The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 74: Chapter 72: Houhuiyao

The next morning, feeling refreshed and clear-headed, Feng Hao went downstairs. He had breakfast with Xiyue Luan and her niece, then prepared to head to Five Provinces Academy to take a look around.

After a day of rest, the injury on Xiyue Luan’s right arm had completely healed. She had changed into a simple outfit that further accentuated her curvaceous figure. "Frost is going to the Strength Department. I’ll go with her to have a look and see a few old friends. You can take Chief Black Cat to the Alchemy Department."

"Alright. By the way, where is the Alchemy Department?" Feng Hao agreed with a nod, taking Chief Black Cat from Xiyue Luan’s hands.

Xiyue Luan smiled. "The Alchemy Department should be in the East City District. Just ask around when you get there, and you’ll find it."

"Alright." Feng Hao nodded in understanding and walked toward the east side of the city, holding Chief Black Cat.

After watching Feng Hao walk away, Xiyue Frost wore a peculiar expression. "Aunt, that guy’s Qi Blood reading is bizarre. Yesterday it was under ten thousand, and today it’s over thirty thousand."

"The Alchemy Master from the Thief God Hall must have left him some special pills," Xiyue Luan said, lost in thought.

"Pills can increase your Qi Blood?" Xiyue Frost asked in disbelief.

Xiyue Luan chuckled. "Of course. If I’m not mistaken, Five Provinces Academy itself has several kinds of pills that increase Qi Blood. In fact, it’s not just Qi Blood—all six basic attributes can be enhanced with medicine."

"Alchemy Techniques really are amazing," Xiyue Frost remarked with a sigh. She looked up and asked, "I heard the Alchemy Department’s entrance exam is very difficult. Do you think Feng Hao can actually pass?"

"He looks so confident, so it probably won’t be an issue." Xiyue Luan smiled, pressing her lips together. "Okay, come on. I’ll take you to check out the Strength Department first, and then I’ll introduce you to the future dean."

Xiyue Frost gasped. "Aunt, you know the dean of Five Provinces Academy?!"

"What’s there to be shocked about? Your aunt was a big deal back in the day. The entire Ancient Cang Realm was crawling with my followers." Xiyue Luan grinned brashly, showing none of an elder’s composure. "Since you and Yaoyao are both going to be at Five Provinces Academy, I have to make him look out for you two."

"Should we buy a gift or something?" Xiyue Frost asked, concerned.

Xiyue Luan’s pretty eyes widened in a glare as she huffed. "A gift? He should be grateful *I’m* not demanding a gift from *him*, and you want to bring *him* one? Now that you mention it, I almost forgot. When we see him, I’m definitely making him give you a welcoming gift."

"..." Xiyue Frost was speechless. She really couldn’t comprehend her aunt’s bizarre personality.

Meanwhile, Feng Hao had already walked quite a distance, strolling down the bustling streets with Chief Black Cat in his arms. He periodically drew shrieks and stares from beautiful women. It couldn’t be helped—in its petite form, Chief Black Cat was the ultimate chick magnet.

All the attention from so many beautiful women made Feng Hao uncomfortable. Plus, the women in the big city were particularly forward, so every few steps, another one would come up to strike up a conversation.

Of course, they weren’t striking up a conversation with *him*, but with Chief Black Cat in his arms. That feeling really ticked Feng Hao off!

"I’ve been carrying you for this long, isn’t it your turn to carry me? Oh-ho, what’s with that look? Hurry up and change back to your normal size," Feng Hao said, getting annoyed. He casually tossed the cat onto the ground.

Chief Black Cat shot Feng Hao a glare, then held out a paw.

"You’re a damn cat, not a pig! Why is eating all you ever think about?" Feng Hao grumbled, shooting it a glare before obediently taking out a few Qi Recovery Pills and tossing them over.

After gulping down the Qi Recovery Pills, Chief Black Cat was all smiles. It gave its fur a delighted shake and returned to its normal size, instantly drawing a fresh wave of gasps and shrieks. This time, it wasn’t just the women; even the men were staring with curiosity and envy.

After all, Chief Black Cat was quite the looker. Being a Tier Six Magical Beast, it was only natural for it to cause a sensation.

"Now that’s more like it! Let’s go. Take your big bro to the East City District." Feng Hao leaped onto the cat’s back and patted Chief Black Cat’s head, satisfied.

Chief Black Cat wasn’t one to be difficult. It began striding toward the East City District with elegant steps, quietly basking in the astonished gazes of the passersby.

Two rich young men leaning against a luxury car by the side of the road stared, dumbfounded. They didn’t snap out of it until Feng Hao’s figure vanished into the crowd. Glancing back at their own Magic Energy Sports Car, they suddenly felt it was totally lame.

"Dammit! If only I had a Tier Six Midnight Cat. You can use it as a mount *and* to pick up chicks. It’d be unstoppable!"

"Keep dreaming. Magical beast pets aren’t that easy to tame, let alone a Tier Six one."

"Oh, screw off. Can’t a guy dream?"

The other young man didn’t get angry. He just smiled, looking thoughtfully in the direction Feng Hao had gone. ’Five States City really is full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Some level twenty-one kid is just riding around on a Tier Six Magical Beast.’

"Nope, I’ve gotta get my dad to figure out a way to get me a magical beast pet. Otherwise, how am I gonna show off during the exam tomorrow?"

"..." The other young man was speechless.

Meanwhile, after trekking for over an hour, Feng Hao finally entered the fabled East City District. He asked a few people on the street and learned that the entire Five States City was, in fact, the campus for Five Provinces Academy. Its various departments were spread throughout the city’s districts.

As the locals liked to joke: the beautiful Five States City is located inside the beautiful Five Provinces Academy.

Advanced Mage Academies had numerous departments, and Five Provinces Academy was no exception. The East City District was a special zone for auxiliary professions; the Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Demon Pattern, Mechanics, Medical, and Arts departments were all located there.

Although Feng Hao’s target was the Alchemy Department, that didn’t stop him from checking out the others. He rode Chief Black Cat on a tour around the area and discovered that all the other departments were packed to the brim with new students getting familiar with their surroundings. Only the Alchemy Department was depressingly deserted; there was hardly a soul in sight.

"Hey, buddy! You here for the Alchemy Department exam too?" The moment he set foot in the Alchemy Department, someone came over to strike up a conversation.

It couldn’t be helped. There were barely any people in the entire department. Now that he’d finally seen someone, he had to have a chat.

Feng Hao looked over in surprise to see a skinny young man approaching with a wide grin. He greeted Feng Hao while staring at Chief Black Cat, clicking his tongue in amazement. "Impressive, buddy. A Tier Six Midnight Cat for a pet. You’re either the son of a powerhouse or some rich heir."

"My name is Feng Hao. And you are...?" Feng Hao asked, rolling his eyes and clicking his tongue.

"Houhuiyao," the skinny youth answered offhandedly.

Feng Hao was completely baffled. Not understanding, he asked, "What’s that supposed to mean? Regret medicine?"

"Oh, my family name is Hou. My given name is Huiyao," the skinny youth said without a hint of embarrassment, apparently used to this reaction.

Hearing such a bizarre name, Feng Hao almost burst out laughing. But out of respect, he forced it down. "Well, that’s... a very unique name you’ve got there, buddy."

"Don’t even get me started! People usually talk about screwing their dads over, but in my case, my dad screwed *me* over. Of all the names he could have picked, he had to go with Houhuiyao, and now he absolutely refuses to let me change it." His face was filled with anguish and resentment.

Feng Hao cracked a smile and said sympathetically, "With a dad like that, I guess you just have to accept your fate. To be honest, it kind of grows on you after you say it a few times."

"Sigh... let’s not talk about it." Houhuiyao shook his head with a wry smile and changed the subject. "So, what made you decide to apply to the Alchemy Department here at Five Provinces Academy?"

"I wanted to apply to one of the main combat departments, but my level isn’t high enough," Feng Hao said with a helpless shrug.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Mages like us with mediocre talent can only sneak into the East City District departments. But it’s no big deal. If we make something of ourselves, we won’t necessarily be any worse off than those guys in the combat departments," Houhuiyao said with a grin.

"Well said," Feng Hao agreed wholeheartedly.

Houhuiyao let out a few loud laughs, his eyes darting around mischievously. "There’s nothing to see here in the Alchemy Department, anyway. How about we go check out the Arts Department next door? I heard a lot of hotties are applying this year!"

"Excellent idea." Feng Hao’s interest was immediately piqued, and he flashed a wicked grin.