The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 85: Chapter 83: Crystal Stele

Trying to find Xiyue Frost in the vast crowd was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Besides, the Mage World didn’t have communication tools like cell phones, so all he could do was wander around and search aimlessly.

After a good while of searching, he still hadn’t found her, but he had managed to familiarize himself with all the various assessment events.

He had to admit, the Main Battle Academy’s examinations were absurdly tedious. On top of the most basic aptitude and strength evaluations, there were countless additional tests. The various bizarre-looking testing apparatuses were enough to make one’s head spin.

There was a reaction speed test, a magical foundation development scan, a Divine Sense quality assessment, a genetic talent evaluation, a basic Demon Pattern studies simulation...

All in all, Feng Hao had only one feeling: relief. He was relieved that he’d applied to the Pharmacy Department. Otherwise, under this kind of all-encompassing, foolproof testing, the special nature of his Genetic Tree would have surely been exposed.

"Hey, Brother Feng, didn’t you two set a meeting place? How long are we going to keep searching like this?" Houhuiyao asked, looking exasperated.

Feng Hao clicked his tongue and shook his head helplessly. "I didn’t expect it would be like this when we split up this morning."

"Well, you must at least know which specific department your friend is in, right?" Houhuiyao asked with a pout.

"If nothing’s gone wrong, she should be in the Strength Department," Feng Hao said after a moment’s thought.

Houhuiyao rolled his eyes. "Well, there you go. We’ll definitely find her in the Strength Department’s testing area."

"You’re that familiar with the Main Battle Academy’s assessments?" Feng Hao asked, surprised.

"I had to get familiar. My old man dragged me here to scout the place out half a month ago. Forget everything else, I spent a whole week just wandering around the Main Battle Academy. In my dad’s words, it was to ’use the environment to awaken the warrior’s spirit within me.’" Houhuiyao wore a pained expression, clearly having been put through the wringer by his eccentric father.

Feng Hao nodded sympathetically. "Alright then. You lead the way, and you can fill me in on the details as we go."

Houhuiyao didn’t miss a beat, taking the lead and starting to play the tour guide. "Among the many departments in the Main Battle Academy, the Strength Department and the Magical Damage Department have the most students, and thus the fiercest competition. We’re in the Strength Department’s section right now. See that tall Crystal Stele over there? That’s the Strength Department’s leaderboard. Anyone on that list is a top-tier master in their field."

"Whoa, they even have leaderboards," Feng Hao said, a little surprised. He felt a strong sense of deja vu, like he was looking at a class leaderboard from a video game.

Houhuiyao continued, "In fact, every major department has its own Crystal Stele. But generally speaking, the ones for the Main Battle Academy departments get the most attention, since they’re directly related to personal strength."

"Huh? Every major department has one?" Feng Hao asked, stunned.

"Yeah. Is there a problem?"

Feng Hao said, confused, "I can understand the Main Battle departments having leaderboards, but what do we in the Support Profession departments need them for? It seems totally meaningless!"

"Looks like Brother Feng didn’t do any homework before he came. Allow me to enlighten you." Finally feeling a sense of superiority, Houhuiyao began to explain in a knowing tone. "First of all, an Advanced Academy functions because of the interplay between students from different departments. Combat students need students from the Support Professions to forge their equipment, refine their medicines, and design their Secret Technique circuits. In turn, Support Profession students need combat students for protection, assistance, and to acquire various materials. This creates a unique supply and demand cycle, which gave rise to the academic credit system."

"Your view that the Support Profession departments’ Crystal Steles are meaningless is wrong, Brother Feng. Take our Pharmacy Department, for instance. If students from other departments want to have potions refined, they have to come to us. But if they don’t know anyone in the department, who do you think they’re going to commission for the job?"

"Okay, I get it," Feng Hao quickly realized. "The Support Profession leaderboards are basically just advertisements."

Houhuiyao grinned knowingly. "With our potion-refining skills, it shouldn’t be hard for us to get onto the Crystal Stele. Once we’re on there, won’t we be able to earn as many academic credits as we want?"

"Excellent idea." Feng Hao thoroughly approved of the suggestion.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the Strength Department’s comprehensive testing grounds. Countless students, brimming with fighting spirit, were gathered around. The wide array of weapons in hand lent a murderous air to the scene.

Just as Feng Hao and Houhuiyao were about to go take a look, a series of gasps erupted from the crowd. It seemed something extraordinary had just happened.

"MEOW~!"

Just then, a black shadow appeared before Feng Hao with a SWISH. It scrambled up onto his shoulder in a few quick movements—it was that little rascal, Chief Black Cat.

’Finally found you!’ Feng Hao couldn’t help but sigh in relief. Finding Chief Black Cat meant he had also found Xiyue Frost and West Moon Ridge.

Houhuiyao was startled by the sudden appearance of the black shadow. He finally relaxed after getting a clear look and seeing it was Chief Black Cat. "I was wondering why you didn’t bring Midnight Cat with you today, Brother Feng. So he was with your friend."

"Enough nonsense. Didn’t you want to hit on some girls? I’ll take you to one right now," Feng Hao said with a playful smile. Following Chief Black Cat’s lead, he soon spotted West Moon Ridge.

Seeing West Moon Ridge from a distance, Houhuiyao froze. "You’re not messing with me, are you, Brother Feng? That woman’s old enough to be my mother!"

"..." Feng Hao’s face darkened with exasperation. "Think before you speak. Could someone that age be a new student? She’s my friend’s aunt, and she’s also Chief Black Cat’s owner."

"Phew! That explains it!" Houhuiyao patted his chest, a lecherous glint in his eyes. "Hehe, judging by her aunt’s looks, your friend must be an absolute bombshell, Brother Feng."

"You’ll see in a minute." Feng Hao gave a mysterious smile and strode over to West Moon Ridge.

Seeing Feng Hao approach, West Moon Ridge greeted him with a smile. "You’re here. And who is this young friend?"

"A classmate from the Pharmacy Department. His name is Houhuiyao," Feng Hao introduced.

West Moon Ridge gave a radiant smile, her interest piqued. "What a peculiar name."

"My father chose it. I didn’t have much say in the matter," Houhuiyao said, his face flushing with embarrassment.

West Moon Ridge didn’t press the issue, turning her gaze to Feng Hao. "Did you have any trouble with your assessment?"

"Of course not," Feng Hao said confidently, then looked around. "How is Xiyue Frost doing?"

"Xiaoshuang’s performance has been quite good so far. I’m very satisfied," West Moon Ridge said with a pleased smile.

Feng Hao glanced at the pile of unidentifiable testing machines. "Which device is she in?" he asked, puzzled.

"She’s in the combat simulator right here, the one closest to us. Judging by the time, she should be finishing up soon," West Moon Ridge said with a smile.

"Is there anything special about this machine?" Feng Hao asked curiously.

West Moon Ridge patiently explained, "It’s more or less the same as the Monster Simulator, except the monsters that spawn inside continuously increase in number. The more monsters you kill, the higher your score."

"Oh." Feng Hao was a little disappointed. ’So much for some amazing machine. It’s just a souped-up version of the Monster Simulator.’

As they spoke, the combat simulator’s hatch slowly opened. Xiyue Frost’s graceful figure appeared before them. Having just emerged from a fierce battle, she was shrouded in a thick, murderous aura.

Combined with her icy demeanor, she exuded a dangerous, unapproachable aura. Her sharp gaze, in particular, was like that of a ferocious demonic beast, enough to send a chill down one’s spine.

DING!

Just as Xiyue Frost stepped out, the simulator emitted a soft chime, and a string of bright red numbers appeared on the hatch’s screen:

[Comprehensive Score: 137]