Apocalypse: Everyone Levels Up, I Return to the Time Before the Server Opened

Chapter 36: Copying… Martial Arts?!

To be honest, the fact that the Herbalist Shopkeeper accepted Ye Qiu as a disciple on behalf of her husband was already surprising enough.

Now, with this unexpected question, Ye Qiu was completely caught off guard!

However, he still answered truthfully, “I’m single. I haven’t married or been in a relationship.”

As he spoke, memories from his past life surfaced in his mind.

In the future, he had once met a woman who was willing to spend her life with him.

But from beginning to end, there had never been any real feelings between them.

They were simply two unfortunate souls clinging to each other in the apocalyptic world, just struggling to survive one more day.

He had also encountered a woman he fell in love with at first sight.

However, the cruel environment and the ever-present danger had torn them apart.

Since then, Ye Qiu had stopped believing in love.

The Herbalist Shopkeeper’s voice pulled him back to reality. “I have a daughter about your age. However…”

She paused before continuing, “The village chief has already told me that you’re planning to enter the inner secret realm to fight the outer demon. This journey is filled with uncertainty… Let’s not talk about this for now.”

Ye Qiu couldn’t help but smile bitterly at her words.

Of course, he knew about the Herbalist Shopkeeper’s daughter.

In his past life, there was a discussion on the forums where bored players ranked the most beautiful female NPCs.

The Herbalist Shopkeeper’s daughter was on the list!

Many players had tried everything to raise their favorability with the Herbalist Shopkeeper.

And their goal? Her daughter!

Yet, despite their efforts, not a single player had ever managed to win her favor.

Let alone develop any relationship with her daughter.

Hearing the Herbalist Shopkeeper mention her daughter now, Ye Qiu simply dismissed it.

As a reborn player, he knew this woman’s routine too well.

She always used her daughter as bait to “trick” players into helping her.

But in the end, they never got anything in return!

Because of this, Ye Qiu had learned to be cautious.

Some NPCs were even more dangerous than monsters and outer demons!

“By the way, if you really manage to kill the outer demon, remember to bring back its blood,” the Herbalist Shopkeeper reminded him again.

Ye Qiu nodded immediately.

Three NPCs had all mentioned the importance of the demon’s blood!

It was clear this was an extremely crucial matter.

Before he left, the Herbalist Shopkeeper gave him some potions to restore health and mana.

A small contribution to help him fight the outer demon.

Ye Qiu gladly accepted without hesitation!

After saying goodbye, Ye Qiu sought out Village Chief Xu Laobo again.

Not for anything else, but for the ability Apprentice’s Will!

[Apprentice’s Will: Allows you to copy one skill from another person. You gain one copying opportunity per level-up. (Current stored uses: 10/11)]

Without hesitation, Ye Qiu activated the skill, consuming one of his stored uses.

After some thought, he decided that the strongest person in the novice village had to be Village Chief Xu Laobo!

After all, he had personally witnessed the village chief’s incredible power.

In his past life, he still vividly remembered Xu Laobo standing in mid-air, sword in one hand and a gourd in the other.

He took a sip of wine.

Then, with a single slash of his sword, the vast sky split open!

That scene… Even if Ye Qiu were to be reborn a hundred times, he would never forget it!

Ding!

[You have used the special skill “Apprentice’s Will.”]

Ding!

[You have successfully copied the technique “Primordial Scripture” from Village Chief Xu Laobo.]

“Huh?” Ye Qiu checked his status panel and was stunned.

A new category had appeared — Cultivation Techniques!

[Cultivation Technique — Primordial Scripture (Level 1): 1/1000. Each time this technique levels up, all four base attributes increase by 10. (Maximum level: 30)]

“???”

“!!!”

At first, Ye Qiu was completely dumbfounded.

Then, his face filled with shock.

What the hell is this?!

He racked his brain, searching his past-life memories but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall any information about “cultivation techniques”!

“Little one, why are you back again?” Village Chief Xu Laobo’s voice remained gentle.

Since Ye Qiu had accepted the mission to slay the outer demon, the village chief’s attitude had become much more friendly.

His favorability had almost reached the maximum.

Even the other NPCs had shown increased favorability towards him.

Ye Qiu collected his thoughts and casually asked, “Elder Xu, do you know what a cultivation technique is?”

To his surprise, Village Chief Xu Laobo’s face instantly changed, and he quickly shook his head. “I don’t know anything about that.”

“…Oh.” Ye Qiu found it odd.

The village chief clearly knew something.

Why would he lie?

Unable to make sense of it, he chose not to dwell on it.

Originally, he had hoped to copy a powerful sword technique. Perhaps even the one that could slice through the sky!

Yet, instead of that, he ended up copying something called a cultivation technique.

And somehow, his status panel had been altered!

This was something he had never seen or experienced in his past life.

Fortunately, this technique was absolutely overpowered!

It granted him an extra stat category that no one else had.

Every level-up would boost all four base attributes by 10 points.

With a max level of 30, that meant a total increase of 300 points to all attributes!

That was beyond broken!

That was absolutely terrifying!

—

Exiting the novice village, the world outside was just as lively as ever.

Some players were still queuing up. Others were chatting idly.

Some had even crafted makeshift playing cards and were enjoying a casual game together.

But Ye Qiu suddenly had a new thought.

Other players couldn’t bring real-world items into the game. But could he?

Could he smuggle in real-world goods and sell them in the game?

However, he quickly dismissed the idea.

First, it was unnecessary. It would be a waste of time and energy.

Second, it would be too risky. If someone started asking questions, how would he explain it?

That would only bring a whole lot of trouble!

As he pondered these things, a large crowd of players had already gathered around him.

“NPC grandpa, do you have any quests?”

“I heard you rewarded two players with purple-grade and pink-grade gear. I’m not greedy, I’d be happy with a blue-grade  item!”

“I’d even take a white-grade one!”

“I’ll work for free!”

“Damn, you guys are so competitive!”

“Please, just give me a quest!”

These players were truly desperate.

This was the first game they had ever played where they had to queue for quests, where the difficulty was insanely high, and where the monsters were unbelievably strong.

Many of them were still stuck at Level 0!

“Tactical Retreat!” Ye Qiu hurriedly activated his Cowards’ Cloak’s ability.

His figure instantly teleported to a quiet, secluded hillside.

Then, he pulled out the Secret Realm Map (Common) that he had looted from Zhao Hanyan.

Now was the time to use it.

He had to reach Level 15 before entering the inner secret realm.

Every bit of strength counted in the battle against the outer demon!

Ding!

[You have used “Secret Realm Map (Common).” You will be teleported to the Nether Spring  Eye. Would you like to proceed?

(Reminder: The map will disappear once used.)]