021: Ran Until He Couldn't Breathe

Tang Jian had run almost three kilometers from home to school, taking about ten minutes, and even then, he felt quite tired.

Now, Sun Yiying's shout meant they had to run eight kilometers in twenty-five minutes.

It was practically a death sentence.

It was equivalent to asking Tang Jian and the others to complete eight kilometers at the same pace they ran three kilometers in ten minutes.

The speed was the same, but the distance was vastly different.

And as everyone knew, the speed someone could run 100 meters in ten seconds couldn't possibly be maintained for 400 meters, as people weren't machines or race cars.

"What are you standing around for?! The clock starts now, all of you, run!"

Sun Yiying stood on the steps opposite the sports field, her voice sharp, her dress swaying in the wind, looking heroic and quite authoritative.

Perhaps spurred by her words, Liu Kun was the first to charge out, quite fast and fearless.

Seeing this, Gao Yang and the others followed suit, running out as well.

"Damn it, let's run." Yang Mao greeted Tang Jian, then ran ahead.

Tang Jian quickly followed.

The chubby Jia Ling and Wang Lele followed right behind Tang Jian, but they quickly overtook him, moving incredibly fast and still chasing after Yang Mao.

Running so fast...

Tang Jian muttered to himself, while his own speed remained steady, neither increasing nor decreasing.

Now, as he ran, the constant, almost numb pain in his body gradually began to lessen with the intense physical activity.

There were many students from other classes on the sports field also doing long-distance runs.

It seemed the school's intensified training, encouraged by the instructors, was being applied to the entire grade level.

Even now, right after class, many students from the second and even first years of high school gathered in the corridors of the academic building, looking out at the main sports field.

The afternoon sun was bright, the grass on the main sports field was lush and vibrant, and a gentle breeze blew.

Many junior girls covered their mouths and giggled as they watched the senior boys on the field, full of youthful energy and sweating profusely, judging who ran fast and who was crawling like a tortoise.

"Teacher Sun, Liu Kun from your class is as impressive as ever. I heard from Teacher Le that after using a Brute Strength Card, that kid can punch with 500 catties of force."

Just then, a tall, thin teacher in a tracksuit approached Sun Yiying, smiling and trying to curry favor.

"Teacher Sun is an excellent instructor! Your class managed to pick out seven people this time. It looks like two or three of them will definitely join the Rocket Class sprint."

Another burly young male teacher also approached Sun Yiying, his eyes smiling and quite attentive.

Sun Yiying, temporarily assigned to Xicheng No. 1 High School for practical teaching, was herself a university student from a prestigious school. At a young age, she was already a 5-star Card User, and what was most remarkable was that she also possessed Card Crafting abilities of a matching level.

Therefore, in just one year of serving as a Card User instructor at Xicheng No. 1 High School, Sun Yiying was highly sought after by the younger male colleagues at the school.

After all, whether it was her looks, temperament, or ability, Sun Yiying was undeniably a beauty, aside from being relatively young.

But being young was actually an advantage, making her a hot commodity in many people's eyes.

However, Sun Yiying was entirely focused on teaching, showing no special favor to anyone's advances, and it was the same now.

"Instead of trying to butter me up, why don't you think about how to train your students? Have you forgotten what I said before?"

Sun Yiying didn't even look at the two teachers who had approached her, her gaze fixed on Liu Kun, who was running at the front of the pack on the sports field.

The two teachers' expressions subtly changed, looking a bit awkward.

Three months ago, Sun Yiying had made a statement.

She declared that if anyone wanted to get close to her, it didn't matter if they didn't graduate from a prestigious school or weren't a Card Master.

They simply needed to cultivate a student who could get into a prestigious school, and then they would be qualified to approach her.

As soon as this statement was made, many young male colleagues immediately lost their enthusiasm.

However, some colleagues were determined to achieve this goal.

This was no exaggeration.

After all, Sun Yiying came from a prestigious school. If she hadn't been injured during a trial mission a year ago, she wouldn't have returned to her hometown high school to teach and recover.

It could be said that once Sun Yiying recovered from her injuries, it would be her phoenix-like rebirth.

The other party would return to a prestigious school for further training, and after graduation, she would at the very least be a two-star or even three-star Card Master.

Therefore, Sun Yiying at this moment was truly a phoenix in distress. If they didn't seize the opportunity to pursue her now, once she flew away, there would be no chance.

The leadership of Xicheng No. 1 High School was naturally delighted to see such a scene. It could both motivate many teachers to vigorously cultivate students and solve the single status of some people. Why not?

"Teacher Sun, Teacher Li from Class 1 and Teacher Xu from Class 2 might be able to meet the requirements you set before. How about we make a bet today on this small enhanced training session?"

The tall, thin teacher in the tracksuit said with a smile, looking at Sun Yiying.

"Oh?" Sun Yiying raised an eyebrow slightly.

She saw that Liu Kun had already completed his first lap.

"Teacher Gao, what kind of bet do you have in mind? Tell us," said the burly young teacher He Yu from the side.

Teacher Gao turned to look at the sports field, pointing with his hand, striking a pose like a strategist with a feather fan and silk scarf. "I bet that among the seven students you've chosen, only one will be able to run eight thousand meters in twenty minutes, and only three will be able to run eight thousand meters in twenty-five minutes. If I win, I'll bet a White Jade Flying Serpent Card."

Teacher Gao said, smiling at the slightly moved Sun Yiying, "If I lose, I'll give this White Jade Flying Serpent Card to you, Teacher Sun. If I win, I only hope to have dinner with you tonight, Teacher Sun."

"Rich jerk! You utterly rich jerk!"

The young teacher He Yu looked at the smiling Gao Shang, his heart cursing him tearfully.

A White Jade Flying Serpent Card!

This was a white-quality, seven-star pet card, worth at least 20,000 Federal Currency.

Though it was only considered an entry-level support pet card, it was still equivalent to several months of his salary as an ordinary instructor.

Gao Shang chuckled, looking at Sun Yiying's slightly changed expression, then at the stiff-faced He Yu beside them, scoffing inwardly, You need money to get girls. Without it, you can just go for Oreos.

"What do you say, Teacher Sun? Do you dare to accept this challenge?"

Gao Shang glanced at Sun Yiying, who was slightly frowning, feeling quite pleased.

Even if Sun Yiying didn't accept, it didn't matter. He had long disliked Sun Yiying's aloof and arrogant demeanor. If she didn't accept this time, it would just serve to deflate her a bit.

Isn't there a saying?

If you want someone to like you, You must first make an impression on them.

Whether it's a good impression or a bad one, having an impression first is the key to opening their heart!

If there's no impression, then there's no chance at all.

Just as Gao Shang proposed the challenge, Tang Jian had already finished one lap, and Liu Kun had completed his second, still looking composed.

"What's wrong, Teacher Sun? Do you lack confidence in the students you've trained?" Gao Shang looked at the frowning Sun Yiying with a smile.

Though it wasn't a good sign to see the usually cool and aloof Sun Yiying flustered, Gao Shang still felt quite satisfied.

Don't you see, there are those who try to curry favor with beautiful women, but the women ignore them.

Now, Gao Shang was doing the opposite, which instead made the beauty resent him.

If you can't make her love you, then make her hate you. Hating to the bone is also a wonderful feeling.

He Yu, standing by, was already a bit bewildered, completely unable to grasp Gao Shang's strategy.

If you're pursuing a girl, then you should be attentive.

Now, he was going against her, seemingly unwilling to stop until he had completely offended her. What kind of tactic was this?

"Am I too young? I don't even understand these modern courting tactics anymore," He Yu muttered, a little depressed.

Sun Yiying's beautiful eyes glanced at the aggressive Gao Shang. "Fine, since you're so eager to give me the White Jade Flying Serpent Card, I'll accept this challenge."

"Haha, good, Teacher Sun certainly has spirit. Even if I accidentally win this challenge, I'd still be willing to offer that White Jade Flying Serpent Card as a welcome gift."

Gao Shang clapped his hands, his face beaming with joy.

In his opinion, as long as Sun Yiying was provoked enough to accept the challenge, he was ninety percent sure he would win. Dinner with the beauty tonight was a done deal.

And even if he couldn't win her over, so what?

At the very least, he, Gao Shang, would be the first to go on a "date" with Sun Yiying, which would make other colleagues look at him with new respect and make his competitors envious and jealous.

Sun Yiying couldn't even be bothered to glance at the overjoyed Gao Shang. It was just a White Jade Flying Serpent Card; she could craft one herself if she had the materials. Would she really be impressed by it?

But people fight for their pride. Since Gao Shang was pressing her so hard, she naturally wouldn't lose face by refusing the challenge.

"Liu Kun, Gao Yang, Yang Mao, Tang Jian! Listen up, all of you! Today, you all must complete the entire course within twenty-five minutes! And whoever can finish within twenty minutes, I will personally reward them with five thousand Federal Currency!"

Sun Yiying, her black dress flowing, activated her Amplification Card and stood on the high platform, calling out names across the sports field.

A phantom-like, horn-shaped card appeared in her hand, making Sun Yiying's voice incredibly clear and audible in every corner of the sports field.

Immediately, all the students running on the field were startled. Some even stopped and looked around, searching for the source of the sound.

Gao Shang's face darkened upon hearing this, almost cursing aloud.

Playing such a big hand put him in a difficult position.

Under heavy rewards, there would surely be brave men. If those students really ran like mad, pumped up, he might not necessarily win this challenge.

"Hehehe, Teacher Sun is truly generous," Gao Shang said, his smile a little unnatural.

Sun Yiying's smooth lips curved, and she glanced at Gao Shang. "It's nothing. If they can get this reward, I'll win your Flying Serpent Card, Teacher Gao. Selling that card would get at least fifteen thousand Federal Currency, enough to give them bonuses."

Gao Shang's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.

He Yu, beside him, could barely suppress a snort of laughter.

On the sports field, Liu Kun had originally intended to conserve his energy and slowly complete the course within twenty-five minutes. But upon hearing Sun Yiying's shout and seeing that her expression wasn't joking, he immediately became energized, boosting his speed by fifty percent and charging forward.

It wasn't just Liu Kun.

At this moment, Gao Yang, He Chong, and others also felt their hearts pound, speeding up with excited expressions.

"Is that for real? Five thousand for finishing within twenty minutes? I feel like it's a trap!"

Tang Jian ran, turning his head to look at Sun Yiying on the distant steps, a hint of suspicion in his expression.

Ahead, Yang Mao was already sprinting with all his might, practically roaring with excitement.

A five-thousand-yuan bonus was quite appealing to Yang Mao.

"This… this shouldn't be a joke, are they really giving out five thousand yuan?"

Tang Jian's heart pounded violently as he saw Sun Yiying in the distance, constantly encouraging and waving.

He knew Sun Yiying's identity clearly: a university student from a prestigious school, with the strength of a 5-star Card User, and a boundless future.

When he became a Three-Star Card Master in his previous life, his teacher was already a Five-Star Card Master, a potential Card God, and had long become an Interstellar Citizen, having emigrated to live outside the solar system.

Five thousand yuan was a lot for him now, but for her, it might truly be nothing. It wasn't impossible for her to offer it as a reward to motivate them.

"Ahhh! My cosmos is about to explode!"

Tang Jian roared, his speed suddenly picking up, chasing after Yang Mao and the others ahead.

Run ten laps, eight thousand meters, within twenty minutes, and get five thousand yuan.

This generous bonus was now waiting at the finish line for someone to claim it.

Tang Jian felt no pain in his entire body; it was as if a flame was burning within him. After several shouts, he practically transformed into a speed demon, running faster and faster.

Around them, many students from other classes were running weakly, their eyes filled with envious resentment as they watched the incredibly excited Tang Jian and others. Then they looked at their own teachers and Sun Yiying in her little black dress, feeling quite sour.

This is what other people's teachers are like.

Beautiful, rich, and so gentle and considerate. A five-thousand-yuan bonus—that's enough to buy a good green card!

"Ahhh! You bastard… you, you motherfucker, wait for me."

Yang Mao felt he was already pushing himself hard enough, running with almost all his might. Forget running the entire distance faster; even finishing five laps was difficult.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, Tang Jian, free as the wind, overtook him.

"You run, you run. Your Card Energy is lower than mine, your stamina is weaker than mine. Let's see if you still have strength later," Yang Mao cursed inwardly, watching Tang Jian's receding back.

Tang Jian's cosmos had completely exploded. He overtook Yang Mao, and also Wang Lele and Jia Ling, finishing the third lap and entering the fourth, beginning to catch up to He Chong and Gao Yang.

By this time, eight minutes had passed.

Wang Lele and Jia Ling had only just finished their third lap, but Tang Jian was already starting his fourth. Watching Tang Jian rush past them, both were stunned, sweat beading on their noses.

"This guy was definitely playing the pig to eat the tiger. His Card Energy must be over 40!" the chubby Jia Ling huffed indignantly.

Wang Lele clenched her fists and chased behind Tang Jian. "Tang Jian, slow down. If you run so fast, you won't have any energy left later."

By the time she finished speaking, Tang Jian had already pulled further and further away from her, making her so angry she wanted to punch someone.

"Hehehe, Teacher Sun, it seems your reward has had the opposite effect. Your student is running so desperately, it's questionable whether he'll even be able to finish the entire course later."

Gao Shang glanced at the charging Tang Jian, scoffed, and looked at Sun Yiying.

At this moment, Sun Yiying also frowned slightly, looking at the charging Tang Jian, and thought to herself, This is trouble.

The bonus I set might have been too much. Tang Jian's family is poor, so he might truly have been momentarily overwhelmed and rushed forward.

But if Tang Jian's stamina fails and he weakens, he might not even be able to finish ten laps.

So suffocating, so breathless.

At this moment, Tang Jian, who was the focus of everyone's attention, found his nose crooked, his eyes askew, and his legs sore as he ran. He thought to himself, This isn't good.

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