Combat Class! First Battle! Defeating an Opponent of a Higher Level!

After the lecture ended.

The students dispersed, heading off to their respective classrooms for the second period.

Ye Xiao and Fatty Wang walked down the hallway.

However.

The crowd in the hallway automatically cleared a path for him—not out of respect, but because they didn't want to be tainted by the bad luck of a "Martialist."

As some passed by him, they spoke loudly on purpose:

"See that? That's the Martialist. I can't believe Su Muyun actually spoke up for him; she must be blind."

"Who knows what kind of love potion he fed Su Muyun?"

"Who knows? Maybe he has his ways."

"Is it possible he just exploited Su Muyun's sympathy?"

"It's definitely because Su Muyun is beautiful and kind-hearted that she helped him."

"I bet he's feeling pretty smug, having Su Muyun speak up for him and back him up. The guy is probably already fantasizing about a toad eating swan meat!"

Then came a burst of meaningful, mocking laughter.

Ye Xiao didn't stop his pace, acting as if he hadn't heard a thing.

The second period of the morning was a combat class.

The Genius Class, Elite Class, and Ordinary Class held their lessons separately.

The Elite Class had dedicated training facilities and instructors, while the Ordinary Class had to go to that old, dilapidated Combat Building in the South District.

As for the Genius Class?

They could head directly to the landmark of Jiang City Martial Arts University: Glory Plaza!

Glory Plaza was located in the very center of the school, covering over a hundred acres and paved entirely with bluestone.

In the center of the plaza stood hundreds of stone pillars, each three zhang high, engraved with names—those were the glorious heroes who had died for humanity throughout the years!

However, Ye Xiao and most of the freshmen.

Were not yet qualified to attend classes at Glory Plaza.

When Ye Xiao and Fatty Wang arrived outside the combat hall.

They could see that the Combat Building before them was only three stories high, its exterior paint already peeling away to reveal the mottled red bricks beneath.

Each floor was allocated to four Ordinary Classes to serve as combat classrooms.

Since Ye Xiao and Fatty Wang were in Ordinary Class 9.

The two of them needed to head to the third floor of the Combat Building.

They had to reach the classroom for Ordinary Class 9.

When Ye Xiao walked into the combat hall, it was already bustling with activity.

The first floor was the training area for Ordinary Classes 1 through 4.

There were eight Training Platforms arranged in two rows, surrounded by weathered wooden bleachers.

Faded slogans hung on the walls: "Fists and feet have no eyes; you are responsible for your own life and death."

The air was thick with the smell of sweat and the rubbery scent of low-quality protective mats.

Over a hundred freshmen from the Ordinary Classes were warming up; some were stretching, some were meditating, and others were practicing punches against sandbags.

Seeing Ye Xiao enter, their gazes swept over in unison.

Although Ye Xiao couldn't hear their whispers.

He didn't even need to think about it.

This group was definitely still discussing the same old topics about him.

Gossiping like this.

It was incredibly boring.

The current Ye Xiao was more focused on improving his own strength.

Soon.

Ye Xiao and Fatty Wang arrived at the third floor of the Combat Building.

Inside the classroom for Ordinary Class 9.

Ye Xiao saw a familiar face.

It was none other than their homeroom teacher, Zhou Ming, whom he had met yesterday.

At this moment.

Fatty Wang, standing beside him, whispered.

"It is said that Teacher Zhou was once a very formidable teacher with a high cultivation realm, specifically assigned to teach the Genius Class."

"But later, he suffered a severe injury during a mission, his realm plummeted, and he was relegated to teaching the Ordinary Class."

Ye Xiao listened to Fatty Wang's words, not expecting that this seemingly youthful homeroom teacher...

Actually had such a rich and storied past?

Just then.

Zhou Ming glanced at Ye Xiao, his gaze lingering for a few seconds on Ye Xiao's faded T-shirt.

"Ye Xiao, Wang Hou, right?"

"Yes."

The two responded in unison.

"Go change your clothes and prepare for class."

There were no extra words, no mockery, and no sympathy.

Only the most basic reminder from a teacher.

Ye Xiao and Fatty Wang went to the locker room to change into the training uniforms issued by the school.

They were drab, grey short-sleeved shirts and shorts, with frayed edges at the cuffs.

The treatment for the Ordinary Class was indeed not very good.

When they came out, the other students had already gathered in a semicircle, standing in front of Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming held the roster in his hand and began to call names:

"Wang Lei."

"Here!" A burly boy responded, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted; one look and you could tell he was material for body tempering.

He had awakened a C-rank profession: Hercules, but in the Ordinary Class, he was already considered an "expert."

"Zhang Qiang."

"Here!" A tall, thin boy with dyed Yellow Hair and shrewd eyes, who had awakened a C-rank profession: Thunderlight Sword.

In reality, he could only condense a faint, wispy Sword Qi, which was not even as good as a real blade.

When the roll call reached Zhang Qiang.

Ye Xiao's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer.

Because this person.

Was the Yellow Hair roommate of his and Fatty Wang's.

As for the other introverted guy with glasses.

His name was Gao Yao, and he had awakened a C-rank profession: Long-range Shot.

His ability allowed for extended vision, and his archery was faster, more accurate, and more powerful than others.

"Li Fang."

"Here!"

A short-haired girl who looked very capable, having awakened a C-rank profession: Flame Fireball.

However, her Flame Fireball technique was only the size of a fist, and she had to chant for five seconds to use it.

"Wang Hou."

"Here."

"Ye Xiao."

"Here."

After finishing the roll call.

Zhou Ming closed the roster and swept his gaze over everyone:

"Students, today is your first practical combat class."

"Although I know that you are all winners in the college entrance examination, which is why you came to our school!"

"But before we officially start class, I need to conduct a baseline assessment of everyone's strength!"

"Therefore, the rules for this class are very simple—all students must go up to the Training Platform to spar, stopping at the point of contact."

"Those who lose step down, and the winners stay on the stage to defend their position until they are knocked off."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Ye Xiao intentionally or otherwise:

"In this world, everything is determined by strength."

"Whoever has the stronger strength has the right to speak. Do you understand?"

The students responded in unison.

"Understood!"

"Now, draw lots." Zhou Ming produced a handful of wooden sticks, each inscribed with a number.

Ye Xiao drew number 1.

The one who drew number 2 was the burly boy named Wang Lei.

Seeing that he was paired with Ye Xiao, he froze for a moment, then smiled.

It was a smile Ye Xiao was all too familiar with—the look of a predator finding prey delivered right to its doorstep.

Wang Lei walked up to Ye Xiao and looked down at him—he was half a head taller than Ye Xiao, with shoulders a full circle broader.

"So you're that Martialist?"

Ye Xiao said nothing.

Wang Lei turned to the others and said:

"Do you guys know what a Martialist is? It's that kind of—trash with no spiritual power, no spells, who can only rely on brute force to throw punches."

Someone let out a laugh.

Wang Lei continued:

"At least we in the Ordinary Class can still cultivate, but a Martialist can't even do that. He's just here to make up the numbers. Once he graduates, he'll go to the mines to dig, and he'll never get ahead in his life."

The students burst into raucous laughter.

The homeroom teacher, Zhou Ming, did not say a word; he simply watched every move the youth Ye Xiao made.

Ye Xiao looked at Wang Lei, still silent.

Wang Lei reached out and patted Ye Xiao on the shoulder.

It was light, but the insult was heavy:

"When we get on stage later, I'll go easy on you. Don't cry, alright?"

Someone nearby jeered:

"Brother Lei, don't be too harsh! You'll have to pay up if you cripple him!"

"What's there to fear? A Martialist isn't worth anything. The school might not even care if he gets crippled!"

Ye Xiao finally spoke.

He looked at Wang Lei, his tone as calm as if he were making small talk:

"Are you done patting?"

Wang Lei blinked, his hand frozen in mid-air.

Ye Xiao continued:

"If you're done, get on stage. I'm in a hurry."