The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 79: Chapter 77: Narrow Victory

Of course, even with Feng Hao’s current 35,000 health, he couldn’t withstand many rounds of the shockwave impacts. After all, his vitality was only 39, and his recovery ability couldn’t keep up.

Fortunately, Xiyue Frost’s Secret Technique had a certain recast time, giving him a chance to catch his breath. This also meant he had to attack as quickly as possible and secure victory before his health was depleted.

’This woman has over a thousand defense. A one-shot kill is impossible. I’ll just look for a chance to land a full combo first.’

In the midst of battle, Feng Hao was exceptionally calm. He carefully dealt with each of Xiyue Frost’s attacks, dodging while using the wide-area advantage of [Moon Wheel Dance] to wear her down.

Although the two-stage damage of [Moon Wheel Dance] was considerable, it was difficult to land both hits at the same time without getting close, let alone hitting a weak point or vital spot.

Moreover, Xiyue Frost was no pushover. She blocked, dodged, and occasionally smashed down with her greatsword to force Feng Hao to reposition.

After a few exchanges, Xiyue Frost was growing impatient. ’Damn it, why can’t I ever hit him?’

Even though she was clearly faster, she could never pin down Feng Hao’s figure. Aside from [Vibrating Sword], almost none of her attacks could reach him.

Seeing Xiyue Frost’s moves grow more frantic, Feng Hao finally found an opening. He dashed to her side, flung out a [Dark Moon Kill], and immediately followed up with [Moon Wheel Dance]. The two Secret Techniques were executed in a single, fluid motion, instantly wiping out half of Xiyue Frost’s Qi Blood.

Because Dark Moon Kill had no recast time, the moment Xiyue Frost turned to counterattack, he hit her with another Dark Moon Kill. This one struck her chest—a vital point—dealing terrifying damage.

"Trying to run?" Xiyue Frost roared as a biting cold aura erupted from her. The Ice Lotus Sword Qi she unleashed with her greatsword was exceptionally powerful, directly cutting off Feng Hao’s escape route.

Faced with the siege of countless ice flowers, Feng Hao’s expression changed drastically. He never imagined that Ice Lotus Sword Qi could be used this way.

’I can only fight it head-on!’

Seeing Xiyue Frost’s greatsword already crashing down, he knew that even with the best maneuvers, dodging was impossible. His only choice was to try to avoid taking a hit to a vital spot while closing in on Xiyue Frost and unleashing a flurry of high-speed slashes.

As it turned out, Feng Hao had made the right choice.

The moment Xiyue Frost’s attack landed on him, his Dark Moon Kill simultaneously depleted her Qi Blood. Immediately after, the surrounding ice flowers closed in, shredding Feng Hao down to a sliver of health.

The final result was mutual destruction, but Feng Hao had won by a split second.

"Damn."

Feng Hao let out a soft cry and collapsed onto the ground. The dizziness from his low Qi Blood made him see stars, and he hastily took out a few Blood Recovery Pills to restore himself.

On the other side, Xiyue Frost was also pale, using her greatsword to prop herself up, looking as if she might collapse at any moment.

The unexpected result left everyone in the audience stunned, and cries of surprise rose one after another:

"Holy cow, what did I just see? That kid actually won!"

"You’ve got to be kidding me. A level 21 beat a level 36? These two aren’t just putting on a show, are they?"

"I was watching the fight with a Crystal Eye the whole time. Neither of them is simple, especially that level 21 guy. His damage is terrifyingly high."

"Terrifying? It’s downright ridiculous, okay?"

"Looks like our incoming class is going to have two monstrous prodigies. Thank god I’m not in the Main Battle Academy, or I’d be completely suffocated by the pressure."

"Tsk, tsk. Tomorrow’s Main Battle department assessment is going to be a good show."

...

The effect of a fifth-rank Blood Recovery Pill was indisputable. In just a few breaths, the color returned to Feng Hao’s face. He stood up, walked over to Xiyue Frost, and offered her a few Blood Recovery Pills. "Here, take a pill and recover a bit."

Xiyue Frost bit her lip and turned her head away, clearly unable to accept this defeat. She stubbornly relied on her own vitality to recover slowly.

"Uh, it was just a sparring match. Is there any need to get this upset?" Feng Hao said, feeling a headache coming on.

"You don’t understand," Xiyue Frost replied coldly. Thanks to her high vitality recovery, her complexion had improved considerably.

"Alright, have it your way." Feng Hao shook his head helplessly, put away his Dark Moon Dagger, and started walking off the stage.

He had only taken a few steps when Xiyue Frost’s voice came from behind him. It was a little weak, but also tinged with stubbornness: "Let’s fight again after I have a full set of equipment spirits."

"I’ll be waiting."

Feng Hao gave a faint smile and a wave, then quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Watching Feng Hao’s carefree back, Xiyue Frost’s gaze was complex. It took a long while for her to snap out of it. She looked down at her black greatsword, her eyes becoming incredibly determined...

Back in the hotel lobby, Chief Black Cat was sleeping like a log, which made Feng Hao’s temper flare.

’Damn it, you’re the culprit behind all this, and you’re sleeping so soundly.’

Chief Black Cat groggily glanced at Feng Hao before going back to its deep sleep, acting as if it had nothing to do with anything.

This made Feng Hao even angrier. He started pummeling the cat with his fists and feet, but unfortunately, Chief Black Cat didn’t even budge, its sleep as sweet as ever.

"Bastard, why are you still bullying Miaomiao?!" Not long after, Xiyue Frost’s furious roar came from behind him again.

"Are you ever not annoying? Can’t you see the look of pure enjoyment on Chief Black Cat’s face?" Feng Hao turned around and snapped.

Xiyue Frost was trembling with anger. "You’re clearly the one who’s enjoying it!" she said indignantly.

"Er..." Feng Hao gave an awkward laugh and sheepishly withdrew his fists and feet.

Just then, West Moon Ridge happened to return. Seeing the two of them at each other’s throats, she couldn’t help but ask, "What’s going on? I just got back and you’re already like this."

"Auntie, this bastard is bullying Miaomiao," Xiyue Frost said resentfully.

West Moon Ridge was slightly taken aback. She glanced at Feng Hao and Chief Black Cat, confused. "It looks to me like they’re getting along quite well?"

"Exactly, exactly," Feng Hao wholeheartedly agreed.

"But..." Xiyue Frost looked anxious, wanting to say something but not knowing how to express it.

"Alright, Xiaoshuang." West Moon Ridge smiled softly. "Those guys showed me some respect and gave me a lot of good things today. Come on, Auntie will take you two out for a big feast to wish you both good luck on your assessment tomorrow."

"Tsk, tsk, Elder Xiyue is the best." Feng Hao couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. Speaking of which, ever since he’d crossed over, he hadn’t yet tasted the delicacies of this world.

Hearing talk of a big feast, Chief Black Cat, who had been off to the side, instantly perked up. In the blink of an eye, it shrank down to a petite form, and with a SWOOSH, leaped into West Moon Ridge’s arms and began to curry favor with all its might.

"Don’t worry, we won’t forget about you, you little foodie," West Moon Ridge said, her eyes full of affection.

...

And so, under West Moon Ridge’s guidance, Feng Hao finally got to experience the life of a young master in the Otherworld. He thoroughly satisfied his appetite and also got to see the various high-end establishments of Five States City.

To sum it up in one phrase: fucking extravagant!

It was already late at night when they returned to the hotel. After a few simple pleasantries, they all went back to their rooms to sleep. After all, they had their assessments to attend the next day.

As usual, Feng Hao cultivated instead of sleeping. With the dual assistance of Magic Crystals and Life Spirit Pills, his Genetic Tree was growing splendidly. He estimated it wouldn’t be long before he could break through to level twenty-two.

Early the next morning, Feng Hao was woken by the noisy sounds from outside.

It couldn’t be helped. The entire hotel was filled with examinees and their families. On the day of the assessment, everyone was more excited than the next, wishing they could rush to the examination grounds immediately.

When Feng Hao arrived in the downstairs lobby, he was truly taken aback. The previously empty lobby was now packed with men and women. Some were brandishing weapons and warming up, others were adjusting their clothes in front of mirrors, and many parents were naggingly reminding their children about the details of the assessment.

’Damn, so there were this many people hiding in the hotel,’ Feng Hao thought to himself, amazed.