Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

"First, go to the Dragon Mountain Upper Courtyard and train for a few years. Once you’ve condensed the Sixth Pillar of Blood Qi, report to my Captain’s Mansion. I will be sure to cultivate you well!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Cheng’s first reaction wasn’t joy, but an instinctive, cautious assessment.

’To him, this promise was nothing more than a pie in the sky. The timeline was too long; who could say what the situation would be then? Besides, so many things could change in the meantime.’

’If I rashly align myself with him now, I might not even get the benefits. Instead, I’d very likely be targeted by Xu Linyuan’s rivals. I could end up as cannon fodder one day.’

"Silly boy, what are you standing there dazed for? Hurry up and thank Captain Xu!"

A glint flashed in Cao Miao’s eyes as he quickly interjected.

"This is a heaven-sent opportunity for you! With Captain Xu’s golden words, I can make the decision right now to promote you to the Inner City Upper Courtyard by special exception and devote all our resources to helping you succeed!"

At these words, both Zhu Mingyuan and Ye Qiluo’s faces filled with envy. In Ye Qiluo’s case, however, a deeply hidden jealousy and resentment were more prominent.

Chu Meng and Cao Zhao exchanged a glance, their expressions complicated.

Who could have imagined that Chen Cheng, in such a manner, would ascend to the heights the two of them had fought so hard to reach in a single leap!?

The distinguished guests, especially the few who had already wanted to recruit Chen Cheng, were now stirring restlessly, ready to raise their offers.

Although the prices they had offered earlier were not low, Chen Cheng now had Xu Linyuan’s clear acceptance and a place in the Dragon Mountain Upper Courtyard. His standing was now not much different from that of Cao Zhao or Chu Meng.

As such, the offers everyone had just made were now far from sufficient.

"HOLD—ON!!!"

In the distance, as if he’d received a massive shock or was experiencing a final burst of energy—or perhaps the Pill truly had a miraculous effect—Xiao Yi suddenly shot up and roared with all his might.

"Chen Cheng... he has the lowest of the low-grade Root Bone!!! He’s not worthy... He’s not worthy!!!"

"The lowest of the low-grade?"

Xu Linyuan’s expression immediately darkened.

Reading the Captain’s face, Cao Miao immediately looked into the distance. "Ye Yang, is what Xiao Yi said true or false?"

"...His words are... not entirely accurate."

Ye Yang clearly hesitated, wanting to smooth things over for Chen Cheng. But the quality of one’s Root Bone was something anyone skilled in bone-reading could determine instantly, so Ye Yang had no choice but to speak the truth.

"It should be mid-low grade."

"Chen Cheng."

The smile on Xu Linyuan’s face vanished completely. He spoke gravely.

"My word is my bond. If you can condense the Sixth Pillar of Blood Qi, you may still report to the Captain’s Mansion... But before then, you are not to act under my banner!"

"I understand. I won’t."

Chen Cheng’s tone was calm, his heart utterly untroubled.

’He never wanted to accept Xu Linyuan’s empty promise in the first place. This outcome was actually better. The ties were cut cleanly, and he hadn’t offended Xu Linyuan.’

"Chen Cheng..."

Cao Miao spoke up.

"I am not one to go back on my word either, but in your situation, forcing a promotion into the Upper Courtyard will surely invite criticism and even targeting... For your own good, I suggest... we let things take their course for now."

"This disciple understands."

Chen Cheng nodded without saying much more.

’Although that old coot Cao Miao was blatantly going back on his word, what he said wasn’t entirely without reason.’

With the protection of Xu Linyuan and Cao Miao, naturally no one would dare to criticize or target Chen Cheng.

But now, Chen Cheng had lost that patronage. His own strength was insufficient to establish a foothold in the Inner City. Rushing in rashly would be far from a wise move.

’So-called "letting things take their course"... I must devise a plan, build up my strength, and then proceed slowly and steadily... Only then can I achieve a perfect and secure result!’

"What a pity..."

The guests who had been about to rise and make Chen Cheng higher offers almost all fell silent. They sat back down, resuming their initial cold, appraising postures.

There were, however, two exceptions. Their gazes toward Chen Cheng were still full of admiration and eagerness.

On the other side.

Chu Meng and Zhu Mingyuan already knew of Chen Cheng’s situation, so they didn’t have much of a reaction.

Ye Qiluo, however, openly lifted her chin, the corners of her mouth curling into a gloating sneer.

Cao Zhao looked at Chen Cheng, then at Cao Miao, seeming to want to speak but holding back.

And at this moment.

Only Zhuang Zhen’s reaction was different from everyone else’s.

From the moment Chen Cheng’s victory was confirmed, her gaze had been fixed squarely on him. Her expression was vacant and emotionless, as if her very soul had been drawn out and was now wandering somewhere unknown.

"Elder Cao..."

Seeing that Chen Cheng remained calm, without a single word of argument or pleading, a trace of approval reappeared in Xu Linyuan’s eyes. But his interest had waned, and he spoke with some impatience.

"Announce the results."

"...Very well."

Cao Miao stood up and announced in a clear voice.

"The assessment for the Central Courtyard Inner Hall is now concluded..."

"Cao Zhao and Chu Meng have both condensed Six Pillars of Blood Qi, and their Dark Force assessments are both A-Middle! Effective immediately, you may transfer to the Dragon Mountain Upper Courtyard for advanced training!"

"Zhu Mingyuan, assessment C-Upper, awarded five Blood-Nourishing Pills. Ye Qiluo, assessment A-Lower, awarded ten Blood-Nourishing Pills."

Cao Miao paused briefly, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Chen Cheng, assessment... Three A+, reward... to be determined..."

Once the results were announced, Xu Linyuan gave a nod to Cao Miao and rose to leave.

Cao Miao personally saw him off, and Chu Meng hurried to follow.

Cao Zhao, however, didn’t go. Instead, he sidled up to Chen Cheng and invited him with a cheerful smile.

"Junior Brother Chen, when are you free? We should get together sometime."

"...Are you joking, Senior Brother?"

Chen Cheng looked at Cao Zhao, then glanced sideways at Cao Miao’s departing back.

"I’m serious!"

Cao Zhao’s smile faded as he spoke earnestly.

"The old man is the old man, and I am me. It has nothing to do with me! How about in three days? I’ll have someone come pick you up."

"Alright. Then thank you, Senior Brother Cao."

Chen Cheng agreed readily enough.

Although Cao Zhao rarely appeared in the Middle Courtyard, he had a good reputation. Chen Cheng was willing to give making friends with him a try.

’If I can use Cao Zhao to learn more about places I’ve never had contact with before, like the Inner City, the Upper Courtyard, and the Captain’s Mansion, it could save me a lot of trouble.’

Afterward, Cao Zhao chatted with Chen Cheng for a little while longer before taking his leave.

Some of the distinguished guests had already left, while others were still conversing with Zhu Mingyuan and Ye Qiluo.

Zhu Mingyuan maintained a polite and courteous demeanor throughout. He didn’t speak much, merely listening and observing quietly.

Ye Qiluo seemed to be in a good mood, chattering endlessly. But she would always, intentionally or not, mention that Chen Cheng had made it this far purely on luck.

"Little Brother Chen."

A burly figure strode over, his steps swift and powerful. His voice arrived before he did. It was the Manor Master of Jiuan Hunting Manor, Wang Peng.

"The sponsorship terms I offered earlier still stand! If you’re willing, I’ll have someone deliver the goods first thing tomorrow morning. Tiger meat, tiger bones, mountain ginseng, spirit fungus... take your pick! The total value will be no less than a hundred taels of silver per month!"

"Me too!"

Another man strode forward. It was the Chief Leader of the Inner City Changfeng Escort Agency, Zheng Nankun.

"My offer hasn’t been reduced in the slightest either. As long as you give the nod, Little Brother Chen, you can come back with me right now to get the silver taels and the keys! The empty house I have isn’t far from Dragon Mountain Hall. You could move in today!"

"Thank you both for your generous offers."

Chen Cheng cupped his fist in a salute and said with great solemnity.

"It’s just that this junior already has a position, and I’m currently unaware if my Master has any grievances or business conflicts with either of you. Please allow me to go back and discuss it with him first, and I will give you both a reply as soon as possible."

"Fair enough. There’s no harm in asking."

Wang Peng was straightforward. After a simple farewell, he left in a carefree manner.

Zheng Nankun, however, hesitated. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask who Chen Cheng’s Master was, but swallowed his words. Prying too deeply might be crossing a line. He squinted at Chen Cheng, his mind turning a few times, before finally taking his leave as well.

Watching their retreating backs, Chen Cheng silently calculated the pros and cons.

Jiuan Hunting Manor, Changfeng Escort Agency... He had never heard of them before. How could he dare to agree so rashly?

Saying he needed to discuss it with his Master was merely an excuse. What he truly wanted was time to thoroughly investigate their backgrounds.

If these two factions had clean backgrounds and were stable and reliable, he would naturally be willing to accept their sponsorship and align with them.

’A monthly income equivalent to two hundred taels of silver, plus the right to live in a residence in An Nan District... Such a generous offer was something I wouldn’t have even dared to dream of half a month ago.’

’However, if these two factions had uncontrollable risks associated with them, I would steer clear no matter how much silver or how great the benefits they offered.’

But regardless, he was still very satisfied with the current outcome.

The investment from those two men at least showed him the tangible benefits that came from condensing Three Pillars of Blood Qi and ranking in the Inner Hall Top Three.

And this was only the beginning.

——

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