Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

The bow’s body was not forged from a single piece, but was composed of three interlocking sections of fine steel.

A central grip was flanked by two limbs. Each joint was fitted with an extremely fine copper hoop. When twisted, a tenon would slide into its mortise, creating a seamless fit.

When needed, the copper hoops could be loosened, allowing the two limbs to be pulled straight out, forming a line with the grip. The joints would lock automatically, transforming the entire bow into a straight Profound Iron Rod, a little over five feet in length.

Furthermore, the nocks at either end of the bow were shaped like feathers. The fletching patterns were distinct, and their edges were as thin as knife blades.

At the base of each feather was a hidden catch. With a press of a switch and a slight twist, the feather detached from the bow’s tip. In hand, they were a pair of daggers.

The daggers were long and narrow, with a slight curve. The sharpened edge ran along the side of the feather shape, its cold glint subdued. A thrust from them was silent.

And by aligning the pair of Feathered Daggers and twisting them onto the tip of the straightened Profound Iron Rod, the catches would lock, and it would become a long spear.

The resulting spear was about seven feet long in total—considerably shorter than a standard Long Spear, but more compact and easier to handle for a Martial Artist like Chen Cheng, who had never trained in any Spear Technique.

Over the past few days, Chen Cheng had set aside time specifically to practice disassembling and reassembling the weapon, becoming quite proficient.

He could now rapidly take apart and reassemble every component, even with his eyes closed.

And now, he took a pouch from the wooden box.

It was designed specifically for the Feathered Daggers. Once the blades were sheathed inside, the pouch could be worn on his belt, making it both portable and extremely concealable.

Finally, he changed into a black robe with an oversized hood. He’d had the Li Family commission it three days ago, specifically seeking out Hu Niu in the Outer City and asking for it to be secretly rush-made.

Then he left his home and headed straight for Immortal Tower.

’While sorting through his hidden assets just now, he had already thought it all through... With the Red Moon Remnants invading the Inner City and Dragon Mountain Hall facing a major crisis, the sky could fall at any moment.’

’In a situation like this, any trivial matter, any small problem that would normally be insignificant, could fester and erupt into a devastating catastrophe.’

’To be safe, he had to eliminate all known threats as quickly as possible, nipping them in the bud before they could sprout.’

’Prepare before the rain, and strike before the enemy can act.’

’This was the principle he had lived by ever since he was at his weakest.’

...

On the main street leading to Immortal Tower.

A procession of carriages, long as a dragon, rolled unhurriedly over the bluestone road.

Most of the carriages were luxurious and ostentatious; a single glance at their exteriors was enough to tell that their owners were of no small status.

One carriage in particular, lacquered black and traced with gold, was draped with curtains of the finest frost-blue brocade. Even the two white horses pulling it were exceptionally majestic.

「Inside the carriage.」

Qin Xiangyun was reclining against a soft pillow, her eyes half-closed, her expression languid.

Zhan Mubai knelt beside her, his back slightly bowed, holding an exquisitely crafted pastry in both hands.

Qin Xiangyun parted her lips slightly, and Zhan Mubai brought the pastry to her mouth. After she took a small bite, he drew it back, continuing to hold it in his cupped hands.

On the way there, Zhan Mubai had been discussing Qin Zhao’s performance with Qin Xiangyun, flattering her endlessly. He had finally managed to coax her into a good mood.

”Xiangyun, we’ve known each other for some time now...”

Zhan Mubai said, tentatively changing the subject.

”The Martial Selection is only two months away. About our marriage... if you just say the word, I am willing to marry into your family.”

”No need to rush.”

Qin Xiangyun glanced at Zhan Mubai’s handsome face, a smirk playing on her lips.

”With your Root Bone and Comprehension, you should spend the next two months working hard to condense the Seventh Pillar of Blood Qi instead of coveting my Qin Family’s Secret Martial Arts... If you can manage that, I’ll agree to the marriage.”

”Don’t you worry. I’ll definitely succeed.”

The smile never left Zhan Mubai’s face, and his tone was confident. But deep in his eyes, a flicker of something indiscernible flashed past.

Only he knew that his Cultivation had hit a bottleneck; he hadn’t been able to generate even a sliver of Blood Qi for two months.

If he wanted to continue on the path of Martial Arts, his only hope was gaining the Secret Inheritance Entry Level.

If not for that, why else would he have scurried back from the Prefecture City, tail between his legs, to become someone’s live-in son-in-law?

”Oh, and in a few days, I need you to go cripple someone for me.”

Qin Xiangyun suddenly changed the subject, her expression instantly turning dark.

”Chen Cheng of Dragon Mountain Hall. He’s that pretty boy from this morning who didn’t even dare to take the stage. He only condensed his Six Pillars of Blood Qi a few days ago. For you to take care of him, it’ll be a piece of cake.”

”Well...”

Zhan Mubai hesitated.

”Crippling some nobody isn’t hard. I’m just... I’m afraid of retaliation from Dragon Mountain Hall.”

”Don’t worry, Dragon Mountain Hall can barely protect itself anymore.”

Qin Xiangyun pursed her lips.

”If you’re really that scared, then forget it. I have plenty of other people I can use.”

”How could you say such a thing!”

A flicker of panic crossed Zhan Mubai’s face. He quickly set down the pastry and thumped his chest, pledging his loyalty.

”We don’t have to wait a few days. Give me that brat’s address, and I’ll go cripple him tonight. An arm? A leg? You just have to say the word.”

”His legs...”

Qin Xiangyun’s eyes narrowed, and the corners of her mouth curved high into an almost pathologically deranged smile.

”I want all three!”

”...N-no problem.”

Zhan Mubai’s Adam’s apple bobbed. A chill ran down his spine, but he still agreed readily.

「A short while later.」

The dragon-like procession of carriages arrived smoothly at Immortal Tower.

Qin Zhao, the Cloud Platform Hall Master, and Hong Jinhai disembarked from the lead carriage and were the first to enter the tower.

One by one, the carriages behind them pulled up to the entrance of Immortal Tower. The guests attending the victory banquet disembarked and made their way inside.

Qin Xiangyun’s carriage was positioned rather far back in the line.

It seemed she lacked the patience to wait her turn.

Zhan Mubai was seen jumping down from the carriage first, then turning to lift the curtain and offer her a hand.