The Strongest Talent Tree

In Feng Hao’s eyes, this Deceitful Poison Chain Soul was simply perfect for him. The [Poison Devour] trait, in particular, was a flawless match for his poison-crafting abilities—it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Furthermore, what Feng Hao currently lacked most was a control-type Secret Technique. With this Chain Soul as a foundation, he could definitely construct a formidable one, allowing his power to rise to another level.

Seeing Feng Hao select the Deceitful Poison Chain Soul, the Thief Master couldn’t help but tease, "Well now, you managed to pick out a high-quality spirit soul with a single glance. I have to say, this Deceitful Poison Chain Soul is a rather good fit for you."

"Hehe, I think so too," Feng Hao nodded, pleased with himself.

"Come to think of it, this Deceitful Poison Chain Soul has been sitting here for a very long time. With you as its owner, it should finally be able to realize its full potential."

"Why is that?" Feng Hao asked, surprised.

The Thief Master smirked, redeeming the Deceitful Poison Chain Soul and handing it to Feng Hao. "For one, the price is too high. For another, its effects aren’t very appealing. After all, if you aren’t careful when playing with poison, you can end up hurting yourself. If it weren’t for your identity as an Alchemist, I, your master, would have never let you choose it."

"That makes sense," Feng Hao said, the realization dawning on him.

After all, poison in the Mage World wasn’t like in a video game—you could easily poison yourself to death. That was why most people steered clear of such things. Only a top-tier Alchemist like him could even think of dabbling in it.

"The Deceitful Poison Chain Soul leans toward poison damage and control effects. If you design the Demon Pattern framework well, it should become a fine Secret Technique." The Thief Master offered a brief analysis, then switched to a teasing tone. "Let’s go. If we stay any longer, I’m going to go bankrupt."

"Ah." Feng Hao let out a helpless laugh and followed closely behind the Thief Master as they left.

Honestly, he was more than satisfied with just the high-spec Crystal Eye and the Deceitful Poison Chain Soul. The Deceitful Poison Chain Soul, in particular, felt like a spirit soul that had been tailor-made just for him.

After leaving the Main Peak Hall, Feng Hao once again experienced the sensation of soaring through the sky all the way back to Thief Peak.

Lin Luo and the other two had already left, making Thief Peak feel particularly desolate. Fortunately, with a live wire like Mei Meimei around, it wasn’t so boring.

The Thief Master chatted with Feng Hao for a while before leaving to attend to sect matters. A lot had happened recently, especially the invasion of the otherworldly fiends and the turmoil with the Celestial Eagle Team. Nearly everyone in the Grand Hall was swamped with work.

As evening fell, Feng Hao gazed at the setting sun as it slowly dipped below the horizon and found himself surveying his courtyard.

’If all goes as planned, I’ll be back here in a year. That will be when I’m crowned the next [Thief].’

’In the year before I become the [Thief], my plan is to cultivate diligently, earn a lot of money, and spend time having fun with that girl, Yaoyao.’

’After all, once I become the Thief, I’ll probably have to stay at the Grand Hall year-round. We’d have to do the long-distance thing then.’

’Sigh, why am I thinking so far ahead? I have to leave tomorrow. I need to prepare a surprise for Yao Girl.’

Shaking his head, he reined in his thoughts and began to rack his brain. He had promised Yao Girl he would have a surprise for her when he returned. Thinking about it now, he realized how stupid he’d been to run his mouth like that.

A surprise seemed simple, but it was actually a real pain in the ass to get right. Just giving a gift felt too tacky, but not giving one would seem insincere.

Just as Feng Hao was agonizing over what to do, a Divine Sense fluctuation came from his Listening Stone. After he connected the call, Xiyue Frost’s accusatory voice came through. "The entrance exam is in five days. When are you coming back?"

"Five days?!" Feng Hao was completely stunned. "Aren’t there still eight days left?"

"Where did you get eight days from? Did the competition fry your brain?" Xiyue Frost demanded, her voice dripping with exasperation.

"Uh." Feng Hao froze, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily.

’Now that I think about it, I really did miscalculate.’ The tournament was supposed to last a month, but it had actually gone on for thirty-three days. He had been so focused on competing that he’d lost track, and now he was in this mess.

This was bad. There was no way he could make it back in five days. Yao Girl was probably going to go ballistic.

"Fine, I got the date wrong," Feng Hao replied with a bitter smile. "I’ll set out first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll do my best to rush back before the test."

"What? You haven’t even left yet?" Xiyue Frost exclaimed in disbelief.

"Ahem, well..." Feng Hao stammered awkwardly, unsure what to say.

Xiyue Frost sighed in resignation. "This is a disaster," she said with a weary laugh. "Yaoyao’s never going to let me hear the end of this."

"Just tell her I ran into some trouble on the road and got delayed for a few days. I’ll rush back as fast as I can. And remember, don’t let her do anything rash."

Knowing Xi Yueyao, once she started throwing a fit, there was no telling what kind of crazy stunt she might pull.

"You can rest assured on that front. With our grand-aunt here, Yaoyao won’t get into any trouble."

"Oh, your grand-aunt is there too?" Feng Hao asked, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Mhm," Xiyue Frost confirmed. "She arrived a few days ago and has been researching the issue with Yaoyao’s bloodline mutation."

Feng Hao nodded in understanding, then changed the subject. "By the way, have Miao Feng and Zhang Meng made it to Five States City yet?"

"They just arrived today. They’re right here next to me, actually. We’re all waiting for you to get back," Xiyue Frost said with a nod and a smile. "Oh, and Teacher Yue is here too."

"Yue Linglong? What’s she doing in Five States City?" Feng Hao asked, taken aback.

"Apparently, due to her outstanding performance, her internship ended early. She’s going to be an instructor in the Alchemy Department from now on."

"Makes sense. After teaching a student as outstanding as me, it’s about time her internship ended," Feng Hao said, unable to resist a bit of smugness.

Xiyue Frost was speechless. "Cut the crap," she snapped. "If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up. Just get back here as fast as you can. I can’t take another day of Yaoyao crying and moping."

With that, she cut the Divine Sense connection, leaving Feng Hao feeling awkward.

Realizing he was running out of time, Feng Hao no longer had the heart to think about a surprise. He went straight to his bedroom and passed out. There was nothing else for it—he needed to be fully rested to make the journey as quickly as possible.

* * *

Early the next morning, Mei Meimei arrived, fully kitted out. She had swapped her usual attire for a suit of light purple armor and stood beside a domineering flying car, cutting a truly heroic figure.

The Thief Master stood off to the side, shaking his head wordlessly in resignation.

When she saw Feng Hao emerge, Mei Meimei waved and yelled, "Xiaowu, hurry up! I can’t stand another second in this dump!"

Feng Hao clicked his tongue, hurried over to the Thief Master, and bowed. "Master, I’m leaving now. Please take care."

"Go on, then. It’s only a year. To me, that’s no different than a month," the Thief Master said with a faint smile.

Feng Hao couldn’t help but chuckle. ’It’s true. For someone at the Thief Master’s level of power, a lifespan is practically eternal. A year really is no different from a month in his eyes.’

"Xiaowu, get in, quick! I’ll show you the thrill of flooring it!"

Mei Meimei had already scrambled into the driver’s seat, unable to wait. She waved at Feng Hao while starting the engine.

Seeing Mei Meimei’s ecstatic expression, Feng Hao felt his mouth twitch. After gritting his teeth and hesitating for a long moment, he climbed into the car with great trepidation.