A commotion arose as soon as Lin Yu finished speaking.
Several clones, previously hidden within the crowd, walked onto the martial arts stage expressionlessly.
Their sheer numbers were astonishing, occupying half of the stage's area.
Despite their identical faces, which lent an eerie air, their combined presence exuded immense power, effectively amplifying Lin Yu's aura.
Witnessing the multitude of clones, the onlookers below were stunned.
"Holy crap, I did a rough count just now, and there were about a hundred clones."
"Lin Yu has so many clones! I remember B-grade talents only get up to five, so what grade is his talent? Could it be S-grade?"
"Impossible, he just recently underwent a talent mutation, how could he mutate again so soon?"
The chance of talents mutating consecutively was incredibly slim. Typically, it would take years, even decades, of accumulation before another mutation, and even then, the probability remained minuscule.
Lin Yu was, at the very least, the first person they had ever seen whose talent had mutated.
Opinions were divided regarding Lin Yu's strength and talent. Some believed his talent was only A-grade, but a fortuitous encounter had caused it to mutate, drastically increasing his clone count, albeit with weaker individual clones.
Others argued that even an S-grade talent paled in comparison to Shi Yifeng's SS-grade talent.
In short, some were hopeful, while others were dismissive.
However, the general consensus was that Lin Yu would not win.
What they hoped for was for Lin Yu to put up a decent fight, to avoid disgracing their school too much.
Meanwhile.
In the principal's office.
The principal, upon seeing the numerous clones on the stage, was also taken aback.
Secretary Qian narrowed his eyes, his curiosity about Lin Yu deepening.
"Has Lin Yu's talent mutated again?" Secretary Qian murmured.
The principal, overhearing him, snorted, "It's only been a month, he can't have mutated his talent again. It must be a mutation, and though there are many clones, they're just for show, with only a tenth of the original body's strength!"
The principal was unwilling to acknowledge Lin Yu's talent. Not only had Lin Yu embarrassed him before, but he had also repeatedly underestimated Lin Yu.
Admitting Lin Yu was a genius would mean admitting his own poor judgment of character.
However, his words had barely left his mouth before he was proven wrong.
On the martial arts stage.
Lin Yu commanded his clones to attack.
Led by ten vanguard clones, each leading nine others, the hundred clones launched a pincer attack on Shi Yifeng from all directions.
Shi Yifeng was slightly surprised, but recalling Lin Yu's mere A-grade talent, he assumed the clones were not strong and didn't take them too seriously.
"Mere trash, watch me shatter you with one punch!"
The next moment, his hand recoiled as if shocked.
It hurt!
The clone he had clashed with was Number One.
This clone, possessing 150% of Lin Yu's combat power, had reached the threshold of the fourth tier. Its punch could shatter solid rock.
Moreover, Shi Yifeng was only at the early stage of the third tier, so being pushed back by a clone's punch was understandable.
Shi Yifeng grew angry, believing he had been careless and was actually repelled by a clone.
Shaking his hand, he let out a cold laugh, "It seems you're not just for show. Since that's the case, I'll show you my true skills."
Suddenly, a yellowish-brown light enveloped him. Earth elements solidified into a stone armor, covering his entire body, reaching a height of three meters.
In his hand, a stone sword gleamed sharply.
"This is my Stalwart Armor. I also wield the power of gravity at my feet, and this stone sword is sharper than steel. Take this!"
He raised his sword and swept it fiercely towards the group of clones.
The clones, experienced in combat, easily dodged the attack, despite their speed being hampered by gravity.
At that moment, Number Two attacked from behind.
Boom!
Ten streams of fire, infused with heartfire, erupted.
"Despicable! Attacking from behind!" Shi Yifeng endured the soul-searing pain from the heartfire and thrust his sword forward.
However, Number Two did not dodge. The ten clones met the attack head-on.
Lin Yu watched this, shaking his head, "These clones are still too cautious, treating Shi Yifeng like prey."
Rumble!
Ten fists struck Shi Yifeng, shattering large chunks of rock and revealing him within his stone armor.
Shi Yifeng was shocked by the immense power.
How was this possible?
How could mere clones be his equal? How strong must Lin Yu's main body be?
Was this truly an awakened being with an A-grade talent?
No, it couldn't be this strong. It must be an illusion.
Gritting his teeth, he gathered earth elements around him, channeling the power of the earth. Yellowish-brown elements enveloped his body, and soon his armor was restored, along with his injuries and stamina.
The Son of the Earth, standing on the ground, could continuously recover stamina and even heal injuries. This was the power of an SS-grade talent.
Lin Yu, seeing this, showed a hint of surprise and chuckled, "You really are an unkillable cockroach. Alright, brothers, attack him together! Teach him a good lesson."
The clones, upon receiving the order, charged from all directions.
The sight of a hundred clones surrounding a single person was quite spectacular.
Each clone was no weaker than Shi Yifeng. Throughout the battle, Shi Yifeng couldn't even eliminate one clone, only managing to defend himself. Lin Yu shook his head in disappointment.
"You are too weak, you have failed my expectations!"
Lin Yu had expected the fight with Shi Yifeng to be a back-and-forth struggle, filled with twists and turns. He hadn't anticipated such a one-sided victory, which was rather surprising.
"Fine, let's end this. I'm done playing." Lin Yu waved his hand and said, "Unleash Stone Arm!"
Boom!
Yellowish-brown light coalesced, covering the right arms of each clone with stone, forming a two-meter-long giant arm.
Instantly, the power of their arms doubled.
The clones calmly struck at Shi Yifeng.
BOOM!!!!
With deafening roars, the ground of the martial arts stage cracked. Shi Yifeng, caught in the storm of attacks, had his armor shatter into dozens of pieces.
The immense kinetic energy transferred to the ground, creating a deep pit.
Number One, with a frosty expression, extended its Stone Arm, grabbed Shi Yifeng by the neck from amidst the debris, and lifted him into the air.
Deprived of the earth's support, Shi Yifeng's aura immediately weakened.
Lin Yu's main body walked over with a smile.
The crowd below was stunned.
They rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they were witnessing.
"No way? Lin Yu won? Am I dreaming?"
"Incredible, Lin Yu actually defeated Shi Yifeng. Is the clone talent this strong?"
"Holy cow, that was so cool! From this moment on, Lin Yu is my idol."
Shock, surprise, and amazement mingled in their hearts, leaving everyone speechless.
He was too strong. His main body hadn't even made a move, nor had he used that powerful combination skill, yet he had effortlessly defeated Shi Yifeng.
It was so easy, as if he wasn't fighting Shi Yifeng, an SS-grade awakened being, but an ordinary person.
Unbelievable!
Amidst the crowd, Liu An watched Lin Yu's display of power, his shock lingering long after.
Just a month ago, he had wanted to recruit Lin Yu. Now, Lin Yu had become a revered genius, looked up to by all.
And he himself remained as he was, unvalued by his family, toiling away in pursuit, yet achieving nothing.
Drifting through life aimlessly, when would this ever end?
Bai Xiaoyu gazed at Lin Yu with adoration. It had been over ten days since they last met, but she had never forgotten the help Lin Yu had provided her.
It was just a pity that her sister's leg had passed the optimal treatment window and could no longer be healed.
Yet, she was still grateful to Lin Yu. This gratitude and admiration now mingled, making her incredibly emotional.
The principal was also stunned. After a long pause, he lit a cigarette and sighed, "Secretary Qian, am I getting old?"
Secretary Qian thought to himself: You're not just old, you're senile, and you're only realizing it now?
But he replied aloud, "Principal, you are not old. You merely viewed a genius through the eyes of the common people. It is not your fault, but the fault of common perception."
The principal smiled, "You are right. Prepare yourself, we will go see Lin Yu later!"
Secretary Qian's lips twitched. The principal's change of heart was as swift as flipping a book.
On another building.
Li Yuan's food dropped to the ground with a clatter.
The third young master of the Li family also froze.
"Impossible!" he muttered, his pupils constricting. "Absolutely impossible. There must be something wrong, yes, something is wrong."