"Do you think that teacher from Ding Class is stupid? Challenging four teachers from B Class, taking on four at once—how does he expect to survive?" sneered a student in silver robes from B Class.
"The world is full of wonders. Teachers Liu Qingfeng, Hupeng, Jun Wuchang, and Li Xiaojun are all veteran fifth-stage innate experts. Even a sixth-stage innate cultivator might not fare well against them. I wonder where this Ding Class teacher gets his confidence."
"Speaking of which, something strange happened today. When I passed by C Class, some trash from Ding Class actually challenged me, saying something like 'Don't underestimate the young and poor.' I found it hilarious."
"Whatever it takes, right? Trying to prove themselves, but this isn't the way to do it. This match isn't worth watching. I'd rather head to the library and pick out a martial technique to study."
"Brother Liu, I heard you picked the top-tier Yellow Grade technique 'Boundless Sea' last time. Have you mastered it already? It seems Brother Liu really is a prodigy, mastering even 'Boundless Sea.'"
"Oh, not at all. 'Boundless Sea' has six layers, and I've only barely reached the third. I'm far from perfection. Without progress lately, I thought I'd learn another technique. They say you can never have too many skills."
"Hey, Brother Liu, look, someone's coming. They look like they're from Ding Class."
...
Meanwhile, Lin Fan leisurely made his way to the arena, not worried about the upcoming match.
"Teacher, what are we doing here?" Cao Fushu asked, puzzled.
"Tianjiao, I'm here to give you all your second lesson," Lin Fan replied calmly.
Cao Fushu was confused. Why come here for a lesson? Even as Ding Class students, they knew this was the arena. And why were there so many people here today? Was there another duel happening?
"Maybe the teacher brought us here to watch the duel of the experts, to understand that becoming strong means being like them," Liu Shuishui, the only girl in the group, speculated, thinking more deeply than the others.
However, even her sharp mind couldn't change their mediocre talents. Liu Shuishui had great respect for Teacher Lin. Since he called her Liu Shuishui, she decided to change her name to that forever, as it was a name given by her revered teacher.
"Shuishui, you're so smart. None of us thought of that," Zhu You said earnestly.
Liu Shuishui raised her head proudly, but when she saw the teacher heading up to the stage, she was startled. "Teacher, what are you doing?"
"Crushing them," Lin Fan said without looking back.
The thirteen students were stunned, not understanding what he meant.
"I think you better call a doctor for your teacher. Otherwise, when he starts vomiting blood after getting beaten, it might be too late," said a B Class student smugly.
Cao Tianjiao and the others were dumbfounded. Was the teacher really going up to fight? They hadn't heard anything about this from him. Besides, he had only just become their teacher—how could he already be in conflict with other teachers?
"Ding Class really produces talent. Not only are the students trash, but even the teacher seems brainless, challenging four at once. It's like he has a death wish," another B Class student mocked.
"Don't you dare insult our beloved teacher!" Cao Tianjiao shouted angrily, face flushed with rage.
"Heh," the B Class student sneered, shaking his head dismissively.
...
Lin Fan stepped onto the arena stage, looking at the four teachers with a slight smile. He then turned to his thirteen students, who watched him intently as he stopped.
Feeling that the timing was perfect, Lin Fan decided it was time for the second lesson. As a teacher guiding his students, he needed to deeply imprint his image in their minds: tall, majestic, sacred, and great.
Lin Fan stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes seemingly penetrating through space. His voice was deep yet dignified. "To others, you are trash, untalented. But to me, you are the smartest people in the world. These four guys say you are worthless, unteachable idiots. I will now show them that, in my eyes, they are not even worth being called idiots."
"Teacher..." The thirteen students were suddenly moved to tears, looking at their beloved teacher with teary eyes.
They hadn't expected that the reason their teacher was going to fight was for them. They had grown used to being called trash and idiots at the Heavenly Mansion Academy, never fighting back against bullying. But their teacher's words struck a chord deep in their hearts, shattering their emotional defenses. Tears flowed like a torrent.
"Big talk, but let's see if you can back it up," Liu Qingfeng said sarcastically. Having already torn away any pretenses, there was no need for courtesy.
Lin Fan looked at the four teachers. Though facing four fifth-stage innate cultivators was tricky, it was only challenging if he didn't take it seriously. So this time, he decided to give it his all.
"Today, I'll use my double axes to chop you into pieces," roared the hot-tempered Hupeng.
Lin Fan stood on the stage, his aura unchanged, and calmly said, "My students, watch closely. You will all become just as strong someday."
"Yes, Teacher," the thirteen students nodded vigorously, tears still flowing. It was the first time someone outside their family had shown them such value.
The students watching the duel noticed that this Ding Class teacher seemed different from other teachers. This was the first time they had heard a teacher say such things. But they soon shook their heads. Here, strength was everything. To be respected, one needed corresponding strength and talent; otherwise, everything else was meaningless. The talents of these Ding Class students were already set, and no matter how skilled their teacher was, it wouldn't help—unless he could change fate itself.
"You four, come at me. I'll show you that underestimating anyone comes with a painful price." As a gust of wind blew, Lin Fan's robes fluttered, making him appear majestic and imposing on the stage, like a sage, dazzling in the students' eyes.
"Yaaah! Triple Axe!" Unable to hold back, Hupeng leapt into the air, his true essence surging as he swung his two axes with immense force toward Lin Fan's shoulders.
The Triple Axe was Hupeng's signature move, each swing carrying three layers of force, one stacking on the other. Few of the same rank could withstand it head-on.
Lin Fan stood calmly, a slight smile on his lips.
...
"Teacher..." The thirteen students watched the scene unfold, faces pale with shock. Why wasn't their teacher dodging?
Liu Qingfeng and the others smirked, thinking Lin Fan was dreaming if he planned to take the attack head-on.