Two-Point-Five Thousand Federal Currency

Eight thousand meters in ten laps.

Completed within twenty minutes.

This was something Tang Jian had never even dared to dream of.

But today, he accomplished this feat.

He even noticed that the attribute representing physique in his attribute panel had changed, inexplicably increasing by 0.1 to 6.6.

Although at this moment, Tang Jian felt every muscle in his body screaming with soreness, it was truly a painful yet happy experience.

When Yang Mao, looking disgruntled, and He Chong, looking unwilling, along with the others, finished the run and approached him, Tang Jian felt a bit dazed, his brain slightly deprived of oxygen.

"You scoundrel, you're amazing! You hit the jackpot today, so dinner's on you!" Yang Mao stared at Tang Jian with a resentful gaze.

"Playing dumb to trick us, you're absolutely rotten," Jia Ling muttered, sweating all over, raising his fist and glaring at Tang Jian.

"Alright, students, your performance today truly made me very satisfied. You all finished eight thousand meters within twenty-five minutes, especially Tang Jian!"

Sun Yiying walked over from the opposite side, smiling, and gave Tang Jian a thumbs-up, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents. "Tang Jian, you really exceeded my expectations. To actually run eight thousand meters in twenty minutes, it's incredible."

Tang Jian chuckled dryly. "Teacher, I couldn't help it. My family is poor. When you mentioned a five thousand Federal Currency reward, I got excited. My dad's two months' salary isn't even five thousand. I had to get that bonus even if it killed me."

At these words, the unwilling expressions on He Chong and the others' faces disappeared, replaced by a mix of admiration and complexity when they looked at Tang Jian.

Liu Kun scratched his head and laughed. "I'm excited too. Five thousand Federal Currency! Teacher Sun, you're truly generous."

Sun Yiying was speechless. "It seems you're all money-grubbers. Do I need to offer practical rewards for future training sessions?"

Tang Jian, thick-skinned, tentatively asked, "Teacher, is the five thousand Federal Currency really for me? Also, if there are bonuses for future training, I'll definitely be extra motivated."

Sun Yiying shot Tang Jian a charming glare, putting her hands on her hips. "Do you think I'd shortchange you on this five thousand Federal Currency bonus? There definitely won't be any bonuses for future training, so don't even think about it."

"No, no, not at all," Tang Jian quickly waved his hands, chuckling dryly.

"Liu Kun, Tang Jian, you two come with me. Everyone else, take a ten-minute break."

Sun Yiying called out, then turned and walked towards the other side of the track.

"Hey, Tang Jian, Fang Jia told me today that you offended Xie Dong from the next class. Do you need my help to handle it?" Liu Kun asked in a low voice, glancing at Tang Jian as he turned.

"Oh?" Tang Jian was a little surprised, shaking his head with a smile. "It's nothing serious, I can handle it myself. Thanks, though."

"Mmm. Alright then. If you need anything, just let me know." Liu Kun waved his hand, looking openhearted.

Tang Jian nodded without speaking.

Clearly, Liu Kun saw his excellent performance today and considered him worth befriending, which was why he said those words now. Otherwise, even if Fang Jia had gone to Liu Kun, he might not have been willing to help.

However, that night when Fang Jia said she would ask Liu Kun for help, Tang Jian had initially thought she was just saying it casually. He hadn't expected Fang Jia to actually approach Liu Kun.

"I'll give you two your bonuses after evening self-study tonight. But you must use this money wisely. Don't let me find out you've squandered it all."

Just then, Sun Yiying also stopped, turning to glance at Tang Jian and Liu Kun.

"Yes, Teacher," Liu Kun quickly nodded.

"Liu Kun, you can now go directly to Senior Le for training. You no longer need to continue training with the group. You need to intensify your own training, otherwise, Tang Jian might just catch up to you in the future."

Sun Yiying instructed Liu Kun.

"Yes," Liu Kun quickly responded, glancing at Tang Jian. Although he smiled, he was inwardly dismissive.

In his eyes, Tang Jian might only be physically stronger and good at long-distance running. His Card Energy was far too low compared to his own. Could he really catch up? That was a joke.

Sun Yiying saw through Liu Kun's thoughts at a glance but didn't say much, waving her hand. "You go ahead."

Liu Kun immediately left with a smile, packed his gear, and headed to the school's martial arts room.

Sun Yiying looked at Tang Jian and snorted lightly. "Tang Jian, your Card Energy has clearly exceeded 45 points, and your Card Crafting ability is also outstanding. Why have you kept it a secret all this time? Don't you know that constantly hiding it is harmful and unhelpful, and will only hinder your progress?"

It's finally here, Tang Jian thought to himself, but on the surface, he still feigned a bit of nervousness, chuckling awkwardly. "Teacher Sun, actually, I've only made significant progress in the last two months. I've found that whenever I use up all my Card Energy making Cards, I sleep very soundly every night, and I wake up feeling full of energy. Over time, my Card Energy has grown very quickly. I was a bit afraid to say anything..."

"Your Card Energy recovers quickly after being used up, just by sleeping every night? And it grows fast?"

Sun Yiying eyed Tang Jian suspiciously. This kid isn't even that strong physically. To have such explosive power and endurance just now, he should have already reached his limit...

"Mmm. Teacher, everything I said is true, but..."

Tang Jian looked left and right, nervously scratching his head. "Teacher, I'll tell you a secret, but please don't tell anyone else.

Actually, two months ago, I obtained a technique that seemed to be a cultivation method. I couldn't resist cultivating it, and then... then every night when I slept, I would think of those techniques, and that's how it happened."

"What!?"

Sun Yiying's beautiful eyes widened as she stared at Tang Jian. "You obtained a technique that seems to be a cultivation method?"

"Mhm. That's right." Tang Jian nodded, secretly relieved.

As long as Sun Yiying believed him, revealing the Three-Point-One-Line Technique was a last resort.

Otherwise, his strength would increase even faster by cheating with the Red Card.

Without some explanation, not only Sun Yiying but even others would be puzzled and covet him.

But if he could gain Sun Yiying's trust and remain under her protection, it would be different.

In the future, even if others were puzzled by his rapid increase in strength, they would assume it was because Sun Yiying excelled at cultivating students or had given Tang Jian special guidance.

Of course, it was also due to Tang Jian's own potential, but it wasn't enough to cause many people to eye him suspiciously, wondering what secrets he might be hiding.

Sun Yiying was a student at the prestigious Jinghua University, so her status was extraordinary. Moreover, Tang Jian had interacted with her in his previous life, so he naturally knew her character was sound.

The Three-Point-One-Line Technique wasn't an extremely valuable technique. To the other teachers at Xicheng No. 1 High School, it might be incredibly precious and incite greed, but for Sun Yiying, it was just okay.

Therefore, Tang Jian didn't hesitate to reveal the Three-Point-One-Line Technique to gain Sun Yiying's trust.

He knew that Sun Yiying wouldn't become greedy or do anything to him just for this single technique.

Besides, even if Sun Yiying was interested in the technique, Tang Jian could simply tell her. It was just a technique; knowing it wouldn't cause any loss, and Tang Jian didn't mind.

"A cultivation method that allows one to cultivate automatically while sleeping at night? What kind of method is that?"

Sun Yiying grew more curious the more she thought about it. She couldn't help but stare at Tang Jian with a strange look in her beautiful eyes. "Tang Jian, is it convenient for you to tell me about your cultivation method?

If not, that's fine, but if it is, I hope... I can observe you in that state of automatic cultivation."

"Observe me cultivating?"

Tang Jian's eyebrows shot up, and his eyes widened.

Tang Jian looked at Sun Yiying awkwardly. "Teacher, this... my cultivation state isn't easy to observe. After all, I can't just lie down on the ground and fall asleep.

However, if you're interested in the Three-Point-One-Line Technique I've learned, I can tell you about it right now."

"Heh, you brat, weren't you lying down and sleeping in class before?"

Sun Yiying squinted at Tang Jian, then her eyes suddenly widened again. "Wait, what did you say? You, you, you... you're learning the Three-Point-One-Line Technique?"

"Yes," Tang Jian said as if it were obvious.

Sun Yiying's expression was strange. "Tell me about your technique; I'd like to hear it."

She seemed to recall something and added, "Don't worry, if your technique is truly the Three-Point-One-Line Technique, its value shouldn't be too great. However, since you're telling me, I'll compensate you. If... if it's another technique, I won't treat you unfairly either."

"Compensate me?" Tang Jian immediately became excited, feeling that Teacher Sun was absolutely adorable.

Although the Three-Point-One-Line Technique wasn't considered precious, its market price was 1.8 million Federal Currency.

The verbal description he was giving lacked the visualization diagrams, which would reduce its value by 99%, but it would still be very expensive. If Sun Yiying were to compensate him...

Immediately, under Sun Yiying's expectant gaze, Tang Jian recited all the incantations of the Three-Point-One-Line Technique.

Afterward, he even personally demonstrated it at Sun Yiying's request.

When she sensed Tang Jian circulating the technique to condense Card Energy within his body, Sun Yiying was thoroughly convinced, not without disappointment.

She had thought Tang Jian had experienced some great fortuitous encounter and learned some incredibly powerful cultivation method.

But now, it seemed it was just this.

Although the Three-Point-One-Line Technique was quite good, in Sun Yiying's opinion, for a high school student like Tang Jian, it was indeed a stroke of luck. But for her, it wasn't much.

She was a university student from a prestigious school, and the cultivation methods her school currently provided her were no worse than the Three-Point-One-Line Technique. Future methods would only be better.

Therefore, the Three-Point-One-Line Technique seemed too ordinary to her.

"This technique is currently worth around 1.4 million Federal Currency in the Elite Base City. It's not a top-tier technique, but for you, it's already quite remarkable. I never imagined you could learn this technique without a master. This is your good fortune; perhaps you truly are somewhat unique."

Sun Yiying gazed at Tang Jian with a strange look as she spoke.

Tang Jian feigned embarrassment, scratching his head, looking completely harmless.

Her statement that the technique was only worth over 400,000 Federal Currency was also correct, because it was currently 203. If the Three-Point-One-Line Technique were sold, it might fetch a maximum of 1.5 million.

By 218, the price of this technique would reach around 1.8 million due to the Federal economy's development and rising prices. Therefore, she wasn't deceiving him at all; her character was indeed as solid as it had been in his previous life.

"Are you sure you don't want to try it in front of me? Perhaps with my observation, I could discover your uniqueness, allowing you to develop even further," Sun Yiying pressed.

"This... Teacher, let's talk about that later. I really can't sleep in front of you," Tang Jian quickly deflected.

He could actually sleep in front of Sun Yiying, given his thick skin.

However, he had that mysterious Red Card inside him. If she were to observe something during his sleep at night, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Tang Jian was certain that Sun Yiying could maintain her integrity regarding things worth less than ten million, and wouldn't act greedily towards a student. But for a treasure like the Red Card, whose value was clearly immeasurable, who could guarantee that she wouldn't harbor ill intentions once she discovered it?

She was just his teacher, not his mother!

"Alright, when you go back, have a good talk with your parents. You've changed so much, and I'll also talk to your parents to help you get into a good university.

You've told me about the Three-Point-One-Line Technique, and I won't take advantage of you. This technique lacks visualization diagrams, so its current value is around 20,000. How about I give you a bottle of Solar Energy Potion as compensation?"

Seeing that Tang Jian was unwilling, Sun Yiying didn't insist and said with a smile.

"No, no, no, Teacher, this... I told you the technique for free, so forget about the potion," Tang Jian said, waving his hand vigorously when he heard Sun Yiying.

If Sun Yiying had offered money directly, he might have feigned refusal a couple of times before accepting. But the Solar Energy Potion, to be honest, wasn't of much help to him, and he didn't want to accept it.

Sun Yiying raised an eyebrow. "That won't do. I'm not someone who takes advantage. Don't worry, if you tell me this technique, I can exchange it for some resources and won't lose out. The Solar Energy Potion..."

"Teacher Sun," Tang Jian interrupted Sun Yiying, speaking earnestly, "If you truly want to help me, then don't give me the Solar Energy Potion. Just give me 10,000 Federal Currency.

My family is poor, and my sister needs money for school. Recently, my parents have used all their savings to support my cultivation. Right now, I only need Federal Currency. The Solar Energy Potion isn't that valuable to me."

Although the Solar Energy Potion could be sold for money if he got it, Tang Jian considered himself just a high school student now, with no strength or influence.

If he tried to sell the Solar Energy Potion himself, he'd either be ripped off or unable to sell it at all. And if Sun Yiying found out, it would be even more trouble. It was better to just ask for money directly.

"Since you insist, fine. Ten thousand Federal Currency is too little. I'll give you twenty thousand Federal Currency directly. With your bonus, that's twenty-five thousand Federal Currency.

I hope you use all this money wisely to improve your strength," Sun Yiying said seriously.

"Don't worry, Teacher," Tang Jian replied, practically bursting with joy as he nodded quickly.

Twenty-five thousand Federal Currency was an enormous sum for him right now.

With that much money, he could truly grow stronger quickly. Perhaps he'd even have a chance at getting into a top university and entering an Elite Base City after the college entrance exam.

"Alright, go to your training for now. I'll give you the money after school."

Sun Yiying nodded slightly, signaling his dismissal.

Tang Jian thought Sun Yiying was truly a good person as he turned and left.

If it were any other teacher, they might not have been as generous as Sun Yiying, directly giving him twenty thousand Federal Currency to compensate him. This was also because of her different status, which meant a different perspective; twenty thousand Federal Currency was nothing in her eyes.

Of course, if it were any other teacher, Tang Jian wouldn't have mentioned the existence of the Three-Point-One-Line Technique at all.

Sun Yiying watched Tang Jian's retreating back, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly. A woman's intuition told her that Tang Jian still had secrets.

However, that was Tang Jian's personal business and had nothing to do with her.

Who didn't have a secret or two?

Comparatively, Tang Jian's willingness to tell her about a technique like the Three-Point-One-Line Technique was already a huge show of trust. Sun Yiying didn't want to betray her student's trust.

Therefore, even if Tang Jian had other secrets he didn't want to reveal, Sun Yiying wouldn't force him.

She herself had secrets, so why should she force others?

As long as Tang Jian could become stronger and get into a good university, as his teacher, she would be very pleased and happy.