Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

In an instant, Chen Cheng’s gaze—which should have been locked onto his opponent—abruptly and without warning shifted from Xiao Yi to glance at Xu Linyuan in the seat of honor.

At that moment, everyone’s attention was focused on the fighting ring.

Since Xiao Yi had taken a defensive stance, there wasn’t much to see, so most people were watching Chen Cheng as he prepared to launch his assault.

The moment Chen Cheng’s momentum surged, everyone’s nerves tensed. Their gazes, their very thoughts, were subconsciously captivated by his actions.

As a result, Chen Cheng’s highly unusual glance acted like an invisible hand, yanking everyone’s attention toward Xu Linyuan.

Suddenly the focus of every eye in the house, even Xu Linyuan himself was taken aback for a fleeting moment. He frowned, lowered his gaze, and quickly scanned himself...

’What’s going on?’

’Are my clothes out of place? Or... is it something else?’

Meanwhile, Xiao Yi managed to resist looking over at first—his focus was undeniably strong.

However, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Xu Linyuan himself stirring. It all looked so natural, so real.

’Could it be...’

’Did something really happen?’

If it had been anyone else, Xiao Yi wouldn’t have cared. But this was Xu Linyuan. How could he just ignore it?

Worry breeds chaos!

That moment of hesitation, lasting less than half a breath, was all it took. Xiao Yi couldn’t resist any longer and shot a quick glance to the side.

SWISH—!

As if he had calculated everything, the instant Xiao Yi’s gaze shifted, Chen Cheng exploded from absolute stillness into violent motion.

The Power around his body erupted without reserve. With a twist of his feet and his waist bent like a bow, he shot forward like an Arrow skimming the ground. No forms, no routines, not even a single wasted breath, let alone a wasted movement!

BAM!

A simple, brutal, and utterly vicious sinking elbow strike. Riding the momentum of his charge, it slammed solidly into Xiao Yi’s chest, where a slight opening had appeared as he turned.

A sickening thud, crisp and final, echoed through the air.

’It worked!!’

Of course, Chen Cheng’s strike had been a gamble. If it worked, great. If not, he would have just fought head-on.

Though Chen Cheng was confident he would win a normal fight, with Ye Yang watching over him, severely injuring Xiao Yi would have been nearly impossible.

To put it bluntly, Chen Cheng’s feint wasn’t just to fool Xiao Yi. It was to divert Ye Yang’s attention as well, so he could cripple Xiao Yi in a single blow, giving him absolutely no chance to retaliate!

"Where did he go!?"

"Where’s Xiao Yi!?"

The next instant, all eyes snapped back to the ring. They saw Chen Cheng standing there calmly, but Xiao Yi was gone.

It wasn’t until a wretched howl, punctuated by coughing and vomiting, echoed from a corner several yards outside the ring that the crowd turned to the sound. Their expressions immediately turned to utter shock.

"It’s... it’s over!?"

"The Inner Hall genius, Xiao Yi... lost... just like that, in an instant!?"

Where their gazes fell, Xiao Yi was curled up on the ground, his body convulsing uncontrollably as blood gushed from his mouth and nose.

Even more horrifying, a section of his chest was visibly caved in. Jagged shards of bone had even pierced through the skin, and blood soaked the front of his robes, still seeping out.

His eyes burned with a mad fury and hatred. He struggled several times to push himself up with his arms, but the excruciating pain made it a futile effort.

"Don’t move!"

Ye Yang rushed to his side, squatting to examine him. He immediately pulled out several Pills from his robes, pried open Xiao Yi’s clenched jaw, and forced them inside.

Those Pills were all incredibly valuable, but how could Ye Yang spare a thought for their cost at a time like this?

Wu Ziyu also rushed over. She started by trying to reassure Xiao Yi, telling him not to worry and that he would be healed, but her words died in her throat once she saw the extent of his injuries.

The surrounding dignitaries, the other disciples from the Inner Hall, and even Master Cao Miao of the Upper Courtyard were all stunned into silence.

Who could have predicted such an outcome?

Most of them hadn’t even seen how Chen Cheng had attacked...

They had looked away and back, and the fight was already over.

"Chen Cheng! You despi—"

Ye Qiluo snapped back to her senses, her brows shooting up in anger. She was about to curse him out, but her voice suddenly died in her throat.

Because at that moment, Xu Linyuan spoke.

"Well now, kid! You actually dared to use me as bait! You played everyone here for a fool!"

Xu Linyuan’s gaze fell upon Chen Cheng. There was no anger in his eyes; instead, they held a peculiar gleam.

"Who taught you to fight like that? Ye Yang?"

Xu Linyuan glanced at Ye Yang, who was busy trying to save his charge in the distance, and slowly shook his head.

"No, that can’t be it... That Xiao Yi, he must be the one Ye Yang taught. All he knows is that conservative, play-it-safe style of seeking no credit, just avoiding blame. In the end, it’s an inferior approach."

"Your Excellency sees clearly."

Chen Cheng replied with a cupped fist salute.

"There is indeed an old master outside the hall who has instructed me. He said that real combat is about using every available advantage to kill the enemy as quickly and efficiently as possible!"

"Well said! That’s exactly what a real life-or-death battle should be!"

Xu Linyuan praised him generously. After a pause, he continued in a clear, loud voice.

"For this round, I will make the announcement myself! Chen Cheng, a swift and flawless victory in practical combat—rating: A+! In Power, Endurance, and Ability... that’s Three A+s!"

As soon as he said this, another commotion swept through the crowd. The way everyone looked at Chen Cheng had completely changed.

A Bright Mirror Martial Artist with Three Pillars of Blood Qi wasn’t rare. But the prestige of achieving Three A+ ratings at the Dragon Mountain Middle Courtyard was enough to stun the entire Outer City. Even the nobles of the Inner City—and Xu Linyuan himself—were forced to see him in a new light.

"Chen Cheng! I’ll remember you!"

Xu Linyuan spoke again, his tone serious as he made his offer of recruitment.