C5 Basic Body Refining Technique

Life in Shanhai City was tough, especially for two orphans with no one to lean on.

Luo Ke juggled multiple jobs, earning him the nickname 'workaholic,' yet he barely managed to keep himself and Xiaoduo afloat at the bare subsistence level. Year after year, he'd resort to instant noodles like braised beef flavor to fill their bellies.

But clearly, Luo Ke's old ways were falling behind the times.

Miao Xiaoduo, once easily bamboozled by his smooth talk, had now taken to staking out the school entrance.

It's a strange feeling, realizing that the child you've raised is growing up beyond your control.

Despite being only eleven, Luo Ke felt an odd sensation, as if witnessing the early blossoming of a young girl.

With a wry smile, Luo Ke took Miao Xiaoduo to the nearby market. At her insistence, he grimaced as he bought three kilograms of meat and even splurged on two bottles of beer.

Putting all his culinary skills to work, Luo Ke prepared a braised meat dish that was a feast for the senses.

Savoring a sip of beer, Luo Ke reached for the nearest piece of meat, but before his chopsticks could land, Miao Xiaoduo's swift hand knocked them aside.

She handed him a wrapped leather book.

"What's this? Miao Xiaoduo, explain yourself. I've raised you for nearly four years. No merit, sure, but plenty of hard work. You're not trying to harm me, are you?"

Luo Ke eyed her warily, his survival instincts on high alert.

For four years, Miao Xiaoduo had a reputation for never doing enough, always hungry for more. Who knew what tricks she might have up her sleeve, suddenly presenting him with a book? But before Luo Ke could finish his thought, Miao Xiaoduo erupted.

"Ugh, Luo Ke, don't be so ungrateful. I bought this secret book just for you, saving up my pocket money for ages. I thought it might inspire you to really go for it with the upcoming exams. If you can't appreciate that, fine, but don't you dare question my intentions," Miao Xiaoduo retorted, hands on her hips, as she defiantly stuffed a piece of braised meat into her mouth, as if biting into Luo Ke's skepticism.

"Luo, if I had poison, you'd be the first to go. And don't even pretend you don't want to ace the Martial Examination."

At that, Luo Ke froze.

He gazed at the defiant Miao Xiaoduo, and his face fell silent.

The Martial Examination?

Who wouldn't dream of it?

Luo Ke was just an average student, but he was also a young man with dreams. Who hadn't fantasized about becoming a warrior, slaying monsters, and emerging as a legendary hero?

Of course, Luo Ke had entertained such dreams.

But the harsh reality was that he was an orphan, struggling to make ends meet for both him and Miao Xiaoduo. Overworked and overwhelmed, he was barely keeping them from starvation.

And regarding the twelve years of compulsory education, despite squeezing every moment of free time, Luo Ke still found himself lagging behind.

Luo Ke certainly aspired to take the Martial Science exam. Yet, he was acutely aware that it wasn't as simple as just wanting to take it. His physical condition was poor, his innate talent lacking, and his Soul Matching Degree lingered at a mere 46%—even newborns fared better. A pill might temporarily boost his Matching Degree during the college entrance exam, but he'd still fall far short of the mark.

There were, of course, numerous methods to enhance one's Matching Degree. Hong Chenghui, the wealthy classmate, had access to a plethora of potions that could expedite the process. Another, albeit less sophisticated, approach involved diligently practicing the system's cultivation techniques, which could also significantly improve Luo Ke's Spiritual Qi Matching Degree.

However, each of these methods came with a hefty price tag, requiring substantial financial support.

For someone like Luo Ke, who was scraping by, even working overtime every day barely kept hunger at bay, let alone afford the luxury of increasing his Matching Degree.

So, with the college entrance exam looming, it was nothing short of a miracle when Miao Xiaoduo managed to scrape together enough money to buy him a cultivation manual aimed at boosting his Matching Degree. Luo Ke was moved to tears.

"Xiaoduo, how much did this manual set you back?" he asked, voice quivering as he gingerly accepted the book.

"Relax, Luo Ke. No need for such gratitude," Miao Xiaoduo brushed off his thanks with a casual wave. "I'm just doing my part; don't get all emotional on me. And look at you—finally seeing me in a new light, huh? After all those times you've said I'm good for nothing, always leaving nothing behind. It wasn't a fortune, just twenty thousand. Don't sweat it."

Miao Xiaoduo stood there, head held high, a picture of self-satisfaction. "A family doesn't keep score," she mused, "and I'm not one to sit idly by."

"Twenty thousand?!" Luo Ke's eyes bulged, his face paled, and he let out a sharp cry before leaping up, nearly three feet off the ground.

"What's the matter, Luo Ke? Show some spine," she teased. "This is the foundational Body Refining Technique, not some run-of-the-mill martial arts from your school. You've made a killing for twenty thousand. I researched for a month before deciding on this. And now you're on the verge of tears again, right?"

"Stop it," he retorted. "If you really want to show your appreciation, just make sure to treat me to the good life once you get into a Martial Arts University."

Miao Xiaoduo stood there, chin up, basking in her own glory. But as her words hung in the air, Luo Ke's eyes reddened, his hands gripping the table as if he were ready to pounce.

"Miao Xiaoduo, I should thank you? You're unbelievable," he fumed. "I seriously wonder if you left your brain behind when you saved me four years ago. Spending twenty thousand on this? Do you think cultivation techniques work like some kind of miracle drug?"

"With only thirty days until the exams, do you really think I'm some kind of prodigy? Have you ever heard of anyone boosting their Matching Degree to 85% in just a month?"

Luo Ke's eyes were bloodshot with anger.

He wasn't a fool, after all. Luo Ke recognized that the Body Refining Technique was a solid practice. Had it been six months to a year earlier, he would have been thrilled. But with the college entrance exams looming, dropping twenty thousand yuan on this seemed like a total rip-off, didn't it?

Hold on.

Something wasn't adding up.

How on earth did Miao Xiaoduo get her hands on that kind of cash?

As the thought struck him, Luo Ke stiffened, a dreadful suspicion creeping into his mind. Forget the scolding; he scrambled to unearth the credit card he'd stashed under his bed. A quick glance at the balance confirmed his worst fears: twenty thousand yuan in the red, nearly knocking him out cold.

"Miao! Xia! Duo!"

He spat out each syllable like bullets.

Luo Ke, butt in the air, grabbed a feather duster with his left hand, intent on giving Miao Xiaoduo a piece of his mind. But she was one step ahead, her eyes darting as she swiftly shut herself in Luo Ke's bedroom.

Peering through the crack, Luo Ke could see her gobbling down a bowl of braised pork without a care in the world.

He unleashed a torrent of curses.

Teeth clenched, Luo Ke unleashed his frustration on the locked door.

It took a while before he simmered down.

Defeated, he collapsed onto his wooden bed, opening the book he held.

The packaging was top-notch, a far cry from the basic martial arts knowledge peddled at school. The twenty thousand yuan seemed well-spent.

Clearly, Miao Xiaoduo had put considerable effort into this.

Just not in the right direction.

"Basic Body Refining Technique? A cut above the freebie martial arts taught at the school's Martial Department. The twenty grand isn't a concern; Miao Xiaoduo's initiative is commendable. But what a waste, with only a month till exams. To boost my matching degree in such short order... I've got a few choice words for this situation."

"Do I really need to take another year?"

The thought had barely surfaced before Luo Ke dismissed it with a shake of his head. The Huaxia Federation did offer twelve years of free compulsory education, but repeating a year wasn't part of the deal. Already toiling to maintain a basic standard of living, Luo Ke had no illusions about affording another year and acing the martial arts college entrance on his first try.

"My heart aches."

He sprawled out on the wooden bed in resignation.

"Ding dong. Basic Body Refining Technique detected. Would you like to record it?"

That's when the message echoed in Luo Ke's mind.