The Strongest Talent Tree

’If memory serves, the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall is that place that rips people off and leaves them with nothing. And what’s more, I have their Silver Nine-star Badge.’

Beside him, Yao Ying and the other two heard "Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall" and gasped, covering their mouths. "Oh my god, the Five Provinces Theater and the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall? Can we really perform there?"

"Of course. I, your Uncle Qian, paid a hefty price for it," Qian Sanduo said, his face a mask of pain.

"Oh my god, I’m so excited!" Xu Zhenzhen and Li Ting were ecstatic, but Yao Ying was comparatively calm.

Feng Hao ignored their excitement and smirked. "No time to waste. Let’s head to the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall and get ready."

"Alright." Qian Sanduo wasted no time and led a group of staff members forward, clearing a path.

Feng Hao, meanwhile, continued to drive the Mansa, with Yao Ying and the other two in tow, following closely behind.

Along the way, Xu Zhenzhen and Li Ting were grinning from ear to ear, squealing with excitement. "I can’t believe I actually get to perform at the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall! This is so exciting!"

"I know, right? The Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall and the Five Provinces Theater are the most prestigious stages in Wolf Country! Performing there has always been my dream. I can’t believe it’s coming true so soon," Xu Zhenzhen said, barely able to contain her excitement.

"I heard that only Dance Masters get to perform at the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall. Are we really good enough?" Li Ting asked nervously.

Seeing how nervous they were, Yao Ying chuckled. "It’s just the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall. There’s no need to be nervous."

"That’s easy for you to say, Yao Ying," Li Ting complained with a pout. "You’ve been exposed to all kinds of major events with Master Xueyan since you were a kid. We’re just ordinary dancers; we’ve never even had a proper performance before."

"It’s not that big a deal. No matter how grand the stage, it’s made for dancers like us. As long as you focus on showing off your skills, it becomes your stage," Yao Ying said with a faint smile.

"Really?" Xu Zhenzhen and Li Ting nodded uncertainly, and some of their anxiety began to fade.

As they spoke, the group arrived at the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall.

Qian Sanduo had clearly made arrangements with the staff beforehand, as he led the group directly to the main performance hall of the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall.

It had to be said, the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall was truly high-end. The magnificent, golden hall alone was enough to blow away most other venues.

After a moment of awe, Feng Hao began to arrange the various stage props, teaching the employees from the Thief God Entertainment Company how to set them up.

Meanwhile, Yao Ying and the other two couldn’t wait to rush onto the stage, where they began to dance with excitement.

"Xiaofeng, what exactly is your plan?" Qian Sanduo asked, his brow furrowed with worry. "Honestly, spending so much money for them to perform here... it’s a guaranteed loss. I just can’t understand what you’re trying to do."

"This isn’t a loss, it’s an investment," Feng Hao said with a faint smirk. "Trust me. It won’t be long before these three are famous all across the country. When that happens, I guarantee you’ll make back your money ten, even a hundred times over."

"For real? You’re pinning your hopes on these three girls?" Qian Sanduo asked, his eyes filled with doubt.

"Don’t underestimate them. They are future superstars," Feng Hao said meaningfully.

Qian Sanduo was confused. "It’s not that I don’t believe you, but I don’t see how a dance performance is supposed to make money. Take the few publicly recognized Dance Masters, for example. They have a high status, sure, but they’re famous without being wealthy. They don’t actually make much money."

"That’s because they don’t know how to market themselves. They don’t know how to monetize their fame," Feng Hao said with a contemptuous laugh. "All you need to know is that I wouldn’t lie to you."

"Sigh... We’ve come this far. I guess we have to see it through to the end," Qian Sanduo said, shaking his head in resignation.

"What do you mean, ’see it through to the end’? We’re on the road to stardom, got it?" Feng Hao rolled his eyes. Not bothering to argue with Qian Sanduo, he strode over to the stage and started directing the three dancers to rehearse in earnest.

It was undeniable that Yao Ying had the ability to command the stage. After several run-throughs, there wasn’t a single mistake, which left Feng Hao very satisfied.

"Not bad, not bad. Keep it up," Feng Hao said with a satisfied nod. "Tomorrow is your debut. You have to make the most of this opportunity. By the way, have you remembered the routine I taught you the other day?"

"We’ve memorized it, but... isn’t doing this a bit too...?" Yao Ying asked, her brow slightly furrowed.

"Don’t worry, just do as I say and you can’t go wrong," Feng Hao said with a confident smile. Then, his tone turned enthusiastic. "Alright, come on! Let’s do a run-through. I’ll be your audience. Pretend it’s the real show."

The three of them exchanged a look and quickly got into character.

And so, under the dumbfounded gazes of the staff members, the three dancers slowly walked onto the stage. Waving energetically, they called out to the imaginary crowd: "How is everyone doing out there?"

"WOOHOO—!" Feng Hao cheered enthusiastically, his voice echoing throughout the entire hall.

"Hello, everyone! We are—the Wind Love Dance Troupe!"

"I’m the leader, Little Demon!"

"I’m Zhenzhen!"

"Hee hee, and I’m the youngest and cutest, Ting’Er!"

Soon, an energetic beat kicked in, and the three dancers began to move with passion.

"Let me see your hands~!"

"Where’s the applause?"

...

The results of the run-through left Feng Hao very satisfied. It felt just like being at a concert back on Earth.

Feng Hao’s involvement was no longer needed for the rest of the rehearsal. After assigning a few tasks, he left the performance hall, deciding to take a look around the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall. After all, it had been a long time since his last visit.

After pinning on his Silver Badge, Feng Hao successfully entered the main hall of the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall.

The scene inside the martial arts hall was unchanged, still as high-end, grand, and classy as ever. Countless elite young men and women roamed about, puffing out their chests from time to time as if they wished they could hang their badges on their foreheads.

Feng Hao simply smiled without a word. In his eyes, paying for a sense of superiority was the stupidest thing in the world.

If the Elder, that old scoundrel, hadn’t cheated him back then, he’d still have a bronze badge and be enjoying the low-cost services.

The memory alone made Feng Hao inexplicably furious, making him want to crush the Silver Badge on his chest.

Fortunately, he was filthy rich now and could afford the high costs associated with the Silver Nine-star Badge.

’Since I’m here, I might as well max out my [Poisonous Chain] skill.’ With this thought, Feng Hao no longer hesitated and strode toward the equipment area.

The same pretty receptionist from before was still standing outside the Monster Simulator area. When she saw Feng Hao, a flash of panic crossed her eyes.

"Young Master Feng, what brings you here?" the receptionist asked, her smile stiff.

"Just came by to take a look. Hey, there should be a simulator free, right? Set one up for me," Feng Hao asked familiarly as he approached.

The young receptionist hesitated for a moment before asking timidly, "If I told you there aren’t any available at the moment... would you believe me?"

"Huh, what a coincidence," Feng Hao said, taken aback.

"Why don’t you go check the second floor? There should be some available up there," the receptionist suggested, blinking.

"Alright, I’ll go try the second floor." Feng Hao didn’t waste any more words and sauntered up to the second floor.

After watching Feng Hao go upstairs, the receptionist couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. ’Phew... Thank goodness the first floor is full,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, I would’ve had my pay docked again.’