The Corruption of Yanfutu

Verdict: an offbeat, niche little romp:

No heroine for now. The writing is a little bizarre, and the tone is a little comical. It celebrates love of country, people, and civilization, with an epic main plot and a wry, everyday feel. There are hot-blooded battles, as well as farming and development where science and technology are the greatest force in combat.

A contemporary post-00s kid starts out with a part-time job and sets out to whip the paranormal world into shape. His goal is to become invincible without being brainless, and domineering without being tyrannical. Yan Xuan, a double-pupiled protagonist who stays cautious while being reckless, and reckless while playing it safe, knows how to read the situation and embodies both cowardice and daring.

As a medical student, he starts by working at a canteen for the supernatural, and dreams of digging up the bones of every demon and monster under heaven… all to complete his “graduation thesis.”

The guy in the bunk below is the last surviving Great Spirit. The fellow across from him games every night at dawn, powering his wireless charger with a single use of Thunder Magic that combines a whole year’s worth of energy. As for the dorm head… he isn’t a System Host. He’s a System that has cultivated a spirit and taken human form.

The dorm head’s hobby is driving a semi-truck to send Neon-chan to another world. Asked why, he says:

“The semi’s fully insured…”

Xuan knows he’s only one “fall” away from becoming a legendary investigator.

*But he turned it down.

*At that moment, he was filled with determination.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a story that glorifies individual heroism.

(The power levels really are a little high, but don’t worry, they won’t break the story.)

Finally, I assume nobody reads the blurb, but I’m hoping for a critical success on this roll.