The news spread faster than wildfire.
"The cripple is entering the Inner Clan Assessment!"
"Jiang Chen? That useless young master?"
"No… haven't you heard? He defeated Jiang Ming twice!"
Shock turned into curiosity. Curiosity into anticipation.
Within hours, nearly the entire younger generation of the Jiang Family was talking about one name.
Jiang Chen.
---
Inside his courtyard, Jiang Chen remained calm.
The outside noise meant nothing to him.
Strength—
Only strength mattered.
He stood in the center of the room, fists clenched, slowly circulating qi through his fully repaired meridians. The flow was no longer chaotic. It was smooth. Controlled.
Alive.
"This is what it feels like…"
After years of being crippled, this body could finally cultivate properly.
He raised his hand.
A faint ripple of energy gathered.
Not forced.
Not strained.
Natural.
Jiang Chen exhaled slowly.
"Body Tempering… Layer 1."
It wasn't impressive in the eyes of others.
But for him—
It was the foundation of everything.
---
The system panel appeared.
---
**Host:** Jiang Chen
**Realm:** Body Tempering — Layer 1
**Primordial Points:** 20
**Technique:** Primordial Strike (Beginner)
---
Jiang Chen's gaze lingered on the remaining points.
"System… any new options?"
---
**[Assessment Preparation Pack Available]**
* Combat Simulation Upgrade (20 Points)
* Temporary Qi Amplification (30 Points)
---
Jiang Chen didn't hesitate.
"Use 20 points. Upgrade simulation."
---
**[Confirmed.]**
**[System Trial Space upgraded.]**
**[New Feature: Multiple Opponents Simulation unlocked.]**
---
A faint smile appeared.
"Good."
---
Without delay—
He activated the Trial Space again.
---
The world shifted.
The gray, endless plain returned.
But this time—
Three figures stood before him.
All identical.
All Jiang Chen.
---
**[Trial Objective: Survive 10 minutes or defeat all opponents]**
---
Jiang Chen exhaled slowly.
"Three… this is getting interesting."
---
They attacked simultaneously.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
Fists came from three directions.
Jiang Chen moved instantly—
Step.
Turn.
Block.
Dodge.
But this time—
It wasn't enough.
*Bang!*
A strike landed on his side.
Pain exploded through his body.
He staggered.
Another attack followed—
Faster.
Sharper.
More precise.
Jiang Chen gritted his teeth.
"They're not just copying me…"
"They're optimizing every move."
---
His breathing grew heavier.
Sweat dripped down his face.
Five minutes in—
He was already struggling.
---
*Think.*
Running wouldn't work.
Defending wouldn't last.
That left only one option.
Attack.
---
Jiang Chen's eyes sharpened.
He stepped forward.
Straight into danger.
One clone struck—
Jiang Chen twisted his body, letting the attack graze him—
Then countered.
**Primordial Strike.**
*Boom!*
One clone shattered instantly.
---
Two remained.
Stronger.
Faster.
---
Jiang Chen's vision blurred slightly.
His qi was draining fast.
But his movements—
Sharper than ever.
---
Another clash.
Another exchange.
Another opening.
---
Second strike.
*Boom!*
Another clone shattered.
---
Only one left.
---
Jiang Chen stood there, breathing heavily.
His body screamed in pain.
But his eyes—
Burned brighter than ever.
---
The final clone attacked.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
---
Jiang Chen didn't move.
Not yet.
He waited.
Watched.
Felt the rhythm—
Then—
Moved.
---
A perfect step.
A perfect strike.
---
*Boom!*
The final clone shattered into fragments of light.
---
Silence.
---
Jiang Chen stood alone.
Barely standing.
But victorious.
---
**[Trial Complete]**
**[Reward: +80 Primordial Points]**
**[Technique Mastery Increased]**
---
Jiang Chen fell to one knee, breathing heavily.
But slowly—
He smiled.
"Three days…"
His voice was low.
Confident.
Dangerous.
"More than enough."