The Strongest Talent Tree

As the two began their standoff, the crowd of onlookers held their breath in anticipation. After all, both were renowned figures at the academy.

Needless to say, Yun Jiansong had been on a meteoric rise ever since enrolling, becoming the fastest freshman in a century to break into the top fifty. His Swordsmanship was sublime, making him an idol in the hearts of countless students.

And although Feng Hao had already been expelled, his feat of killing Cao Heng at level twenty-eight was equally fearsome.

Therefore, their duel was a highly anticipated matchup, and everyone was eager to see what kind of sparks would fly.

"Haha, with Yun Jiansong making a move, let’s see how arrogant he can be now!" many students from the Power Department laughed out loud.

"I heard Yun Jiansong already has the strength to break into the top forty. Is that true?"

"It’s probably true. After all, he broke into the top fifty over a month ago. His strength can only be greater now."

"So Feng Hao is doomed to lose?"

"Definitely!"

Just as the students were buzzing with discussion, a dejected-looking Xu Long, who had already withdrawn from the battle circle, knitted his brows and analyzed, "I don’t think so. Based on my experience fighting both of them, Feng Hao is more terrifying than Yun Jiansong."

"Brother Long, did you get your brains beaten out of you? How could Feng Hao possibly beat Yun Jiansong?" someone next to him questioned.

Xu Long said gravely, "As much as I hate to admit it, that Feng Hao guy is truly terrifying. It’s almost impossible to find any weaknesses, and his genetic data is strange, too."

"How can he have no weaknesses? You’ve got to be kidding!"

"Do I look like I’m kidding?" Xu Long snorted, his gaze turning to Feng Hao. ’Maybe his weakness can only be found in a multi-person battle,’ he mused.

"Is he really that monstrous?" a few students beside him still found it hard to believe.

Xu Long curled his lip into a cold smile. "Just keep watching and you’ll see."

The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger until the entire duos’ tournament area was packed solid, and the numbers were still increasing.

Meanwhile, Feng Hao and Yun Jiansong had already clashed. Sword Qi flew and dark energy intertwined, black and white weaving across the arena, forcing the onlookers to start retreating and causing a minor commotion.

After a brief exchange of probes, both sides grew cautious.

Feng Hao activated [Black Pupils] without hesitation. The strength Yun Jiansong displayed was worthy of it. Setting aside everything else, just based on combat experience and technique, Yun Jiansong had already entered the ranks of masters. He gave off the impression of a battle-hardened soldier.

’Now this is what I call an opponent,’ Feng Hao thought, licking his lips as his blood boiled with excitement.

He used Shadow Assault to dodge the Sword Qi, then moved forward with a Dark Moon Massacre. After two normal attacks, he quickly repositioned, pulling away to the side while simultaneously grazing his opponent with a spinning [Moon Wheel Dance].

The whole combo only took off a third of Yun Jiansong’s health, as many of the hits had been blocked.

But Yun Jiansong was no pushover. With a frown and a soft cry, he thrust a cone-shaped burst of Sword Qi at Feng Hao. Its travel speed was incredibly fast, and the casting motion was so simple that Feng Hao had no time to dodge.

BANG!

His Su Mu Daggers instinctively crossed to block the attack, creating a massive roar on impact.

At the same time, the cone of Sword Qi split into countless fine needles, striking Feng Hao like a torrential downpour. The damage per hit wasn’t high, but the sheer number of them was overwhelming, and his health plummeted to just over forty thousand.

Fortunately, Feng Hao reacted in time, using Shadow Assault to escape the instant he blocked. Otherwise, he would have likely been left with critical health.

’A normal Sword Secret Technique shouldn’t have this kind of effect. Did he fuse it with some kind of spirit soul?’

Feng Hao guessed inwardly, but his assault didn’t stop. He swung [Dark Moon Massacre] at a bizarre diagonal angle, successfully forcing Yun Jiansong to reposition. Seizing the opportunity, he used his remaining Magic Power for a Shadow Assault to get in close, stabbing at Yun Jiansong’s vital point on his chest.

But then, Yun Jiansong suddenly sheathed his sword, frowning as he stood motionless.

"Hm?" Feng Hao faltered, hastily retracting his attack. With a strange expression, he asked, "What’s going on?"

"I’m not fighting anymore. For now, I’m no match for you," Yun Jiansong said calmly.

"..." Feng Hao was completely bewildered. He’d never seen someone concede so cleanly and decisively.

Yun Jiansong’s sharp brows furrowed slightly. He stared at Feng Hao and said, "I only used [Thousand Stabbing Sword] just now because I thought your Magic Power was depleted. Since you still have some left, I have no chance."

"Alright then." Feng Hao nodded in surprise, amazed by the man’s calculating ability.

"Your Magic Power... you seem to have a lot of it?" Yun Jiansong asked with a frown.

Feng Hao laughed it off. "Not much, not much, just a little over a thousand."

Yun Jiansong’s expression froze. After a long silence, he spoke again, "We’ll fight again next time."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Feng Hao watched Yun Jiansong’s departing figure, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile. ’A very interesting guy.’

By now, the arena was already filled with gasps of astonishment. The jaws of the spectating students had hit the floor. The result was beyond anyone’s expectations.

"Hiss... Even Yun Jiansong lost? How is that possible!"

"Where did this guy even come from? He’s way too monstrous!"

"With that kind of power, why did he end up in the Apothecary Department?"

...

Elsewhere, Xiyue Frost clenched her fists again, her gaze on Feng Hao complicated. Beside her, Man Tiaotiao was already dumbstruck, rubbing her eyes repeatedly, unable to believe what she was seeing.

"My Sword Song actually conceded? No way! I refuse to accept this!" Man Tiaotiao roared, her eyes filled with fury.

Houhuiyao pursed his lips and teased, "Sister Tiao, just accept the facts. Brother Feng is pretty amazing."

"I don’t believe it! That country bumpkin must have pulled some kind of trick! My Sword Song could never lose, much less concede!" Man Tiaotiao insisted stubbornly.

"Fine, whatever makes you happy." Houhuiyao rolled his eyes and turned his head away, speechless.

Meanwhile, Feng Hao had already begun a new round of taunts.

He casually took out a few pills and swallowed them. While recovering his stamina, he pointed at the surrounding crowd and shouted, "Is there anyone else who can fight? Preferably someone about as strong as Yun Jiansong!"

A wave of indignation swept through the crowd, but no one responded.

"What, is there no one left? I haven’t had my fill of fighting yet!" Feng Hao scanned his surroundings, not yet satisfied, his eyes filled with mockery.

Unfortunately, aside from a few curses from the crowd, no one dared to step up and accept the challenge.

Just as Feng Hao was gleefully shouting his taunts, a burly figure descended from the sky. The ground trembled slightly the moment he landed. It was none other than the Dean of Instruction, Shi Lingyun. With his appearance, the chaotic crowd instantly fell silent.

Immediately after, instructors from various departments also appeared one by one, all looking at Feng Hao with strange expressions.

The instructors had been preparing to preside over the next matches. Upon arriving at the arena, they found it swarmed with students. They came over to see what was going on, only to find some arrogant brat spouting nonsense. What left them even more speechless was that in the face of such provocation, not a single student stepped forward to fight. It was frankly a disgrace to the academy.

As the martial arts instructor for the Apothecary Department, Instructor Liang was also among them. Seeing Feng Hao, he laughed, walked up, and clapped him on the shoulder. "Haha, what are you doing here, kid?"

"Ahem, well... I came to watch Houhuiyao’s match and, you know, stretch my legs a bit," Feng Hao spouted nonsense.

"Mm, it’s good to watch. You can learn a lot," Instructor Liang said with approval.

Hearing Feng Hao’s words, the surrounding students felt the urge to curse him out loud, but with Shi Lingyun present, they could only swallow their anger.