366 The Capital Institute 2

Physical cultivators had strong, muscular physiques and abundant stamina. As such, they were still light on their feet and moving quickly. In contrast, mental cultivators were all physically weak and frail. They focused on cultivation of the mind and placed no demands on the training of their physical bodies. It was nearly a death sentence asking them to climb this mountain on their own. After just a short distance, Ji Fengyan already saw a skinny youth sitting under the shade and looking like a "zombie" with his pale face and half-dead expression.

At noon when the sun was at its most vicious, the people on the mountain road became increasingly sparse. A large proportion of the youths had chosen to seek shelter under the trees to avoid the burning heat.

Ji Fengyan was not tired but nonetheless unwilling to forge ahead under the blazing sun. She scurried into the forest and continued her way under the shade offered by the trees.

After walking for a while, Ji Fengyan felt rather thirsty and sat down by a large tree to sip some water.

While chewing on a piece of dried meat, Ji Fengyan suddenly heard a strange movement from the nearby bush. The noise was indescribably weird. It was as if the grass was being scuffed—she could even faintly make out the sound of grinding metal.

Ji Fengyan immediately went on the alert. Although there were no ferocious beasts in the capital institute mountains, there have been rumors of demons sneaking into their midst, plotting to massacre the students of the capital institute.

Just as Ji Fengyan narrowed her eyes and wondered if she was about to come face to face with the fabled savage and cunning demons.

A wretched-looking figure suddenly crawled out from the bushes…

Ji Fengyan was astounded. Before she could get a clear look at that lump of a figure, it had already discovered Ji Fengyan's presence. In an instant, the figure fell at Ji Fengyan's feet with a thud. Just as she was considering whether to kick off it off, the figure suddenly reached out with dirt-filled paws and clamped onto Ji Fengyan's ankle!

"Hero!!!" An earth-shattering plea sounded out.

"Do a good deed and give me something to eat!!!" The figure clutching Ji Fengyan's feet raised its miserable head. Its face was completely covered in dirt, with only a pair of tear-filled eyes visible.

Ji Fengyan was in a daze.

This bizarre figure was actually a human!

The person's gaze shifted from Ji Fengyan to the dried meat in her hands.

Ji Fengyan could clearly see him swallowing his saliva in difficulty. She followed his gaze to the food in her hands.

She slowly reached out and tilted the dried meat toward that person.

With eyes nearly shining green and cracked lips gaping, he eyed the dried meat as drool flowed out of his mouth.

"Do you want to eat this?" Ji Fengyan lifted her brows.

That person nodded promptly.

"Let go of me first." Ji Fengyan stared at the hand still wrapped around her ankles.

Trembling, he withdrew his hand. A blackish handprint was clearly imprinted on Ji Fengyan's clean trousers.

The corners of Ji Fengyan's mouth twitched.

Her brand new trousers.

"Hero…" A quavering sound drifted from that person's throat. Despite the blazing heat, that heart-rending voice gave Ji Fengyan goosebumps all over.

Without waiting for it to say another word, Ji Fengyan immediately shoved the dried meat into its mouth. She didn't want to suffer the sound of that person's penetrating voice again.

The moment the dried meat entered his mouth, that person's face scrunched up in contentment. He stood up with a howl and swiftly started eating.

…