Under the potent effects of the Experience Pill, the surrounding magical energy surged toward him like a deluge from a burst dam.
The streams of magical energy flowed along his meridians and converged in his sea of consciousness. Nourished by this energy, the Genetic Tree grew rapidly, finally moving beyond its sapling form to sprout its first branch.
His body also underwent a massive transformation as the magical energy washed over it, making it feel as though he had been given an entirely new physique.
This was the cultivation process for a Mage: nourishing the magical energy genes within the body to gradually replace one's mortal genes and ascend to a higher plane of existence.
A Mage's cultivation progressed in stages, one every ten levels. Each new stage brought a massive power-up, the most significant of which was the Genetic Tree growing Talent Branches. These branches bestowed even greater enhancements upon the Mage. It was no exaggeration to say that for a Mage, every Talent Branch represented a qualitative transformation.
In addition, one's lifespan would also increase as the Genetic Tree grew…
'What will my Tier One talent be?'
Feng Hao eagerly used his Divine Sense to perceive it. He had learned the basics of these branch talents from introductory books and was well aware of their importance to a Mage.
The most distinct characteristic of magical energy genetic information was that it could be analyzed by one's Divine Sense. By enveloping the new branch with his Divine Sense, Feng Hao could clearly perceive its ability and effect:
[The effects of Shadow Force damage are doubled.]
The brief genetic message made Feng Hao's eyes widen. 'No wonder the books say every stage is a qualitative transformation for a Mage. This talent doubles my damage outright. That's terrifying!'
The type of Talent Branch that grew was determined by the development of the attribute's root system. The more developed the root, the greater the chance of sprouting a related talent. Since Feng Hao had focused on allocating his points to his main meridians, awakening a meridian-type talent was well within his expectations.
Alternatively, one could guide the advancement by refining Magic Beast Crystal Cores to obtain other types of Talent Branches. However, this method had a low success rate, and failure would result in significant physical damage.
BOOM!
Just as Feng Hao was reveling in the joy of his advancement, a sudden, mysterious energy exploded within him. The blood throughout his body began to surge as if it were boiling, its speed constantly accelerating—faster, faster, and faster still!
The high-speed flow sent a searing, stabbing pain through his blood vessels, as if countless iron needles were rampaging within them. His body began to tremble from the excruciating pain, and cold sweat burst from his pores, rolling down his skin.
'What's going on? Did something go wrong with my advancement?'
Feng Hao was aghast, completely unaware of what was happening inside him. He felt his body reaching its breaking point. The black pupils in his eyes began to dilate continuously until both eyes had turned completely black. Only then did the pain begin to subside and his blood slow to a normal pace.
"Phew... It's finally over." Feng Hao sighed in relief, utterly exhausted.
Just when he thought the strange transformation was over, a mysterious energy even more powerful than before exploded inside him. The blood flow, which had just slowed, surged once again, and excruciating pain followed.
At the same time, a colossal black phantom appeared in his sea of consciousness. Like a Demon God, it radiated an incomparably tyrannical aura.
As the transformation occurred again, the black phantom abruptly opened its eyes—one black and one blue, an eerie and terrifying sight. The look of shocked suspicion in its eyes was clearly palpable.
The black phantom quickly dissipated, but the transformation continued. This energy seemed even more violent than before, rampaging through his body along with his wildly surging blood!
In his agony, every day felt like a year. He had no idea how long had passed, but when everything finally subsided, his entire body was soaked through.
'What in the world just happened? And what was with that strange black phantom?'
Sinking his consciousness into his sea of consciousness, he perceived the changes in his body. A stream of familiar yet ancient genetic information flooded his mind.
The two inexplicable transformations just now had actually been awakening the legendary [Race Talent]. And according to the vague genetic information, this racial talent of his seemed pretty damn awesome.
'People from Earth actually have a racial talent? Is this my transmigrator's halo, just arriving a little late?'
Perhaps because the racial talent was too profound, his Divine Sense couldn't perceive much information about it. Fortunately, he still had his cheat-like [Game Panel]. He summoned the panel, and the specific details of his racial talent appeared before his eyes:
Racial Talent: [Mutated Black Pupils]
Talent Ability: Upon activation, both eyes turn black, doubling concealment ability and granting the ability to graft the Genetic Tree.
Mutated Ability: Can use blood to copy and sever Talent Branches, then graft them onto other Talent Branches of the same origin.
"Genetic Tree… grafting?" Feng Hao exclaimed, his eyes filled with utter disbelief.
One had to understand that a Mage could only obtain a single Talent Branch at each stage, and even that was enough to create vast differences in power. Yet, his racial talent would allow him to gain an *additional* talent at every stage.
This could no longer be described as merely powerful; it was completely, utterly heaven-defying!
'So what if my attribute growth is poor? In the face of this heaven-defying racial talent, none of that matters at all.'
Feng Hao couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh wildly. He tossed all thoughts of attribute growth and his secondary profession to the back of his mind. With such a heaven-defying ability, he was practically a hidden class, destined to ascend to the pinnacle of the world.
On top of that, activating [Black Pupils] also had the effect of doubling his concealment ability. Although it couldn't compare to the grafting ability, it was still a very strong talent.
'I'm just not sure if that black phantom is a good or a bad thing. Perhaps it's connected to [Black Pupils]?'
The thought of the mysterious black phantom that had appeared in his sea of consciousness made Feng Hao a bit worried.
'Whatever. Raising my strength is what's important right now.'
With a helpless sigh, he stopped dwelling on it and resumed his cultivation.
The effects of the remaining three Experience Pills grew weaker and weaker. This was especially true after he reached level ten, as the magical energy required for each level increased significantly.
After absorbing all the Experience Pills, he had only reached level fourteen.
He skillfully absorbed all the [Gene Points] according to his previous plan. His entire body felt as if it had been reborn, brimming with power. He summoned his attribute panel, and his stats in every category had already far surpassed those of an ordinary person:
Genetic Level: 14
Qi Blood: 6300 (2100)
Vitality: 29 (15)
Magic Power: 140
Strength: 206 (108)
Shadow Force: 728
Magic Damage: 98
Defense: 175 (21)
Gang Qi: 420
Speed: 441 (105)
Attack Speed: 201 (117)
Divine Sense: 168
Breath Control: 140
Divine Sense Strength: 28
Weak Point Enhancement: 28
'With 728 points in Shadow Force, combined with my Tier One talent, my damage output should be pretty good for a Mage of my level.'
Feng Hao nodded in satisfaction, then rushed into the bathroom to wash the accumulated grime from his body before changing into a set of clean clothes.
Miao Feng had already returned from his errands. Perhaps knowing that Feng Hao was cultivating, he had not entered to disturb him.
Seeing Feng Hao emerge with a delighted expression, Miao Feng couldn't help but exclaim, "Master, you're already level fourteen?"
"What's so surprising? It's not like you don't know how effective Experience Pills are." Although he said this, Feng Hao was secretly very pleased. "By the way, how did that business I tasked you with go?"
"The items have been delivered to the three great families. Now we just have to see how they react," Miao Feng said seriously.
"Excellent," Feng Hao nodded in satisfaction, continuing, "I expect the three great families will come tonight. When they do, make sure to keep my identity well hidden."
"Don't worry, Master."
...
「Within the Beixing Mansion, in the study.」
Beixing Kuang listened to Chief Steward Luo's report with a grim expression, asking in a low voice, "Has he started contacting the other three great families already?"
"My spies have confirmed it. That boy, Miao Feng, did indeed make contact with the other three families today, but the specific content of their discussions is still unclear," said Chief Steward Luo.
"What about the investigation into that mysterious Alchemist?"
"Well… I've had men keeping a close watch on the Miao Medicine Tower, but we haven't found a single clue to this day."
Beixing Kuang frowned. "Not a single lead?"
"None." Chief Steward Luo shook his head helplessly. "And that boy, Feng Hao, is just as mysterious. It's as if he appeared in Rongcheng out of thin air; we can't find a single clue about his past."
"It seems this friend of Miao Qing's is not someone to be trifled with," Beixing Kuang said, his expression turning bitter.
Just then, a servant in a special uniform rushed in frantically, half-kneeling on the floor and presenting a sealed letter. "Patriarch, a secret message has arrived from our mole."
The faces of Beixing Kuang and Chief Steward Luo changed drastically. They had planted many moles in the other families over the years, agents who were under strict orders never to act unless it was a critical moment.
Receiving a secret message now meant that some major incident had occurred.
Beixing Kuang shot to his feet, hastily tearing open the sealed letter. His expression shifted continuously as he scanned its contents.
"Patriarch, what happened?" Steward Luo asked anxiously.
"See for yourself." Beixing Kuang wasted no words, simply handing the letter over.
After reading the letter, Chief Steward Luo couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath. "A pill that can directly increase one's power level?" he said, aghast. "How is that possible?"
"Our mole in the Xiyue Family wouldn't have sent this at the risk of being exposed if it weren't true," Beixing Kuang said, his expression dark and uncertain. "And according to the letter, that girl, Xi Yueyao, had only just had her Mage foundation awakened, but she shot straight to level six after taking it."
"I will send someone to look into Xi Yueyao's situation. If this is true, I'm afraid the entire landscape of Rongcheng is about to change," Steward Luo said, his face incomparably grave.
Beixing Kuang's brow was furrowed in thought. He nodded. "Also, keep an eye on Miao Feng's power level."
"Should we capture him for interrogation?" asked Chief Steward Luo.
"It's too late. The other three families have probably already dispatched men to protect him in secret." Beixing Kuang gave a bitter smile, suddenly looking much older.
...
Just as Feng Hao had predicted, that very evening, the patriarchs of the Dongfang, Xiyue, and Nanyuan families gathered at the Miao Medicine Tower.
Facing the patriarchs of Rongcheng's three great powers all at once was a situation Miao Feng had never even dreamed of. He was so nervous that his entire body was trembling.
Feng Hao was equally nervous, but he appeared relatively calm on the surface. He had no choice; at a time like this, he had to grit his teeth and maintain the act. If his cover was blown, it would be a monumental disaster!
"I am Dongfang Wuji. You must be the great master's disciple, young brother Feng Hao?" Dongfang Wuji was dressed plainly, but there was a heroic spirit in his features. Although he was middle-aged, his powerful aura was in no way diminished.
"Ahem, you flatter me, Patriarch Dongfang." Feng Hao did his best to appear accustomed to grand occasions, rising to bow to the other two middle-aged men. "And you two must be Senior Xiyue Feng and Senior Nanyuan Bo?"
"That's right. This old man is Nanyuan Bo," the burly Nanyuan Bo spoke up first, his tone sounding rather impatient.
In contrast, the Xiyue Family Head, Xiyue Feng, appeared more refined and scholarly. He was also exceedingly handsome; in his youth, he must have been the kind of man to make countless young women swoon.
Feng Hao found himself subconsciously staring at the Xiyue Patriarch for a few extra moments. After all, when he had first transmigrated, he'd ended up in the back garden of the Xiyue Mansion. It felt like they were connected by some twist of fate.
'Besides, that thief acquaintance of his, Lin Luo, had apparently stolen his daughter's used underwear. I wonder if the Xiyue Family has figured out that Lin Luo was the one who did it?'
"Let's cut to the chase. May we ask for your honored master to show himself?" Dongfang Wuji said, getting straight to the point.
At his words, Miao Feng quickly spoke up, "My master is unable to appear due to special circumstances. I hope the three patriarchs can forgive us."
The three patriarchs frowned in unison. Nanyuan Bo, being blunt as always, said, "Does the great master look down on us?"
"Seniors, you misunderstand. My master truly has his reasons and cannot reveal his identity," Feng Hao hastily explained.
"If the master won't show himself, then how are we supposed to discuss the Experience Pills?" Nanyuan Bo pressed, clearly dissatisfied.
"Regarding the matter of the Experience Pills, my master has already granted me full authority. You three can simply negotiate any requests directly with me," Feng Hao said with a confident smile.
The three men froze, staring at Feng Hao with odd expressions. Even Xiyue Feng, who had been silent all this time, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Young brother, can you truly call the shots?"
"Rest assured. I have followed my master since childhood, and it is I who represent him on many special occasions." Feng Hao paused, the corner of his mouth hooking into a smile. "If you three only require Tier One Experience Pills, my master doesn't even need to be involved. I can produce them for you myself."
"What?!" the three patriarchs exclaimed in unison, staring at Feng Hao in disbelief.