Martial Saint with Passives

The Stone Door opened, and Xiao Mingqian walked out, his face somewhat pale.

He had just tried to break through the bottleneck to the Refining Organ Realm once again.

Unfortunately, he had failed yet again.

He was feeling frustrated when he suddenly overheard Master Shen chatting with another familiar disciple not far away.

The disciple asked, "Master Shen, you seemed rather excited just now. Did something happen?"

Master Shen’s voice was still filled with amazement. "You should have seen it! A young disciple, looked like he wasn’t even twenty, spent a few days in a Level A Cultivation Room and came out having broken through to the Refining Organ Realm! The younger generation is truly formidable!"

The disciple was also astonished. "For real? A Refining Organ Realm cultivator that young?!"

"Yes! It seems the Cangyun Sect is about to have another incredible prodigy!"

Xiao Mingqian listened from the side, thinking about how he was already over thirty.

And that prodigy was not even twenty...

He sighed and walked away.

As he walked, a thought inexplicably crossed his mind, and he subconsciously thought of Jiang Che.

But he immediately shook his head.

’No... impossible... How long has it been since he broke through to the Late-stage Bone Forging Realm? Heh, what am I even thinking...’

He pushed the absurd idea aside and left.

...

A few days later, the day to decide the Chief Disciple of Yunhai Courtyard arrived.

It was still early, but disciples were trickling into the courtyard.

Xu Qingshan had come out of his private chamber early.

He sat cross-legged on a cushion before his chamber door, his gaze sweeping over the disciples in the courtyard as he weighed his options.

His original preference was Xiao Mingqian, whose foundation was solid and whose demeanor was steady.

Although Xiao Mingqian had failed to break into the Refining Organ Realm multiple times, he was still currently the strongest disciple in the courtyard.

But recently, he had discovered the astonishingly fast-growing Jiang Che, which put him in a difficult position.

’Forget it... Jiang Che only just entered the Late-stage Bone Forging Realm, after all. His Realm still needs to be stabilized...’

Xu Qingshan finally made a decision.

Just then, Jiang Che strode in.

Xu Qingshan looked up and was suddenly taken aback.

He shot to his feet, an incredulous glint in his eyes. In a few strides, he was before Jiang Che, his voice wavering with excitement. "Jiang Che! You... you broke through?!"

Jiang Che knew he couldn’t hide it, nor did he need to.

With the threat of Xie Songnian still unresolved, the more value he displayed, the safer he would be!

At that moment, with a thought, he intentionally released the dense, powerful aura of the Refining Organ Realm from within him.

"Master, I was fortunate enough to break through a few days ago. I have reached the Refining Organ Realm," Jiang Che said calmly, but his words were like a boulder dropped into a placid lake.

"What?!"

"The Refining Organ Realm?!"

"Junior Brother Jiang... wasn’t he just in the Late-stage Bone Forging Realm a short while ago?!"

The entire crowd erupted in an uproar!

All the disciples stared at Jiang Che in shock, unable to believe their ears.

But the aura Jiang Che released could not be faked—it was truly the aura of the Refining Organ Realm! It was the same feeling Lin Bihe had given off before!

Xu Qingshan was stunned at first, then his face flooded with immense joy. "Good! Good! Excellent!"

He excitedly patted Jiang Che’s shoulder and explained to the still-shocked disciples, "Prodigies who break through to the Refining Organ Realm in a short time are not unheard of! Gu Qingxuan of Lingxiao Courtyard leaped from the Peak of the Bone Forging Realm into the Refining Organ Realm back in the day! This only happens when one’s foundation is incredibly solid, and they happen to seize a profound, opportune moment for a breakthrough. It’s a natural progression!"

"Gu Qingxuan? The peerless prodigy who placed first in the Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference for three consecutive years?"

"I heard she’s already nurturing her Divine Thought, preparing to ascend to the True Master Realm!"

"Junior Brother Jiang... can actually be compared to her?!"

The way everyone looked at Jiang Che completely changed.

Their gazes shifted from surprise and doubt to awe and envy.

There was even a hint of fervor.

Xu Qingshan no longer hesitated. He announced in a loud voice that echoed throughout Yunhai Courtyard:

"From this day forward, Jiang Che is the Chief Disciple of our Yunhai Courtyard!"

Standing in the crowd, Xiao Mingqian watched Jiang Che, who was now surrounded by their master and the other disciples. His expression was one of shock, bewilderment, and also disappointment.

So...

The prodigy Master Shen was talking about... it really was Jiang Che...

Why...

’I joined the Sect the earliest, I’ve trained diligently without rest, yet I’ve been unable to break through for so long...’

He stood there dumbfounded for a moment. Finally, he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and squeezed out a smile. He walked forward, cupped his fist, and said to Jiang Che, "Junior Brother Jiang... oh no, Chief Jiang, congratulations."

Jiang Che could see his low spirits and returned the gesture solemnly. "Senior Brother Xiao, I owe much of my success today to your care and guidance. In my heart, you will always be my senior brother!"

Hearing this, much of the gloom in Xiao Mingqian’s heart dissipated, and his smile became much more natural.

At this point, Xu Qingshan spoke up. "Mingqian, take Jiang Che to the Internal Affairs Hall to receive the Chief Disciple’s Identity Token." He then handed over a Jade Token that represented the courtyard head.

Xiao Mingqian quickly took it. "Yes, Master!"

He then turned, patted Jiang Che’s shoulder, and grinned. "Let’s go. I’ll take you to get the good stuff!"

"I’ll have to trouble you then, Senior Brother."

The two then went to the main hall of the Internal Affairs Hall.

Inside the hall, the White Beard Elder who was previously in charge of assigning Steward missions, the one who was always drowsy, was leaning back in his chair, dozing off.

Hearing footsteps, he lazily lifted his eyelids.

He had long forgotten Jiang Che, but when he saw that the newcomer was young yet exuded the aura of the Refining Organ Realm, he jolted and was instantly wide awake!

He scrambled to his feet, his face wreathed in an enthusiastic smile. "Greetings, young disciple! Might I ask which courtyard master you study under?"

His attitude was a complete reversal from his previous indifference!

Jiang Che nodded slightly. "Elder, I am Jiang Che of Yunhai Courtyard. Today, my master appointed me as the Chief Disciple of Yunhai Courtyard, and I have come to collect the Chief Disciple’s Identity Token."

Upon learning that Jiang Che was also the newly appointed Chief Disciple of Yunhai Courtyard, the White Beard Elder’s attitude became even more solicitous.

"Of course, of course! By the way, my surname is Jin!" he said, quickly getting up to search through a register. He added obsequiously, "For Nephew Jiang to become Chief Disciple at such a young age, your future is truly limitless!"

"Elder Jin, you praise me too much."

Jiang Che recalled the man’s attitude toward him last time and couldn’t help but feel a sense of irony.

The change in status brought by the Refining Organ Realm, combined with the title of Chief Disciple, was truly so immediate!

Afterward, Elder Jin checked the courtyard head’s Token, confirmed Jiang Che’s identity, filled out the Name List, and handed a special Jade Token to Jiang Che.

"This is the Chief Disciple’s Identity Jade Token. With this token, you are considered equal to a Sect Elder outside the Sect and have the authority to command other disciples! Furthermore, you can enter certain restricted areas of the Sect, such as the fifth and sixth floors of the Scripture Pavilion."

Hearing this, Jiang Che’s eyes lit up!

The fifth and sixth floors of the Scripture Pavilion!

He immediately thought of the Ancient True Skill that could improve one’s Root Bone, the Heaven Mending Technique!

Master Zhang had told him that he needed special permission from the Sect Leader to go to the sixth floor, and he had been wondering how to obtain it.

He never expected that for a Chief Disciple, this privilege was automatically granted!

This was undoubtedly a huge, pleasant surprise!

He quickly accepted the Jade Token and carefully placed it inside his robes.

"Also, this is the monthly supply list for Elixir Pills and Top Grade Exotic Beast Meat, please check it. In addition, here is this month’s stipend: one thousand taels in gold notes."

Elder Jin then handed over several Jade Bottles, a large Storage Bag filled with Exotic Beast Meat, and a stack of gold notes.

Jiang Che accepted them, surprised. "There’s a monthly stipend?"

And this stipend was even more generous than what he earned as a Steward on missions!

Elder Jin chuckled. "Chief Jiang, the Sect naturally doesn’t skimp on investing in its future hopes like you. Every Chief Disciple, as long as they don’t fall midway, is destined to become at least a courtyard Elder in the future! Or even a candidate for courtyard head! These resources are nothing. You all need only focus on your cultivation; the Sect will handle everything else for you!"

Jiang Che nodded, finally understanding the true weight of being a Chief Disciple.

Elder Jin paused, his tone growing even more familiar. "Chief Jiang, if you have any minor troubles within the Sect in the future, or if you need a helping hand, please don’t hesitate to find me. I’ve been in this Internal Affairs Hall for many years; I can still help with small matters."

Jiang Che knew the elder was currying favor and trying to build a connection, so he didn’t refuse. "Then I thank you, Elder Jin."

"You’re too kind, Chief Jiang!"

...