The Strongest Talent Tree

While in stealth, the two could only communicate using their Divine Sense. It couldn’t be helped; Feng Hao’s "Shadow Escape" technique was integrated with the "Silence" legacy, so even if he spoke aloud, Mei Meimei wouldn’t be able to hear him.

Additionally, because they were communicating with their Divine Sense, they could both sense each other’s positions.

"Xiaowu, once we’re inside, don’t attack right away. The moment you make a move, your stealth Secret Technique will be broken, revealing your position. Leave picking them off to your big sister." At some point, a rugged-looking Magic Energy Gun had appeared in Mei Meimei’s hands. It was fitted with a scope, clearly a Sniper Magic Energy Gun.

Feng Hao knew his own shortcomings and nodded slightly to show he understood.

Although "Shadow Escape" could bypass 500 points of Divine Sense, he was only level forty, after all. If he encountered a High-level Mage, he would be easily discovered.

But Mei Meimei was different. She used a stealth field, a special mechanical device attached to her armor. Even if she attacked, her stealth wouldn’t break. Unless her opponent had an exceptionally high Divine Sense or a specifically configured high-end Crystal Eye, it would be very difficult to detect her.

Soon, the two of them slipped into the small temple one after the other.

There were only three people inside the temple, two men and one woman. They all wore strange white cloaks over their gear. In the center of the main hall was an altar dedicated to a ferocious and terrifying monster statue. The whole scene screamed "evil cult."

"One Fifth-rank, two Fourth-ranks. I’ll take out the Fifth-rank first, then we’ll deal with the other two at the same time," Mei Meimei transmitted via Divine Sense.

"Understood." Feng Hao nodded in agreement, silently drew his Su Mu Dagger, and stealthily crept up behind one of the Fourth-rank Mages.

The three cultists were clearly unaware of their infiltration and were chatting and laughing amongst themselves. Their conversation revealed quite a bit of information. From what the Fifth-rank Mage was saying, it seemed he was encouraging the two Fourth-rank Mages to work hard. Once they reached the fifth rank, they could undergo the "root cutting ritual" and become children of the True God.

After hearing their conversation, Feng Hao and Mei Meimei were shocked. They hadn’t expected this group to be connected to the Root Cutting Cult.

"Are they from the Celestial Eagle Team?" Feng Hao transmitted via Divine Sense.

Mei Meimei frowned and replied, "I don’t think so. The Celestial Eagle Team may be despicable, but they are a professional assassin organization. Judging by their behavior and attire, they’re clearly not assassins. Besides, the symbol on their cloaks is different from the Celestial Eagle Team’s."

"So you’re saying the Root Cutting Cult is more than just the Celestial Eagle Team?" Feng Hao asked, surprised and suspicious.

"It seems so." Mei Meimei was also filled with suspicion. "We need to report this to the Grand Hall. Let’s head deeper inside first and figure out who these people really are."

"Alright then, let’s make our move!" Feng Hao nodded thoughtfully.

This group had built their temple in such a remote location, one without an Origin Node, obviously to isolate themselves from the outside world. But this also made things convenient for Feng Hao and Mei Meimei.

At least when they made their move, this group wouldn’t be able to send out any messages either.

Meanwhile, Mei Meimei had already found a good position. Holding the Magic Energy Gun steady against her chest, she transformed into a professional sniper. After a brief, steadying breath, she gently squeezed the trigger.

A bolt of light shot out silently. It made no sound, clearly fitted with some sort of high-end silencing device.

PUFF!

The next moment, as Feng Hao watched in astonishment, the light bolt struck the Fifth-rank Mage between the eyebrows. Through his Crystal Eye, Feng Hao saw a terrifying damage number erupt over the man’s head, indicating an instant kill.

The Fifth-rank cultist had no time to react. The smile from his conversation still lingered on his face as he fell backward to the ground.

"Who’s there?!" The two Fourth-rank Mages reacted in horror, hastily drawing their weapons and looking around in confusion.

Mei Meimei gave Feng Hao a slight nod, then squeezed the trigger again.

At the same time, Feng Hao struck instantly. He initiated with "Moon Stab," locking onto the back of one Fourth-rank Mage’s neck, then immediately followed up with "Dark Moon Massacre" and Moon Wheel Dance. The terrifying, multi-hit dark energy damage was more than enough to kill him instantly.

The other cultist saw Feng Hao and hurriedly swung his weapon to attack, but unfortunately, a high-speed bolt of light was already upon him. It pierced straight through his temple. The Secret Technique the Fourth-rank cultist had been halfway through channeling instantly dissipated, and he collapsed to the ground with a vacant look in his eyes.

"Xiaowu, nicely done!" Mei Meimei chuckled as she deactivated her stealth field, nodding in approval.

Feng Hao gave a wry smile. "You’re the amazing one, Fourth Sister. One shot, one kill."

"Stop flattering me," Mei Meimei said, rolling her eyes. "First, search these three for a key. Then we’ll go take a look at the Earth Palace."

Mei Meimei had already scouted the inside of the temple with her Divine Sense. It had to be said, these cultists were rather "cute"—the entrance to the Earth Palace wasn’t hidden at all, but located right behind the monster statue.

Feng Hao didn’t waste any time. He bent down and searched the three bodies, quickly finding an oddly shaped Token.

"There’s a special circuit fluctuation inside. It should be the key for the door at the entrance." Feng Hao weighed the Token in his hand. As a third-level Mechanic, he could at least sense such a crude Magic Pattern Circuits fluctuation.

"Don’t waste time. Let’s just blast our way in." Mei Meimei chuckled and started walking behind the statue on her own.

Feng Hao knew Mei Meimei didn’t want to delay his return to Five States City. A warmth spread through his chest. He hurried after her, examined the metal door at the entrance, and quickly found the Token’s induction point.

He pressed the strange Token against the spot, and the heavy metal door instantly retracted to both sides.

Immediately after, another Fifth-rank cultist appeared inside the doorway. Seeing the two of them, he asked with a stunned expression, "Who are you?"

The expressions on Feng Hao and Mei Meimei’s faces changed, and they attacked without hesitation. An arm-mounted Magic Energy Gun had appeared on Mei Meimei’s armored forearm at some point, and she raised her arm and unleashed a wild barrage of shots.

Feng Hao also instinctively brandished his Su Mu Dagger, flinging out a "Dark Moon Massacre" mixed with a "Moon Stab."

"ARGH~!" Before the Fifth-rank cultist could even react, he was blasted to bits.

When he came to his senses, Feng Hao stared at Mei Meimei’s arm in disbelief, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily. ’It seems the Thief Master was right,’ he thought. ’Mei Meimei probably really does have a whole Spatial Ring full of Magic Energy Weapons.’

"What are you looking at me for? Get ready for a huge fight!" A battle-hungry gleam rose in Mei Meimei’s eyes. With a few clicks and clacks, she fastened an identical Magic Energy Gun to her other arm.

At the same time, the cultists in the Earth Palace below had already detected them and were roaring as they converged on the entrance.

Feeling the surging auras of several hundred Mages rushing toward them, Feng Hao couldn’t help but gulp. ’Holy crap, that’s a lot of cultists,’ he thought. ’Can the two of us even handle this?’

"Don’t worry. I alone am worth an entire army. Besides, this narrow tunnel is just perfect for us. We’ll kill as many as they send."

Mei Meimei just gave a confident smile. At some unknown point, she had set up four mortar-style Magic Energy Weapons beside her, leaving Feng Hao completely stunned.

Just as Feng Hao was gaping in a daze, a large group of cultists in white cloaks, their strength reaching the fifth and sixth ranks, surged forward.

Immediately after, a barrage of attacks came howling up from the entrance below: streaming arrows, bolts of light, Sword Qi, fireballs, ice cones, and all sorts of Secret Techniques.

"Get back, get back! Watch this!" Mei Meimei shoved Feng Hao to one side of the entrance and dodged to the other side herself, avoiding the storm of attacks erupting from below.

Then, with a crisp snap of Mei Meimei’s fingers, the four mortar-style Magic Energy Weapons instantly finished charging. Shells of four different elements—earth, fire, water, and wind—fired with a deafening roar.

In an instant, the area below the entrance was filled with cries of anguish...