The Strongest Talent Tree

Some things, once started, quickly spin out of control.

Ever since Dugu Xiao decided to bring Zhou Chen into Thousand Blades Valley, a steady stream of students began to be selected by other, smaller sects. The once-hostile atmosphere of the tournament grounds had transformed into a recruitment drive for the various sects.

The happiest of all was Dean Zhao Hao. He had thought the major sects were here to cause trouble, but it had unexpectedly turned into a good thing.

As the competition progressed, the caliber of the contestants steadily increased. The appearance of Zhang Meng and his two friends, in particular, immediately drew the attention of the major sects. Unfortunately, the trio still rejected all their invitations.

It couldn’t be helped. Thanks to the Experience Pills, the trio’s levels were significantly higher than the other students’. Only a genius like Zhou Chen, with his gene activity of 121, could compare.

"Looks like that old timer wasn’t lying. The quality of these kids from Rongcheng is actually pretty high," Cruise commented casually.

Dugu Xiao nodded in firm agreement. "This place may be remote, but it certainly breeds remarkable people."

"Brother Dugu, you’ve scouted a fine prospect for your sect. I bet you’ll get a hefty reward for it when you get back, huh?" Ye Xiaobao teased.

"Of course." Dugu Xiao nodded with a faint smile.

As the group was joking around, a new development on the tournament stage caught their attention once more.

A fierce gale howled across the stage. Beixing Ran stood proudly within the storm, controlling the winds to toy with her opponent before securing victory in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this, even the Old City Lord and the other three Patriarchs were stunned. "Beixing Kuang, has your daughter awakened her bloodline?"

"Yes." Beixing Kuang nodded proudly, his eyes brimming with self-satisfaction.

Nanyuan Bo snorted, looking displeased. "Hmph! I suppose you’ve finally got a worthy successor, you old coot!"

Dongfang Wuji shot Nanyuan Bo an exasperated look before nodding in satisfaction. "Awakening a bloodline is a good thing. Among the younger generation of our four families, only the Xiyue Family is left now."

"What are you looking at me for?" Xiyue Peak’s expression darkened. "It’s just a bloodline awakening. No need to get so smug about it."

"We’re just worried the Xiyue Family is falling behind," Dongfang Wuji said with a wide grin.

"..." Xiyue Peak knew the importance of the four great families’ bloodlines, but unfortunately, neither of his daughters had awakened theirs.

Xiyue Luan offered a light, comforting smile. "Don’t worry. Yaoyao isn’t showing any signs yet, but I think Xiaoshuang is getting close."

"If Sister Luan says so, we can rest easy," Nanyuan Bo laughed.

Ye Xiaobao and the others had naturally overheard the discussion, and all eyes turned to Beixing Kuang.

Cruise of the War and Magic Alliance was the most excited of them all. It couldn’t be helped; Beixing Ran’s bloodline talent was a perfect fit for the War and Magic Alliance’s legacy. "You’re the Beixing Family Head, correct? Is that young lady on stage your daughter?"

"That’s right." Beixing Kuang nodded proudly. After being suppressed by the other three families for so long, he finally had a chance to hold his head high.

"Your daughter’s aptitude is exceptional. How about she comes to our War and Magic Alliance for advanced training?" Cruise asked, his eyes glinting.

"Well..." Beixing Kuang paused, glanced hesitantly at the other three Patriarchs, and finally let his gaze rest on the Old City Lord.

Seeing Beixing Kuang’s hesitation, the Old City Lord nodded in approval. "If she wants to go, then let her. There’s nothing to agonize over. Didn’t Luan Girl join the Holy Hall as well?"

Beixing Kuang let out a surprised laugh, then turned to Cruise and said, "Then it’s decided."

"Haha, an excellent choice!" Cruise boomed, thoroughly pleased.

However, before anyone could quite process this, another commotion erupted on the stage.

After several rounds of matches, Xi Yueyao and Zhou Chen stepped onto the stage. The fight hadn’t even begun when a heavy "OONTZ TSK OONTZ TSK" beat started to throb through the air.

What surprised everyone even more was that Zhou Chen, the one with the bloodline talent, was being utterly thrashed by Xi Yueyao, who apparently came with her own background music.

The students in the audience, however, were unfazed. After all, this wasn’t the first or second time they’d seen Zhou Chen get a beating. The outcome was exactly what they had expected.

But Dugu Xiao and his group stared wide-eyed. Zhou Chen, the one in whom they had placed such high hopes, had actually lost—and it was a crushing defeat.

"Holy crap, our future sister-in-law is pretty badass!" Wang Tongqian exclaimed.

Kang Shuai was equally astonished, his melancholic, handsome face etched with disbelief. "Dual Cultivating both physical force and dark energy? This is the first time I’ve ever seen a Mage follow a path like that."

Feng Hao explained with a light chuckle, "She has a gene mutation that enhances her strength."

"No wonder." Kang Shuai mused for a moment, then nodded in admiration. "If it’s a gene mutation, then Dual Cultivating physical force and dark energy is certainly a viable path. It looks very promising, in fact."

Over with the four great families, Dongfang Qi and Nanyuan Xu, who had returned with the group, were equally astonished.

"Sister Yao has changed so much. If I remember correctly, she hadn’t even awakened as a Mage when we went to Five States City, had she?" Dongfang Qi remarked, clicking his tongue.

Nanyuan Xu mused, "Her progress has been immense. It would be even better if she could awaken her bloodline."

"You two little rascals have the nerve to talk? Go stand on the sidelines," Nanyuan Bo said irritably.

Hearing that, the two of them instantly deflated and obediently stepped aside without another word.

Meanwhile, the eyes of Dugu Xiao and the others were already gleaming. A prospect who could Dual Cultivate both physical force and dark energy was a rare find indeed. And from the sound of it, the girl was also likely to awaken her bloodline in the future, making her even more precious.

Most importantly, Xi Yueyao had easily defeated Zhou Chen, who possessed a bloodline talent. Her potential was undeniable.

"So, she’s the daughter of the Xiyue Family Head," Hu Xun said, looking at Xiyue Peak with excitement. "Your daughter is exceptionally talented. Why not have her join our Ghost Realm?"

"The Ghost Realm’s legacy is too niche. She’d be a much better fit for our Scholastic Union," Ye Xiaobao said with a hint of sarcasm.

"With her aptitude for Dual Cultivation, she’d be an even better match for the legacy of our Thousand Blades Valley," Dugu Xiao said with a straight face.

Blond Cruise chimed in as well. "The young lady clearly uses a whip. Why is Thousand Blades Valley even getting involved?"

"She can just switch to a sword, can’t she?" Dugu Xiao retorted with a smirk.

Ye Xiaobao and Hu Xun snapped, "You two have already found good prospects. Stop trying to compete with us for this one."

"You can’t look at it that way. One must, of course, choose the most suitable sect!" Cruise said with a faint, dismissive smile.

Over at the Thief God Hall’s group, Wang Tongqian joined the fray with a loud laugh, slinging an arm over Feng Hao’s shoulder. "Stop fighting, all of you. This girl’s already been claimed by our Thief God Hall."

"Tch. Your Thief God Hall doesn’t even have an [Orthodox Lineage]. What right do you have to get involved?" Cruise said with a scornful look.

"An Orthodox Lineage ain’t worth shit. Even without one, I could still chop all of you to pieces," Wang Tongqian sneered arrogantly.

"Pathetic," Ye Xiaobao and the other two sneered. Only Dugu Xiao maintained a respectful demeanor.

Feng Hao sat nearby, looking utterly baffled. He couldn’t help but ask, "What’s an [Orthodox Lineage]?"

"It’s something they think is all-powerful, but the drawbacks actually outweigh the benefits. To put it bluntly, it’s just a tool for those ’officially registered’ Mages to act pretentious," Wang Tongqian explained with a sneer, his eyes full of contempt.

Feng Hao nodded, speechless. He still didn’t quite grasp what an [Orthodox Lineage] was.

Just as everyone was squabbling over Xi Yueyao, Xiyue Luan spoke up coldly. "What is there to argue about? Are you all just going to pretend our Holy Hall doesn’t exist?"

"Oh? But didn’t Elder Xiyue say she never interferes with the choices of her family’s younger generation?" Ye Xiaobao said playfully.

"And do you really think my sister would choose any of you?" Xiyue Luan retorted with a cold smile.

"Er..." Ye Xiaobao and the other two were stunned into silence, and could only shake their heads in disappointment.