Chapter 16: Do You Know What "Roll" Means?

Jiang Chen was dumbfounded for a moment.

When did refusing to become a full-time alchemist turn into "disappointing my parents and the world"?

"Teacher Su," he said helplessly, "I'm just saying I don't want to be only an alchemist. I didn't say I'd stop refining pills altogether. Isn't this a bit… exaggerated?"

Su Lingxiang's gaze sharpened.

"A person's energy is limited. Many self-proclaimed geniuses think they can walk multiple paths at once—martial arts, alchemy, formations. In the end? They fail at everything. Mediocre in all, outstanding in none. They waste their talent."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone almost scolding.

"I don't want to see you end up like that. Do you understand?"

Jiang Chen nodded politely.

"Thank you for your concern, Teacher Su. But… I still want to make achievements in martial arts too."

Su Lingxiang's expression froze. Then her jaw tightened.

"You—!"

She exhaled sharply, clearly suppressing her temper.

"Fine. You're too stubborn for me. I'll handle your promotion to the Golden Class myself. But we're not done talking about this."

With that, she swished her sleeve and stormed out, muttering something about "letting the old man deal with this headache."

The moment she left, Jiang Chen's calm eyes slid toward Lin Yang, who had been sulking in the back.

"Lin Yang," Jiang Chen said coldly, his voice echoing through the silent classroom, "you can roll now."

Lin Yang froze, his face darkening.

"Jiang Chen… don't go too far."

"Too far?" Jiang Chen sneered, his gaze like a blade. "I gave you a chance. Either roll out on your own… or I make you roll."

"Hah! You think you can make me—"

Before Lin Yang could finish, Jiang Chen's figure blurred.

Phantom Step.

The world spun before Lin Yang even registered what happened. Jiang Chen appeared beside him like a ghost, placed a hand on his shoulder—

Bang!

Lin Yang crashed face-first onto the ground, limbs flailing.

"Jiang Chen! If you touch me, my brother will—"

"Shut up."

Jiang Chen's voice was like ice.

Before Lin Yang could react, Jiang Chen bent his arms and legs, folding him into a neat little bundle. Then—

Thud!

A swift kick to his backside sent Lin Yang rolling across the floor like a human ball.

He tumbled all the way out of the classroom, yelping the whole way.

The entire room was silent.

Then—

"Holy sht."*

"Did… did he just… literally make Lin Yang roll?"

"This guy doesn't just talk big. He means it."

The bronze-class students stared at Jiang Chen with wide eyes, as if seeing a monster.

Jiang Chen simply dusted his hands off and returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

"That," he said calmly, "is what 'roll' means."