I Can Control Resources

Chapter 313: Chapter 261: If You’re Going to Flex, Do It with Style

"Let’s go." Shen Ning’Er wasn’t surprised at all.

A major sect like the Huashan Ancient Sect wasn’t comparable to smaller ones. At the very least, they maintained the magnanimous air of treating guests from afar with courtesy.

Gao Neng nodded as well.

He was a man of culture. He didn’t make a habit of cursing people out. He’d just beat them up.

The three of them walked up the mountain side by side.

Two Guiding Disciples from Huashan were already waiting beneath the stone sign.

"Lieutenant Colonel Shen, Mr. Gao, Miss Fang, please!" one of the Guiding Disciples said, then bowed and led the way.

The other disciple, meanwhile, turned to face the crowd of reporters that had gathered.

"Our Sect Leader has given an order: only media outlets whose names are called will be permitted to enter the mountain gate. The rest of you, please wait outside. My apologies!" After speaking, the disciple began to read out names.

This displeased many of the reporters from smaller media outlets.

’On what grounds?’

They were all in the business of journalism. Letting the major media outlets in while shutting the smaller ones out was hardly a welcoming gesture.

"We object!"

"That’s right! Why can’t we go in?!"

"This is discrimination!"

The reporters from the smaller outlets clamored noisily.

"Hmph!" The Huashan Disciple snorted coldly. He drew the sword from his back and, with a light flick, carved a crack into the ground.

"..."

The reporters from the small media outlets immediately fell silent.

"The Huashan Ancient Sect has a history of several thousand years. It is not a place just anyone can enter. This is also a precaution against spies from other races using the confusion to slip in. I ask for your understanding. If anyone wishes to force their way in, they’ll have to ask the sword in my hand first!" With that, the Huashan Disciple resumed calling out names.

"Eastern District TV Station!"

"Southern Alliance TV Station!"

"..."

After rattling off fifty names in one breath, the Huashan Disciple closed his mouth.

The reporters from the TV stations and online media outlets whose names had been called immediately stepped forward to offer their thanks. Then, they filed inside without giving the other reporters a second glance. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

The other reporters could only stomp their feet in frustration.

’This is outrageous!’

But as the Huashan Disciple had said, a place like the Huashan Ancient Sect was not public territory. Not just anyone could enter.

If it weren’t for the Dragon List challenge, even reporters from major media outlets would likely need to make an appointment in advance just to get in.

...

Gao Neng, Shen Ning’Er, and Fang Tangtang didn’t walk too quickly, as the Guiding Disciple was giving them an introduction as they went.

However, the "mountain gate" the Guiding Disciple mentioned wasn’t the true main gate.

At best, it was a small slope with a staircase of no more than one hundred steps, flanked by all sorts of plants. From the disciple’s introduction, they learned that these plants were apparently quite expensive.

Gao Neng guessed this was likely a tradition preserved by the Huashan Ancient Sect.

"I hear Mr. Gao is from the Forgotten Land? I wonder what the environment there is like now?" the Guiding Disciple chatted idly while continuing his introduction.

"Not too great," Gao Neng replied casually.

"I see. It is truly remarkable that Mr. Gao was able to distinguish himself in such an environment! Well, we’ve arrived!" The Guiding Disciple finished speaking and came to a stop.

Ahead of them stood three old men with white beards and hair draped over their shoulders, each exuding the profound aura of ancient sages.

"This junior, Shen Ning’Er, pays her respects to Sect Leader Hua and the two Elders!" Upon seeing the three, Shen Ning’Er gave a slight bow, greeting them with the posture of a junior.

"There’s no need for such formalities. You are a Lieutenant Colonel of the Military Department and a guest from afar. However, we cannot receive you with the usual hospitality today. After all, you have come to challenge us at our own gate, haven’t you?" said the Elder standing on the right.

"Not even a cup of tea? Then let’s just get straight to fighting!" Hearing this, Fang Tangtang’s lips puckered into a pout, clearly a little annoyed.

"Hehe, very well!" Sect Leader Hua spoke, then stepped aside.

Neither Sect Leader Hua nor the two Elders wasted any words explaining the rules of the Dragon List. After all, the Dragon List announcement had been public for a month.

To discuss the rules now would be pointless.

The three of them moved aside.

Only then did Gao Neng see that the architecture within the Huashan Ancient Sect was actually very modern. Several tall buildings were mounted with high-tech heavy weaponry.

However, aside from the modern buildings, there were also some ancient-style objects.

For example...

The three arenas in the plaza before them, arranged in a triangular formation.

The arenas seemed to be forged from some kind of alloy. Each one was extremely wide and was likely where the Huashan Disciples usually sparred.

And now, standing before the three arenas were two young men.

Both were dressed identically.

Green robes, a short shirt, and a sword slung across their backs.

The difference was that one had a gentle expression, while the other’s was stern and resolute. freewebnoveℓ.com

Gao Neng only needed a single glance to know their names, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. After all, he was a man with a cheat ability.

The one with the gentle face was Cheng Cai, ranked tenth on the Dragon List, twenty-seven years old, and the chief disciple of the Huashan Ancient Sect. The one with the stern face was Qu Ran, Gao Neng’s opponent for this challenge.

"Cheng Cai!"

"Qu Ran!"

The two young men quickly announced their names.

"Shen Ning’Er."

"Gao Neng."

Gao Neng and Shen Ning’Er also replied swiftly.

"We know," the two said in unison. Then, their gazes shifted toward the foot of the mountain. "Since this is a Dragon List challenge, we should at least have the reporters from the major media outlets present."

"Mm," Shen Ning’Er nodded.

Gao Neng, however, tugged on Shen Ning’Er’s sleeve and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Ning’Er, if I told you that from last night until now, I’ve been researching this Cheng Cai, watched dozens of his fight videos, and figured out his weakness, would you believe me?"

"I believe you," Shen Ning’Er said seriously, glancing at Gao Neng.

"So, do you want to know?" Gao Neng continued to ask.

"Why wouldn’t I?" Shen Ning’Er asked, puzzled.

"Huh? Isn’t the normal trope on TV to say something like, ’I want to defeat my opponent with my own strength’?" For a moment, Gao Neng felt that some of the ’common knowledge’ you pick up is really not to be trusted.

"TV is TV. There’s nothing wrong with me. If I can win easily, why would I deliberately make things harder for myself?" Shen Ning’Er said with a matter-of-fact expression.

"That makes sense." Gao Neng smiled, then began to tell Shen Ning’Er all the information he had gathered from his ’Glare’.

"Your research is quite detailed." Shen Ning’Er had originally thought Gao Neng was just speaking casually, but as she listened, her expression gradually changed.

The weapon of the Huashan Ancient Sect is the sword!

Among their techniques, the two most formidable swordsmanship styles are the *Life-taking Linked Three Immortal Swords* and the *Thirteen Forms of the Gentle Breeze*. Both of these styles have histories spanning hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Cheng Cai cultivated the *Thirteen Forms of the Gentle Breeze*.

It was known as one of the strongest swordsmanship styles.

Shen Ning’Er was actually aware of this point as well.

However, the information Gao Neng gave her was...

"The third form of Cheng Cai’s *Thirteen Forms of the Gentle Breeze* has a weakness. It’s under his right armpit. Because he injured his right armpit as a child, he subconsciously protects that spot, even though it’s healed. This makes the opening of his third form a fraction of a second slower."

And that wasn’t all.

Gao Neng also told her about the weaknesses in Cheng Cai’s eighth, twelfth, and thirteenth forms. Some were in specific spots, while others revealed certain openings.

’This weakness... isn’t this a bit too detailed?’

If Shen Ning’Er didn’t know that Gao Neng had been at the Eastern Capital Military Academy this whole time, she would have suspected he’d hidden himself within the Huashan Ancient Sect for seven days and seven nights, just to spy on Cheng Cai’s training.

"Are you sure?" Shen Ning’Er had originally believed Gao Neng, but after his long explanation, she was starting to have her doubts.

"Positive, absolute, and certain!" Gao Neng affirmed.

"Understood." Shen Ning’Er nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she glanced at Qu Ran, who was standing next to Cheng Cai. "From what I know, Qu Ran practices the *Life-taking Linked Three Immortal Swords*. Although it only has three forms, it’s incredibly sharp and ferocious. Also, his talent involves ’Molybdenum’."

"Molybdenum?" Gao Neng had actually seen through Qu Ran’s weaknesses at a glance, but since Shen Ning’Er wanted to tell him about it, he was willing to listen.

’After all, one has to be respectful, right?’

"Yes. Molybdenum itself has an extremely high boiling point. When added to steel, it increases the steel’s toughness and corrosion resistance, making it much stronger. It perfectly complements his *Life-taking Linked Three Immortal Swords*. This Qu Ran has a purely offensive fighting style!" Shen Ning’Er continued.

"I see," Gao Neng nodded.

It seemed Shen Ning’Er had also done her homework before coming. Not only had she researched her own opponent, but she had also looked up some information on Qu Ran.

Just as they were speaking, the fifty reporters from the major media outlets arrived.

...

「Ten minutes later.」

The reporters had all chosen their filming positions.

Sect Leader Hua and the two Elders were seated, while the Huashan Disciples stood around the perimeter, maintaining order.

Cheng Cai and Qu Ran had each mounted an arena.

Gao Neng scanned his surroundings and noticed that Zhang Hongying wasn’t present. ’Looks like she’s busy today. Our match isn’t the only one on the Dragon List,’ he thought.

"Shen Ning’Er, if you please!"

"Gao Neng, if you please!"

Standing on the arenas, Cheng Cai and Qu Ran bowed to Gao Neng and Shen Ning’Er below.

Shen Ning’Er returned a military salute.

Then, with a light leap, she jumped onto the arena.

"We won’t know each other until we fight! We’ll be good friends after this is over!" Gao Neng shouted, then stepped up onto his arena.

An arena battle!

The Huashan Ancient Sect was truly the Huashan Ancient Sect!

Although the Huashan Ancient Sect appeared magnanimous, in reality, choosing to fight in an arena was a subtle way of gaining a slight advantage.

After all, the Military Department didn’t use arenas!

"The rules of the match: falling from the arena or surrendering on your own will be counted as a loss!" the two referees officiating the matches quickly announced.

"Can we change that?" Gao Neng asked casually.

"Hm? How would you like to change it?" The referee for Gao Neng’s arena narrowed his eyes.

"For example: if you fall off the arena, you can still climb back up and fight as long as you don’t surrender," Gao Neng said, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards.

"That doesn’t conform to the match rules of our Huashan Ancient Sect!" the referee’s brows furrowed.

"Let him have his way!" Sect Leader Hua interjected.

"Yes, Sect Leader!" The referee nodded immediately, then announced again, "The rules of the match have been amended: if Gao Neng falls from the arena, he may continue to fight as long as he does not surrender!"

"BOOM!"

Just then, the Alloy Arena suddenly burst apart.

In the span of a single breath, at least half of the entire arena had melted into liquid energy. Qu Ran, who was standing on it, had his expression change drastically in an instant.

He tried to leap into the air.

However, an immense pressure suddenly bore down on him.

In the air, electricity crackled like the wind.

"What’s happening?!"

"..."

The two Huashan Ancient Sect Elders, who had just sat down, shot to their feet.

But it was too late.

Gao Neng didn’t hold back at all with this surprise attack.

He had directly and forcefully extracted the energy from the entire Alloy Arena.

Furthermore, after breaking through to the Tier Five Late Stage, his Supergravity Electromagnetic Space had reached a terrifying eighteen-meter radius, enough to completely envelop the entire arena.

Qu Ran, who was leaping into mid-air, was crushed by the pressure and forced to fall before he could even draw his sword.

Well...

He stepped on empty air.

And fell off the arena.

After all, the arena beneath his feet was gone.

"..."

The entire area fell silent.

Qu Ran’s face turned the color of a beet.

Gao Neng watched this unfold, a look of "pity" on his face. He shook his head and said benevolently, "Brother Qu Ran, don’t mind it. It’s fine. It doesn’t matter that you fell. You can still climb back up and we can fight again. The rule I just set... it was actually made for you!"