Chapter 409 8: Brother and Sister, Treasure Manual

The night was still and silent.

"Brother."

Wuh Qing gently knocked on the door. After pushing it open, she saw Wuh Ping, bare-chested, doing his basic Martial Arts training.

The schools in the Safe City were divided into liberal arts and Martial Arts tracks.

This division wasn't a choice; it was determined by one's genes at birth.

Wuh Qing's genes gave her a Talent for scientific research, so she majored in the liberal arts track; Wuh Ping was the opposite, majoring in the Martial Arts track.

"PENG!"

Cannon Fist!

Chamber Pressure Stake!

Wuh Ping sank into a horse stance, solid as a cannon's base. The Qi Blood All Over his Body pressurized and condensed in his Dantian. Veins bulged on his bare feet as they gripped the floor, and a single punch flew out with Mountain-Shattering momentum.

He had long since mastered this Basic Boxing Technique to perfection, and every move and stance held a unique charm.

Even his Martial Arts mentor had praised him for his astonishing Martial Arts Talent.

"What is it?"

Wuh Ping's eyes were fixed as he threw a continuous chain of punches, coordinating with his footwork and creating a ceaseless wind from his fists.

"Brother!"

Wuh Qing's eyes lit up.

"Your Fist Technique has improved again?"

Although she was in the liberal arts track, she was not without the ability to judge Martial Arts. In fact, due to the needs of her research, she had witnessed the methods of Martial Artists and even Grand Martial Masters, so her perspective was even broader than Wuh Ping's.

Fist Force condensing like Gang Wind—this was a sign that his Fist Technique was approaching Great Success.

"What good is improvement?"

Wuh Ping stopped his movements, his face twisting into a ferocious expression.

"Because I don't have enough Nutritional Potions, my constitution is far worse than my classmates'. I don't have the Credit Points to buy a High-Level Martial Skill, let alone guidance from a strong expert. What do I have to compete with anyone?"

"The college entrance exams?"

"Entering the college entrance exams with a Basic Boxing Technique... what can I do besides disgrace myself?"

He let out a low roar and slammed his fist into a punching bag. The specially made bag only swayed slightly, but his knuckles were already torn and bleeding.

His fist wouldn't stop bleeding, but he seemed completely oblivious to the pain.

"Brother!"

Wuh Qing's face was full of heartache. She quickly took out a hemostatic spray to treat his wound, comforting him in a low voice,

"Even though the Martial Arts track focuses on Martial Arts, there's still a liberal arts component. Brother, your liberal arts scores are in the top five of your grade. As long as your Martial Arts Cultivation can keep up, you'll have a chance to get into an Advanced Academy."

"It's useless." Wuh Ping shook his head, his face full of dejection.

"In sixteen years, I've never taken a single dose of Genetic Enhancement Potion, while other students have taken at least three. Some have even taken five, or seven! That's not a gap that can be closed with hard work alone."

Wuh Qing fell silent.

She had seen how hard Wuh Ping worked. His efforts to temper his Physical Body could almost be described as a crazed obsession.

But it was no use.

Relying on Cultivation to increase one's strength was a joke in the face of the effects of Genetic Enhancement Potions.

"Brother."

Wuh Qing bit her lip and took out a credit card.

"For you."

"What's this?" Wuh Ping was stunned.

The fixed monthly allowance the two of them received from the Alliance was always completely extorted by 'Wuh Tian'.

'Wuh Qing shouldn't have any Credit Points either.'

"I got a part-time job with my mentor, helping with some research. This is the payment he gave me."

"That madman?" Wuh Ping's expression darkened, and he quickly tried to hand the credit card back.

"No way!"

"I don't know what kind of research he's doing this time, but it's definitely dangerous. Don't go, and I'm not taking this."

"Brother!" Wuh Qing stopped him. "This time, it's just observing a corpse. It won't be dangerous. Besides, I've already signed a contract. If I breach it, I'm afraid I'll have to pay with my life."

"I don't need the Credit Points, but you can use them, Brother. While there aren't enough Credit Points to buy a Genetic Enhancement Potion, it's enough for Nutritional Potions. That way, you won't have to push your Physical Body so hard when you cultivate."

"..." Wuh Ping's brow furrowed deeply.

"Brother," Wuh Qing said with a small smile, "my college entrance exams aren't until next year. If you pass this year, don't forget to help me then."

"Right!" Wuh Ping nodded emphatically.

"If I get in, I'll definitely help you get in. If I don't..."

He glanced outside and said in a heavy voice, "I'll go get a job and earn Credit Points to support you. Once we have enough, we'll leave this place."

"And never come back!"

"Okay." Wuh Qing grinned.

"I know you can get into an Advanced Academy."

*

*

*

「In the room next door.」

Zhu Ju sat cross-legged.

Although the siblings had deliberately lowered their voices, their conversation couldn't possibly escape his senses.

"Heh..."

The scene of sibling harmony brought a faint smile to his lips.

The Wuh Tian he had become felt absolutely no affection for the pair of siblings, only disgust.

In Wuh Tian's eyes,

Wuh Ping and Wuh Qing were just two burdens.

This wasn't entirely because Wuh Tian was cold by nature; it was also because the three of them were not related by blood.

Centuries ago, this world had already developed mature technology for asexual reproduction.

It became widespread after the Great Calamity, to the point where the core of every Safe City was a giant incubation chamber.

Every year,

tens, even hundreds of thousands of infants "hatched" from the incubation chambers and were handed over to adults to be raised.

The genes of these infants were adjusted, making them healthier than naturally born children and free from any Innate diseases.

The Treasure Manual was also constantly evolving more perfect genetic technology, making each new generation of infants stronger than the last.

Before birth, the fetus's gender, Talent, and even a portion of its knowledge and experience were determined.

While naturally born infants were still babbling, infants from the incubation chambers had already learned to walk, read, and even write.

Therefore,

apart from a few top-tier Noble Families and powerful clans who still used natural procreation for the sake of family interests, everyone else had given up on carrying children to term.

So, while it was true that Wuh Tian was Wuh Ping and Wuh Qing's father, the three of them were not blood-related.

Without a blood connection, emotional bonds were inevitably weak.

In this day and age, most family environments were not good. Fathers and sons, or mothers and daughters, who were genuinely close and loving were in the minority.

With Wuh Tian's personality, he would never have voluntarily raised children.

However, raising children was a law of the Alliance, and a responsibility that every adult had to fulfill.

Coupled with the fact that raising children came with a certain subsidy, this was why Wuh Tian had adopted two children.

As for their education...

With Wuh Tian's personality, the fact that he had managed to raise Wuh Ping and Wuh Qing to this age without any major incidents was a sheer stroke of luck.

「The next day.」

Wuh Qing made breakfast early in the morning.

"Put more sugar in next time."

Putting down his spoon, Wuh Tian stood up, his face devoid of expression.

"I've taken a liking to sweet things recently."

"Yes."

Wuh Qing answered obediently.

Wuh Ping had already ironed Wuh Tian's clothes and had polished his leather shoes until they shone brightly.

The two of them were less like children of the house and more like hired servants.

Zhu Ju put on his shoes and socks, adjusted his collar, and tidied his messy long hair in the full-length mirror by the door, grinning.

He had cultivated the Methods of the Joyful Sect, and because of the Demon Saber, he had complete control over all his emotions and desires.

With a single thought, he could become a bloodthirsty Demon or play the part of a selfless Saint Monk who sacrifices himself to save others.

This was no mere disguise; it was genuine. Even the most advanced instruments couldn't tell the difference.

Only his true heart remained like an ancient, abyssal well—unrippled, yet reflecting all things, unaffected by the churning of his emotions.

"Study hard at school. If I find out you've been disobedient, I'll break your legs."

Leaving behind this extremely perfunctory instruction, Zhu Ju stepped out the door.

"I'm going to check on the company."