I Can Copy the Talents of All Creatures

Chapter 235: Chapter 174: Cultivation Technique Compatibility

After explaining everything, Ye Shuping stood up, patted his shoulder, and solemnly instructed, "Your aptitude may be special, but don’t worry too much about anyone wishing you harm. Modern scientific research indicates that a Martial Artist’s innate talent is formed by the optimized expression of different gene combinations, augmented by the uniqueness of their soul. This is the very foundation of a Martial Artist—a gift from the heavens, one of a kind.

"Here in Shenhan, you are very safe. The only thing you need to be wary of is, once you leave campus, to be careful of the various anti-humanity factions out there. This is why Xiaoming and I encrypted your information."

Yu Fei simply listened in silence. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t know a thing. Ye Shuping didn’t seem to mind and went on to chat about various martial arts fundamentals and secrets before vanishing from the teahouse. The golden gem was gone too.

The old headmaster had briefly explained his theories and the measures in place to protect Yu Fei, and had even treated him to a cup of tea.

As the effects of the Ice Soul Condensing Eyebrow faded, a torrent of chaotic thoughts flooded his mind. Yu Fei couldn’t describe the feeling.

The great figures of the martial world held a degree of control that was far beyond what he had imagined.

’In a convenient modern society with technology at least a hundred years advanced, the mortal world has no secrets.’

’With two major figures securing his information, he could afford to be a little less cautious from now on.’

’The Great Ancestor had broken the rules first, so what was he in comparison?’

And yet... Yu Fei found himself even more confused.

"What? I haven’t paid?"

Just as Yu Fei was about to leave, he was stopped by a waitress. The young lady before him wore a simple white qipao and had a gentle smile, but her words were surprisingly piercing.

"Yes, esteemed S-plus-rank student, Yu Fei. You just consumed a pot of Ice Soul Condensing Eyebrow, which is our establishment’s specialty. That will be 4,999 merit points. Thank you for your patronage!"

Yu Fei panicked and hastily explained, "But the tea was ordered by the old man who came in with me! He said he was treating me. Right, his name is Ye Shuping, he’s the headmaster of this university!"

The young lady offered a surprised but tactful smile. "Student, our establishment has surveillance everywhere. A moment ago, you entered alone, ordered a pot of Ice Soul Condensing Eyebrow alone, and drank it all by yourself. Would you like to review the security footage?"

’Yes!’ Yu Fei thought in bewildered rage. ’What the hell is going on?’

"Right this way, please!"

The young lady’s simple white qipao had a very high slit, reaching nearly to the top of her thigh. Glimpses of jade-like skin were revealed as she walked, but Yu Fei was in no mood to appreciate the view. The thought of being scammed out of nearly five thousand merit points made his stomach churn.

The surveillance footage showed Yu Fei entering the shop alone. He poured his own tea, drank in silence, finished the pot of Ice Soul Condensing Eyebrow, and then turned to leave.

He was livid.

’That old bastard Ye Shuping must have tampered with the footage.’

’He’d originally thought that while the old headmaster had a terrible personality, he wasn’t actually a bad person.’

’Damn it, now that he thought about it, that guy was outrageous. First, he stalked and scared him, then he tricked him by talking about dissection, and now he’d scammed him out of 5,000 merit points! It was just...’

With a grim expression, Yu Fei paid up. He had no choice but to take the loss. The vast Shenhan University was the man’s domain. What else could he do?

As dusk approached, Ye Shuping leisurely floated back into the Great Hall of Returning to Truth, where Tang Lihui immediately rose to greet him.

"What’s the happy occasion, Teacher?"

"I’ve accepted a new disciple, making him your junior brother. It brings me great joy!"

Tang Lihui was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise, "Could it be... Yu Fei?"

Ye Shuping nodded. "Yes. I drank his tea, so it’s settled!"

Tang Lihui was at a loss for words. His teacher had said he was just borrowing his office to meet Yu Fei face-to-face, and had even taught a class in his guise using a holographic projection. He’d never imagined that in the blink of an eye, he’d gain a junior brother.

"So, he’s my junior brother now?"

"That’s right. I’ll be teaching him his martial arts from now on. But officially, he’ll remain your student. That’s final!"

With that, he vanished from the Great Hall of Returning to Truth.

Tang Lihui clasped his hands in a formal salute. "Farewell, Teacher!"

Five full breaths passed before Tang Lihui lowered his hands. He was a man who adhered strictly to ancient rites.

He thought back on the five students from today, not including Yu Fei. Among them, Li Jueyin, Gaoshou, and Zhang Xunyi had left the deepest impression. At their level of cultivation, he could roughly gauge a Martial Artist’s potential. In his view, of those three, Li Jueyin was the most promising. The girl’s disposition was calm and measured; she would surely become a formidable general one day.

Gaoshou’s personality was more freewheeling; he might face some hardships down the line. Zhang Xunyi’s temperament, however, was lacking and somewhat impetuous. He needed to be tempered.

’After a moment of contemplation,’ he thought, ’I have some ideas about the cultivation paths they’ve chosen. I’ll have to test my theories in the days to come.’

’Ultimately, a Martial Artist has to break through the barriers on their own and forge their own path to greatness.’

Back in the Geometric Pyramid Realm, Yu Fei didn’t cultivate, nor did he continue browsing for courses on the academic affairs system. The day’s events had been nothing short of bizarre. Without the calming effects of the Ice Soul Condensing Eyebrow, his mind was racing with distracting thoughts.

"Great Master, is something troubling you? Why not have a chat with Xiaoke?" Xiaohai lay by his leg, wagging its tail and acting cute.

Yu Fei, sprawled on the orange beanbag chair, answered lazily, "It’s nothing. I’m very happy. Don’t bother me."

’The mortal world had its ubiquitous cameras, the Ghost Core had its own surveillance... By that logic, who knew how many listening devices were in this Geometric Pyramid Realm? Did his smart butler serve only him, or was there a backdoor for someone to supervise him?’

He didn’t know the answer, but it seemed obvious.

’The freer a world claimed to be, the less free it actually was.’

After moping for a while, Yu Fei pulled himself together. Today’s unexpected meeting with the old headmaster had drained him mentally, but it also brought a sense of liberation. From now on, he could be more open about what made him different.