As he was standing and digesting, Meng Chuan suddenly remembered Xu Qingfeng's babbling from yesterday afternoon.
I should have left the battle armor behind and let this kid give it a try...
He thought to himself:
"I'll definitely do it next time..."
Meng Chuan felt guilty, as if he had crushed a young boy's dream of battling in a mecha...
...
Early the next day, in the chief's office.
Seeing Long Jiu's upper body wrapped in bandages, Meng Chuan asked with concern:
"Are you alright, Uncle Long?"
Secretly, he thought, it seems that last night's Jiao Demon really gave Long Jiu a good beating...
Long Jiu pretended to be carefree.
"No big problem, just a little Jiao Demon's remnant spirit, easily taken care of!"
Meng Chuan chuckled to himself; had he not seen the video, he might have believed it.
Long Jiu handed a few pages of yellow paper and its translation to Meng Chuan.
"Ahem... This is all in the ancient language of the Esoteric Sect, the tech department has already marked the original text, you can compare and read.
Take this away, the police station has already made copies of the translation, and no one practices the Esoteric Sect techniques here, so you can research it as you like."
Meng Chuan nodded in gratitude.
"But you must keep the original safe, in case someone needs it in the future, remember to bring it back."
The more advanced the cultivation technique, the deeper the principles and operating mechanisms it contains.
The copied version loses its intrinsic divine charm; only through the original can one understand the intention behind each motion design, avoiding misunderstandings leading to deviations in practice.
"Got it."
"Now get lost."
Meng Chuan walked out of the chief's office, preparing to use a vacant office to study this cultivation technique.
In the afternoon, he had to go to Yong'an Martial Arts University to see Principal Yin, as the latter had already urged him to come, and not going would be disrespectful to the Venerable.
He opened the vacant room, sat on the sofa, and began his study.
The first page was a long string of strange characters, somewhat similar to the scriptures recited during his Esoteric Sect Hard Skills progression ceremony.
Meng Chuan directly looked at the translation provided by the police station beside it.
[Shiva Elephant Washing Skill]
After half an hour, Meng Chuan understood what this was based on the translation.
"This turned out to be a secret technique like [Dragon Sitting Zen]."
But there was no look of joy on his face; he kept the secret technique aside, got up from the sofa, and walked to the window.
The noon sun shone directly in, and Meng Chuan's expression was somewhat gloomy.
This secret technique is only the first volume, and the content described in it is roughly:
[How to convert spiritual power into physical strength.]
"Does this mean converting brain power into physical strength?"
The content of the second volume was missing, and he couldn't find any related content online either.
After careful consideration, Meng Chuan decided to set it aside for now, and revisit it once he acquires the second volume.
"My spiritual power is already somewhat lacking, practicing this Elephant Washing Skill would just make me completely useless..."
He thought he would profit greatly from unexpectedly obtaining a secret technique, but it turned out it wasn't suitable for him to practice.
Meng Chuan took it home for safekeeping, along with sending the Steel Bone and Unicorn to the research institute, and then hurried to Yong'an Martial Arts University.
He dared not let the other party urge him any longer, deciding to be proactive...
...
Underground of Yong'an Martial Arts University.
Yin Tianshou's office was quite peculiar, deeply hidden underground and nourished by the subterranean warm currents.
Meng Chuan stepped in, feeling the warmth and humidity in the air.
"Fire dragon, I suppose... that makes sense."
The temperature was alright; Meng Chuan, with his four Hard Skills, just felt nicely warm and quite comfortable.
After a short wait, Yin Tianshou returned from the outside world.
His voice arrived before he did.
"You little bastard, I've called you for so long, and you finally came."
Meng Chuan was embarrassed.
"Venerable Yin, there have been too many things going on lately..."
"Excuses."
Yin Tianshou waved, signaling Meng Chuan to sit down.
The room used earth fire as a furnace and golden stone as seating, with no normal tables and chairs.
Meng Chuan took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the stone seat, the warm texture spreading from his thighs.
"There's nothing else I wanted from you, just to discuss your trait.
The other day at the competition, I was very interested in your trait.
As a return, you can ask anything you want."
Meng Chuan's spirits lifted; this matter concerned his very foundation, sparking his interest greatly.
"Venerable Yin, please ask away, I will speak with no reservation."
"Stop speaking so formal with me, just talk normally."
Meng Chuan was speechless, it seemed the other party was similar to Master Luo.
"Venerable Yin, please go ahead with your questions first, I have quite a few..."
Yin Tianshou nodded and said:
"Besides quickly recovering your energy and stamina, does your trait have any other functions?"
"It enhances my Martial Arts aptitude, not only in fist skills but also in hard skills."
"That day, you were severely injured in the chemical plant but quickly recovered afterward; was this also because of that function?"
Meng Chuan nodded and said:
"Yes, my progress in hard skills is also fast because of this. After severe physical damage, I can recover quickly.
However, there is a certain energy limitation, which requires replenishment before it can be exhibited again."
He knew Venerable Yin was referring to the first function of his [Nirvana Rainbow Transformation] trait — rebirth and nirvana.
But after searching across the entire internet, he couldn't find any similar trait capable of resurrection.
Regarding this, he thought it was best to keep it a secret.
Yin Tianshou pondered for a moment after hearing Meng Chuan's words and then nodded.
"Alright, I just asked casually because the special traits I possess have similar effects, hahaha."
Meng Chuan said with some regret:
"If only I had the same traits as the Venerable, then I would be the 'Little Candle Dragon' of Yong'an City in the future."
"Hahahahaha."
Yin Tianshou laughed quite happily; Meng Chuan was an amusing fellow.
"Venerable, you have researched traits extensively. I would like to systematically understand the related contents from you."
Unable to return empty-handed, Meng Chuan seized the moment to ask while the other was in a good mood.
"I won't go over what's available online one by one. You know the classification of human traits, right?"
Meng Chuan nodded.
Great Chu officially divides traits into three major systems.
The first type is the Super System, which makes up the largest proportion among those with traits, and is subdivided into two major categories.
The first category is where the body itself shows no apparent change.
Yet, under the same physical conditions, there are characteristics such as greater strength than others, more powerful power output, running faster, better stamina, and so on.
There's even traits where the cultivation technique is learned faster than others without any external super trait.
But this type of trait beneficial for cultivation technique learning has never been officially recognized by Great Chu.
Because it belongs to introspective qualities like comprehension, it can't be distinguished whether it's good comprehension or the trait at work.
The second category is where the body undergoes significant changes, leading to externally apparent traits that differ in certain or multiple aspects from others.
For example, born with one hand having nine fingers, totaling eighteen fingers in two hands, this is the top seed for cultivating Dragon Form Boxing—
Nine-Fingered Dragon Strike!
The namer of this trait was the former principal of South Union Martial Arts University, who has been promoted to Seven-Limit Great Saint.
The foremost in Dragon Form Boxing of the Elephant Form Sect, Martial Arts Great Saint "Divine Dragon Daoist Xun San."
Of course, Meng Chuan's elder sister, Lin Yue's trait "Wugen Sheng," also belongs to this category...
The second type is the Life System, which has both internal and external branches. Previously, Yin Tianshou suspected Meng Chuan of having this type of trait...
The third type is the most peculiar, the Mystery System.
Meng Chuan felt that if he were to categorize his perpetual proof of the Great Luo trait, it would be in the Mystery System.
Great Chu's official approach is similar; those traits not belonging to the aforementioned two systems are categorized into the Mystery System.
Meng Chuan regained his composure and listened to Yin Tianshou continue:
"Let me start with my trait. Eighty years ago, after I broke through to being a Grandmaster, I named my trait 'Karma Fire Candle Dragon,' adding it to the Mystery System."
If someone awakens a trait with the same effects as mine, they must inherit this trait's name."
"If they break through to being a Grandmaster or cultivate beyond you, can they change the name?"
"Hahaha, of course not, not to mention that currently, only I possess this trait in Great Chu.
Also, only the Grandmaster who first possesses the trait can have naming rights; others can only inherit, not name."
Meng Chuan nodded, then asked:
"Venerable Yin, what about those new trait holders who never break through to being a Grandmaster?"
"That's your current situation, only collectively termed as 'traits.'
Like many Super System traits, they can only enhance your combat ability but can't improve martial arts talent, making it difficult to penetrate the Fourth Limit.
Silence is the majority; these 'traits' can account for over ninety percent."
Upon hearing this, Meng Chuan understood.
Traits like "Heavy Strike" and "Bone Penetration" are certainly not exclusive to him alone.
Such traits only make him better at fighting and indeed have little significance for martial arts cultivation.
Before he finished his thoughts, Yin Tianshou continued:
"I know you want to ask who stipulated that only Grandmasters can have naming rights for traits, right?"
Meng Chuan nodded affirmatively.
"The rationale is simple. It's like only martial artists can possess titles, and the titles must fit their own situation. You don't see martial artists giving themselves titles.
The conclusion is rather idealistic but is also a lesson learned through blood."
"Understood, thank you, Venerable Yin, for your guidance."
Yin Tianshou glanced at the clock, nodded, and said:
"If there are any questions about traits afterward, feel free to contact me."
"Certainly, trouble the Venerable."
"You kidding? Old man here is urging you to leave, aren't you leaving yet?"
Yin Tianshou cursed with a laugh.
"Kid respectfully takes his leave."
After Meng Chuan left, Yin Tianshou's face showed a pondering expression.
"Doesn't seem like the Phoenix trait, but it's quite interesting..."
His fingers tapped on the golden stone throne beneath him, and the office returned to calm...
...
"Xiaomeng, have a meal before leaving."
Yu Kaidong escorted him to the school gate.
"Still have things to do, maybe another day."
The other was Meng Yiyi's boyfriend, whom he had met a few times before.
"Alright, your martial arts training is important, maybe another day when Yiyi returns, we can have a meal together."
Though young, the potential is limitless; Yu Kaidong also wanted to establish more connections with the other.
Meng Chuan nodded with a smile.
"See you another day."
After leaving Yong'an Martial Arts University, he did not proceed to train his martial arts.
The 'Team Divine Mat' and corresponding armory exchange resources were back; he needs to personally sign for them.
Forty minutes later, at home in Huayun Prefecture.
Meng Chuan's face was flushed, sitting cross-legged on a purple mat engraved with mysterious patterns.
In his mind, 'Dragon Meditation' operated at the max, and only as his spiritual power was exhausted did he rise from the Team Divine Mat.
'Dragon Meditation: First Layer (28%) → (29%)'
Pitiful that he acquired this secret technique for so long but only practiced it to such a small extent...
"Not that I'm good at it, truly helpless, but the Team Divine Mat is quite effective; the mental gathering effect is much better than usual."
Value for money is all that matters, after all, it was exchanged for a large amount of merit points.
As his mind settled down gradually, Meng Chuan slowly pondered the conversation he just had with Yin Tianshou.