Regression Again Of The SSG

Ch8: upper zone

Now that all preparations were complete and with the hype for martial arts building, I decided to enter the industry like everyone else.

I spoke to the board of directors at the Big Dipper Training Center and reiterated my intention to invest. This time, they agreed. I spent over 30 billion credits building the Heaven Rumble Training Center in Feng City, establishing smaller branches, and renovating and upgrading the Big Dipper facilities.

Through contacts from the mining company—whose rise was now inevitable—I secured a long-term supply of Life Potions and S-rank potions. I even managed to obtain Water of Life and Phantom Potions, which finally aided my breakthrough to becoming a true Mental Strength Master.

As I was going about my life, my phone rang. It was Xiao Yu, whom I had transferred from Big Dipper to the Heaven Rumble Training Center for a 5% stake and his shares in Big Dipper.

"Mister Feng, someone from the Fang family is here causing trouble. They said they want to meet the owner," Xiao Yu said, anxiety clear in his voice.

Finally, I thought. My ticket to the upper zone had arrived. I had been worried that no one would make a move for fear of clashing with a suspected MSM.

I arrived at the training center and made my way to the highest floor. Entering, I saw two men: the Fang family patriarch, Fang Zhenyuan, and his son, Fang Mingyu.

"Hello. May I ask why you've come to cause trouble for us? I don't believe I've offended anyone recently," I asked proactively, not wanting to leave them any room to retreat. I saw the patriarch's eyes shift to fear the moment he saw me.

"What—" Mingyu began, but his father cut him off. "Shut up!"

"Master Shi Feng, I came to get to know you as—" Fang Zhenyuan started, but I cut him off.

"I don't think introductions require you to bring your son to beat our instructors. I wouldn't mind paying a visit to your dojos and training centers if that's the case," I said coolly.

He stayed silent for a moment, clearly struggling to find a solution. He couldn't easily dismiss this as a simple spar, as I was the one who had come to him.

"Okay, Mister Fang Zhenyuan, I know this is difficult. Let me simplify it for you. I'll give you two options. First, I will return the visit you honored me with after I spar with you. Second, give me a spot to the upper zone, apologize to my instructors, and pay their medical bills."

"What?!" Mingyu yelled before his father glared at him into silence.

"Mister Shi Feng, are there other solutions?" he asked, hoping to avoid paying such a price.

"Hmm, how about this? Although you are in the wrong, I'll offer a special gift. Invite me on the day of the Mental Path opening," I said, knowing the benefits it would bring. Passing the Mental Path after 20 would easily grant me a Grade 1 authority.

"What?" he replied, jumping up. "You're less than 20? No, I investigated you; I know you're older than 20," he continued with a puzzled look.

"Well, it's just a suggestion. You would get benefits from inviting me through the Mental Path, right?" I wanted to be vague, but seeing it was unlikely he'd dare offend me again, I decided to be direct.

"Okay, Master Feng. I will apologize and pay for what happened to the instructors. Do you need anything else?" he answered after some thought. It was still a loss, but not as severe.

If Shi Feng failed the path, he would be injured and take a long time to recover mentally. If he passed, he would gain significant contribution points from Green God Company, which would help recoup the loss from buying the spot to the upper zone.

I went home to inform my parents, telling them to manage the corporations for some time, as it wasn't easy to leave the upper zone once entered. I called the key people from Future Mining, Heaven Rumble, and Big Dipper, instructing them that my parents would be in charge and to reach out to them for any major decisions.

Later, I received a call from Fang Zhenyuan informing me that the path would open the following week. I began settling affairs at the investment company and hired additional staff, as I wouldn't be available for everything once I entered the upper zone. My focus would be on getting my parents in, acquiring guild legacies for the Refinement Realm, and establishing a headquarters for Zero Wing, with a little over a year until God's Domain's opening.

The week passed quickly. I arrived at the upper zone just before the test opening. People looked at me as if I were insane—who would willingly attempt the Mental Path after 20? I entered the passage, ascended the stairs, and defended against the mental attacks with pinpoint shields. After six minutes, I passed the test. The results were announced:

1st - Shi Feng
Clear Time: 6 minutes 07 seconds
Affiliation: Non-member
Mental Strength Appraisal: MSM
Upper Zone Authority: High Grade 1

I looked at the results with a sense of nostalgia, then at my surroundings, before calmly exiting the passage. The real game was just beginning.