The Jiang Family's Resource Hall stood at the center of the inner courtyard, guarded and bustling with activity. Disciples lined up in orderly rows, each waiting to receive their allotted cultivation supplies—spirit stones, medicinal herbs, and occasionally low-grade pills.
Jiang Chen walked steadily toward the hall.
His appearance immediately drew attention.
"…Isn't that Jiang Chen?"
"The cripple actually showed up?"
"Does he think he'll get anything?"
Mockery spread like wildfire, but Jiang Chen ignored it all. His gaze remained fixed on the entrance.
Today wasn't about pride.
It was about survival.
Inside the hall, an elder sat behind a wooden table, recording distributions.
"Next!" the elder called.
One by one, disciples stepped forward, received their resources, and left.
Then—
Jiang Chen stepped up.
The elder glanced at him briefly, then frowned.
"Jiang Chen…?"
He flipped through the registry, then spoke flatly.
"No allocation."
Murmurs erupted around them.
Jiang Chen remained calm. "According to family rules, all direct descendants receive a basic share."
The elder's expression turned impatient. "Rules apply to those who can cultivate."
"You are a cripple. Giving you resources is a waste."
A few nearby disciples chuckled.
Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So the rules… can be changed at will?"
Before the elder could respond, a familiar voice rang out.
"He still doesn't understand his place."
Jiang Ming stepped forward, arms crossed, a mocking smile on his face.
"Elder, why waste time? Let me teach him."
The elder hesitated, then leaned back.
"…Do as you wish."
Jiang Ming's smile widened.
"Perfect."
He stepped into the open space, rolling his shoulders.
"Jiang Chen, I'll give you a chance."
"If you can take three moves from me without collapsing, I'll personally give you my share of resources."
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"That's impossible!"
"Jiang Ming is already at the third layer of Body Tempering!"
Jiang Chen looked at him silently.
Three moves?
In his previous life, he had fought countless battles.
Even now, with this broken body…
Three moves were enough.
"…Fine," Jiang Chen said calmly.
The crowd fell silent.
Jiang Ming's eyes gleamed with cruelty.
"Don't regret it."
He stepped forward—
And struck.
A powerful fist tore through the air, aimed directly at Jiang Chen's chest.
Fast.
Brutal.
Deadly.
But in Jiang Chen's eyes—
It was slow.
At the last moment, he shifted his body slightly.
The fist brushed past him.
A miss.
The crowd froze.
Jiang Ming's expression changed.
"…What?"
Jiang Chen steadied himself, his breathing slightly uneven.
One move.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Two more."