Reputation is good, reputation must be earned...

"I absolutely... don't believe it!"

Lu Xingtian smiled, thought for a moment, and said,

"Do one cycle of the body refinement method right now!"

"Dad, I already did it this morning. If I do it again now, the pain will kill me."

"Cut the crap, just do as I say!"

"Alright..."

Lu Xiaobai didn't think his dad would harm him, so he honestly started doing it.

Logically speaking, the body refinement method could only be cycled twice a day. If forced to do a third time, one would experience unbearable, immense pain, and might not even recover after resting for a week.

However, as Lu Xiaobai performed the various movements of the body refinement method, he didn't feel any pain at all.

"Huh? It doesn't hurt at all?"

Lu Xiaobai's expression froze in surprise, and then he added,

"Wait, there's no improvement at all either. What's going on?!"

"It seems you really have leveled it up to the max..."

Seeing this, Lu Xingtian's eyes were filled with wonder.

"Dad, what's the logic behind this..."

Lu Xiaobai was a bit confused.

"The ultimate effect of a max-level body refinement method is that it completely transforms into passive operation. You won't get any improvement even if you actively do a hundred cycles."

Lu Xingtian explained.

"Ah?"

Lu Xiaobai looked disappointed and muttered to himself,

"Doesn't that mean I can't actively improve it anymore?"

He had been counting on actively running it to continue boosting his vitality. If this was the case, he really wouldn't be able to raise his vitality level to 9.9 before the Star Exam arrived.

"What do you mean 'ah'?"

Lu Xingtian glanced at him and said slowly,

"You're still not satisfied? This is an effect countless people dream of..."

"What's the use of this?"

"Stupid, you can learn other body refinement methods now!"

Lu Xingtian immediately explained,

"If your basic body refinement method wasn't at max level, after learning other methods, you would still only be able to choose one to run each day. That means your basic body refinement method would become useless then."

"But a max-level basic body refinement method is different. It improves you constantly and doesn't conflict with other methods. This is a divine skill that will accompany you for your entire life!"

Lu Xiaobai paused slightly, immediately understanding.

As a Star Martial Artist's vitality level increased, they would eventually have to learn other advanced body refinement methods, and the previous basic method would naturally become obsolete.

But a max-level body refinement method wasn't like that. It could be said that it would never be phased out. After all, it was equivalent to a lifelong buff, constantly boosting your vitality...

"So you're saying I can learn the Lu family's body refinement method now?"

Lu Xiaobai's face instantly lit up with excitement.

Although the basic body refinement method could no longer be actively run, he could still run the Lu family's method, which had far more powerful effects than the former!

Just leveling it up two or three times would probably yield effects comparable to the max-level basic body refinement method...

"Of course you can."

Lu Xingtian said with a smile,

"The Lu family's body refinement method only has one learning requirement: the Basic Body Refinement Method must reach level four. You already met this requirement before, but since the level one Lu Family Body Refinement Method isn't very strong, I didn't mention it to you."

"Now that your basic body refinement method is maxed out, you are completely ready to learn it."

"I will mail you the Star Skill Stone for the Lu family's body refinement method. You can go pick it up yourself when it arrives."

"Thanks, Dad!"

Lu Xiaobai was overjoyed upon hearing this.

He hadn't expected to be able to learn the Lu family's body refinement method so soon. That was one of the absolute top-tier body refinement methods of humanity!

"You are a direct descendant of the Lu family; these things were originally yours anyway."

Lu Xingtian smiled and continued,

"Tell your old man, exactly how did you level the Basic Body Refinement Method up to max?"

Although he was far away on another planet, he had always paid special attention to his son's growth.

His son had seemed completely ordinary for nearly three years of high school, but now, in just a little under a month, he had directly leveled his body refinement method to max. It was simply too incredible.

"Uh..."

Lu Xiaobai rolled his eyes thoughtfully and smiled,

"I don't know what happened either. When I got first place in the practical combat test, I suddenly felt a surge of heroic pride, and I instantly had an epiphany with the body refinement method."

"That simple?"

Lu Xingtian raised an eyebrow but didn't doubt him.

Everyone's process of comprehending a max-level Star Skill was different. Some broke through smoothly after a long period of accumulation, some leveled up from a sudden flash of inspiration, and some even achieved it just by taking a nap...

"So you're saying getting first place was quite worth it?"

Lu Xingtian stroked his chin and said with satisfaction,

"It seems empty titles are quite important. You have to get them!"

"..."

Lu Xiaobai's mouth twitched.

Dad, that's not what you said just now...

"Xiaobai, work hard and try to aim for the Top Ten Starry Sky Academies to make your old man proud!"

Lu Xingtian had an uncontrollable smile on his lips.

He was the Speaker of Humanity, always hiding his emotions, but facing his youngest son's sudden transformation, it was truly hard to suppress his inner excitement.

For him, this was even more exciting than when he was elected Speaker!

"Dad, just rest assured!"

Lu Xiaobai patted his chest in guarantee, then said with a cheeky grin,

"About that, regarding my living expenses..."

"I'll transfer a hundred thousand to you right away, and your living expenses will be doubled from now on!"

Lu Xingtian said generously.

In the past, when he poured resources into Lu Xiaobai, there would always be a small number of Lu family elders who objected. But now that Lu Xiaobai had a max-level body refinement method, those people would have nothing to say.

If Lu Xiaobai could really get into the Top Ten Starry Sky Academies in the future, his treatment would definitely not be inferior to that of his three genius older siblings.

Soon, Lu Xiaobai ended the call with his dad and lay on the sofa with a smile.

With his status as a direct descendant of the Lu family, and now not lacking money, completing the tasks given by his golden finger would be too easy.

"Life, it's only fun on easy mode..."

He always scoffed at those who praised suffering and forced themselves to endure hardship for no reason. If you can avoid difficulties, avoid them. Who wouldn't want to reach the peak of life in the simplest and easiest way?

...

The next day.

Lu Xiaobai woke up at six o'clock as usual, but for a moment, he found himself with nothing to do. After all, there was no need for him to do the basic body refinement method anymore.

"Let's check the news..."

He casually logged onto the internet, saying at the same time,

"Lao Hu, starting today, increase the portions for breakfast and dinner by fifty percent!"

Now that he was wealthy, he was ready to directly boost his nutrition.

After all, he had always been mindful of his unawakened physique. Maybe it would truly be stronger than his third brother's SSS-rank Overlord Body!

At that time, with his golden finger plus a special physique, he, Lu Xiaobai, would truly be invincible...

"Oh right, my talent is also in an unawakened state..."

Lu Xiaobai stroked his chin, the anticipation in his eyes growing even stronger.

Unfortunately, the awakening of this thing called talent is quite different from one's physical constitution. Some people might display it the moment they are born, while others might not awaken it until they are at death's door. All you can say is that there is no fixed time or method to it—it is completely left up to fate...