I Can Control Resources

"WHOOSH!" The crowd erupted again.

They got to set the terms of the alchemy contest, choosing whichever pill they wanted. If they won, they’d get a twenty-fold reward, but if they lost, they’d only forfeit two sets of raw materials.

It was like a gift from the heavens.

Although Gao Neng had tweaked the rules of the event, requiring them to put up the alchemy materials beforehand, this small change was nothing in the face of such massive potential gains.

"Two sets of elemental raw materials for a twenty-fold return... Low risk, high reward. This is a huge win!"

"Yeah, a twenty-fold profit margin, and we’re the ones setting the challenge. There’s no way we can lose!"

"Those high-grade raw materials are as good as ours!"

Soon, they reached a consensus.

The sects and families had no more objections. After all, Gao Neng had already put three thousand stalks of high-grade elemental materials on display, so there was no way he could renege on the deal.

"Captain Gao, I have one more question!" Meng the Second spoke up again.

"Please, go ahead, Second Uncle Meng!" Gao Neng smiled and nodded.

"For example, I’m skilled at concocting both Fire-Resistant Pills and Nine Bends Red Fire Pills. In that case, would you be willing to accept two simultaneous challenges, Captain Gao?" Meng the Second’s eyes narrowed.

When the alchemists from the other sects and families heard this, their eyes lit up as well.

’That Meng the Second is one greedy bastard!’

’Twenty stalks of Red Fire Lotus and five pieces of Fire Crystal Ore aren’t enough for him? He actually wants more?’

"Of course. As long as you’re willing to provide the materials for the contests, Second Uncle Meng, I’ll unconditionally accept whether you challenge me in two categories or three!" Gao Neng’s eyes lit up as well.

’What a stand-up guy, this Meng the Second!’

’Such a quick thinker!’

’With just one sentence, he opened a new door, figuring out how to maximize the potential gains for everyone here.’

"Hahaha, Captain Gao truly is a dragon among men! Excellent! We’ll do it your way. The Beihe Meng Family is willing to provide the materials for alchemy!" Meng the Second laughed and nodded.

"Thank you, Second Uncle Meng. Any other challengers? An individual can issue two or even three challenges. An entire family can come up at once—two of you, three of you, eight, ten, it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re willing to provide the materials, you can challenge me. Win, and you get twenty times the materials as a reward!" Gao Neng said with a smile and a nod.

"I am Lin Ting of the West Alliance Lin Family, and I’d like to test my skills against Captain Gao!"

"Our Lingnan Sect will put forward three alchemists to compete with Captain Gao."

"The Southern Alliance Fang Family will also give it a try!"

"..."

Soon, challengers began to sign up.

"Thank you, Seniors, for thinking so highly of this unworthy junior. I, Gao Neng, will accept all of your challenges. I only hope that you will all bring your best skills to bear, so that if I am to lose, my defeat will be undeniable!" Gao Neng said, giving a respectful military salute to the alchemists who had signed up.

’After all, these are my clients.’

’The client is always right.’

Gao Neng felt he should still show them the proper respect.

"Of course, of course!" The "clients" were all overjoyed.

’A twenty-fold profit margin!’

It would have been harder *not* to be happy.

Seeing how things were going, Gao Neng dropped the polite act. Now that matters had reached this point, this alchemy gathering was already halfway to a success.

As for the other half...

...that would require the cooperation of a few key people.

Gao Neng’s gaze first fell on Yi Qinglian.

’Yi Qinglian volunteering to be his assistant was a truly pleasant surprise. He didn’t even have to waste his breath persuading her, and she was willing to work overtime for free.’

’Where could he possibly find such a good assistant?’

"Yi Qinglian, you’ll be in charge of appraising the pills," Gao Neng said.

"Are we really going to use a twenty-fold valuation?" Yi Qinglian frowned, her expression complex.

"Yes, it has to be twenty-fold. Higher, if possible, but never lower. We can always gather more high-grade elemental materials in the future, but we can’t afford to lose the goodwill of the sects and families!"

"You mean... goodwill?"

"That’s right, goodwill. You’re the future Saintess of the Bright Sect and the young lady of the West Alliance Yi Family. In this, you represent the sects and families. Understand?"

"What do you mean?"

"We’ll use this opportunity to establish our standing among the sects and families. Whatever you do, don’t provoke public outrage!" Gao Neng explained earnestly.

"Establish our standing among the sects and families... You mean that we geniuses on the Dragon List will need the support of the sects and families in the future, right?" Yi Qinglian said, a look of realization dawning on her.

"Yes, that’s right. We need their support," Gao Neng smiled.

"Then I understand. I’ll be sure to handle this well!" Yi Qinglian’s eyes brightened at his words. As she looked at Gao Neng, she could clearly sense a new light glowing from within him.

The tenet of the Bright Sect was to discover the light within people.

And now, Yi Qinglian had already seen two such lights emanating from Gao Neng. More importantly, she felt that she would see even more in the future.

Yi Qinglian quickly departed, a satisfied look on her face as she went to handle the registrations and appraisals.

Fang Tangtang, however, was far from satisfied.

’How come?!’

’Yi Qinglian got such an important job, but she, the great Death God Fang Tangtang, had nothing to do?’

"Gao Neng, I think the job of appraising the values should be given to me, Death God Fang Tangtang!" Fang Tangtang declared, her cheeks puffed out and her hands on her hips.

"Oh? And why is that?" Gao Neng had, of course, already guessed what was on her mind.

"What do you mean, ’why’? Isn’t it obvious? The Celestial King Group is involved in pill manufacturing too, you know! I know a thing or two about it. Besides, didn’t you just say that doing this job would help establish our standing among the sects and families?" Fang Tangtang said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.