The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 265: Chapter 262: Gene Root Evolution Table

Generally speaking, there are only two ways for a talent to awaken. One is self-awakening, which happens randomly based on the development of one’s own genetic roots. The other is through induction using a Magic Beast Crystal Core, which awakens specific Talent Branches.

For most Mages, the requirements for Talent Branches become stricter in the later stages. However, self-awakening involves too many uncertain factors. Therefore, many choose to use Crystal Cores for auxiliary induction after reaching the third rank.

To be honest, Feng Hao had considered it. Given his current Talent Branches, if he could induce a talent that augmented his Divine Sense or its intensity, he could effectively compensate for his weakness in that area.

But after hearing the Thief Master’s explanation, he had no choice but to drop the idea. Leaving aside the fact that a failed Crystal Core induction would slow his cultivation progress, the mere possibility that it could affect the development of his Genetic Tree was unacceptable to him.

’Are you kidding me? My genetic activity is already low. If I end up with a cultivation bottleneck on top of that, how am I supposed to progress?’

He would never go down that path unless Sun Yaowen’s research made a breakthrough and produced a drug to break through bottlenecks.

"Actually, with your Graft Talent Tree ability, there’s no need for you to use Crystal Core assistance," the Thief Master said with a slight smile.

"That’s true." Feng Hao nodded, speechless for a moment. Just as the Thief Master said, with his Black Pupils’ grafting ability, he really didn’t need to worry about talent synergy. Even if he awakened an unsuitable talent, he could solve the problem by grafting a different one.

The only headache was how to find a suitable talent to graft. After all, grafting required someone else’s blood. If he just randomly asked someone for a drop of blood, anyone would find it strange.

"Since we’re on the topic, let me tell you about planning your cultivation path ahead of time," the Thief Master said suddenly. "Put cultivation aside for a moment. Come, sit down and we’ll talk."

"’Planning my cultivation path?’" Feng Hao frowned slightly and walked over to the sofa in front of the Thief Master, taking a seat.

The Thief Master nodded, his expression serious. "The so-called cultivation path planning is about having a clear goal for your future. After all, the ten great genetic roots have special evolutionary effects at one hundred, three hundred, and five hundred points, but a Mage only has one thousand Gene Points to freely allocate."

"Okay, I get it now." Feng Hao had a moment of realization. ’To put it bluntly, it’s just about my build.’

The Thief Master smiled in satisfaction and continued, "First, tell me about your current Gene Point allocation."

"Before grafting the second-rank talent, I had 4 in Meridians, 2 in Physique, 2 in Agility, and 1 each in Perception and Stealth. After grafting, I moved the two points from Physique to Meridians and Stealth," Feng Hao answered truthfully.

"Not bad, not bad. You’re quite the planner. Unlike Xiaolin and the other three—before they became my apprentices, their Gene Point allocations were a complete mess, each one worse than the last." The Thief Master smiled, satisfied, and nodded in approval.

"Thank you for the praise, Master," Feng Hao said with a wide, mischievous grin.

The Thief Master chuckled and shook his head. With a flip of his hand, he pulled a worn-out leather scroll from his Spatial Ring and handed it to Feng Hao. "This is the evolution chart for the ten genetic roots that I compiled. Take a look for yourself, so you can set a clear goal."

"Whoa, this is good stuff!" Feng Hao was overjoyed, hurriedly taking the scroll and starting to read:

[Strength] Stage 1: Hidden Attribute Impact Force Focus

Stage 2: Hidden Attribute Destructive Power Focus

Stage 3: Doubles Basic Power

[Divine Will] Stage 1: Increases Energy Concentration

Stage 2: Increases Energy Control

Stage 3: Eliminates Secret Technique channeling time

[Meridians] Stage 1: Dark Force Condenses into Qi

Stage 2: Dark Force Condenses into Forms

Stage 3: Dark Gang

[Physique] Stage 1: Hidden Attribute Impact Resistance Focus

Stage 2: Doubles Basic Qi Blood

Stage 3: Life Strength +10%

[Spirituality] Stage 1: Qi Gathering +5/sec

Stage 2: Qi Gathering +10/sec

Stage 3: Magic Power consumption reduced by 20%

[Sinew] Stage 1: Gang Qi can leave the body

Stage 2: Gang Qi deals damage

Stage 3: Gang Qi damage reduction

[Resilience] Stage 1: Life Strength +10%

Stage 2: Life Strength +10%

Stage 3: Doubles Basic Life Force

[Agility] Stage 1: Halves weight-based speed penalty

Stage 2: Halves weapon weight-based attack speed penalty

Stage 3: Immune to slowing effects

[Perception] Stage 1: Divine Sense gains locking ability

Stage 2: Halves soul pressure

Stage 3: Divine Sense Suppression

[Stealth] Stage 1: Doubles hiding ability

Stage 2: Breath Concealment damage bonus increased to 2%

Stage 3: Smooths over one vital spot or weakness

The moment he finished reading the scroll, Feng Hao’s mind began to race, contemplating the direction of his build.

Honestly, every single one of these evolutionary abilities made his mouth water. Unfortunately, his Gene Points were limited. At most, he could obtain one Stage 3 ability and three Stage 2 abilities. As for Stage 1 abilities, he could acquire all of them as long as he reached level 100. This was one of the reasons why level-100 powerhouses were so strong.

Of course, there were many ways to allocate 1000 Gene Points. If you didn’t want a Stage 3 ability, you could opt for five Stage 2 abilities, or even two Stage 3 abilities and one Stage 2 ability. In short, anything was possible; it all depended on how you defined your role.

From Feng Hao’s current perspective, he definitely had to evolve his Meridians root to Stage 3. He had no choice; it was essential for a Dark Force Mage.

As for Agility and Stealth, however, he was a bit conflicted. With his current allocation, he could definitely evolve both roots to Stage 2. The problem was that he now desperately wanted the Stage 3 ability of the Stealth root.

Smooth over one vital spot or weakness. This ability was terrifyingly powerful. In other words, if he smoothed over a vital spot like his heart, it would no longer be vulnerable to attack. It wouldn’t matter even if it was pierced.

Compared to the Stage 3 slow immunity from the Agility root, the Stealth root’s ability was clearly stronger—or rather, more suitable for him.

"So, have you found your goal?" the Thief Master asked, his eyes crinkling in a smile.

"Well... to be honest, I’m a little torn," Feng Hao said, scratching his head with a troubled expression.

The Thief Master laughed knowingly. "You’re struggling with the Stealth root’s weakness-smoothing ability, aren’t you? With your current allocation, it’ll be difficult to stack Stealth to five hundred points, even if you adjust things."

"Exactly," Feng Hao nodded with a wry smile.

"There’s really no need to get hung up on this. One Stage 3 ability is the best choice. Forcing two would expose too many weaknesses," the Thief Master analyzed with a light chuckle. "Besides, you’ll get another thousand Gene Points after level 100, so there’s no need to worry about this before then."

This was the first time Feng Hao had heard this news, and he was stunned. "Is that true? You can get more Gene Points after level 100?"

"You can indeed," the Thief Master nodded with a smile. "But I’m only telling you this so you won’t get hung up on it. As for how to obtain Gene Points after level 100, that’s beyond your current comprehension."

’Phew... as long as there’s still a chance, that’s good enough.’ Feng Hao silently sighed in relief, his heart finally calming down.

The Thief Master suddenly added, "By the way, some Celestial and Earthly Divine Objects can increase your Gene Points. But these things are incredibly rare, something you can only hope to stumble upon, not actively seek out. It’s enough to just be aware of them. In any case, I’ve lived for most of my life and have never seen one."

"Whoa, something that good exists?" Feng Hao’s eyes lit up. "So does that mean it’s possible to encounter opponents whose Gene Points far exceed the normal limit?"

The Thief Master couldn’t help but chuckle. "It’s not a possibility, it’s a certainty."

"What do you mean? Didn’t you just say Celestial and Earthly Divine Objects are things you can only stumble upon?" Feng Hao asked, confused.

"Because some powerful races are naturally born with more Gene Points. Some races even have more than ten genetic roots. If I recall correctly, there are descendants with such bloodlines in the Ancient Cang Realm," the Thief Master explained.

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