The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 41: Chapter 39: Little Bro Ritian

After sending Miao Feng on his way, Feng Hao felt a sense of relief. He had thought it would be difficult for the kid to move on from Beixing Ran, but it seemed he had been worrying for nothing.

The combat assessment continued. The first-year bracket was moving along quickly, and Feng Hao effortlessly defeated his opponent in a single blow to advance into the top eight.

Due to the inherent disadvantages of being a Gun Magic Master, Li Mufeng was defeated by a Defense Mage. Zhang Meng, however, relied on a combination of various Secret Techniques to defeat his opponent, also making it into the top eight.

Meanwhile, the name Feng Hao had spread like wildfire throughout Rongcheng Academy. By this stage of the combat assessment, every remaining contestant was an elite. For Feng Hao to maintain a perfect record of winning with a single blow was absolutely earth-shattering news.

Although most people didn’t approve of his status as a Mage without official enrollment, no one dared to question Feng Hao’s strength anymore!

「The final round of matches the next day.」

With his overwhelming power, Feng Hao once again defeated his opponent in a single blow and successfully advanced to the final four. Zhang Meng, on the other hand, ran into Zhou Chen and suffered a crushing defeat.

At this point, Class One only had Feng Hao, this "half a student," remaining in the final four. All their hopes now rested on his shoulders.

Besides Feng Hao, the other three finalists were Zhou Chen, representing Class Two; the Magic-type Mage, Xiao Yu, from Class Three; and a Defense Mage from Class Five named Wang Biao.

Xiao Yu and Wang Biao could be considered the dark horses of this competition—though of course, they were nothing compared to Feng Hao, a dark horse so dark he was pitch-black.

As for Zhou Chen, being the most talented student of his year and Elder Gu’s Direct Disciple, it was only natural for him to reach the final four.

Over on Feng Hao’s side, just moments after Yue Linglong had left, Zhang Meng immediately ran over to flatter him. "Boss, you’re incredible! Class One is counting on you!"

"Cut the crap," Feng Hao said irritably. "Tell me about the situation with the second and third years."

"Ahem... Tu Xiaoshan knows more about that. Let him tell you," Zhang Meng said sheepishly.

Since Tu Xiaoshan had been eliminated the day before, he had been keeping a close eye on the second and third-year matches. Hearing Feng Hao’s question, he stepped forward to report, "The competition among the second-years is pretty fierce this time. All four of their finalists are tough."

"Just tell me who’s likely to win," Feng Hao cut in.

Tu Xiaoshan was taken aback for a moment. He furrowed his brow and said thoughtfully, "If we’re talking about the favorite to win, it’s probably last year’s champion, Yang Qingfeng. As for the third-years, it’s got to be Xiyue Frost. No question."

"Of course! My sister is definitely number one!" Xi Yueyao chimed in, her face full of pride.

Feng Hao nodded, already pondering how he was going to get his hands on the other two [Magic Souls] tomorrow.

"Speaking of which, Boss, why do you care about all this?" Li Mufeng asked. Xi Yueyao and the others also turned to look at Feng Hao curiously.

Feng Hao grinned. "I’m wondering if I can get my hands on the second and third-years’[Magic Souls]."

"Holy crap, Boss wants to challenge the top students from the upper years?!" everyone exclaimed, staring at him in disbelief.

"Why not?" Feng Hao asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It’s not that you can’t, it’s just... terrifying," Zhang Meng said, smacking his lips, his eyes full of admiration. "Don’t worry, Boss. We’ll support you!"

"Good, that’s what I like to hear," Feng Hao said, nodding in satisfaction.

Xi Yueyao blinked and asked, "Hey, Potion Boy, are you really going to challenge my sister?"

"Yao Girl, you’re not trying to plead for your sister’s sake, are you?" Feng Hao asked, looking at her with suspicion.

"Pfft. I’m just worried my sister will pick on you," Xi Yueyao said, pouting smugly. "Don’t say I didn’t warn you. My big sister is really strong."

Feng Hao rubbed his nose and retorted, "And I’m not?"

"Mmm..." Xi Yueyao hesitated for a moment, her tone conflicted. "You’re really strong too, but my sister is even stronger."

"Then what happens if I ’accidentally’ beat your sister?" Feng Hao teased.

"Hmph! My sister would never lose to you!" Xi Yueyao huffed, then turned and stormed off in a pout.

...

Back in the equipment room, Feng Hao dove straight into an Enhanced Cultivation Pod and began his cultivation.

The most important thing now was to reach level twenty as soon as possible. At that point, his meridian root system would undergo a foundational evolution, and he would gain the ability to condense Dark Energy.

Only after he could condense Dark Energy would he be able to cultivate other Dark Energy Secret Techniques, allowing his Assassin class to truly take shape!

’My Qi Blood and Divine Sense are still too low. I have to find a way to raise my Qi Blood,’ Feng Hao thought, frowning at his attribute panel from within the pod.

His damage output already far exceeded that of Mages at his level; what he truly lacked were the two attributes of Qi Blood and Divine Sense.

Although the Assassin class was inherently a glass cannon, his current Qi Blood was simply too low. Against opponents like Yang Qingfeng and Xiyue Frost, he probably couldn’t even withstand a single one of their attacks.

As for the Divine Sense attribute, it was crucial for an Assassin, a class that relies on accuracy. After all, once his speed surpassed 500 points, it would be difficult to lock onto a target with his naked eye alone. He would need to supplement it with sufficient Divine Sense.

It wasn’t that Feng Hao’s Divine Sense was so low he was incapable of fighting, but he would certainly be at a disadvantage when facing High-level Mages.

’Theoretically, if Experience Pills work on me, then other pills that increase my maximum Qi Blood should work too,’ Feng Hao thought, shaking his head with a wry smile. ’It’s just a shame that Blood Burial Flowers and Purple Leaf Grass are so hard to come by.’

He possessed Ninth-Level Alchemy Techniques, yet he couldn’t use them to their full potential because rare ingredients were too difficult to find. So far, he had only been able to craft common health and mana potions, with Experience Pills being the sole exception.

...

On the day of the finals, students gathered in the plaza early in the morning. Feng Hao had wanted to cultivate a while longer but was dragged out by an exceptionally cheerful Xi Yueyao.

As it was the final day of the assessment, the academy was treating it with the utmost importance. The senior staff were all in their seats ahead of time, and even the Old City Lord had arrived early.

The Old City Lord hadn’t come alone, either. He was accompanied by a stunningly beautiful woman—Xi Yueyao’s aunt, West Moon Ridge.

Upon seeing West Moon Ridge, Xi Yueyao exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? Why is Auntie here?"

"Your aunt knows the Old City Lord?" Feng Hao asked, intrigued.

"Of course," Xi Yueyao said, lifting her chin proudly. "Grandpa City Lord used to be my aunt’s headmaster!"

"No wonder," Feng Hao realized. That explained why West Moon Ridge was so respectfully helping the Old City Lord to his seat.

Up on the grandstand, all the senior staff greeted West Moon Ridge with welcoming smiles. Only Zhao Hao had a strange expression on his face.

"I’d heard you had returned, but I never found the time to pay a visit. I didn’t expect you’d come with the Old City Lord," Zhao Hao said, looking embarrassed.

West Moon Ridge chuckled as she helped the Old City Lord sit down, her playful gaze landing on Zhao Hao. "Little Brother Ritian, so you do remember me, after all?"

"Ahem..." Zhao Hao nearly choked, his face flushing red. "I’m the headmaster now, you know. Can’t you spare me a little dignity?"

"Pfft, and I’m a special envoy from the Holy Hall," West Moon Ridge retorted with a look of disdain.

The Elders present all chuckled, unable to help but recall various scenes from the days when they had been her teachers...

Seeing Zhao Hao look like he wanted to die of embarrassment, the Old City Lord stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, settle down. You’re not kids anymore, even if you act like it. Let’s watch the students perform!"

At his words, the two of them quickly settled down.

"I heard Yaoyao was eliminated yesterday. Luan Girl, what are your thoughts on that?" the Old City Lord asked teasingly.

In front of the Old City Lord, West Moon Ridge acted more like an innocent young girl. She pouted and mumbled, "Yaoyao is too playful. It’s perfectly normal for her to lose to that little genius, Zhou Chen."

"Hehe," the Old City Lord said, his eyes narrowing with mirth. "And yet, I seem to recall you being even more of a troublemaker than she is back in your day."

West Moon Ridge’s lovely face flushed red as she retorted coquettishly, "That’s not true at all! I was very well-behaved back then. Little Brother Ritian, tell him, wasn’t I?"

"Yes, yes, of course," Zhao Hao agreed hastily, though inwardly he was cursing his rotten luck. Who could have ever imagined that the former "Big Sister" of Rongcheng would one day return after leaving all those years ago?

The Old City Lord chuckled, shaking his head helplessly.

PS: I found a lot of bugs in the previous Chapters and have now fixed them. Lastly, please leave some recommendation votes and add this to your collection! West Mountain will continue to meticulously craft this book.