I Can Copy Talents Chapter 3: 0003

The No. 3 Martial Arts Training Ground, located within the Fifth Academy.

"If you wish to become a martial artist, talent is a prerequisite. Most of you will fail to reach that rank. However, should you succeed, your prospects will far exceed those of commoners, and your employment opportunities will be significantly greater. To truly become a martial artist, you must master the body forging method."

A middle-aged instructor was delivering a lecture to a group of gathered students.

The audience listened with absolute focus. Being civilians, the academy provided their only access to the body forging method. Any lapse in concentration could lead to mistakes, which would not only stall their progress in Cultivation but could also result in physical harm.

Ye Tian stood among the crowd. He had been a student at the Fifth Academy for ten days now.

Throughout these ten days, the middle-aged teacher had taught the body forging method daily, personally demonstrating each of the eighteen specific movements.

Perhaps as a consequence of his transmigration, Ye Tian’s soul was more powerful than a normal person's, granting him an exceptional memory. Consequently, he had perfected the eighteen movements of the body forging method in a mere ten days, ensuring his form was flawless.

In contrast, other students typically required a month or two to fully grasp the technique.

Hiring a private coach could accelerate the process, of course, but the fees for such services were far beyond the reach of ordinary families.

"One must achieve total mastery over the body forging method before formal cultivation can begin. Observe the first movement..."

The instructor proceeded to demonstrate the motions of the technique one after another.

After an hour had passed, the session concluded and the trainees began to disperse.

"Ye Tian, how is your progress? I’ve already mastered thirteen movements! I’ll be able to start cultivating the body forging method very soon!" A stout young man stopped Ye Tian, speaking with visible excitement.

This was Zhang Bao, a classmate Ye Tian had befriended during his ten days at the academy. They shared a decent relationship.

"I have only managed to learn eight moves so far," Ye Tian replied, intentionally downplaying his progress.

He had no desire to reveal that he had mastered all eighteen movements, as doing so would surely invite unwanted attention. Having just arrived in this era, maintaining a low profile was the wiser path.

"Keep at it, I'm sure you'll get there. We are definitely going to become powerful warriors in the future!" Zhang Bao encouraged him.

Despite the words, Ye Tian detected a flicker of helplessness and even a hint of despair deep within Zhang Bao’s gaze.

"Perhaps," Ye Tian said with a small smile.

He had already inspected Zhang Bao’s talent using his ability. While it was superior to his own, it was merely a second-class talent. Such a grade offered a chance to become a martial artist, but the required time and resources would be immense. Zhang Bao came from a common background, not a wealthy clan, and lacked the means to support long-term, focused cultivation.

At best, Zhang Bao’s path would end as a martial apprentice before finding a mundane job and aging quietly—or perhaps falling during a future tide of fierce beasts.

"Zhang Bao, who would you say is the most talented individual in our academy?" Ye Tian inquired softly.

Ye Tian had only been there for ten days, whereas Zhang Bao had been enrolled for over a month. Given Zhang Bao’s social nature and many acquaintances, he was bound to have better information.

"The most talented?" Zhang Bao wondered why Ye Tian was curious, but he answered regardless: "Talent is usually kept a secret and rarely disclosed. However, you can tell by looking at cultivation speed. Our Fifth Academy isn't a top-tier school in the Linhai base—the true geniuses go to the First Academy—but we do have one standout talent here."

"And who is that?" Ye Tian asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Chen Dong!" Zhang Bao whispered mysteriously. "He also comes from a normal family with ordinary parents. He joined the Fifth Academy a month ago and became a martial apprentice in just fifteen days. Following that, the Dean took him on as a personal disciple. Chen Dong no longer trains with the rest of us; he receives private instruction from the Dean himself."

Whoosh!

A spark of excitement suddenly ignited in Ye Tian’s eyes.

He was certain that Chen Dong’s talent must be exceptional to earn a discipleship under the Dean.

The Dean of the Fifth Academy was an elite martial artist at the peak realm. His power dwarfed that of standard peak martial artists, and he viewed ordinary martial artists as little more than ants.

Within the Linhai base, the Dean was undoubtedly a prominent figure. A primary-level talent would never catch his eye; a genius worthy of his mentorship would need at least a medium-grade talent.

Only those with medium talent were guaranteed to become elite martial artists, with a potential path toward becoming a great martial artist.

"How can I get close to Chen Dong?" Ye Tian mused to himself.

Just then, a commotion broke out nearby.

"Chen Dong is here!"

"My God, it's Chen Dong! The Dean's disciple actually showed up at the No. 3 training ground!"

"I thought he was training privately with the Dean. Why is he here?"

Students watched Chen Dong with expressions of envy and jealousy. In this era where talent dictated everything, Chen Dong was a figure they could never hope to equal.

Ye Tian spotted Chen Dong and began to move toward him slowly.

Without drawing any attention, he managed to get within three meters of Chen Dong and immediately activated his talent-copying ability.

Human: Chen Dong Cultivation talent: Medium

"It really is a medium talent!"

Ye Tian fought to keep his excitement under control. His eyes shimmered as he began to formulate a plan.

"Chen Dong, I heard the Dean accepted you as his apprentice. What is your current strength level?" a student asked, looking at Chen Dong with pure admiration.

"I have already reached 200 pounds of strength!" Chen Dong replied, holding his head high with a triumphant air.

Hiss!!!

Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd.

To qualify as a martial apprentice, one only needed 100 pounds of strength. Chen Dong had reached the rank so recently, yet he already possessed 200 pounds. At this rate, wouldn't he become a full martial artist in no time?

Pure bragging. Ye Tian realized why Chen Dong had appeared; the boy couldn't resist showing off his recent cultivation gains.

It was the typical behavior of someone who had just come into wealth or power!

"Chen Dong, can I get your autograph?"

"Chen Dong, please, an autograph!"

Students began pulling out pens and paper, desperate for a signature. Obtaining the autograph of a future martial artist was a great honor. If Chen Dong eventually became an elite martial artist like the Dean, such a signature could potentially be sold for several months' worth of living expenses.

"Alright, alright, I'll sign them for you!"

Chen Dong was clearly enjoying the attention. He welcomed the crowd and began signing for the students one by one.

Ye Tian pushed his way into the throng, not to ask for a signature, but to facilitate the copy.

Touch!

The moment his hand brushed against Chen Dong’s left arm, Ye Tian successfully copied the cultivation talent and quickly pulled back.

The entire exchange went unnoticed by the crowd. Given the chaotic nature of the gathering, bumping into Chen Dong seemed perfectly natural.

"Medium cultivation talent copied successfully. Initiate fusion?"