Should he fuse the copied talent now?
Ye Tian's fingers twitched with suppressed energy, but caution overrode eagerness. No telling what kind of reaction the fusion process might trigger. Better to wait for privacy, away from prying eyes that could turn discovery into disaster.
Fifth Academy's loose management worked in his favor. Students came and went at will—once you learned the basic Body Forging Method, you were essentially on your own. Teachers had their own cultivation to worry about, no time for hand-holding mediocre talents through endless repetitions.
The contrast with First Academy was stark. That institution represented real education, while places like Fifth were glorified martial arts gyms for the desperate masses.
Home offered sanctuary. Ye Yu sat hunched over weathered books their parents had left behind, lips moving silently as she absorbed martial arts theory in preparation for her own cultivation journey two years hence.
Ye Tian slipped into his bedroom and turned the lock with deliberate precision.
"Fusion."
BOOM!
Invisible force slammed into his body like a tsunami of raw energy. Every cell screamed in protest as the foreign talent integrated with his existing pathways.
Agony beyond description. His entire frame felt ready to detonate from internal pressure, muscles twitching uncontrollably as foreign energy rewrote his genetic code at the cellular level.
Damn it! Should have expected copied talents to hurt this much during integration!
But even knowing the cost, he wouldn't hesitate to pay it again. This was power that defied natural law—genetic reincarnation made manifest. What was temporary pain compared to infinite potential?
"Brother, what's happening in there?"
Ye Yu's worried voice pierced through his bedroom door, her supernatural intuition sensing something amiss.
"Nothing wrong!" Each word came through gritted teeth, sweat beading his forehead from the effort of appearing normal.
He couldn't let pain escape his lips. No way to explain such reactions without revealing secrets that could get him dissected by curious researchers.
Fortunately, the agony peaked and faded within ten minutes, replaced by indescribable comfort flooding his system. Every nerve ending sang with relief, like the aftermath of perfect physical release.
Time to verify the results.
His vision focused on the talent display with laser intensity.
Name: Ye Tian
Cultivation Talent: Intermediate
Pure euphoria crashed through his consciousness like a breaking dam.
No longer trapped by weak genetic limitations! His talent had genuinely transformed, opening pathways to infinite possibilities. Martial Artist, Elite Martial Artist, Great Martial Artist—none were beyond reach anymore. With continued talent acquisition, he could transcend even those legendary boundaries.
Critical information surfaced from his copying ability's deeper functions: one month cooldown before the next talent could be acquired.
Time to test his upgraded cultivation speed.
Yesterday, with Novice talent, performing the complete eighteen-movement sequence had yielded barely perceptible results—faint numbness throughout his body that only his enhanced soul could detect. The effects were so minimal he'd questioned whether he was executing the techniques correctly.
"First movement!"
"Second movement!"
The ancient positions flowed through muscle memory, each form refined through countless generations of martial arts development. Strange-looking to untrained eyes, but representing humanity's optimal methods for unlocking bodily potential.
Thirty minutes to complete all eighteen movements. Only the full sequence activated the body-forging effects that gradually increased physical strength.
When the final movement concluded, scorching heat erupted from deep within his core, flowing throughout his entire frame like liquid fire. This energy represented unlocked human potential—the Body Forging Method's systematic approach to developing dormant capabilities.
Over-exploitation would damage the body permanently, so practitioners limited themselves to ten daily sessions maximum, with no more than three consecutive repetitions per training block. Hard-won wisdom paid for in countless injuries and failed cultivation attempts.
"Intermediate talent is incredible—far superior to yesterday's weak cultivation results. No wonder Chen Dong reached Martial Apprentice in half a month and achieved two hundred pounds of strength within four weeks!"
Satisfaction warmed his chest, though he remained acutely aware that higher talent grades existed above intermediate level. Those true geniuses progressed at speeds he could barely imagine.
More effort required. Harder training demanded.
When the first session's heat flow nearly dissipated, he immediately began the second Body Forging sequence.
Three consecutive sessions left his entire body drenched in sweat mixed with dark impurities seeping from his pores—visual proof of internal cleansing and strengthening.
A hot bath washed away the grime, followed by devouring over a dozen steamed buns. The Body Forging Method consumed tremendous energy, requiring massive caloric intake to fuel cellular reconstruction.
One month later.
A secluded grove within Fifth Academy's grounds, approaching evening. Shadows lengthened between twisted trees as Ye Tian completed his tenth daily Body Forging session.
"Today's cultivation finished!" He straightened from the final position, muscles singing with familiar burn.
The remote location had become his private training sanctuary, far from curious eyes that might question why someone supposedly struggled with basic movements.
Training Ground No. 3 housed various stone weights—one hundred pounds, two hundred pounds, even three hundred pound test stones. The measurement system was simple: lift a stone above your head for three seconds to prove equivalent strength.
Eight days into his transformed cultivation, Ye Tian had achieved one hundred pounds of force and officially entered Martial Apprentice realm.
"Time to attempt the two hundred pound stone today. Chen Dong has the dean's personal instruction accelerating his progress, but my situation isn't inferior. My fused talent theoretically surpasses his pure intermediate grade, and I've maintained perfect training discipline—ten daily sessions without missing a single day. The increasing pain would break most people's resolve, but my determination exceeds ordinary limits. Chen Dong's spoiled temperament probably caps him at seven or eight daily sessions maximum. My progress might actually exceed his."
Strategic analysis complete, he approached the two hundred pound test stone after sufficient rest.
"Up!"
Both arms engaged simultaneously, lifting the massive weight from ground level. Every muscle fiber strained as he heaved the stone overhead with maximum effort.
The two hundred pound mass cleared his head height and held steady for three seconds before crashing down. Ye Tian collapsed onto the training ground, completely exhausted but victorious.
Two hundred pounds of strength confirmed. The milestone felt like destiny itself.
"Excellent progress! With intermediate talent qualification, becoming a Martial Artist within one year is genuinely achievable!"
Excitement coursed through his system as he clenched both fists, anticipating the glorious future ahead.
After fifteen minutes of recovery, darkness was settling over the base. He departed the academy and headed toward home through increasingly shadowed streets.
Shops remained open despite the late hour, the entire base glowing with warm lamplight. This era lacked electricity entirely—rumors claimed powerful bases had developed Yuan Force technology recreating pre-apocalypse marvels, but small settlements like Linhai Base possessed no such capabilities.
Oil lamps and candles provided the only illumination, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of ancient times. The primitive lighting made every shadow seem alive with possibility and threat.
Suddenly, chaos erupted across the peaceful evening.
"AAAHHHH!"
"Run for your lives! Beast attack incoming!"
Terror and panic flooded the streets like a tsunami of human desperation.
The real test of his new power was about to begin.
[End of Chapter 4]