In the office of the Dean of Cang Town Beast Taming Academy, Lin Yuansheng, with his receding hairline, sat on the sofa, sipping tea. This was his usual working state; to outsiders, the head of Cang Town Beast Taming Academy appeared meticulous in this manner.
A knock echoed from outside the door.
"Please come in."
After Lin Yuansheng’s invitation, a handsome young man with golden hair entered.
Lin Yuansheng smiled and said, "Ah, Captain Mang. Have the academy selection lists been finalized?"
Lei Mang nodded, smiled, and sat down on the sofa beside Lin Yuansheng.
"Dean, the ten selected team members have all been confirmed," he said, handing a list to Lin Yuansheng. He added, "I am well aware of the importance of this academy competition, so I didn't dare to be careless. These ten representatives were carefully chosen. The vast majority are from the upper grades. They will either graduate soon or be recommended to top provincial academies."
Lin Yuansheng chuckled, his eyes narrowing into slits.
"Of course, it's important, otherwise, we wouldn't have invited you back to personally oversee it. You are now a top senior at Tianhang City Royal Academy, and you must show these arrogant juniors what 'there's always someone better' means."
Lei Mang managed a strained smile.
Naturally, he would have confidently accepted such praise when Lin Yuansheng first said it. However, ever since he met Lu Fei, he had begun to doubt himself. Even though the contracted beast wasn't his own, the fact remained that he had been defeated.
Lei Mang sighed and said, "Dean, one of the representatives on this academy list is a sophomore."
Lin Yuansheng frowned. A sophomore? He couldn't recall any exceptionally talented individuals among the second-year students. Besides, no matter how talented a sophomore was, how much could they achieve?
Lin Yuansheng took the list and began to read it carefully.
Upon seeing the familiar name on the list, he couldn't help but gasp.
"Lu... Lu Fei?"
Lin Yuansheng looked up and asked with a hint of confusion, "The sophomore you mentioned, is that Lu Fei?"
Lei Mang nodded and asked, "Does the Dean also know him?"
Lin Yuansheng took a breath, thinking to himself, *Don't I know him? Of course, I do.* But Lin Yuansheng's heart began to race again. He admitted that Lu Fei was indeed very outstanding, but being outstanding was one thing, and this was a major inter-academy competition. Given some time to grow, he might achieve something remarkable, but now...
Lin Yuansheng had considered leveraging Lu Fei's relationship with Chu Huainan to pull some strings, but that thought was fleeting. If that connection didn't yield results, the academy might end up in a disadvantageous position. Moreover, the academy had produced many exceptionally talented students over the years, and with them, Lin Yuansheng was still confident.
"Uh, Captain Mang, what is Lu Fei's current level?"
Lei Mang pondered for a moment and guessed, "Probably at the Intermediate Beast Tamer level."
"Intermediate Beast Tamer?" Lin Yuansheng felt a ripple of surprise. Half a year ago, when he was tested, he had actually overloaded the testing equipment. Logically, he shouldn't have much spiritual power, so how had he reached the Intermediate Beast Tamer level?
"Are you sure?" Lin Yuansheng sounded skeptical.
Lei Mang gritted his teeth and said solemnly, "He defeated me."
"What?" Lin Yuansheng couldn't believe his ears and asked again, cupping his ear.
"I battled him with my level 70 Ice Beast, but he defeated me with a contracted beast that was only in its forties!" Lei Mang recounted the entire story without concealing anything for the sake of his reputation.
Lin Yuansheng listened, his expression complex and indescribable. He repeatedly confirmed, "He defeated you?"
It wasn't until Lei Mang's words of dejection turned into silence that Lin Yuansheng finally believed him.
"My heavens... even Lei Mang was defeated?" Lin Yuansheng was filled with emotion.
In the past, he had only thought that by being associated with Lu Fei and Chu Huainan, he had to curry favor. But now, looking back, in another ten to twenty years, would the achievements of such a monstrous talent truly be less than Chu Huainan's?
Chu Huainan was one of the Ten Elders, among the most powerful people on the Beast Taming Continent, but there were still many individuals above the Ten Elders...
"You may leave for now. I need to consider this further."
Lei Mang bowed and left the office. Before he left, he saw the usually respected Lin Yuansheng with an inscrutable expression, displaying an unprecedented lack of composure.
Lin Yuansheng sat alone on the sofa, the teacup in his hand having fallen to the floor at some unknown point.
His heart was filled with excitement, worry, and a sense of lingering fear.
Meeting such a talented individual was a great fortune for him. More importantly, he had established a friendly relationship with him. His relationship with Lu Fei was no longer just one of flattery; a friendship had been forged.
Especially after helping with the "body wash" project. He had initially intended it as merely repaying a favor, but he never expected that this seemingly inconspicuous project would have earned him tens of millions in just half a year...
Lin Yuansheng sighed deeply.
"My life has been worth it..."
Meanwhile, Lu Fei, having inexplicably participated in a match, astonished everyone before quietly departing, leaving behind his fame and glory.
Lu Fei returned to his solitary apartment. He could now be considered truly wealthy. The body wash and shampoo products were selling exceptionally well, and money was continuously flowing into his bank account.
"Ah, this feels good."
Lu Fei leaped onto the bed. These past six months had been incredibly taxing, almost a journey along the edge of death. First, he hunted savage contracted beasts, and then he engaged in fierce battles in the dark rankings. Although exhausting, his progress had been rapid. In the dark rankings, he had accumulated points, and the strength of "Iron Head Dude" had also advanced by leaps and bounds.
Under the influence of the "Unstable Evolution" talent, Iron Head Dude learned skills with intense destructive power. For instance, [Thunder Sword Sky Net] was an extremely potent skill. If it could be executed during actual combat, it was practically an instant-kill move.