Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

When Elder Wen saw that Chen Cheng’s first reaction wasn’t to rush his attack, but to first focus his mind and get into the zone, a glimmer of appreciation flashed in his eyes.

SWOOSH—

And in the very instant Elder Wen’s thoughts shifted, Chen Cheng precisely captured that subtle emotional fluctuation. He exploded forward, his right fist blasting out a full-force Dragon-Splitting Drill aimed straight at Elder Wen’s chest. The force of his punch was sharp, his killing intent so thick it was almost tangible!

”Not bad, kid!”

The corner of Elder Wen’s mouth quirked up.

”I haven’t even started teaching you, and you already know how to exploit every available detail... You’re a promising student! Very good!”

In a true life-and-death battle between evenly matched opponents, a momentary lapse in concentration is enough to lose the upper hand, and can even be the difference between life and death.

WHOOSH—

The instant before the punch landed, Elder Wen slid half a step back and to the side. Simultaneously, his left hand shot out from below, fingers curved like a hook, striking like a viper for the pulse point on the wrist of Chen Cheng’s outstretched arm.

It was an insidious and vicious move. Had it landed true, it could have crippled Chen Cheng’s entire arm in an instant.

However, Elder Wen’s fingers only tapped lightly on Chen Cheng’s wrist. He didn’t apply any force, stopping the moment he made contact.

Chen Cheng’s heart tightened. He dropped his wrist, shifting from a fist to a palm, and channeled his Blood Qi to press down. Simultaneously, his right leg shot up without a sound, aimed at the weak spot on the side of Elder Wen’s knee.

His transition from feint to attack was incredibly fast.

But it was as if Elder Wen had already predicted his reaction. The hand that had tapped Chen Cheng’s wrist instantly retracted. Instead of retreating, Elder Wen used the force of Chen Cheng’s downward press, dropped his shoulder, turned his body, and slammed into Chen Cheng’s guard with razor-thin precision!

This wasn’t a formal Martial Arts technique at all; it was more like a street ruffian’s body check. Yet, the timing, angle, and application of force were executed with treacherous perfection, his shoulder aimed directly at the opening over Chen Cheng’s solar plexus. A full-force blow would have been enough to shatter his ribcage.

Elder Wen held back his Power at the last moment, and Chen Cheng could only adapt, stepping back to look for another opening.

Outside, day turned to dusk. The setting sun streamed through the high windows, casting golden-red rays across the room.

In the past nearly two hours, Chen Cheng had launched hundreds of attacks. The start, path, and mix of feints and true strikes were different every time, but the outcome was always strikingly similar.

Elder Wen always managed to neutralize Chen Cheng’s attacks in a flash, using the simplest, most efficient, and often most unexpected methods to land a decisive blow against one of his vital points.

If this had been a true fight to the death, Chen Cheng would have lost a hundred lives over.

Of course, it wasn’t as if Chen Cheng had made no progress at all.

At the beginning, Elder Wen had only needed a sliver of Heart Power to deal with him easily. Now, he had to muster nearly ten percent of his concentration and strength just to maintain his effortless suppression.

This was proof enough of the astonishing speed at which Chen Cheng’s practical combat abilities were improving.

”That’s enough... We’ll stop here for today.”

Elder Wen relaxed his stance. He wasn’t sweating much, but he couldn’t hide the deep exhaustion in his eyes, and his breathing had become heavy and rapid. He was getting on in years, after all; his stamina was a far cry from what it had been in his youth.

”The Master was right about you.”

Elder Wen let out a long breath, his gaze toward Chen Cheng filled with undisguised admiration.

”Cheng, you’re really something special. The progress you’ve made in a single afternoon is equal to what others—and I mean those with decent Comprehension—would achieve in ten or fifteen days of grueling practice.”

”And your stamina and energy are almost unnaturally high... Are you taking some kind of high-grade Herbal Decoction?”

”You have a discerning eye, Elder Wen.”

Chen Cheng silently regulated his breathing and nodded slightly.

”The Master prepared an Herbal Decoction for me. It’s quite potent; I feel like my stamina recovers far faster than I expend it.”

”The Master truly treats you exceptionally well.”

Elder Wen smiled but didn’t press the matter.

After a quick farewell to Elder Wen, Chen Cheng left immediately.

Dragon Mountain Hall and Yongsheng Store were both located in the An Nan District, separated by several long streets. Chen Cheng was quick on his feet, and it wasn’t long before the familiar entrance of the Martial Arts Hall came into view.

A horse-drawn carriage was parked silently in front of the hall, attracting the gazes of nearly every passerby.

The carriage was framed in dark wood, its corners bound in gleaming brass. The curtains drawn over the windows were not common fabric but a fine brocade that shimmered with a dark, bluish-green luster.

The two horses pulling the carriage were magnificent beasts, their coats as sleek as satin. Their hooves clopped against the stone street, a crisp and powerful sound.

A driver sat perched on the carriage, his gaze fixed straight ahead. His respectful posture belied a restrained, formidable air.

A few passersby stopped at a distance, whispering among themselves.

”See that? It’s a carriage belonging to a noble from the Inner City. What style... Just look at those two horses. An ordinary family could never afford to raise animals like that...”

”They’re here to pick up that genius from Dragon Mountain’s Inner Hall again! I’ve seen this carriage around a lot the last few days.”

”Tsk. Catching the eye of an Inner City noble... he’s really hit the big time...”

Amid the murmurs, the main gates of Dragon Mountain Hall opened, and Xiao Yi emerged, his stride unhurried.

He wore a brand-new, indigo martial arts uniform that accentuated his upright posture.

Under the countless gazes of envy and awe, he maintained a placid expression, though a subtle smugness flickered in his eyes. He walked straight toward the carriage, where a stepping stool was already in place.

Just as he lifted his foot to board, his eyes swept to the side and caught sight of Chen Cheng approaching from across the street. His movement paused, an almost imperceptible hesitation.

The carriage began to move, slowing slightly as it passed by Chen Cheng.

The brocade curtain on the side of the carriage was lifted, revealing Xiao Yi’s seemingly earnest smile.

”Junior Brother Chen.”

Xiao Yi’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was pitched just right for Chen Cheng to hear.

”Just getting back from your duties? You work hard.”

”You’re the one working hard, Senior Brother.”

Chen Cheng glanced up, met Xiao Yi’s gaze, and after offering a casual reply, continued on his way to the Martial Arts Hall.

The brocade curtain fell, separating the inside from the out.

Inside the carriage, the light was soft. The seats were covered with plush cushions, and the air was filled with the faint scent of warm incense.

The gentle smile remained on Xiao Yi’s face, but a distinct chill had surfaced in his eyes.

A fair-skinned young woman in a light-colored brocade robe sat across from him and asked with a hint of curiosity.

”Who was that? Important enough for you to greet him personally?”

”Just some Outer Hall Disciple.”

Xiao Yi’s tone was dismissive as he picked up a cup of warm tea from the small table and took a sip.

”He has the worst possible Root Bone but the best possible luck. He just stubbornly ground his way through, stumbled upon a slim opportunity, and managed to awaken his physique to form a second wisp of Blood Qi... That’s likely the highest he’ll ever climb in this lifetime.”

Upon hearing this, whatever curiosity the woman in brocade had for Chen Cheng vanished instantly. She changed the subject to recent gossip in the Inner City.

Xiao Yi nodded along, but his mind was racing.

’In his view, Chen Cheng’s closeness to Qian Baolu was already a potential threat. Combined with the bad blood between them from yesterday in the Inner Hall, that threat was now even greater.

What he was calculating now was how to completely snuff out this threat. How could he crush this weed that never should have sprouted in the first place and grind it back into the mud!’

”By the way, Miss Ziyu...”

Xiao Yi suddenly asked.

”Have you decided yet? Will you be coming to watch the Middle Courtyard assessment next month?”