Chapter 48

"Hiss——"

Li Yao's palm felt as if he were holding a piece of red-hot charcoal. Despite being tormented by "abandonment" for over a month, he still couldn't help but gasp in pain!

"Your grip is pretty good. I just squeezed seven or eight students, and they all cried on the spot. One of them even wet his pants—students from the southeastern region are too weak, they can't take a hit, but you're an exception!" Ding Lingdang withdrew her hand, looking very satisfied.

Li Yao shook his hand, too pained to speak.

At this moment, he finally understood why no one dared to visit the Great Wasteland Combat Academy's booth.

If he had known this would happen, he might as well have gone with Zheng Dongming to the Heavenly Illusion Academy's booth to look at classical beauties...

While he was lost in thought, a wild, fragrant breeze suddenly wafted into his nose. Ding Lingdang suddenly leaned in, their lips almost touching, noses and eyes aligned, her eyes wide and fierce like those of a female beast, staring at Li Yao with intense hostility from a hair's breadth away.

"What, what are you going to do?"

Li Yao was completely stunned, his back drenched in cold sweat. This female beast was truly unpredictable, and her actions were utterly incomprehensible.

But Li Yao was no ordinary person. He had grown up in a tomb of magical treasures, and he had seen all kinds of strange people.

The feeling of being led around by the nose was absolutely terrible, and Ding Lingdang's dominance had thoroughly awakened the ferocity of the "Vulture" within him.

He no longer avoided her gaze but met her stare head-on, not giving an inch.

"You glare at me, I'll glare back. In broad daylight, do you really think you can eat me?"

If it were another woman, like the classical beauty who was painting earlier, such a close and intense stare might have been a very sensual and exciting experience.

But for Li Yao, he felt no attraction from Ding Lingdang at all.

Her eyes were too fierce, like sharp, gleaming blades, emitting an unbridled killing intent that pierced into Li Yao's eyes, invading his mind, and ruthlessly bombarding his central nervous system.

Ten seconds, just ten seconds of staring, felt like a long and brutal battle for Li Yao!

Just as his legs were about to give out and he could no longer hold on, Ding Lingdang suddenly withdrew her gaze, baring her two white fangs in a grin.

Her mouth was large, just like her eyes, nose, and ears.

But her smile had a peculiar charm, like a brilliant ray of sunshine after days of rain, instantly dispelling all gloom and making one feel incredibly refreshed.

"Little brother, you're really impressive—among the freshmen at the Great Wasteland Combat Academy, few can hold my gaze for so long! Not bad, not bad. You have rare strength and grip for a high school student, and your perception is incredibly sharp. Most importantly, you can maintain your composure under such intense killing intent. Good, really good. I've been waiting for you for so long!"

Ding Lingdang clenched her fist, and the air around her crackled.

Li Yao was drenched in cold sweat. The other party seemed to have misunderstood something, but if he said he had just come to play around now... would he be beaten to a pulp?

Ding Lingdang patted his shoulder, and Li Yao winced in pain, but she didn't seem to care as she said:

"Little brother, my eyes have never been wrong—you're a real tough guy. Those flashy flying swords and magical treasures are for sissies. A real tough guy should be a 'body cultivator,' turning his body into the strongest magical treasure, using his fiery passion and iron fists to carve out a vast world! Come to our Great Wasteland Combat Academy's Martial Combat Department. This is a paradise for passionate men, completely different from those sissy universities!"

Li Yao steeled himself and said, "Sorry, Miss... Little Ling, I want to become a magical treasure craftsman, so I plan to apply to Deep Sea University!"

"What, a magical treasure craftsman?"

Ding Lingdang's eyes widened to twice their size, and she roared, "Such a good physique, such strong will, and you want to be a magical treasure craftsman? What a waste!"

Li Yao's head felt like it was about to explode. He quietly retreated to the edge of the booth, bowed slightly, and said:

"Really sorry, Miss Little Ling. Everyone has a different understanding of the path of cultivation. Perhaps you think being a magical treasure craftsman isn't a powerful profession, but in the place where I was born and grew up, everyone uses every tool they can think of to create weapons for survival—anything, even half a glass bottle or a piece of paper, can be turned into a deadly weapon in our hands! Those who only use their fists don't last long; only those who can turn anything into a weapon can survive! That's why I think being a magical treasure craftsman is a very powerful profession. It's my dream to become one, and I can't apply to your school's Martial Combat Department. Thank you for your recognition."

With a light jump, he leaped out of the Great Wasteland Combat Academy's booth and turned to leave.

"Hey—" Ding Lingdang suddenly called out.

Li Yao's body stiffened, his heart pounding—would this female tyrannosaurus chase after him?

Fortunately, Ding Lingdang had no intention of chasing him. She stepped onto the barbell bench and extended a finger:

"Little brother, don't rush to a conclusion. Go back and think about it carefully. You can ask around about the Great Wasteland Combat Academy's reputation in the cultivation world. As everyone knows—the Federation has nine elite universities, eight of which cultivate cultivators, while the Great Wasteland Combat Academy... only cultivates true warriors!"

Li Yao was taken aback, nodded at her, and turned to squeeze into the crowd.

Watching his back, Ding Lingdang licked her lips, spread her fingers, and clenched her hand, causing the air in her palm to crackle with a "snap."

"Wait and see, you're so strong, you're naturally meant for the Great Wasteland Combat Academy. I, Ding Lingdang, will definitely get you!"

...

To leave a deep impression on the candidates, the exchange fair lasted the entire day, and even at nine o'clock in the evening, the cabin was still brightly lit and bustling with activity.

However, Li Yao had already chosen his preferred university. After a hearty meal at the self-service restaurant on the Liaoyuan, he returned to his assigned single room early to rest.

On his way, his mind was filled with the vibrant face of Ding Lingdang. This not-so-pretty girl had a presence that left a deep impression in just half a second.

But no matter how special she was or how passionately she spoke, Li Yao would never apply to the Great Wasteland Combat Academy's Martial Combat Department.

His path was already set: the Deep Sea University's Magical Treasure Department!

"Get a good night's sleep tonight, perform well in the competition tomorrow, and try to catch the attention of Deep Sea University's observer, Xie Tingxian!" Li Yao silently resolved.