The Strongest Talent Tree

On her way back from the inner cabinet to her residence, Elder Yun remained in a state of inexplicable shock. To be honest, she hadn’t had a very favorable impression of Feng Hao. For one, aside from his strength, he seemed to have no other noteworthy qualities. For another, he had joined the Thief God Hall.

However, after what had just happened, she couldn’t help but see Feng Hao in a new light.

Even from her lofty position, she had to admire a young man with such strength and ability.

As an Inner Cabinet Elder of the academy, Elder Yun’s residence was very quiet. On a typical day, few people visited besides Bai Yin.

She followed the path back to her residence. The moment she walked through the door, Bai Yin eagerly rushed up to her. Her eyes filled with anticipation, she asked, "Teacher, how did the discussion go? Will Feng Hao come back?"

Elder Yun shook her head wryly, looking at Bai Yin with a hint of surprise.

"He didn’t agree?" Bai Yin faltered, her exquisite face etched with disappointment.

"No." Elder Yun shook her head, sizing up Bai Yin with great interest. "Although, I am curious, dear girl. Why are you so concerned about him?"

Bai Yin blushed and quickly denied it. "Not at all! I just think it’s a shame Feng Hao isn’t staying at the academy."

"Is that so?" Elder Yun gave a cryptic smile, then sighed softly. "It is a shame indeed."

"So, is there any chance he might still come back?" Bai Yin asked, her expression conflicted.

"I doubt it’s possible anymore," Elder Yun said with a hint of resignation.

"Oh..." Bai Yin lowered her head in disappointment, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Feng Hao had already driven the Mansa back to the general store. After a brief chat with Yao Ying, he headed straight for the smithy.

After what had happened, Feng Hao’s resentment toward the Five Provinces Academy had lessened considerably. Of course, that old bastard Xuchang was still as deserving of a beating as ever.

He thought life could finally return to normal, but he hadn’t expected trouble to start the very next day.

Early in the morning, Feng Hao noticed that foot traffic at the general store had dropped significantly. After asking around, he learned that the Alchemist Association was behind it.

Apparently, the Alchemist Association had released its test results for the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment the previous night. The report claimed that both medicines had serious side effects and that long-term use would damage a person’s Genetic Tree.

’What a joke. They don’t even know the formulas for the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment, yet they have the gall to claim there are side effects. The thought alone is laughable.’

The crucial part was that many people would rather trust the Alchemist Association’s test results than their own experience.

But what could be done? They were the authoritative body in the Alchemy Realm; they could make people believe lies were truth.

Faced with this, Feng Hao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’The Alchemist Association really is something else. Their alchemy skills are mediocre at best, but they’re masters of scheming and backstabbing.’

As she watched their business plummet, Feng Hao remained unfazed, but Yao Ying started to panic. "What should we do? We have to think of something!"

"I’m not worried, so what are you getting so worked up about?" Feng Hao said, rolling his eyes.

"Of course I’m worried! We’re not making any money!" Yao Ying shot him an irritated glare and said through gritted teeth, "The Alchemist Association is truly shameless."

"Relax. A solution will present itself. There’s always a way," Feng Hao said with a knowing smile.

Yao Ying’s eyes lit up. "What is it?" she asked excitedly.

"Well," Feng Hao smirked, glancing toward the door. "Looks like our solution just walked in."

Yao Ying instinctively turned to look and saw Xue Qingshan and Xue Xiaoyun walking in, broad smiles on their faces.

The moment she saw them, it clicked for Yao Ying. ’That’s right! If we partner with the Treasure Pavilion, this whole problem will be solved!’

After all, the Treasure Pavilion was backed by the Holy Hall. No matter how arrogant the Alchemist Association was, they wouldn’t dare to pick a fight with the Holy Hall.

"Haha! Boss Feng, I’ve heard so much about you!" Xue Qingshan boomed as he walked into the general store.

Feng Hao smiled and rose to greet him. "Boss Xue, you’re too kind. Compared to you, I’m just a newcomer to the trade."

"Not at all! A young and promising man like yourself has no need for false modesty, Boss Feng."

"You give me too much credit."

Seeing the two of them trade pleasantries back and forth, Xue Xiaoyun couldn’t take it anymore. "Oh, come on," she said irritably. "Can you two stop flattering each other and get down to business?"

"Er..." Xue Qingshan’s old face flushed, completely embarrassed.

Feng Hao chuckled. "In that case, let’s cut right to the chase. What kind of partnership did your esteemed shop have in mind?"

At this, Xue Qingshan’s expression turned serious. He said thoughtfully, "As long as you agree to the partnership, Boss Feng, our Treasure Pavilion will ensure the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment are promoted far and wide. As for the profits, we’ll split them seventy-thirty."

"I get seventy, you get thirty?" Feng Hao asked, surprised.

"No, no, no. I get seventy, you get thirty," Xue Qingshan said, the crafty old fox.

Feng Hao was speechless. ’I knew this old man picking this moment to show up meant he was up to no good. A seventy-thirty split? He might as well ask for the moon!’

"Boss Xue, isn’t that a bit unscrupulous of you?" Feng Hao said, his expression darkening.

Xue Qingshan said with a meaningful look, "If this were a few days ago, I naturally wouldn’t suggest such terms. But you know the Alchemist Association’s findings on the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment. Even for our Treasure Pavilion, this is a difficult situation to handle."

Xue Xiaoyun chimed in, "Exactly. The Alchemist Association is no pushover. Giving you a thirty-percent cut is already very generous."

"Is that so?" Feng Hao asked with a faint smile.

Seeing Feng Hao’s confident demeanor, Xue Qingshan started to feel a bit unnerved. He then remembered that Feng Hao had connections to the Thief God Hall. Though the Thief God Hall had a bad reputation, its power was undeniable. Dealing with the Alchemist Association would be well within their capabilities.

"Ahem, I was just joking, of course." Xue Qingshan’s demeanor changed in an instant. With an obsequious smile, he said, "How about sixty-forty?"

"Fifty-fifty. Take it or leave it," Feng Hao stated plainly.

"Now, now, my friend, isn’t that a bit unreasonable?" Xue Qingshan said with a frown.

"Heh, I’ll stop playing games," Feng Hao said with a placid smile. "The main reason I’m willing to partner with the Treasure Pavilion is that I have a certain senior in the Holy Hall. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, Boss Xue, I’ll just have a word with her."

Xue Qingshan and his daughter exchanged astonished glances. It wasn’t just them; Yao Ying, who was standing to the side, was also dumbfounded.

’Wait, isn’t he with the Thief God Hall? How did he get tangled up with the Holy Hall?’

Feng Hao didn’t waste any time. Under their stunned and disbelieving gazes, he used a Listening Stone to establish a Divine Sense connection with West Moon Ridge. "West Moon Ridge, you there? Answer me if you have a moment."

"Such insolence! Is that any way to address your elder? Call me Auntie," West Moon Ridge replied irritably.

"Er... ’Auntie’ feels a bit awkward. How about I call you Old Aunt, just like Yaoyao does?" Feng Hao said with a resigned chuckle.

"That’s more like it." West Moon Ridge nodded in satisfaction, then hmphed softly. "Alright, spill it. What do you want, you brat?"

"Well, it’s like this..." Feng Hao didn’t waste any time and quickly explained the situation.

After hearing Feng Hao’s explanation, a gratified look appeared on West Moon Ridge’s face. "So you do have a conscience, still thinking about the Holy Hall. I’ll have a word with the folks in the commerce department. Consider the partnership a done deal."

"My thanks, Old Aunt," Feng Hao teased.

"We’re family, no need for thanks. If that’s all, I’m signing off," West Moon Ridge said brusquely. "Oh, right. Send me a few jars of that... Snow Frost Ointment."

"No problem," Feng Hao agreed without hesitation.