Martial Saint with Passives

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

The noonday sun beat down, scorching the earth.

The massive Martial Arts Plaza in the center of the Cangyun Sect was now packed with a sea of people.

The roar of the crowd surged to the heavens, even more boisterous than during the last Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference!

Although this was just an informal duel arranged privately between two chief disciples...

...headlines like the "Clash of the Chiefs," the "Battle for the Spot," and the "Showdown Between the New Prodigy and the Old Guard"...

...had, over the past thirty-six hours, completely ignited the passion of every disciple in the Sect!

The spectator stands, capable of holding tens of thousands, were filled to the brim.

Disciples who arrived late were forced to stand on the outskirts, craning their necks on tiptoe, just to catch a glimpse of the impending pinnacle showdown!

Some well-informed and daring Outer Disciples had even secretly started their own betting pools!

The wagers were varied and included everything from gold notes and Elixir Pills to Exotic Beast Materials.

"Place your bets, place your bets! A win for Chief Fang pays out 1.2! A win for Chief Jiang pays out 3!"

"I’m betting on Chief Fang! One hundred taels of gold! He’s at the Peak of the Refining Organ Realm and has already begun ’Refining Spirit.’ How could he possibly lose?!"

"Not necessarily! Chief Jiang has True Master Bai Yi’s inheritance! I’m betting on Chief Jiang! Fifty taels!"

"Are you crazy? How long has it been since Chief Jiang reached the Late-stage? His foundation isn’t stable. What’s he going to use to fight Chief Fang?"

Although Jiang Che’s supporters were vocal, when it came to betting with real gold and silver, the vast majority rationally placed their chips on Fang Muye, who had a higher Realm and more experience.

Atop the high platform.

Almost all the deans and Elders had gathered at the scene.

Most of them were just as curious and perplexed by the Sect Leader’s decision.

Situ Zhen, the dean of Thunder Shock Courtyard, grumbled to Xu Qingshan beside him, his voice a low rumble, "Old Xu, what sort of spell did that disciple of yours cast on the Sect Leader? Passing over someone at the Peak of the Refining Organ Realm to send a Late-stage cultivator instead? Is this some kind of joke?"

Without so much as raising an eyelid, Xu Qingshan replied coolly, "What’s the hurry? Just watch. You’ll see."

Nearby, Feng Zhuyun, the dean of Liufeng Courtyard, overheard their conversation.

He glanced at the composed Xu Qingshan and snorted, a look of undisguised contempt on his face.

’In his eyes, Xu Qingshan was merely feigning composure!’

’In both Realm and combat experience, Fang Muye was far beyond anything Jiang Che could match!’

’No matter what lucky breaks Jiang Che has had, faced with such an absolute disparity in power, he will ultimately crumble at the first blow!’

’Today, I will not only have my disciple, Fang Muye, reclaim his rightful glory...’

’I will also show the entire Sect that the chief of my Liufeng Courtyard is the true prodigy meant to represent the Cangyun Sect!’

Ye Lianzhen, for her part, sat upright. She took no part in the other deans’ arguments, her gaze fixed silently on the arena.

She thought to herself, ’Senior Brother Luo, will this disciple of yours continue to work miracles today...?’

Elsewhere, Gu Qingxuan, chief of Lingxiao Courtyard; Wang Zhenhai, chief of Panyue Courtyard; and Shi Poyue, chief of Thunder Shock Courtyard, had also come to watch.

Gu Qingxuan was dressed in her usual cyan robes, cradling her sword as she stood silently apart from the crowd.

Her expression was frosty, as if she were indifferent to the entire affair.

But her eyes, as still and deep as an ancient well, remained locked on the center of the Martial Arts Arena.

Clearly, she too wanted to see just how much the man who had once met her sword head-on had grown.

Wang Zhenhai and Shi Poyue were seated together. The former looked excited, while the latter’s expression was complex.

"Do you think... Jiang Che can win?" Shi Poyue couldn’t help but ask.

He had lost to Jiang Che before and knew just how hard the man’s fists were.

Wang Zhenhai shook his head. "Hard to say. That Fang Muye kid’s Body Technique is slippery; he’s not easy to deal with. But Jiang Che... that guy’s a monster. You can’t judge him by normal standards."

Meanwhile.

Tang Qiaoqiao, Liu Qing, and Su Wan were sitting together, all three looking worried.

"Senior Sister Liu, do you think... Jiang Che will be okay?" Tang Qiaoqiao asked, nervously tugging at her sleeve. "That Fang Muye... I heard he almost came to their door looking for a fight before. He... he won’t try to kill him, will he?"

Liu Qing patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry. Chief Jiang is quite strong, and this is an internal Sect match, after all. Fang Muye wouldn’t dare go too far. Besides, with the Sect Leader’s Talisman Seal, he won’t be in any real danger."

But despite her words, she was secretly just as worried.

Nearby, Yun Weiwei stood alone in a corner.

She stared toward the arena, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

She couldn’t imagine that the neighbor she once had to prod ’to go out and fight for it’...

...had now reached such dazzling heights!

He was about to battle one of the Sect’s top geniuses for supremacy!

Meanwhile, in the seating area for the Yunhai Courtyard disciples, the atmosphere was heavy.

Although everyone was steadfast in their support for Jiang Che...

...Fang Muye was, after all, one of the strongest disciples of the younger generation.

Jiang Che was strong, but his rise had simply been too short.

This battle was bound to be risky.

First Senior Brother Xiao Mingqian was so nervous his palms were sweating.

He, more than anyone, understood Fang Muye’s strength and his bone-deep pride.

’In today’s battle, Fang Muye is sure to bet everything. Can Jiang Che... really win?’

...

「The noon hour arrived.」