’I’m hoping for a 100% success rate, with no mistakes!’ Gao Neng quickly gathered the manufacturing blueprints for the Electromagnetic Cannon, then smiled at the receptionist. "Well, I’ll be taking these with me then?"

"Yes, yes, of course." Seeing Gao Neng’s smile, the receptionist was instantly smitten. She wasn’t about to check the documents in his hands.

Of course, the main reason for this was Gao Neng’s identity. He was Fang Tangtang’s classmate and a genius Manufacturing Master; it was impossible that he would steal documents. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

After escorting Gao Neng out of the archives room,

The receptionist thought for a moment and turned back to look at the archives for Special Nos. 1 through 3.

There were no signs they had been opened.

All the documents were still inside.

’How could I suspect such a dreamboat? Hua Quanquan, you’re doing a terrible job!’ the receptionist chided herself, then began tidying up her desk, ready to get off work.

...

After meeting with Guan San, Gao Neng declined his invitation to dinner.

He had no more time to waste on food and drink. With just over a day and a half left, he had to start manufacturing immediately. Otherwise, he’d really have to brazen it out.

Guan San didn’t press the matter.

The materials for the Electromagnetic Cannon were all prepared. Since Gao Neng decided to start now, Guan San had the cafeteria send over some fast food.

Gao Neng was assigned to a private manufacturing room.

It was fully equipped with tools and surrounded by metal structures. The only issue was the surveillance camera in the room, but he didn’t pay it much mind.

He had expected as much.

There was no way Fang Yuan wouldn’t secretly watch his manufacturing process.

"Let’s begin!" Back in the research center’s archives, Gao Neng had already reviewed the blueprints for the No. 4 Electromagnetic Cannon several times. His mind was already filled with the structural diagrams of the parts.

He began manufacturing directly, materializing the parts with his energy.

...

「Celestial King Group, Research Center, Eighth Floor, Chairman’s Office.」

Fang Yuan sat quietly, watching the screen.

Behind him, Guan San and Uncle Bai stood guard on either side. As for Fang Tangtang, she wasn’t paying much attention, merely sitting to the side with her legs crossed, cracking sunflower seeds.

"Using energy materialization to create parts is indeed much faster," Fang Yuan said, as if to himself.

"Yes. Besides being several times faster, it seems the part qualification rate has also increased significantly. I’ve noticed that during the manufacturing process for the Electric Saber and the anti-magnetic armor, Gao Neng didn’t waste a single bit of material," Guan San commented from the side.

"It’s a good method, but it’s hard to replicate..." Fang Yuan nodded, then shook his head and let out a soft sigh.

Energy materialization required Spiritual Power.

But generally, one had to reach at least the Mid Tier Late Stage to even sense the existence of Spiritual Power. Some people didn’t possess it until they reached the High Tiers.

Someone like Gao Neng, who possessed Spiritual Power as a Low Tier and could successfully materialize objects, was a rarity. There were probably only a handful in the entire Alliance.

Replicating it?

Simply impossible.

"If Celestial King Group wants to break through its speed bottleneck, I’m afraid we’ll still have to rely on a large workforce. Geniuses like Gao Neng are just too rare," Guan San agreed.

"That’s right. Not just among Manufacturing Masters, but on the battlefield... they’re just as rare." Fang Yuan glanced at the screen again. "Gao Neng is fast, but he’s not fast enough."

"Sir, you mean?"

"It’s nothing. Although the boy brazenly claimed he could build an Electromagnetic Cannon in two days, I like that confident spirit," Fang Yuan said with a smile.

"Grandpa, are you saying Gao Neng can’t do it?" Fang Tangtang spat out a sunflower seed shell and blinked.

"That’s right, he can’t. Even at his current speed, it would take him at least four days, and that’s on the condition that he assembles it perfectly on the first try!" Fang Yuan stated with certainty.

"Then what should we do? If he can’t finish it, will you not invest in him, Grandpa?"

"Heh heh... Does Tangtang want Grandpa to invest in him?" Fang Yuan didn’t answer right away, turning his gaze to Fang Tangtang instead.

Fang Tangtang fell silent.

If Gao Neng lost the bet, she would get all of his Merit Points. It was a huge win, and normally, she would have no reason to dislike that outcome.

But for some reason...

She felt it was a little unfair.

’Where’s the unfairness?’

’Right!’

’The time limit!’

When she and Gao Neng made the bet, they hadn’t specified it had to be done in three days. Gao Neng had set that time limit himself.

And now, Gao Neng had already proven his skill.

The probability of him completing the Electromagnetic Cannon was extremely high.

"It’s not that much money anyway. Why not invest a little?" Fang Tangtang tilted her head up, her gaze shifting to the side, avoiding Fang Yuan’s.

"Hahaha... Tangtang, siding with an outsider now, are we?" Seeing Fang Tangtang’s expression, a kind smile appeared on Fang Yuan’s lips.

"No, I’m not! I just see he’s poor and want to help him out, that’s all. Besides, Grandpa, you know about his relationship with Sister Ning’Er. I’m doing this for your sake."

"Alright, alright, it’s for Grandpa’s sake." Fang Yuan chuckled, then glanced at the screen again. "An investment is no problem. The boy has great potential. Even setting aside his connection to the Shen Family, investing in him still has a 50% chance of turning a profit in the future."

"Only 50%?" Fang Tangtang pouted.

"Tangtang, for the Chairman to say 50%, that’s already a very high probability," Guan San said with a smile.

"Alright, this boy is probably going to pull an all-nighter. This old body of mine can’t handle that. How about Tangtang accompanies Grandpa for a walk?"

"How could I, Death God Fang Tangtang, possibly go for a walk with a grumpy old man? Grandpa, you’re dreaming." Fang Tangtang turned her head away again.

"What if Grandpa insists?"

"A melon plucked by force isn’t sweet."

"That’s fine. I can add some rock sugar."

"Grandpa... Ah, Grandpa, don’t pinch my cheeks! I’ll go... I’ll go, alright? You grumpy old man, you’re getting worse and worse..."

"..."

As for the contest of wills between Fang Yuan and Fang Tangtang,

Guan San and Uncle Bai both pretended not to see a thing. After all, in the entire Fang Family, Fang Tangtang was the only one Fang Yuan treated this way.

...

「Late at night. Two in the morning.」

The City of Hope had fallen into darkness and silence.

But at a garbage transfer station about a mile from the Eastern Capital Military Academy, a gathering of over five thousand stray cats of all shapes and sizes was currently taking place.

Atop a crane,

a girl with short, silver-white hair and deep blue eyes sat with her legs crossed, swinging them back and forth as she casually watched the neatly arranged rows of stray cats below.

"Next!"

"Meow..." A stray cat leaped out from the line, its fur standing on end, its murky green eyes radiating a fierce light.

"SWISH!"

A claw flashed through the air.

Three gashes appeared on the metal trash can in front of it.

"You’ve eaten so much good stuff, and this is still your level? Drag it away and give it a beating!" The short-haired girl’s brow furrowed, clearly displeased.

"Meow..." The cat groveled on the ground, trembling, as if begging for mercy.

But it was no use at all.

Because two large, fierce-looking strays immediately stood up, pinned the underperforming cat to the ground, and delivered a sound thrashing.

The beaten cat held its head tightly, not daring to cry out too loudly.

"Alright, next." After three minutes of kicking, the short-haired girl waved her hand and spoke again.

"MEOW!"

This time, a jet-black cat with gleaming golden eyes leaped out. Its mere presence radiated a powerful aura.

"MEOW!"

With a sharp cry,

the black cat leaped high into the air.

Then, it slammed a paw onto the metal trash can.

"BOOM!"

The metal trash can exploded, sending pieces of metal flying everywhere.

"Not bad. Assigned to the Warrior Group!" The short-haired girl’s eyes lit up. She waved her right hand, and the scattered pieces of metal transformed into black energy in her palm, then instantly reformed into a new metal trash can that appeared before the assembled cats.

The black cat, meanwhile, jumped for joy, then immediately ran to stand in another group with its head held high, looking incredibly proud.

"Alright, that’s all for today. From now on, the Warrior Group will begin four-on-four training. The Logistics Group will continue to be responsible for collecting energy-rich ore and food. This Queen might have to leave for a while in a few days, but your training must not slack off. Understand?"

"Meow..."

"Meow meow..."

"..."

The cats all seemed very reluctant to see her go.

"Don’t worry, this Queen will make time to come see you. You must all train harder and never slack off, understand?" the short-haired girl instructed once more.

"MEOW!"

The cats all prostrated themselves in unison.

"Very good. Mao Dali, step forward!" The short-haired girl nodded in satisfaction.

"Meow!" A white cat with a tuft of golden fur on its forehead walked out from the Warrior Group, then lowered its two front paws, kowtowing before the short-haired girl.

"You will take 20 warriors from the Warrior Group to the North District. Unifying the North District is your responsibility."

"Meow!"

"Mao Erlili, step forward!"

"Meow!" Another cat stepped forward. This one had vibrant brown fur and its eyes were narrowed into slits.

"The South District is yours."

"Meow!"

"Mao Sanli, Mao Sili, the West District is large. I’m leaving it to the two of you!"

"Meow!"

"And you. From this day forward, your name shall be... Mao Two-Hundred-and-Seventy-Three. You are the two-hundred-and-seventy-third warrior of the Warrior Group, understand?" The short-haired girl pointed at the black cat that had just been assigned to the Warrior Group.

"Meow!" The black cat immediately ran out and kowtowed.

"Dismissed. This Queen will personally guard the Eastern District. However, while I am away, training matters will be managed by Mao Wuli. If any cat dares to disobey, this Queen will eliminate it! Also, when this Queen returns, I expect to see more warriors!"

"MEOW MEOW MEOW!"

The clowder of cats meowed in unison, kowtowing to the short-haired girl.