First Class, Instructor's Intimidation

At five in the morning, the training grounds were still shrouded in mist.

When Lin Fan arrived punctually, Chen Dahu was already there. The honest-looking youth was warming up, his movements meticulous, a fine sheen of sweat already beading on his forehead.

"Brother Fan!" Chen Dahu grinned upon seeing Lin Fan. "I got here at four-thirty and ran ten laps first."

Lin Fan nodded, no need for pleasantries. "Let's begin."

The two stood side-by-side and started practicing Basic Fist Technique.

One punch, two punches, three punches...

Their movements were standard, their rhythm consistent. Lin Fan deliberately slowed his pace, allowing Chen Dahu to see every detail.

"When you punch, twist your waist. The force starts from the ground, travels through your legs, waist, and back, finally reaching the fist," Lin Fan explained as he demonstrated. "Your last punch only used the strength of your arms."

Chen Dahu carefully considered his words, adjusted his stance, and punched again.

This time, the punch was noticeably sharper.

[Teaching others deepens understanding of skills, Basic Fist Technique proficiency +3]

A prompt suddenly appeared on his status panel.

Lin Fan's heart stirred. So, teaching others could also grant proficiency, and this growth was based on a deeper understanding of the skill.

"Footwork and punches need to work together," Lin Fan began demonstrating. "See, as I step forward, I punch. This not only increases power but also shortens the distance to the enemy."

He took a step forward, his fist like a cannonball.

The air let out a faint sonic boom.

Chen Dahu's eyes lit up, and he began to imitate. He was a bit clumsy at first, but after a few tries, he got the hang of it.

The two of them sweated profusely on the training grounds.

By five-thirty, other students began arriving. Seeing Lin Fan and Chen Dahu already practicing, some looked surprised, while others showed disdain.

"Putting on a show," a student with dyed yellow hair muttered. "He just got first in the assessment, what's he showing off for?"

His voice wasn't loud, but Lin Fan heard it clearly.

Chen Dahu's expression darkened, and he was about to retort when Lin Fan stopped him with a look.

"Keep practicing," Lin Fan said calmly. "Let our strength do the talking."

At six-thirty, morning training ended.

Lin Fan checked his status panel. Two hours of morning training had increased his Basic Fist Technique proficiency by 42 points and Basic Footwork by 38 points. Teaching Chen Dahu had additionally brought 15 points of proficiency from deepened understanding.

More importantly, Chen Dahu's progress was visible to the naked eye.

"Brother Fan, I feel like this morning's progress is faster than my entire last month!" Chen Dahu exclaimed excitedly. "My dad told me those key points you mentioned, but he never explained them as clearly as you did."

"It's your own hard work," Lin Fan said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Let's go eat. Your first class starts at eight."

At eight in the morning, in the classroom for Regular Class Class 3.

It was a large classroom that could accommodate fifty people, and forty-eight students were currently seated. Lin Fan and Chen Dahu sat in the middle, towards the front.

The atmosphere in the classroom was somewhat subtle.

Lin Fan, as the top scorer in the assessment, was naturally the focus, but most gazes were filled with scrutiny and challenge. Those who managed to get into Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy were geniuses in their hometowns; no one was willing to admit defeat.

"I heard someone took on three Wind Wolves alone yesterday?" a bespectacled boy in the front row asked, turning back. His tone was hard to decipher, whether it was admiration or sarcasm.

Lin Fan glanced at him but didn't reply.

"Acting all high and mighty," the bespectacled boy muttered.

Just then, the classroom door was pushed open.

A young man wearing a gray martial arts uniform and gold-rimmed glasses walked in. He looked about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, had a well-proportioned build, steady steps, and a neutral expression.

"I am Zhang Qiming, your homeroom teacher," the man said from the podium, his voice steady yet clear, reaching every ear. "For the next three years, I will be responsible for guiding your martial arts cultivation."

The classroom fell silent.

Zhang Qiming scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Lin Fan for a moment before moving on.

"First, congratulations on passing the assessment and becoming a member of Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy," he said. "But I must tell you, passing the assessment is merely getting an entry ticket. In the next three years, most of you will be eliminated."

A slight commotion arose in the classroom at his words.

"Eliminated?" a girl couldn't help but ask. "Teacher Zhang, doesn't the academy guarantee a Martial Artist qualification upon graduation?"

"It guarantees the qualification upon graduation," Zhang Qiming adjusted his glasses. "But it doesn't guarantee that you will all graduate."

He turned and wrote two large characters on the blackboard: Resources.

"In martial arts cultivation, resources are king. Pills, cultivation techniques, martial skills, guidance from famous teachers, training venues... every one of them requires resources," Zhang Qiming turned back. "The academy can provide these, but they won't be distributed equally."

"Why?" someone asked.

"Because resources are limited," Zhang Qiming's voice grew a bit colder. "Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy recruits two thousand students annually. If resources were distributed equally, each person would only receive enough to maintain basic cultivation. The kind of Martial Artists trained that way would only be mediocre."

He paused, then continued, "What we need are powerhouses. Those who can survive in the wilderness, hunt Demonic Beasts, and protect the city."

The atmosphere in the classroom grew heavy.

"So, the academy operates on a competitive system." Zhang Qiming wrote a few more words on the blackboard: Monthly Mini-Competition.

"At the end of each month, we'll hold an internal mini-competition within the class. Your ranking will determine your resource allocation for the following month." He explained in detail, "The top ten will receive double the basic resources. The top three will receive additional rewards like martial skills or elixirs. The bottom ten will have their resources halved. Those who consistently rank last for three consecutive months…"

Zhang Qiming paused, then slowly uttered four words: "Will be asked to withdraw."

Whoosh—

The classroom erupted.

"Withdraw? On what grounds!"

"This isn't fair! Some people have great talent, others have poor talent. How can you use the same standard for everyone!"

"Exactly! We, from impoverished backgrounds, already have fewer resources. Isn't this just adding insult to injury?"

Zhang Qiming listened to the students' protests expressionlessly.

Only when the noise gradually subsided did he speak, "Unfair? This world is inherently unfair."

His gaze swept across the room. "You can go take a look at the Genius Class. They live in detached villas, cultivate using spirit-gathering formations, and eat elixirs like meals. Why? Because their families have contributed to the alliance, because their talent is worth investing in."

"The academy has already been quite lenient with the Regular Class." Zhang Qiming's tone was devoid of any emotion. "At least you've been given an opportunity. Outside the academy, in the wilderness, those without strength don't even have the right to complain."

These words were like a bucket of cold water doused over everyone.

Lin Fan listened quietly, but inwardly, he agreed with Zhang Qiming's viewpoint.

In his past life on Earth, society was similarly unfair. Some people were born in Rome, while others couldn't reach Rome even after a lifetime of struggle. But at least here, ordinary people were given a path to ascend.

Although cruel, it was real.

"Of course, the academy isn't entirely unreasonable." Zhang Qiming changed the subject. "Besides the monthly mini-competition, you can also obtain resources through other means."

He listed a few points on the blackboard:

One, complete academy tasks to earn Academic Credits, which can be exchanged for resources.

Two, achieve a good ranking in the annual grand competition to receive special rewards.

Three, be recognized by a mentor and taken on as a personal disciple.

Four, make special contributions to the academy.

"There's more than one path, but each requires you to fight for it with your strength." Zhang Qiming said, "My duty is to guide your cultivation and answer your questions. But how far you can go depends on yourselves."

He walked down from the podium, strolling slowly through the aisles.

"I know some of you come from impoverished districts, some from small families, and some have ordinary talent." Zhang Qiming's tone softened slightly. "But in martial cultivation, talent isn't everything. Perseverance, wisdom, courage… these are equally important."

He stopped beside Lin Fan.

"Student Lin Fan." Zhang Qiming suddenly called out his name.

"Present." Lin Fan stood up.

"You were first in the assessment." Zhang Qiming looked at him. "But I must tell you, being first in the assessment means nothing here in the academy. Past glories are reset to zero here. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Lin Fan replied calmly.

"Very good." Zhang Qiming nodded. "Sit down."

He returned to the podium and began explaining the academy's rules and regulations.

The Academic Credit system, the Task System, the opening hours for cultivation areas, penalties for violations… each point, each item, was detailed and strict.

Lin Fan listened intently, committing this information firmly to memory.

He knew that to grow rapidly in the academy, he had to fully utilize the rules.

"Finally, I have an announcement to make." Zhang Qiming said after finishing the regulations. "In three days, the academy will organize a joint practical training session for new students. The location will be the outskirts of the 'Qingmu Forest' controlled by the academy. The objective is to clear out 1st Tier Demonic Beasts and collect designated medicinal herbs."

Discussions erupted in the classroom once more.

"We have to do practical combat so soon?"

"Qingmu Forest? I heard there are 2nd Tier Demonic Beasts roaming there!"

"Quiet." Zhang Qiming rapped on the table. "The training will be conducted in teams of four, with free group formation. Teams that complete the task will receive a reward of 200 Academic Credits, with additional rewards for outstanding performance."

He paused, then added, "This will also be an important reference for the monthly mini-competition. So, prepare yourselves well."

The dismissal bell rang.

Zhang Qiming put away his lesson plans and, before leaving, said one last thing: "Remember, martial arts is not a tea party. If you want resources, if you want to become stronger, you have to fight for it, snatch for it, strive for it."

"This world does not pity the weak."

With that, he left the classroom.

Silence fell over the classroom for a few seconds before it exploded.

Students gathered in small groups, discussing team formations.

"Brother Fan, let's be a team!" Chen Dahu immediately said.

Lin Fan nodded and looked at Zhou Ming and Zhao Tie Zhu.

Zhou Ming adjusted his glasses. "Count me in. Although my practical combat skills aren't great, my theoretical knowledge is decent. I can identify medicinal herbs and the weaknesses of Demonic Beasts."

Chen Dazhu scratched his head, "I... I guess I can too, but my strength is a bit lacking."

"Strength can be trained," Lin Fan said. "Starting this afternoon, the four of us will train together."

"Okay!" the three replied in unison.

Just then, someone walked up to Lin Fan's table.

It was the guy with glasses.

"Classmate Lin Fan, my name is Li Zhe," the glasses-wearing guy pushed his glasses up. "I ranked seventh in the assessment. I want to invite you to team up. If we combine our strengths, we can definitely take first place."

Lin Fan glanced at him, "I already have a team."

Li Zhe frowned, "You can reconsider. Chen Dahu ranked forty-second, Zhou Ming fifty-seventh, and Chen Dazhu sixty-ninth. A team like that will only drag you down."

Chen Dahu's expression changed, and he wanted to stand up, but Lin Fan pressed him down.

"Thank you for the invitation," Lin Fan said calmly. "But I choose to trust my roommates."

Li Zhe's eyes flickered for a moment, and he finally sighed, "You'll regret this."

He turned and left.

"What a jerk!" Chen Dahu said indignantly. "Is being seventh in the assessment that great?"

"Don't mind him," Lin Fan packed his books. "Let's go to the training grounds."

"Now?" Zhou Ming was surprised. "Shouldn't we study the information about Qingmu Forest first?"

"We'll study while we train," Lin Fan stood up. "Time is tight."

The four left the classroom and headed for the training grounds.

Along the way, Lin Fan organized his thoughts.

The monthly mini-competition, the freshman practical training... the academy's competition was more intense than he had anticipated, but it also suited his needs better.

Combat, missions, rewards.

These could all be quickly converted into strength.

However, the team was indeed a problem.

Chen Dahu had a solid foundation but lacked practical combat experience, Zhou Ming had extensive theoretical knowledge but weak combat ability, and Chen Dazhu was mediocre in all aspects.

Entering Qingmu Forest with such a team would likely be very difficult.

"I need to find a way to quickly improve their strength," Lin Fan thought.

Just then, his panel suddenly flashed.

[Task System Activation Complete]

[First Mission Generated]

Lin Fan's heart leaped, and he immediately checked.

[Main Mission (Freshman Arc): Make a Name for Yourself]

[Mission Content: Lead your team to achieve a top-three rank in the freshman joint practical training.]

[Mission Reward: 5 Skill Points, 1 Random Mortal Tier Top Grade Martial Skill, Storage Space expanded to 2 cubic meters.]

[Failure Penalty: None]

[Time Limit: 3 days]

[Side Mission: Team Cohesion]

[Mission Content: Before the practical training begins, raise the average practical combat experience of your team members to 30 points.]

[Current Progress: Lin Fan (53), Chen Dahu (8), Zhou Ming (2), Chen Dazhu (1)]

[Average Practical Combat Experience: 16]

[Mission Reward: Team-wide stat boost of +10% for temporary duration until the end of practical training.]

[Failure Penalty: None]

[Time Limit: 3 days]

Two missions.

One main, one side.

The rewards were very generous, especially the Skill Points and the Storage Space expansion.

But the difficulty was not small either.

Achieving a top-three rank in the practical training meant surpassing at least twenty teams. And raising the team's average practical combat experience to 30 points meant Chen Dahu, Zhou Ming, and Chen Dazhu would all need a lot of practical combat.

Three days.

"I need to hurry," a look of determination flashed in Lin Fan's eyes.

He looked at his three teammates, "The training plan for this afternoon is adjusted. We'll go to the Mission Hall first and accept a few simple 1st Tier Demonic Beast clearing missions."

"Huh?" Zhou Ming was taken aback. "Aren't we going to the training grounds?"

"Real combat is the best training," Lin Fan said. "Besides, we need to get in sync."

Chen Dahu clenched his fists. "I'll listen to Brother Fan!"

Zhao Tie Zhu was a bit nervous, but seeing Lin Fan's determined gaze, he nodded too. "O-okay."

Zhou Ming adjusted his glasses and finally agreed. "Fine, I need practical data for the Demonic Beast Compendium anyway."

The four changed direction and headed towards the Mission Hall.

Sunlight streamed down the academy path, casting long shadows of the four youths.

Ahead lay unknown challenges, life-or-death combat, and brutal competition.

But Lin Fan knew this was the path of martial arts.

There was no turning back, only moving forward.

And behind them, from a certain window in the teaching building, Zhang Qiming quietly watched their retreating figures.

A barely perceptible curve appeared on his lips.

"Lin Fan... let's see how far you can go."