I Can Control Resources

"That simple?" Gao Neng felt like this was too good to be true. Forget 50 stalks of attribute raw materials; even 100 would be no problem for him.

He had the panoramic map.

For him, gathering attribute raw materials was as easy as picking cabbages.

If he weren’t afraid of being too conspicuous, he could gather one or two hundred stalks a day. And now, Li Tiannan was actually proposing a bet based on gathering attribute raw materials?

How could he possibly refuse?

He was about to agree.

But then, suddenly, Gao Neng felt that something was off.

’Is Li Tiannan stupid?’

’Definitely not.’

At least, in Gao Neng’s opinion, Li Tiannan was an even older fox than Wu Qingjing. And more importantly, Li Tiannan was known to engage in petty, underhanded dealings from time to time.

For example, stealing his Magnetic Crystal Ore.

’What does that prove?’

’It proves that Li Tiannan isn’t just any old fox, but a shameless one. Trying to get the better of someone like that is next to impossible.’

’Forbidden Zone No. 2, the Demon Abyss... those names sound so impressive. There’s no way access would be offered up so easily. So, Li Tiannan’s real goal... must be to scam me out of my money!’ Gao Neng quickly figured out Li Tiannan’s intentions and decided to test the waters.

"So, what do you say? You in on the bet? This should be a piece of cake for you, right? Of course, if you think there’s a catch, I won’t force you," Li Tiannan said, feigning nonchalance.

"Master, are you broke?" Gao Neng ignored the theatrics and asked point-blank.

"Broke? What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, if you’re short on cash, Master, I can lend you some."

"Hahaha... Are you kidding me? Me, Ghost Eyes Li Tiannan, broke? Your pocket change means jack shit to me. If I just say the word, the Alliance Bank will put ten billion in front of me right now. You believe that?" Li Tiannan burst out laughing.

"The Alliance Bank?" A smirk touched Gao Neng’s lips. ’Even though Li Tiannan didn’t spell it out, bringing them up basically means he really is broke and needs a loan.’

’He really is here to scam me!’

’But with my panoramic map, this bet is a guaranteed win. So what trick is Li Tiannan going to use to get my money?’

Gao Neng couldn’t figure it out, so he decided not to dwell on it.

"Forget it. Let’s just cancel the bet. You don’t look like you have the guts anyway." Li Tiannan waved his hand dismissively, then pointed to the table in front of him. "Go make your master a cup of tea. Oh, and toss a fruit in there while you’re at it. I know you have them, don’t hold out on me."

’How shameless can you get?’

’Asking for a fruit in his tea?’

Gao Neng only ever used the fruits when making tea for himself.

But then again, he could get fruits so easily now, he had more points than he could spend, and he had money burning a hole in his pocket. For a moment, he really couldn’t find a reason to say no.

’You have to spend money to make money!’

’Can’t be too cheap.’

"You got it, Master," Gao Neng chirped, then trotted off to make the tea.

A moment later, two cups of tea were ready.

Gao Neng had even gone out of his way to put two fruits into Li Tiannan’s cup—both were energy materials he had exchanged points for.

"Hm?" Li Tiannan glanced into the cup as he took it, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. A strange pang of guilt pricked his heart. ’My disciple is so good to me, yet I’m still planning to rip him off.’

Of course, Li Tiannan’s resolve was strong.

’Since I’ve decided to scam him...’

’I have to see it through properly. Can’t back out now.’

So, Li Tiannan quickly regained his composure. He thought for a moment, then added, "The things inside the Demon Abyss are on a completely different level from what you find elsewhere."

"Oh? Good stuff?" Gao Neng’s eyes lit up.

"Absolutely. Take these two fruits of yours, for example. Sell them on the surface, and each one is worth at least a million. They’re considered rare energy materials. But here in the Underground City? They’re pretty average, only good for tossing in tea. In the Underground City, only attribute raw materials are worth a second glance."

"Mhm," Gao Neng nodded obediently.

"It’s the same principle. The gap between the Demon Abyss and the Underground City is as big as the gap between the Underground City and the surface. You step inside, and attribute materials are everywhere. And besides those, there are even better things."

"Like what?"

"Let me ask you one question: where do attribute raw materials from outside the Underground City come from?"

"Evolutionary energy?"

"You little brat, you actually know a thing or two. Seems this trip to the Underground City wasn’t a waste. That’s right. Attribute raw materials are evolved by evolutionary energy. And the Demon Abyss, in a sense, is the very source of that evolutionary energy." Li Tiannan said his piece and fell silent.

"..." Gao Neng fell silent.

Li Tiannan hadn’t been explicit, but his meaning was crystal clear. ’My guess is almost certainly correct.’

’There’s a high probability that the Demon Abyss is where the first Energy Warriors evolved.’

’Of course, I know Li Tiannan is telling me all this on purpose. His goal is to lure me into his trap and take my money.’

’But with an opportunity like this right in front of me...’

’How can I possibly pass it up?’

"Anyway, let’s talk about something else. For example..."

"Master, I’ll take that bet!" Gao Neng cut Li Tiannan off before he could finish. This was the mentality of the strong: to charge a mountain, knowing full well there are tigers on it.

’I refuse to believe it.’

’That Li Tiannan can actually scam me?!’

"Oh? You really want to take the bet? Don’t force yourself, now. I, Li Tiannan, never force anyone, especially not my own dear disciple," Li Tiannan said with a grin.

"I’m not forcing myself in the slightest. But I have one condition," Gao Neng said, gritting his teeth.

"A condition? Let’s hear it."

"If I win, you have to teach me a way to protect myself in the Demon Abyss. Or, give me something that can save my life," Gao Neng stated plainly.

"You little brat, you really think you can win?"

"How will I know if I don’t try? It’s only one billion, right? I’ve got the money!" Gao Neng said, puffing out his chest.

"Getting a little cocky, are we, you little brat? Fine, I accept your condition. If you can actually beat me, I’ll lend you an item that can save your life in the Demon Abyss," Li Tiannan nodded.

"Master, that’s not right. The deal was you’d *give* it to me, not *lend* it!" Gao Neng immediately corrected him.

"Did I say ’give’?" Li Tiannan feigned confusion.

"You said you accepted my condition. And my condition was to *give*, not lend."

"Well..." Li Tiannan hesitated.

"If you can’t do it, then forget it. I just won’t take the bet. I’ll keep the billion to buy fruits. That’ll last me a year and a half... Sigh. What a scoop! A Strongest is actually afraid of losing," Gao Neng said with a grin.

"Trying to provoke me, you little brat?"

"Just say it, Master. Are you in or not?"

"Fine! We’ll do it your way. If I lose, I’ll give you a life-saving treasure," Li Tiannan finally said, gritting his teeth.

"Thank you for the treasure, Master!" Gao Neng immediately said his thanks.

"Thank me? Heh. Wait until you’ve actually won. The terms are set: over fifty stalks of attribute raw materials, including at least... five evolved species. At least five, you hear me?"

"Huh? Didn’t you just say I only needed *some* evolved species? I don’t remember you saying five. Was that part of the deal?" Gao Neng sneered inwardly, but his face was a mask of pure confusion.

"I just added it. It’s too late for you to back out now." Seeing the confused look on Gao Neng’s face, Li Tiannan’s confidence swelled.

"No!!! That’s not fair!" Gao Neng cried out in anguish.

"Fair? What’s fair? I’m stronger than you, so what I say goes. Alright, you little brat, you’re on your own tomorrow. Let’s hope your luck holds up like it always does." With that, Li Tiannan turned and vanished on the spot.

Leaving Gao Neng behind, a smirk playing on his lips.

Meanwhile, Li Tiannan, now outside Gao Neng’s room, also wore a faint smirk.

"You little brat, you fell for it, didn’t you? Is there really a difference between finding one evolved species and finding five? You think I actually care about the number? So naive. Your acting still needs a lot of work! Heh... Tomorrow, I’ll show you that the old ginger is always spicier!" As he muttered this, Li Tiannan’s eyes narrowed. "You old fossil, you’ve been hiding long enough. Did you think I didn’t know you were there?"

"Hahaha, Ghost Eyes will be Ghost Eyes. When it comes to sight, you’re still the sharpest," a voice chuckled, and a figure slowly emerged from the corner.

He had an ordinary, unremarkable face.

But his eyes glinted with a light as sharp as a sword.

It was the Sword Elder.

"We already saw each other during the day. What’s the point of tailing me at night?" Li Tiannan said disdainfully.

"It is interesting. In fact, it’s getting more interesting by the minute. How about... I go tell that little brat right now how you’re planning to scam him?" the Sword Elder chuckled.

"You dare, you old fossil! If you tell him, I’ll really take him into the Demon Abyss!" Li Tiannan’s voice was tinged with anger, but his expression showed no sign of being threatened.

"Then your precious disciple would truly have a one-in-ten chance of survival. Oh, wait, no, it’d be a zero-in-ten chance!" the Sword Elder said, just as nonchalantly.

"On a serious note, did you really sense his Spiritual Power connecting to the Magnetic Mountain?" At this, Li Tiannan’s eyes suddenly turned serious.

"I’d stake my life on it," the Sword Elder replied, his own expression growing solemn.

"I suppose that’s the real reason you want him as your disciple, isn’t it?" Li Tiannan waved his hand, not pressing the issue of the Magnetic Mountain any further.

"You know what it means for Spiritual Power to connect with the Magnetic Mountain. I’ll just say you beat me to the punch. But honestly, your acting just now was pretty mediocre. I certainly wasn’t impressed."

"Look who’s talking. How much better is your acting? If you’ve got nothing better to do, let’s go for a drink. You’re buying!" Li Tiannan said, then started walking away without a shred of ceremony.

"When it comes to being shameless, you two—master and disciple—are a perfect match!" The Sword Elder chuckled and followed after him.