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¹ The original Chinese "白藍" (Bailan) is a devastating pun that sounds identical to "擺爛" (also pronounced "bailan"), which means "to slack off" or "give up trying." This creates a joke suggesting the subsidiary college is essentially "Slacker College" for students who've given up on academic excellence
"I'm telling you, Dali, are you sure this is reliable?" Chen Shu still had his doubts. "Even the Spirit Suppression Bureau couldn't handle this case. What can some guy who sells pork do about it?"
"Totally reliable! More than reliable!" Zhang Dali had no doubts whatsoever. "He's just working part-time during summer break, you know."
"That's what they call 'small hermits hide in the market, great hermits hide behind pork stalls!'"
"..." Chen Shu wasn't holding out much hope. He'd just treat the fifty thousand yuan as buying a large amount of Beast Taming Power.
"Oh right, come with me to the Beast Tamer Association," Chen Shu suddenly remembered something.
Wang Qian from the Spirit Suppression Bureau should have posted the mission at the association by now, right?
"Sure, let's go. I've got nothing else to do anyway," Zhang Dali nodded.
The Beast Tamer Association wasn't far from Xiafei Road, so the two decided to walk there.
"By the way, Chen Pi, I'm planning to go to Beijing in August."
"Going to Beijing for what? Tourism?" Chen Shu looked puzzled.
"I'm taking the entrance exam for Beijing Spiritual Culinary University."
At those words, Chen Shu's expression shifted dramatically. "University? *You?*"
"Yeah, what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing's wrong with the university, and nothing's wrong with you. But the two of you together? That's a huge problem."
"..." Zhang Dali was speechless. "Are you insulting me here? Or are you insulting me?"
Chen Shu continued, "You're only a sophomore in high school. What exam are you taking? Even if you pass, they can't accept you."
Domestic beast taming universities had all kinds of specializations, including pharmaceuticals, materials, medicine, spiritual cooking, and so on. But the main specialty was still combat-focused.
After all, beast tamers were created to suppress dimensional rifts. Without combat-type beast tamers, everything else was useless.
The other specializations were all support-based, not the universities' main programs.
However, there were some special universities that only offered one support-based specialty. For example, Spiritual Culinary Universities, where everything studied was cooking knowledge—though the ingredients were beast meat, specifically used to feed contracted spirits.
Unlike pharmaceuticals, food didn't create resistance. As long as you could stick to the diet, over time it would greatly enhance contracted spirits.
Otherwise, the country wouldn't have established dedicated universities for it.
"I'm taking the early admission exam. If I pass, I can start university a year early."
Zhang Dali looked proud, extremely confident in his culinary skills.
Beijing Spiritual Culinary University was equivalent to the Huaxia Academy of the culinary world, the most elite spiritual culinary university. If you could graduate successfully, you'd definitely be considered elite talent in society.
"Damn, that means I'll be the only one left in Nanjiang City?"
If he could get in, Zhang Dali wouldn't need to go to senior year—he'd become a university student directly. After all, Spiritual Culinary University was a five-year program, so starting early was naturally the best option.
Chen Shu raised an eyebrow. Why did he suddenly feel like he was falling behind?
Zhang Dali said, "Anyway, you'll come over in a year. When that time comes, you can just take the exam for Beijing Pharmaceutical University!"
Beijing Pharmaceutical University was similarly a prestigious university with extremely high admission scores.
He didn't expect Zhang Dali to think so highly of him? Chen Shu couldn't help but think.
Just then, Zhang Dali paused and continued, "Of course, I'm talking about its Bailan College."
"??" Chen Shu's mouth twitched.
Any prestigious university with a "college" attached to the name completely lost its prestige.
Beijing Pharmaceutical University required over 600 points, while Bailan College only needed over 400 points. Were they even the same school?
And seriously, what kind of ridiculous name was that?
Bailan? Sounds more like 'Bail-on-your-academics' College¹, right?
Chen Shu said, "When the time comes, I'll take the exam for Huaxia Academy. I can still come to Beijing that way."
"Huaxia Academy? There's no college attached to that name, right? How would you get in?" Zhang Dali looked confused.
Looking at Zhang Dali's innocent expression, Chen Shu just wanted to beat him up.
"Stop the thief! He’s running away! Somebody catch him!"
Just then, someone suddenly shouted loudly.
They saw a young man clutching a bag, running frantically down the street. Behind him, an elderly woman was in hot pursuit, though the distance between them was clearly shrinking.
"Get the hell out of my way or I'll kill you!"
Li Hua's voice was vicious. For a moment, pedestrians stepped aside, not daring to get involved.
Options appeared before Chen Shu's eyes.
[Option 1: Take decisive action, catch the thief.]
Completion reward: Small amount of Beast Taming Power
[Option 2: Turn a blind eye, become a bystander.]
Completion reward: Camouflage Potion
[Option 3: Shout loudly "Go! Go!" while encouraging pedestrians to clear the way.]
Completion reward: Gain the title 'Evil Cheerleader'.
Equipped effect: If your contracted spirit's personality is 'Evil', speed +20%.
If its personality is 'Good', speed -20%.
[Option 4: Run alongside the thief, maintaining the same pace throughout.]
Completion reward: Unlock new blueprint, Burst Speed Potion
Chen Shu was slightly stunned, quickly passing over the first three options, especially that ridiculous third option.
His feet pushed off the ground as he sprinted frantically toward the thief.
Zhang Dali wasn't to be outdone either. Both of their physical fitness was excellent—when they ran, they were like a whirlwind.
The thief was alone now and didn't have any weapon. Taking him down would be simple, right?
At this moment, the thief looked back and saw the two charging toward him like madmen. His heart immediately sank halfway.
"Someone's actually not afraid to die?! Come and try it then!" Li Hua tried his best to look fierce, hoping to scare off the two.
But it had no effect whatsoever.
"Try it we will!" Chen Shu and his companion sped up even more.
Just as they were about to catch up to the thief, the other pedestrians were all cheering them on. Though they didn't have the courage to be heroes themselves, that didn't stop them from voicing their encouragement.
"Damn it, how can I be this unlucky!"
Li Hua wailed internally. Looked like he'd be spending a few more days in jail.
Chen Shu suddenly burst forward, finally running alongside the thief.
"Take the bag, just stop chasing me." Li Hua gritted his teeth. Both men were quite burly—he definitely couldn't fight them.
But Chen Shu didn't take it at all, just let the bag drop to the ground.
He didn't speak or make a move, just maintained his running posture, staying perfectly in line with Li Hua.
"Chen Pi..."
Zhang Dali caught up at this moment, but seeing Chen Shu remain motionless, his eyes showed confusion.
Chen Shu just shook his head and continued running alongside Li Hua.
*'You're trying to torture him! I like it!'*
Zhang Dali thought to himself, a wicked smile spreading across his face.
The two sandwiched the thief between them, and all three ran down the street in perfect formation.
At this moment, the pedestrians were dumbfounded, the woman who'd lost her bag was dumbfounded—what was this situation? She thought as she walked towards her bag.
The most confused of all was Li Hua. In all his years in this business, when had he ever seen such a bizarre scene?
Look, either arrest me or let me go.
What the hell is this? Am I your jogging buddy now? Show a little professional respect, will ya?