Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

”What in the world just happened? I didn’t even blink... They were clearly evenly matched. How did that Dragon Mountain Hall disciple suddenly go flying?”

”His opponent’s speed seemed to explode in an instant. A normal person’s eyes couldn’t follow it at all!”

”It wasn’t just speed! His power also erupted far beyond the ordinary! The Dragon Mountain Hall disciple’s chest caved in... He might not make it!”

”So strong... It’s not just his strength! That hidden trump card was completely unexpected!”

”Cloud Platform Hall truly lives up to its reputation as a top Great Martial Arts Hall. This is what you call deep-rooted strength!”

Amid the gasps of astonishment, people in the crowd began to push their way toward the Cloud Platform Hall area.

Spies, lobbyists, and stewards from various factions clutched calling cards, their faces plastered with smiles, all vying to speak with the victorious disciple.

Offers of recruitment, sponsorship, and banquet invitations were shouted all at once, their enthusiasm palpable.

The expression on Han Chuo’s face finally relaxed.

He sat in his chair, nodded at the disciple, and offered a few words of encouragement, his voice low but loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

Han Tianqi also sidled over and clapped the disciple on the shoulder, a smile on his face, his words filled with nothing but praise.

But amidst their praise, the father and son’s gazes would, intentionally or not, drift toward a bald young man sitting in the corner.

He was alone, seated a short distance from the rest of the Cloud Platform Hall group, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed as if asleep. It was as if the surrounding commotion had nothing to do with him, nor did the recent victory.

Only his wide, old, bluish-gray robe, which looked like it hadn’t been washed in a long time, fluttered gently in the cold wind.

「On the other side.」

Lu Changning had already been carried back. Ye Yang personally fed him some Healing Medicine and ordered him to be sent to a medical hall immediately.

His injuries were extremely severe. If Ye Yang hadn’t brought top-grade Healing Medicine, he likely wouldn’t have even made it to the medical hall, dying on the way.

Chen Cheng’s gaze lingered on Lu Changning for only a moment before turning back to the Cloud Platform Hall group, continuing to watch Han Chuo and Han Tianqi’s reactions.

Following the father and son’s line of sight, Chen Cheng also noticed the bald young man.

He looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six, with a thick, old scar on his head that ran diagonally from his crown to his left cheek—a fleshy ridge left behind after being cut by some sharp weapon.

His skin was extremely pale, giving him an almost sickly appearance. You could even see faint, bluish veins clearly on his bald head.

He just sat there, motionless.

To Chen Cheng, he looked like a clay arhat statue from a temple—all his features were there, but he lacked any sign of life.

Every time Han Tianqi glanced in his direction, his eyes filled with another measure of confidence!

Chen Cheng watched this carefully, and his heart couldn’t help but sink.

After a brief hesitation, Chen Cheng walked over to Ye Yang.

”Dad, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. I definitely won’t end up like Junior Brother Lu!”

Ye Qiluo stood up and stretched her limbs. Seeing the worry on Ye Yang’s face, she continued to reassure him.

”Dad, for the past month, I’ve been training hard at home every day, and you’ve seen it all. You’ve even praised my progress yourself. Don’t worry, I won’t let you down.”

”...You... maybe you should just let it go.”

Ye Yang’s brow was tightly furrowed. His inner turmoil was not eased by his daughter’s few words of reassurance.

”Let it go?”

Ye Qiluo froze, her voice suddenly rising.

”Absolutely not!”

She was always concerned with her pride. In a situation like this, she would rather die than back down and admit defeat.

”Dad, you’re being overly cautious.”

She pouted, her tone firm.

”In that last fight, Junior Brother Lu lost because he was careless and underestimated his opponent. That guy just got lucky. If it had been me, I never would have let him get away with that!”

”That may be so, but I’m still worried...”

Ye Yang’s gaze went past her, landing on the bald young man in the distant corner. He said in a low voice,

”He’s a new face. We know nothing about him, and there’s no time to ask around. I’m just afraid...”

”Afraid? Dad, what are you even afraid of? I don’t get it!”

Ye Qiluo lifted her chin slightly, her tone growing even more confident.

”This competition has Realm restrictions. We’re both at Five Pillars of Blood Qi, so why should I be afraid of him? Just put your mind at ease and watch me win this final, crucial match!”

”Master Ye.”

Just then, Chen Cheng walked over and said in a low voice,

”For this final match, why don’t you let me take it?”

He hadn’t wanted to get involved in this mess. He only offered to fight now out of gratitude for Ye Yang’s past kindness.

”You?”

Ye Yang’s expression faltered.

Most of the people around them also showed looks of surprise.

Ye Qiluo was the first to bristle.

”What are you thinking, kid? This is a match for those with Five Pillars of Blood Qi. You only have four. Get lost.”

Before Chen Cheng could even respond to that, Cao Zhao reacted first, his eyes lighting up, his voice thick with pleasant surprise.

”Junior Brother, you broke through again!?”

Chen Cheng nodded and said calmly,

”Last month, I used quite a few Treasure Medicines and resources from Treasure Beasts. I was lucky enough to condense the fifth pillar.”

”Excellent, excellent! Junior Brother, you truly are extraordinary! My faith in you since the annual assessment wasn’t misplaced!”

Cao Zhao grinned, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally flicking toward Ye Qiluo’s face.

The disciples who had previously heard Ye Qiluo’s sarcastic and mocking words toward Chen Cheng now all turned to look at her as well.

Her expression visibly stiffened for a few moments, and her cheeks burned.

In a daze, she even felt those gazes were like a series of invisible slaps, striking her face one after another.

”Impossible!”