The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 71: Chapter 69: Car Accident

Feng Hao’s group of three had already left, unaware of the effect of the sword strike Xiyue Frost had just made.

While they were busy choosing a hotel, Feng Hao finally couldn’t resist asking Xiyue Frost, "I remember you used a Longsword. Why’d you switch to a greatsword?"

"Because at the third rank, I awakened Effortless Weight," Xiyue Frost said, her eyes impassive.

"That explains it." Feng Hao nodded in understanding. ’No wonder she switched weapons. So she awakened a heavy weapon specialization.’

For most Mages, the third rank is when they lock in their future path. This is also why many people wait until after level thirty to enter an Advanced Academy.

Take Xiyue Frost, for example. With a first-rank vitality bonus, second-rank explosive power, and third-rank heavy weapon specialization, her path as a high-vitality, high-strength burst character was basically set. It was roughly equivalent to a Berserker in the game settings on Earth.

Then again, a beautiful girl like Xiyue Frost going down the Berserker path just seemed awkward, no matter how you looked at it.

Just imagine it: a beauty as cold as her name, charging headfirst into the fray with a greatsword, carving a bloody path back and forth through enemy lines, completely unstoppable. The cognitive dissonance was overwhelming.

Night fell, but within Ancient Yang City, the lights were brilliant. The bustling nightlife was just getting started.

Since they had an early start tomorrow, the trio wasn’t in the mood to wander. After a quick search, they checked into a hotel called the Guiyun Inn.

"You get your own room. I’ll be with Xiaoshuang. Remember to be up early tomorrow," West Moon Ridge said to Feng Hao, turning around after paying for the rooms while cradling the petite Chief Black Cat.

"Alright." Feng Hao naturally had no objections. He obediently took his room key and went to bed.

It had to be said, the accommodations at Guiyun Inn were quite upscale—at least better than the inn he stayed at when he first arrived in Rongcheng.

After a quick wash and shower, he pulled open the curtains, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to cultivate by the moonlight. Of course, the boost from the Magic Crystal was essential. Otherwise, given his genetic activity level, cultivating would be too arduous.

It had been a while since Feng Hao advanced to the second rank, and he felt like he could evolve to level twenty-one at any moment.

With the boost from the Magic Crystal and the potent effects of the Life Spirit Pill, his cultivation was exceptionally smooth. As the night deepened, the Genetic Tree in his sea of consciousness successfully grew to level twenty-one, condensing ten faintly glowing Gene Primes.

He skillfully allocated the Gene Primes. The metamorphosis that came from the depths of his genes made him groan out loud. When he checked his genetic data again, it had changed:

Genetic Level: 21

Qi Blood: 9050 (2650)

Vitality: 39 (18)

Magic Power: 1050

Force: 301 (154)

Hidden Strength: 1092

Magic Damage: 147

Defense: 263 (32)

Gang Qi: 630

Speed: 553 (120)

Attack Speed: 254 (128)

Divine Sense: 252

Aura Concealment: 288

Divine Sense Strength: 42

Weak Point Enhancement: 42

His abilities were decent across the board, but his Qi Blood was a major weakness. Fortunately, he’d already found the Purple Leaf Grass. As long as he could also find the Blood Burial Flower, he could effectively raise his Basic Qi Blood.

As for how effective the Blood Essence Pill was in the game *Mage*, Feng Hao had no idea.

But since even Experience Pills worked, he figured the Blood Essence Pill should work as well.

’It’s a shame that kid Tu Xiaoshan didn’t awaken a talent for increasing Qi Blood, otherwise I wouldn’t have this headache.’ He opened his eyes with a low sigh and resumed absorbing Magic Power.

Time flew by while he cultivated. At the crack of dawn, Feng Hao quickly washed up and went straight to the hotel lobby to wait.

A few minutes later, two beauties—one older, one younger—walked out. Chief Black Cat was nestled in West Moon Ridge’s arms, sleeping like a log; you could hear its snores from a distance.

"Good morning, beautiful ladies," Feng Hao offered as a casual greeting.

Xiyue Frost gave a slight nod in reply, her expression as stoic as ever. West Moon Ridge chuckled and nodded back. "Let’s head out now. The sooner we get to Five States City, the better."

Feng Hao nodded and followed the two out of the Guiyun Inn.

The silver-black Magic Energy Flying Vehicle rapidly ascended, whistling toward Five States City at an incredible speed.

The journey was exceptionally boring. Xiyue Frost was her usual silent self, resting with her eyes closed, clearly in no mood to talk. Meanwhile, Chief Black Cat was still sleeping like a log.

With no other options, Feng Hao could only direct the conversation toward West Moon Ridge, who was piloting the vehicle. "Aunt Xiyue, I see your Qi Blood is so high. Did you awaken a branch that increases it?"

"Why do you ask?" West Moon Ridge frowned, puzzled.

"No reason, just curious," Feng Hao said with an awkward laugh.

West Moon Ridge glanced back at Feng Hao with a strange expression. "You guessed right. My fourth-rank talent gives me a big boost to my Qi Blood."

"What are the specifics?" Feng Hao pressed excitedly, feeling his heart race with anticipation.

"Every point of Magic Power increases Qi Blood by 25. It’s one of the absolute best Qi Blood talents."

"HISS—!" Feng Hao sucked in a sharp breath, nearly screaming aloud. ’Twenty-five points of Qi Blood for every point of Magic Power... this talent is absolutely insane! And it shares the same origin as my own second-rank talent, which means it can be grafted onto my Genetic Tree!’

’Talk about searching high and low for something only to have it fall right into your lap.’ He never dreamed that the graftable branch he so desperately needed was on West Moon Ridge herself—and it was even more perfect than he could have imagined. At that moment, Feng Hao really wanted to throw his head back and laugh out loud.

’What would happen if I combined the eight extra Magic Power points from my meridians with this talent?’

’With my current plan of five meridian points per rank, plus one point of spiritual growth per level, every level-up would grant me 50 Magic Power. That’s equivalent to 1,250 Qi Blood!’

’And with this talent, I could stop allocating two Gene Primes to my physique root system and put them into my meridians or other roots instead. Just the thought of it was thrilling.’

’This talent is perfect! I have to get it!’ Feng Hao roared internally, wishing he could just take a blade to West Moon Ridge right then and there.

But he obviously couldn’t do that. For one, West Moon Ridge was his future elder. For another, she was a Seventh Rank Mage who could crush him with a wave of her hand. Sticking a knife in her to draw blood was completely out of the question.

West Moon Ridge quickly noticed Feng Hao’s odd behavior. Even the usually silent Xiyue Frost looked confused.

"Hey, kid, what’s with you? You’re completely zoned out," West Moon Ridge said, her expression peculiar.

"Er, it’s nothing. I was just a little shocked." Feng Hao snapped out of it. Suppressing his inner excitement, he asked tentatively, "Um... could you possibly lend me a drop of your blood for research?"

"Hm?" West Moon Ridge froze, turning her head back in astonishment.

Xiyue Frost was just as confused. She frowned coldly. "What’s there to research about my aunt’s blood? What are you trying to pull?"

"Ahem, why are you two looking at me like that? I’m just curious, wanted to see if I could figure anything out from it," Feng Hao said, his face a picture of embarrassment.

"What could a Level 4 Alchemist possibly figure out?" Xiyue Frost snorted, turning to West Moon Ridge. "Aunt, ignore him. This little thief is incredibly crafty. Don’t fall for his tricks."

"..." Feng Hao felt his face darken. He wished he could just rape and then kill Xiyue Frost to vent his frustration.

Seeing Feng Hao’s frustrated expression, Xiyue Frost sneered internally. It wasn’t that she was deliberately targeting him; it was just that his previous, shameless act of stealing her underwear made it hard to believe he wouldn’t use her aunt’s blood for some nefarious purpose.

West Moon Ridge was more level-headed. She studied Feng Hao for a moment with a frown, a strange feeling in her heart. "Can you tell me what you want my blood for?"

Feng Hao hemmed and hawed for a good while, completely unable to cook up a suitable excuse.

Just as he was racking his brain, a massive Ghost Eagle appeared outside the front windscreen, flying straight toward them. Its dark-red wings spanned nearly a hundred meters, and each flap kicked up a furious gale. Its jet-black talons were sharp as blades, a truly terrifying sight.

And at that moment, West Moon Ridge was turned around looking at Feng Hao, completely oblivious to the danger ahead.

"Look out, danger!" Feng Hao’s expression changed dramatically as he shouted a warning.

Xiyue Frost quickly spotted the danger as well. Her pretty face went pale as she cried out, "Aunt, look in front of you!"

The soundly sleeping Chief Black Cat also sensed the danger. It leaped up alertly, all its fur instantly standing on end as if it had been electrocuted. It let out a strange cry: "MREOOOW—!"