Chapter 21: The College Entrance Examination Begins

Time passed day by day, and soon the days of the college entrance exams arrived. Xu Han woke up, tidied himself, and glanced at his attribute panel.

[Name: Xu Han]
[Race: Human]
[Class: SSS-Level Gourmet]
[Level: 15]
[Strength: 850]
[Constitution: 820]
[Agility: 285]
[Mental: 150]
[Skill 1: Eye of Investigation LV.2 (Can view target attributes, 1% chance to discover target’s weakness, target cannot exceed own level by more than 6, cooldown 10 seconds)]
[Skill 2: Dragon Claw LV.1 (Transform one hand into a dragon claw, attack power increases by 100%, attacks have 10% armor penetration, 1% chance to destroy enemy defense, duration 5 seconds, cooldown 5 minutes)]
[Skill 3: Ghost Eye Bewilderment LV.1 (Direct eye contact with enemy for 5 seconds can bewilder the enemy, making them obey commands, lasts 1 minute, cooldown 10 minutes)]
[Skill 4: Spider Silk Spray LV.1 (Spray spider silk to attack enemies, if entangled, difficult to escape, cooldown 2 minutes)]
[Skill 5: Damage Devour LV.1 (Absorb one instance of damage and reflect the same amount back to the enemy, lasts 1 second, cooldown 5 minutes)]
[Skill 6: Explosive Fireball LV.1 (Summon a fireball to attack enemies, explodes on contact for terrifying damage, cooldown 5 minutes)]
[Skill 7: Mental Mirage LV.1 (Trap enemies in an illusion, duration 0.5-3 seconds, cooldown 10 minutes)]
[Skill 8: Explosive Fist LV.1 (Gather all strength into a fist, pierce through defenses, damage ignores enemy defense, cooldown 5 minutes)]
[Skill 9: Rapid Recovery LV.1 (Passive skill, recovers 0.01% health per second, effect disappears when attacked)]

In the remaining days, he trained relentlessly, hunting exotic beasts without pause. Even leader-level beasts fell to him, most in a single blow. If others knew the speed at which Xu Han leveled up, their jaws would surely drop in astonishment.

He remembered the class advisor had posted the city’s level ranking in the group chat yesterday. The highest was Xia Ling from First High School, already at level 11. Next was Tie Shan from Second High School, also at level 11. All the teachers agreed that as long as they performed well in the exams, they were certain to enter Dragon Country University. No one bothered to ask about Xu Han, as the ranking only included combat classes, and he was in a life class with no relation to them.

Seeing the time was right, Xu Han hailed a cab to Donghai City Sports Arena, where the exams were held. When the taxi was still a kilometer from the arena, traffic was so jammed that it couldn't proceed any further.

Helpless, Xu Han could only get out and walk the rest of the way. Entering the arena, he saw that battle platforms had already been set up. The first phase of the entrance exam was to test level, and points were awarded based on class and level. Life classes had their own exam venues and scoring criteria, while combat classes could only increase their scores through arena challenges.

The entire venue was packed with people. Many students searched for their school’s designated area. As Xu Han looked around for his own, he heard a mocking laugh behind him.

“Xu Han, long time no see,” came the voice.

Xu Han turned to see Li Bin and Tian Fangchao sauntering in. Xu Han glanced at the two, saying nothing. Li Bin assumed Xu Han was intimidated, and his grin widened. “So, are you level 3 or 4 now?” he jeered. “Without anyone guiding your leveling, you’ll never reach level twenty in your lifetime! Hahaha!”

Tian Fangchao chimed in, “That’s right! You dared to offend Brother Li, now you know the consequence, don’t you? I’ve already reached level 8 just by following him. And you? I say, you’d better not take the exam—it’ll only embarrass you!”

The two burst out laughing, voices full of scorn.

Xu Han was about to respond when a boy built like a tower strode over—it was Tie Shan.

“Heh, friend, we meet again. If there’s a chance, I’d like to spar with you later,” Tie Shan greeted with a friendly smile.

Xu Han nodded slightly, “Certainly.”

Without bothering with Li Bin and Tian Fangchao, he headed straight for the exam area. The two were stunned.

What was going on?

Tie Shan had greeted Xu Han on his own initiative? How could this be?

Tie Shan was known for his lofty attitude, never paying attention to those with low levels. Noticing Li Bin’s changed expression, Tian Fangchao quickly said, “Brother Li, I bet Xu Han paid Tie Shan to make connections. Otherwise, Tie Shan would never acknowledge him.”

Li Bin nodded thoughtfully, “You’re right.”

“Let’s go. Anyway, he won’t be in the same world as us after today. No need to bother with him.”

“Right, Brother Li.”

The two, one after the other, went to their respective school areas, waiting for the exam to begin.

Meanwhile, on the platform, school leaders from all over filed in. Yet the previously prestigious administrators now sat toward the back, leaving many seats up front unoccupied. Students speculated which distinguished guests would attend the exam.

Soon, several figures emerged from the rear and took their places on the platform. At the front was the Director of the Education Bureau, followed by the Director of the Investigation Bureau. Though these two held high status in Donghai City, they now followed behind a middle-aged man, smiling and making introductions. Behind them were several young men and women.

Everyone gazed curiously at the middle-aged man. Who could command such respect, with even the Director of Education personally welcoming him so humbly?

Once the guests were seated, the Director of Education came forward, took up the microphone, and spoke, “All students, please quiet down.”

The venue fell silent at once.

Satisfied, the Director continued, “Today is the official day of the college entrance exams. I am honored to introduce this year’s guest participants: the admissions teacher from Dragon Country University, Teacher Zheng!”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

“No way?! The admissions teacher from Dragon Country University is here in person? This is a first!”

“Yeah, I heard from seniors that during the exams, Dragon Country University usually sends a few students to scout for talent, but never teachers!”

“Look, the people sitting near Teacher Zheng must be Dragon Country University students, right? I envy them so much.”

“Do you think Teacher Zheng is here to find that person called ‘Living Lei Feng’?”

“It must be. My class advisor said that person is amazing! He took on the Ghostfaced Ape King head-on! That’s a leader-level exotic beast. Someone like that surely isn’t just a high school student.”