Martial Saint with Passives

Everyone stared at the tall, straight figure on the stage, their minds blank, as if frozen in place by an Immobilization Technique.

A moment later, someone gasped, and the entire Martial Arts Plaza erupted like a barrel of gunpowder.

First Senior Brother Xiao Mingqian’s face was flushed with excitement. He grabbed a junior brother by the shoulders, shaking him forcefully as he shouted incoherently, "He won! Junior Brother Jiang won! He beat Shi Poyue!"

Xu Qingshan shot up from his seat, the long-suppressed gloom on his face swept away and replaced by uncontrollable joy and pride. He looked at the dumbfounded Situ Zhen beside him and roared with laughter, "Hahaha! Old Situ, that Fire Soul Wine of yours is mine!"

Vice Sect Leader Xie Songnian’s expression, however, turned completely grim. The killing intent in his eyes was so strong it was almost tangible.

’Since he could beat Shi Poyue, it’ll be difficult for me to deal with him openly now!’

’Fine. I’ll just find a chance to do it in secret!’

Ye Lianzhen was a little surprised, but on second thought, she figured the boy probably had more trump cards she didn’t know about.

’Jiang Che, oh, Jiang Che... just how many more surprises do you have for me?’

She was beginning to look forward to it.

In the spectator area, Tang Qiaoqiao, Liu Qing, and Su Wan were utterly shocked.

They might have had some estimation of Jiang Che’s strength.

But they never would have imagined he could actually beat Shi Poyue!

Yun Weiwei’s mouth hung open, unable to believe her eyes.

As for Mu Jun and Shu Yaxin, they felt a chill shoot from the soles of their feet to the top of their skulls, their faces turning deathly pale.

All they could do now was pray that Jiang Che wouldn’t hold a grudge against them.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingxuan, who had already stepped off her stage, cast a brief glance in Jiang Che’s direction before looking away, her face still wearing its perpetually icy expression.

Fang Muye, however, let the smile fade from his lips.

He watched Jiang Che’s figure, lost in thought.

And on the guest platform, Qin Wuya, Chen Jiayu, Xiao Qingge, and the mysterious masked woman all fixed their gazes firmly on Jiang Che, their eyes unconsciously taking on a scrutinizing glint.

This new Chief of Yunhai Courtyard was no ordinary person!

...

On the other stage, the semi-finals began.

Liufeng Courtyard’s Chief, Fang Muye, faced Panyue Courtyard’s Chief, Wang Zhenhai, who was at the Late-stage Refining Organ Realm!

The man’s Iron Body Skills had reached the Transformation Realm. His body was harder than fine steel, difficult to harm with ordinary blades.

He had always been considered the strongest disciple below the Four Great Celestial Pride.

But this year, with Lin Bihe’s death and Shi Poyue’s early elimination, he had managed to squeeze into the semi-finals.

However, faced with Fang Muye’s ghostly Body Technique and Finger Force that was as concentrated as a needle, Wang Zhenhai’s powerful physique was ultimately no match.

After a prolonged struggle, Fang Muye seized an opening when his opponent was catching his breath, striking a finger at the weakest point in his defense: a joint.

The Qi Force pierced his body, disrupting his internal Strength’s balance, and Wang Zhenhai had no choice but to concede.

Fang Muye won with ease, securing his spot in the finals early.

At last, the time had come for the other, highly anticipated semi-final match.

The new Chief of Yunhai Courtyard, Jiang Che.

Versus the Chief of Lingxiao Courtyard, the number one Celestial Pride of the Cangyun Sect, Gu Qingxuan!

The atmosphere in the Martial Arts Plaza reached its peak at this very moment!

"It’s time! It’s time! Jiang Che versus Gu Qingxuan!"

"Now this is going to be good! I wonder how many moves this biggest of dark horses, Jiang Che, can last against Senior Sister Gu?"

"How many moves? You’re thinking too much! Senior Sister Gu has never known defeat; she’s never even had to draw her sword! I’m guessing one move!"

"One move is an exaggeration. I bet three moves! If he can force Senior Sister Gu to draw her sword, Jiang Che will be honorable in defeat!"

Even though Jiang Che had displayed astonishing strength earlier, almost no one believed he could win under the aura of Gu Qingxuan’s near-invincibility.

The only question on everyone’s mind was simply how long Jiang Che could hold out.

On the stage, the two stood facing each other.

Gu Qingxuan looked at Jiang Che, her perpetually frozen eyes still devoid of expression.

"It’s you," her cold, clear voice suddenly rang out.

Though it held no emotion, it took everyone who knew her by surprise.

In the stands, many disciples were stunned.

"Senior Sister Gu... actually spoke to Jiang Che first?"

"My heavens, I’ve been in the sect for five years, and I’ve never heard her initiate a conversation with any man other than an Elder!"

Jiang Che was also a bit surprised, but he simply gave a calm nod.

"Make your move," Gu Qingxuan said, wasting no more words.

The moment her voice fell, she formed a sword with her fingers. A stream of Sword Qi—more condensed and swifter than any she had unleashed before—instantly tore through the air, stabbing straight for Jiang Che’s face!

Faced with this incomparably sharp strike, Jiang Che didn’t try to block it head-on.

His body flickered, and he sidestepped at an extremely subtle angle to evade it.

The Sword Qi grazed his cheek as it flew past, the resulting gust of wind stinging his skin.

"Oh?" A trace of surprise flashed in Gu Qingxuan’s eyes.

Immediately after, she unleashed her assault!

Streams of Sword Qi erupted from her fingertips, sometimes like a sudden squall, other times with an untraceable, unpredictable pattern.

The entire stage was instantly enveloped in a dreadful Sword Intent!

Jiang Che continuously dodged and weaved amidst the dense barrage of Sword Qi, his figure flickering about. Incredibly, he narrowly avoided every single one of Gu Qingxuan’s attacks!

The Passive Effect of [True: Shadowless Escape Stream] had activated!

In terms of Body Technique, he was already no worse than a Liufeng Courtyard disciple who specialized in it!

The audience was dumbstruck.

"He... he actually dodged all of them!"

"That Body Technique... it’s so fast!"

Gu Qingxuan was also surprised. Then, within her eyes that were as placid as still water, a true spark of fighting spirit finally ignited.