Martial Saint with Passives

Liu Qing suddenly entered. Seeing that her master was in the middle of a demonstration, she waited patiently to the side.

Only after Ye Lianzhen finished her demonstration did she respectfully step forward and report in a low voice, "Master, news just came in. Junior Brother Jiang has broken through to the Bone Forging Realm and has been appointed as the Mining District Steward for the Black Stone Mining Area."

A flicker of surprise crossed Ye Lianzhen’s eyes. "Oh? He’s already reached the Bone Forging Realm? And he’s been sent to the Mining Area..."

She pondered for a moment before giving a simple order, "I see. Send some of the finest Strengthening and Nourishing Elixirs over to him. Consider it a small gesture from an elder like me."

"Yes, Master." Liu Qing replied, a hint of exasperation on her face. "Also, Master, about Junior Sister Qiaoqiao... She tried to sneak out again, but I stopped her. This is already the third time this month."

Ye Lianzhen frowned, rubbing her temples with a look of exhaustion and frustration. "That girl... She’s such a handful! Keep a close eye on her. Under no circumstances is she to have any more contact with that Xie Xingwen! Especially at night!"

Ever since Jiang Che had reported Xie Xingwen’s strange behavior, she had assigned people to investigate.

They discovered that he did indeed have some shady dealings with members of the Demon Sect.

The problem was, the matter involved Vice Sect Leader Xie Songnian.

He had operated within the Sect for many years and amassed immense power.

Even with concrete evidence, it would be difficult to pose any real threat to him.

They might even find themselves being framed in return.

Therefore, the only thing they could do for now was to avoid contact with him as much as possible.

As for everything else, they would have to plan their next move carefully.

"I understand," Liu Qing said solemnly.

Ye Lianzhen sighed, her tone softening slightly. "She must be bored being cooped up all day... All right, take those new Alchemy Manuals from my study and a few interesting novels and send them to her. It should help her pass the time."

"Yes, Master!"

Liu Qing accepted the order. She then retrieved a few books and went to Tang Qiaoqiao’s quarters.

Tang Qiaoqiao was sprawled listlessly by the window. The moment she saw Liu Qing, she shot to her feet.

"Senior Sister Liu! Did my mother agree to let me out?"

Liu Qing placed the books on the table and shook her head. "Qiaoqiao, you nearly caused a huge disaster last time. Master is still furious. You should just try to calm down and read."

Tang Qiaoqiao’s face instantly fell, and she complained with puffed cheeks, "It’s all that Jiang Che’s fault! If he hadn’t gone and tattled, Mother wouldn’t be this angry, and she wouldn’t have locked me up for so long!"

"Qiaoqiao!" Liu Qing’s expression turned serious. "Junior Brother Jiang was looking out for you! If he hadn’t spoken up, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

She paused, then changed the subject. "Oh, speaking of which, Junior Brother Jiang has already broken through to the Bone Forging Realm. He’s even been made a Mining District Steward!"

"He broke through to the Bone Forging Realm?" Tang Qiaoqiao was stunned for a moment, then she pouted, her voice dripping with jealousy. "Hmph, what’s so great about that? He must have only broken through because he took all those Elixir Pills Mother gave him! She treats him better than her own daughter..."

Without realizing it, she redirected some of the resentment she felt from being confined onto Jiang Che.

Seeing her so completely unwilling to listen, Liu Qing could only sigh in resignation.

...

「In Jiang Che’s dormitory.」

A smile spread across Jiang Che’s face as he looked at the items piled high on his desk.

These were all gifts, sent from various people and families after his promotion to Mining District Steward.

Among them, a large gift box sent by someone from the Yin Family was particularly eye-catching.

Inside was a neat stack of gold notes worth ten thousand taels and the deed for a share in a clothier’s shop, the ink still fresh.

’The Yin Family really went all out...’ Jiang Che was slightly touched.

With the Yin Family’s financial backing, plus his salary as a Steward, he would no longer have to worry about Cultivation Resources in the future.

Next, he picked up a small box.

Inside were several high-quality Elixir Pills.

These had been sent over by Ye Lianzhen.

’Dean Ye has been very generous to me...’ Jiang Che mused.

Although he had earned Xie Xingwen’s enmity because of her daughter.

Regardless, Ye Lianzhen had helped him a great deal.

In addition, his Eldest Senior Brother, Xiao Mingqian, had someone deliver a congratulatory letter and a bottle of Elixir Pills to aid his Cultivation in the Bone Forging Realm.

Even Cheng Yuzhi from the Outer Sect had sent a small packet of high-quality calming tea.

Jiang Che looked at all the items, shook his head, and smiled with a sense of understanding.

His status had changed, and so too had the attitudes of those around him.

Of course, this wasn’t purely about social climbing; it was more a part of normal human relations.

When you demonstrate sufficient value, you naturally gain more recognition and a greater share of resources.

He carefully put away each of the gifts.

Whatever their motives, he would remember their gestures.

Should he have the ability in the future, he would naturally repay them.

Once everything was put away, Jiang Che headed to the Scripture Pavilion once more.

He was heading to the Mining Area, far from the Sect’s protection. The danger would increase significantly, so he needed to improve his means of self-preservation as much as possible.

More importantly, now that he had broken through to the Bone Forging Realm, it was time to collect the second layer of the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique.

Inside the Scripture Pavilion, the light was still somewhat dim, and the air was filled with the musty scent of old books and scrolls.

The administrator, Master Zhang, was hunched over a desk, engrossed in copying an ancient text.

"Master Zhang," Jiang Che called out.

Master Zhang looked up at the sound of his voice. He squinted, a hint of surprise on his face. "Well, if it isn’t you, kid. Not bad. How long has it been, and you’re already at the Bone Forging Realm?"

"Just a lucky break," Jiang Che said with a smile.

"Alright, go find what you need," Master Zhang said, returning to his copying.

Jiang Che started by browsing the miscellaneous books section on the first floor.

His objective was clear.

He was looking for information on the two small, faintly glowing green stones he had taken from the Demon Sect assassin.

After a long search, he finally found a clue in a dust-covered, fragmented copy of the *Jiuzhou Mining Chronicles*.

The book described it as follows:

"Yinghuo Stone, also known as ’Heaven-Mending Jade Marrow’. Its color is a deep green, it is cool to the touch, and it is indestructible. This object is exceedingly rare, found only in lands of extreme yin and deathly energy, where it grows alongside Demons. Its true value lies in being one of the indispensable core catalysts for practicing the Ancient True Skill, the Heaven Mending Technique. The Heaven Mending Technique is profound and mysterious, rumored to have the miraculous ability to defy fate and reshape one’s Root Bone! However, the Dharma Gate has long since been lost, its parts scattered and incomplete..."

’Improve my Root Bone?!’ Jiang Che was inwardly stunned.

His Root Bone had always been the greatest obstacle on his path of Cultivation!

If the Heaven Mending Technique could truly improve his Root Bone, it would be of the utmost importance to him!

He immediately asked Master Zhang, "Master, do we have the Ancient True Skill, the Heaven Mending Technique, here in the Scripture Pavilion?"

Without looking up, Master Zhang replied, "We do. On the Sixth Layer. But we only have the first volume. Besides, the catalyst for that technique hasn’t been seen in ages. You can’t practice it without the catalyst."

Jiang Che’s heart leaped with joy. He had the catalyst!

Jiang Che quickly asked, "I just want to take a look... You mentioned before that you need the Sect Leader’s special permission to access the Sixth Layer. How would I go about getting that permission?"

"Simple," Master Zhang finally paused his writing and glanced at him. "Just accumulate enough points. As for the points, you either make a name for yourself at the Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference, or you can serve diligently as a Steward for enough years."

Jiang Che nodded.

He was determined to obtain the Heaven Mending Technique!

The problem with his Root Bone had to be solved!

Afterward, he selected a few miscellaneous, obscure Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals and, finally, redeemed the second layer of the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique before leaving.

「Back at his quarters.」

Jiang Che packed the necessary items, then turned to his sister, Jiang Ling, with some instructions.

"Ling’er, I’m going to the Mining Area for a while. You’ll be here by yourself, so be careful and don’t wander off. If you run into any trouble, go find Eldest Senior Brother Xiao Mingqian for help. Do you understand?"

Jiang Ling nodded emphatically. "Don’t worry, Brother, I can take care of myself. You be careful out there, too!"

"Okay. I’m off then."

Then, with the Kunji Saber on his back and a simple pack, Jiang Che walked out the door.

...