C27 Father Exterminator

The remainder of the trip unfolded without much drama. The sporadic encounters with ferocious beasts proved to be no real threat, allowing the group to arrive at M Province University without incident.

Thanks to the head of recruitment, Wu Liqiang, who had sent word ahead of time, the group was greeted by three fully-staffed medical teams at the university's main entrance upon their arrival.

Injuries were treated, and everyone was given time to rest, with all arrangements efficiently handled in under thirty minutes.

By the following noon, compensation had been distributed. Wang Yan wasn't sure about the others, but he was quite pleased with his own reward: 10,000 credits and an opportunity to enter the Soul Nurturing Ground.

Luo Zu had mentioned that the Soul Nurturing Ground was limited to just three slots per year. Now, with Wang Yan occupying two of those, he could only imagine the envy it might stir in others.

However, Wang Yan wasn't concerned about the opinions of others. He felt fully entitled to his slot and was at peace with it.

Credits functioned similarly to points in the system store, serving as a special currency for exchanging restricted items.

Green's injuries were minor and quickly healed after some treatment.

Goldie had suffered a setback, its quality downgraded from Lord to ordinary due to the burning of its bloodline. Nevertheless, its level remained the same, a Rank 2 Star 3. These setbacks were temporary, and it wouldn't be long before Goldie regained its Lord status.

The incident with the Earth Devil Star had caused quite a stir, prompting meetings among the university's senior administration. Coupled with other issues, the official start of the academic year was postponed by half a month.

With time on his hands, Wang Yan, out of sheer boredom, logged onto the M Province University website to explore what his credits could fetch. To his surprise, the offerings were extensive and valuable.

The website listed a variety of energy-rich spiritual medicines, cutting-edge technological gadgets, and numerous ingredients perfect for nourishing spirit beasts.

But what caught Wang Yan's eye the most were items that could enhance Soul Strength.

One such item was the Soul Fragment - Fragment: a rare condensation from a Rank 5 or higher ferocious beast upon its death. Using it could boost one's Soul Strength by 0.3 points, with a maximum increase of 5 points. The catch? Each fragment came with a steep price tag of 1,000 credits.

If it were anything else, Wang Yan might have hesitated. But when it came to items that could enhance his Soul Strength, he didn't bat an eye. He purchased six on the spot, and with his natural recovery, he was on track to hit five points within a month, which would allow his Soul Contract to advance to Level 4.

With the leftover credits, Wang Yan invested in high-grade spirit beast meat and energy-rich nuts. Green and Gold had really pulled their weight in the recent battle, and he intended to treat them well.

...

Haixian City, with its abundant variety of seafood, got its name for being by the sea. Why it wasn't simply called Seafood City? Well, imagine if we had Pancake Fruit Province, Meat Bun City, Donkey Sandwich Market, Griddle Cooked Market, or Mutton Skewer Autonomous Zone... Sounds odd, doesn't it?

"What'll it be?" asked the canteen's fish stall owner, a kindly man wielding a wide kitchen knife that could eclipse the sun when held aloft. He smiled as he awaited Wang Yan's order.

"I'll take a Spanish mackerel, a silver pomfret, and a spotted bass. Fry the mackerel then stew it in broth, steam the pomfret with green onions, and braise the bass—just hold the Sichuan peppers, please." These were his favorite fish in a past life, and though one would normally suffice for his appetite, he now had to consider Green and Gold's share to ensure there was enough for all.

As for the cost, the old man's bank card was still in his possession. Money was meant to be spent, especially when it was, more or less, his own!

"Would you like your fish live or dead?" inquired the stall owner.

"Definitely live. Wait—two for a live fish and five for a dead one? What's going on here?" Wang Yan scrutinized the pricing, questioning his own eyesight. Two for a live fish and five for a dead fish per jin—it wasn't his vision that was off; the pricing was just nonsensical!

"For me, dead fish are just easier to handle," the boss said with a chuckle.

"You must be joking, right? If dead fish are easier to handle, shouldn't they be cheaper? It seems to me you just don't want the fish to make it!" Wang Yan grumbled, decisively opting for a live fish.

Once seated, Wang Yan and Green waited for the boss to start cooking, while Goldie was restless, looking around curiously. It quickly zeroed in on a target—a woman with a seductive appearance and a generous figure.

How generous? She could easily nurse four children at once.

Not like Ruan Mei, who'd probably be cursing and hustling to the kitchen to whip up a couple of dishes as soon as her child was born.

"Allow me to introduce myself, beautiful lady," Goldie said with a flourish, shaking its tail feathers and preening the plumage on its head in a rather flamboyant manner. "My name is Goldie, the most cherished spirit beast of the greatest genius in four centuries, descendant of the Phoenix Clan, with wealth beyond measure. May I have the pleasure of making your acquaintance?"

"Hehe, how amusing. Did your master send you over because he's too shy to approach me himself?" The woman glanced around, but didn't spot anyone who looked like Goldie's owner.

"Not at all," Goldie shook its head. "I've seen your magazine before—you're stunningly beautiful, like a ray of light shining into my heart. I've been utterly captivated by you, thinking of you constantly, to the point where I almost drove myself mad. That's fate for you, a case of 'no fight, no acquaintance,' I suppose."

While Goldie was busy charming the lady, Wang Yan was idly surveying the scene, oblivious to the trouble his feathered friend was stirring up.

"Hey Wang, what are you up to?" Zhang Wei asked, settling down next to him with an old hen in tow.

"Just waiting for our meal," Wang Yan replied, glancing over at Goldie.

Following Wang Yan's gaze, Zhang Wei's expression darkened. He blurted out, "What the hell?"

"What's the matter? Is that woman someone to worry about?"

Wang Yan asked with a hint of confusion.

Aside from his open-mindedness, he couldn't spot anything unusual, nor did he feel any sense of danger.

If Zhang Wei hadn't mistaken someone else for him, it would mean that the individual in question was far more formidable than he had anticipated.

"It's not a matter of being powerful!"

Zhang Wei gulped, glanced around cautiously, and whispered conspiratorially, "She's the woman you don't want to mess with at M Province University, a senior. For the past three years, she's had a new boyfriend each year—three boyfriends in total."

"That doesn't sound like such a big deal. She might just be fickle in love."

Wang Yan was even more puzzled after hearing Zhang Wei's explanation.

"The issue isn't her love life; it's that after each relationship, she ended up with her boyfriend's father, earning her the nickname 'Father Exterminator.'"

Zhang Wei clapped a hand on Wang Yan's shoulder, his face a mix of emotions. "Looks like Uncle Wang might have a problem."

Wang Yan: "???"

Seriously, Father Exterminator?

Why not just call her Thanos?

A snap of the fingers and poof—half the dads are gone?

"So, you're the owner of this bird, right?"

While Wang Yan and Zhang Wei were quietly exchanging words, someone came looking for them.

No, not just someone—Father Exterminator had arrived!