The Strongest Talent Tree

The five fallen bodies quickly transformed into specks of energy, gradually disappearing before Feng Hao.

Although one doesn’t truly die in the Secret Realm, their Genetic Tree will devolve by one or two stages. To put it simply, dying in the Secret Realm gets you teleported back by the Secret Realm Mark, but you lose one or two levels.

Feng Hao frowned, pulling the Natural Essence from his robes. He discovered it couldn’t be placed in his Spatial Ring and subconsciously used his Crystal Eye to inspect its stats. The results shocked him:

[Infinite Essence]

Quality: Natural

Damage Boost: 100

Sharpness Boost: 35

Ice Attribute Strength: 8

Weight: 20

"Perfect for weapon refining," Feng Hao remarked, nodding and clicking his tongue.

Compared to a Spirit Beast Essence, a Natural Essence was more like a special kind of ore. This was clear from its weight attribute alone; after all, Spirit Beast Essences add no weight when refined into equipment.

"It increases Ice Attribute Strength. It’s yours." Not one to be stingy, Feng Hao casually tossed it to Xiyue Frost.

Xiyue Frost caught the Natural Essence, nodding silently in acceptance. Then she reminded him, "The golden light still hasn’t faded. We should probably leave."

"You’re right."

Feng Hao looked up at the golden pillar of light enveloping them, a strange feeling welling up inside him. ’To be honest, this golden light is like a server-wide announcement in an online game. The moment you get a top-tier item, everyone else finds out.’

They didn’t stop until they were a safe distance from the pillar of light. Then, with Feng Hao and Houhuiyao standing guard, Xiyue Frost began to refine her weapon.

They had no choice. The Natural Essence had the same annoying trait as a Listening Stone—it couldn’t be taken out of the Secret Realm.

About half an hour later, Xiyue Frost finally finished the refinement. She used the [Listening Stone] to send the refined heavy sword’s stats to Feng Hao and Houhuiyao:

[Ice Soul Heavy Sword] (Infinite)

Tier: Three

Damage: 332

Sharpness: 105

Ice Attribute Strength: 8

Weight: 140

"Not bad at all. It’ll pair nicely with your talent." Feng Hao nodded appreciatively, then turned to lead the way. "Let’s move out. Hopefully we can get out of this grassland soon."

Xiyue Frost and Houhuiyao gave a slight nod and silently followed.

...

Within Five States City, things had been stewing for some time, and the city was already rife with undercurrents. Countless sinister gazes were fixed on Xiong Tianfang. If it weren’t for the Five Provinces Academy, someone would have likely made a move long ago.

Xiong Tianfang’s business had also started to fade. After all, even the most stunning equipment loses its appeal once it becomes too common.

Of course, while his business had declined, it was by no means slow. The quality of his flashy and revealing armor was in a class of its own. Combined with his superb Artifact Refining skills, he remained a highly sought-after figure.

That day, after finishing his orders, Xiong Tianfang slipped out of the academy. He planned to settle accounts with Feng Hao for their recent income and get some new designs while he was at it.

However, when he arrived at the apothecary, he found a "Closed" sign hanging on the door.

’Gone out training?’ Xiong Tianfang shook his head, puzzled, and turned to walk toward the Thief God Hall.

No sooner had Xiong Tianfang left than countless hidden eyes memorized the apothecary’s location. Among them were Yao Ying’s.

Unlike the others lurking in the shadows, Yao Ying approached the apothecary’s entrance with graceful steps. Gazing at the storefront, which lacked even a name plaque, she furrowed her brow. ’What a strange shop. It doesn’t even have a sign.’

’Could the mysterious designer be hiding in this shop?’ After a moment of deep thought, she shook her head with a private smile.

In her view, someone with the mysterious designer’s status would never stay in such a classless establishment. Still, just in case, she committed the apothecary’s location to memory.

Meanwhile, Xiong Tianfang walked into the main hall of the Thief God Hall as usual, preparing to trade for some rare materials.

But the moment he stepped inside, two high-ranking thieves escorted him to a private room. Inside, an elegant, middle-aged man sat waiting for him. To Xiong Tianfang’s surprise, the man was just an ordinary person.

A closer look revealed the Thief Badge on the man’s chest. Since ordinary people couldn’t use the Thief’s Mark, they used Thief Badges to display their rank.

’An Elite Veteran Thief?’ Xiong Tianfang’s pupils constricted as his confusion deepened.

The refined man sized him up for a few moments with a gentle gaze, then nodded and chuckled. "I didn’t expect the Artifact Refiner who’s been all the rage lately to be a member of our Thief God Hall. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Qian Sanduo, and I’m the current Minister of Commerce for the Wolf Country."

Xiong Tianfang was taken aback. He’d heard of the famous Qian Sanduo before, reputed to be a business prodigy who had risen through the ranks of the Thief God Hall in recent years. Though not a Mage, he held a status even higher than most.

"I’ve long admired your reputation. May I ask why Minister Qian has sought me out?" Xiong Tianfang asked respectfully.

"Haha, no need to be so formal. You can just call me a veteran thief," Qian Sanduo said with a small smile. "Do you have any idea what a commotion you’ve caused with the equipment you’ve been refining?"

"Uh... I haven’t really been paying attention, to be honest," Xiong Tianfang said, scratching his head in embarrassment.

Qian Sanduo shook his head with a faint smile, his gaze sharpening. "As far as I know, the eight titans of the Beilang Country’s equipment industry have already arrived in Five States City. They have only one target: the mysterious designer behind you."

At these words, a tremor ran through Xiong Tianfang. He had assumed his flashy equipment was only a big deal at Five Provinces Academy; he never imagined it would attract the attention of the entire Wolf Country.

"Then what should I do now?" Xiong Tianfang asked nervously.

"Don’t worry. I came to you precisely to solve this problem," Qian Sanduo said with a meaningful smile. "Speaking of which, the equipment industry has always been a weak point for our Thief God Hall. If we can get in touch with that mysterious designer of yours, then with my management, we will undoubtedly carve out a niche for ourselves in the equipment industry of the entire Ancient Cang Realm!"

Xiong Tianfang blinked, his expression turning strange. "Doesn’t the Thief God Hall have any good designers of our own?"

Qian Sanduo shook his head with a wry smile. "That’s something our Commerce Department has been struggling with. Most designers are a proud and arrogant lot; they look down on associating with the Thief God Hall. If you can persuade that designer, I can give you an exceptional promotion to High-Rank Thief."

"Actually..." Xiong Tianfang began, but then trailed off.

"Whatever your conditions are, just state them. The Commerce Department is acting in good faith," Qian Sanduo said, his brow furrowing.

Xiong Tianfang shook his head hastily. "That’s not what I meant. The thing is, the designer is already a member of our Thief God Hall."

"What?!" Qian Sanduo shot to his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What did you just say?"

"I’m saying the designer has been a member of our Thief God Hall all along."

After a moment of stunned disbelief, Qian Sanduo couldn’t help but roar with laughter. "Hahaha, the heavens are smiling on me! Young man, what are you waiting for? Quick, take me to meet this master!"

"Er, I just came from his place. It looks like he’s gone out training," Xiong Tianfang said, clicking his tongue.

"My apologies, I got ahead of myself," Qian Sanduo said with a sheepish grin. He then added with a wide smile, "Don’t you worry, young man. I’ll have men assigned to protect you. By the way, I hear you’re studying at Five Provinces Academy. Don’t let those little bastards from the Student Union swindle you."

"You don’t have to worry about that, sir," Xiong Tianfang promised, patting his chest.

...