Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

He finished reading just as the third match concluded.

[Thunder Treading Skill]: Entry Level (0/300), Traits (None), Limit-Breaking (No)

A sudden burst of heat emanated from the Vertical Eye Mark.

Chen Cheng had perfectly mastered the Entry Level of this Martial Art, and its details instantly became clear in his mind.

This was a Middle Grade Martial Art that focused on cultivating the lower body.

It was the same tier as the Hidden Dragon Fist, but unlike the Hidden Dragon Fist, which could not be limit-broken, the Thunder Treading Skill could.

This meant the Thunder Treading Skill was likely a powerful Martial Art very close to the Upper Grade. When actually cultivated, its improvement to one’s Blood Qi and its effectiveness in combat would both be better than the Hidden Dragon Fist.

Of course, the most important thing was that it could be limit-broken.

This meant infinite possibilities.

Afterward, Chen Cheng carefully rewrapped the cultivation technique manual in its cloth and tucked it back inside his robes.

This cultivation technique was something Elder Wen had originally intended to pass on to his son.

But on his journey north to find his son, the old man had instead left this cultivation technique to Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng didn’t want to think about the worst-case scenario.

He just wanted to keep the technique safe, and when he saw Elder Wen again one day, he would return it in person, personally guide the father and son to the Entry Level, and then they would all drink tea, chat, and spar together...

"Cheng? Cheng? What are you thinking about?"

Shen Mi had already finished writing the contract. She leaned closer to Chen Cheng and called out softly.

"It’s nothing."

Chen Cheng snapped out of his thoughts and asked casually.

"Has the fourth match started?"

"It’s already over."

Shen Mi said in a low voice.

"That Liu... he’s too strong... He defeated a Same Tier opponent in a single move."

"Liu? Sister Mi, do you have a history with him?"

Chen Cheng followed Shen Mi’s gaze.

He saw Liu Yufeng just stepping off the stage after his victory. Gu Lan’an immediately rushed up to him, face wreathed in smiles, showering him with compliments. Even Gu Heng stood to greet him, praising him loudly.

"We certainly do..."

Shen Mi nodded and said in a hushed tone.

"A while ago, I was looking everywhere for a Martial Artist to help me with sparring matches. Someone introduced me to Liu Yufeng, and we were close to reaching an agreement..."

"When Elder Wen found out, he rushed over at once to stop me. He then privately told me about some of this person’s past evil deeds..."

"He originally came from a gang. Relying on his good looks, he abducted and swindled young women all over the Outer City... abusing, selling, and brutally murdering them... He’s a complete monster in disguise!"

Shen Mi paused, her usually gentle face now as cold as frost.

"After our negotiations fell through, that Liu started sending gang thugs to the trading company to stir up trouble—throwing feces, splashing dog’s blood, hurling rocks..."

"After they were done, they would duck into the dark alleyways. Elder Wen managed to catch two of them once, but he could only teach them a lesson. They were back the very next day..."

Shen Mi said resentfully, her beautiful eyes resting gently on Chen Cheng as her tone softened.

"In the end, I had to use your name. A gang leader from that area stepped in and finally settled things down."

"Are you two talking about Liu Yufeng?"

Just then, Wu Ziyu leaned in, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt and disgust.

"He came looking for me before, wanting me to sponsor him. But he didn’t know that I’d already heard about all the dirty things he’s done..."

"I didn’t even let him in the door. I just had my guards throw him out. I wouldn’t give scum like him the time of day, no matter how talented he is!"

Hearing this, Shen Mi nodded vigorously. She and Wu Ziyu exchanged a look of mutual understanding, like kindred spirits.

Chen Cheng listened silently from the side, his gaze involuntarily sweeping in that direction.

He could clearly see that Gu Lan’an’s attitude toward Liu Yufeng was even more enthusiastic and attentive than before the match.

If no one snaps him out of it, Gu Lan’an is bound for a bad end.

"It looks like Gu Lan’an is in way too deep," Wu Ziyu said in a low voice.

Shen Mi nodded.

"I heard from Elder Wen that Liu lived under a different name for a while. He’s hidden his dirty past so well that unless you knew him back then, you really can’t find anything on him."

"Give me the contract."

At that moment, Wu Zhan stood up and walked over. He took the contract from Shen Mi’s hand and then strode toward the center of the courtyard.

"Masters! We’re adding an impromptu match to today’s event!"

Wu Zhan announced in a loud voice.

"The challenger is the Yongsheng Trading Company! They are willing to stake the deed to their trading company, the deed to their warehouse, and the deed to a residence in the An Nan District of the South Outer City as the prize for this match!"

"If any company is willing to accept the challenge, you must wager a Trade Document in accordance with the rules. Winner takes all!"

The moment he said this, the representatives from the eight trading companies present erupted into a commotion.

"The Yongsheng Store? I know that place! The land is prime real estate! It’s in the most prosperous part of the South Outer City’s An Nan District, and it’s a huge plot..."

"As if anyone here doesn’t know that! Is there anyone in the business who hasn’t been there? The size of that compound is one of the largest in the South Outer City. The stables alone can hold sixty or seventy horses!"

"There’s an inner courtyard next to the main one, and the warehouse out back is massive too!"

"Back in the day, when Old Master Shen was still around, he used that property as his base to support three first-rate merchant caravans. Goods were constantly moving, and he was raking in a fortune every day!"

"Yeah, if the third branch of the Shen Family hadn’t fallen on such hard times, the Yongsheng Store would be nothing like it is today..."

Everyone present was in the same trade, so they knew the Yongsheng Store’s situation like the back of their hands.

And there wasn’t a single person among them who wasn’t tempted by the challenge terms Shen Mi had put forth.

"Wanda Bank accepts the challenge!"

"Sungfeng Bank accepts the challenge!"

"I..."

"I fucking said it first!"

A few of the more impatient Masters pushed forward, scrambling to be first.

A few others who were more composed kept their gazes fixed on Wu Zhan. They all knew this wasn’t about who spoke first; the final decision still rested with Wu Zhan.

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