Martial Saint with Passives

When he looked at Jiang Che, his sharp, hawk-like gaze held an undisguised, defiant desire for a challenge.

Jiang Che’s arrival immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

A wave of whispers instantly spread through the crowd.

"Look, that’s the Cangyun Sect’s new Chief, Jiang Che!"

"Ninth on the Hidden Dragon List. I heard he took Gu Qingxuan’s ’Celestial Fall’ head-on at the Cangyun Sect’s Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference!"

"He doesn’t look all that special. Is he really as incredible as the rumors say?"

Jiang Che could clearly sense the gazes upon him—some curious, some friendly, and some scrutinizing.

Of course, there were also gazes mixed with defiance and disdain.

Seeing Jiang Che’s arrival, Xiao Qingge whipped her head around.

The moment she saw Jiang Che, her eyes lit up. She pushed her way out of the crowd and strode over, a gust of wind in her wake.

"Hey, Junior Brother Jiang, you came too!" Her hearty voice preceded her.

Reaching Jiang Che, she looked him up and down, nodded in satisfaction, and said approvingly, "Not bad, not bad. Your aura seems even stronger than it was at the Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference. Looks like you’ve been working hard!"

Jiang Che had a good impression of this forthright Senior Sister. Compared to the insincere pleasantries of others, her straightforward nature put him much more at ease.

He smiled and cupped his fists. "Senior Sister Xiao, you’re as radiant as ever!"

"You smooth talker!" Xiao Qingge burst into a clear, hearty laugh, drawing glances from many nearby.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries. Soon, everyone had arrived—about thirty people in all.

Chen Jiayu walked onto the small arena already set up in the center of the courtyard and announced with a hearty laugh:

"Thank you all for gracing my Chen Mansion with your presence today for this Martial Dao exchange. The rules are the same as always: stop once a victor is clear, and let’s not harm the friendly atmosphere. Furthermore, to liven things up, the Chen Family will present a bottle of ’Snow Crystal Milk’ as a prize to the friend who achieves the most victories today!"

"Snow Crystal Milk?!"

The moment he spoke, an uproar swept through the crowd, and everyone’s eyes filled with fervent desire.

As expected of the number one Noble Family in Cangzhou Prefecture, the Chen Family was truly generous!

Soon, the exchange officially began.

One after another, the young talents took the stage, pairing off for their matches.

As expected, none of them were weaklings; each possessed exceptional strength.

A few of the Mid- and Late-stage Refining Organ Realm experts even made Jiang Che nod to himself in approval.

’If these people were in the Cangyun Sect,’ he thought, ’they would be strong enough to compete for a spot among the Four Great Celestial Pride!’

Chen Jiayu came to stand beside Jiang Che, occasionally introducing the fighters to him in a low voice.

"The one with the dual blades is the Young Sect Leader of the Feiyun Sect. He received his father’s True Inheritance in the Fast Blade Technique..."

"That woman is from Taizhou..."

Then, the defiant young man from before, the one wielding the Silver Spear, stepped onto the stage.

He proceeded to defeat several opponents in a row, knocking them off the stage and drawing waves of cheers.

Chen Jiayu introduced him, "His name is Qing Ling, from the Heaven-Sundering Sect. Though the sect is small, its lineage is incredibly formidable, and its Cultivation Techniques are tyrannical. All its disciples are battle-crazed lunatics. This Qing Ling is the most outstanding genius of his generation. His Cultivation has reached the Peak of the Refining Organ Realm, and his strength is immense. I’m afraid he’s not much weaker than Fang Muye!"

After effortlessly defeating another opponent, Qing Ling stood firm on the stage. His gaze, sharp as lightning, locked directly onto Jiang Che, who was watching from the sidelines.

"I’ve heard that Senior Brother Jiang of the Cangyun Sect, newly ranked ninth on the Hidden Dragon List, possesses transcendent strength. I, Qing Ling, may be unworthy, but I would like to ask for a few pointers!"

His tone was clearly provocative. It was obvious he was resentful that he hadn’t made the list, while Jiang Che was ranked so high.

Seeing this, Chen Jiayu simply smiled and didn’t intervene.

In an instant, everyone’s gaze focused on Jiang Che.

’I see.’ Jiang Che understood perfectly. He had come today precisely to establish his might, make a name for himself, and build connections. There was no reason to hold back.

He nodded and walked slowly onto the stage.

"Hah!"

The moment Jiang Che was on the stage, Qing Ling wasted no words. With a flick of his Silver Spear, it shot out like a dragon, thrusting straight toward Jiang Che’s chest with unstoppable momentum!

Facing this earth-shattering thrust, Jiang Che neither dodged nor evaded. He simply extended his right hand, which was clad in dark silver Gloves.

A glimmer of light flashed across the Gloves.

To the utter shock of the crowd, he casually caught the Unbreakable spear tip!

CLANG!

With a crisp ring, the spear tip stopped less than half an inch from Jiang Che’s chest, unable to advance any further!

’What?!’

Qing Ling’s heart skipped a beat. He felt as if his Long Spear had struck a block of Ten Thousand Year Profound Iron!

"Interesting!" he roared. His Spear Technique abruptly changed, transforming into a sky full of afterimages that rained down on Jiang Che like a storm of pear blossoms!

Yet, no matter how he attacked, Jiang Che met each move with unhurried ease.

He moved as if taking a leisurely stroll, his hands a blur of afterimages that precisely parried or caught the unpredictable spear tip every time.

Finally, Qing Ling lost his patience.

He suddenly retreated a step and took a deep breath. The Qi Force from his entire body surged into the Silver Spear, condensing madly around its shaft until the faint cry of a dragon could be heard!

"Take my strongest move, Sky-Splitting Hundred Dragon Break!"

"It’s the Heaven-Sundering Sect’s Ultimate Skill!" The faces of everyone below changed.

Chen Jiayu, Xiao Qingge, and Lin Qingyun all wore grave expressions.

Even they couldn’t claim to be able to receive a blow of such power with ease.

However, facing this ultimate strike, Jiang Che once again simply threw a punch!

The punch looked utterly ordinary, yet it seemed to flow with the simple, profound rhythm of the Great Dao itself.

BANG!!

With a deafening explosion of sound, Qing Ling felt an irresistible force travel up the spear. The webbing of his hand split open instantly, and the Silver Spear let out a mournful cry as the punch sent it flying from his grasp!

As for Qing Ling himself, he stumbled back a dozen steps before finally regaining his footing, his face a mask of utter disbelief!

The entire arena was in shock! Everyone was awed by Jiang Che’s incomparably tyrannical punch!

Ninth on the Hidden Dragon List—his reputation was well-deserved!

Chen Jiayu looked at Jiang Che, a smile of appreciation on his face.

Lin Qingyun, on the other hand, secretly compared herself to him. ’I’m still a little stronger,’ she concluded, breathing a mental sigh of relief.

Qing Ling looked at Jiang Che, took a deep breath, and cupped his fists. "I lost! I am utterly convinced of my defeat!"

He had a direct personality; a loss was a loss. He was now completely convinced of Jiang Che’s strength.

"You fought well," Jiang Che said with a smile, cupping his fists.

Just as he was about to leave the stage, a figure in fiery red leaped onto the arena like a blazing flame.

"Junior Brother Jiang, not bad at all! Come on, have a round with your Senior Sister, too!"

It was Xiao Qingge of the Profound Sound Sect!

A Suona, forged entirely from Extreme-Grade Profound Iron and clearly quite heavy, had appeared in her hand.

The crowd was shocked once again. The fourth-ranked expert on the Hidden Dragon List was actually challenging Jiang Che?

And with such a... peculiar Weapon?

Jiang Che was stunned as well. Looking at the Suona in her hand, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Senior Sister Xiao, this... this is a martial arts tournament, not a concert."

"Who said I was going to play for you?" Xiao Qingge raised an eyebrow. With one hand, she twirled the heavy Profound Iron Suona, creating a whistling wind, before hoisting it onto her shoulder. She radiated the heroic aura of the Jianghu. "Stop being so coy! Are you a man or not? Fight me!"

"...Fine. In that case, I’ll ask for some pointers from Senior Sister Xiao."

"Now that’s more like it!"

The moment she finished speaking, Xiao Qingge swung the Suona from her shoulder and brought it crashing down directly on Jiang Che’s head!

She was actually using the musical instrument like a Wolf Fang Club!

The Suona tore through the air, carrying a powerful, heavy gust of wind with immense force!

Not daring to be careless, Jiang Che crossed his arms above him to block.

DONG!!

A dull, thunderous boom, like the toll of an ancient bell, exploded across the arena!

Jiang Che felt a tremendous force slam into him. The stone tiles beneath his feet instantly fractured, and the shock of the blow drove him down slightly!

Meanwhile, the recoil sent a numbing shock through Xiao Qingge’s arms, but the battle lust in her eyes only burned brighter.

"Such hard fists! Again!"