The train conductor.
Although Toji Hisami had read many introductions about him in books, he still could not help feeling curious when he finally stood face to face with the man.
"May I ask... is this your clone?"
"Of course. This is one of my clones."
Max, the train conductor, gave an elegant bow and smiled.
According to the records, Max was a Legendary-level existence who possessed divine powers. He had countless avatars, each with a different appearance and race. The only common point among them was that every avatar traveled with a train.
Max took out a small booklet from his coat and handed it over.
"This is the inventory of goods carried by the patrol train during the trial period. Occasionally, some tasks will also be posted on it, mostly procurement orders for certain supplies. Even when the patrol train does not appear, this list will automatically update."
Toji Hisami accepted the booklet and immediately opened it to check the contents.
Meanwhile, Max stood with his hands behind his back, quietly admiring the territory.
After a while, Toji Hisami closed the booklet and smiled.
"I currently do not lack supplies, but I do have a batch of goods I would like to sell to you."
"Oh? You already have goods to sell?"
Toji Hisami called a few militiamen and ordered them to bring over every bag of prepared wheat flour from the warehouse.
Max opened one of the bags, grabbed a handful of flour, and carefully examined it between his fingers.
"Good wheat flour. Excellent raw materials."
"With this amount, I can offer four gold coins. Do you want the gold coins, or would you prefer to exchange for goods?"
Eighty bags of wheat flour were only worth four gold coins, roughly twenty bags for a single gold coin.
If he intended to develop his territory purely through farming, progress would be painfully slow.
So Toji Hisami did not choose gold coins.
Recalling a certain story he had once read in the library of the Sacred Academy, he carefully organized his words before speaking.
"I would like to use this first transaction as an opportunity to exchange for a chance to study in the Hall of Knowledge."
The moment the words left his mouth, Max’s expression changed.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Toji Hisami with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes.
Toji Hisami met his gaze without the slightest hesitation.
"Where did you learn about the Hall of Knowledge?"
"In a book left by a predecessor."
"Interesting. I once made a vow never to disclose relevant information proactively, yet that person was still able to record it."
Max’s expression grew slightly more serious. It was clear he regarded the person who had managed to write about the Hall of Knowledge as someone remarkable. At the very least, it was something Max himself could not easily do.
Toji Hisami simply nodded.
The book he had found was actually the personal travelogue of the first dean of the Southern Fourth District. It was extremely thick and had been sitting in a corner of the library for who knew how many years. When he discovered it, the cover had been covered in a thick layer of dust.
"Since you already know about this matter, you naturally also understand the agreement between me and the Hall of Knowledge."
Toji Hisami nodded again.
According to the first dean’s records, he had once made a deal with a certain existence who possessed the incredible ability to travel through countless realms. As long as it was the first time trading with that person, one could obtain an opportunity to enter the Hall of Knowledge.
The dean had never directly revealed the identity of that person, but Toji Hisami had managed to deduce it on his own. In truth, he had been bluffing Max just now.
He had not expected the guess to be completely correct.
"I want the knowledge contained within the Hall of Knowledge," Max continued. "Therefore, the person I send inside must possess strong learning ability. By strong, I mean the ability to learn at least three pieces of knowledge."
"If you fail to learn three pieces of knowledge, I will take your soul as the price."
"However, if you meet the standard, I can exchange whatever knowledge you obtain for something of equal value."
Max had returned to his previous calm demeanor, yet Toji Hisami could clearly sense the cruelty and ruthlessness hidden beneath those words.
Entering the Hall of Knowledge clearly came with a heavy price. Otherwise, Max would not be so cautious.
Still, Toji Hisami was extremely confident in himself.
Even before his talent had awakened, his learning ability had already been outstanding, that was how he had become the top graduate. Now that he possessed Heaven Rewards Diligence, it was like adding wings to a tiger.
"Please rest assured. I am the top graduate of the Sacred Academy in the Southern Fourth District. Learning three pieces of knowledge will not be a problem."
"Hehe... I know."
Max pointed toward the territory behind them.
"Compared to your identity, I actually have more confidence in the territory you govern. The Hall of Knowledge does not only test learning ability. You will understand once you go inside."
When Toji Hisami heard the final sentence, he could not help but smile.
Those words meant that Max had already approved the deal. He had finally obtained the opportunity he wanted.
This was the counterattack plan Toji Hisami had conceived the very moment he clashed with the Zhao family.
The Hall of Knowledge was one of the three highest halls, standing alongside the Hall of the World and the Hall of Time. Any gain obtained inside could be transformed into corresponding skills. If one was strong enough, even obtaining an S-rank skill was not impossible.
Max snapped his fingers.
The eighty bags of wheat flour in front of them vanished instantly. In their place appeared a swirling, vortex-like entrance.
"This is the entrance to the Hall. Within one week, you may enter at any time."
"I hope to see you next time with good news."
Max gave another elegant bow, then turned and walked back onto the train.
A long whistle sounded. The patrol train slowly accelerated and left Toji Hisami’s territory.