Chapter 198: Chapter 174 Sharpening the Knife

Thighs?

Chen Xing found it hard to associate the image of thick thighs with the carefree and unrestrained Dong Fang.

He looked down at the bamboo leaf in his hand.

Chen Xing put it in a box.

“Right, by coming to the Exotic Region and joining my research team this semester, we need to complete an A-level project first. If we do well on this A-level project, I could be promoted to a full professor,” Han Yuning said to Chen Xing.

“As my top disciple, my promotion to full professor will benefit you greatly. Don’t worry, if I have something to eat, you won’t go without,” Han Yuning said with a smile.

Chen Xing had a bad feeling, as if he had boarded a sinking ship!

“…Please continue, Mentor.”

Han Yuning looked at Chen Xing with a sly smile, like a cunning fox.

“My project is quite special because, normally, it’s difficult to directly apply for an A-level project.”

“This project has plenty of time and won’t interfere with your other daily activities. You can carry on with your usual Beast Taming at the breeding farm without any problems.”

“That is…”

“You are aware of Resource Points, aren’t you?”

“I am aware,” he replied.

It was the Resource Points that had attracted him.

It was said that many valuable areas in the Exotic Region had been divided into Resource Points.

As long as one could gain the occupation rights for a Resource Point, they could enjoy all its benefits for the next five years.

Han Yuning said, “Well, a Beast Tamer can only occupy one Resource Point at most because each Resource Point is considered a separate arena, and a Beast Tamer can only defend one arena at most.”

“I see,” Chen Xing said thoughtfully. With only two beasts to tame, that meant he could only defend two arenas at most.

Han Yuning glanced at Chen Xing, “Actually, this rule also serves to protect you guys.”

“Without any restriction, all the resources in the world would belong to the most powerful of the Beast Tamers, and Beast Tamers like you who are still in their developmental phase wouldn’t even get a sip of the soup.”

“However, there’s one exceptional case,” Han Yuning paused here.

“Pioneering new Resource Points,” Chen Xing looked at his mentor, knowing this part.

“Exactly,” Han Yuning gave Chen Xing an approving look.

“Pioneering new Resource Points allows you to claim half of the profits from a newly occupied Resource Point for the following five years. And you don’t have to worry about other Giant Cities contending for the Resource Point during those five years.

The university and the higher-ups of Great Xia will take on that pressure for us.

Overall, it’s still hugely profitable. Without the backing of Jiuzhou University, even if you occupied a Resource Point, you’d face endless harassment.

You wouldn’t have the time to exploit the resources, especially with types like mines, where five years of vigorous mining can yield a substantial amount of resources.”

“So our task is to vie for Resource Points?”

Han Yuning snapped his fingers, “That’s right.”

“Competing for Resource Points qualifies as an A-level mission?” Chen Xing was somewhat puzzled.

Han Yuning made a hushing gesture, “We’ll talk back home.”

That evening, Chen Xing followed his mentor to Jiuzhou University.

Above the vast plain stood a simple yet solemn stele.

The characters “Jiuzhou University” were deeply engraved on it.

At the end of the plain, a sprawling complex of buildings extended as far as the eye could see.

There was no surrounding wall, no security booth, and no gates.

Beyond the solitary stele, only a wide and straight avenue stretched towards the direction of the buildings.

From inside to outside, it all exuded the innate confidence of Jiuzhou University.

The carriage traveled across the plain for nearly half an hour before eventually stopping at the foot of a mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, a cluster of buildings had been erected.

“The breeding farm I bought for you is right here, and the place where I live isn’t far from here either, just next door,” Han Yuning pointed to several buildings at the base of the mountain and said.

Chen Xing clasped his hands in salute, “Thank you, Mentor!”

Upon entering the Mentor’s house, Han Yuning closed the door and said to Chen Xing, “The things I’m about to tell you should not be mentioned outside.”

Chen Xing slapped his chest and said, “Mentor, rest assured, my strength is my tight-lipped nature!”

The fact that the Mentor was unwilling to discuss this on the carriage outside was a clear indication that what was to come must be confidential.

“Our mission is closely related to the military district,” Han Yuning said with a touch of seriousness in his tone.

“At present, Great Xia is gathering strength, getting ready to expand outwards.

However, the land and powers around us are almost all claimed.

This means that to embark on large-scale expansion, conflict with neighboring powers is absolutely inevitable.”

“It’s not wise to be enemies with all powers, so the military district has set its sights on Fentian Giant City, the most powerful among the neighboring forces.”

At this point, Han Yuning paused, his eyes becoming profound: “Attack the weak, and Fentian Giant City will surely intervene. So we might as well strike it directly! What we’re targeting is the strongest!

Over the years, Fentian Giant City has been arrogant and overbearing, frequently leeching off other powers.

The other powers do not resist, only because they dare not speak up.

In the past, Fentian Giant City has created an invincible image for themselves, so we need to start by breaking this image!”

On hearing this, Chen Xing felt a moment of dizziness.

In his memory, Great Xia had suffered from the invasions of Fentian Giant City numerous times.

In those years, Great Xia struggled under the iron hooves of Fentian Giant City, and the people could barely survive.

However, as Great Xia gradually grew stronger, Fentian Giant City slowly retracted their sharpness, and both sides entered a period of peace.

But Chen Xing knew full well, had Fentian Giant City been practicing abstinence and cultivating its nature over these years to avoid war?

Bullshit.

It was because the power of Great Xia had grown, and they became wary.

This peace was built upon the ever-growing national strength of Great Xia.

Now, the dynamics of attack and defense had been reversed.

“If an enemy invades, we too can invade!” Chen Xing silently recited in his mind.

Han Yuning continued, “Fentian Giant City has three staunch lackeys: Jiu Chi City, Southern Mountain City, and Yan Xing City.

If we take action against Fentian Giant City, the other powers might not intervene, but these three lackeys will definitely follow it.

Among the four major families in Fentian Giant City, the origin of the Chi Family is Jiu Chi City. Although the Chi Family of Jiu Chi City and the one in Fentian Giant City have split, both families share the same surname; no pen can write two different ‘Chi’ characters.

Southern Mountain City is somewhat unique, being built atop a mine, the city’s entire industry revolves around mining and forging.

Its industry is deeply bound with Fentian Giant City, with too many intertwined interests, and many of Southern Mountain City’s elite are from Fentian Giant City.

Yan Xing City is the most unique. In Fentian Giant City, the Fentian Temple was initially just a ‘branch temple.’

The deity worshiped by Fentian Temple was originally venerated inside Yan Xing City. It only later moved to Fentian Giant City. But essentially, Yan Xing City holds a special status within Fentian Giant City.”

Chen Xing listened closely, “So which one are we going to hit?”

“Our target this time is Jiu Chi City. The Resource Points of Jiu Chi City have not been put on the list of disputes, so it is essentially Jiu Chi City’s private property. This time, as long as we’re fast enough, you can take as many as you can get,” Han Yuning clarified.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xing asked eagerly, “So we’re going straight there?”

“…” Looking at the impatient Chen Xing, Han Yuning remained silent, “You will be notified in advance when the time comes. No matter what, Jiu Chi City is still a city with a thousand-year legacy.

Plenty of preparatory work needs to be done beforehand, otherwise, charging over there directly would be akin to throwing lives away.

We can be certain the time will be before the end of the year. This year’s end marks Jiu Chi City’s Red Fire Festival, which occurs every eight years. When Fentian Giant City attacked us, Jiu Chi City did not hold back in fanning the flames.

This year, we will make sure they don’t enjoy their festival!”