Kai had known this confrontation was inevitable. Zhang Long wasn't subtle, and Kai's small but growing enterprise, dealing in actual resources like spirit stone fragments, was bound to attract the bully's greedy attention. He hadn't been idle while building his customer base; he'd also been preparing, using the system in ways that went beyond simple commerce.

  Seeing Zhang Long and his goons appear, confirming his suspicions, Kai’s mind went into overdrive. Running was pointless; they were faster and knew the terrain. Pleading was useless; Zhang Long thrived on dominance. Fighting seemed suicidal – Level 1 against a Level 3 and two Level 2s. But 'suicidal' didn't account for the system.

  As Wang Tao and Li Chen advanced, smirking, Kai quickly accessed the System Store through his mental interface. His System Points balance stood at 38 after his recent sales.

  [System Store - Consumables (System Specific)]

  [Temporary Stat Boost (Minor - Strength)]: +5% boost for 10 minutes. Cost: 5 System Points.

  [Temporary Stat Boost (Minor - Agility)]: +5% boost for 10 minutes. Cost: 5 System Points.

  Purchase Strength Boost! Purchase Agility Boost! Activate Immediately!

  [Purchase Confirmed: Strength Boost (Minor). Cost: 5 Points.]

  [Purchase Confirmed: Agility Boost (Minor). Cost: 5 Points.]

  [System Points Balance: 28]

  [Activating Boosts… Duration: 10 minutes.]

  A subtle warmth spread through Kai’s muscles, a feeling of enhanced readiness, a lightness in his limbs that wasn't there moments before. It wasn't a massive surge of power, just a slight edge, but combined with his other preparation, it might be enough.

  He had also spent several points over the past week accessing the 'Earth Knowledge Archive (Trial Access)', specifically searching for basic self-defense principles, anti-bullying tactics, and human anatomy weak points. He wasn't Bruce Lee, but he now understood leverage, balance, and where a quick, unexpected strike could have the most impact, especially against untrained brutes who relied solely on superior strength.

  Wang Tao reached him first, grabbing for the pouch at Kai’s waist. Li Chen moved to flank him, ready to grab his arms. They expected submission.

  They got surprise.

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  Instead of cowering, Kai moved. Driven by the agility boost and pre-planned action, he twisted sharply away from Wang Tao’s grab, his movement slightly faster than a normal Level 1 should manage. Simultaneously, using the principles of leverage he’d studied, he dropped his weight slightly and drove his elbow, reinforced by the minor strength boost, backwards into Wang Tao’s exposed ribs.

  Crack!

  It wasn't loud, but the sickening crunch and Wang Tao’s sudden gasp of pain were unmistakable. Wang Tao stumbled back, clutching his side, his eyes wide with shock and agony. He hadn't expected any resistance, let alone a blow forceful enough to potentially crack a rib.

  Li Chen paused, startled by his companion’s cry. That momentary hesitation was all Kai needed. Pivoting on his heel, Kai lashed out with a quick, clumsy but surprisingly effective kick, not aimed high but low, connecting solidly with Li Chen’s shin.

  Another yelp of pain. Li Chen hopped backwards, his smirk replaced with a grimace. Kicks to the shin weren't powerful cultivation techniques, but they hurt, and they weren't something cultivators, used to trading Qi-based blows, typically expected or guarded against in a low-level scuffle.

  Zhang Long’s jaw dropped. He stared in disbelief as both his lackeys were momentarily incapacitated by the weakest disciple in the Outer Sect. "You… What the hell was that?"

  Kai didn't answer. Adrenaline surged through him, mixing with the system boosts. He faced Zhang Long directly, his stance low, fists raised defensively – a posture copied from one of the self-defense videos. It probably looked ridiculous to a cultivator, but it served its purpose: showing he wasn't going to simply roll over.

  "Get him!" Zhang Long roared, recovering from his shock, his face flushing with anger and humiliation. He surged forward, launching a straightforward punch imbued with the faint grey Qi of a Qi Condensation Level 3. It wasn't a sophisticated technique, just brute force aimed at Kai's face.

  Kai, aided by the agility boost and his focus, saw the punch coming. It was faster and stronger than anything his lackeys could manage, but it was also linear, predictable. He didn't try to block it head-on. Instead, he ducked under the blow, the rush of air from Zhang Long's fist passing over his head. As he came up, remembering a move from the archive about disrupting balance, he stomped hard on Zhang Long's leading foot.

  Zhang Long roared again, this time in pain and surprise, his balance momentarily compromised. He hadn't anticipated such unorthodox, almost dirty tactics. Who stomps on feet in a cultivator fight?

  Kai didn't press the attack. He knew he couldn't actually beat Zhang Long in a prolonged fight, even with the boosts. His goal was deterrence, shock, and escape. He used Zhang Long's momentary imbalance to quickly step back, putting distance between them.

  Zhang Long glared, clutching his bruised foot, his eyes promising murder. Wang Tao was still wheezing, clutching his ribs. Li Chen was rubbing his shin, looking hesitant to re-engage. The situation had shifted dramatically. Zhang Long was still stronger, but Kai had shown unexpected, painful resistance. More importantly, Zhang Long was wary of serious injury. The Outer Sect assessment competition was only a few months away; getting injured now, even slightly, could jeopardize his chances of getting noticed or performing well. A brawl with a Level 1 nobody wasn't worth that risk, especially one who fought dirty.

  "You… you little worm!" Zhang Long snarled, breathing heavily. "You got lucky. This isn't over. I'll get you back for this, mark my words!"

  He shot a glare at his injured lackeys. "Useless! Let's go!"

  He limped away, supporting himself slightly, throwing one last hateful look over his shoulder at Kai. Wang Tao and Li Chen scrambled to follow, casting fearful glances back at the disciple who had suddenly, inexplicably, fought back.

  Kai stood his ground until they were out of sight, his heart hammering, his muscles trembling from adrenaline and the fading system boosts. He quickly checked his own status; unharmed, just shaken. He looked down at his hands. It had worked. He hadn't won a glorious victory, but he had defended himself, protected his earnings, and sent a clear message. He wasn't easy prey anymore.

  The confrontation had cost him 10 System Points, but the return on investment – safety, deterrence, and a surge of self-confidence – was immeasurable. However, he also knew Zhang Long's threat wasn't empty. He had bought himself time, but he needed to get stronger, faster. And the system… the system was leveling up.