Martial Saint with Passives

"Mhm!" Jiang Ling nodded emphatically, muttering to herself as she counted.

Jiang Che’s gaze swept over the pile of gifts, and he noticed a familiar package.

It was a congratulatory gift from his Senior Brother, Xiao Mingqian—a bottle of Elixir Pills to help solidify his Cultivation in the Refining Organ Realm.

A warmth spread through Jiang Che’s heart.

He always remembered how, when he first joined the courtyard, his Senior Brother had taught him on their master’s behalf and helped him get acquainted with the Sect.

Although his Senior Brother’s limited Talent had kept him stuck at the Peak of Bone Forging for a long time, his character was truly beyond reproach.

He also saw a package from the Mining Area.

Foreman Cheng Ming had asked someone to deliver it. Inside were some high-quality ores.

...

As time passed, the Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference drew ever closer.

The atmosphere within the Sect grew more and more fervent, with discussions about this year’s grand event breaking out everywhere.

"There’s a huge dark horse in this year’s Refining Organ Realm competition! That Jiang Che from Yunhai Courtyard... I wonder what his strength is really like?"

"Hah, he just broke through to the Refining Organ Realm. His foundation is unstable. How strong can he be? He’s probably just going to make up the numbers."

"Yeah, it’s a shame. That Lin Bihe from their courtyard is gone now. Otherwise, she would’ve definitely been a strong contender for the top three this year. Sigh, it looks like Yunhai Courtyard is truly on the decline."

In short, even though Yunhai Courtyard had produced Jiang Che, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, most people were still not optimistic about their courtyard’s performance this year.

They certainly didn’t believe that Jiang Che could achieve any respectable ranking in a Refining Organ Realm competition packed with experts.

...

The Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference officially began.

On this day, the Cangyun Sect’s massive central Martial Arts Plaza was a sea of fluttering colored banners and bobbing heads. The tumultuous roar of the crowd surged to the heavens.

On the high platform.

Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi was still dressed in a simple Daoist Robe, with silver hair and a silver beard, his complexion as ruddy as a baby’s.

He sat cross-legged in the main seat. Though his eyes appeared to be gently closed, his aura was as deep as the ocean, faintly resonating with the heavens and the earth.

On either side of him, the deans of the various courtyards and the Sect Elders sat in rows, their presence grave and dignified.

The Dean of Liufeng Courtyard, Feng Zhuyun, had a graceful figure and a dashing air.

The Dean of Lingxiao Courtyard, Yue Lingfeng, had a cold and stern expression. A longsword was strapped to his back, and he exuded a piercing sharpness.

The Dean of Thunder Shock Courtyard, Situ Zhen, was burly and imposing, possessing a natural authority without needing to show anger.

The Dean of Panyue Courtyard, Shi Tai, specialized in Physical Body Hard Skill. His frame was like an iron tower, and his aura was as steady as a mountain.

The Dean of Qianji Courtyard, True Master Qiao Gong, was a small, thin old man, yet his eyes shone with a sharp light, as if they could see through the inner workings of all things.

The Dean of Yunhai Courtyard, Xu Qingshan, and the Dean of Yanluo Courtyard, Ye Lianzhen, were also among them, their expressions solemn.

This year also happened to be the grand celebration of the Cangyun Sect’s 400th anniversary, so this session of the Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference was particularly magnificent.

In addition to their own disciples, the Sect had also sent out widespread invitations, asking all the prominent powers within Cangzhou Prefecture to attend the ceremony.

In the guest seating area, the other two of the Three Great Sects, the Taiyuan Sect and the Profound Sound Sect, were conspicuously present.

The Taiyuan Sect’s delegation was led by their Vice Sect Leader, Zhao Qianjun. Behind him followed several Elders with powerful auras.

And behind the Elders stood a few young disciples.

One of them stood as straight as a spear. He was handsome, with a disdainful gaze, and his entire body radiated an incomparably sharp aura that drew many sideways glances.

Someone recognized him and exclaimed in a hushed voice, "That’s the Chief Disciple of the Taiyuan Sect, Qin Wuya! It’s said his Cultivation is already infinitely close to the True Master Realm. He’s the one from this generation of disciples most likely to be the first to break through!"

As for the Profound Sound Sect, their group was led by Nun Jing Yi, a female Elder with a cold demeanor who held a Duster.

Most of their disciples were female, each possessing an otherworldly air.

The leading female disciple was dressed in red robes. She had a heroic and valiant bearing, with a spirit in her eyes that would put any man to shame. She, too, was a top prodigy striving to break into the True Master Realm. Her name was Xiao Qingge.

Besides the two great sects, the Chen Family and the Fang Family, two of the three great Noble Families, had also sent representatives.

The Chen Family Patriarch, Chen Boyan, was dressed in scholar’s robes. He had a gentle and refined demeanor, looking less like a Martial Artist and more like a great, well-read Confucian scholar.

Following beside him was none other than his son, Chen Jiayu, the famous dapper Young Master of Cangzhou Prefecture City.

Chen Jiayu had a face as flawless as jade and carried a White Jade Folding Fan. He appeared frail and scholarly, but no one dared to underestimate him.

For he, too, was a top prodigy infinitely close to the True Master Realm!

From the Fang Family, aside from Patriarch Fang Chengxi, there was also a mysterious, veiled woman. Her figure was graceful, and her aura was equally impressive.

Just as the guests were taking their seats one by one and the atmosphere in the plaza was growing ever more charged...

A figure hurried over.

It was none other than Vice Sect Leader Xie Songnian, returning from the Capital City!