Light And Drawbacks

Jin Jue's heart pounded in his chest as the realization of his ability set in. The power to copy others—this was something beyond mere talent or perseverance. It was a gift, an edge that could push him beyond his natural limitations.

But how far did it go?

He clenched his fists, feeling the flow of qi inside him. Before today, he had struggled to absorb even the smallest trace of spiritual energy. Yet now, after merely observing how the senior disciples cultivated, his body had instinctively mimicked their technique.

It was too perfect to be a coincidence.

He needed to test this further.

The First Test: The Refinement Technique

As the training session continued, the disciples around him meditated, drawing in spiritual energy to refine their qi pathways. Instructor Han walked among them, observing.

Jin Jue focused on one disciple nearby—a boy from a minor noble family who had clearly trained in cultivation techniques before joining the sect. His breathing was deep, controlled. His hands rested on his knees, forming specific mudras to guide the qi into his dantian.

Jin Jue concentrated.

For a moment, he simply watched—not with his eyes, but with his awareness.

And then… he felt it.

It was as if his body was tracing the same paths, instinctively adjusting his breathing to match. His hands, as if moved by an unseen force, shifted into the same mudras.

The moment he did this, the qi around him reacted differently.

It no longer resisted. It flowed into him.

His dantian, which had once rejected spiritual energy like an unyielding rock, now absorbed it smoothly. The sensation was… intoxicating.

This wasn't just imitation, It was true replication.

His breathing deepened as his qi veins, which had struggled before, suddenly felt open—as if they had always been capable of this.

If I can copy breathing techniques and qi manipulation… Jin Jue thought, then what else can I do?

The Second Test: Movement and Combat

The meditation session ended after an hour, and Instructor Han clapped his hands to gather the disciples' attention.

"Enough cultivation for now," he said. "A true cultivator must balance both energy refinement and martial prowess. Stand up. We move on to sparring exercises."

Jin Jue rose with the others, his mind still racing with thoughts of his newfound power.

The disciples paired up for practice, and by some twist of fate, Jin Jue once again found himself facing Liu Feng.

The arrogant noble smirked. "Ready for another beating, commoner?"

Jin Jue didn't respond. He merely adjusted his stance.

But something had changed.

The moment he raised his wooden training sword, his body moved differently.

Liu Feng's previous strikes, his angles, the way he shifted his weight—it was all in Jin Jue's mind.

And his body remembered.

Liu Feng lunged forward.

Thwack!

Jin Jue's sword moved before he even thought about it, shifting to deflect the attack in the same way Liu Feng had done to him before.

Liu Feng hesitated, surprised. But he quickly pressed the attack again—swinging in a rapid three-strike combination.

Jin Jue reacted instantly.

His body moved fluidly, mirroring Liu Feng's own defensive style. Each movement was a reflection, a perfect counter to what Liu Feng had shown before.

The onlookers gasped.

"Wait… Is he copying Liu Feng's moves?"

"That's impossible! He had no technique before!"

"How is he keeping up?!"

Even Instructor Han narrowed his eyes in intrigue.

Liu Feng's face twisted with frustration. "You think you can just copy me and win?"

He switched tactics, attempting a feint into a sweeping low strike.

Jin Jue saw it coming.

Because his body had already learned it from their last fight.

He stepped back just as Liu Feng had done before, pivoting his foot at the perfect angle to avoid the strike. Then, instead of just dodging—he countered.

Thwack!

His wooden sword struck Liu Feng's wrist.

The noble disciple's fingers instinctively loosened from the pain, and his weapon clattered to the ground. Silence.

The watching disciples stood frozen in shock.

Liu Feng stared at his hand in disbelief.

Jin Jue took a slow breath. It worked.

He hadn't just copied Liu Feng's techniques—he had improved upon them.

The Cost of Power

But suddenly—Jin Jue's head throbbed. His vision blurred. His muscles ached as if he had just finished an hours-long battle.

His body was drained.,

His copying ability… it had limits.

He could replicate movements, techniques, even cultivation methods—but there was a price.

The more complex the technique, the more it drained his stamina and mental energy.

This wasn't an infinite gift. It had restrictions.

He had learned too much, too fast. His body was struggling to keep up.

Instructor Han stepped forward, studying him with a thoughtful expression. "Fascinating. This battle is over—Jin Jue wins."

Murmurs erupted through the disciples.

Jin Jue, despite his exhaustion, remained standing. He had proven his power. But now, he understood the burden that came with it.

He could copy the strong—but how much could his body endure?