The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 40: Chapter 38: Insta-killing Beixing Ran

Yue Linglong was at a loss for words. She could tell there was a hidden meaning in what Feng Hao said. If she hadn’t recognized the value of combat techniques before, then after Xi Yueyao’s shockingly good performance, she understood their importance for the first time.

"If you’re truly confident you can defeat Zhou Chen, I’ll find a way to recommend you to the Five States Academy," Yue Linglong said with the utmost seriousness.

Feng Hao paused, stunned for a moment. "The Five States Academy?"

"That’s right." Yue Linglong nodded. "Normally, with your status as an auditing student, you wouldn’t even be qualified to test into the Five States Academy."

"You really have a way?" Feng Hao asked, skeptical.

’To be honest, getting into an Advanced Academy is my biggest problem right now. After all, Advanced Academies aren’t like the junior ones where you can get in with a sponsorship. Only official graduates from junior academies are even qualified to apply.’

Yue Linglong shook her head with a smile. "I can only get you the opportunity to take the entrance exam. Whether or not you can pass is up to you."

"Alright, it’s a deal!" Feng Hao nodded earnestly.

...

Time flew by, and soon it was Feng Hao’s turn to fight. His opponent, surprisingly, was Beixing Ran—the girl who had broken off her engagement.

’This is getting interesting,’ Feng Hao thought. ’Xi Yueyao faces Zhou Chen, and I get Beixing Ran. Enemies really do have a way of finding each other.’

Because Zhou Chen had nearly been defeated earlier, Beixing Ran was in a foul mood. Given her history with Miao Feng, she certainly wasn’t going to be pleasant to Feng Hao. "So it’s you, you piece of trash. Hmph!"

"Well, if it isn’t the girl who broke her engagement, Beixing Ran," Feng Hao shot back mockingly.

Beixing Ran’s expression turned ugly. "Let me make this clear: I have nothing to do with Miao Feng. That loser isn’t even worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as me!"

"Is that so?" Feng Hao’s expression hardened. He said disdainfully, "I think *you’re* the one who isn’t worthy."

"Hilarious. A toad lusting after a swan," Beixing Ran sneered, her voice dripping with arrogant contempt.

Feng Hao couldn’t help but laugh. ’Looks like Beixing Ran has no idea what happened to the Beixing Clan. Ever since that kidnapping incident, the Beixing Clan has been hiding in its shell like a turtle. Only she would still dare to be this arrogant.’

’This is fine, though. A perfect opportunity to vent some of my apprentice Xiaomiaozi’s frustration for him.’

Over in the second-year section, Miao Feng rushed over as soon as he heard the news. "Go, Senior Brother! Teach her a lesson for me!"

Feng Hao shot him a reassuring glance before turning to Beixing Ran with a smirk. "Since you’re so confident, let’s get this started."

"Hmph! You think I’m scared of you?" Beixing Ran’s expression grew even more scornful when she saw Miao Feng appear.

Beixing Ran snorted and immediately made her move. She swung her sword, unleashing three spiraling streams of Sword Qi. It was the same Tri-Blade Sword Qi that Zhou Chen had used earlier.

"Well now, you even managed to wheedle the Tri-Blade Sword Qi technique out of him," Feng Hao remarked, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"As long as you know!" Beixing Ran said smugly. She directed the three streams of Sword Qi to whistle through the air, streaking toward Feng Hao’s vital points.

Fortunately, Beixing Ran’s mastery of the Tri-Blade Sword Qi was low. The three streams of Sword Qi were nowhere near the size of Zhou Chen’s. With light, drifting footwork, Feng Hao quickly escaped their encirclement.

At the same time, he darted toward Beixing Ran.

Given Feng Hao’s strength, Beixing Ran was no match for him. His figure blurred, a dagger flashed with a dark light, and his Dark Force attack struck home with ease.

In a single strike, Beixing Ran’s movements stopped dead. Through the detection of his Crystal Eye, he could clearly see the damage number that appeared above her head.

He had the Dark Force Fifth Layer, which should have dealt five instances of damage. However, only a single damage number appeared above Beixing Ran’s head. This meant the very first instance of damage had completely depleted her Qi Blood.

Her Qi Blood depleted, Beixing Ran’s face turned deathly pale, and she collapsed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Xiaoran!" Zhou Chen shouted, rushing onto the stage. Gritting his teeth, he glared at Feng Hao. "Feng Hao, wasn’t that a bit excessive?"

Feng Hao sneered. "It’s not that I hit hard. She’s just too fragile."

With that, he turned and walked off the stage without a backward glance.

The crowd had already erupted into an uproar. Feng Hao had one-shotted his way into the top sixteen—and as an auditing student, no less. This was an absolute first in the academy’s history.

In the stands, several high-level academy officials stared wide-eyed. Dean Zhao Hao, in particular, was so stunned he couldn’t speak.

"Isn’t that the auditing student?!" Zhao Hao exclaimed in disbelief.

’To be fair, Feng Hao showed unusual strength during the Monster Simulator incident, unlike any auditing student before him,’ he thought. ’But I never imagined his power was this terrifying.’

"He certainly has some skill," Elder Gu said, his expression grave.

"It’s a waste for someone with his strength to be just an auditing student," a few Elders lamented.

"Indeed," the officials from the Central Academy nodded in agreement.

Zhao Hao snapped out of it, his expression unreadable. "How did this kid do yesterday?"

A younger Elder answered, "The same as just now. He won his first two matches in a single blow. His third opponent forfeited. In the fourth match, he apparently faced Ting Girl and made her forfeit based on his superior speed alone."

Zhao Hao paused, his expression growing even more peculiar. "No wonder that girl was crying and throwing a tantrum yesterday."

"Dean, shouldn’t you consider officially enrolling him? After all, with his strength, he’s qualified to compete for first place."

"I’ve considered it. But the kid’s aptitude for a magic foundation is too poor. I fear he won’t have much of a future." Zhao Hao frowned, deep in thought. As the dean, he had to think long-term. "I say we wait and see. Let’s see how he performs from here on out."

The other officials nodded in understanding, all voicing their agreement. The academy’s reputation was at stake, after all. If Feng Hao’s development were to stall later on, it would ultimately be the academy that lost face.

Feng Hao, unaware that he had caught the attention of the academy’s top brass, went to regroup with his friends after the match.

Yue Linglong was also shocked and puzzled by Feng Hao’s performance. "Your damage output is... odd. Can you tell me how you did that?"

"Is it really that strange for a Basic Secret Skill at one hundred proficiency to do that much damage?" Feng Hao bluffed.

"One hundred proficiency?!" Yue Linglong exclaimed. Zhang Meng and the others were just as shocked.

’What a joke! Who would be so bored as to grind a Basic Secret Skill all the way to one hundred proficiency?’

Yue Linglong’s heart raced. She recalled the Monster Simulator incident and quickly put two and two together. "You did it in the Monster Simulator, didn’t you?"

"That’s right," Feng Hao admitted with a nod.

Yue Linglong’s lovely eyes glinted. For the first time, she realized Feng Hao wasn’t so bad after all.

’For an auditing student to grind a Basic Secret Skill to one hundred proficiency... that would take immense effort and perseverance. Even I’m not sure I could do it.’

"You’re the most hardworking auditing student I’ve ever met. Whether you defeat Zhou Chen or not, I will recommend you for the Five States Academy." Yue Linglong gazed at Feng Hao, her tone incredibly earnest.

"Thanks for the praise!" Feng Hao said with a faint smile. "As for the Five States Academy spot, I think it’d be better if you give it to me after I defeat Zhou Chen."

Seeing the confidence in his eyes, Yue Linglong gave a radiant smile and nodded.

...

The competition continued. Zhang Meng and Li Mufeng had decent luck, and both advanced into the round of sixteen. The quarterfinals and semifinals were next.

Xi Yueyao had already recovered and was now chattering away beside him, giving Feng Hao a headache.

"Master, can you come here? I have something to tell you," Miao Feng said, hesitating for a moment before coming closer to whisper in Feng Hao’s ear.

Feng Hao paused, giving him an odd look, then gestured for them to talk in a nearby corner.

"Where are you going? I’m going too!" Xi Yueyao immediately latched on.

"Stay here. I have something to discuss with Miao Feng." Feng Hao rolled his eyes at her in annoyance, then led Miao Feng to a quiet corner. "Is something wrong at the Miao Medicine Tower?" he asked, puzzled.

"No, no," Miao Feng quickly shook his head. He hesitated before asking, "Um... Master, could you give me a few Tier Two Experience Pills?"

"I almost forgot you’re already Tier Two!" Feng Hao said, suddenly remembering. He took out five Tier Two Experience Pills and handed them over.

Miao Feng took the Experience Pills, then asked awkwardly, "Could I... have five more?"

"What do you need so many for?" Feng Hao asked, surprised.

"They’re... for someone." Miao Feng suddenly lowered his head, his face flushing bright red.

Feng Hao’s mouth fell open for a second before he understood. He teased, "For a girl?"

Miao Feng nodded slightly.

"What’s there to be embarrassed about?" Feng Hao grinned. "Come on, tell your master. Who’s the lucky girl?"

"A... a senior from the third year," Miao Feng stammered.

"You’ve been holding out on me, kid! You managed to score a senior?" Feng Hao stared at Miao Feng for a moment, re-evaluating him, then burst out laughing. "Not bad, not bad at all! You’ve got a bright future ahead of you!"

"..." Miao Feng just stood there, looking completely embarrassed.