The Secret of Coupons

Now, on the attribute panel, no proficiency-related value was displayed after the "Mining" skill.

Qin Yao could not help thinking, "Has the 'Mining' skill reached its end once it hits the Perfection Realm?

"Its enhancement to my physique is even stronger than I expected!"

Four days ago, when Qin Yao's Mining skill had only just reached the Major Success Realm, his physical condition was still a small step short of that of a genuine first-layer Body Tempering Realm martial artist.

Back then, he had thought that if breaking the Mining skill into a new realm could raise his body to the point of officially matching the first layer of the Body Tempering Realm, he would be satisfied.

Yet he had never expected that Perfection Realm Mining would directly raise every aspect of his physical strength until it nearly rivaled the second layer of the Body Tempering Realm!

Amid his excitement, Qin Yao also caught another crucial piece of information from the system description.

"At present, my physical condition has already reached the limit attainable by a 'non-martial artist.'

"In other words, if I don't cultivate true 'cultivation methods and martial skills' and become a martial artist...

"Then no matter how many skills like Mining I awaken—skills that provide some degree of physical training—my physical condition can no longer improve at all!

"Looks like I need to find a martial cultivation method and study it properly.

"The Tiger-Fighting Fist at the Tiger Head Martial Hall that Grandpa mentioned before is worth trying."

"Grrr..."

Qin Yao's stomach growled again.

The sudden, gut-wrenching hunger made his head ache at once.

"Looks like as my physique improves, even with the boost from the Minor Success Realm 'Eating' skill, two coarse flatbreads are no longer enough to stave off hunger!"

Just as thoughts churned through his mind—

text
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for raising a skill to the 'Perfection Realm.'"

"Rewards issued as follows: System Coupons +10. Partial methods of using coupons have successfully been unlocked."

"Currently unlocked coupon function: Filling Gaps and Correcting Omissions."

"At last, I know what 'System Coupons' are for!"

Qin Yao smiled knowingly.

Then his balls began to ache a little. "But this 'Filling Gaps and Correcting Omissions' function seems pretty damn useless to me, doesn't it?

"I don't do work like 'statistical sorting' or anything like that.

"Forget it. At least I've figured out one use for System Coupons.

"As more and more skills reach the Perfection Realm, the coupon functions I unlock will surely become increasingly varied!"

"Crack!"

A whip cracked by his ear, startling Qin Yao.

It turned out that overseer Li Gang had seen the other mine slaves lining up to head out of the cave, while Qin Yao alone stood there blankly, frozen in place.

So he violently snapped his long whip, striking the rock wall behind Qin Yao and producing a sharp explosive crack.

"Move your ass, damn it! You're not even eager when it's time to eat—your skin itching for another whipping, huh?!"

Li Gang snarled viciously.

Qin Yao put on a frightened look and hurried after the line ahead, taking three steps as two.

text
"Ding! Skill 'Acting' proficiency +2."

In truth, the youth had long since sentenced Li Gang to death in his heart.

"Right now, my combat strength is enough to rival the second layer of the Body Tempering Realm.

"Once I cultivate a method and take my strength a step further, no longer needing to fear Wang Ji...

"That will be your doomsday!"

After Qin Yao collected his meal with the crowd, he tucked the flatbreads Little Liuzi and the others had shared with him into his clothes as usual, then wolfed down the remaining two.

text
"Ding! Skill 'Eating' proficiency +2."

"Ding! Skill 'Eating' proficiency +1."

"Ding! Skill 'Eating'..."

Even after he finished both flatbreads, his mouth still felt bland and his stomach empty.

"Fine, then I'll eat another two!"

text
"Skill 'Eating': Minor Success Realm (379/1000)."

"Skill 'Eating': Minor Success Realm (380/1000)."

"Ding! The host's Eating proficiency gain is too low. As it does not reach a whole number of 1, it cannot be counted."

"Skill 'Eating'..."

Watching the proficiency on the attribute panel inch upward bit by bit, sometimes even stopping altogether, Qin Yao felt rather helpless.

The main reason was that as his physique improved, the amount of nutrients he needed to draw from food and convert into his own energy also kept increasing.

Those coarse flatbreads were not small, but the problem was that they did not have a trace of oil or fat in them!

Even four or five of them were nowhere near enough for Qin Yao, whose bodily functions rivaled those of a martial artist at the second level of the Body Tempering Realm.

"Looks like, aside from getting my hands on a cultivation method, I also need to find a way to earn more silver and buy some food with meat in it.

"Otherwise, this body of mine, comparable to the second level of the Body Tempering Realm, will probably be drained dry in just a few days because it can't keep up nutritionally!"

Qin Yao silently made up his mind.

After dinner, they returned to the village as usual.

As Qin Yao was fitted with rope shackles, overseer Li Gang specifically came over, swaggering as he flicked his whip twice. "I don't want what happened last night to happen again. Otherwise... you know what awaits you!"

Before long.

Tang Family Village.

After the mine slaves returned to the village today, nothing unusual happened.

At Captain Yang's command, the mine slaves each went back to their own homes.

A moment later, the Qin Family cottage.

With a creak, the door opened.

"Yao'er, you're back?"

Old Master Qin rose and looked over.

The freshly lit candle cast its glow across his wrinkled face, revealing a contented smile.

Over the past few days, the old man's back had visibly straightened. The cloudiness that had filled his eyes for so long had also been replaced by clarity.

All because recently, they had eaten their fill at every meal and even had a little food left over.

What this gave the old man was not only the happiness of a full belly and greater strength, but also a beautiful vision for the future!

"Yes, Grandpa, I'm back."

As he spoke, Qin Yao took the flatbreads from his bosom.

This had practically become the most important ritual of his daily return home.

"There are a little fewer today. I only brought back three pieces. Grandpa, you and Lan'er split them."

"Three is already quite a lot, my good grandson. Don't go ruining your body day after day just to earn two extra flatbreads!"

Old Master Qin's eyes overflowed with affection.

"That's right, that's right. Big Brother, you have to take care of yourself. It's fine if Lan'er eats a little less!"

As she spoke, little sister Qin Lan deliberately spread her arms and spun around before Qin Yao. "Look, Big Brother! I've been eating until I'm stuffed every meal these past few days. Lan'er's gotten fatter already~"

By candlelight, Qin Yao studied his sister carefully.

At her age, the changes brought by several days of full meals were indeed striking.

Her hair, once dry and yellow as grass, now shone with luster and lay smoothly against her cheeks.

The sickly pallor had faded from her little face, replaced by a healthy flush. Her skin had also become much fairer and softer.

Though her figure still retained a little girl's slenderness, she was no longer painfully skinny as before. Her cheeks had filled out slightly, making her all the more sweet and lovable.

The siblings ate and chatted with their grandfather, spending this warm and happy time together.

Only after his granddaughter had fallen sound asleep did Old Master Qin take out an oil-paper parcel and hand it to Qin Yao. "Inside are the things you said you needed this morning.

"As for the money to buy a cultivation method... we may need to save for another two days."

After all, Qin Yao had previously asked Old Master Qin to buy quite a few materials, each one an expense.

Qin Yao opened the oil-paper parcel. When he saw what was inside, a calm smile spread across his lips. "Grandpa, there's no need to save any longer.

"With this, after tonight, we'll definitely have enough money to buy a cultivation method!"