Martial Saint with Passives

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The day Cloud Mist Ridge was to open finally arrived.

In the early morning, Jiang Che arrived at the entrance of a massive valley nestled among the mountains.

This was also the only way into Cloud Mist Ridge.

The valley was flanked by sheer cliffs that looked as if they had been carved by knives and axes, forming a natural barrier.

At the entrance, a colossal Stone Door stood majestically.

On ordinary days, this Stone Door was jointly sealed by the Three Great Sects and heavily guarded. Only on the annual opening day could it be unsealed, and only with the mutual confirmation of all three sects.

Arriving at the designated meeting point, Jiang Che waited for a short while before seeing three women in the moon-white Disciple’s Robes of Yanluo Courtyard walking toward him.

The girl in the lead was about seventeen or eighteen years old. She was pretty, with almond-shaped eyes that held a hint of bossiness. Right now, however, her brows were slightly furrowed, and she looked displeased.

She walked up to Jiang Che, looked him up and down without any courtesy, and asked in a stiff tone:

"You’re Jiang Che?"

Jiang Che guessed she must be Tang Qiaoqiao and nodded. "I am. And you are Junior Sister Tang?"

"That’s me." Tang Qiaoqiao pouted, her voice filled with obvious impatience. "My mother may have told you to follow me, but let me get one thing straight: you can follow me, but you have to stay at least five meters away! Don’t come any closer! Also, you’re not allowed to interfere with what I do, ask any questions, or tell me what to do! Got it?"

She was clearly unhappy about her mother arranging for someone to "monitor" her—especially when that person was the disciple of her mother’s "old flame," someone her mother had given "special attention" to.

This stirred an inexplicable hostility within her.

Jiang Che was a bit baffled by Tang Qiaoqiao’s animosity.

But when he thought about Ye Lianzhen’s request and the opportunity to enter Cloud Mist Ridge, he couldn’t be bothered to argue with the spoiled girl.

He nodded calmly. "Understood. Don’t worry, Junior Sister Tang, I’ll keep my distance."

The two senior sisters from Yanluo Courtyard behind Tang Qiaoqiao were much friendlier.

The older one looked to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight. She had a straight posture and a gentle but capable face. Her name was Liu Qing, and her Cultivation was at the Mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm.

The other was slightly younger, around twenty-four or twenty-five, with a more lively disposition. Her name was Su Wan, and she was at the Early Stage of the Bone Forging Realm.

They had also been assigned by Ye Lianzhen to be responsible for protecting Tang Qiaoqiao.

The four of them didn’t wait long before another group of people headed their way.

All four were dressed in the white Flowing Cloud Robes of Liufeng Courtyard.

The young man in the lead was tall and exceptionally handsome. He wore a perfectly gentle smile, carried himself with ease, and shockingly possessed the strength of the Late-stage Bone Forging Realm!

Following him were three disciples with equally impressive auras, all at the Mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm.

The way these three carried themselves, and even the way they stood, subtly suggested they were acting as guards with the handsome young man as their leader.

The moment Tang Qiaoqiao saw the handsome young man, the gloom on her face vanished. She flew over like a cheerful little bird, her voice sickeningly sweet, "Brother Xingwen! You’re here!"

The newcomer was none other than a disciple of Liufeng Courtyard, Xie Xingwen, son of the Vice Sect Leader, Xie Songnian.

Xie Xingwen’s smile was gentle, and he looked at Tang Qiaoqiao with a doting expression.

"Qiaoqiao, I’ve kept you waiting."

His voice was warm and pleasant, and his manners were elegant and proper. Even a hint of admiration flashed through the eyes of the two senior sisters, Liu Qing and Su Wan.

However, Jiang Che, standing not far away, furrowed his brow slightly.

Xie Xingwen’s appearance and demeanor were practically perfect, and his smile was flawless.

But Jiang Che faintly detected a hint of discordance.

The smile seemed too perfect, as if it had been meticulously crafted.

Moreover, the barely perceptible glint that occasionally flashed deep in the man’s eyes didn’t match his gentle exterior.

Coupled with the faint, murderous aura emanating from the three men who were clearly acting as guards, Jiang Che’s impression of Xie Xingwen soured.

’It seems Courtyard Head Ye Lianzhen’s worries were not unfounded.’

Still, Jiang Che remembered his mission. If even Ye Lianzhen couldn’t control her own daughter, he certainly wasn’t going to meddle. He just needed to keep a close watch and make sure Tang Qiaoqiao didn’t suffer a major loss.

Since Tang Qiaoqiao wanted to be with Xie Xingwen, the two groups decided to travel together.

After everyone’s eligibility was confirmed, the group, led by Xie Xingwen, stepped through the mist-shrouded entrance of the valley.

Once inside Cloud Mist Ridge, the fog grew even thicker. Visibility was extremely low, and they could only see a few meters ahead.

The towering ancient trees were just blurry silhouettes in the mist, and the slippery moss and decaying leaves underfoot gave off a rotten stench.

From time to time, a RUSTLING sound reached their ears, as if something was moving through the dense fog.

Everyone had no choice but to stick close together and advance cautiously.

Sure enough, formidable Black Beasts occasionally lunged out at them along the way.

But the three guards Xie Xingwen had brought were quite skilled. They dispatched the Black Beasts cleanly and efficiently.

This allowed Tang Qiaoqiao to relax completely. It was as if she wasn’t on a dangerous trial, but on a spring outing with her sweetheart.

She stuck close to Xie Xingwen, her voice soft and coy, her laughter ringing out with particular clarity in the silent, dense fog.

Xie Xingwen, in turn, responded with a smile, looking every bit the gallant protector.

Jiang Che followed at a distance, neither too close nor too far, feeling like a useless decoration with nothing to do.

However, he wasn’t idle.

He was constantly observing his surroundings. Whenever he saw some good-quality herbs, he would casually pick them, wrap them in a cloth, and tuck them into his robes.

The herbs in Cloud Mist Ridge were all valuable treasures, each one exchangeable for gold. It would be a waste not to take them!

As the group walked through the dense fog, Xie Xingwen suddenly pointed to a steep cliff face ahead and said:

"Qiaoqiao, look! It’s a Blood Amber Flower!"