Martial Saint with Passives

He shot a glance at the composed Xu Qingshan beside him and said stubbornly, "Hmph! My disciple was just unskilled and careless. Don’t you get cocky!"

Xu Qingshan remained as serene as ever, but the faint, barely-there smile on his lips looked undeniably smug.

And this instant-kill victory from Jiang Che caused a subtle shift in how the entire crowd perceived him.

Atop the high platform, Ye Lianzhen watched the young man standing tall on the arena stage, her eyes filled with a gratified smile.

Not far away, Tang Qiaoqiao, Liu Qing, and Su Wan all covered their mouths in astonishment.

"He... H-how did he get so strong?" Tang Qiaoqiao murmured. The bit of indignation she’d felt about Jiang Che becoming the Chief Disciple now vanished like smoke.

Their senior brother, Xiao Mingqian, was so excited he clenched his fists and whispered, "Yes! A beautiful move!"

Soon, the second round of the competition began.

Jiang Che’s opponent was a disciple from Lingxiao Courtyard at the Mid-stage of the Refining Organ Realm.

This disciple had clearly learned a lesson from the previous fighter. He stepped onto the stage with a grave expression, his focus absolute. He remained on high alert, not daring to be the slightest bit careless.

"Engage!" His longsword left its sheath. With a flick of his wrist, the blade flashed, creating several dazzling flourishes. His figure grew indistinct as he unleashed a relentless barrage of Sword Techniques, aiming for Jiang Che’s vital points.

The crowd expected a fierce, drawn-out battle this time.

However, Jiang Che merely sidestepped, advanced, and threw a punch.

The movements could not have been simpler.

To the Lingxiao Courtyard disciple, it was as if Jiang Che’s every move anticipated his Sword Techniques, always appearing at the weakest point of his Sword Momentum in the simplest, most direct manner possible.

Within a few short exchanges, the disciple was thrown into disarray, leaving a massive opening.

Jiang Che seized the opportunity. He threw a seemingly slow, straight punch, yet it landed first despite being thrown second, striking his opponent squarely on the chest.

"BANG!"

The Lingxiao Courtyard disciple suffered the same fate as the one before him. His Body-Protecting Qi shattered on impact, and he was sent flying backward, tumbling off the stage.

This time, the entire arena fell completely silent.

If the first time was a sneak attack, a stroke of luck...

...then could this second victory—a head-on defeat of a star pupil from Lingxiao Courtyard at the Mid-stage of the Refining Organ Realm—still be considered a fluke?

The smile on Xu Qingshan’s face grew wider.

Situ Zhen was grinding his teeth in frustration, but he was left speechless.

This time, Xiao Mingqian shot to his feet and applauded Jiang Che.

"Junior Brother Jiang, well done!"

The other disciples of Yunhai Courtyard also erupted in cheers for Jiang Che.

Those who thought Yunhai Courtyard was doomed to a dismal finish this year without Senior Sister Lin Bihe now felt a flicker of hope.

Yun Weiwei watched Jiang Che on the stage, a bewildered look in her eyes.

She suddenly realized she had never truly understood him.

Meanwhile, Mu Jun and Shu Yaxin were fidgeting uncomfortably.

Remembering their prior attitude toward Jiang Che, their hearts swelled with regret.

Atop the high platform.

Xie Songnian frowned slightly.

’Jiang Che’s strength is somewhat beyond my expectations.’

’But that’s all it is.’

’This level of talent might be considered decent among the disciples.’

’But in the eyes of the sect’s leadership...’

’...he’s just another run-of-the-mill genius, the kind that pops up every so often.’

’Even if I were to find an excuse and have him killed...’

’...at most, a few people would grumble a bit.’

’It would have absolutely no effect on my position as Vice Sect Leader!’

...

Meanwhile, the true top-tier duels of the Sect were also getting underway.

The first of the Cangyun Sect’s Four Great Celestial Pride, Gu Qingxuan of Lingxiao Courtyard, slowly walked onto the arena stage.

Her opponent was a renowned expert within the Sect, a master at the Late-stage Refining Organ Realm.

However, facing this powerful senior brother, Gu Qingxuan maintained her cold and indifferent demeanor, not even bothering to draw the longsword from her back.

She simply formed a sword with her fingers and swiped casually forward.

SHIING!

A strand of incredibly condensed Sword Qi shot through the air. The Body-Protecting Qi, which the senior brother at the Late Stage of Refining Organ had constructed with all his might, was instantly torn apart like a sheet of paper!

His face was a mask of horror. Before he could even react, the strand of Sword Qi was already hovering before the space between his eyebrows.

The victor was decided!

The crowd erupted into an uproar once again!

"My heavens! She didn’t even draw her sword and one-shotted a master at the Late Stage of Refining Organ?!"

"Senior Sister Gu’s power has grown again!"

In the guest seating, the Elders from the Taiyuan Sect and the Profound Sound Sect watched Gu Qingxuan, their gazes filled with gravity.

"This girl has achieved Sword Heart Clarity. I fear she is only a single step away from the True Master Realm!" the Taiyuan Sect’s Vice Sect Leader, Zhao Qianjun, murmured to Qin Wuya beside him.

Qin Wuya nodded, the will to fight flaring in his eyes.

On another arena stage, Fang Muye of Liufeng Courtyard was likewise displaying his astonishing strength.

His Body Technique was phantom-like, leaving a trail of afterimages across the stage.

His opponent couldn’t even track his true form before being struck in a vital point by a single finger, leading to an easy defeat.

In the stands, the Fang Family Patriarch, Fang Chengxi, and the mysterious masked woman beside him both revealed satisfied smiles upon seeing Fang Muye’s outstanding performance.

Fang Muye was the most dazzling rising star of the Fang Family’s current generation!

As for the last of the Cangyun Sect’s Four Great Celestial Pride, Shi Poyue of Thunder Shock Courtyard, he also defeated his opponent in a clean sweep.

However, compared to the effortless grace of Gu Qingxuan and Fang Muye, his Saber Technique, while domineering, ultimately had an excess of brute force and was lacking in Transformation, making his win look somewhat labored.

Soon, after several rounds of eliminations, the competition for the Refining Organ Realm finally reached its climax.

Jiang Che’s next opponent was none other than the Chief Disciple of Thunder Shock Courtyard, Shi Poyue!

"That Jiang Che has to lose this time, right?"