Chapter 131: District 6 [Seventh Installment]

Over the next few days, Fang Nian remained occupied with matters concerning the Cloud Hunting Pavilion. Not only was the collaboration with Tan Hong progressing steadily, but Lu Xiao’s capital injection had also arrived promptly. Everything was moving along smoothly, and it was estimated that it wouldn’t be long before the Xiao family’s business suffered an unimaginable blow.

Even more unexpectedly for Fang Nian, on the very day before his departure for District 6, he received a system notification.

"Congratulations on achieving Achievement No. 15. You have gained 300 achievement points."

Surprised, Fang Nian opened the system interface and was momentarily stunned.

"No. 15: Create an original item of unlimited nature and receive ten thousand likes. (Completed. 300 achievement points have been credited.)"

Fang Nian was baffled. When had he created an original item? When had he received ten thousand likes? He had absolutely no recollection of it... until he received a call from Lu Xiao and learned the truth.

It turned out that Lu Xiao had uploaded the piano piece "Für Elise," which Fang Nian had given him, to the internet. A video of a chef playing the piano had quickly gone viral, which was the indirect cause of Fang Nian completing the task.

Although Fang Nian didn't particularly care for such exposure, he couldn't complain if it meant completing a task. If it meant getting more rewards, he would be willing to play even if he were stark naked.

Fang Nian collected his achievement points and the system rewards. He opened the system menu and navigated to the task interface.

Common Difficulty: Successfully create and sell E-grade hunting ground props with a profit margin of over 50%.
Mortal Difficulty: Unlock any achievement once. (Completed)
Hell Difficulty: Obtain over ten million in investment in a certain field and possess your own commercial brand.
Nightmare Difficulty: Not yet unlocked (can be opened using the Demon Key).

Fang Nian clicked to collect the reward for the Mortal Difficulty task, and three books instantly appeared before him. However, these books were slightly different from the others; they appeared as ethereal projections of light.

Fang Nian asked the system, "Xiao Xi, Xiao Xi, what is the meaning of this?"

The system replied, "These three books are three different types of props. This is the first time a prop reward has appeared. Each time you receive a prop reward, you may choose one to store in the system for future use. Once all three task rewards are collected, the prop rewards will refresh."

Fang Nian licked his dry lips and said excitedly, "Props—I’m truly looking forward to this."

With that, he picked one at random. The moment he opened the book, a wooden box appeared before him. After opening it, a look of pure excitement washed over his face. The joy was beyond words.

Fang Nian carefully stored the wooden box into the system, let out a sigh of relief, and muttered to himself, "I reckon this will come in handy very soon."

Having obtained the system reward, the task panel updated immediately.

Common Difficulty: Successfully clear an E-grade hunting ground once with a rating of no less than S.
Mortal Difficulty: Obtain 400 achievement points within 3 days.
Hell Difficulty: Obtain over ten million in investment in a certain field and possess your own commercial brand.
Nightmare Difficulty: Not yet unlocked (can be opened using the Demon Key).

Fang Nian looked at the three tasks with a dark expression. He couldn't believe his eyes; he hadn't expected even the Common task to become so difficult.

However, upon reflection, the Hell Difficulty task seemed the most feasible. He calculated his wealth; the Cloud Hunting Pavilion had been on a steady rise, and once Lu Xiao’s funds were put to use, he would surely be able to complete it.

Without hesitation, Fang Nian accepted the Hell Difficulty task and left it to complete automatically.

...

A few days later, Fang Nian and Xia Moyan set off for District 6, carrying gifts and the cooperation contract. As their vehicle drove out through the gates of District 16, Fang Nian felt a surge of emotion. A year had passed since he first entered District 16, and his life had undergone a tectonic shift.

With the aid of the system, Fang Nian had truly been reborn. From head to toe, he had undergone a transformation; his body had become hardened, his five senses had completely surpassed those of an ordinary person, and he had even cultivated his sixth sense and internal energy. He realized that District 16 was no longer a stage large enough for him.

At the same time, Fang Nian had acquired many identities: the behind-the-scenes boss of the Cloud Hunting Pavilion, a recognized Soul Hunter, a competent hunting ground architect, and the nominal husband of Xia Moyan.

For a moment, Fang Nian felt as though he had reached the pinnacle of his life, with everything falling into place so naturally.

...

However, Fang Nian also knew that while he appeared remarkably successful on the surface, the secret of another world preparing to invade his own continued to weigh on him.

He might be the only one who knew about it. To maintain world peace and uphold justice, Fang Nian knew he had to strive to find a solution. After all, if the Earth were truly dominated by an extraterrestrial race, his life and the lives of those he loved would inevitably be ruined.

...

The administrative division of the Huaxia Republic is as follows: The Central Administrative District is District 1.

Districts 2 and 3 are military management zones, where government officials and dignitaries typically live and work.

Districts 4 and 5 are the upper districts, boasting prime locations and beautiful scenery with four distinct seasons. Consequently, these districts are primarily inhabited by the wealthy and the bureaucratic elite. The Fang family, to which Fang Nian belonged, was a very wealthy and influential clan. By all logic, Fang Nian should have lived a life of luxury, not having to resort to becoming a live-in son-in-law.

But fate is fickle. The events that occurred within the Fang family made it impossible for Fang Nian to continue living there.

Beyond District 6, the areas are standard residential zones. Each district serves similar functions, but their actual strength varies.

District 16 is considered a lower-tier district; its financial power is relatively weak, and its resources are not abundant. This is why few consortia invest there, and why merchants in District 16 are so impoverished.

Although District 6 has a lower number, its strength is not significantly greater than that of District 16. Most of its economic foundation was built in the past, as District 6 was originally an old industrial base.

Though it was once an economic center of Huaxia, after excessive consumption, it slowly became unable to cope. This is why some of the major families in District 6 seek external partnerships, hoping to maintain their status through outside investment.

By the time Fang Nian and Xia Moyan arrived in District 6, it was already dark. Although entry into the city did not require meticulous inspection, the two of them still had to wait in line for half the day before they could enter the city.