Facing Wang Dong's complaints, Huo Yuhao retorted bluntly, "When you learn to show some respect, we can become friends."
Wang Dong's temper flared. He suddenly accelerated, surging past Huo Yuhao to take the lead, his inhuman physique on full display.
Huo Yuhao felt a flicker of envy, but that was all. He continued to regulate his breathing, maintaining a steady rhythm.
"Good idea, but your pace is not enough," Zhuge Lan pointed out.
"10 Fortune Points. I'll let you exchange for Running Technique, don't lag behind."
A flood of information poured in. With his exceptional mental aptitude, Huo Yuhao shook his head and absorbed all the knowledge in less than half a minute.
"Hey!" Wang Dong called from behind. "I've lapped you!"
Huo Yuhao ignored him, focusing on adjusting his posture. He kept his head straight, slightly leaning forward to harness gravity for propulsion.
His elbows swung naturally, staying within his body's midline.
He counted five steps per breath, inhaling and exhaling rhythmically. He also began circulating the Muscle Transformation Manual, not for cultivation, but to nourish his body's meridians.
This way, he wouldn't risk misusing his Soul Power and suffering internal injuries or qi deviation.
His physical exertion dropped by nearly half, yet his speed increased by about 25%.
The current Huo Yuhao was no longer the level 11 pushover from the original story.
He was now level 15, with 5% progress in the Muscle Transformation Manual, having consumed three Profound Water Pills and plenty of Azure Spring Tea—Now, he's Huo Yuhao with a solid foundation!
No longer at the bottom in overall fitness, and with improved running form, he steadily overtook one classmate after another.
Even when occasionally overtaken, he remained focused on his own rhythm, quickly regaining his lead.
After 50 laps, he became the pace leader, trailing only Wang Dong by half a lap. To avoid being overtaken, Wang Dong also maintained a high speed.
"It seems the training these past few days has brought your physique up to par," Zhuge Lan said cheerfully. "Now, let's add a bit more weight. Help your classmates out; you should earn some Fortune Points."
"I was thinking the same thing," Huo Yuhao replied happily. "Can I share this running knowledge?"
"Whatever. What could 10 Fortune Points possibly get?" Zhuge Lan said, exasperated.
'So that's why the kind-hearted Little Yuhao hesitated to ask.'
Huo Yuhao gladly agreed and slowed his pace.
"You're all running too haphazardly, wasting your energy."
"Hey, you're swinging your arms too wide."
"Over there, lean forward and let your weight carry you forward."
Patiently, Huo Yuhao corrected each classmate's running technique.
For those who listened and adjusted, he continued giving advice. As for those who dismissed his guidance, he wasn't so saintly as to force help upon them.
Quickly, he assembled a team of dozens, running relatively in sync under his leadership, gradually approaching unison.
Huo Yuhao led the way, stronger boys occupied the middle, and the weaker students trailed at the back.
They formed an arrow, advancing steadily and resolutely forward.
Meanwhile, most of those who had earlier scoffed at Huo Yuhao had fallen severely behind or even stopped running altogether. They stood, sat, or lay down, resting to recover their strength.
This sight tempted some wavering members of Huo Yuhao's team to stop and rest as well.
"Don't stop!" Huo Yuhao gasped. "If you stop now, you won't be able to start running again. Anyone who can't keep up, call out! Those with energy left, help pull them along!"
Several female students immediately called out that they couldn't continue.
"Come over here and grab the hem of my shirt. Use my momentum to keep moving."
With him leading the way, some students who hadn't yet reached their limits joined in to help pull the others along.
Up ahead, Wang Dong noticed the situation and slowed his pace to help two students, maintaining the arrow formation.
Step by step, they ran the remaining 20 laps.
But...
Huo Yuhao didn't stop at Zhou Yi. Instead, he led the team for one more lap—walking, not running.
Firstly, stopping abruptly after intense exercise is harmful to the body.
Secondly...
This also gave those who hadn't been part of the original group a chance to join.
Even so, when the group came to a stop in front of Zhou Yi, there were still fifteen minutes left before the two-hour mark.
"We finally made it!"
"Help!"
"Water! Water!"
"I have ice water..." Zhou Yi frowned, about to scold them.
"Don't drink ice water!" Huo Yuhao shouted. "It's bad for your organs after intense exercise. Even regular water—drink slowly so you don't get cramps."
Zhou Yi's frown smoothed into a pleased smile as she appraised Huo Yuhao.
'An interesting little fellow.'
But her expression quickly hardened.
"Are you all finished running?"
Some in the crowd looked guilty, but when they considered the remaining laps they needed to complete, there was no time left.
They simply lowered their heads and pretended to be dead.
Zhou Yi scoffed. Did they think her words were just hot air?
"Very well!" she declared coldly. "Those I call out will step forward."
"Xiao Yan, Han Yu, Qin Hao, Bai Xiaochun, Huang Chutian..."
Seven names were called.
They were astonished. They hadn't even introduced themselves, and she already knew who they were?
Without mercy, Zhou Yi declared, "You are expelled. You have two hours to pack your belongings."
Meanwhile, Zhuge Lan received the feedback:
[ Fortune Points +819: Fate of Huo Yuhao, Tang Dao, Shangguan Chentian modified. ]
In the original story, nine students were expelled here.
So, Tang Dao and Shangguan Chentian were the two Huo Yuhao managed to save?
As for Huo Yuhao himself, he had truly made a name for himself, no longer the bottom-tier talent he had been in the original story.
Naturally, his Fortune Points increased.
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Why should he get it?!"
The tall Tailong stepped forward, his face contorted with defiance. "I was just keeping up with the group! I finished first!"
"Is that so?" Zhou Yi said coldly. "You sly one, I saw you cheating. Before I even arrived, you rode your Soul Guidance Bicycle around the track five times. Am I right?"
Tailong's face flushed crimson.
He never imagined that a single act of laziness would cost him his place.
The other expelled students tried to protest, but Zhou Yi dismissed them with a wave of her hand, unleashing the oppressive aura of a six-ring Soul Emperor.
"Remember, you have only two hours. Whether you walk out of Shrek on your own or are thrown out is your choice."
Ignoring them completely, she turned to Huo Yuhao.
"Have everyone return to their dormitories to change. We'll meet in the classroom in ten minutes. You'll be in charge of taking attendance this time."
Huo Yuhao looked utterly bewildered.
'Everyone's already here. Why are you telling me this?'
"Ten minutes?"
"Run!"
"There's a public restroom over there. Just change there."
"Wow! A Storage Soul Tool! Rich guy!"
"Forget about money. I'm 171 cm tall. Anyone around that height, come share!"
"Yeah!"
"Sisters, I'm 161 cm tall. I have four spare sets!"
"Good friends! One blanket!"
The group dispersed in high spirits.
Huo Yuhao had planned to return to his dormitory to change, but someone grabbed him, stuffed a change of clothes into his hands, and dragged him toward the public restroom.
"Hurry up!"
"You have to take attendance later! Change first!"
"Right, right! Huo Yuhao, right? We're friends now!"