I Can Control Resources

"Zone 93!" A flash of intense excitement lit up Fang Tangtang’s eyes when she saw where Gao Neng’s finger was pointing.

Because Zone 93 was a C-Grade Forbidden Zone.

Which meant only those at Tier Seven could enter!

By pointing there, Gao Neng’s intention was obvious.

Gao Neng was going to brave Zone 93.

"Braving a C-Grade Forbidden Zone right off the bat? Isn’t that a bit risky? Tangtang is only Tier Five, after all." Unlike Fang Tangtang, Shen Ning’Er understood Gao Neng’s plan, but she was also aware of Fang Tangtang’s current power level.

"It’s fine. My genetic weapon research was a success. It’s Tier Seven!" Gao Neng’s face was full of confidence. Of course, he wasn’t about to mention the panoramic map.

"Tier Seven? I see." Hearing this, Shen Ning’Er finally understood.

"You really built it? Quick, show it to me!" Fang Tangtang shouted with renewed excitement.

Gao Neng had no intention of hiding it.

He brought out the Tier Seven Genetic Weapon.

A second Gao Neng quickly appeared before Shen Ning’Er and Fang Tangtang.

"Whoa, it’s a perfect copy!" Fang Tangtang was a little startled to see the genetic weapon materialize out of thin air.

"The Alliance really sold you this Tier Seven Genetic Weapon?" Shen Ning’Er knew Gao Neng had a cooperation agreement with the Federation Government.

"That’s right. I bought it."

"Are you planning to use this genetic weapon to protect Tangtang?" Shen Ning’Er asked after a moment of thought.

"No, I’m going to use it for scouting while we follow behind." Gao Neng shook his head. Using a Tier Seven Genetic Weapon as a bodyguard for Fang Tangtang was just not cost-effective.

Besides, it was completely unnecessary.

"Genetic weapons are living weapons. If it gets injured, I’m afraid..."

"If it dies, I’ll just build another one! They’re cheap, anyway. It only takes half a month and costs eighty million!" Gao Neng was a man worth billions now, with even more money on the way. For him, a cost of eighty million was genuinely cheap.

"Eighty million for a genetic weapon? Aren’t they supposed to cost tens of billions?" Fang Tangtang shot to her feet, her face a mask of disbelief.

"It’s tens of billions if *they* build it. It only costs me eighty million. Well, a hundred million to be exact, but the Alliance gives me a twenty percent discount, so eighty million is enough," Gao Neng explained.

"Whoa, then build ten for me to play with! I’ll give you eight hundred million!" Fang Tangtang’s heart pounded in her chest. ’Ten Tier Seven Genetic Weapons... Just thinking about it is so badass!’

’And they’d all be copies of Gao Neng.’

’How thrilling would that be?’

’I could do whatever I wanted with them. If I told one to kneel, it wouldn’t dare stand.’

’It would be the peak of my life.’

"I wouldn’t build them for you even for eight billion!" Gao Neng knew exactly what Fang Tangtang was thinking. ’Trying to use the genetic weapons as stand-ins for me to play with? How naive.’

"..." Shen Ning’Er remained silent.

She just looked at the Tier Seven Genetic Weapon, marveling to herself. ’Throughout the entire Alliance, Gao Neng is probably the only one who would dare to make such a bold plan.’

’Using a Tier Seven Genetic Weapon as a disposable scout?’

’Who would do something like that?’

"Tch, you cheapskate! If you won’t build one for me... I’ll just take this one!" Fang Tangtang pounced on the genetic weapon. Her hands roamed all over its body. "Where’s the button? The switch? The controller? Gao Neng, where did you hide the controller? It couldn’t be in... AHH!"

A scream tore through the air.

The genetic weapon flung Fang Tangtang away.

"Touch it inappropriately again and see if I don’t beat you!" Gao Neng was genuinely startled by her. ’She just goes right up and starts groping it! Can’t she have a little self-control?’

Thankfully, he had been prepared.

He had removed the... parts that shouldn’t be there.

Otherwise, that touch...

He would’ve felt as if she were touching his own body.

"You jerk, Gao Neng! You stupid Gao Neng! You won’t even let me touch it? Fine! When are we going to Zone 93? I can’t wait! How about right now?" Fang Tangtang scrambled up from the floor, and after hurling a few insults, she was stuck to him like glue again.

After all, she had been incredibly frustrated these past few days.

She had an S-rank evaluation.

But she couldn’t do the things an S-rank was supposed to do.

For more than ten days, all she did was train, train, and train. She was so bored, she was worried her face would get round from the monotony.

"Tomorrow," Gao Neng replied after some thought. "For today, help me sort out the Pill Formulas and the Alchemy Workshop. Starting tomorrow, we’re going to have a steady stream of raw materials pouring in."

"A steady stream of raw materials? How?" Fang Tangtang blinked.

"Duh. We’re going to pick them up, of course!" Gao Neng said disdainfully.

"Pick... pick them up?! Gao Neng, you’re not actually planning to forage for raw materials in the Underground City for your Alchemy, are you?" Fang Tangtang exclaimed.

"Yep, that’s the plan!" Gao Neng nodded.

"Ugh... and I almost believed you! No way, I’m backing out! I’m definitely not trusting you again!" Fang Tangtang pouted, huffing.

"Suit yourself. But once you’re out, you can’t get back in," Gao Neng said, unconcerned.

"Then I’d better think it over... How about this? I’ll get you a few Pill Formulas first, as a down payment on my investment?" When it came to business, Fang Tangtang was actually quite shrewd.

"Deal."

"You agreed so quickly... I have a bad feeling about this. I, Death God Fang Tangtang, am definitely going to lose out on this deal!"

"..."

...

The Federation Government didn’t actually have any mandatory training regulations, which made it completely different from special forces training during peacetime.

The reason was simple...

How could anyone who made it into the top 300 of the Dragon List possibly be lazy?

Furthermore, the top 300 Dragon List Geniuses all had their own factions and allegiances. Some belonged to sects, some to powerful clans, and others to the Military Department.

With such different upbringings, their training methods could not possibly be identical.

Moreover, every sect had its own training regimen. If they were all dragged out to train every morning and afternoon like new recruits, they would probably be ruined within a year.

Of course, that wasn’t to say the Federation Government had no oversight at all.

According to the regulations.

There was a weekly group "exchange," which was a nice way of saying there would be some combat training. In addition, there was a large-scale event once a month.

The content of these events varied.

Any time outside of these official activities was considered free time.

The Federation Government didn’t impose many restrictions.

However, there was one rule: everyone had to register before leaving the city, stating their destination and expected time of return.

This was a measure for the geniuses’ own safety.

「The next morning.」

Fang Tangtang knocked on Gao Neng’s door.

It had to be said that despite her willfulness, Fang Tangtang was incredibly efficient. The previous night, she had already sent a message to Fang Yuan via the Underground City’s communication station.

And today, two Pill Formulas had arrived.

As per Gao Neng’s request.

They were two recipes for Attribute Elixirs.

One was a Pill Formula for a lightning-attribute elixir, and the other was for a fire-attribute one.

Gao Neng naturally needed the lightning-attribute one for himself. The fire-attribute one was for Shen Ning’Er and... that rascal Fang Tangtang, who was also preparing to cultivate the fire attribute.

Of course, the value of these two Pill Formulas was staggering.

They were the fruit of decades of experimentation by the Celestial King Group.

With the two Pill Formulas in hand, Gao Neng briefly glanced at the listed ingredients before putting them away.

In the Underground City.

You didn’t have to worry about breakfast.

The Federation Government had it all arranged. There were two options: you could use points to redeem a limited-supply "Energy Breakfast," or you could have the unlimited free breakfast buffet.

He called Shen Ning’Er over.

Gao Neng generously redeemed three portions of the Energy Breakfast.

It cost him 15 points.

How many Alliance Coins was 15 points worth?

150,000!

It was the most expensive breakfast Gao Neng had ever eaten. Still, he had to admit, the limited-supply Energy Breakfast tasted incredible.

The ingredients were all exceptionally rare.

But in the eyes of many Dragon List Geniuses, such an exchange was an unreasonable waste. After all, no matter how "energetic" it was, it was still just breakfast.

"Did you hear? Gao Neng started with 15,000 points!"

"Can’t be helped. Gao Neng’s talent is just that good. It’s normal for the Federation Government to give him that many to start. But from now on, what he earns will be up to him!"

"So extravagant, using points on an Energy Breakfast? It’s infuriating!"

"After breakfast, we’re heading to Zone 176. I’ve almost finished scouting the eastern part over the last few days. I think it’s about to spawn some raw materials!"

A few Dragon List Geniuses watched Gao Neng, Shen Ning’Er, and the others eating their Energy Breakfasts, gossiped for a bit, and then left.

Gao Neng paid them no mind.

’I’m rich and I can do what I want. What’s it to you?’

Just then, Shaximo arrived, walking in just in time to see Gao Neng, Fang Tangtang, and Shen Ning’Er eating their Energy Breakfasts.

"Great Sun Buddha, this humble monk will have one as well!" After a moment of careful consideration, Shaximo winced as he, too, redeemed an Energy Breakfast and sat down across from Gao Neng.

"Since when do monks eat meat?" Gao Neng asked, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Shaximo.

"The Buddha said: ’Wine and meat pass through the gut, but the Buddha remains in the heart.’ As long as one holds the Buddha in their heart, it matters not what they eat," Shaximo replied, before digging in with large bites.

Gao Neng chuckled but didn’t press the issue.

It was obvious Shaximo didn’t usually indulge like this.

’So he’s trying to one-up me, is he?’

Just as he was thinking this, two more familiar figures walked in. It was none other than the siblings, Yi Qingge and Yi Qinglian.

Yi Qinglian’s eyes immediately fell on Gao Neng.

"Hmph!" After a cold snort, her gaze fell upon the Energy Breakfasts in front of Gao Neng and Shen Ning’Er, and her expression faltered for a second.

"Brother, let’s order two as well, shall we?"

"Well... alright." Yi Qingge also had an S-rank evaluation and 10,000 initial points. He didn’t mind spending a few to save face for his sister.

"I’m sorry, but we have very few people ordering the Energy Breakfast normally, so today’s four servings are already gone." The head chef sighed and shook his head. On a typical day, they’d be lucky to sell one or two.

But today, all four had been sold.

Miraculous, wasn’t it?

"Four servings? But there are only three of them, and they only ate three. Who bought the last one?" Yi Qinglian was clearly annoyed.

"That gentleman over there!" The head chef pointed across from Gao Neng.

"..." Shaximo.