Joining Wu Pavilion would be catastrophic suicide disguised as opportunity.
If Ye Tian possessed merely intermediate or advanced cultivation talent, such affiliation would provide invaluable resources and accelerated development. Wu Pavilion's vast network could nurture conventional genius to extraordinary heights.
But conventional limitations didn't apply to someone who could systematically acquire superior genetic advantages.
His copying ability guaranteed eventual transcendence beyond any naturally occurring talent. Within years, possibly months, he'd possess capabilities that made current "geniuses" seem ordinary by comparison.
Organizational membership demanded talent assessments, background investigations, continuous monitoring. How could he explain steadily improving genetic grades? Claiming magical enhancement treasures might work once, but repeated "discoveries" would attract lethal scrutiny.
Eventually, Wu Pavilion's leadership would covet whatever secrets enabled his impossible advancement. Investigation would inevitably expose his copying ability—then death or enslavement would follow immediately.
"Independence is survival. Organizations mean exposure."
His path required absolute secrecy until strength rendered external threats irrelevant.
In the distant future, he could establish his own power structure. But for now, solitary advancement was the only viable strategy.
"You actually refused?"
Yue Ling's shock was palpable—genuine disbelief that anyone would reject Wu Pavilion membership.
"Do you comprehend Wu Pavilion's true scope? A single elite operative could annihilate all of Linhai Base without meaningful resistance!"
Her incredulity made perfect sense. Even major bases contained countless geniuses desperate for Wu Pavilion acceptance. Rejecting such opportunity defied rational thought.
"I maintain my position. No organizational commitments."
"...Very well."
Disappointment replaced shock as she accepted his inexplicable decision.
Brief pleasantries concluded the encounter. Ye Tian departed with his purchased resources and infinitely more valuable genetic acquisition.
Post-Departure Analysis
An elderly man emerged from the adjacent chamber once Ye Tian's footsteps faded.
"Miss, why extend recruitment offers to small-base warriors? Linhai Base's limited resources can't produce meaningful talent—intermediate cultivation grade at absolute best. Such mediocrity holds no value for Wu Pavilion unless special talents compensate for genetic limitations."
"Nothing significant. Meeting such a young Martial Artist in this provincial territory seemed noteworthy. I considered recruiting him as personal attendant, but his Wu Pavilion refusal eliminated even that possibility."
To Yue Ling and her subordinate, Ye Tian represented temporary curiosity rather than lasting importance.
But for Ye Tian himself, the encounter was transformational beyond measurement.
Extended Linhai Base residence had seemed inevitable—advanced cultivation talents were legendary rarities he might never encounter again. Yet fortune had delivered exactly what he needed through pure coincidence.
Previously, Elite Martial Artist advancement seemed distant, requiring years of grinding effort. Advanced cultivation talent would compress that timeline to perhaps two years maximum.
Home - Fusion Chamber
Ye Yu's school schedule guaranteed privacy for the dangerous transformation process. No witnesses, no interruptions, no risk of discovery.
"Fusion."
BOOM!
Agony exploded through his nervous system like molten steel injected directly into bone marrow. Every cell screamed as advanced genetic information overwrote his existing cultivation pathways. The pain dwarfed previous talent integrations—intermediate grade upgrading to advanced demanded comprehensive physiological restructuring.
Ten minutes of liquid torture finally yielded to euphoric relief as the process completed successfully.
His entire body thrummed with new potential, genetic limitations dissolving like ice before flame.
Talent assessment confirmed the extraordinary results:
Name: Ye Tian
Cultivation Talent: Advanced
Speed Talent: Elementary
Knife Talent: Intermediate
Shadow Talent: Elementary
"Fusion of my intermediate talent with Yue Ling's advanced grade. The combined result exceeds either original—I now possess superior genetic potential to even major base geniuses!"
Victory tasted like lightning and honey simultaneously.
Yuan Force Cultivation Method
The purchased manual revealed cultivation mechanics he'd never properly understood. "Basic Body Forging Method" was merely foundational preparation—true martial artist advancement required entirely different approaches.
Martial Artists absorbed heaven and earth's vital energy, refining it into Yuan Force stored within their dantian. This internal power then enhanced body tempering far beyond normal human limitations.
Advancement Stages:
Early Martial Artist: Skin refinement Mid Martial Artist: Muscle refinement Late Martial Artist: Bone refinement Peak Martial Artist: Complete physical transformation
Peak achievement granted ten thousand pounds of raw strength—doubled to twenty thousand through Yuan Force amplification.
"Elite Martial Artist limit: one hundred thousand pounds."
The numbers staggered his imagination. His current capabilities were insects compared to such overwhelming power.
"Time to begin true cultivation."
He positioned himself according to the manual's nine prescribed movements and initiated the absorption sequence.
BOOM!
Vital energy flooded into his body from surrounding atmosphere, drawn through skin pores by supernatural magnetism. The Yuan Force Forging Body Method converted raw vitality into refined power, directing streams of enhancement toward his dantian.
Yuan Force accumulated like liquid starlight within his energy center before rushing outward to begin skin refinement. Tingling sensations spread across his entire body as cellular structure adapted to supernatural enhancement.
Pain accompanied the transformation—flesh accepting modification that would render it weapon-resistant and superhumanly durable.
But accompanying the discomfort was undeniable strength increase—far more dramatic than anything achieved through basic body forging methods.
"Talent disparity is overwhelming."
His advanced cultivation grade absorbed vital energy at rates that would shame lesser genetics. Elementary talent warriors might accumulate single wisps across half-day sessions—turtle-pace advancement that could require decades for meaningful progress.
Inferior talents often couldn't absorb vitality at all, permanently trapped at early Martial Artist levels regardless of effort or resources invested.
But his advanced capabilities drew power like a magnet attracting steel filings.
Beast Blood Testing
Intermediate fierce beast blood contained concentrated enhancement energy that accelerated skin refinement dramatically. The combination of superior genetics and premium resources created synergistic effects beyond simple addition.
Results exceeded his optimistic projections.
"Triple amplification. Beast blood increases cultivation speed threefold at Martial Artist level."
The enhancement would compress years of normal advancement into months of intensive training.
Satisfaction flooded through him like warm honey. Every strategic decision had proven correct—independence preserved, genetic advantages acquired, cultivation resources secured.
The foundation for transcendent power was complete.
Now came the patient work of transformation.
[End of Chapter 20]