Martial Saint with Passives

After countless cycles of cultivating, achieving Perfection, and then Dissipating his Skill, the Qi Force within Jiang Che’s body finally swelled like a full reservoir, reaching the Peak of the Force Integration Realm!

Next, he only needed to cultivate the first layer of the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique to Perfection, and he would effortlessly and instantly cross into the Bone Forging Realm!

To accomplish this final step as quickly as possible, Jiang Che gritted his teeth and moved directly into a B-level Cultivation Room, which cost a fortune!

He was going to use the aid of the Snow Crystal Jade to make a final push!

「Another half-month passed.」

Inside the B-level Cultivation Room, a dense Spiritual Qi swirled about.

Jiang Che sat cross-legged on the floor, Qi Force circulating endlessly around him. It faintly formed an invisible vortex.

Suddenly, his tightly shut eyes snapped open, and two beams of brilliant light, almost tangible, shot out!

At the same time, a line of text clearly appeared in his vision.

[First Layer of the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique: Perfection]

Now!

BOOM!

A majestic Strength, more than ten times thicker and more condensed than during the Force Integration Stage, erupted within his body like a dormant volcano!

This Strength no longer floated on the surface of his body or in his meridians; instead, it deeply branded, permeated, and filled every bone in his body!

Under the scouring of this Strength, his bones emitted a subtle, dense hum.

It was as if they were hundred-refined steel undergoing their final tempering, faintly revealing a tough, jade-like luster!

The Bone Forging Realm!

Jiang Che carefully savored this brand-new level of power.

He finally understood the world of difference between the Strength of the Bone Forging Realm and that of Force Integration!

Force Integration was merely the generation of mobilizable Jin Qi within the body.

Although this Jin Qi could significantly enhance one’s strength, it was still loose and thin.

Bone Forging, however, was when Jin Qi reached complete Perfection, underwent a qualitative change, and seeped deep into the bone marrow!

This Strength, having been tempered countless times by the bone marrow, became incredibly condensed, heavy, and tenacious!

If the Qi Force of the Force Integration stage was a swung Wooden Saber, then the Qi Force of the Bone Forging Realm was an Unbreakable, hundred-refined Steel Saber!

Of course, the total amount of this tempered Bone Forging Force was relatively scarce. It couldn’t be squandered as carelessly as ordinary Qi Force. Instead, it served as the core for explosive bursts and for offense and defense at critical moments.

Once it was completely exhausted, the combat power one could display would only be a sliver stronger than someone at the Peak of Force Integration.

’No wonder I was able to kill opponents in the Bone Forging Realm despite being in a lower realm,’ it all clicked into place for Jiang Che.

He was already skilled in wars of attrition. Once he dragged a fight out and depleted his opponent’s precious Bone Forging Force, they were left as little more than a slightly stronger version of a Peak Force Integration cultivator. Naturally, he could grind them down to death!

After savoring the mysteries of the Bone Forging Realm, Jiang Che’s gaze turned back to his panel.

The new Talent, activated by cultivating the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique to Perfection, was listed right there:

[Talent Acquired: Yin Yang Transformation Force - Mortal Level]

[Description: A portion of the damage you sustain can be mysteriously converted within your body and stored as additional Qi Force, which can be called upon at any time.]

Jiang Che’s eyes suddenly lit up!

Although it was still a Mortal Level Talent, this Ability was practically tailor-made for him!

’I’m already extremely skilled in wars of attrition. Now, not only will getting injured not weaken me, but it will even replenish my precious Bone Forging Strength...’

An unprecedented sense of powerful confidence surged within Jiang Che’s chest.

He felt that his combat abilities had been elevated to a terrifying degree!

’Heh...’

The corners of Jiang Che’s mouth curved up slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He slowly cracked his neck, producing a series of crisp, popping sounds.

’Wuxiang Alliance, Demon Sect, and Xie Xingwen...’

Jiang Che hadn’t forgotten the people who posed a threat to him!

He didn’t linger. He pushed open the Stone Door of the Cultivation Room and strode out into the dazzling sunlight!

...

After coming out of seclusion, Jiang Che first returned to his residence to continue stabilizing his new Realm.

He looked at the calendar and saw that in three days, it would be the day his master routinely checked on his disciples’ cultivation progress.

’This is a perfect time to report to Master. Maybe I’ll even get a reward...’ Jiang Che thought to himself.

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Jiang Che arrived at Yunhai Courtyard.

Many disciples had already arrived and were chatting in small groups.

When his Eldest Senior Brother, Xiao Mingqian, saw Jiang Che and was about to greet him, his expression suddenly froze, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He could clearly sense the powerful and sharp Qi Force surrounding Jiang Che—an aura that clearly belonged only to the Bone Forging Realm!

"Junior Brother Jiang, you’ve broken through to the Bone Forging Realm?!" Xiao Mingqian stepped forward, his voice filled with delight and disbelief.

Jiang Che smiled, his tone calm. "Just a lucky break."

"Congratulations! Truly, congratulations, Junior Brother!" Xiao Mingqian immediately cupped his fist, his face beaming.

’He quickly calculated in his head. Less than a year to go from the Late-stage of Force Integration to the Bone Forging Realm... That speed was quite impressive, even in the entire Inner Courtyard!’

Their conversation carried clearly into the hall.

The disciples, who had been conversing in low voices, all turned to look, their gazes landing on Jiang Che in unison.

Sensing the sharp, untamed aura emanating from him, surprise appeared on many of their faces.

Everyone immediately began to murmur amongst themselves.

"The Bone Forging Realm? So fast?"

"Hasn’t he only been in the Late-stage of Force Integration for a short while?"

"How can he be this fast after Dissipating his Energy before? That’s just uncanny!"

Most of them had arrived earlier than Jiang Che, yet now he had broken through to the Bone Forging Realm before them. Their feelings were suddenly quite complicated.

This was especially true for the few Force Integration Disciples who had shared a table with him at the Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference—the mature-looking Chen Shi, the tall and lanky Li Rui, and the ever-smiling Zhang Ping. They were utterly dumbstruck.

They had just been discussing exit strategies with Jiang Che not long ago, never imagining that he didn’t need one at all!