Martial Saint with Passives

Jiang Che signed up, clinging to a faint hope.

The result held no surprises.

He failed to secure a spot in the drawing.

In the following days, he began asking around everywhere, hoping to purchase a spot.

But it didn’t go smoothly.

Although the news of him killing Ba Hui—a cultivator in the Mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm—had circulated for a while within a small circle of the sect.

But the label of "having once dissipated his skill" seemed to brand him as someone with "limited prospects."

Those Noble Family Members or powerful disciples who held the spots were more willing to sell their spots to those who appeared to have good Root Bones, great potential, and were worth a long-term investment.

Jiang Che was clearly not on that list.

Just as Jiang Che was growing discouraged and preparing to raise his offer, a female disciple from Yanluo Courtyard approached him.

"Senior Brother Jiang, Dean Ye requests your presence," the female disciple said politely.

’Dean Ye Lianzhen?’ Jiang Che was surprised. ’What does she want with me?’

The last time Ye Lianzhen had sought him out was when he had just arrived at the Cangyun Sect.

She had not only summoned him but had also generously given him three incredibly precious Primordial Marrow Pills.

Although Jiang Che hadn’t used them at the time, he had always remembered the favor.

When he arrived at Yanluo Courtyard, Ye Lianzhen met him alone in a quiet room.

She looked the same as the last time they met, though her cool, distant aura was tinged with an almost imperceptible weariness.

Jiang Che greeted her with a respectful bow. "Disciple Jiang Che pays his respects to Dean Ye."

Ye Lianzhen got straight to the point: "Jiang Che, are you trying to get into Cloud Mist Ridge?"

Jiang Che knew he couldn’t hide this from her. The fact that he was asking around to buy a spot was no secret, so he admitted it candidly:

"Yes, that is my intent."

"I can give you a spot," Ye Lianzhen said, looking at him with a calm gaze.

Jiang Che’s heart skipped a beat, but he knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. "May I ask what Dean Ye needs me to do?" he asked.

"It’s simple," Ye Lianzhen said, picking up her teacup and taking a gentle sip. "My daughter, Tang Qiaoqiao, is also going to Cloud Mist Ridge. I’m worried about her safety. I want you to accompany her and keep her safe."

Jiang Che was puzzled. "Dean Ye, Yanluo Courtyard must have plenty of senior brothers and sisters in the Bone Forging Realm, so why..."

Ye Lianzhen put down her teacup, a knowing look flashing in her eyes:

"Don’t play dumb with me. Did you think no one would find out you secretly killed that Demon Sect Steward from the Late-stage Bone Forging Realm? The lingering aura from your actions that night might fool others, but it can’t fool me. With that kind of power, there are few below the Refining Organ Realm who can defeat you. I can rest easy if you’re the one protecting Qiaoqiao."

Jiang Che was shaken to the core. He never imagined Ye Lianzhen could see through what happened that night!

As if reading his mind, Ye Lianzhen said lightly, "Relax, I’m the only one who noticed. I have my own methods, and I won’t go spreading it around. Besides..."

Her gaze swept over Jiang Che, carrying a hint of understanding.

"The Dissipating Technique you use is the Erosion Sun Scripture, isn’t it? Looking at your rosy complexion and vigorous Qi Blood, there’s not the slightest sign of the soul-corroding, life-shortening effects of Withered Soul Grass... It seems you have some special secrets. No wonder Senior Brother Luo sent you here."

Cold sweat broke out on Jiang Che’s back. ’She saw through this, too?’

Ye Lianzhen’s tone softened a little. "You don’t need to be nervous. To us True Masters, these are just minor tricks and little secrets, not worthy of special attention. The Dissipating Technique has its limits; at most, it can help you reach the Late Stage of Refining Organ. To touch the True Master Realm, you need to rely on something else, something profound and mysterious... You don’t need to understand that for now. In short, it’s a realm that can’t be reached simply by piling up Qi Blood Strength."

She paused, and her tone shifted. "Of course, you’re right to want to hide your trump cards. Especially if the Demon Sect finds out that someone can use the Erosion Sun Scripture without fear of the Withered Soul Grass poison... The next ones to come looking for you probably won’t be minor characters from the Bone Forging Realm."

This was the first time Jiang Che had heard someone so clearly articulate the limits of the Dissipating Technique, and a chill ran through him.

But seeing Ye Lianzhen’s open expression, which seemed to hold no malice and instead a hint of guidance, his guard relaxed slightly, and his trust in her grew a little.

"I understand. I accept your condition, Dean Ye. As long as I’m around, I will ensure Junior Sister Tang’s safety!" Jiang Che promised solemnly.

"Good. There’s one more thing I need you to keep an eye on."

Ye Lianzhen rubbed the space between her eyebrows, looking a little helpless. "Qiaoqiao has been getting very close to a disciple from Liufeng Courtyard named Xie Xingwen lately. That boy is also going to Cloud Mist Ridge this time, and Qiaoqiao will definitely go looking for him. This Xie Xingwen is the son of Vice Sect Leader Xie Songnian. He’s cunning and has a lot of tricks up his sleeve; I don’t like him very much. But that girl Qiaoqiao is spoiled rotten by me and won’t listen to advice. I won’t stop her from seeing Xie Xingwen, but I need you to keep an eye on them. Just make sure she doesn’t get taken advantage of or bullied."

Jiang Che was speechless. ’So I have to moonlight as a third wheel, too?’

But considering he’d get to enter Cloud Mist Ridge, he decided to put up with this small chore.

"Also," Ye Lianzhen added, "while you’re in Cloud Mist Ridge, if it’s convenient, help me gather some Withered Soul Grass with their entire root systems intact. I plan to try and cultivate them outside."

Jiang Che was a little surprised.

He wondered to himself, ’Could it be because of me?’

Ye Lianzhen explained, "Don’t overthink it. I need this medicinal herb for alchemy, and Cloud Mist Ridge only opens once a year, making it inconvenient to procure. If I can grow it myself, it will save me a lot of trouble."

Jiang Che came to a realization. Yanluo Courtyard was the branch that specialized in studying elixir pills, medicine, and poisons; it was only natural for Dean Ye to want to try cultivating rare medicinal herbs.

He nodded and agreed.

In any case, if Dean Ye could successfully grow it outside, it shouldn’t be hard for him to buy some from her later.

After confirming the time and meeting place for entering Cloud Mist Ridge, Jiang Che took his leave.