Shortly after, Zhang Yu walked out of the Xianyun Group office building, looking pale and hunched over, appearing quite weak.
However, as he left the skyscraper and boarded the subway a few kilometers away, his complexion gradually returned to normal.
As he began to circulate the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique, the spiritual energy within his body surged like small streams, quickly flowing through his entire body.
The previously chaotic and scattered energy was now back on track, merging into the complex energy cycle within him, naturally circulating endlessly.
Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique Level 1 (0/20)
Seeing the technique appear on the Yu Book, a faint smile appeared on Zhang Yu's lips.
"It really works."
"If I hadn't mastered this Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique, the out-of-control energy would have taken at least a week or two to dissipate."
The reason Zhang Yu dared to take on the task of testing the technique was because of the Yu Book.
However, while at Xianyun Group, he didn't reveal his ability to master the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
"Although this technique is just a beginner's breathing method, once mastered, it can operate continuously, 24 hours a day."
"Even without actively practicing it, it still has 30% of the efficiency of active practice. After mastering it, even if I do nothing all day, it's equivalent to others practicing for over seven hours."
"And this is just at Level 1."
"If this technique is successfully developed, it will undoubtedly become one of the best-selling breathing methods on the market."
Zhang Yu knew that apart from the techniques taught in schools, the techniques from major companies and sects were all copyrighted and required payment, representing a huge profit.
Because the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique was so powerful, Zhang Yu believed it was a highly valued development project for Xianyun Group.
He didn't want to reveal that he had mastered it, to avoid unnecessary complications.
Especially since the technique was so difficult to learn.
In Zhang Yu's view, without the guidance of auxiliary equipment, high school students wouldn't be able to master it, let alone complete a full cycle.
This made him even more reluctant to reveal his mastery of the technique.
To master the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique, Zhang Yu switched the Yu Book's specialization from the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques to this breathing method.
Although this meant the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques couldn't be improved quickly, the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique was now on a fast track.
"The Level 3 Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques are sufficient for now."
"In the coming days, I'll focus on improving this Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique."
Besides the gains from the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique, the biggest reward from this test was the payment from Xianyun Group.
Ten thousand yuan plus an additional three thousand, totaling thirteen thousand.
Zhang Yu's savings suddenly increased to thirteen thousand seven hundred yuan.
Unfortunately, after using ten thousand to repay loans on multiple platforms, his savings dropped back to three thousand seven hundred.
However, after repaying the ten thousand, the frequency of debt collection decreased, and it was unlikely to escalate in the short term.
The countdown in his mind quickly interrupted Zhang Yu's thoughts, forcing him to focus again on circulating the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
...
In the blink of an eye, the night passed.
At the entrance of Songyang High School, Zhang Yu walked while observing the changes on the Yu Book.
Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique Level 1 (0/20) → Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique Level 1 (11/20)
Through his previous hard work and the recent practice of the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique, his spiritual energy had also improved.
Spiritual Energy 7.7 → 7.8
"It really works passively. Before I went to sleep last night, I had only completed five cycles, counting as five repetitions."
"After waking up this morning, it had increased to eight repetitions. On the way to school, with my active practice, it reached eleven repetitions."
Zhang Yu was secretly pleased.
Compared to the thirteen thousand yuan, the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique was the biggest gain from yesterday.
He was now determined to push the level of this technique higher.
Naturally, he decided to keep the Yu Book's specialization on the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
Unfortunately, this morning there were two consecutive physical education classes.
On the way to the training ground, Zhang Yu felt a bit regretful.
"Sigh, I have to practice the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques again."
"My current specialization is the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique. It would be much better to focus on that."
As soon as Zhang Yu entered the training ground, he saw a group of muscular students, their bodies like marble statues, injecting themselves with needles.
Amidst the sounds of cracking and beast-like roars, the students in the demonstration class were already vigorously exercising.
At that moment, a student looked at Wang Hai in shock.
"No... it can't be. My cousin sold this to me..."
Wang Hai shook his head, crushing the syringe in his hand into powder and tossing it into the trash.
"Look at your weight changes over the past two weeks. Neither your muscles nor your organs have shown any growth. Your physical strength has only increased by 0.03 in two weeks. It's clear you bought fake medicine."
With that, he ignored the distraught student and raised his voice.
"How many times have I told you? Always buy medicine through official channels. The safest is the supply from the school teachers."
"If you buy fake or expired medicine to save money, you're only wasting your own time."
After lecturing the students, Wang Hai's gaze fell on Zhang Yu, who was training in the corner.
Looking at Zhang Yu, Wang Hai recalled the data from his recent physical strength test.
"0.85 level? In three days, his physical strength increased by 0.02?"
"Even when Zhang Yu was taking medicine every day, he didn't improve this quickly."
Based on Wang Hai's years of teaching experience, such rapid physical strength growth was impossible without medication.
Zhang Yu must have secretly taken some powerful medicine before class.
"Not only is it not natural training, but the medicine he took must be very potent to achieve this effect. It's probably causing significant damage to his body."
As for Zhang Yu reaching Level 3 in the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques and undergoing extreme training, Wang Hai didn't even consider it.
Regardless, Zhang Yu's actions were increasingly challenging Wang Hai's authority in class.
Especially since it raised the question: where did Zhang Yu get the medicine?
Would other students, seeing Zhang Yu's results, also seek out this source?
Wouldn't that affect his sales?
Thinking about the fierce competition in the physical training medicine market, Wang Hai's alertness instantly heightened.
"Second year? Third year teachers?"
"Or an off-campus tutor?"
"Is someone trying to sell on my turf?"
As for Zhang Yu himself, Wang Hai saw him as just a pawn.
What he really wanted to figure out was who was behind Zhang Yu.
However, the influence within the class still needed to be addressed.
So, after a moment, Wang Hai gave a few instructions to a student named Zhao Tianxing.
Zhao Tianxing then approached Zhang Yu and said, "Zhang Yu, Teacher Wang wants to know if you're sure you won't be buying any more medicine?"
After Zhang Yu nodded, Zhao Tianxing scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Well... the teacher said that to avoid affecting others' training, he wants you to practice alone in a small room. Is that okay?"
After receiving Wang Hai's instructions, Zhao Tianxing understood that Wang Hai wanted to further isolate Zhang Yu.
He looked at Zhang Yu with a hint of pity, but his actions showed no hesitation.
As one of Wang Hai's top students, Zhao Tianxing had always followed his teacher's guidance, purchasing all the recommended medicines and working hard to break through the 1.00 level in physical strength, becoming one of the top ten students in the class.
Thus, he always obeyed Wang Hai's orders.
However, worried that Zhang Yu might feel upset, he spoke very politely and added, "Why don't you just buy some medicine? Teacher Wang's medicine is of excellent quality. Natural training really isn't enough..."
But to Zhao Tianxing's surprise, Zhang Yu agreed without hesitation to practice alone.
Watching Zhang Yu leave, Zhao Tianxing scratched his head, thinking, "Sigh, Zhang Yu is a bit stubborn. Why not just apologize to the teacher, admit the mistake, and continue with the class? This impulsive decision is ruining his future."
On the other hand, Zhang Yu entered the small room, sat down with a smile, and immediately began practicing the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
Strands of spiritual energy flowed into his dantian, being refined bit by bit into spiritual power.
Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique Level 1 (11/20) → Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique Level 1 (16/20)
In the blink of an eye, he completed five cycles, and the two physical education classes were over.
But during the following Chinese and math classes, Zhang Yu remained focused on circulating the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
Long hours of breathing exercises and refining spiritual energy were naturally quite boring.
His waist, shoulders, and skin would ache, and his mind would feel dry and dull.
In the past, Zhang Yu would often take breaks after one or two hours, standing up to stretch or scratch an itch.
But now, driven by the ritual power and encouraged by the changes in the Yu Book, he persevered, finally completing the 20th cycle of the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique Level 2 (0/40)
The countless experiences of practicing the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique blossomed in Zhang Yu's mind.
He could feel the energy cycle within his body becoming more complex, more refined, and more vigorous.
Even after Zhang Yu stopped, the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique continued to operate, but at a slightly faster pace.
"At Level 1, the passive breathing efficiency was only 30% of active breathing."
"But at Level 2, the passive breathing efficiency increased to 35% of active breathing."
"As for active practice, the efficiency also improved significantly, far surpassing my previous Level 1 basic breathing technique."
Zhang Yu nodded slightly, feeling somewhat satisfied.
This was a long-term, continuous improvement.
After lunch, he continued to push forward, focusing on improving the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
In fact, for the next few days, he devoted almost all his available time to the technique.
High school cultivation studies were both tedious and exhausting, especially since Zhang Yu had no time to relax under the pressure of the ritual power.
The only thing that kept his spirits up was watching the numbers on the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique slowly increase, imagining the long-term benefits of the technique's passive effects.
If you can't resist, then just enjoy it.
So during physical education, he practiced the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
During Chinese class, he practiced the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
During lunch break, he practiced the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique.
While waiting for work in the square at night, he still practiced the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique, though he hadn't found any work in the past three days.
And of course, while sleeping at home, the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique continued to operate on its own.
In just three days, the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique had reached Level 4 (5/80).
His spiritual energy also surged forward, increasing from 7.8 to 8.3.
Now, the passive breathing efficiency of the Zhou Tian Qi Gathering Technique had reached 45% of active breathing.
(End of Chapter)