Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

”The Young Qilin Association?”

Fatty Fang’s brow furrowed slightly as he jumped in to say:

”I heard that quite a few new rising stars are participating this year. There’s one from the Cloud Platform Upper Courtyard, one from North City, one from East City... They’re all being hailed as once-in-a-century geniuses!”

”Especially that one from the Cloud Platform Upper Courtyard. They say he’s already reached the Secret Inheritance Entry Level and can fight people above his tier. He’s bound to make a huge splash. The word on the street is that with him making a name for himself, Cloud Platform Hall’s ranking is sure to surpass our Dragon Mountain Hall...”

”You’re well-informed.”

Cao Zhao nodded, then turned to Chen Cheng and said,

”Junior Brother Chen, you probably don’t know what the Young Qilin Association is... It’s an annual martial arts tournament for all of Zhao City, open only to Martial Artists under the age of eighteen.”

”Each year, the top name on Zhao City’s Martial Selection Golden List is called the ’Lin Kui.’ The strongest newly emerged Martial Artist under eighteen is called the ’Young Qilin.’ That’s how the Young Qilin Association got its name.”

Cao Zhao paused. Seeing Chen Cheng nod silently, he continued,

”Junior Brother Chen, it’s only been about a month since you formed your Fifth Pillar of Blood Qi. It’s too early for you to aim for victory in the Young Qilin Association. The good thing is you’re only sixteen. Go and watch this year, gain some experience, and you might be able to achieve something when you compete next year.”

”You’re the one with Five Pillars! Your whole family has Five Pillars!”

Before Chen Cheng could speak, Fatty Fang shot back at Cao Zhao.

”Damn fatty, are you crazy?”

Cao Zhao frowned and glared back.

”If you’re really itching for a beating, just say so. See if I don’t sort you out!”

”Let’s put our business aside for a second.”

Fatty Fang lifted a hand as big as a cattail fan and clapped Chen Cheng on the shoulder. He grinned, swelling with pride as he said,

”My brother Cheng here has already formed his Six Pillars of Blood Qi. Sixteen years old and Six Pillars! Ever seen that before?”

”For real?”

Hearing this, Cao Zhao’s eyes widened.

But he clearly didn’t trust Fatty Fang’s big mouth, so he glanced at Chen Cheng. Only when Chen Cheng nodded did he finally believe it.

He immediately said, overjoyed,

”Junior Brother Chen, congratulations! Did you have some sort of lucky break? To form the Sixth Pillar of Blood Qi in just one month!

Progressing so miraculously fast... I’ve never heard of anyone being this quick, aside from those top geniuses who have reached the Secret Inheritance Entry Level!”

”I had some good fortune.”

Chen Cheng nodded, having already prepared his explanation:

”After the battle at Huangxiazi Ridge, Miss Yun, a guest at Jiuan Hunting Manor, gave me a gift.”

”Yun... I see!”

Cao Zhao smiled knowingly and didn’t press for details.

”If the gift was from her, then that explains everything.”

”Who’s that? How come I don’t know?”

Fatty Fang’s face was full of curiosity.

Cao Zhao shot him a look. ”Don’t go snooping around, and definitely don’t spread rumors. You’ll just cause trouble for Junior Brother Chen.”

Fatty Fang clicked his tongue but took the advice and didn’t bring it up again.

Among Martial Artists, there were many things one shouldn’t probe into, especially matters related to fortunate encounters. Those were taboo.

Of course, Fatty Fang understood this principle.

Besides, with this Miss Yun, Cao Zhao didn’t even dare to mention her name, or perhaps it was just inconvenient for him to do so.

It was obvious she had to be an incredible figure.

Digging for the truth would not only yield no benefit but could also attract trouble, so naturally, Fatty Fang wouldn’t bring it up again.

”Junior Brother Chen, my old man was just summoned to the inner courtyard by the Hall Master for a meeting. I’ll tell him the good news about you forming your Sixth Pillar of Blood Qi later. I’ll do my best to get you a resource reward.”

As Cao Zhao spoke, his tone grew more serious:

”However, there are a few things I need to say upfront. With the Young Qilin Association about to start, you’ve only just formed your Sixth Pillar of Blood Qi. You don’t really have an advantage.

When the time comes, you should mainly focus on observing to avoid getting injured in the duels. A light injury would be one thing, but if your foundation is damaged, your entire future could be ruined.”

”That’s sound advice.”

Hearing this, Fatty Fang stopped bickering with Cao Zhao and gave a serious reminder of his own:

”Cheng, from those few moves we just exchanged, I can clearly feel that your strength far surpasses others at the Same Tier. It’s just that...

Far surpassing others at the Same Tier is merely the entry requirement for the Young Qilin Association. Especially this year. Those three I just mentioned are all monstrously talented newcomers. The one from Cloud Platform Hall can even fight above his tier.”

”I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brothers.”

Chen Cheng gave a fist-and-palm salute and said calmly,

”I’ve never been one to seek the spotlight. Even if you hadn’t said anything, I would have focused on observing anyway.”

”That’s good...”

Cao Zhao smiled.

”I have something I need to take care of, so I have to head out. I’ll come find you at your place later.”

Chen Cheng nodded and saw him off with a fist-and-palm salute.

Fatty Fang couldn’t help but ask, ”That thing you were working on... did it work out?”

”It did.”

Cao Zhao’s smile deepened. Seeing the curiosity in Chen Cheng’s eyes, he gave Fatty Fang a look, signaling that it was okay to tell Chen Cheng. Then he strode away.

Watching his retreating figure, Fatty Fang couldn’t hide the envy in his eyes.

”From the way Senior Brother Cao looked, it must be good news, right?” Chen Cheng asked.

”You can say that again.”

Fatty Fang pursed his lips, the fat on his cheeks trembling slightly. He was truly green with envy.

”He went to a matchmaking meeting a while back and was chosen by a young lady from the Pang Family’s Direct Lineage. Now the marriage arrangements have been settled, and they’ll be married soon.”

”The Pang Family?”

Chen Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t help but think of his agreement with Elder Pang, Pang Shixun, which was set to expire in two months.

”That’s right. Of the Seven Great Races, the Pang Family has the most high-ranking Military Officers and the greatest legacy of Military Merit.”

Fatty Fang glanced around and lowered his voice.

”Once Cao Zhao marries a daughter of the Pang Family, he’ll be taught their Secret Techniques. The moment he reaches the Entry Level, he’ll become a Secret Martial Artist. He’ll be in a completely different league from us then.”