Chapter 23

The teacher was already at the podium.

"…"

Lin Yu's expression was calm.

He had dealt with these people too many times—typical bullies who targeted the weak, taking advantage when the teacher was away, but scrambling to hide behind the teacher the moment trouble arose.

But.

Lin Yu walked quietly to the three of them.

"…"

"…"

"…"

The three bullies flinched in shock.

The class bell had already rung.

The teacher was ready to begin the lesson.

The classroom had fallen silent, but Lin Yu's action instantly drew every pair of eyes toward him—even the teacher's gaze turned this way. Surrounded by so many stares, the once arrogant, boastful bullies now felt their dignity crushed beneath Lin Yu's feet.

"Out."

"Stand."

"Horse stance."

Lin Yu spoke calmly.

"…"

The three bullies glanced at the classroom, then at the teacher, clenched their teeth, rose reluctantly, and obediently stepped outside to assume the horse stance.

"…"

"…"

"…"

The entire class fell silent—even the teacher hadn't expected this. Yet Lin Yu acted as if nothing had happened, returning to his seat and sitting down.

"Class begins."

A calm voice.

Yet it carried the authority to command everything.

Every gaze vanished instantly, returning to the teacher at the podium.

"…"

The teacher was a middle-aged man with glasses. He stared at the scene, bewildered, but after a long hesitation, said nothing. His eyes kept flickering toward Lin Yu—he knew those three bullies were troublemakers, nearly impossible to control, but today…

After class.

The three bullies outside the classroom had vanished. Now, in the hallway, students from other classes—clearly tough, intimidating types—passed by, glancing into the room.

Within a single break, four or five waves of these bullies arrived, each group numbering over a dozen.

Seeing this.

The classmates grew uneasy, their eyes turning to Lin Yu.

"They've come to identify him…"

"He's done for."

Many shook their heads, convinced Lin Yu was finished.

The classmates had all witnessed Lin Yu's conflict with the bullies; this scene was the classic bullying ritual—calling in reinforcements.

First, identify you. Then scare you.

"Why pick them? Why provoke them?"

"Outside Ultimate Class One, they rule the school."

One student shook his head.

"A bunch of cowards—still avoid Ultimate Class One like the plague."

"Only dare to bully us."

Some classmates, who had been bullied before, fumed in resentment.

"Are you crazy? Lower your voice—if they hear you, you're finished."

"This guy…"

"He's done."

Someone shook their head.

"Could he be strong in combat?"

"Strong in combat?"

"If he were, he'd already be in Ultimate Class One. Who outside that group can stand up to them? The whole school is theirs. Outside, they can call more people—and they've got connections in the underworld."

Countless voices buzzed with speculation.

Lin Yu stared straight ahead at the book in front of him.

【Reading: 300/1000】

Unconsciously,

his proficiency had risen by 200. Lin Yu wondered what kind of qualitative change reading proficiency would bring.

After school.

Lin Yu had just stepped out of the school gate.

He immediately noticed glances occasionally falling on him; as soon as he appeared, several hair-dyed bullies hurried away.

By the time Lin Yu walked a short distance from Bala High School, a crowd had already gathered around him, closing in, while another dozen hooligans directly blocked his path.

"Hey!"

"Aren't you arrogant?"

"Have the guts…"

"Come with us."

The dozen hooligans stared at Lin Yu and spoke coldly; though their words were brazen and icy, they seemed afraid of him, aware that Lin Yu had some skill, and dared not lay hands on him.

But the meaning was clear.

Today.

They would teach Lin Yu a lesson.

"…"

Lin Yu's expression remained calm as he walked straight forward.

Seeing Lin Yu advance, the dozen hooligans quickly stepped aside, daring not to block him at all.

Lin Yu passed through them directly and gradually moved away.

To him, he had no interest in responding to such idiotic provocation—it was meaningless, basically one wave of trouble after another; these hooligans, in truth, were all connected.

Inside the school.

Outside the school.

Provoked one wave, and another would come.

This childish provocation stirred not the slightest ripple in Lin Yu's heart; moreover, these hooligans were hesitant and timid, seemingly afraid of the Ultimate Class, which was why they crept around secretly—otherwise, they would have boldly blocked him at the school gate.

Of course.

Not responding was also Lin Yu letting them off once today.

But just as Lin Yu was about to leave,

"Fucking…"

"You're just a coward!"

"Dare not even come!"

Seeing Lin Yu leave, the dozen hooligans immediately sneered and mocked.

"Thought you were so tough."

"Scared shitless seeing so many of us…"

"Hahaha!"

One hooligan also sneered.