Silence gripped the Resource Hall.
Jiang Ming's fist still hung in the air, his expression frozen in disbelief.
"…You dodged?"
The crowd stirred, whispers rising like a tide.
"That wasn't luck…"
"He actually moved in time!"
Jiang Chen exhaled slowly, stabilizing his breathing. His body was still weak, his meridians blocked—but his combat awareness, honed from a lifetime of struggle, remained sharp.
"Second move," Jiang Chen said calmly.
The simple words struck Jiang Ming like a slap.
His face darkened instantly.
"Don't act arrogant!"
This time, Jiang Ming didn't hold back.
He stomped forward, his muscles tensing as he circulated qi through his body. A faint surge of energy wrapped around his fist, carrying far more power than before.
"Let's see you dodge this!"
He launched forward, faster than before—his fist cutting through the air with a sharp whistle.
Jiang Chen's pupils contracted.
*Faster… stronger…*
But still—
Not enough.
At the very last instant, he twisted his body sideways. The fist grazed his shoulder, tearing his sleeve and drawing a thin line of blood.
The impact sent him stumbling back several steps.
Gasps erupted.
"He got hit!"
"No—he still avoided the main strike!"
Jiang Ming turned abruptly, his eyes flashing with disbelief.
"Impossible…"
Jiang Chen steadied himself again, ignoring the burning pain in his shoulder.
Two moves.
He raised his head, his gaze calm but piercing.
"One more."
Those two words ignited Jiang Ming's fury completely.
"Fine!"
"If you want to die, I'll grant it!"
This time, Jiang Ming's aura surged even higher. Veins bulged across his arms as he pushed his strength to the limit of the third layer of Body Tempering.
The air itself seemed to tighten.
Even the surrounding disciples took a step back.
"That attack… he's going all out!"
"Jiang Chen won't survive this!"
Jiang Ming roared as he charged, his fist carrying a crushing force aimed straight at Jiang Chen's chest—no restraint, no hesitation.
A killing blow.
Jiang Chen didn't move immediately.
His eyes locked onto the incoming strike.
Time seemed to slow.
The angle.
The speed.
The intent.
Everything became clear.
At the last possible moment—
He stepped forward instead of back.
A risky move.
A dangerous move.
But the correct one.
Jiang Ming's eyes widened.
"What—?!"
Jiang Chen slipped inside the arc of the punch, his body brushing past Jiang Ming's arm. Then—
He raised his hand.
And lightly struck Jiang Ming's wrist.
A precise hit.
A weak body… but perfect timing.
*Crack.*
A sharp sound echoed.
Jiang Ming's fist lost direction instantly, the force dispersing as his arm twisted awkwardly.
Before he could recover—
Jiang Chen stepped past him.
The third move… failed.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Jiang Chen stood behind Jiang Ming, his breathing heavy but steady.
"…Three moves," he said quietly.
Jiang Ming's body stiffened.
His arm trembled.
He had lost.
Not by strength—
But completely.
The crowd exploded.
"No way…!"
"He actually did it!"
"He survived—and countered!"
Jiang Chen turned slowly, his gaze sweeping across the stunned faces before landing on Jiang Ming.
"You said…"
His voice was calm, but carried undeniable weight.
"…your resources are mine."
Jiang Ming's face twisted with humiliation.
But under the countless watching eyes—
He couldn't refuse.
With trembling hands, he threw a small pouch toward Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen caught it without hesitation.
Inside, he could feel the faint energy of spirit stones and medicinal herbs.
Exactly what he needed.
At that moment, the cold voice of the system rang out in his mind.
**[Ding!]**
**[Mission progress updated: Acquire cultivation resources ✔]**
Jiang Chen's grip tightened slightly.
A faint smile appeared.
"This is just the beginning."