Chapter 41

The Magic City Institute of Esoteric Abilities has four cafeterias, and Xu Jingming went to the one closest to his dormitory.

As soon as he reached the cafeteria entrance, he caught the scent of savory meat.

Inside, he discovered that besides ordinary food, the cafeteria also served dishes made from ferocious beast meat.

Though ferocious beasts have thick hides and violent temperaments, every part of them is valuable.

Their tough hides are excellent material for battle armor.

Even when made into handbags, they become luxury items sought after by the wealthy.

Ground ferocious beast bones are a superb medicinal ingredient.

Consuming their flesh and blood over time also enhances physical constitution.

Because of this, many esotericists form adventuring teams to venture into the wilderness and hunt ferocious beasts.

They then bring the carcasses back to the city and sell them at high prices.

In fact, the ferocious beasts Xu Jingming killed during the Wu Ke college entrance exam could also fetch high prices.

But those were military property, so he couldn’t take them.

Naturally, the ferocious beast dishes served in this cafeteria cost far more than ordinary meals.

An ordinary dish costs just 0.001 credit points—equivalent to ten Daxia coins.

But even the cheapest ferocious beast dish costs at least 0.1 credit points—ten thousand Daxia coins!

Xu Jingming even saw a ferocious beast dish priced at 10 credit points—worth a hundred thousand Daxia coins!

“Damn, if you don’t have enough credit points, you can’t even afford a meal.”

Xu Jingming shook his head, then purchased a 0.1 credit point ferocious beast dish to try it.

The school chef’s cooking skills were indeed excellent.

The tough ferocious beast meat had been cooked until it melted in the mouth, leaving a lingering aroma.

After more than ten minutes of eating, his stomach full but still craving more, Xu Jingming finally rose to leave the cafeteria.

The Magic City Institute of Esoteric Abilities provides dormitories for students and also offers housing for faculty members.

Of course, all are villas.

And they’re far more luxurious than student dorms.

After all, teachers qualified to teach at the Magic City Institute of Esoteric Abilities are at least sixth-rank esotericists.

Even outside, they’re major figures.

Yang Zhentian, dean of the Weapons College, resides in Villa #23 of the faculty villa district.

Xu Jingming left the cafeteria and spent over twenty minutes reaching the faculty villa district.

Compared to the student dorm area, the environment here was even better.

The villa complex backed onto a great mountain and featured a sizable artificial lake in the center.

Bridges over flowing streams, rock gardens, and waterfalls were visible everywhere.

“The school actually moved an entire hill here just for scenery? You’ve got to be kidding me—only top-tier universities would be this extravagant.”

Muttering silently, Xu Jingming easily found Villa #23 using the map at the entrance of the faculty villa district.

It was a villa steeped in ancient Daxia style, its exterior painted the same color as its wooden structure.

Pale blue wind chimes hung beneath the eaves, giving it a simple yet elegant appearance.

Xu Jingming walked straight to the villa’s front door, about to ring the bell, when a voice with amusement behind him spoke:

“You’re here to become a disciple?”

Xu Jingming turned his head and saw a young man in white clothing standing five meters to his left rear.

The young man had a refined face, short hair, and a smile.

Unlike ordinary smiles, his was carefree and irreverent.

Xu Jingming frowned slightly but said nothing.

He didn’t know this man—how did he know his purpose?

The young man didn’t mind; seeing Xu Jingming’s silence, he continued smiling:

“Usually, people who come to see Professor Yang are either his disciples or those hoping to become his disciples.

I’ve met most of Professor Yang’s students, and you’re not among them—so you must be here to become a disciple.

Of course, I’m here to become a disciple too...”

Before he finished speaking, the young man suddenly noticed something odd about Xu Jingming’s aura:

“An Awakened?!”

But he quickly recovered, raising an eyebrow: “A special admission?”

“Mm.”

Xu Jingming didn’t hide it.

In fact, among special admissions, he was likely the only one at the Awakened rank.

The Wu Ke college entrance exam applications had just begun, and the Magic City Institute of Esoteric Abilities hadn’t even released its admission list yet.

So it wasn’t surprising he guessed Xu Jingming was a special admission.

“Past special admissions were either Upper First Rank or Middle First Rank—never thought this year there’d be an Awakened special admission.”

The young man murmured in amazement but didn’t look down on Xu Jingming.

After all, anyone who became a special admission at the Awakened rank must be powerful.

And their potential was even more terrifying!

“Senior, what’s your name?”

Seeing the young man was familiar but not hostile, Xu Jingming took the initiative to ask.

“Weapons College, second year... no, now it’s third year.

Third-year student, Tan Mingyang.”

Tan Mingyang introduced himself, then asked: “And you?”

“Xu Jingming, first-year freshman, just registered today.”

“You’re here to seek a master on your first day? You’re quick, Xu junior. Most freshmen wait until after the Freshman Competition to find a master.”

“Freshman Competition?”

Xu Jingming frowned—Zhang Chaoyang hadn’t mentioned this.

“The Freshman Competition is a tradition at the Magic City Institute of Esoteric Abilities, held three or four days after registration.

Most professors from the entire school come to watch.

Freshmen who perform well are fought over by colleges, and masters personally come to take them as disciples.”

Seeing Xu Jingming didn’t know, Tan Mingyang explained briefly.

“Of course, as a special admission, you don’t need to wait for the Freshman Competition to seek a master.”

Tan Mingyang didn’t dispute Xu Jingming’s approach.

But he didn’t say this: even for special admissions,

the chance of becoming a disciple of a dean-level master is as slim as winning the lottery.

Most likely, it’s just a wasted trip.

But special admissions are usually top scorers or geniuses from their provinces or cities—they’re proud.

Even if he said this, Xu Jingming probably wouldn’t listen, so he kept it to himself.

“Thank you for explaining, senior.”

Xu Jingming thanked him, then asked curiously: “Are you also here to seek Professor Yang as your master?”

“Yes.”

Tan Mingyang nodded, his tone wistful: “For the past half year, I’ve come here several times, but I’ve never met the standard to become his disciple.

I’ve almost given up, yet I still can’t accept it.

Forget it, no need to talk more—let’s go in together.”

Tan Mingyang sighed, then pressed the villa’s doorbell.

Not long after, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man in a butler’s uniform.

“Welcome, both of you. Professor Yang has been waiting inside—please follow me.”

The butler’s smile was as warm as spring breeze.

Xu Jingming, here for the first time, felt nothing unusual; beside him, Tan Mingyang was visibly stunned.

He wasn’t new here—previously, the butler was polite but never this enthusiastic.

And the butler’s tone implied Professor Yang was already waiting inside?

How was that possible?!

Seventh-rank esotericists aren’t idle—they’re always busy.

Previously, even when Tan Mingyang came to visit,

he often had to wait thirty minutes to an hour before seeing the professor.

Now, the busy dean of the Weapons College was already waiting inside?

What was going on?

With confusion, Tan Mingyang and Xu Jingming entered the villa together.