051: I Really Admire You

April 13th, early morning.

Sunlight streamed through the window, dappling the room. On the floor, eight or nine empty bottles lay scattered.

Overnight, Tang Jian had directly consumed 3900 energy points, increasing his Life Force from 8.5 to 9.5.

At the same time, he also consumed 1100 energy points to raise his Card Energy to its limit of 95 points, and 200 energy points to raise his mental strength to its limit of 10 points.

In a single night, the energy consumed directly from the Red Card Cheater alone amounted to 5200 points. Seven bottles of Nutritional Express, including two bottles of low-grade nutrient fluid, were also completely used up by Tang Jian.

The energy value inside the Red Card Cheater instantly dropped to only 7760 points.

However, Tang Jian's strength had also significantly improved overnight.

His Card Energy was already approaching the 100 mark, just as he had bragged to Tang Yueyue yesterday, it was almost there.

While this rapid advancement was delightful, the cost was considerable. Including the nutrient fluid and consumed energy, it already amounted to over ten thousand.

However, compared to the cost-effectiveness of ordinary people taking Solar Energy Potion, the Red Card Cheater was clearly much more cost-effective and straightforward.

Whoosh whoosh—

Tang Jian leaped out of bed, throwing punches that whistled through the air. He did a somersault and kicked out a foot.

Thump! Accidentally, he directly shattered the wooden leg of the bed, scattering wood splinters everywhere.

Tang Jian felt a sharp pain on the top of his foot and jumped in surprise, quickly looking down.

His foot was only slightly red, with a scuff mark on the surface, but there wasn't even a trace of blood, and the pain quickly subsided.

He let out a sigh of relief, then his mood brightened.

"Although this body's physique is still a bit weak right now, it's already quite powerful among high school students. It's equivalent to the top standards of a first-level athlete from the old country era, and the bone and skin strength are slightly stronger in terms of resistance to impact."

Tang Jian rotated his wrists, getting used to the rapidly increased physical strength.

Because he was a Three-Star Card Master in his previous life and his Life Force had long reached four digits, he could easily control this current level of strength with a little familiarity.

This was also his advantage; as long as he was before becoming a Three-Star Card Master, the rapid increase in strength could hardly affect his foundation, and he didn't need to worry about strength growing too fast to control.

What troubled him instead was the lack of resources and his weakness, which couldn't keep up with his consciousness. Most of the time, he preferred Playing the Pig to Eat the Tiger, enjoying acting weak.

"I need to make money and get resources again... It would be great if someone invested in me."

Tang Jian looked at the bottles scattered on the floor, scratched his head, and Sun Yiying's graceful figure flashed through his mind.

If you're bold enough, your teacher will take maternity leave!

The other party had also been inviting him to her home. Should he just go along with it sometime?

"Damn it!" Tang Jian quickly swept away this unhealthy thought that sullied his pure mind.

"Brother, when you go to the city and come back, remember to bring me a gift. I want a Barbie Doll Card."

"How old are you? Still playing with Barbie dolls? Are you three?"

"You brute! Brother, you made tens of thousands, and you can't even satisfy me with just one Barbie Doll Card? If you give me a gift, I can help you find someone..."

"You really are asking for it, you little brat. Behave yourself. I'll make you one when I get back."

"What? You can make Barbie Doll Cards?"

"What can't your brother do?" Tang Jian said, looking as if she was making a fuss over nothing. He ruffled Tang Yueyue's head, then waved her off and ran away under her suspicious gaze.

"You take the bus yourself, I'm leaving first."

"Don't forget!"

Tang Yueyue shouted at Tang Jian, waving her hand. She then looked at the approaching bus, pouted, and then looked at Tang Jian's retreating back, feeling inexplicably reluctant to see him go and a little wronged.

Since childhood, Tang Jian had basically been messing around with her at home every day; they rarely spent long periods apart.

This time, Tang Jian was going away for over a month. She hadn't felt anything before he left, but now that he was really gone, Tang Yueyue felt a bit sad.

"Brother, come back soon. There are so many lunatics in the city recently. If you don't come back, your precious little sister might be taken away."

Tang Jian escaped the rather troublesome Tang Yueyue and quickly ran to the school in just over seven minutes.

On the school playground, a double-decker luxury bus was parked.

When Tang Jian arrived, he found that many people were already there. Some school leaders and teachers were gathered, chatting idly.

The students were clustered in small groups here and there. Some were still gnawing on corn, while others slurped fragrant ramen, chewing on tender, delicious braised beef with green onions.

Seeing Tang Jian approach with his backpack, many eyes immediately turned to him. Even Vice Principal Zhou Dongbo, who was talking with some teachers, glanced at him from afar, a smile in his eyes.

Clearly, Tang Jian's performance yesterday had completely made him the talk of the school.

An unknown student from an ordinary class had, in a single day, surpassed all the students in the Rocket Class, achieving first place in the Interstellar Tower assessment.

Although this didn't necessarily mean Tang Jian's strength was definitely superior to that of Wu Chun and other top students in the Rocket Class, it at least showed that Tang Jian's potential was not inferior to theirs, and perhaps even stronger.

This was quite astonishing.

"Let's reintroduce ourselves. I'm Wu Chun. We met yesterday, but I never expected that Class 12 of the senior year would have a big fish like you."

Before Tang Jian could walk towards Yang Mao and the others, Wu Chun, with his triangular eyes and buzz cut, walked over, extended his hand to Tang Jian, and smiled.

Tang Jian glanced at his palm, then reached out, casually smiling as he said, "It's good to know you. But I'm no big fish. I've long admired your reputation, Wu Chun."

Wu Chun's face immediately broke into a smile when he heard that, but inwardly, his apprehension lessened, replaced by a hint of disdain.

It seemed his reputation at school was still considerable. Despite Tang Jian's moment in the spotlight yesterday, now that Wu Chun had personally sought him out, Tang Jian had instantly caved.

Thinking this, Wu Chun's hand clasped Tang Jian's, and he squeezed hard, a flicker of amusement deep in his eyes.

"With my Life Force of 12, you dare to shake my hand? Today, I'll make you embarrass yourself right in front of me!"

His move was incredibly subtle yet vicious.

The instant he put force into his hand, the thick muscles of his forearm tensed, like intertwined steel bars.

However, almost immediately, a sharp pain shot through the tiger's mouth acupoint.

Wu Chun nearly couldn't suppress the pain and cry out. The scream that was about to escape his lips instantly turned into a muffled grunt. As his expression shifted slightly, Tang Jian's pinky finger, pressed against Wu Chun's tiger's mouth acupoint, retracted. His hand had already subtly pulled back, taking advantage of the moment the other party's grip loosened.

"What's wrong, Big Brother Wu? You look a bit off?"

Tang Jian blinked, his expression serious and puzzled as he stared at Wu Chun's unreadable face.

Anger flashed in Wu Chun's eyes, but noticing the gazes from Wang Ba and others not far away, his expression softened. He pulled back his somewhat numb and unnatural hand, smiling as he nodded at Tang Jian. "It's nothing. You're very good, very impressive."

Tang Jian immediately beamed, scratching his head. "Big Brother Wu, don't praise me so much. You're the amazing one. I've always admired you."

"Admire your ass!" Wu Chun nearly cursed out loud. He shoved his still stiff and numb hand into his pocket and immediately turned to leave.

"Tsk, that's not like that scumbag's personality. Why is he such a coward today? And he admires Wu Chun?"

Not far away, Yang Mao looked at the brightly smiling Tang Jian with surprise.

Liu Kun's eyelid twitched. He glanced at Wu Chun's hand, stuffed into his pocket, and his unusually pale face, his eyes full of suspicion. "Could Tang Jian be gay? Did he just take advantage of Wu Chun?"