The Strongest Talent Tree

For the first time since its founding, the Artifact Refining Department at Five Provinces Academy was more popular than the Arts Department.

Even many students from the Arts Department started flocking to the Artifact Refining Department. They had only one goal: to custom-order or buy a set of incredibly cool gear to show off in front of other students.

As for Xiong Tianfang, he was truly getting a taste of what it meant to be both overjoyed and in agony. For more than ten consecutive days, he had been refining artifacts under an immense workload. Although he had earned a lot, he was mentally and physically exhausted.

Right now, for instance, he was holding a huge stack of orders while a long line of people waited outside his door, refusing to be turned away.

"You little thief, you’ve really created a problem for Brother Xiong!"

Xiong Tianfang wiped the fine beads of sweat from his temple, staring miserably at his artifact refining equipment. After more than ten days of frantic work, the very sight of the equipment now made him want to puke. If it weren’t for the money, there was no way in hell he would be accepting any more orders.

Outside his dorm, students from every department bustled about, all for the sake of getting a ridiculously cool and flashy set of gear.

It wasn’t just ordinary students, either; even many from the Crystal Stele had rushed over. It couldn’t be helped. They were all young and had zero resistance to the appearance of the gear Feng Hao designed.

"Why isn’t Xiong Tianfang out yet? I’ve been waiting all damn morning," a complaint occasionally rose from the crowd.

Someone next to him immediately shot back scornfully, "Just one morning and you can’t wait? See Ye Tianlong over there? He’s been waiting for two days."

"Ye Tianlong? Isn’t he the big shot ranked ninth in the Magic Department? What’s he doing here?"

"Can’t be helped. The new gear Xiong Tianfang released recently is just too stylish. Even Crystal Stele experts can’t resist."

"That’s true. My buddy was lucky enough to buy a set and instantly became the center of attention in his class. In less than two days, he even sorted out his love life!"

A person next to him said with envy, "Your buddy’s so lucky. Many people can’t get a set even if they offer two or three times the price. I heard a lot of female students have started selling their bodies just for a set of gear refined by Xiong Tianfang."

"You’re telling me. My girlfriend forced me to come. If I can’t buy one, she’ll break up with me. I’m fucking speechless!"

"You’ve got it pretty good. I know a lot of guys whose girlfriends were lured away by a set of cool gear!" someone nearby chimed in.

"Holy crap, it’s that crazy?!"

"What do you think?"

...

In contrast to the commotion at Five Provinces Academy, Feng Hao was at the Thief God Hall turning in jobs and earning a large number of points.

To obtain materials for Tier 3 equipment, Feng Hao went to the front desk after turning in his jobs and posted a commission: [Seeking information on Tier 3 Shadow Beasts. Reward: 200 points.]

The receptionist was the same tall woman with ordinary looks. After some time and a few interactions, she had become quite familiar with Feng Hao.

The tall woman chuckled softly as she entered the commission into the [Service Terminal], then looked up and asked, "You’re Feng Hao, right?"

"Yes, what’s up?" Feng Hao asked, confused.

"That’s right, then." The tall woman took out a Communication Jade Scroll and tossed it to Feng Hao. "There’s a message for you here. It seems to be from headquarters."

"A message from headquarters?" Feng Hao took the Communication Jade Scroll in surprise, but he quickly understood.

’With his connections in the Thief God Hall, he had no interaction with the headquarters. The only possibility was his big brother, Lin Luo.’

"Thanks for your trouble, Sister Ling," Feng Hao said with a grateful nod and turned to leave.

After leaving the Thief God Hall, he hurried back to the pharmacy.

Holding the Communication Jade Scroll, he carefully extended his Divine Sense into it and quickly retrieved the message inside. Just as he had guessed, the message was indeed from his big brother, Lin Luo.

"Brother Feng, I recently accepted an escort mission to Wolf Country. I’ll come to see you in Five States City after it’s over. If you haven’t found a [Listening Stone] yet, hurry up and find one so it’ll be easier for us to stay in touch."

A smile touched Feng Hao’s lips after he heard Lin Luo’s Divine Sense message. ’It’s been a while since I’ve seen him,’ he thought.

’Looks like I need to hurry up and make another trip to the Secret Realm.’

Feng Hao felt a bit helpless about the [Listening Stone]. The last time he was in the [Origin Secret Realm], he’d wandered for three or four days without finding a single trace of one.

Normally, Listening Stones were supposed to be fairly common in the [Origin Secret Realm], but he just hadn’t come across any. All he could do was chalk it up to plain old bad luck.

Since he was going to the Secret Realm again, Feng Hao definitely needed to make more preparations. First, for the [Listening Stone], and second, to get some suitable spirit cores for future Tier 3 equipment.

With his previous experience in mind, Feng Hao had no choice but to head next door to the [Treasure Pavilion] to purchase some supplies.

First were mining tools and a large-capacity Spatial Ring to avoid situations where he found ore but couldn’t mine it. As for things like portable mining machines, he could only look; he didn’t have the financial means for that yet.

Second were herb-gathering tools and some special containers, since many medicinal herbs and materials required specific vessels for preservation.

Lastly, he bought some common wilderness survival items, which might come in handy at some point.

’Magic Crystals sure don’t last long. Seventy million spent in the blink of an eye.’

Feng Hao shook his head and sighed bitterly. He resolutely closed up the shop, hung a small "Closed" sign on the door, and set off toward Five Provinces Academy.

Because he’d been expelled, Feng Hao obviously couldn’t use the [Origin Node] in the Central Square. The reason he was going to Five Provinces Academy was mainly to bring Houhuiyao and Xiyue Frost with him.

As for Houhuiyao, it was a simple matter. He had promised to take him into battle before but never got the chance. This time, he had to take him along to let him experience the world.

The reason for bringing the reclusive Xiyue Frost was also easy to understand. As a girl who hadn’t joined a single team since the start of the school year, Feng Hao felt a degree of sympathy for her. More importantly, there were the parting instructions from West Moon Ridge.

’I wonder if that kid Houhuiyao did what I told him to.’

Returning to the Pharmacy Department again, Feng Hao felt a little sentimental. Unlike the other departments, the students here had always treated him as one of their own, as the pride of the Pharmacy Department. This moved him deeply.

Chatting and laughing along the way, he arrived at the dormitory. That guy Houhuiyao was currently covered in soot, trying to concoct a new potion. When he saw Feng Hao, he immediately stopped what he was doing. "Brother Feng, what brings you here?"

"Want to go train in the Secret Realm? If so, hurry up," Feng Hao asked with a grin.

Houhuiyao’s eyes lit up, and he nodded excitedly. "Of course I’m going! Wait a moment, Brother Feng, I’ll go wash my face first."

A few minutes later, a clean Houhuiyao appeared before Feng Hao, his face filled with eagerness.

"I knew you wouldn’t forget about me, Brother Feng," Houhuiyao said, sucking up.

"Cut the crap." Feng Hao shot him an annoyed glance and asked, "How’s that healing Secret Technique I had you research coming along?"

"Don’t worry, Brother Feng. Following your requirements, I’ve successfully created two Secret Techniques of my own: one for group healing and one for single-target healing. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied with the results," Houhuiyao said confidently.

Feng Hao nodded, gratified. He turned and said, "Then let’s head out. Go get Xiyue Frost on your way."

Houhuiyao froze, then hurried to catch up, asking in surprise, "That iceberg will team up with us?"

"She probably will, right?" Feng Hao wasn’t too sure himself.

They made their way to the Strength Department. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Feng Hao chose to wait outside while Houhuiyao went in to find Xiyue Frost.

Before long, Xiyue Frost came out, led by Houhuiyao. Judging by Houhuiyao’s terrified expression, he’d probably been thoroughly chilled by her icy demeanor.