Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

”The last person to get Three A+ was Senior Sister Zhuang Zhen... She was once the most brilliant genius in the Dragon Mountain Middle Courtyard. By sixteen, she had already become the leading disciple of the Inner Hall.”

Qian Baolu sighed and continued.

”Later, a certain noble from the Inner City who had been sponsoring her asked her to settle a matter with her fists... In that battle, her foundation was damaged, leaving her Root Bone flawed... For the three years after that, her Realm didn’t advance an inch, and her Blood Qi grew weaker by the day...”

At this, a look of pity surfaced in Qian Baolu’s eyes.

Chen Cheng couldn’t help but frown. He hadn’t realized that after one’s Blood Qi had consolidated, it could actually regress instead of advance.

But on second thought, it made sense. It was just like the gifted athletes from his previous life. After a single severe injury, they could almost never return to their peak, and might even be forced into early retirement.

It seemed the patronage of Inner City nobles really didn’t come cheap, and the dangers of fighting on their behalf, along with the severe consequences, were not to be underestimated.

Chen Cheng mused silently. ’It was definitely a wise move not to rashly bind myself to any Inner City faction today.’

’I’ll need to be even more cautious from now on. I absolutely cannot repeat Zhuang Zhen’s mistake.’

”At first, she didn’t give up on herself. After her injuries healed, her training was even more arduous than before... but the result was that her Blood Qi declined instead of growing... Slowly, she went from being the leading disciple to one of the lowest-ranked in the Inner Hall...”

Qian Baolu sighed.

”After a while, she started blaming all her problems on her flawed Root Bone. The obsession built up over time until it practically became a Heart Demon...”

”Over the past half-year, she’s been spending less and less time on her cultivation and has started taking over various administrative tasks in the Middle Courtyard... I’m afraid... she’s already thinking about giving up on Martial Arts.”

”So that’s what happened...”

After listening silently, Chen Cheng had a much clearer understanding of the situation.

Zhuang Zhen’s Realm had stalled because of her flawed Root Bone, yet Chen Cheng, with a Root Bone of the lowest possible grade, was advancing at an incredible speed.

At some point, Chen Cheng had become like a faint glimmer of light piercing the darkness, allowing Zhuang Zhen to see real, tangible hope.

And today, Chen Cheng’s Three A+ performance had transformed that glimmer of hope into an unparalleled divine sword, slicing a crack into Zhuang Zhen’s deeply rooted Heart Demon.

At this moment, Zhuang Zhen still stood in the shadows of a deserted corridor in the Inner Hall.

Whether she could step out of them was now up to her.

”Junior Brother Qian, are you in?”

Suddenly, Lin Fengxiao’s voice came from outside the room.

Qian Baolu didn’t answer right away. He glanced at Chen Cheng first and only got up to open the door after Chen Cheng nodded.

Outside, Lin Fengxiao was about to step in when he saw Chen Cheng sitting inside. His feet froze, and he took several steps back, as if not to intrude.

”Junior Brother Qian, here’s a Blood-Nourishing Pill and five taels of silver. Take them...”

As he spoke, Lin Fengxiao shoved the items into Qian Baolu’s hands.

”What are you doing? Why are you giving me this out of the blue...? Take it back, take it back...”

Qian Baolu looked completely baffled and tried to hand the items back, but Lin Fengxiao grabbed his wrist, holding it so firmly he couldn’t move.

”Junior Brother Qian, back when I was at my lowest, you were the one who helped me... You must take these!”

Lin Fengxiao paused, then added.

”I’ll be able to get five catties of dried beast meat from Fuchang Trading Company later. I’ll bring it over for you then.”

”This...”

Qian Baolu wanted to refuse, but he knew Lin Fengxiao’s personality. Once he said something, it was set in stone; there would be no talking him out of it.

”Fine... I’ll accept it, but this is the only time!”

Qian Baolu accepted, then lowered his voice to remind him.

”I’ve heard some rumors recently that Fuchang Trading Company is hiring ’Dark Sabers’ for a high price. When you’re over there, be careful. Don’t let them use you as a pawn.”

”I know.”

Lin Fengxiao glanced into the room, his voice deliberately a little louder.

”The Master of Fuchang Trading Company just subtly hinted to me that they’re planning something soon. He said if I’m willing to risk my life, I could earn a hundred taels of silver in a single night!”

”Don’t agree to it yet!”

Qian Baolu said decisively.

”Let me try to find out what Fuchang Trading Company is really up to. You can decide after that.”

”Thank you.”

Lin Fengxiao nodded and said seriously.

”If I get anything out of it, I’ll make sure you get your share.”

”Hey! I told you, this is a one-time thing!”

Qian Baolu frowned.

”I charge referral fees and sell information, but that’s for strangers. Between us, how could I ask you for a cut? Just focus on saving your money and cultivating diligently. You have a great future ahead of you!”

”...What kind of future is there for someone like me?”

Lin Fengxiao shrugged. After a simple goodbye, he left.

Qian Baolu watched him go and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. Only then did he go back inside and shut the door.

Afterward, Chen Cheng and Qian Baolu chatted for a while longer. The conversation eventually turned to Lin Fengxiao, and Qian Baolu explained that he had only gradually learned the full story of the vengeance Lin Fengxiao carried.

One night, early this year, Lin Fengxiao was on his way home when he came across a woman being assaulted. He intervened and drove the assailants away.

The next day, after he returned to the Martial Arts Hall, his family was targeted for revenge. His grandfather and father were mutilated and killed. His mother and sister were violated and murdered, their naked bodies left hanging from a large tree by the roadside. Their home was looted of all its valuables, and the large estate was burned to the ground.

This was what led to his suicidal training regimen and his obsession: either he would achieve Great Success in Martial Arts and claim his revenge, or he would burn out his worthless life and find redemption in death.

As for who his enemy was, Qian Baolu wasn’t sure, but it seemed to be related to the Green Forest Bandits outside the city.

”Banditry is that rampant, even in the city?” Chen Cheng’s brow furrowed slightly.

”Tell me about it,”

Qian Baolu said in a low voice.

”These days, people in the city can barely survive. As for those outside... what wouldn’t they do to stay alive?”