Chapter 9: They Call Him the Living Lei Feng

"Tell me, how did you end up in such a sorry state?" The middle-aged man's gaze swept over the group, his eyes tinged with disapproval.

His name was Zheng Zucai, a distinguished mentor at Dragon Country University, and the teacher in charge of admissions for Donghai City.

"Sir, today's trouble started because of me. If there's punishment, let it fall on me alone." Li Yu stepped forward, bowing his head.

"Explain what happened," Zheng Zucai said calmly.

Li Yu recounted everything that had unfolded in the Ghostface Forest. Zheng Zucai's brows furrowed slightly as he fixed his piercing gaze on Li Yu, sharp as a blade. "You mean to say you encountered a leader-level Ghostface Ape—and it was merely a blank-grade leader? Yet you couldn't defeat it?"

Li Yu felt his face burn with humiliation. He gritted his teeth and nodded. "Yes."

Zheng Zucai's frown deepened. "You are among the top freshmen at Dragon Country University, and even working together you couldn't handle a blank-grade leader?"

The group bowed their heads lower, their faces flushed with shame. It was disgraceful—utterly disgraceful! The finest talents among the first-year students at Dragon Country University, geniuses among geniuses, and yet they couldn't even best a blank-grade leader? If word got out, those at Magic Capital University would laugh themselves silly.

Still frowning, Zheng Zucai pressed on, "Since all of you were seriously injured, how did you manage to escape from the Ghostface Ape King?"

None of the others dared speak. Tang Mimi whispered, "It was... someone who saved us..."

"He was very young, looked about our age!"

"But he killed the Ghostface Ape King with just two moves! And his strength was tremendous—he took the Ape King's punch head-on and forced it back!"

The others' eyes were filled with awe. Wu Peijun murmured in astonishment, "That guy's a monster, isn't he? My strength is at ninety-eight, almost breaking a hundred, and the Ape King's punch would flatten me!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Zheng Zucai's eyes. He knew well that the Ape King's strength was around one hundred fifty. To withstand a punch and have the upper hand, one's strength had to be at least one hundred eighty. If a student possessed such power, he wasn't a mere talent—he was a prodigy.

If he could recruit such a prodigy to Dragon Country University, he would surely be commended.

He asked seriously, "Mimi, you're certain this person was very young?"

Tang Mimi nodded vigorously. "He felt just like a student. Though his movements were swift, he wasn't as decisive as a seasoned beast hunter."

Zheng Zucai kept his expression neutral as he asked, "Did you get his contact information?"

Tang Mimi shook her head. Zheng Zucai sighed in disappointment. "At least you asked his name, didn't you?"

Tang Mimi looked thoughtful. "He mentioned it... he said his name was Living Lei Feng."

Zheng Zucai nodded. "Understood. Rest now, and reflect on your actions! Tomorrow, each of you will hand me a five-thousand-word self-critique."

The group was close to tears, but could only leave with bowed heads.

Zheng Zucai took out his phone and dialed a number, excitement evident in his demeanor. "Old Wang, send someone to investigate every school at once. See if there's anyone named Living Lei Feng!"

…

The next morning.

Xu Han rose from bed, washed up casually, and set out for the Shadow Marsh. Few ventured there to train. The beasts in this place were twisted and sinister: venomous spiders, scorpions, snakes, centipedes, all deadly and adept at hiding. One careless step could spell disaster. Even experienced beast hunters avoided the Shadow Marsh unless absolutely necessary.

Which made it perfect for Xu Han.

On reaching the marsh's edge, he saw a thin mist shrouding the distant wetlands. Xu Han stepped carefully into the marsh, vigilant for any poisonous creatures that might attack.

Suddenly, a chill swept over his back. Instinctively, he sidestepped to the left. A strand of snow-white spider silk brushed his clothing, sticking firmly to a tree trunk.

Xu Han whirled around. In the grass lurked a black spider the size of a millstone, its body covered in dense fur. Hundreds of blood-red compound eyes fixed on Xu Han, reflecting his image. At the rear of the spider's body was a fiery mark.

Xu Han invoked the Eye of Inquiry, and information about the spider appeared before him.

[Name: Venom King Spider (Elite)]
[Race: Insectoid]
[Level: 8]
[Skill 1: Web Spray LV.1 (Sprays spider silk to attack enemies. Once entangled, the silk is difficult to remove. Cooldown: 2 minutes)]
[Skill 2: Venom LV.1 (Venom King Spider's attacks inflict poison. Any damage causes poisoning. No cooldown.)]

"An elite monster as soon as I arrive—how generous," Xu Han remarked.

He drew the Abyssal Fang, gripping it tightly, eyes locked on the Venom King Spider.

Suddenly, the spider lunged, its eight spear-like legs moving with astonishing speed, rustling through the undergrowth as it pounced.

Yet to Xu Han, the spider's rapid movements seemed slow and deliberate—he could see every detail clearly.

As the spider's legs stabbed toward him, Xu Han twisted aside, easily dodging the attack. The Abyssal Fang swept out, its blade flashing. One of the spider's long legs was severed, blue liquid spraying onto the grass, instantly corroding the vegetation.

A shrill screech rang out.

The spider opened its maw, spraying silk once more, aiming at Xu Han. But he twisted again, effortlessly evading it. His movements were as nimble as a fish, weaving through the spider's legs without a single touch.

After two minutes, the Venom King Spider finally collapsed, its massive body crashing to the ground with a wail.

Xu Han glanced at his level. At last, level five!

He donned the Ape King set, boosting his attributes substantially.

[Name: Xu Han]
[Race: Human]
[Class: SSS-grade Gourmet]
[Level: 5]
[Strength: 380]
[Constitution: 375]
[Agility: 71]
[Mental: 43]
[Skill 1: Eye of Inquiry LV.1 (Allows viewing target's attributes, with a 1% chance to discover a weakness. Target must not exceed own level by more than 5. Cooldown: 10 seconds)]
[Skill 2: Dragon Scale LV.1 (Dragon scales are extremely tough. When activated, covers part of the body, reducing 90% physical and 90% magical damage. Duration: 3 seconds. Cooldown: 1 minute)]
[Skill 3: Ghost Eye Enchantment LV.1 (Maintaining eye contact with an enemy for 5 seconds will confuse them, making them obey your commands. Duration: 1 minute. Cooldown: 10 minutes)]

He examined the Venom King Spider's corpse, but found no equipment.

With a sigh, he turned his gaze to the spider itself.

"How does one eat a creature like this?"