99: Preparing to go into seclusion

The Gold Rush Pavilion is located on the left side of the main hall.

Compared to the previous exhibition halls, this place was much livelier. The stalls were crowded with curious tourists.

Things that rely slightly on luck have always been more popular.

"From Ruin 46, a well-preserved cross-era weapon, only 10 billion credit points!"

"Important component from an unknown ruin! In perfect condition, only 8 billion credit points!"

"..."

Many stall owners were shouting enthusiastically.

Zhang Huaiyuan swept his gaze over the kinetic gun surrounded by the largest crowd; the stall owner was holding it and displaying it smugly.

He fired a shot at several metal stones; the stones gathered together as if pulled by gravity, then instantly turned into powder.

Judging by the effect, it was similar to the gravity weapon used by the First Fleet starship at the Port of Friendship.

"See that? This is the effect of a gravity weapon! It still works perfectly; buying it for self-defense or research is definitely a bargain!"

The stall owner declared confidently.

"Tsk... As expected, there are just as many scammers as always in places without professional appraisal."

Zhang Huaiyuan did not linger and walked deeper into the Gold Rush Pavilion.

As for this gun, he could tell at a glance that it was just a defective product modified using some kind of earth-type Transcendent ability, with a true value of at most around 3 billion credit points.

"Fake..."

"Useless decoration..."

He activated his ability to look around, quickly ruling out useless items one by one.

"Huh... What is that..."

Zhang Huaiyuan suddenly stopped and looked at a helmet-shaped object in front of him.

[Information Network Sharing Login Device (Inactive)]

Knowledge Rule Level contained: 2.

Current analysis progress: 1%... 2%...

"It seems to contain exactly the knowledge I need to bridge the gap."

A hint of joy appeared on Zhang Huaiyuan's face as he stepped forward:

"Boss, this..."

"Boss, how much for this? I'll take it."

Before he could finish, a pot-bellied man with shrewd eyes spoke up first.

"Hmm?"

Zhang Huaiyuan frowned slightly.

"Brother, I happened to have my eye on this too. Sorry about that."

The man paid one billion credit points, picked up the item, and then turned back with a seemingly apologetic smile.

"Sir, shall I take action?"

Gore stepped forward, expressionless, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

"Star Alliance law doesn't seem to forbid two people from wanting the same item, does it? This event is hosted by Regent Kolen. Are you planning to rob me in broad daylight?"

The shrewd man was composed, showing no fear at all.

He had been observing for a while.

This combination—a young man and a Transcendent guard—was clearly a scion of some family out for training, lacking any worldly experience and unable to hide his emotions on his face.

The other party had walked all the way here, and only showed joy when he saw this item. As a reseller, he was 80% sure this was definitely a good item.

As for offending them, he would return to his original star system once the exhibition ended anyway. The Free Star Alliance was huge; surely they couldn't come looking for him.

"In principle, you are correct, but unfortunately..."

Zhang Huaiyuan let his gaze linger on the man's face for a few seconds, then suddenly shook his head with a light chuckle and turned around, calling out, "Brother Gore, let's go. Don't worry about him."

He didn't have the energy to waste time on such a fool; it was more important to continue looking for useful items.

At the same time, the communication devices on two nearby soldiers suddenly lit up.

They were stunned at first, but after seeing the orders, their expressions turned serious, and they walked straight into the crowd, locking onto their target.

"Jiktus, you are under arrest."

The shrewd man, who was smugly studying the helmet-shaped object in his hand, was stunned and flew into a rage: "On what grounds? Are you mistaken? I am a law-abiding citizen!"

"No mistake."

One of them took out a cylindrical alloy block and pressed it against him, instantly extending two energy ropes that bound his hands and feet.

The other recited expressionlessly:

"Jiktus, male, 62 years old... On July 13, 3581 of the freedom calendar, you peeped at the neighbor auntie bathing, violating Article 12, Chapter 7 of the Star Alliance law..."

"On January 21, 3582 of the freedom calendar, you entered a shopping mall and stole items worth 1262 credit points, violating..."

"In March of the same year..."

"Between May and September of 3589 of the freedom calendar, you defrauded multiple elderly people of their pensions by peddling a certain harmful health product, violating..."

"..."

"In summary, for the 227 combined cases, the prisoner Jiktus is sentenced to life imprisonment, and all personal assets are to be confiscated."

"This... This...!"

A look of disbelief flashed across the shrewd man's face.

He couldn't even remember many of these things himself, yet the other party remembered even the dates accurately.

Wait... that wasn't important. What was important was, on what grounds could two lowly soldiers sentence him!

"I refuse to accept this! I want to appeal! I want to report you for abuse of power!"

He immediately shouted.

"Save it. This sentence was handed down by the Statue of Liberty herself."

A soldier sneered, "You scared me; I thought you were some SS-level Transcendent. Who knew it would be a free merit."

"The... the Statue of Liberty handed down the sentence... How could it be... It's over..."

The shrewd man collapsed instantly, his face ashen.

...

On the other side.

After this small interlude, Zhang Huaiyuan felt his luck had actually improved. He discovered five items containing Level 2 knowledge rules and one item containing a Level 3 knowledge rule in a row, buying them for just over 7 billion credit points.

"Counting the Information Network Sharing Login Device from before, that's six Level 2 items in total, two of which happen to be related to intelligent lifeforms. Coming here was definitely worth it."

Zhang Huaiyuan couldn't help but smile as he looked at the pile of items filling his storage device.

He could feel that as the analysis progress increased, the knowledge he had mastered was rapidly integrating.

He glanced at the panel; his extraordinary level progress had somehow reached 4.12 million / 5 million, and he was about to break through to S-level.

His profession level had also reached Grandmaster Level.

Other progress, such as "Creatology" and "Energy Studies", was also slowly improving in sync.

"I originally thought I would need to enter the Free Star Alliance Supreme Research Institute to achieve a breakthrough, but I didn't expect to obtain so many high-level knowledge items at this exhibition. It's time to consolidate properly."

A hint of anticipation appeared in Zhang Huaiyuan's eyes.

Every time his extraordinary level increased, his mind was at its most active. Coupled with so many high-level knowledge rules, he was confident he could elevate his Creatology to a new level.

Furthermore, according to the experience of other Transcendents, it seems that a second evolution mutation occurs at the S-level. Last time he broke through to B-level, he unlocked the True Sight ability. He wondered what useful ability would be unlocked this time.

Thinking of this, he couldn't wait and said to his right wrist, "Can you prepare a quiet and well-equipped laboratory for me?"

"Certainly, sir."