The Strongest Talent Tree

"Just level thirty-eight? You really think I’m afraid of you?"

Huo Yuanjia gritted his teeth and sneered, charging forward like a cannonball. The shadows of his fists flew, swift as lightning, his potent energy boiling like fire.

Feng Hao showed no fear. The Su Mu Dagger in his hand was nimble and precise. Every swing was perfectly timed, and combined with his light, unpredictable footwork, he toyed with Huo Yuanjia like a cat with a mouse.

The weakness of a Martial Arts Mage was obvious: a short reach. In this, Feng Hao held an absolute advantage.

After this period of cultivating his Shadow Force, Feng Hao’s control over it was on a whole new level. Just by grazing his opponent, he could inflict around fifty percent of his Shadow Force damage.

After several clashes, Huo Yuanjia’s Qi Blood had unknowingly dwindled, while Feng Hao’s health hadn’t changed in the slightest.

’Damn it, where did this guy come from?’

Huo Yuanjia’s face was grim. The feeling of being completely unable to land a hit was infuriating. Honestly, ever since he had integrated the [Swift] legacy into his martial arts, he had never encountered a situation like this, especially not against a level-thirty-eight Mage.

Huo Yuanjia wasn’t the only one in shock. Ming Xin Yan, who was recovering nearby, was also wide-eyed with amazement.

Meanwhile, the crowd watching from outside the arena was utterly dumbfounded. No one could have imagined that a low-level, level-thirty-eight thief could be dominating Huo Yuanjia—and so thoroughly that he was completely helpless.

"The hell? Am I seeing things? Where did this punk thief come from?"

"What’s Huo Yuanjia doing? Get serious! Don’t you think it’s embarrassing to be toyed with by a level-thirty-eight punk?"

"What the hell do you know? It’s obvious Huo Yuanjia is going all out, okay? That thief is just too strong."

"How is that possible? That thief is only level thirty-eight. He’s not even as high a level as me."

Outside the Saint Realm’s entrance, many eliminated contestants had already recovered and were intently watching the match. When they saw Feng Hao dominating Huo Yuanjia, they were all struck speechless.

This was especially true for the contestants Huo Yuanjia had eliminated. It was even more unbelievable for them, as they knew his strength firsthand.

The twin female thieves glanced at each other and swallowed nervously. "That thief is terrifying. We definitely deserved to lose to him."

The female Archer smiled bitterly to herself. ’If I’d known, I never would have messed with him.’

Not far away, the blond youth’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. He had died so quickly before that he’d always felt Feng Hao had set him up. He’d been planning to get even, but after seeing this, he was forced to abandon the thought.

Meanwhile, the spectator stands were in an uproar. Nearly all the bigwigs were asking about Feng Hao’s background.

It took Jing Lou a long moment to snap out of it. He looked at the Thief Master, stunned and suspicious. "Thief Master... this... where did you find this kid?"

"You’ll have to ask Lin Luo about that," the Thief Master said with a faint smile.

Jing Lou froze, his gaze instinctively shifting to Lin Luo, his eyes filled with confusion.

Lin Luo grinned and said meaningfully, "Fate."

"..." Jing Lou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He could only turn his gaze back to the Holy Realm Projection.

Inside the Saint Realm, the battle had reached a fever pitch. Huo Yuanjia threw everything he had into the fight. His fist techniques were like crashing waves, his palm strikes relentless, yet he couldn’t even touch the hem of Feng Hao’s clothes. It was as if Feng Hao knew every move he was going to make beforehand.

Feng Hao was also rather surprised. ’I have to admit, this thief Huo Yuanjia really has some skill.’

’Judging by the damage from my Shadow Force, Huo Yuanjia’s [Tenacious Roots] has already undergone a Hundred-Base Evolution, giving him 10 points of Vitality, which is a 10% damage reduction. The Shadow Force protection from his gear isn’t low either, probably around 35 points.’

’All told, my Shadow Force damage is reduced by about 45%, and that’s before factoring in his defense stat.’

’Plus, with his full set of [Grand Prime] gear, his health is nearly a hundred thousand. Killing him won’t be that easy.’

’Looks like I still underestimated the level advantage.’

Feng Hao reflected for a moment, and his assault grew even more ferocious. Every strike targeted his opponent’s vitals, maximizing his damage output.

’Someone must have noticed this fight by now. A quick victory is the best option.’

Faced with Feng Hao’s relentless assault, Huo Yuanjia felt powerless to defend himself. Watching his health plummet, he could only grit his teeth and unleash two wolf shadows, forcing Feng Hao back as he made a hasty retreat.

"Dammit, got the guts to stand and fight?" Feng Hao’s expression changed. He hurriedly activated Shadow Assault and gave chase.

It couldn’t be helped. The level gap was too great, making Huo Yuanjia much faster than him. Only by continuously using Shadow Assault could he close the distance.

Huo Yuanjia was well aware of his advantage. He used the complex terrain of the mountain forest to quickly increase the distance between them.

However, just when he thought he was in the clear, a swift figure blocked his path. It was none other than the late-arriving Lu Linfei.

Huo Yuanjia’s face darkened. "You punk, get out of my way!"

"Sorry, but you’re not getting away now." Lu Linfei’s eyes gleamed with excitement. In the past, he would never have dared to challenge Huo Yuanjia. But now, he was a level higher, which clearly gave him the confidence to do so.

"You’re courting death!" Huo Yuanjia was about to die from frustration. He swung his fist and smashed it forward.

Unfortunately, Lu Linfei had no intention of a head-on clash. With a graceful movement, he easily dodged the attack, using his superior speed to weave around him.

At the same time, Feng Hao caught up. With a loud laugh, he charged forward with a [Rapid Shadow Slash].

As the saying goes, two fists are no match for four hands. Caught in a pincer attack from Feng Hao and Lu Linfei, Huo Yuanjia was utterly helpless. His remaining twenty-thousand-plus Qi Blood vanished in an instant.

"Bastards! I’m not through with you!" Huo Yuanjia roared as a wave of weakness washed over him.

"Hmph!" Feng Hao sneered. Seizing the opening created by his opponent’s weakness, he unleashed [Moon Wheel Dance], instantly draining his life force. It couldn’t be helped—[Moon Wheel Dance] dealt 20 points of life force damage.

The next moment, amid Huo Yuanjia’s desperate screams, space began to warp, and he was eliminated.

Outside the Saint Realm’s entrance, the entire crowd fell silent. All eyes were fixed on Huo Yuanjia. No one could have imagined that the favorite to win the competition would be eliminated in the very first round—and by a level-thirty-eight thief, no less.

Under the weight of everyone’s stares, Huo Yuanjia’s composure shattered. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Fortunately, a dedicated Healing Mage rushed forward to treat him; otherwise, in his condition, he probably wouldn’t have lasted much longer.

At that moment, Thief God Peak erupted in an uproar. Gasps of shock echoed continuously as all eyes focused on Feng Hao in the projection.

On the viewing platform, the Thief Master couldn’t help but burst into laughter, his world-weary eyes filled with gratification.

The other bigwigs nearby were already stunned into silence, especially the Palace Master of the Dust Wind Country Branch Hall. His expression was absolutely foul. He had come all this way just to witness Huo Yuanjia win the championship and then show off in front of his old cronies.

But now, not only had he failed to show off, he had completely lost face...