The Strongest Talent Tree

Feng Hao naturally sized up the group before him. Other than ’unfathomable,’ he had no other impression.

However, the state of the head dean, Xuchang, struck him as rather odd. His left arm was wrapped in bandages, his right hand rested on a cane, the swelling on his face had yet to go down, and a few of his once-perfect teeth were now missing. He looked utterly pathetic.

Seeing Xuchang’s sorry state, Feng Hao really wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t, not in a situation like this.

’Damn, how hard did West Moon Ridge hit him? It’s been almost a month and he still looks like this.’ Feng Hao clicked his tongue inwardly. Picturing the scene of Xuchang getting thrashed, he couldn’t help but shudder.

Facing the stares of several masters, Feng Hao showed not a hint of intimidation, casually taking a seat to the side.

Seeing Feng Hao’s insolence, Elder Yun was somewhat displeased. She frowned coldly but didn’t say anything.

However, a gray-robed elder beside her was the first to speak. He studied Feng Hao intently, his eyes sparkling with vigor. "Young man, you’re Feng Hao?"

"That’s right. Is there something you seniors wanted to see me about?" Feng Hao asked, crossing his legs with a playful smirk.

"I imagine Dean Sun has already spoken with you, so I won’t beat around the bush," the gray-robed elder said with a gentle smile. "After a discussion among us cabinet Elders, we’ve decided to let you return to the academy to resume your studies."

Feng Hao said with a cold sneer, "Oh? So the matter with Cao Heng and Sha Baoliang is just going to be swept under the rug?"

"Haha... We questioned the students who were present and learned that Cao Heng and Sha Baoliang were the ones at fault. As long as you return to the academy, we will immediately clear your name," another elder, this one in white robes, said with a smile, his eyes narrowed.

Feng Hao was rendered speechless. He glanced up and asked with a mocking smile, "So, by your logic, if I don’t come back to the academy, you won’t clear my name?"

"Of course not," the gray-robed elder interjected.

"Good to know." Feng Hao gave a meaningful smile, then looked up. "To be honest, I have no interest in returning to the academy."

At his words, both the gray-robed and white-robed Elders were stunned. Xuchang looked awkward, his gaze shifting about as if he were wrestling with some internal conflict.

Elder Yun frowned slightly, unable to stop herself from reminding him, "You’ve defeated Bai Yin twice. Your strength is plain for all to see. If you return, you’re guaranteed to receive the academy’s full support and resources. You should think this through carefully."

"Oh?" Feng Hao said, his interest piqued. "And what kind of support would that be?"

Seeing Feng Hao’s stance soften, the Elders breathed a collective sigh of relief. Elder Yun explained with a smile, "You might not understand what the academy’s ’full support’ entails. If you return, you will enjoy the same preferential resource allocation as Bai Yin: ten thousand academic credits per month, ten billion Magic Crystals, equipment forging and daily elixirs supplied by master-level Elders, and free access to all facilities."

"Huh, is that all?" Feng Hao asked with a smirk.

For any other student, these resources would be an absolute fortune. But in his eyes, it was a pittance compared to the income from his shop. The ten thousand academic credits per month were nice, but they couldn’t compare to the Thief God Hall points he earned from the Wind Clothing Store.

Hearing this, the Elders were all left speechless. They nearly started cursing.

Elder Yun couldn’t help but frown as well, feeling that Feng Hao was pushing his luck. "This is the academy’s highest level of support, comparable to the treatment given to the elite disciples of the five great sects. And you still think it’s not enough?"

"Heh." Feng Hao pursed his lips in a faint smile. "If it’s just these benefits, then I’m really not interested."

"Kid, don’t push it!" Xuchang’s voice was low and menacing, though his words came out with a slight whistle, likely due to his missing teeth.

"Pushing it?" Feng Hao’s expression darkened as he met Xuchang’s gaze with open contempt. "What a joke. If it weren’t for Old Sun, do you really think I would’ve even bothered to show up?"

Xuchang nearly exploded with rage, his old face turning crimson. "You bastard! Don’t think I won’t do anything to you just because you have West Moon Ridge at your back!"

The moment he said this, all the other Elders turned to look at Xuchang with strange expressions.

Faced with their peculiar stares, Xuchang’s bravado instantly crumbled. His face beet-red, he huffed, "Hmph. For West Moon Ridge’s sake, I’ll let you off the hook this time."

With that, he turned his head away in embarrassment and said no more.

Feng Hao was also completely dumbfounded. He had expected Xuchang to lose his temper and get violent, not for things to turn out like this.

’Seriously, what in the world did West Moon Ridge do to him? To make a hot-tempered old man cower like this?’

"Young man, I know you hold a grudge against Dean Xu, but that’s all in the past. Besides," the gray-robed elder said, his expression a little strange, "you can see the state he’s in now. Just come back to the academy. Several of us Elders are even interested in taking you on as a personal disciple."

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Elders." Feng Hao sighed, feigning surprise. "But as for returning to the academy... let’s just forget it."

"What? You’re not interested in having one of us old-timers as your master?" the white-robed elder asked, perplexed.

"That’s not it." Feng Hao shook his head with a light chuckle. "The academy just has too many rules and restrictions. I much prefer my current lifestyle. Besides, I’m so sick of school I could puke."

With that, he ignored the Elders’ dumbfounded expressions, turned, and walked out of the cabinet meeting hall.

Sun Yaowen had kept his eyes closed the entire time, seemingly resting. Only after Feng Hao left did he slowly open them, sighing and shaking his head.

It took a long while for Xuchang, Elder Yun, and the others to snap out of it. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with regret.

Elder Yun frowned, her gracefully aged face filled with confusion. To be honest, she had never imagined Feng Hao would refuse. "Were the terms we offered too low?"

"Low? Not at all," Xuchang snorted. "That kid just doesn’t know what’s good for him."

"Quiet down. No one’s going to think you’re a mute if you stop talking," the white-robed elder shot him an irritated glare.

Xuchang looked utterly exasperated. "Master, that kid would be nothing but a menace to the academy."

"Go back and nurse your wounds! He defeated Bai Yin twice while only in his thirties, and you call him a menace?" the white-robed elder fumed, his eyes wide.

At that, all the fight went out of Xuchang. He obediently hung his head and fell silent.

The white-robed elder shot Xuchang a harsh glare before turning to Sun Yaowen. "Dean Sun, what’s your take on this?"

Sun Yaowen sighed sadly. "It’s quite simple, really. That boy is far too proud to ever retrace his steps."

"But wasn’t he tempted at all by the resources the academy offered?" Elder Yun asked, confused.

"Well... do you want the honest truth?" Sun Yaowen asked, his expression strange.

Elder Yun paused for a moment, then nodded. "Please, go ahead."

"That boy recently opened a shop in the city. I don’t know the exact profits, but I’m certain it’s far more than the resources the academy can provide," Sun Yaowen stated matter-of-factly.

Hearing this, the Elders were at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Even Xuchang’s expression grew awkward.

"A shop?" Elder Yun’s expression was peculiar. "You don’t mean the one that sells Snow Frost Ointment, do you?"

"Yes, that’s the one," Sun Yaowen confirmed with a nod.

Elder Yun froze, her expression growing even stranger. A few days ago, while she was at the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall, an old friend had given her a jar of Snow Frost Ointment. She had used it and was extremely satisfied with the results.

She had even made some inquiries, planning to visit the shop to buy a few more jars.

She just never expected that the shop was actually owned by Feng Hao...