After returning to the Enhanced Cultivation Pod, Feng Hao began refining the Skill Soul as Yue Linglong had instructed.

In Feng Hao’s vision for his Assassin build, the two-meter attack range increase from the [Dark Moon Soul] was extremely practical, greatly compensating for an Assassin’s short-range disadvantage.

Furthermore, the two-meter attack distance would allow him to hit his opponents more safely and effectively in battle.

’A secondary life form? It kind of looks like a Little Elf.’

He opened the crystal bottle, and a small black crescent moon immediately shot out. It wandered aimlessly inside the cultivation pod, occasionally circling Feng Hao with curiosity and liveliness.

According to Yue Linglong, a [Skill Soul] was a type of secondary life form. It existed as a Spirit Body and possessed a certain level of intelligence, but it couldn’t be compared to a true living being. They were more like blank souls, waiting for a Mage to nurture and shape them.

Mobilizing the Magic Power in his body, he quickly attracted the small black crescent moon, then easily pulled it into his Sea of Consciousness!

The Sea of Consciousness was boundless, dim, and lightless, with only the area around the Genetic Tree shimmering faintly. The [Skill Soul], upon entering the Sea of Consciousness, was like a fish in water, happily swimming around the Genetic Tree.

’The Secret Technique Mark is your new home. From now on, you’ll live inside it!’

After letting the little crescent moon frolic for a bit, Feng Hao quickly used his Divine Sense to guide it into the Secret Technique Mark for [Dark Force Kill]. After a brief period of refining and fusion, the Secret Technique Mark underwent a massive change. It was branded onto the trunk of the Genetic Tree like an exquisite tattoo, as if it had come to life.

’Is this what it feels like to merge with a [Skill Soul]? It’s as if the skill has gained its own consciousness.’

Feng Hao was amazed. He subconsciously immersed his Divine Sense into the new Secret Technique Mark and soon received its detailed information:

[Dark Moon Kill]

Secret Skill Soul: Dark Moon

Proficiency: 100

Mana Cost: 33 points

Effect: Condense Dark Moon Power to manifest Moon Blade Qi, dealing 200% Dark Force damage.

Attack Range: 2 meters

Mark Rewind: None

Channeling Time: None

He stood up and took out his Dark Moon Dagger. With just a thought, he successfully activated the Secret Technique. A Gloomy Blade slashed through the air; the attack range was clearly much larger than before, and the Moon Blade Qi looked a lot cooler, too.

This was the benefit of fusing with a [Skill Soul]: he no longer needed to use his own Magic Power to activate the mark and cast the spell. With just a thought, the [Skill Soul] would automatically activate it for him, saving a lot of unnecessary casting time.

’Not bad at all. Now this feels more like a game skill.’

Feng Hao was very satisfied with the effect of [Dark Moon Kill]. The only thing he wasn’t happy about was probably the mana cost. After fusing with the Skill Soul, not only had Dark Force Kill become Dark Moon Kill, but the mana cost had also increased from 15 to 33 points.

Fortunately, his current Magic Power cap was 170 points, so he could afford the cost of [Dark Moon Kill].

...

He spent the night cultivating alone, and his Genetic Tree slowly grew under constant nourishment.

Early the next morning, Feng Hao went to the small grove on the back mountain as promised to guide Xi Yueyao in combat techniques and strategies. As it turned out, Yao Girl was quite reliable. He saw her from a distance, swinging her long whip and practicing on her own.

"Yao Girl, you can’t just practice blindly like this," Feng Hao said teasingly as he walked over.

Seeing Feng Hao approach, Xi Yueyao immediately stopped. She scrunched up her small face and asked, "You’re finally here, medicine boy! I was replaying my match against Zhou Chen. Help me figure out how to beat him perfectly."

"Hm, not a bad idea." Feng Hao felt a little gratified and habitually stepped forward to pat Xi Yueyao’s head. "Battles are ever-changing. If you just memorize routines like this, your opponent will easily throw you off your game."

Xi Yueyao squinted, seemingly enjoying Feng Hao’s touch. She pouted and said, "I don’t get it. Be more specific."

"Alright." Feng Hao gave a helpless smile and patiently explained, "The combat moves and techniques I taught you aren’t rigid routines. You can only bring out their true potential by applying them flexibly."

"To put it bluntly, you have to use your brain," Feng Hao explained simply. "You need to carefully observe your opponent’s every move, predict their next attacks and actions, and then make the most sound judgment. Only then can you put yourself in an invincible position."

"That sounds really profound," Xi Yueyao pouted, only half-understanding.

Feng Hao smiled calmly. "It’s normal not to understand. These are things you can only grasp and understand slowly by accumulating experience in battle."

"But I want to learn it now," Xi Yueyao said, pouting.

"Stop messing around!" Feng Hao said irritably. "First, just focus on practicing your techniques and moves. Your offensive capabilities are still lacking, and your positioning and dodging skills are also very poor."

"Nonsense! I almost beat Zhou Chen!" Xi Yueyao retorted, pouting in dissatisfaction.

Feng Hao pinched her nose and said in a scolding tone, "You have the nerve to say that? In my opinion, if Zhou Chen hadn’t used his bloodline talent, you could have definitely beaten him."

"Mmm~, stop pinching my nose! I’m the class president!" The little girl dodged with puffed cheeks, looking utterly adorable.

Feng Hao pursed his lips into a mischievous grin, completely ignoring Xi Yueyao’s struggles. He kept pinching her nose, finding it more and more amusing. "By the way, kiddo, your sister didn’t cry when she went back yesterday, did she?"

"Hmph!" Xi Yueyao covered her nose huffily and pouted, "My sister would never cry!"

"As long as she didn’t cry." Feng Hao smiled, then pressed, "Um... your sister doesn’t know you came to find me, does she?"

"Don’t worry. My sister has already been taken away by our aunt for special training," Xi Yueyao said.

Hearing this, Feng Hao actually felt a sense of immense relief and couldn’t help but burst out laughing. "That’s great! Now you can train with me openly."

"Hee hee, that’s what I was thinking, too." Xi Yueyao nodded in deep agreement and smiled sweetly. "I’ll come over to your place tonight!"

"Good idea."

...

After finishing his training session with Yao Girl, Feng Hao went to find Miao Feng to give him some pointers on alchemy.

It had to be said that Miao Feng had some real talent for alchemy. He was now a genuine Third-level Alchemist and had recently been focused on researching how to concoct Experience Pills.

For some reason, however, no matter how hard Miao Feng tried, he just couldn’t concoct an Experience Pill. This greatly puzzled Feng Hao.

Logically speaking, Miao Feng’s procedure for concocting the Experience Pill was flawless; even Feng Hao couldn’t find a single fault. And yet, he just couldn’t succeed.

’Could it be because of the game panel?’

In the end, Feng Hao could only attribute the problem to the game panel. After all, he was a transmigrator who had one, while Miao Feng was just a native of the Ancient Cang Realm.

...

Time slowly passed. During the day, Feng Hao would coach Xi Yueyao on her combat mechanics, and at night, he would cultivate with her. With the girl around, life at the academy wasn’t so boring anymore.

In addition, Feng Hao would also periodically guide Miao Feng’s Alchemy Techniques and earn some extra money on the side with the Dance Team.

Speaking of the Dance Team, one had to mention Miao Feng. That kid was stuck to Xu Zhenzhen almost every day. Their lovey-dovey display was not only unbearable for Feng Hao, but even for the female hooligans of the Dance Team.

Luckily, he had Xi Yueyao hanging around; otherwise, as their "master," he would have been tortured to death by all the public displays of affection!

Another thing worth mentioning was Zhao Hao and a group of academy Elders. They came to talk to Feng Hao every other day, even mobilizing Yue Linglong to persuade him. They tried every means possible to get him to enroll and represent Rongcheng Academy in the inter-academy tournament.

Unfortunately, while Feng Hao was physically at the academy, his heart was with the Thief God Hall, so he refused them time and time again.

Just like that, the first year of junior academy was quickly coming to an end. Feng Hao’s Genetic Tree had unknowingly grown to level nineteen, and Xi Yueyao, who cultivated with him, had also reached level nineteen.

At this, Feng Hao couldn’t help but marvel at the difference in their genetic activity.

One day, Feng Hao was in the cultivation pod telling Xi Yueyao a fairy tale when Zhao Hao came to bother him yet again. Unlike before, this time he came alone.

"I mean, Dean Zhao," Feng Hao said as he stepped out of the cultivation pod, looking utterly exasperated, "the academy has so much for you to do. Why do you keep running over here?"