I Can Control Resources

"There is—" Gao Neng was about to say there was a problem, but Gao Xiaomeng had already leaped from his shoulder and, with a WHOOSH, scampered away.

"..."

"Oh no, the cat ran off!"

A cry of alarm rang out.

"Give me back my cat!"

"It won’t get far. The training base is only so big," Lieutenant Chen said, his smile growing even wider. "Once you finish your test, we’ll naturally return the cat to you."

Gao Neng’s expression finally darkened.

It was even darker than the Examiners’ faces had been earlier.

’Did I take it too far?’

’Without Gao Xiaomeng, can I still make this machine explode?’

Gao Neng said nothing.

Not far away, a few people had already brought over two intermediate-level testing machines. They lined them up and began to inspect them carefully.

"Lieutenant Chen, inspection complete! No problems. This one absolutely will not explode!" the soldier in charge of the inspection reported after finishing.

"Alright, Gao Neng, hurry up and test on the machine on the right. If you really have a talent over 60%, then congratulations are in order." Lieutenant Chen was personally overseeing this one, full of confidence.

’...’ Gao Neng really wanted to say that of course he knew his hidden talents were over 60%. ’In fact, they aren’t just over 60%, they’re all 100%! If the machine actually measured that, it would scare you to death.’

’But the problem is...’

’Can I really say that?’

’Yes!’

"What 60%? My hidden talents are way over 60%! Is this machine of yours even going to work? If it explodes again, I’m going to lose it!" Gao Neng retorted, then strode toward the intermediate-level testing machine.

"Explode again? Heh..." The Examiners all shook their heads.

Lieutenant Chen was also smiling.

’Could his bragging be any more ridiculous?’

’He admitted Gao Neng was a genius, but if Gao Neng’s talent could actually overload and blow up this machine too, he, Lieutenant Chen, would eat shit on the spot.’

"Gao Neng, I’ll administer the test myself this time!" Lieutenant Chen followed Gao Neng to the machine and pointed at the array of precision instruments on it. "This intermediate-level testing machine can measure hidden talents between 60% and 80%. Even if one of your talents really exceeds 80%, it’s not a problem."

"Not a problem even if it goes over?" Gao Neng felt a slight chill.

"Of course not. I can tell you with absolute certainty that it won’t be a problem. Besides... this machine has a story," Lieutenant Chen said, patting his chest.

"A machine with a story?" Gao Neng was puzzled. He’d heard of people having stories, but he’d never heard of a testing machine having one.

"Mm, there’s no harm in telling you. This machine once tested someone you know."

"Someone I know? Shen Ning’Er?"

"That’s right. The first time Major Shen tested her talents, she used this very machine in front of you. Her Iron talent alone exceeded 80%, and that wasn’t the only one... You get what I’m saying, right? Do you really think your talents could be higher than Major Shen’s?" Lieutenant Chen continued to smile.

"In that case... I really can’t surpass her..." ’In truth, Gao Neng really wanted to say that his talents were just an enhanced, copied version of Shen Ning’Er’s. But he knew that even if he did, Lieutenant Chen wouldn’t believe him.’

’Ah, mortals!’

’They can never understand what a true genius is!’

"Heh, I’ll give you that, kid. You have some self-awareness. Alright, stop dawdling and get to it. After this, I have to report back... oh, I mean, I have to tabulate the results!" Lieutenant Chen’s tone shifted abruptly as he caught his slip of the tongue.

"’Report back?’" Gao Neng subconsciously glanced up at the surveillance camera overhead, then flashed a bright, toothy grin at it.

...

"His teeth are pretty white." In the monitoring room, Shen Ning’Er let out an unconscious smile, but then, as if sensing someone beside her, she immediately resumed her cold expression.

"..."

"Major Shen, the cat has really run far away. It doesn’t look like it has any intention of turning back... Could we have been mistaken?" a soldier asked cautiously.

"We’ll know if it explodes," Shen Ning’Er said coolly.

"Yes, ma’am!" The soldiers exchanged glances and said no more.

...

「Training Base, Testing Hall.」

Gao Neng had been forced in front of the intermediate-level testing machine. He had no way out and could only pray that Gao Xiaomeng was hiding in a corner somewhere nearby.

’If she can control it from my shoulder...’

’A little farther away should be fine too, right?’

"Begin, Gao Neng!" Lieutenant Chen signaled for him to start.

The surrounding candidates all turned to watch. After all, Gao Neng had truly given them a "surprise" today.

"Will he really break 60%?"

"No way!"

"He got first in the physical fitness test. If he gets first in the talent test too, wouldn’t that make him a monster?"

The candidates buzzed with discussion.

In the crowd, He Haifan, Lv Guoyuan, Mao Shan, and Jin Lingling also stared with wide eyes, looking even more nervous than they had been during their own tests.

And the female high school student who had successfully caught Gao Neng in her arms twice had, as if by some strange impulse, slipped into position behind him again.

Gao Neng walked over.

He placed both hands into the intermediate testing machine. A wrapping sensation quickly enveloped them, only it was much stronger than before.

’Gao Xiaomeng, you better come through for me!’ Gao Neng screamed inwardly. He then clenched his jaw and began to absorb with all his might.

BUZZ!

The intermediate testing machine trembled slightly, and the numbers on it began to rise rapidly. In just a moment, a terrifying string of numbers appeared.

Iron 60%...

Iron 75%...

Iron 80%!

Copper 80%!

Tin 80%!

Silver 80%, Gold 80%, Phosphorus 80%, Sulfur 80%, Silicon 80%...

It was almost the same as before, the only difference being that all the numbers had become 80%. Moreover, the number of energy elements displayed was still continuously increasing.

Selenium 80%!

Calcium 80%!

...

"Holy crap, what’s happening?! What am I seeing... It’s titanium!"

"Titanium is at 80% too!"

"And mercury... Mercury’s at 80% too!"

"What is going on? What in the world is going on?!"

The candidates were completely dumbfounded.

The intermediate testing machine didn’t explode right away, but the numbers on it were far too terrifying. It was like watching a horror movie.

BOOM!

As the numbers on the screen continued to increase, the intermediate testing machine’s initial slight tremble finally turned into a violent shake, just like the previous machines. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Not good! Gao Neng, let go, quick!" The smile had long vanished from Lieutenant Chen’s face. He could clearly feel that the intermediate testing machine was about to give out.

But it was too late...

BOOM!

A massive explosion rang out.

Electricity arced wildly from the intermediate testing machine.

And it wasn’t just electricity; even its lid and display screen went flying.

This time...

It had really exploded!

Without a doubt, Gao Neng was sent flying by the blast. He once again landed headfirst in the arms of the female high school student who was already prepared behind him.

"Senior Gao Neng! Senior Gao Neng, are you okay?!" The female high school student was on the verge of tears, clutching Gao Neng tightly and rubbing him against her chest with wild abandon.

DING! [Host detected being forcefully groped. Bonus Quest successfully triggered: "Destroy the Flower."]

[Quest Description: The path of the strong is a lonely one. Only a man who can endure solitude can become truly powerful. Go forth, young one! Reveal your ruthless side and sever the bonds that hinder your growth. Your goal is not the fleeting flowers and weeds before you, but the vast Sea of Stars!]