I Can Control Resources

It was too obvious.

Liang Qi understood now.

Wu Qingjing had pulled a bait-and-switch. On the surface, it looked like they were going to conduct a genetic weapon experiment, but in reality, he had just given Gao Neng the title of deputy team leader for the project.

With this, Gao Neng essentially had autonomy. Furthermore, Wu Qingjing had become the lead researcher for Gao Neng’s talent genes. So, what could he, Liang Qi, possibly do?

Nothing at all!

’Damn it!’ Liang Qi was furious, but he had already cast his vote in favor. It was too late to object now.

He could only wait.

He had to wait until the experiment produced no results before he could protest again.

But genetic experiments had long research cycles. He could already foresee how long he’d have to wait; Wu Qingjing was just using delaying tactics.

Once Gao Neng broke through to a higher rank, many things would be different.

Liang Qi knew that this time, he’d been had.

And the most infuriating part was...

He still had to attend the upcoming launch ceremony for the experimental project team. It made him feel like he’d swallowed a fly.

...

「Time: 2:00 PM sharp.」

Perhaps because the Federation Supreme Council had passed the resolution unanimously, or perhaps because Wu Qingjing was personally overseeing it, the Federation Government’s efficiency on this genetic experiment project was surprisingly fast.

The plan was finalized in the morning, the major media outlets were notified to prepare before noon, and by two in the afternoon, the press conference was underway.

As the deputy leader of this genetic experiment, Gao Neng naturally participated in the press conference.

This was his first time, so Gao Neng took the rare opportunity to spend some time dressing up, putting on a formal, dark blue suit that Shen Ning’Er had picked out for him.

According to Shen Ning’Er, it made him look youthful without sacrificing maturity, and it clearly distinguished him from the black-suited crowd of the Federation Council.

And it was true.

Gao Neng’s appearance immediately triggered a fervent reaction from all the reporters. After all, the fact that Gao Neng possessed 20 maxed-out talents had been firmly occupying the headlines of every major media outlet.

Combined with his devastatingly handsome looks, Gao Neng’s every move was now the absolute focus of public discussion across the Federation.

However, this press conference was centered around Wu Qingjing, so he was the one who answered most of the reporters’ questions.

The reason was simple: Wu Qingjing was the authority on genetic weapon research.

Of course, since it was a public press conference, a few ’younger’ reporters still questioned Gao Neng’s appointment as deputy team leader.

Gao Neng’s answer was simple.

"Although I am only a first-year student at the Eastern Capital Military Academy, I love science, and I am dedicated to serving the Federation. Moreover, I successfully built the No. 4 Electromagnetic Cannon at the Celestial King Group. Therefore, I have absolute confidence that I can achieve new breakthroughs in the field of genetic weaponry!"

A very domineering answer.

Then, amidst Fang Tangtang’s loud cheers and shouts, the reporters shut their questioning mouths and decided to wait and see how Gao Neng would perform in the future.

As for how all this appeared in Liang Qi’s eyes, it could be summed up in two words... utter nonsense!

’Achieve new breakthroughs!’

’What a load of crap!’

’The kid just found himself a protector.’

But Liang Qi would never say these things out loud. Not only did he keep quiet, but he was also the first to applaud after Gao Neng finished speaking.

「An hour after the press conference.」

「In the conference hall of the genetics lab at Research Center No. 1.」

All the members of the genetic experiment project gathered together for what was their first official all-hands meeting since the project’s launch.

Then, Gao Neng saw a familiar face.

Dr. Lan had arrived!

As an expert in human body research and the sister of Lan Ruosi, Lan Ruohua had been invited to become a member of the genetic experiment project team and was also appointed as a deputy leader.

With that, the three deputy leaders were all present.

Liang Qi, Gao Neng, and Lan Ruohua.

The team members included Fang Tangtang, Shen Ning’Er, and a large group of genetics experts.

As for the team leader, it was, of course, Wu Qingjing himself.

The main topics of discussion at every meeting were the work and schedule for the genetic research project. Besides that, the most important item was the official signing of the agreements.

Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang had both agreed to the genetic research.

But that was just the consent form.

The official agreement was somewhat different.

For example, one clause in the agreement Gao Neng signed clearly stipulated the purchasing rights for genetic weapons using Gao Neng’s genes as the ’source material’.

The Federation Government established the genetics lab, and the funding was naturally provided entirely by the Federation Government. Therefore, under normal circumstances, any resulting genetic weapons would also belong to the Federation Government.

But Gao Neng was an exception.

Because, in addition to being a research subject, he was also a research participant and a deputy leader, which afforded him some special treatment.

The agreement clearly stated that Gao Neng possessed ’priority purchasing rights’.

Simply put, for any genetic weapon created using Gao Neng as the ’source material’, Gao Neng would have higher purchasing priority than the Federation Government.

The condition was that he had to pay the cost price of the research and manufacturing.

Gao Neng raised an objection to this. Since he was the gene provider, he proposed a 90% discount on the cost price.

And then...

Unsurprisingly, he was shot down by everyone.

In the end, after half an hour of haggling, they reached an agreement: Gao Neng could make priority purchases at 80% of the cost.

This was already a huge concession.

After all, a single genetic weapon would normally cost over ten billion, so 80% of the cost meant Gao Neng could save several billion in expenses.

Everything was settled.

The agreement was formally signed.

And Liang Qi watched it all unfold with cold eyes from beginning to end.

’Just keep up the act! Making it look so real? Priority purchasing rights, haggling over the price? Do you really think I’m a fool? It’s impossible to develop a genetic weapon from Gao Neng’s genes!’ Liang Qi knew very well that, given Wu Qingjing’s intentions, Gao Neng was supposed to be dedicating himself completely to his training now.

’As for the research and manufacturing of a genetic weapon?’

’Impossible!’

He knew that the time required to research and test a single genetic weapon was not short. If they truly wanted to develop a weapon using Gao Neng as the ’source material’, they would need to constantly extract his genes. This would mean Gao Neng would have to spend every day in the lab during the initial phase.

Even in the later stages, he would need to come in every two or three days.

Therefore, this was fundamentally an experimental project that could never be properly implemented.

Understanding the truth of it all, Liang Qi was in no mood to play along with Gao Neng and Wu Qingjing. Thus, when they were discussing this "unequal" agreement, he couldn’t even be bothered to speak.

「Three hours later.」

The first meeting officially ended.

Just as Liang Qi expected, Wu Qingjing didn’t set any required research hours for Gao Neng. In other words, although Gao Neng was a deputy leader, he was actually a complete free agent.

He could come as he pleased.

And go as he pleased.

There were no restrictions at all.

’So, you’ve finally shown your true colors, haven’t you?’ Liang Qi didn’t call them out on it, because there was little point in arguing at this stage.

After all, what’s done was done.

And next, according to the normal plot development...

Liang Qi was certain that Gao Neng would follow the team into the Underground City.

Then, he would completely detach himself from this genetic experiment project, at most dropping by occasionally for appearances, leaving the project to exist as an empty shell.

But the reality seemed to be a little different from what he’d imagined.

「Three days passed quickly.」

For these three days, Gao Neng, Shen Ning’Er, and Fang Tangtang basically spent the entire day in the lab. They would clock in at eight in the morning and not leave until midnight.

So proactive!

Driven by curiosity, Liang Qi dropped by several times.

Gao Neng was there every single time.

And most importantly, Gao Neng had actually provided his genetic sequence and had even pulled Lan Ruohua over to his side, where they spent all day huddled together, murmuring and researching.

’Putting on a complete show, are we? Quite dedicated to the act!’ Liang Qi was a little surprised by this, but he didn’t expose it right away, because the next day was the day to enter the Underground City.

He was certain.

Gao Neng wouldn’t be back tomorrow!

Then, on the fourth day, Shen Ning’Er and Fang Tangtang entered the Underground City. But, surprisingly, Gao Neng stayed behind. And at eight o’clock sharp, he came to clock in again.

"..." Liang Qi was speechless.

’What kind of move is this?’

’I don’t get it anymore.’

In fact, it wasn’t just Liang Qi who was confused; even Wu Qingjing was a bit baffled. After all, he’d shown up for three consecutive days. The act was more than convincing enough.

’All the other Dragon List Geniuses have entered the Underground City, so why the hell are you still on the surface?’

Wu Qingjing wanted to give him a little reminder.

However, upon seeing Liang Qi nearby, he kept his mouth shut.

’This guy will probably head down tomorrow, right?’ Wu Qingjing thought, not paying it too much mind, as he had plenty of Federation Council matters to attend to.

And then, the plot took a turn.

On the fifth day, Gao Neng was still there.

And he still clocked in at eight in the morning sharp and left reluctantly at midnight.

The sixth day, same thing.

The seventh day...

The eighth day...

Gao Neng was still there.

Wu Qingjing was finally starting to lose his patience. Even Liang Qi couldn’t stand to watch anymore. As long as Gao Neng was present, their project had to keep running.

But the problem was, this was supposed to be a bait-and-switch, right?

If it wasn’t a bait-and-switch, who the hell would agree to give you an 80% priority purchase right? The Federation Government isn’t your family business, is it?

Are they that stupid?

Wu Qingjing felt he needed to have a good talk with Gao Neng.

’Young man, don’t take the acting so seriously. You should be focusing your main energy on training. You’re a genius; don’t stray further and further down the path of an actor.’

Then, Wu Qingjing went to find Gao Neng.

And then...

He saw a nascent ’artificial heart’ inside the incubation chamber.

And that wasn’t all.

The main thing was, he saw Dr. Lan willingly acting as Gao Neng’s assistant—and the kind of assistant who was specifically in charge of reporting data.

"Dr. Lan, what’s the temperature?"

"Thirty-five degrees Celsius. Everything is normal. The cell tissue activity is very high. We can proceed to the next stage of cultivation!"

"Mm, well done!" Gao Neng nodded, and then began fiddling around in the incubation chamber. His movements were so fast and skilled that Wu Qingjing’s jaw dropped open and wouldn’t close.

’What the hell?! Am I still asleep?’ Wu Qingjing stared at the scene as if he were seeing a ghost in broad daylight, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

*(Author’s Note: With moves as fierce as a tiger! Can we get some more monthly tickets and subscriptions? It’s a double rewards period, so it’d be a real shame not to vote now! C’mon, family!)*