Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

The rims of their eyes were all slightly red.

Zhao Tianlai’s previous gloominess vanished as he slowly walked over to stand behind Wan Qianshan.

In that moment, his towering, iron-like frame seemed to become Wan Qianshan’s final backbone—the true mountain of Dragon Mountain Hall.

”Let’s begin! I’ll go first!”

Lu Juan was the first to step forward. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing two thick, powerful arms.

”You may.”

Cao Miao nodded, took the Celestial God Hidden Dragon Painting from within his robes, and handed it to her.

Lu Juan accepted it, holding it with both hands.

A moment later, her Bright Force permeated the tips of the Thunder Pattern. About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, her Dark Force activated the hidden cloud patterns within the painting.

She held on for another moment, but sweat was already beading on her temples and her arms had begun to tremble slightly.

”Master Cao... I’m finished...”

She sighed, the light in her eyes visibly dimming.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to continue, but the Power Transfer Thought technique placed an immense drain on one’s physical and Heart Power.

An ordinary person could perform the transfer a maximum of three times a day, and each attempt could not last too long. Otherwise, the excessive drain on body and mind would cause harm instead of benefit.

She had truly reached her limit.

Cao Miao nodded and took back the Celestial God Hidden Dragon Painting. After examining it closely, he said,

”Seventy percent of the Thunder Pattern has erupted, and four cloud patterns have emerged. Upper-middle tier.”

After speaking, Cao Miao couldn’t help but glance at Wan Qianshan. There wasn’t the slightest ripple in the Hall Master’s dim, gray eyes.

”Lu Juan, don’t be discouraged. Upper-middle tier is not bad at all.”

Cao Miao said,

”From now on, your resource allocation will be doubled. When you have time, you can also study under Master Zhang to learn how to manage our various assets.”

”Yes! Thank you, Master Cao! Thank you, Hall Master!”

Lu Juan cupped her fist and said,

”Master Zhang, I ask for your guidance in the future.”

’I know my potential in Martial Arts is limited. If I have the chance to follow Zhang Dong’s path, it will be far better than taking up a nominal post with one of the great clans.’

「Afterward.」

Zhou An and Fatty Fang took their turns performing the Power Transfer Thought.

Zhou An caused seventy percent of the Thunder Pattern to erupt and six cloud patterns to emerge. His control over Dark Force was far superior to Lu Juan’s.

Fatty Fang made eighty percent of the Thunder Pattern erupt and seven cloud patterns emerge. Both his Bright Force and Dark Force were stronger than the two before him.

”Zhou An and Marquis Fang Wenhao are promoted to Core Disciples. Your resource allocation is increased to three times its previous level.”

Cao Miao said,

”From now on, you two will spend more time with me. I will do my best to help you improve your strength. If you make further progress, you may even earn the chance to be taught the Secret Techniques by the Hall Master.”

”Thank you, Master Cao! Thank you, Hall Master!”

After Zhou An and Fatty Fang cupped their fists in thanks, their gazes fell upon the remaining Transforming Force Disciples.

Zhao Tianlai had already achieved the Secret Inheritance Entry Level, so he clearly did not need to be tested today.

”Master Cao, I’ll go first.”

Of the three remaining, Gu Kaishen was the first to step forward. Though injured, his tone was exceptionally resolute.

”You may.”

Cao Miao nodded, then added a reminder,

”Mind your injuries. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

”Yes.”

Gu Kaishen acknowledged the warning. After taking the Celestial God Hidden Dragon Painting, he immediately began the Power Transfer Thought.

「Some time later.」

As he let his right hand fall slightly, everyone’s gaze immediately focused on the painting.

The Thunder Pattern had erupted across the entire painting, and more than a dozen cloud patterns were roiling across its surface.

But the crucial part was the effect of his Transforming Force on the dragon pattern. A section of the dragon’s tail seemed to come alive, its textured lines appearing to sway gently. The raised scales all trembled in unison, making it incredibly lifelike.

The three Dark Force Disciples looked on in amazement. This was a sight they almost never had the chance to witness.

But in the eyes of a Transforming Force expert, the result fell short of expectations.

Gu Kaishen’s expression fell instantly.

Cao Miao could only offer quiet words of comfort.

”Go home and rest for a while. Once your injuries have fully healed, we can test you again.”

”Thank you, Master Cao. Thank you, Hall Master.”

Gu Kaishen knew full well that this result was far from ideal. ’To be given another chance is already a blessing.’

Next, Zhuang Zhen stepped forward and took the Celestial God Hidden Dragon Painting.

She channeled her Power into it, and with a slight tremor, all the patterns on the painting immediately reset to their original state.

「Some time later.」

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and everyone’s eyes were once again drawn to the painting.

The Thunder Pattern had erupted across the entire painting, with no fewer than thirty cloud patterns visible.

The dragon pattern was fully permeated from head to tail. Its body twisted, its scales flared and trembled, and its mouth was open in a silent roar. It looked as if it was about to break free from the Celestial God’s grasp—and fly right out of the painting.

”The dragon pattern is completely permeated! Excellent!”

Cao Miao exclaimed in praise.

Zhang Dong, who had been completely uninterested until now, immediately looked over.

Even Wan Qianshan, supported by Zhao Tianlai, rose to his feet. He peered at it intently, and a glimmer of life finally returned to his dim, old eyes.

”Good, good, excellent! Zhuang Zhen! Are you willing to receive my Direct Inheritance?”

Wan Qianshan was a little agitated. He leaned on Zhao Tianlai, catching his breath for a moment before speaking seriously,

”My own martial lineage comes from the Nine Altars Sect. As long as you can master the Entry Level of the Secret Hidden Dragon Fist, I can recommend you to... to join the Nine Altar Sect!”

”Thank you, Hall Master. I am willing to try!”

Zhuang Zhen cupped her fist and bowed, unable to suppress the joyous surprise that welled up deep in her eyes.

’For any martial artist, joining a Sect is undoubtedly the best path, second only to entering service through the Martial Selection.’

But despite her surprise and joy, her heart was still filled with profound reverence.

’Secret Martial Arts are not so easy to master at an entry level.’

’Take my own family’s Four Gods Profound Body, for example. The latter half consists of Secret Techniques, but without Chen Cheng’s guidance, I couldn’t even master the conventional Techniques of the first half.’

’Mastering even the Entry Level of the Secret Hidden Dragon Fist will be anything but easy.’

”Still calling me Hall Master?”

Wan Qianshan’s brow furrowed slightly.

”...Master! Your disciple pays her respects!”

Zhuang Zhen cupped her fist firmly and moved to kowtow.

”That can wait...”

Wan Qianshan waved his hand and said gravely,