High Martial Arts: From Mechanic to Sword Immortal

Chapter 103 Opportunity to Obtain a Spot

Han Feng sighed.

He stated his true purpose directly.

"I heard from Captain Zhang Hao of the Sharp Sword Guild that the second-tier secret realm, Suspended Mountain, will open in a little over a month."

"I want to go in."

"My talent hasn't reached its peak yet; I need a massive amount of spiritual plant resources to fill it."

"So that's what it was for."

The light in Zhao Yu's eyes first shone brightly, then dimmed again.

He shook his head.

"Well, you're getting a bit late."

"Our maintenance department does have a few nomination slots."

"But they are all highly sought-after positions. The candidates were decided months ago and the positions have already been filled."

"It's simply impossible to cut in line now."

Zhao Yu paused for a moment, then added, "Moreover, there are strict requirements for entering the secret realm; one's cultivation level must be at least at the tenth level of Body Tempering."

"You are now—"

"You can rest assured about Engineer Zhao."

Han Feng immediately responded, his tone calm yet unquestionable.

"In a little over a month, I will definitely break through to the tenth level of Body Tempering."

"Um?"

Zhao Yu's eyelids twitched in surprise at Han Feng's confidence.

The gap between the ninth and tenth levels is an insurmountable barrier.

Many geniuses are stuck here for one or two years and can't make any progress.

Han Feng actually said he would be confident in just over a month?

This kid—

"Are you that confident?"

Zhao Yu stared at him suspiciously.

"It seems your talent is even more terrifying than I imagined."

"By the way, have you actually taken the test?"

What is your talent rating?

"Not yet, I'm just about to go."

Han Feng answered truthfully.

"Then what are you waiting for? Go on!"

Zhao Yu slapped his thigh, looking utterly disappointed.

"The sooner the better!"

"Once the rating is released, your salary, benefits, and resource allocation will all skyrocket!"

"Especially the quota for spiritual plants, although it's not much, it's at least a stable source that can solve your immediate problem!"

Han Feng nodded, but then hesitated for a moment.

"Mr. Zhao, I have a concern about the talent assessment."

"Captain Zhang Hao warned me that once a high-level talent is identified, various forces will pounce on it like sharks smelling blood, offering so-called sponsorship agreements."

"He said there's a lot more to this than meets the eye, and the risks are extremely high; some talented students have even disappeared because of it."

He looked directly at Zhao Yu and asked earnestly, "I'd like to hear your opinion."

Zhao Yu's smile vanished instantly, and his expression became extremely serious.

He remained silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking.

"Zhang Hao is right."

"He's a very down-to-earth person, and he sees things very clearly."

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

"None of those tycoons, including our Tiangong Group, run charitable organizations."

"Behind every seemingly attractive funding agreement lies an exorbitant price, etched in invisible ink."

He looked at Han Feng and explained, word by word, "Let me explain the ins and outs of this to you."

"If you are just a poor student with talent but no skills, then I might suggest that you, as a last resort, accept some relatively formal financial aid."

"For example, within our Tiangong Group."

"At least we know the details, and the risks are manageable."

"But even so, you must be prepared to become a 'high-value asset'."

"Your personal freedom and future development will be tied to this agreement."

"But you're different."

Zhao Yu abruptly changed the subject, his eyes sharp as knives.

"You're an oddball!"

"Your flying skills are so good, calling you an ace would be an understatement!"

"Your mechanic skills are so good, even I'm ashamed to admit I can't match them!"

"You used your skills to go on a mission and earned more money than I make in a year!"

"You are perfectly capable of being self-sufficient!"

"If you can earn money standing up, why kneel down and beg for food?"

"Any funding comes at a price."

"Today I'll have you test new weapons, tomorrow I'll have you explore dangerous areas, and the day after tomorrow I'll have you participate in genetic experiments—"

"If something goes wrong, it's an accident."

"It's clearly stated in the written agreement that you bear all the risks."

"You'll have nowhere to cry!"

Zhao Yu said firmly, "Remember, as long as you can stand on your own two feet, never accept any help from anyone!"

"Freedom is more precious than any spiritual plant!"

To further dissuade Han Feng from his idea, Zhao Yu seemed to remember something and added another sentence.

"Oh, and there's some good news too."

The bonus for your special contribution to the "Peregrine III" project has been approved.

"It will be credited to your account next month along with your salary and allowance."

"I took a look; your personal contribution point starts at at least 100,000 contribution points!"

A month later, it was another large sum of money!

The last trace of wavering in Han Feng's heart vanished.

With his current earning power, there's really no need for him to take that kind of unknown risk.

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, Engineer Zhao."

"Good that you understand."

Zhao Yu nodded with satisfaction, but his brows quickly furrowed again.

"This makes securing a spot at the 'Suspended Mountain' even more complicated —"

"This is even harder to secure than project funding; it involves too many complicated personal relationships and interests."

"Every year, many B-level students fight tooth and nail for this spot."

Seeing Han Feng's expectant gaze, he changed the subject.

"However—there is indeed a way."

"I just don't know if it will work out for you."

Han Feng's eyes suddenly lit up: "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother!"

Do you know the Su family?

Zhao Yu asked.

"The Su Family Consortium?"

Han Feng knew, of course.

One of the three major conglomerates of Donghai Fortress City.

It is on par with Xinghai Technology and Tiangong Group.

It is a true behemoth in this steel city.

It is said that the Su family conglomerate's businesses span biotechnology, psionic medicine, and advanced materials science.

With abundant financial resources, their influence is enough to sway parliamentary decisions.

"Yes, it's the Su family."

Zhao Yu nodded.

"The current head of the Su family has a daughter named Su Muxue."

"This young lady is truly the pride of our Donghai City."

"She now has a custom-built fighter jet, project codenamed Night Gathering."

"This aircraft has encountered some technical bottlenecks."

"The entire project team is stuck, and progress has come to a complete standstill."

"What's the problem?"

Han Feng immediately became interested.

"It's somewhat similar to the 'Peregrine Falcon 3' engine problem you solved before."

"But it's infinitely more complicated than that."

Zhao Yu explained, "The 'Peregrine Falcon 3' is simply experiencing internal engine resonance."

"And the 'Night Gathering' refers to a global energy conflict that occurred between the aircraft's energy core, transmission lines, flight control system, and special external weapon systems."

"A single hair can affect the whole body."

"Changing any part will trigger a new chain reaction."

Han Feng understood instantly.

It's like a peerless master going mad from practicing martial arts.

The body's internal energy was running rampant, causing meridians to break.

It's not something that can be solved by simply unblocking one or two meridians.

"The person in charge of this project is a friend of mine named Lin Xue."

"She has a very good relationship with Su Muxue, which is why she was able to accept this private order."

Zhao Yu's tone carried a hint of helplessness: "But the problem can't be solved now, and Miss Su is pressing us hard, apparently she needs it urgently."

"If Lin Xue can't come up with a solution soon, this project will likely be snatched away by someone else."

"Where is her teacher?"

Han Feng recalled that engineers who could independently manage projects of this level usually had powerful backers.

"That's where the problem lies."

Zhao Yu sighed.

"Lin Xue's teacher was originally a top expert in engine dynamics in our college."

"As a result, not long after the project started, I was transferred to guard the level four fortress town of Rock in the west, as the chief engineer."

"A level four fortress city?"

Han Feng was somewhat surprised.

That place was far from the core area; calling him the chief engineer was more like exile.

"Yes, it's very far."

Zhao Yu shrugged.

"As you know, after the Great Catastrophe, global communications were basically rendered useless."

"Long-distance communication between fortress cities relies entirely on a few high-powered psionic communication towers."

"Each call is incredibly expensive, and it's exclusively for use by high-ranking members of parliament and the military."

"People at our level simply can't get one."

"Personal contacts could only rely on airships to deliver messages."

"It takes more than half a month for the letter to come and go. What complicated technical problems can it possibly explain in a letter? It's like trying to quench a thirst with water from afar."

"After her teacher left, the new department head never got along with her teacher."

"They're hoping Lin Xue will mess things up so his own people can take over."

"He only dared not be too obvious because of the Su family's influence, otherwise the project would have been canceled long ago."

Zhao Yu continued, "Lin Xue is under a lot of pressure right now."

"This is her first major project that she was in charge of independently."

"If you mess this up, it will be a major stain on your resume, and it will be difficult to get core projects in the future."

"His entire career could be affected."

Han Feng listened quietly, and a general outline had already formed in his mind.