I Can Copy Talents Chapter 4: 0004

Should he begin the fusion?

Ye Tian hesitated to initiate the process immediately. Uncertain of how his body would react during the integration, he decided it would be much safer to proceed in a secluded location.

The academy maintained a relaxed policy regarding student attendance; the administration rarely monitored their whereabouts, and skipping classes was of little consequence.

In truth, once the students mastered the fundamentals of the Body Forging Method, they were largely expected to pursue their Cultivation independently. The instructors at the academy simply lacked the time to provide personalized guidance to every individual.

This was the harsh reality of the Fifth College, a sharp contrast to the prestigious environment of the First College.

To put it bluntly, only the First College functioned as a true academic institution; the others were essentially glorified martial arts halls.

Upon returning home, he found his sister, Ye Yu, immersed in books about martial arts. These were heirlooms left by their late parents. She studied them diligently during her spare time, hoping to build a solid foundation before she began her own martial path in two years.

Ye Tian retreated to his bedroom alone and secured the door.

"Fusion!"

Boom!!!

A mysterious and overwhelming power surged through Ye Tian’s frame, saturating every inch of his being.

Agony!

An excruciating pain flooded his consciousness, making him feel as though his physical form was on the verge of detonating.

"Damn it, I didn't realize that fusing a copied talent would be this agonizing!"

Ye Tian cursed under his breath.

Even if he had known the extent of the suffering beforehand, he wouldn't have wavered. This was a heaven-defying talent capable of altering his destiny as surely as reincarnation. Compared to such a prize, a moment of pain was trivial.

"Brother, is everything okay?"

Having noticed something unusual, Ye Yu stood outside his door and inquired softly.

"I'm fine!" Ye Tian shouted back, his teeth clenched in a tight grimace.

He forced himself to suppress any cries of distress, knowing he would have no way to explain the situation to her.

Fortunately, the torment was as brief as it was intense. After ten minutes, the suffering faded, replaced by a wave of profound comfort and vitality that felt incredibly refreshing.

Naturally, Ye Tian did not lose sight of his primary objective.

He immediately checked his status.

Human: Ye Tian Cultivation Talent: Medium talent

Witnessing the updated information on the translucent display, Ye Tian was overcome with exhilaration.

He was no longer shackled to a weak talent. His fundamental aptitude had truly transformed, unlocking a future of limitless potential.

The ranks of martial artists, elite martial artists, and even great martial artists were no longer his ceiling. As long as he continued to harvest and integrate new talents, he was destined to surpass even the greatest experts.

"One month... I have to wait a full month before I can copy another talent."

This was the specific limitation he sensed from the copying ability.

Every thirty days, he would have the opportunity to acquire a new power.

"Time to test the Cultivation speed of a medium talent!"

Ye Tian was eager to begin.

He had attempted the eighteen movements of the Body Forging Method the previous day after learning them, but the results had been dismal. He had felt nothing more than a faint tingling sensation that only his heightened soul perception allowed him to notice.

It was that lack of progress that drove him back to class today, fearing he had performed the techniques incorrectly.

However, he now realized his form had been perfect; his previous talent was simply so poor that his progress was nearly stagnant. Without this change, a full year of effort might not have even turned him into a basic martial artist.

"First movement!"

"Second movement!"

...

Within the confines of his room, Ye Tian executed the Body Forging Method. Though the postures appeared bizarre, they represented the pinnacle of foundational techniques refined by humanity over generations.

A full cycle of the eighteen movements required thirty minutes. The true tempering effect only activated once the entire sequence was performed without interruption.

Soon, the half-hour passed, and Ye Tian completed the final form.

As the eighteenth movement concluded, a sudden surge of heat erupted within him, circulating through his limbs and refining his physique.

This heat was the manifestation of human potential being unlocked; the purpose of the Body Forging Method was to systematically tap into these internal reserves.

Yet, overexertion could be detrimental. Experience taught that one should only practice the method up to ten times daily, with no more than three consecutive sessions at once.

"The medium talent is incredible. The effects are leagues beyond what I felt yesterday. It’s no wonder Chen Dong became a martial artist in two weeks and gained two hundred catties of strength in a month!"

While satisfied, Ye Tian was mindful that even greater heights of talent existed. The growth rate of true prodigies was likely beyond his current imagination.

To bridge that gap, he needed to apply himself with even greater intensity.

Once the warmth from the first cycle subsided, Ye Tian immediately transitioned into the second.

By the time he finished three consecutive cycles, he was drenched in sweat, and a thin layer of dark impurities had been purged from his skin.

After a quick bath, he devoured over a dozen steamed buns.

Cultivation was a massive drain on the body’s resources, requiring a high caloric intake to sustain the energy needed for growth.

One month later.

In a secluded grove near the Fifth Academy, the evening shadows grew long, leaving the area deserted.

This had become Ye Tian’s preferred training spot.

"Phew, that makes ten cycles for today!"

Ending his routine, Ye Tian made his way toward the No. 3 training grounds.

The area was scattered with heavy stones weighing 100, 200, and 300 catties.

The standard test was simple: lifting a 100-catty stone above one's head for three seconds proved 100 catties of strength. Lifting the 200-catty stone proved the next tier.

By the eighth day of his new training regimen, Ye Tian had already achieved 100 catties of strength, officially reaching the level of a martial apprentice.

"I should be able to handle 200 catties today. Chen Dong has the Dean's personal tutelage, so he's fast. But my talent is effectively a combination of medium and weak aptitudes, making me theoretically superior. Plus, I haven't missed a single session, completing ten cycles every day. The more one trains, the more painful it gets; most people can't handle ten times a day. Someone like Chen Dong probably stops at seven or eight. My progress might actually be faster than his."

Ye Tian mused silently.

After catching his breath, he approached the 200-pound boulder.

"Hah!"

He gripped the stone, hauled it to his chest, and then pressed it upward with every ounce of his strength.

Once the weight stayed above his head for the required three seconds, he dropped it and collapsed to the ground, panting.

He had successfully reached 200 pounds of strength.

"A solid start. With this medium talent, I could realistically become a full martial artist within a year!"

Ye Tian clenched his fists, his heart filled with anticipation.

After resting for ten minutes, the sky had turned dark. Ye Tian exited the academy grounds and began the walk home.

He walked through streets where shops remained open, though the base was only dimly lit.

In this era, electricity was a luxury of the past. It was rumored that massive, powerful bases utilized Yuan Force to power advanced technology, recapturing the splendor of the old world.

However, a minor outpost like the Coastal Base had no such resources.

Here, people relied on candles and oil lamps. Walking through the flickering light, Ye Tian felt as though he had been transported back to an ancient civilization.

Suddenly.

"Aaahhh!"

"Run! A beast has broken in!"

Screams of terror and chaos instantly shattered the silence of the night.