by The Sly King Kong
Shen Wei, a stagnated outer disciple publicly shamed for "lack of effort," discovers a strange black-gold card while cleaning a forgotten storage hall—a card that absorbs his blood, dissolves into silver steam, and implants forbidden knowledge: growth through conflict, where winning fights materializes new cards that grant abilities. When a group of drunk disciples pick a fight with him days later, desperation drives him to throw his first real punch, and one by one he defeats all six, each victory generating a new card—Hard Punch, Desperate Block, Takedown—that dissolves into him and adds their power to his own. He flees to his dormitory as a patrol approaches, his hollow space warm with a dozen new presences, unaware that by morning those six beaten disciples will be actively seeking his blood.
