Merit and a Little Stinker

At the entrance of the Transcendent Arsenal, four enormous figures stood there.

Two heavy, black chariots, as imposing as mountains; two sleek, long fighter jets, forged from thunder and wind metal, resembling roc wings folding as they soar through the sky.

The four extraordinary weapons exuded a terrifying pressure, as powerful as mountains.

Director Xu ordered his men to move them here, and nodded in satisfaction as he looked at these four most powerful weapons from their Transcendent Arsenal.

"Director Xu, the weapons here are really impressive."

Just then, an ancient-looking flying boat appeared from the sky ahead.

The bow of the flying boat is carved with the shape of an ancient behemoth swallowing clouds, and its eyes are inlaid with level 9 gems that emit a faint, ethereal light.

The hull of the boat is covered with ancient and mysterious array patterns interwoven with thunder and wind, giving it a mystical and extraordinary appearance.

The 20-meter-long airship landed on the open ground in front, and more than twenty people jumped off the deck.

"Hehe, Major General Zhou, your Thundercloud Flying Boat are far more powerful than our tanks and fighter jets."

Director Xu smiled and said this when he saw the elderly man at the head of the group.

"Just lucky."

After exchanging a few polite words, a group of burly, armored superhumans, along with powerful and mysterious professionals such as Arcane Mage, wizards, Soul Listener, and Mad Whisper Prophet wielding staffs, quickly arrived from the surrounding area.

Similarly, Xu Zhenjiang, General Song, General Chen, and a group of lieutenant generals also appeared soon afterward.

Upon seeing the three generals, Director Xu immediately went to greet them.

"My lords, I have something to report."

Upon approaching the three, he spoke directly.

"What is it?"

General Chen looked at him and gestured, "Speak."

"Just now, I took Major General Cao Fengqi to our research lab to conduct research on the Tier 8 artillery shell."

As Director Xu spoke, he pursed his lips and said, "He spent less than three hours researching and forging an 8th-grade artillery shell of Mundane Forged quality."

"..."

"You mean in less than three hours, our young major general upgraded the explosive bomb you were researching by a grade?"

General Chen was slightly taken aback, looking at him with some shock.

"Yes."

Director Xu nodded, his eyes gleaming, and said, "I think with Major Cao Fengqi's ability and talent, if he had more time to research, a level 8 Perfect shell, or even a level 9... is possible!"

"Xiao Xu, you..."

Xu Zhenjiang was also stunned. "Are you sure? How could that brat be so powerful?"

"???"

"Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain, Lao Deng, don't look down on people like that."

"In the Artifact Refiner profession, I dare say I am completely invincible."

Cao Fengqi had just come out of the Transcendent Arsenal, heard Xu Zhenjiang's words and couldn't help but retort.

"..."

Xu Zhenjiang paused slightly. Was he looking down on people because of his dog-like appearance?

He looked coldly at Cao Fengqi, then at his daughter beside him, and said with a dark expression, "Kid, I think you're asking for a beating."

"Heh, Old Deng, you're not even acting anymore, are you?"

Cao Fengqi chuckled and gestured to his face, "Come on, I'm itching for a beating, come and hit me."

"???"

"???"

The powerful figures in the surrounding Tianbei Base City were slightly taken aback by this sudden scene.

The forty or fifty powerful individuals who have arrived in the arena are all comparable in strength to level 8 evil spirits or beasts.

Each and every one of them is a top professional in the field.

However, they were somewhat bewildered at this moment.

That young man... dared to directly accuse their General Xu of looking down on people, and kept calling him "Old Deng."

What's going on?

"Don't be a jerk."

Xu Fenghua paused, her face darkening as she looked at him and warned in a low voice, "If you act like a jerk and get beaten up, then you deserve it."

"Sister Fenghua, you are the upright and just magistrate of Tianbei Base City. You must be fair and impartial. It was you, Old Deng, who called me a bastard first."

"Everyone present can testify for me."

Cao Fengqi looked at her innocently and muttered, "Sister Fenghua, if I get beaten up, you have to avenge me! We made a promise, and anyone who goes back on their word is a beast!"

Xu Fenghua's expression changed as she watched him.

She strongly suspected that the kid was deliberately provoking his father, hoping to get a beating!

"Hmph, you've always been a bastard, and my dad wasn't wrong."

She said coldly.

"Hehe, Major General Cao is truly a genius."

General Song looked at Cao Fengqi with surprise and said with a smile, "It is truly our good fortune that such a powerful Artifact Refiner has emerged in our Tianbei Base City."

"Hmph, I don't care what your talents are, if you don't behave, I'll still deal with you."

Xu Zhenjiang, his face darkening, stopped acting and directly threatened him.

"Hurry up and deal with me, I'm covered in...****"

"???"

Cao Fengqi raised his head to look at him, but before he could finish speaking, he was enveloped by a burst of energy.

"Dad, don't take it to heart."

Xu Fenghua looked at her father and said helplessly, "Please don't beat him up, I'm begging you."

"No, Fenghua, look at how arrogant that kid is!"

Xu Zhenjiang paused slightly upon hearing his daughter's words, and said with some frustration.

Xu Zhenjiang had never been treated like this before! Holy crap!

"You were the one who said that first."

Xu Fenghua responded in a low voice.

These words made Xu Zhenjiang open his mouth, but he felt like he had something stuck in his throat!

"Old Xu, what's wrong with you? Is there anyone more outstanding than Fengqi among the younger generation?"

"Why are you so prejudiced against him? Although I don't know the specifics, if you ask me, Fenghua and this child are a perfect match..."

"If you don't know, then shut up. Go catch some poop for fun..."

"Hey Old Xu, you're really heartless. Fengqi, you really deserve to call him Lao Deng. Come here, and if Lao Deng ever bullies you again, I'll stand up for you."

"..."

Those around them lowered their heads slightly as they watched this scene.

"Alright, alright, stop fooling around, let's go!"

General Chen's lips twitched as he watched this scene, and he spoke speechlessly.

"He's the leader."

Everyone quickly responded.

"The wind rises, the Fengqi."

General Song glanced at Xu Zhenjiang, smiled, and waved to him, saying, "Fengqi, are you confident you can develop a Perfect level 8 shell?"

"Hehe, Uncle Song, I'm just being modest."

Cao Fengqi looked at him, walked over, and smiled, "One hundred percent."

"One hundred percent? Hahaha, good, good, I like your humility."

General Song laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling with laughter.

He pressed on with some anticipation, "Then... what about level 9 shells?"

"Level 9 is no problem for me, but it depends on whether you guys have any issues."

Cao Fengqi confidently stated, "I would only have a chance of researching something if there were at least ten types of level 8 metals."

He certainly has that confidence.

Having already established a research direction, the subsequent research shouldn't be too difficult.

However, even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.

There must be sufficient metal material.

General Song paused slightly, then couldn't help but pull out a cigarette. "It seems the problem lies with us?"

"General Song, Fengqi developed an 8th-level shell in just three hours, so I think a 9th-level shell will be no problem for him too."

Director Xu added with a smile, "I dare say Fengqi is no less capable than Master Wushuang. And if Major Fengqi were to develop a Perfect level 8 shell, his achievements and rewards would be immense..."

He took the initiative to ask the question on Cao Fengqi's behalf.

"If we can develop a level 8 Perfect shell, the three of us will recommend Fengqi to lieutenant general."

"If he manages to develop a level 9 weapon, then... coupled with his youth, he'll be qualified to stand on equal footing with us!"

General Song spoke slowly.

"They certainly deserve it; even a level 9 shell could threaten or even kill us."

General Chen beside him, nodded slightly.

At this moment, Xu Zhenjiang also glanced silently at the kid he couldn't stand no matter what.

But he had to admit that the kid's abilities were somewhat extraordinary.

Leaving aside the level 9 shells, the mere fact that they just researched the level 8 shells is enough to significantly boost the strength of the entire Great Xia.

Its importance for land reclamation is extremely high.

This kid is a top-tier researcher, a national treasure.

Even to him, she's a precious treasure!

Thank you so much to Cai Ji Yi Men Smoked Beef Shank Delicatessen for the 10 reminders to update! Thank you so much, muah!

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