As for what was happening on Baili An's side, the group of teenagers behind him all reacted differently.
They weren't far apart. As capable ability users, their senses had long been enhanced by spiritual energy, so they could clearly hear the exchange.
Among them, a tall, heavily built young man frowned.
Suppressing the irritation rising in his chest, he glanced at the young man at the front of the group. Seeing no reaction, he suddenly stomped the ground and launched himself forward.
Dust burst into the air as his bulky body leapt over twenty meters, landing directly in front of Baili An and blocking his path.
Baili An stopped.
The bespectacled student's expression instantly changed.
Within their class, everyone acknowledged Fan Jing as the leader without question. Whether it was strength, talent, or background, no one could compete.
But this guy in front of them, Li Yan, was a different story.
Arrogant, bullying the weak, and shamelessly sycophantic, he called himself the "second strongest in school" and clung to Fan Jing like a shadow.
His ability, a B-rank Muscle Enhancement, gave him considerable strength, placing him near the top of the class.
Yet his behavior made him widely disliked. He preyed on the weak, avoided anyone stronger, and lacked even basic decency.
Even the bespectacled student, despite also following Fan Jing, looked down on him.
Seeing that Li Yan intended to cause trouble, he immediately spoke up.
"Li Yan, what are you doing?"
Li Yan ignored him completely, not even sparing him a glance.
He stood tall, arms crossed, chin slightly raised, looking down at Baili An with clear disdain.
For once, he deliberately lowered his usual booming voice, trying to sound calm and imposing.
"Friend… you're not leaving just yet."
The moment he heard that forced tone, the bespectacled student shivered.
What is wrong with this guy?
Li Yan, however, felt quite satisfied with himself.
When his gaze drifted toward the elegant figure among the group behind him, his satisfaction only grew.
Fan Ziyue.
A graceful, refined girl from the capital, visiting Fan Jing. Like him, she came from a powerful family, a true prodigy.
For the past few days, Li Yan had been trying his best to impress her.
If he could win her favor, his future would be limitless.
And in his mind, success was only a matter of time.
A faint grin tugged at his thick lips.
Baili An looked at him, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
What exactly is this guy trying to do?
Combined with the strange expression on Li Yan's face, it just felt… unpleasant.
Baili An's gaze turned cold.
"If you're looking to sell yourself, find someone else. I'm not interested."
A brief silence.
Then several people in the group burst out laughing before quickly trying to suppress it.
Even Fan Ziyue couldn't help covering her mouth, her eyes curved in amusement.
She had not expected Baili An, who had seemed so calm and indifferent, to suddenly say something like that so seriously.
Recalling Li Yan's awkward attempts to show off over the past few days only made it funnier.
"You!"
Li Yan's face flushed with anger, then stiffened as he forced himself to calm down.
But the reactions from his classmates, especially Fan Ziyue, only fueled his rage.
If she had not been watching, he would have already attacked.
Veins bulged on his forehead as he spoke through clenched teeth.
"Don't push your luck."
As he spoke, he raised his right arm. Muscles swelled, thick as a tree trunk.
His fist slammed into a nearby tree.
Boom.
The trunk exploded, the entire tree collapsing under the force.
A blatant display of intimidation.
Anyone else might have already been trembling.
Baili An sighed softly.
Idiots really do exist in every world.
"I don't need that kind of 'honor,'" he said flatly. "Idiot."
Li Yan's face twisted.
"How dare you insult the Fan family! And look down on our school!"
"Then don't blame me for teaching you a lesson!"
He lunged forward, fist driving straight toward Baili An's chest.
There was no hiding the vicious satisfaction in his eyes.
Baili An reacted instantly, stepping aside and letting the punch miss.
Li Yan pressed forward, throwing punch after punch.
His ability was simple. No tricks, no techniques. Just overwhelming strength and solid close combat skills.
And with that alone, he had crushed most of his peers.
But now
His confidence began to falter.
Why?
Why can't I hit him?
Panic crept into his mind.
His classmates were watching. His leader was watching.
Most importantly, Fan Ziyue was watching.
If he couldn't win here, how could he ever hold his head high again?
Without him realizing it, Baili An had already shifted positions during the exchange, placing himself away from the group.
He wasn't about to leave his back exposed if things escalated.
The onlookers watched in growing shock.
They all knew Li Yan's strength.
Yet here he was, completely unable to land a hit, even in his own specialty.
"Damn it!"
After taking another kick to the knee, Li Yan glared at Baili An's calm, pitch-black eyes.
That indifferent gaze felt like mockery.
Like he was being toyed with.
"Stop dodging like a coward!" Li Yan roared, completely losing control.
"If you've got guts, face me head-on! Trade one punch with me!"
Hearing that, even Fan Jing quietly shook his head.
His so-called loyal follower had already lost all sense to anger.