite inspiration and processing speed.

Under the enhancement of this state, it was not impossible to have a chance of winning.

Zhang Huaiyuan took a deep breath, took out a Virtual Technology tome that he had not yet fully mastered, and began to break through with all his might.

...