Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

Harmony: Your physique and Heart Spirit are in seamless harmony, reducing the stamina and Heart Power consumed by all actions. It also boosts the effectiveness of all activities that strengthen your physique and Heart Spirit.

’...Th-this Trait!’

A glint appeared in Chen Cheng’s eyes. He quickly composed himself, suppressing his excitement, and immediately went through another set of Health Tai Chi.

As he carefully savored the feeling, he could no longer contain the joyful surprise welling up inside him.

’The consumption of stamina and Heart Power is reduced by about thirty percent... From now on, I can last longer in anything I do... Thirty percent?!’

’Furthermore, besides the numerical progress on my panel, practicing Health Tai Chi just once now boosts the gains from my Health-Preserving Traits by a full thirty percent!’

At this thought, the gleam in Chen Cheng’s eyes shone even brighter.

The benefits of the Health-Preserving Traits were self-evident. With the gains boosted by a full thirty percent, the cumulative improvements to his physique, Divine Marrow, and Blood Qi over time would be immeasurable!

Even his recovery from injuries and illnesses would be thirty percent faster. This was like gaining an invisible layer of life-saving protection!

Sunlight slanted through the window, landing beside the small furnace.

Chen Cheng glanced at the medicinal dregs, then looked down at his own hands and slowly clenched his fists.

’Resources eventually run out, but Traits are permanent. This feeling of security...’

’It feels incredible!’

...

Deep within the Inner Hall, in a well-lit and elegantly furnished quiet room.

Ye Yang sat with his back to the window.

The bright daylight from outside illuminated every detail of his black robes. Yet it also cast his face into the shadow of the backlight, sketching a silhouette as steadfast and immense as a mountain.

He wasn’t deliberately projecting any sort of aura. Even so, an air of authority built up over many years, combined with the formless pressure of his unfathomable Martial Arts Cultivation, saturated every inch of the room.

Even the light filtering through the windowpanes seemed to grow heavy and sluggish as it flowed past him.

Chu Meng, Zhu Mingyuan, and Zhuang Zhen stood before him, their bodies bowed respectfully. They took turns quietly reporting on their duties, their very breathing soft and subdued.

Ye Yang listened, asking a question from time to time. His voice was low and even, betraying no pleasure or anger.

Ye Qiluo stood by his side. The arrogance usually etched on her face was nowhere to be seen, yet she was far more relaxed than the other three.

After all, this incredibly imposing Master of the Middle Courtyard of Dragon Mountain Hall was none other than her own father.

”Last month, there was one Silver Token disciple from the Outer Hall who didn’t seek me out... Who was it?”

After the reports were finished, Ye Yang spoke again. His eyes, hidden in shadow, slowly settled on Zhuang Zhen. This matter fell under her purview.

”Master Ye...”

Zhuang Zhen said softly.

”The General Affairs Room has a record. It appears Junior Brother Chen Cheng has not yet come.”

”Chen Cheng?”

The name meant nothing to Ye Yang.

Beside him, however, a look of undisguised disgust and annoyance crossed Ye Qiluo’s face. She snapped,

”The Silver Token disciples of the Outer Hall only get one chance a month to receive my father’s personal instruction. That kid with the lowest-grade Root Bone doesn’t even know enough to cherish such a precious opportunity! All he does all day is grind away with brute, stupid effort. He’s beyond saving!”

”...Senior Sister Ye.”

Zhuang Zhen hesitated for a moment before speaking up softly, trying to offer a more objective view.

”Junior Brother Chen’s Root Bone may be lacking, but his Heart Nature is exceptionally tenacious. He’s without a doubt the most diligent person in the Outer Hall...”

”Diligent? Hah...”

Ye Qiluo scoffed, her expression filled with an unquestioning disdain.

”If diligence were all it took, this world would be crawling with Martial Artists!”

”All he had to do was ask my father for a little guidance, and it would have saved him from countless dead ends. But no, he insists on banging his head against a wall! If that isn’t stupidity, what is?”

”Enough. Don’t bicker over such trivial matters.”

Ye Yang spoke calmly. His voice wasn’t loud, but it landed like an invisible weight, instantly quelling Ye Qiluo’s fire and making the other three go still.

”With a lowest-grade Root Bone, being able to condense two wisps of Blood Qi is already a stroke of immense luck. His potential is exhausted...”

”This boy’s journey in the Martial Arts will most likely end here. Even if he asked for my guidance, I don’t possess the power to turn decay into magic.”

His words were final, sealing the boy’s fate with no room for appeal.

Chu Meng maintained his usual air of detachment, not even bothering to lift his eyelids. To him, a hopeless Outer Hall Disciple wasn’t worth a single shred of his attention.

The sneer on Ye Qiluo’s lips grew more pronounced. She lifted her chin slightly, as if she had just won an irrefutable victory in their little dispute.

Zhuang Zhen lowered her eyes, her gaze fixed on the floor an inch from the tips of her shoes. She let out a nearly imperceptible sigh. A flicker of regret passed through her eyes before she concealed it, leaving only a look of deferential calm.

Zhu Mingyuan’s gaze swept lightly over the two women. A faint, barely-there smile played on his lips, his eyes brimming with amusement, as if he were watching a cleverly staged play whose ending was already written.

”Alright, you are all dismissed. Go and apply yourselves to your training.”

Ye Yang said, his voice deep.

”The Middle Courtyard assessment is imminent. Not only will nobles from the Inner City be in attendance, but masters from the Upper Courtyard will also be there. Whether or not you can seize this opportunity for something greater will depend on your individual performances.”

”Yes!”

The three of them cupped their fists and answered in unison before taking their leave.

The room fell silent once more, leaving only the soft rustle of leaves in the wind outside and a single, curling wisp of blue-green smoke rising from the Incense Burner.

”Qiluo.”

After the others had gone, Ye Yang spoke again.

”Go and bring Xiao Yi here. I will personally spar with him.”

”Spar with him?”

Ye Qiluo was taken aback.

”Father... aren’t you honoring him too much? You’re personally sparring with him... Even Eldest Senior Brother has never received such treatment!”

”I intend to honor him.”

Ye Yang said slowly.

”His natural talent is excellent, and he carries himself with a deliberate method. I don’t know who pulled the strings, but he has managed to secure the patronage of the Inner City’s Wu Family...”

”If I don’t show him favor now, he’ll ride the momentum from this Middle Courtyard assessment and soar. After that, I fear it will no longer be my place to be the one showing him favor.”

”The In... Inner City’s Wu Family!?”

Ye Qiluo’s pupils contracted. The trace of condescension on her face vanished instantly, and she nodded vigorously.

”I understand, Father. I’ll go get... I mean, *ask* Xiao Yi to come over right away.”

Ye Yang remained seated, as still as a mountain. The backlight swallowed most of his form, leaving only a silent, heavy silhouette. His fingertips tapped a soundless, extremely slow rhythm on his knee.

...

That afternoon, Chen Cheng arrived at the Yongsheng Trading Company warehouse as usual.

Elder Wen was already waiting for him.

Having spent a good deal of time together recently, the two had grown close and no longer bothered with formalities.

As soon as Chen Cheng entered the warehouse, Elder Wen chuckled and asked,

”Cheng, I’m going to use thirty percent of my strength today. If you can’t handle it, just say the word.”

”Elder Wen, there’s been a change of plans.”

Chen Cheng smiled as well.

”Today, I’d like to try... fifty percent of your strength.”