The Strongest Talent Tree

Are you kidding? Making machines was nothing like alchemy. As a complete beginner, he was horribly inefficient.

But alchemy was a different story. With his Ninth-Level Alchemy Techniques as a foundation, assisted by the game-like interface and his Alchemy Equipment, making ten thousand bottles of Snow Frost Ointment was just a matter of a few days.

Seeing Feng Hao’s dumbfounded look, Yu Xiaoxiao realized how difficult it must be to make the devices. With a chuckle of understanding, she said, "Then how about a hundred units?"

"I can manage a hundred, but I’m not sure I have enough time," Feng Hao said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Oh? Do you have other commitments?" Yu Xiaoxiao asked in surprise.

Feng Hao nodded. "Every afternoon, I work on a special research project with an old man. Plus, I’m planning to head back to my hometown in a few days. There’s no way I can finish a hundred."

"Alright, then just make as many as you can," Yu Xiaoxiao said with an understanding nod. She waved the player in her hand and added with a charming smile, "How about you let me have this one?"

"Sure," Feng Hao said with a casual smile. Compared to the sumu wood and the Demon Jade Talisman Yu Xiaoxiao had given him, this little gadget was nothing.

"Thanks!" Yu Xiaoxiao was overjoyed, fiddling with the player, unable to put it down. After a good while, she finally tossed Feng Hao a Spatial Ring filled with materials. "Here are the ingredients for the Snow Frost Ointment. I’m leaving them with you."

"Alright, my lady hero. I estimate the task will be completed in five days," Feng Hao teased, stowing the Spatial Ring away.

As afternoon approached, Feng Hao went to Sun Yaowen’s place as usual to study demonic beasts. Yu Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, was having the time of her life, clutching the player and enjoying the music. Every now and then, she would use a Listening Stone to chat with her best friend, a smug look plastered on her face.

...

Five days later, Feng Hao had used his spare time to finish refining the ten thousand bottles of Snow Frost Ointment.

Although mass production significantly lowered the quality, given his level of alchemy, the drop wasn’t all that bad.

After receiving the Snow Frost Ointment, Yu Xiaoxiao was in no hurry to leave. She remained lost in her music, unable to pull herself away, patiently waiting for Feng Hao to make the MP3 players.

This busy routine continued for half a month, at the end of which Feng Hao had finally finished eighty MP3 players. He gave fifty to Yu Xiaoxiao, and planned to sell the remaining thirty at his pharmacy—’No, wait, I should call it a general store now.’

"Here’s your payment. Twenty Level 4 Magic Crystals. How about that? Pretty generous, right?" Yu Xiaoxiao said as they parted, presenting him with his reward.

"Haha, you’re truly generous, my lady hero!" Feng Hao accepted the Magic Crystals, pleasantly surprised. He was instantly back to living the Xiaokang life.

"Hehe." Yu Xiaoxiao giggled, covering her mouth. "If this business venture is successful, we’ll have more to work on in the future."

"No problem," Feng Hao readily agreed.

"Oh, right. Before I go, let’s exchange Spiritual Marks. It’ll make it easier to stay in touch."

"Alright."

Feng Hao didn’t stand on ceremony. After they exchanged Spiritual Marks, he watched Yu Xiaoxiao’s flying car disappear over the horizon.

Having inexplicably earned two billion Magic Crystals, Feng Hao was in high spirits. Next, he needed to prepare for his trip back to Rongcheng.

His research with Sun Yaowen had also reached a good stopping point. Sun Yaowen could handle the next phase on his own, and it wouldn’t be too late for Feng Hao to help again after he returned from Rongcheng.

Dongfang Qi and Nanyuan Xu were already prepared. The three of them discussed their plans and decided to set off the next day.

Feng Hao had originally wanted to take Xiyue Frost back with him, but unfortunately, ever since he’d returned her underwear, she hadn’t given him so much as a pleasant look. Left with no choice, he had to abandon the idea.

As for Houhuiyao, he had latched onto Bai Yin and was absolutely thriving at the academy. Thanks to his powerful abilities as a Healing Mage, he had become one of the most sought-after students for teaming up, and he had even, somehow, ended up on the f*cking medical department’s lecture stage.

When he heard Feng Hao was returning to Rongcheng, the guy had begged and pleaded to go with him, but Feng Hao had unfortunately turned him down.

On the eve of his departure, Feng Hao made a special trip in his Mansa to the Arts Department, planning to deliver a letter for Xu Zhenzhen.

He hadn’t expected to run into Yao Ying as soon as he entered the Arts Department. To Feng Hao’s surprise, she was like a completely different person. She actually approached him with a welcoming smile, as if nothing had ever happened between them.

"Darling, did you come to see me?" Yao Ying chirped, rushing to Feng Hao’s side and grabbing his arm.

Feng Hao was utterly baffled. He hastily shook her off and said, "What’s going on? Don’t tell me those two kicks I gave you knocked you stupid?"

Hearing this, not only did Yao Ying not get angry, she instead sidled up to him coquettishly and said with deep, feigned affection, "Feng Hao, I think I’m falling for you. Will you be my boyfriend?"

"What the hell? Are you crazy!?" Feng Hao was stunned speechless and beat a hasty retreat.

Watching Feng Hao’s retreating back, a cold smile crept onto Yao Ying’s lips. ’That’s right.’ After her last attempt at revenge had failed, she had wracked her brains and finally come up with a brilliant new plan—to play with his heart.

’In my opinion,’ Yao Ying thought, ’with my unparalleled beauty, all I have to do is take a little initiative and I can easily wrap Feng Hao around my little finger. Once he’s truly fallen for me, I’ll kick him to the curb. That will surely shatter his heart.’

Too bad for her, she had no idea that Feng Hao already had a cute little she-devil of his own.

As for Feng Hao, after shaking off Yao Ying’s pestering, he quickly found Xu Zhenzhen’s dorm room. Seeing him arrive, Xu Zhenzhen immediately stopped her dance practice and asked in confusion, "Senior Brother, why are you in such a rush?"

"Don’t even ask. I ran into that psycho, Yao Ying!" Feng Hao said, shaking his head helplessly.

Xu Zhenzhen couldn’t help but laugh. "No wonder. Senior Sister Yao Ying has been telling everyone that you’re her boyfriend lately. I thought it was strange."

"What the hell? She’s really saying that?" Feng Hao asked, his expression darkening with exasperation.

"Yes," Xu Zhenzhen confirmed.

’What on earth is that woman up to? Does she have one of those legendary constitutions that just begs for a beating?’ Feng Hao wondered aloud.

"Oh, right, Senior Brother. Was there something you needed me for?" Xu Zhenzhen asked.

Feng Hao snapped back to reality. "I’m preparing to head back to Rongcheng for a bit," he said with a smile. "Do you have any message you’d like me to pass on to Miao Feng?"

"Really?" Xu Zhenzhen was overjoyed. "Senior Brother, wait just a moment," she said in a fluster. "I’ll go find someone to borrow a Communication Jade Scroll from."

Feng Hao chuckled and casually tossed her a Communication Jade Scroll. "I have one right here."

"That’s wonderful!" Xu Zhenzhen took the jade scroll, as cheerful as a little bird. She subconsciously began to pour her feelings of longing into it, but then she suddenly realized Feng Hao was still standing nearby. Her cheeks flushed red as she said, "Um... Senior Brother, could you maybe give me a moment alone?"

"Of course, of course." Feng Hao nodded with a suppressed smile and moved a short distance away to wait.

’Girls really do take their time with everything,’ he thought. ’Taking forever just to write one message with her Divine Sense.’

For over an hour, Feng Hao waited, nearly dozing off. He watched as Xu Zhenzhen paced back and forth, clutching the jade scroll. Her expression shifted from sweet to goofy to sad, making her look just like the female lead in some sappy drama.

’I wonder if Yao Girl is like this when she writes to me?’ Feng Hao couldn’t help but think of Xi Yueyao, a sweet smile touching his lips.

Finally, after much internal struggle, Xu Zhenzhen walked over, her face beet red. She handed the jade scroll to Feng Hao and said, "I’m counting on you, Senior Brother."

"Don’t worry, I’ll deliver it to Miao Feng personally," Feng Hao said with a smiling nod. He couldn’t resist teasing her, "So, what did you write in there? Mind if I take a peek?"

"Don’t!" Xu Zhenzhen cried out, a mix of embarrassment and alarm on her face.

"Haha, I’m just messing with you." Feng Hao laughed, putting the jade scroll away. He turned to leave. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now. I’ll bring back a reply for you when I get back."

"Take care, Senior Brother."

...