Martial Saint with Passives

Xie Songnian came to the high platform, exchanged a few pleasantries with Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi, and then took his seat.

His gaze swept across the grounds, seemingly at random.

When his eyes landed on Jiang Che, a deeply hidden killing intent flashed in their depths for an instant!

At almost the same instant, Jiang Che’s True: All-Seeing Eye sensed a bone-chilling danger.

But he merely lifted his gaze slightly, his eyes meeting Xie Songnian’s in mid-air for a fleeting moment.

He then looked away as if nothing had happened, his face betraying no fear.

’That old dog Xie Songnian,’ he mused, ’wouldn’t dare make a move against me in front of so many important figures!’

Seeing this, Xie Songnian’s eyes narrowed.

He snorted coldly in his heart. ’Brat, your death is sealed the moment this Inquiry Conference ends!’

But then, he was suddenly taken aback.

’Wait, Jiang Che... why is he standing in the line for the Refining Organ Realm disciples?’

’He actually broke through to the Refining Organ Realm?!’

Shocked, Xie Songnian immediately beckoned a trusted disciple to his side and questioned him in a low voice.

The disciple leaned into his ear and quickly recounted how Jiang Che had broken through and become the Chief Disciple.

"Chief Disciple?!" After listening, Xie Songnian’s shock was immeasurable, quickly morphing into a towering inferno of rage and hatred.

’He must have broken through by consuming my son Xingwen’s bottle of top-grade Snow Crystal Milk!’ he immediately thought. ’That little beast! Not only did he kill my boy, but he also stole his opportunity!’

’So what if you’re the Chief Disciple? After today, I’ll still make you disappear from the face of this earth!’

Watching Xie Songnian, who looked as if he wanted to swallow him whole, Jiang Che had a pretty good idea of what was going on.

He knew that after the Inquiry Conference, a life-or-death crisis was inevitable.

To break this impasse, he had to secure a high enough rank in this competition to truly catch the attention of the Sect Leader and the other higher-ups.

Otherwise, his only option was to flee to a distant land!

At this moment, on the high platform, Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi slowly rose. His voice, infused with True Qi, carried clearly across the entire plaza.

He first mentioned the meritorious service of eradicating the You Family and praised the disciples for their efforts in Exorcism and upholding the righteous path.

Then, he gravely warned the assembly that remnants of the Demon Sect were still at large and that no one should let their guard down.

After his address, the highly anticipated disciple competition finally began!

The first event was the competition for the Bone Forging Realm disciples.

A disciple from Thunder Shock Courtyard was the first to take the stage.

His Saber Technique was fierce. In just a few moves, he sent an opponent from Panyue Courtyard flying off the stage, earning a wave of applause.

Immediately after, disciples from various courtyards took to the stage one after another to issue challenges.

For a time, the stage was a lively scene of crisscrossing Qi Force and flashing blades.

One disciple from Liufeng Courtyard, whose Body Technique was quite impressive, consecutively defeated several opponents, including a few senior brothers from Yunhai Courtyard.

Just as he was reveling in his success, a stocky figure leaped onto the stage.

It was none other than Yunhai Courtyard’s Head Senior Brother, Xiao Mingqian!

"It’s Senior Brother Xiao!" The disciples of Yunhai Courtyard were suddenly invigorated.

The disciple from Liufeng Courtyard clearly recognized Xiao Mingqian, and his expression grew somber.

After a fierce battle, Xiao Mingqian, with his more solid foundation, proved to be the superior martial artist, forcing his opponent back with a palm strike to win the match.

The entire arena erupted in thunderous applause.

Living up to everyone’s expectations, Xiao Mingqian defeated several strong opponents in a row, advancing triumphantly.

But in the end, after a hard-fought battle, he lost to a powerful expert at the Peak of the Bone Forging Realm from Thunder Shock Courtyard and took second place.

The competition for the Bone Forging Realm thus came to a close.

Next up was the main event of the day.

The duels between the Refining Organ Realm disciples!

Standing in line, Jiang Che felt a wave of emotion.

He remembered the last Inquiry Conference. He had only been a disciple in the Force Integration Realm, not even qualified to set foot on the stage, forced to watch from below.

And this time, he was actually standing here as a participant!

With a command from the presiding Elder, the competition officially began.

On the viewing platform.

The head of Thunder Shock Courtyard, Situ Zhen, sidled up to Xu Qingshan. Pointing in Jiang Che’s direction, he said in a rumbling voice, "Old Xu, is that the new Chief Disciple from your courtyard? He doesn’t look like much. His aura is weak, and his foundation seems unstable."

Xu Qingshan didn’t even raise an eyelid. "Hmph," he said coolly, "You’ll see soon enough what he’s capable of."

Soon, it was Jiang Che’s turn.

His opponent was a disciple from Thunder Shock Courtyard who had just broken through to the Early Stage of the Refining Organ Realm.

Seeing that his opponent was Jiang Che, a trace of disdain flashed in the disciple’s eyes.

’I heard this guy once dissipated his energy, and his Root Bone is poor. Who knows what trick he used to get lucky and break through to the Refining Organ Realm? How strong could he possibly be?’

With a loud shout, he brought his long saber whistling down on Jiang Che’s head!

However, with a flicker of his body, Jiang Che moved with preemptive speed, instantly appearing at his opponent’s side.

Before the disciple’s astonished eyes, a fist clad in dark silver gloves landed gently on his ribs.

THUD!

The disciple from Thunder Shock Courtyard, as if struck by a battering ram, had his Body-Protecting Qi shatter instantly. He was sent flying sideways, crashing heavily off the stage and passing out on the spot!

One move!

A one-hit kill!

The entire arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a massive uproar.

"Did I see that right? It was over in one move?"

"That Jiang Che... his strength seems to be even stronger than the rumors say!"

Although everyone was a bit surprised, many people didn’t think much of it.

"Tch, he only beat someone who just entered the Early Stage of the Refining Organ Realm. What’s the big deal?"

"Exactly! It was just a cheap shot. That’s not real skill!"

Seeing his own disciple get casually blasted off the stage without even surviving a single move, Situ Zhen’s old face turned livid, a truly ugly sight.