Chapter 4

"Rest assured, I'm the top student at the Sacred Academy of East District Seven; three bits of knowledge are no problem."

"Hehe, I know."

Max pointed at the territory.

"Compared to your identity, I have more confidence in the territory you govern."

"The Hall of Knowledge tests more than just learning ability."

"You'll understand once you go there."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Chen Ping finally couldn't help but reveal a smile.

Because it meant Max had accepted their deal—he had finally gained his chance.

This was the countermeasure Chen Ping had first thought of after his conflict with the Wang family.

The Hall of Knowledge was one of the three supreme Halls, alongside the World Hall and the Time Hall.

As long as one gained something within the Hall of Knowledge, it could be transformed into a corresponding skill.

If one was strong enough, obtaining a Skill rated S wouldn't be an issue.

Max snapped his fingers, and the eighty sacks of wheat flour vanished instantly.

In their place appeared a swirling entrance.

"This is the entrance to the Hall. You may enter anytime within the next week."

"I hope when we meet again, you'll bring me good news."

Max bowed gracefully and elegantly, then returned to the train.

As a low whistling sound came, the patrol train slowly accelerated and left Chen Ping's territory.

06: Departure, Hall of Knowledge

Beside lush green woods, rows of buildings were neatly scattered about.

When the massive warehouse at the very back finally had its doors installed,

Wang Ke’s face finally showed a pleased expression.

Sure enough, a series of joyful notifications surfaced in his mind.

His territory had finally advanced by one level.

But soon after, his expression stiffened.

"Eleventh place!?"

"Impossible! I used so many resources, filled every population slot—how can I not even make the top ten?"

Wang Ke roared on the spot; the laborers far away trembled in fear and quickly knelt down.

Yet to their lord, they seemed utterly annoying, so he drew a whip and lashed violently at them.

At that moment, a distant "wuwu" sound came—the patrol train appeared over Wang Ke's territory.

Frowning, Wang Ke tossed the whip aside; a man resembling a steward hurriedly handed him gloves and a hat.

This steward was specially prepared for Wang Ke by the Wang family.

He was an ethereal avatar from the Soul Realm.

While most people were still struggling to manage their territories themselves, Wang Ke already had an ethereal spirit serving him.

A large part of why his territory developed so quickly was due to this steward.

Yet even so, he still fell one step behind Chen Ping.

After changing clothes, Wang Ke stood proudly in place, waiting for the train conductor to disembark.

The figure stepping off this patrol train was a golden-haired tough man.

"Greetings, my esteemed lord. I am the conductor of this patrol train. You may call me Max."

"Cut the chatter. Give me the list."

Wang Ke had no interest in bonding with a mere avatar—in his eyes, Max was nothing but a tool.

The steward behind him changed expressions, but Max remained cheerfully smiling.

Upon hearing the demand, he handed over the list.

Wang Ke flipped through it, casually checking off a large portion of supplies, then ordered the steward to hand Max a money pouch.

Inside this bulging pouch, conservatively estimated, were dozens of gold coins.

Max’s smile widened, and immediately arranged for workers on the train to begin unloading goods.

At that moment, Wang Ke suddenly remembered something and tossed two more gold coins to Max.

"Omnipotent merchant Max, information is also a kind of commodity, right?"

"Yes, my esteemed lord."

"Two gold coins—for a list of the top ten figures among Level One territories, and also, background data on a wretched brat named Chen Ping."

Max’s smile turned slightly odd, but he still pulled out a small notebook from his person.

Before their eyes, names and territory details emerged on the previously blank pages.

Then he tore off the page and handed it to Wang Ke.

"Then, happy trading. Farewell, my lord."

Max waved and returned to the train, driving it away from the location.

Meanwhile, Wang Ke merely shook open the paper and began reading.

Half a moment later, Wang Ke’s enraged voice nearly echoed across his entire territory.

"Impossible!"

"How dare this damn commoner rank in the top ten!!!"

Another territory.

The terrain here was uneven, forming a valley in the central area.

Both inside and outside the valley were dense forests, and the various buildings among them were all made of wood, each with unique characteristics.

An elven woman with pointed ears sat atop the highest tree canopy, watching the distant train slowly appear.

Maxwell, who appeared here, also took on an elven form.

After flipping through the cargo list, the elven woman chose not to purchase anything, instead ordering two wooden crates to be brought forward.

When opened, they revealed colorful crystal ore.

"Respected Maxwell, I request to conduct a transaction with you for the opportunity to enter the Hall of Knowledge."

The elven woman smiled as she spoke to Maxwell.

As the second-ranked territory holder of Tier One, she hailed from the Sacred Territory of the Human Alliance.

Nearly everyone there was a hybrid descendant of various sacred races.

Because their lifespans were far longer than those of pure-blooded humans, they had ample time to study.

The clue about Maxwell's transaction was something she had obtained from her grandfather.

Elven Maxwell smiled back at her.

"Dear Miss Seeing Natasha, do you fully understand the consequences?"

"Of course. I believe I will not fail."

Smiling, Maxwell reached out with his finger, and a swirling portal identical to the one on Chen Ping's territory appeared within the tree canopy.

Then he bowed slightly before returning to the train and departing from the area.

"Mifal, while I am away, you are responsible for maintaining the territory's construction."

The elven woman Seeing Natasha called out, and from behind the tree canopy flew out a small fairy glowing with green light.

"Miss Seeing Natasha, are you certain you wish to enter the Hall of Knowledge now?"

"Yes. The earlier I gain benefits from the Hall of Knowledge, the stronger my momentum will become later on."

"I am determined to claim first place in this trial."

Seeing Natasha lifted the little fairy, gave it further instructions, then turned and leapt into the vortex entrance.

The small fairy spun in place several times. Seeing the vortex return to calm, it left the area to begin arranging work within the territory.

Two days passed. Chaos Sea Territory No. 07.

Chen Ping watched the civilian laborers, now well into the rhythm of construction, and clapped his hands together.

"Everything has been arranged properly. It's time to go see the Hall of Knowledge."

He had organized all affairs in the territory; due to the effect of Heavenly Reward for Diligence, both laborers and militia were progressing rapidly.

A brief absence would no longer disrupt the development of the territory.