"So handsome, such a tall younger brother..."
"Wow, a cat sitting on his shoulder too, that's just too cute."
"Why does even the cat look so good? I'll sneak a photo from this angle and post it online; it will definitely blow up."
...
In the bustling streets of East City District, with skyscrapers dense and orderly, Xue Jing stood on the street with Miao Miao, his overly youthful face somewhat out of place with the surroundings.
You could vaguely hear a few beautiful office ladies, dressed in OL outfits and wearing delicate makeup, whispering nearby, and his Charm Art experience points kept increasing.
[Someone has developed a liking for you, Charm Art experience points +1]
[Someone has developed a liking for you, Charm Art experience points +1]
[Someone has developed a liking for you, Charm Art experience points +1]
[Someone toward you...]
[Charm Art upgraded to Lv3 (0/500)]
Turning off the panel, Xue Jing asked:
"Are you sure I won't get killed on spot if I go challenge them like this?"
Miao Miao first looked at the young man with confusion, then sniffed his scent.
Why does he suddenly look better and smell even nicer...
Shaking her head without overthinking, Miao Miao lightly hummed, "If your Sect Hierarch has directly sent you here, of course there is certainty."
"In fact, this is the correct way to open up the Hidden Dragon Dojo."
Xue Jing curiously asked, "Oh? How so?"
Miao Miao's tail swept across Xue Jing's cheek, wrapping around his neck.
"The disciples in the dojo are also ranked. Those who merely pay to enter, even if they are seriously taught, cannot achieve fame without talent. To maintain its reputation, the dojo must rely on the truly initiated disciples, and these are the ones with talent."
"As for how to select initiated disciples... each dojo has its own methods, and one of Hidden Dragon Dojo's methods for selecting initiated disciples is 'self-recommendation'."
"In the path of martial arts, mentality is especially important. Having an undefeatable spirit allows one to throw unbeatable punches. Confidently showcasing your talent to the dojo gives you a chance to become an initiated disciple of Hidden Dragon Dojo."
"What could better display your spirit and talent than 'challenging the dojo'?"
Miao Miao teased:
"You dare to challenge the dojo without much training in martial arts. With such unbeatable resolve and astonishing wisdom, Old Man Li would definitely appreciate it."
Xue Jing rhetorically asked, "What if I get severely beaten up when I go up there?"
"That won't happen."
Miao Miao shook her head.
"The dojo, wanting to keep its reputation, also cares about face. They generally only send someone of a similar age to accept the challenge."
"Although you've just learned to channel energy, your physical quality is incredibly strong, which is very rare at your age. Peers in Hidden Dragon Dojo likely won't be a match for you."
"Besides, what we want isn't necessarily a successful challenge. Even if you get beaten up after going up there, as long as the people from the dojo see your potential talent, that goal is considered achieved."
"Just stop thinking about it, hurry up and go in, just say you want to challenge the dojo, and leave the rest to me!"
Miao Miao urged him.
"..."
Xue Jing nodded, "Alright."
After all, it was a chance to enter the dojo for free, and he was very confident in his current self.
He opened the panel to take a look.
[Fitness Lv4 (139/1200)]
[Health Cultivation Lv2 (109/500)]
[Cooking Lv3 (12/800)]
[Running Lv4 (873/1200)]
[Charm Art Lv3 (12/800)]
[Aiming Lv2 (169/500)]
[Fighting Lv1 (196/300)]
[Channeling Energy Lv1 (12/300)]
Over the past three days, although he spent most of his time researching how to control his energy through breathing, he still managed to gain a lot of experience in other skills.
The biggest gain was in fitness, advancing from Lv3 to Lv4. His physical condition was once again significantly enhanced, with his bench press reaching two hundred kilograms. Although he hadn't tested his punch force, he estimated that it was at least two hundred forty kilograms.
If he used his power, he wasn't sure how powerful his punch could be.
He was now afraid that he couldn't restrain his strength and might accidentally kill someone.
Walking into the office building with Miao Miao, he entered the elevator and pressed for the seventeenth floor.
This building was a Grade A office building, located in the costly East City District. The rent was extremely high, yet Hidden Dragon Dojo managed to lease an entire floor of two thousand square meters. Xue Jing roughly calculated that the monthly rent was at least four hundred thousand Zhuxia currency—a considerable sum indeed.
The elevator reached the seventeenth floor, the doors opened to a long corridor, and at the end was an automatic transparent door with a sign hanging above it, inscribed with the flamboyant characters "Hidden Dragon Dojo".
Xue Jing walked through the door with Miao Miao. Just as they entered, Miao Miao left a message, "You just focus on challenging the dojo; leave the rest to me," then jumped off his shoulder and dashed into the dojo, disappearing from sight.
"Challenge the dojo? How do I even do that? I've never challenged anyone before..."
Xue Jing thought for a moment and approached the reception close to the main entrance, where a receptionist, dressed in a cheongsam uniform and possessing both a good figure and looks, was seated.
"Excuse me, miss."
Xue Jing approached, his handsome face breaking into a smile that was as warm as the winter sun.
The girl was secretly slacking off playing on her phone, and suddenly hearing someone, she jumped in surprise and quickly looked up. "Yes, may I..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she saw the young man in front of her and was momentarily lost for words.
She saw fields of flowers, clusters of stars, her long-forgotten first love, and the synthesis of all the wonderful things in the world...
[Someone has developed a lot of favorability towards you, Charm Art Experience Points +54]
"..." Seeing the message that popped up on the panel, Xue Jing paused and restrained the smile at the corner of his mouth.
The girl finally came back to her senses, her face flushed as she looked down and stood up, somewhat at a loss for what to say. "H-hello, can I help you with anything?"
As she spoke, she sneakily glanced up at Xue Jing.
My goodness... How can there be someone so good-looking in this world...
Xue Jing hesitated for a moment, then somewhat awkwardly said, "Uh... Could you please notify them that I want to challenge the dojo?"
The girl: "What?"
...
Meanwhile, after slipping into the Hidden Dragon Dojo, Miao Miao seemed very familiar with the place and headed straight to a room marked 'Heart-Nourishing Room' after making several turns.
No sooner had it reached the door than a slightly aged voice from inside said, "Come in."
He was able to detect the nearly silent steps of the cat through the door.
Miao Miao, not surprised in the least, extended her white-gloved hand, pushed open the door, and walked inside.
In the spacious room, there was only one man, who was wearing a classic old man's outfit of a white vest and shorts, sitting on a wheelchair, his balding head shining.
"It's been a long time, Old Man Li." Miao Miao said softly, her eyes filled with mixed emotions.
"Hm? That voice... Girl Ning?"
Li Qi exclaimed in surprise.
"You rascal, where have you been? Not even sending a message to let this old man know you're alive. I've been wheeling around every day looking for you, utterly exhausted."
Li Qi touched his bald spot and shook his head with a sigh.
"Save it, you perverted bald old man. The only reason you go out in your wheelchair is to blow up girls' skirts," Miao Miao snorted disdainfully.
Old Man Li was displeased: "Hey, who are you calling small?"
"So, you're not denying you're a perverted bald guy..." Miao Miao said, speechless.
"Enough nonsense, I'm here for only one reason..."
...