The Strongest Talent Tree

Shi Lingyun stood over two meters tall. He was big and burly, like a humanoid beast, and with his brutish demeanor, any normal person would be intimidated. A child would probably be scared to tears at the sight of him.

Seeing Shi Lingyun approach, Feng Hao was not the least bit afraid. He scoffed coldly, "That’s because they were asking for a beating."

"I think you’re the one asking for a beating," Shi Lingyun grunted, his large hand shooting out to grab Feng Hao.

Just then, Yang Caide and Liang Dong rushed over and stopped him. "Old Shi!"

"What? Are you two going to cover for this kid again?" Shi Lingyun snarled.

Yang Caide frowned. "Let’s figure out what’s going on first."

"Hmph!" Shi Lingyun huffed coldly and haughtily turned his head away.

Yang Caide shook her head helplessly, then turned and shot Feng Hao a look. "Alright, talk," she said irritably. "What just happened?"

Feng Hao shot a disdainful look at the crowd and proceeded to explain what had happened.

After hearing Feng Hao’s explanation, Yang Caide and Liang Dong were stunned. Even Shi Lingyun frowned.

"Are you saying you defeated Bai Yin?" Yang Caide asked, finding it hard to believe.

"What’s so strange about it?" Feng Hao said with a smug look. "Isn’t the person in question right over there? Just go ask her."

The three instructors subconsciously looked toward Bai Yin, only to see her nod bitterly, confirming Feng Hao’s story.

Now, the three of them were even more shocked. This was insane! Who was Bai Yin? She was the champion of this year’s academy tournament, the publicly acknowledged number one genius of the academy, and a Direct Disciple of a Supreme Elder. Yet, she had been defeated by a Level 31 kid.

Although they knew Feng Hao was strong, they never imagined he was *this* strong.

"Haha, good kid! You’ve really brought honor to our Alchemy Department!" Liang Dong couldn’t help but laugh as he snapped out of his shock.

"It’s all because my teachers taught me so well," Feng Hao said, laying on the flattery with a teasing smile.

Liang Dong’s old face flushed, and he replied awkwardly, "No, you earned this yourself. It has nothing to do with us."

Yang Caide chuckled, then turned to Shi Lingyun. "Director Shi, about this matter...?"

"Hmph." Shi Lingyun let out an irritated snort, turning to the dejected mob of fanatics. "Do any of you have anything to say in your defense?" he asked in a low voice.

The fanatics all lowered their heads in silence, shaking them with bitter smiles.

Shi Lingyun looked like he might die from anger. He gritted his teeth and roared, "Thousands of you against one, and you still got counter-swept! You’ve really made the academy proud, haven’t you? What are you still standing around for? Aren’t you embarrassed? Now get lost!"

And so, the pitiful fanatics hastily departed. As if getting thrashed by Feng Hao wasn’t enough, they then had to be verbally thrashed by Shi Lingyun. It was truly a pitiful sight.

After chasing off the fanatics, Shi Lingyun gave Feng Hao a deep, meaningful look, then leaped up and vanished like a cannonball.

At long last, the Central Square was calm again.

But news of Feng Hao’s battle record spread throughout the Five Provinces Academy in a short time. If killing Cao Heng and causing a scene at the tournament was a slap in the face to the Strength Department, then defeating Bai Yin and fighting one against a thousand was a slap in the face to the entire Five Provinces Academy.

There was no way around it. If even the academy’s publicly acknowledged number one, Bai Yin, had lost, didn’t that mean he had trampled the entire Five Provinces Academy underfoot?

The key was, you couldn’t even blame Feng Hao. After all, they were the ones who had willingly thrown themselves at him, practically begging for a beating.

Yang Caide was still reeling from the shock. After seeing Shi Lingyun off, she looked at Feng Hao again. "You’re this powerful at only Level 31. How did you do it?"

Feng Hao scoffed, "They’re just too weak."

"Uh, too weak? They’re all geniuses of the academy," Yang Caide said, stunned.

Feng Hao’s eyes were full of disdain. "Since when are there so many geniuses? That’s just their own delusional fantasy. A real genius should be like a guy like me: strong-willed, low-key, content to hide his accomplishments and fame."

With that, he left the two dumbfounded instructors and swaggered over toward Xiyue Frost’s group.

Yang Caide and Liang Dong came back to their senses, exchanged a stunned look, and couldn’t help but shake their heads and chuckle.

"And that kid has the nerve to call himself low-key?" Instructor Liang said irritably.

Yang Caide shook her head to herself, then her expression turned serious. "Seeing how things are going, those leaders in the Cabinet are probably going to regret their decision."

"No kidding! Missing out on a little monster like him? Anyone would regret it," Liang Dong scoffed.

"Do you think there’s any chance Feng Hao will come back to the academy?" Yang Caide asked wistfully.

"I doubt it," Liang Dong said thoughtfully. "The kid’s far too proud. Even if those old geezers from the Cabinet talked until they were blue in the face, he wouldn’t come back. Besides, he’s already joined the Thief God Hall."

Yang Caide let out a soft sigh. "Alas. What a shame."

"Who cares?" Liang Dong said nonchalantly. "As long as he still acknowledges our Alchemy Department, that’s good enough for me. As for the rest, let those old geezers in the Cabinet have the headache."

"That’s true," Yang Caide chuckled.

...

After this great battle, Feng Hao was in high spirits, practically overflowing with a domineering aura.

As he walked toward Xiyue Frost and the others, the students along the path all trembled, fearfully parting to make way for him.

"You did well, kid." Feng Hao laughed as he walked up to Houhuiyao and patted his shoulder. "Half the credit for today’s victory goes to you."

Houhuiyao grinned and gave Feng Hao a thumbs-up. "You’re still the amazing one, Boss."

"Oh, stop. It was just average," Feng Hao said, continuing his smug act, feeling incredibly pleased with himself.

Although he hadn’t started either of the last two fights, the end result was a huge slap in the face to the Five Provinces Academy. And that, in short, was incredibly satisfying.

Man Tiaotiao, her face bruised and swollen, hid behind Xiyue Frost, clearly afraid that Feng Hao would come looking for trouble with her.

Xiyue Frost walked up to Feng Hao with a complicated look in her eyes. She stared at him for a long time before speaking, "After I’ve finished constructing the Secret Technique for my Spirit Soul, you and I will have another fight. I hope you’ll use your full strength then."

"Uh, are you sure?" Feng Hao asked, taken aback.

Xiyue Frost didn’t answer, simply throwing him a chilling glare.

Feng Hao shivered subconsciously and gave a wry, helpless smile. "Alright, fine. Just as long as you don’t cry afterward."

"Hmph!" Xiyue Frost snorted lightly, grabbed a guilty-looking Man Tiaotiao, and turned to leave.

After seeing the two off, Feng Hao exchanged a few words with Houhuiyao and turned to leave.

However, he had only taken a few steps when he heard Bai Yin’s voice call out from behind him, "Feng Hao, wait."

Feng Hao subconsciously turned around, his brow furrowed. "What? You want to fight again?"

"No." Bai Yin shook her head bitterly and walked gracefully over to Feng Hao. Her complexion had returned to normal, and her otherworldly beauty was captivating. "What happened just now was because of me. I’m truly sorry."

"It’s nothing. I’ve seen plenty of rabid fans," Feng Hao said with a faint smile.

Bai Yin’s delicate brows knitted slightly. It took her a long moment to understand what he meant by "rabid fans," and the atmosphere suddenly grew awkward.

"If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving," Feng Hao said. He had no interest in dilly-dallying with her and turned to go.

"Wait," Bai Yin blurted out, a blush rising on her beautiful cheeks. "Um... will you be going to the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall anytime soon?"

"Of course not. I’m not crazy," Feng Hao said, rolling his eyes. He ignored Bai Yin and walked away.

’Seriously? A scam like the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall? Only an idiot would go there a second time.’