Martial Saint with Passives

At the gate of Jiang Che’s small courtyard.

A disciple from the Internal Affairs Hall respectfully handed a gold-stamped official document to Jiang Che.

He opened it to see words written clearly in a bold, powerful script:

"Hereby selected: Gu Qingxuan, Chief of Lingxiao Courtyard, and Jiang Che, Chief of Yunhai Courtyard, shall represent the Cangyun Sect in the upcoming Cangzhou Demon Extermination Alliance ’Young Alliance Leader’ selection assembly..."

’It’s really me?’

Jiang Che looked at the notice in his hand, a look of resignation on his face.

The news was like a bombshell, once again igniting a firestorm of discussion within the Sect.

"See? I told you! Chief Jiang is the strongest! The Sect Leader and the higher-ups truly have a discerning eye!"

"Haha! Let’s see what those people from Liufeng Courtyard have to say now! This just proves that having a higher Realm doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stronger!"

The disciples who had favored Jiang Che from the start now felt completely vindicated. It was as if their own keen insight had been proven right, and they shared in his glory.

Meanwhile, Fang Muye’s supporters were in an uproar, filled with indignation.

"Why?! Senior Brother Fang is at the Peak of Refining Organ Realm! Even if Jiang Che broke through to the Late-stage, he’s still a minor realm behind. How can he represent the Sect?"

"Exactly! I think the higher-ups were just bluffed by Jiang Che’s performance in True Master Baiyi’s Cave Mansion! A trial like that involves way too much luck! In a real, head-on fight, Jiang Che wouldn’t necessarily have an advantage!"

"Sigh, it’s over. Our Cangyun Sect is going to lose so much face this time! Sending a disciple who hasn’t even reached the Peak of Refining Organ Realm to fight a monster like Qin Wuya... aren’t we just serving him up on a platter?"

Jiang Che paid no mind to the clamor from the outside world.

He took the official document and went to find his master, Xu Qingshan, right away.

...

「Yunhai Courtyard’s sprawling Martial Arts Arena.」

Dozens of Yunhai Courtyard disciples were paired off, training diligently.

The air whistled with the force of their punches amidst a cacophony of shouts, creating a lively and intense scene.

Ever since Jiang Che rose to prominence, the entire atmosphere of Yunhai Courtyard had changed. The disciples’ enthusiasm for their Cultivation was several times greater than before!

"The Chief Brother is here!"

Someone shouted first, and the entire Martial Arts Arena fell silent in an instant.

All the disciples engaged in Martial Arts Training, from the newest Entry Level members to the most senior veterans, immediately stopped what they were doing. They turned in unison to face Jiang Che and bowed respectfully as one.

"Greetings, Chief Brother!"

The voices of dozens of people merged into one, a thunderous sound that shook the clouds, filled with heartfelt respect.

The way they looked at Jiang Che was no longer mere awe; it was now tinged with an unconcealable fervor!

The Jiang Che of today was no longer the pitiable disciple they once knew, the one who had undergone Dissipating Energy and needed their sympathy.

Now, he was the Chief of Yunhai Courtyard! Number nine on the Hidden Dragon List!

The peerless genius who had faced Gu Qingxuan head-on and received the inheritance of True Master Bai Yi!

It was he who ensured that after the fall of Lin Bihe, Yunhai Courtyard did not decline, but instead grew in prestige, surpassing even its former glory!

It was he who allowed them, the ordinary disciples of Yunhai Courtyard, to walk with their heads held high no matter where they went in the Sect, basking in the envious and even jealous stares of disciples from the other courtyards!

Jiang Che stopped in his tracks. Looking at the young, fervent faces before him, a complex ripple of emotion stirred in his heart.

He smiled at the crowd and gestured with his hand. "There’s no need for such ceremony, my brothers. Please, continue your training."

"Thank you, Chief Brother!"

A few disciples who knew Jiang Che well, such as Chen Shi, immediately crowded around him in excitement.

"Chief Brother, congratulations! I just knew the Sect would choose you!" Chen Shi said, his face flushed with excitement.

"That’s right! Chief Brother, you have to make our Cangyun Sect and our Yunhai Courtyard proud this time! Go win that Young Alliance Leader title!"

"Seriously! How is Fang Muye even worthy of competing with you, Chief Brother? It’s a joke! He couldn’t even pass the second trial of True Master Bai Yi!"

They all chattered at once, their words filled with boundless admiration for Jiang Che and a desperate hope for victory.

Jiang Che looked at their expectant faces.

At that moment, the reluctance in his heart began to waver ever so slightly.

’The truth is... I don’t want to compete.’

But it seemed everyone took it for granted that he should go—that he *had* to go.

He silently passed through the crowd and walked toward his master’s meditation chamber.

...

Inside the meditation chamber, Xu Qingshan was deep in meditative Cultivation.

"Master," Jiang Che said with a bow.

Xu Qingshan slowly concluded his practice and opened his eyes to look at Jiang Che.

His eyes suddenly focused, and he asked in surprise, "You... you broke through again?"

He could clearly feel that the aura emanating from Jiang Che was several times more powerful and condensed than before!

He was already... at the Late-stage Refining Organ Realm!

Jiang Che nodded.

"Good! Excellent boy!" Xu Qingshan couldn’t help but slap his thigh, his face filled with admiration. "With an improved Root Bone, your progress is truly unstoppable! I knew I wasn’t wrong about you!"

His joy was written all over his face.

Jiang Che then stated his purpose for coming. "Master, about the selection for the ’Young Alliance Leader’ assembly... I have no intention of participating. In terms of both Cultivation and experience, Senior Brother Fang seems more suitable than I..."

Xu Qingshan frowned. "Don’t sell yourself short. The Sect Leader decided on this list himself. He thinks very highly of you!"

"But..."

"No buts," Xu Qingshan interrupted. "Jiang Che, I know what you’re worried about. You’re afraid this is one of Xie Songnian’s schemes, afraid of becoming a public target, aren’t you?"

Jiang Che fell silent.

Xu Qingshan stood up, walked over to him, and clapped him on the shoulder. His voice grew deep and firm. "Your worries aren’t without reason. But you must remember, you are no longer the ordinary disciple who had to hide his strength and endure everything. You are the Chief of Yunhai Courtyard, the inheritor of True Master Bai Yi, and the future hope of our Sect! There are some responsibilities you cannot evade. You must shoulder them!"