Martial Saint with Passives

A shiver went down Jiang Che’s spine. He knew he couldn’t hide anything from an expert like his master, so he admitted frankly, "Yes. I attempted to dissipate some of the impure Qi Blood techniques I had learned."

Xu Qingshan was silent for a moment.

He had initially assessed Jiang Che’s Root Bone as middle-lower.

Furthermore, before joining the Cangyun Sect, he had practiced too many miscellaneous techniques, causing his Qi Blood to become impure.

Therefore, without performing Dissipating Skill, he had absolutely no chance of breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm.

After performing Dissipating Skill, although he gained a sliver of hope for breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm, his foundation was damaged, making the Refining Organ Realm essentially hopeless.

Dissipating Skill was a last resort.

What he hadn’t expected was that after Dissipating Skill, Jiang Che would so quickly break through to the Late-stage of Force Integration, and that his combat abilities would be far from weak.

This meant that Jiang Che’s affinity with the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique was extremely high!

In this case, even though his Root Bone was middle-lower, his potential could be considered on par with someone with a Middle Upper, or even an Upper-Class, Root Bone!

Coupled with his top-tier Temperament and Comprehension...

He shook his head slightly, feeling it was a pity for Jiang Che.

If he hadn’t practiced all those miscellaneous techniques in the beginning, he might have been able to break through to the Refining Organ Realm in the future, or even the True Master Realm!

Then, he took a Glowing White Jade Bottle from his sleeve, tipped out a longan-sized pill that emanated a warm, medicinal fragrance, and handed it to Jiang Che.

"This is an Essence Stabilizing Pill. It has gentle medicinal properties and serves to Strengthen and Nourish your core. Since your foundation is damaged, taking this pill may help to mend it somewhat."

Although this Elixir Pill wasn’t top-grade, it was still precious—a small token of his care as a master.

Jiang Che took the Elixir Pill. It felt warm and smooth in his hand, and its fragrance was invigorating. A wave of warmth washed over him. "Thank you, Master, for this pill!"

Xu Qingshan waved his hand, signaling that there was no need for such formalities, and asked, "Do you have any other difficulties in your cultivation? Tell me everything."

Jiang Che sensed a subtle shift in his master’s attitude. There was a more genuine concern in it now than when he first joined. ’It’s probably because I’ve shown more potential.’

He hesitated for a moment. Thinking of the threat of the Demon Sect’s mark and the hidden danger of the Wuxiang Alliance, he decided to be partially honest about his worries.

Jiang Che chose his words carefully. "Master, I have heard that some factions, like the Wuxiang Alliance and the Demon Sect, have special methods to leave imperceptible marks on those who kill their members, making it easy to track them down for revenge... I wonder if Master knows of such methods? And do they hinder one’s cultivation?"

Although he didn’t explicitly say he was being hunted, he figured his master could probably guess.

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Xu Qingshan’s eyes before disappearing. "Marks? Hmm, such unorthodox techniques do exist."

His tone remained level, laced with the natural disdain a Major Sect Elder would have for such underhanded methods.

"Most of these marks use a Secret Technique to harness the victim’s lingering soul and resentment, or they employ a special Curse Power that attaches to the killer’s Qi Blood and Divine Soul. The mark itself is harmless and difficult to detect. However, the Caster or their allies, using a specific Magical Artifact or Secret Technique, can vaguely sense the marked person’s general location within a certain radius."

After explaining, Xu Qingshan’s tone shifted, now filled with immense confidence.

"However, that Wuxiang Alliance is nothing but a bunch of dancing clowns. Their leader is only at the Late Stage of Bone Forging; they can’t cause any real trouble. As for the Demon Sect..."

He paused briefly, his voice turning slightly cold. "They are indeed trickier, with many experts. However, you need not be overly concerned. The strongest they would send to deal with a young disciple like you would be, at most, a Steward at the Early Stage of the Refining Organ Realm. A true Demon Sect Elder who has reached the True Master Realm wouldn’t stoop to handling such a ’trivial matter’ personally. Besides, our own sect’s upper echelons would deal with them. You just focus on your cultivation within the Sect. As long as you don’t leave the mountain, they wouldn’t dare take a single step past the gates. If you do run into an emergency, crush this talisman."

With a flick of his finger, Xu Qingshan sent a small, cyan Jade Talisman into Jiang Che’s hand.

"This is a special Communication Talisman I created. If you are in danger, crush it, and I will sense it. Remember, you are an Inner Courtyard Disciple of the Cangyun Sect. The Sect is your backing!"

"I will remember your teachings, Master!" Greatly reassured, Jiang Che solemnly put the Jade Talisman away.

Xu Qingshan looked at Jiang Che and gave him one last piece of advice.

"Cultivation is difficult. Wealth, companions, techniques, and land—these are its essentials. And money can stir anyone’s heart; I understand the difficulties you faced before. But remember, as a disciple of the Cangyun Sect, you must seek your goals through righteous means. Crooked paths are never sustainable and often lead to backlash. Once your Realm improves and you break through to the Bone Forging Realm, you will be qualified to compete for a position as a Sect Steward. A Steward’s annual stipend is generous, and you will also receive Cultivation Resources allocated by the Sect. It will be more than enough to support your cultivation peacefully; you will never be short on money. Focusing on your cultivation is the only true foundation!"

"Yes! I understand! I will not disappoint you, Master!" Jiang Che bowed deeply.

Leaving Yunhai Courtyard, Jiang Che walked along the mountain path, replaying every word Xu Qingshan had said.

The protection of his master and the backing of the Sect couldn’t help but make him feel at ease.

But that look of pity in his master’s eyes was also deeply etched in his mind.

However, Jiang Che knew that he didn’t have a "damaged foundation" at all. As long as he had enough Withered Soul Grass and Cultivation Resources, there was no limit to the Realms he could achieve!

’Come to think of it, after the Bone Forging Realm, I can become a Steward. A generous annual stipend, and no more worries about Cultivation Resources...’

Recalling Xu Qingshan’s words, Jiang Che couldn’t help but feel tempted.

’I have to break through to the Bone Forging Realm as soon as possible!’

...

...

...

News of Jiang Che single-handedly slaying Ba Hui, the Gang Leader of the Iron Bone Gang, quickly spread throughout the Cangyun Sect.

For a time, the name "Jiang Che" became a hot topic of private discussion among many people.

However, not everyone was convinced by Jiang Che’s reported feat.

Some said that Ba Hui’s reputation was overblown—that he had the Bone Forging Realm in name only and was actually pathetically weak.

Others claimed that Jiang Che must have had help, or that he used some kind of shady Secret Technique.