Of the fifteen exercise books, nine had no attributes, while six did. The ones with attributes generally had only a single attribute: four were fine-quality, and two were top-quality.
The four fine-quality books all had the "High Difficulty" attribute, much like the "Obscure" attribute he had seen before. However, the requirement for use had been lowered to passing the Basic Mathematics First Layer, the realm reduction had been lowered to excellent, and the speed boost had been further reduced to 20%.
Two top-quality exercise books possessed the "Obscure" attribute. One was "Four Basic Arithmetic Operations Limit Practice," and the other was "Little Genius Cultivation - Basic Mathematics Handbook." Both provided a total cultivation speed boost of 60%.
Sixty percent!
That was twice as high as even the most badass Auxiliary Cultivation Manual Shi Tiexin had ever heard of!
Though they each had only one attribute, it was simple and brutal—speed up, speed up, and speed up again, crushing everything in its path!
Shi Tiexin looked at that "Little Genius." Though it had a ridiculous cartoon cover, if such a little booklet were brought back to Tumubao, it would truly be a high-value item. If it were exchanged for a Body Nourishing Essence Food package that increased Essence Nurturing speed by 30%, the package obtained from trading this one book would last for half a month of meals.
Then what was the price on the back of "Little Genius"?
5.8 yuan.
For 5.8 yuan, he could get a top-quality Auxiliary Cultivation Manual with a 60% speed boost. Right, how much was his stipend again? After carefully communicating with his other consciousness, Shi Tiexin got a number—800 yuan per semester.
Eight hundred yuan—how many copies of "Little Genius" could that buy?
He blurted it right out—lots and lots and lots!
He could not calculate it. He really could not calculate it. Uh, that was a little embarrassing... But Old Tie's Basic Mathematics First Layer was only at passing level right now, so it was perfectly normal that he could not work it out. Still, there was no doubt it would be over a hundred copies. By Tumubao's price standards, one semester's stipend was truly an astronomical sum.
Waaah! All at once, heroic spirit surged within him, his blood boiled with fervor, and his motivation to return to the Elite Class in the final exams instantly filled to the brim!
For the stipend, for 800 yuan, for more than a hundred copies of "Little Genius," I must fight my way back into the Elite Class in the final exams!
A conviction of certain victory rose in Shi Tiexin's heart. The clumps of consciousness within his mental domain actually began to hum softly, shedding and releasing more fragments. Though Shi Tiexin did not understand why, he felt refreshed and clear-headed.
Looks like that other brother was lending him an assist. Then what was he waiting for? He immediately picked up a book and began cultivating his mind arts!
With a rustle, Shi Tiexin widened his eyes and began, in his high school study period, to read elementary school mathematics books with utter concentration.
At the same time, on the eighth floor of Fengming First High School's office building, in an ordinary-looking principal's office, Zheng Kaiming spoke with a solemn expression. "Principal Liu, today's surprise inspection has been successfully completed, and the findings have been gathered here. But the problems that have emerged must be taken seriously."
Fengming First High School had been unsettled these past two days.
Last night, someone in Key Class Seven had roared in class and beaten up a teacher. This afternoon, someone had fabricated lies to falsely accuse a fellow student. Combined with the clues Zheng Kaiming had uncovered and all manner of news heard through informants and eyes-and-ears, Zheng Kaiming felt that discipline had indeed grown lax lately and needed to be properly rectified.
Thus, Zheng Kaiming had organized every teacher from the Academic Affairs Office and every student from the Student Union Discipline Committee for a surprise major inspection. Punishing Shi Tiexin severely had been meant to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys and establish strict discipline. Likewise, this surprise inspection was meant to further establish strict discipline.
When discipline grew lax, the academic atmosphere grew lax. When the academic atmosphere suffered, grades suffered. Fengming First High School had always built itself upon academic results. If its grades declined, it would shake the very foundations of Fengming First High School. Therefore, Zheng Kaiming's expression was extremely grave as he decided to apply to Principal Liu for some major measures.
For example, completely clearing out certain troublemakers, to cleanse the universe and remake heaven and earth.
Principal Liu read through the inspection report page by page. Suddenly, his finger paused and his brow rose. "Climbed over the wall to buy elementary school textbooks and exercise books? Our First High really does have every kind of talent."
"Cough, cough..." Zheng Kaiming could not help coughing twice, and his solemn expression turned strange as well. "There really was such a student. After a thorough investigation, we found that he had indeed only bought elementary school books and exercise books, not any prohibited items. Our teachers gave him a stern educational reprimand and let him go without recording a disciplinary offense."
Principal Liu smiled noncommittally, then looked at Zheng Kaiming. "Director Zheng, I know what you want to say. But you must understand that the existence of the Trash Class is necessary. The previous Principal Wang specifically established the Trash Class, and in my view, it was a very wise measure."
Zheng Kaiming frowned. "Principal, the Trash Class is a place where filth and corruption fester. Delinquent youths even form gangs and cliques. Extortion, beatings, and bullying—though it is difficult to find evidence, such things truly exist. And the Trash Class has formed its own faction and even takes delight in itself. There is even some title within it called the 'Four Heavenly Kings.' It is simply the greatest joke under heaven. Why not abolish and expel such a class? It would even raise First High's advancement rate."
Principal Liu smiled and said mildly, "Director Zheng, we are educators. We cannot look only at advancement rates. Our sacred duty is to teach and nurture people, to help students become capable. Every student has their own shining point, and the students of the Trash Class surely have places where they are exceptionally gifted as well. We cannot simply expel them whenever we please; that would run contrary to the teachings of the Most Holy Teacher."
Zheng Kaiming fell silent. Principal Liu's words were lofty and grand, politically impeccable, leaving him unable to refute them. But Big Head Zheng was not merely square-headed—his temperament also had something of an inability to tolerate a grain of sand in his eyes. His silence did not mean agreement.
Principal Liu did not mind. "Even setting those matters aside, the very existence of the Trash Class helps foster Fengming First High School's academic atmosphere. Forcing students to study, chasing them into studying—none of that compares to making them want to study on their own. It sounds simple, but students at their age have no real contact with society. Their understanding of the world exists only on paper."
"They have no concept of the difference between an outstanding student at Jinghua University and an excavator expert from a vocational technical school. They do not know the price of firewood, rice, oil, and salt, nor do they know how precious academic qualifications are. They do not worry about making a living or surviving, so naturally they do not understand the pressure of survival. They may be able to speak lofty principles with great fluency, but in truth, they have no firsthand experience."
"They do not know how many opportunities, how bright a future, or how much change studying can bring them. They may say 'study for yourself' ten thousand times, but what they truly think is still 'study for my parents' pride,' 'study for my teachers' bonuses,' and 'study for my school's reputation.'"
"We find that laughable. We understand very clearly who studying is truly for, but they do not understand, nor have they experienced it. So no matter how much we say, their studying remains passive. Fengming First High School's excellent results come from our greatest efforts to turn passivity into initiative."
Four days in a row, three chapters unleashed, utterly exhausted, mission accomplished... Starting tomorrow, it will be safer to update steadily with two chapters a day. Once again, I wish everyone a Happy New Year!
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