The world snapped back into place.
The gray void vanished, replaced by the familiar courtyard of the Jiang Family. The murmurs of the crowd returned, as if nothing had happened—but to Jiang Chen, everything had changed.
His body still stood where it had been.
Only a few breaths had passed in reality.
"…So the time difference is real," he murmured.
Inside, however, he had just experienced an intense battle. His muscles ached, his mind sharpened, and most importantly—
He had gained something invaluable.
A technique.
Jiang Chen slowly clenched his fist.
A faint ripple of energy gathered around it, subtle but dense.
**Primordial Strike.**
Unlike ordinary techniques, it didn't rely on brute strength. It focused on precision—channeling qi into a single point and releasing it at the perfect moment.
Simple.
Deadly.
Efficient.
"…Perfect for me."
Across the courtyard, Jiang Ming had just managed to stand up, still supported by his followers. His face twisted with anger the moment he saw Jiang Chen standing calmly, as if nothing had happened.
"You…!" Jiang Ming gritted his teeth. "What trick did you use?!"
Jiang Chen didn't answer.
Instead, he took a single step forward.
That step alone—
Made Jiang Ming's heart tighten.
Something was different.
He couldn't explain it, but the pressure coming from Jiang Chen had subtly increased.
"Impossible…" one of the disciples whispered. "His aura… it feels stronger."
Jiang Chen raised his hand slowly.
"Didn't you want to test me again?" he said calmly.
Jiang Ming froze.
For the first time—
He hesitated.
But the eyes of the entire courtyard were on him.
Retreat now?
Impossible.
"…Fine!" Jiang Ming roared, forcing his fear down. "I'll crush you this time!"
He charged forward again, qi surging through his body, fist aimed directly at Jiang Chen's face.
Fast.
Aggressive.
But no longer overwhelming.
Jiang Chen's eyes sharpened.
This time—
He didn't dodge.
He stepped forward.
Their fists moved toward each other—
The moment before impact—
Jiang Chen's qi condensed.
Compressed.
Focused.
Everything flowed into a single point.
**Primordial Strike.**
*Boom!*
A sharp, explosive sound echoed through the courtyard.
Jiang Ming's expression twisted instantly.
His fist was stopped mid-air—
No.
Not stopped.
Overpowered.
A surge of force burst through Jiang Chen's strike, traveling directly into Jiang Ming's arm.
*Crack!*
A clear sound rang out.
Jiang Ming was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground several meters away.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Every disciple stood frozen.
"…What… was that?"
"That wasn't normal strength…"
Jiang Chen slowly lowered his fist.
His breathing was steady.
Controlled.
As if that overwhelming strike had cost him nothing.
But inside—
He knew.
That single attack had consumed nearly all the qi he had just stabilized.
Still—
It was worth it.
The system panel appeared again.
---
**[Combat Evaluation Complete]**
**[Technique Mastery: Primordial Strike — Beginner]**
**[Primordial Points: 70]**
---
Jiang Chen's lips curled slightly.
Progress.
Real progress.
On the ground, Jiang Ming coughed violently, his arm trembling, his face filled with shock and fear.
"You… how are you…?"
Jiang Chen walked toward him slowly.
Each step echoed like a hammer in Jiang Ming's mind.
Then he stopped.
Looking down.
Calm.
Cold.
"This is the difference," Jiang Chen said quietly.
"Between you… and me."
He turned away without waiting for a response.
Because the outcome—
Was already decided.
Behind him, the courtyard erupted into chaos.
But Jiang Chen didn't look back.
His path had only just begun.
And now—
He finally had the power to walk it.