Worldwide Class Change: Minimal Effort, Maximum Reward!-Chapter 56, Vanguard Stance, Broken in One Hit?

The arena had barely settled from the previous match when Lin Yi stepped onto the battlefield.

All eyes followed him.

The mysterious Laborer.

The one who shattered expectations.

The one who defeated Liu Ling in less than a second.

The one whose strength no longer matched his class.

Across from him, Zhao Wei entered with heavy, confident steps that echoed faintly across the ground. His presence alone carried a certain weight, the kind that made people instinctively pay attention. As a B-Rank Vanguard, his build was solid and unyielding, his broad frame clearly shaped for defense and endurance above all else. Every movement he made felt grounded and deliberate. Unlike agile classes that relied on speed and precision, Vanguard users stood at the very front lines, absorbing damage head-on and overwhelming their opponents through sheer force and resilience.

He stopped a few meters away from Lin Yi, close enough for the tension between them to settle into something solid and undeniable. The two stood facing each other in silence, neither making the first move. The contrast between them was obvious at a glance. Lin Yi remained calm and quiet, his expression unreadable, his presence restrained yet sharp. Opposite him, Zhao Wei stood firm, his posture imposing and steady, like an unmoving wall built through years of experience. For a brief moment, the air itself seemed to tighten around them. Then the instructor slowly raised his hand, signaling that whatever came next was about to begin.

"Prepare."

But before the signal could be given, Zhao Wei spoke. His voice was loud enough to carry across the arena.

"Lin Yi."

He rolled his shoulders slowly, his gaze sharp but not mocking. "I’ve been watching your matches. You move fast. Too fast for most people here." He pointed slightly toward Lin Yi. "That fight against Liu Ling, I saw it clearly. Your movement skill isn’t ordinary. And your grip strength." His eyes narrowed slightly. "You didn’t even need a weapon to finish her. Just raw control and precision."

The crowd listened closely. Even the instructors paid attention. Zhao Wei wasn’t underestimating Lin Yi. He was analyzing him.

He exhaled slowly, his stance shifting. "But I also noticed something else. You rely on speed and close-range control." He tapped his chest lightly. "I’m different. My class is Vanguard. Defense. Endurance. Stability." His voice deepened slightly. "I don’t need to chase you. I don’t need to match your speed."

Zhao Wei planted his feet firmly on the ground. "I just need to stand here... and not fall." A faint smile appeared on his face. "I’ve already figured it out. The moment the fight begins, I’ll activate my defensive stance. My body will lock into position and my defense will peak. Even if you strike me, you won’t break through easily. And once you commit to an attack..." His eyes sharpened. "I’ll counter. Your strength is your speed. But speed alone doesn’t win against an immovable wall." He clenched his fist. "I don’t need to defeat you quickly. I just need to outlast you. And when your momentum drops, I’ll end it."

Silence filled the arena. Zhao Wei had laid out his entire strategy openly. No tricks, no deception, just confidence in his class and ability. He looked directly at Lin Yi. "That’s my plan. Come."

The instructor raised his arm. "Begin!" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Zhao Wei moved first. His feet slammed into the ground as a faint golden aura spread across his body.

"Vanguard Stance!"

His muscles tensed, his body lowered into a stable, unshakable defensive posture, standing like a fortress.

Lin Yi didn’t move immediately. He simply looked at Zhao Wei calmly. Then he stepped forward. No Phantom Void Step. No burst of speed. Just a simple step.

Zhao Wei’s eyes narrowed. "He’s walking?"

Then Lin Yi disappeared. Zhao Wei’s pupils shrank. "Too fast!"

Before he could react, a hand appeared in front of him. Not a blade, not a weapon. Just a hand. It struck his chest.

BOOM!

A deep, heavy impact echoed across the arena. Zhao Wei’s body trembled violently, his feet digging into the ground as cracks spread beneath him. His defensive stance held for a fraction of a second.

CRACK!

The force shattered his stability entirely. His body lifted off the ground and was thrown backward like a ragdoll, crashing and rolling several meters before finally stopping. The crowd gasped. Zhao Wei coughed as he pushed himself up, his chest aching, his arms trembling. His defensive stance had been broken in a single hit. He looked up at Lin Yi, who was still standing exactly where he had been. Calm. Unmoved.

*That wasn’t speed. That was strength. Pure, overwhelming strength.*

Zhao Wei let out a slow breath, then laughed, low and helpless. "I see..." He shook his head slightly. "So that’s how it is." He raised one hand. "I concede."

The arena was silent for a moment. Then the instructor raised his hand. "Winner... Lin Yi!"

The crowd erupted.

"He didn’t even use a weapon!"

"He broke a Vanguard defense with one strike?!"

"What kind of strength is that?!"

Lin Yi didn’t react to the noise. He simply stood there as Zhao Wei climbed to his feet and looked at him one last time. "Good luck." Then he left the arena.

The instructor stepped forward and raised his voice. "With this match, the Round of Sixteen has officially concluded! Advancing to the Quarterfinals are the remaining eight competitors!"

Excitement surged through the stadium. The strongest students had emerged, and now the real battles would begin.

"The next matchups will be announced shortly—"

But before he could continue, a voice cut through the arena. Clear, calm, yet carrying undeniable weight.

Lin Yi hadn’t left the battlefield. The entire arena turned toward him. His gaze had shifted toward the competitor seats, settling on one person. Tang Yue. Silence spread across the crowd. Then Lin Yi spoke, his voice not loud, but reaching everywhere.

"If you’re going to face me..." He paused slightly, his eyes locking onto hers. "...then step down now."