I Can Copy the Talents of All Creatures

"This is a Grandmaster Spirit Weapon. Of course, mine is a cut above that. It’s called [Red Lotus Flame Burning]."

"The so-called Grandmaster Spirit Weapons are a derivative of the ancient Artifact Skill. For Martial Artists, as their cultivation realm rises, their destructive power increases exponentially. Eventually, ordinary materials simply can’t withstand the abuse."

"Even so-called high-grade metals won’t last long in the hands of a Grandmaster, let alone a Martial Saint."

"But for us Martial Artists who cultivate the Slaughter Blade Skill, having a weapon or not makes a huge difference in strength. Even a master of fist techniques should at least wear gloves or brass knuckles!

That’s why, inspired by the Artifact Skill, Grandmasters use their Divine Sense to communicate with a weapon, refine it with their essence blood, and polish it daily, infusing their own will into it, hoping to obtain a sentient, self-growing weapon."

"The most difficult step in creating a Grandmaster Spirit Weapon is bringing the weapon to life!"

"This Zhanming of yours has actually developed a hint of sentience. Fortunately, its base material can handle this spirituality. I can help you reforge it."

"Yu Fei, you will possess a Grandmaster Spirit Weapon ahead of schedule. It will have the ability to convert between matter and energy, and you’ll be able to absorb it into your body to nurture it!"

As Zhuo Feiming spoke, a look of longing appeared on Yu Fei’s face.

’The requirements my senior sister mentioned for a weapon to gain sentience, communicating with Divine Sense... I’ve been doing that unconsciously during my fights.’

’Infusing my will goes without saying; the key part is the essence blood refinement.’

He recalled how he was often covered in wounds and bleeding profusely when fighting desolate beasts. He figured his Zhanming must have frequently been stained with his blood back then.

Although it wasn’t essence blood, his body was naturally tough from his Iron Body cultivation. Plus, many medicinal properties within his system had yet to be fully refined. Even his ordinary blood contained a considerable amount of energy.

Yu Fei immediately offered up the Zhanming with both hands.

"Senior Sister, I’m counting on you!"

A mischievous glint flashed in Zhuo Feiming’s eyes. "Little Junior Brother! Of course I, your senior sister, can forge this for you. But do you have any idea how many materials a Grandmaster Spirit Weapon requires?"

"Ordinary high-grade materials will work, I suppose, but the difference in effectiveness is huge. In other words, the number of contribution points required is no small sum. And some things can’t be bought with contribution points at all, you know~"

Zhuo Feiming’s enticing voice rang out.

"Junior Brother, as your senior sister, I can certainly help you forge a Grandmaster Spirit Weapon with top-tier materials. But you’d surely feel indebted, right? How about this: you do your senior sister a favor. Just come to the Shenxiao Army and help me with a few things."

"Mmm... it won’t be for long. How about just three years? I, your senior sister, guarantee I’ll forge you an earth-shattering spirit weapon..."

"Ahem, ahem..."

Before Yu Fei could agree, Ye Shuping’s coughing cut in.

"Xiaoming, your junior brother is too weak right now. This is a time for him to focus on his studies. Later, go to my private vault and take some materials to forge the spirit weapon!"

Zhuo Feiming looked stunned, turning to stare speechlessly at her teacher.

"Teacher, that’s so unfair! We earned all of our cultivation resources ourselves! How can you be so biased? This won’t be good for Yu Fei’s future growth. You’ll spoil him!"

"Teacher, no! I absolutely refuse!"

Zhuo Feiming planted her hands on her hips, her imposing manner not the least bit inferior to Ye Shuping’s.

Logically, Yu Fei was her discovery, her investment. Her own teacher had swooped in and snatched him up, which was one thing, but now he was even taking sides in a normal transaction. This was unacceptable.

Ye Shuping said helplessly:

"Xiaoming, as your teacher, I actually treat you all equally."

He couldn’t very well say that Yu Fei had excavated a massive amount of resources in the Golden Stone Gang Realm.

"How about this: I have a fist-sized Molten Rock Heart of the fire attribute and exceptional quality. It’s yours!"

Zhuo Feiming’s expression hardened. "I want five!"

She had heard that her teacher had recently given away a number of top-tier gems to trade for cultivation resources for Yu Fei. Since her teacher valued her little junior brother so much, he probably wouldn’t agree to her plan. In that case, she might as well fleece him for more resources.

Ye Shuping gave a wry smile. "I don’t have that many. I only have three left!"

"Alright! Teacher, you’re the best! Leave my little junior brother’s spirit weapon to me!"

As she spoke, she made to head for the private vault, unable to wait.

Ye Shuping’s personal collection was incredibly valuable. Her teacher had presided over the Shenhan for many years, and as a veteran Martial Saint and leader of the "Humanity’s Prodigy Project," his hoard was far beyond anything she could compare to.

’This is perfect. When I’m forging Yu Fei’s weapon, I can write off a little extra for "material loss." ’

Besides, with three Molten Rock Hearts, Zhuo Feiming was confident she could upgrade her own battle armor.

"Teacher..."

Tang Lihui took a step forward. It was rare for their teacher to be so generous, and he wanted to get in on the action.

There was a scroll in their teacher’s private vault, a relic from Middle Antiquity, that he was extremely interested in. But Ye Shuping had said he could only have it after he advanced to Martial Saint.

"Is the tea ready? Then take these desolate beasts Yu Fei brought out and process them. Separate out the usable hides and Scale Armor, tidy them up, and give them to your senior sister. Have her make a set of protective gear for Yu Fei."

"Oh, right. Since you’re all here, your technique can also purify the distorted power in this desolate beast meat. You can make a meal for us."

Tang Lihui was gentle and courteous.

"Yes, Teacher!"

"Mm, go on then! Yu Fei, you come with me!"

In the blink of an eye, only Tang Lihui remained. He sighed helplessly, then began to channel the primal energy of the world, which manifested as either sharp blades or a clear radiance.

Before long, the desolate beasts on the ground were neatly divided into three portions, floating in the air.

One portion of hides and Scale Armor, one portion of treasured bones and prime meat, and one portion of waste.

Even a Martial Saint would find it difficult to perform such a technique with this level of fluid perfection.

Afterward, several ancient characters materialized. The faint phantom of a massive, ancient building appeared behind Tang Lihui. With a flash of clear radiance, all the desolate beast materials vanished without a trace.

If Yu Fei had been there, he would have discovered that this senior brother, who kept his abilities hidden, was actually using a spatial technique as well.

"How long have you been back?"

Ye Shuping asked with a smile, very pleased with Yu Fei’s training expedition.

"Teacher, I just got back!"

Yu Fei lied with a straight face, then met Ye Shuping’s gaze, his thick-skinned nature on full display.

After a moment, Ye Shuping sighed in resignation.

"Sigh. If your Mr. Tang had a third of your shamelessness, or even a tenth of Xiaoming’s audacity, he would have reached the path of a Martial Saint long ago!"

Yu Fei didn’t understand and asked curiously, "Why do you say that, Teacher? Mr. Tang is a very good person!"

"Being a good person is a good thing, but it’s not necessarily good for one’s martial path. Tell me, what was your Mr. Tang about to say just now?"

Yu Fei pretended to think, then said frankly, "Perhaps he needed help?"

Tang Lihui’s intentions had been too obvious, and his expression was full of expectation. It was easy to see.

Ye Shuping nodded, then asked again:

"Then do you know why I didn’t give him a chance to speak? And let me tell you, even if he had spoken, I would have refused him!"

Yu Fei was taken aback. "I don’t know, then. Perhaps there’s some hidden danger in the item he wants?"

’This teacher of mine is so convoluted. It’s impossible to guess what he’s thinking,’ he thought.

But then he heard Ye Shuping sigh and explain. This was already his second sigh today.

"Your senior brother wants to walk a new path. There’s nothing wrong with that. His direction is toward the techniques of the Confucian school, which flourished for a time during Middle Antiquity."

"But his direction is a little off. The essence of any transcendent path, when you get down to it, cannot avoid the concept of ’striving.’"

"Your senior brother is intimately familiar with every blade of grass and every tree in my Profound Bright Palace. He’s even the one who organizes my private collection."

"That being the case, why can’t he just open that ancient scroll and take a look? Must he have my permission? His path is right in front of him, yet he’s still hung up on empty formalities. From the stories I’ve read, even the sages of the Confucian path only set rules for the masses; they were never so pedantic as to trap themselves in their own conventions."

"It’s good to have conviction in your heart, but stubbornly clinging to rules without knowing how to be flexible—that makes you a real fool!"

"The moment he can take that step, his path to becoming a Martial Saint will be secured!"