Martial Saint with Passives

Jiang Che nodded. He wasn’t surprised.

The Mining Area was Xie Songnian’s money bag.

The man would never have let him remain there.

As it was, he was only dismissed, without any other punishment. He had even received several rewards.

This had to be the result of Xu Qingshan and Ye Lianzhen working behind the scenes.

"I understand. I will follow the Sect’s arrangements," Jiang Che replied with a smile.

The Elder thought Jiang Che was forcing a smile, so he offered a few more words of comfort. He said that Jiang Che had actually done a good job, but when people died, someone had to be held responsible. It was just how things were.

Jiang Che said he understood.

But in truth, he really didn’t care.

After all, he had a hundred thousand taels in gold notes tucked away.

Plus a small bottle of Snow Crystal Milk.

Moreover, there were several chests of high-quality ore in the cave.

These resources were enough to last him for a very, very long time!

’How many years would it take to earn this much as a Steward?’

’The only shame is that I can’t use the Snow Crystal Jade Warehouse anymore.’

But being removed from the Steward position also brought some peace and quiet.

Seeing that he had no objections, the Elder returned to give his report.

Jiang Che then handed over his duties to Cheng Ming, putting him in temporary charge of the Mining Area’s affairs.

When Cheng Ming learned that Jiang Che had been dismissed, he was indignant on Jiang Che’s behalf and said he would go to the Sect to argue his case.

Jiang Che was very moved.

And immediately talked him out of it.

’After all, staying here would really get me killed!’

After packing his belongings, Jiang Che snuck into his secret grotto and retrieved the chests of ore.

He then found a horse-drawn carriage, loaded his luggage, and set off.

The carriage jolted along the road, steadily approaching the Cangyun Sect.

Jiang Che sat inside the carriage.

He felt the gold notes and Snow Crystal Milk tucked in his clothes.

’Once I’m back at the Sect, Xie Songnian and his lackeys won’t dare to move against me openly.’

His heart was finally at ease.

’I’ll go into seclusion as soon as I get back. I need to break through to the Mid Stage, or even the Late-stage, as quickly as possible...’ Jiang Che leaned against the carriage wall, planning to himself.

’No matter what, strength is key.’

’If I were in the True Master Realm, or even the True Mastery Realm, the Demon Sect, Xie Songnian... I could take care of them all with a single punch!’

After returning to the Sect, Jiang Che closed his door and immediately took stock of his gains from the trip.

First, the gold notes.

Nearly one hundred thousand taels of gold!

He did a quick mental calculation.

A Level A Cultivation Room cost fifty taels an hour.

If he cultivated for four hours a day, a year would only cost seventy-three thousand taels.

Of course, he didn’t have enough points yet; he’d have to compete in the Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference.

He didn’t need that many points, though.

He already had ten points. Two more wins would give him the thirty points he needed to exchange for access!

If he didn’t use a Cultivation Room and instead bought Cultivation Resources directly...

...this money would be enough for him to cultivate for several years without any worries!

Besides that, there were also large quantities of Top Grade Elixir Pills and Top Grade Exotic Beast Meat.

Jiang Che roughly estimated that even if he used them freely, these resources would be enough to last him half a year.

If he were a little more frugal, they could easily last him a year!

In addition, there were several large chests of various ores of excellent quality.

Although he had no use for them at the moment, selling them later would undoubtedly bring in another huge sum.

But the most precious item of all was undoubtedly that small bottle of "Snow Crystal Milk."

Jiang Che gripped the cool Jade Bottle, his heart steadying.

The Vice Sect Leader was currently eyeing him like a tiger stalking its prey.

Although both Xu Qingshan and Ye Lianzhen had clearly stated they would protect him...

...and within the Sect, his opponent wouldn’t dare to openly send assassins after him.

But in the end, his own strength was all that truly mattered!

As long as his strength was great enough and his potential vast enough...

...not only could he protect himself, but he could also attract the attention of the Sect’s upper echelon!

If he could catch the Sect Leader’s eye... even the Vice Sect Leader would have to be more wary of him!

And the fastest way to attract the attention of the higher-ups...

"The Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference," Jiang Che muttered to himself.

As long as he could make a stunning debut at the Cloud Tier Inquiry Conference, it would be like giving himself a Protective Talisman!

Without further hesitation, Jiang Che set out at once, rented a B-level Cultivation Room, consumed a drop of Snow Crystal Milk, and focused on his Cultivation.

...

「The next day.」

Jiang Che took some of the gold notes and paid formal visits to Xu Qingshan and Ye Lianzhen to express his sincere gratitude.

Xu Qingshan was as terse as ever. "Focus on your Cultivation. Inside the Sect, no one can touch you."

Ye Lianzhen was much gentler. "You have been wronged in this matter. But as long as I’m here, I won’t let you suffer. If you run into any trouble, you can come find me anytime."

With their renewed assurances, Jiang Che felt a little more at ease and returned to the Cultivation Room to immerse himself in his Cultivation.

However, the news that he had been stripped of his position as Mining District Steward eventually spread.

Furthermore, the shocking news of his battle record—fighting dozens of Demon Sect Cultivators alone and even killing a Late-stage Bone Forging Realm expert—also began to circulate.

The Bone Forging Realm was far from ordinary; an expert of that level was considered a significant figure anywhere.

Such a combat achievement was enough to make everyone take notice.

Some felt it was unfair to him. "He defended the Mining Area and repelled the Demon Sect, but he gets dismissed just because a few disciples died? That’s so unjust."

Others speculated in secret, "He must have offended some big shot, right? Otherwise, how could the timing be so convenient?"

Still others brought up his past, stating with certainty, "I heard he once performed Dissipating Energy. His foundation is damaged, his Root Bone is poor, and he has no potential left. The Sect probably didn’t want to waste a lucrative post like the Mining Area on him. Getting that position in the first place was pure luck!"

Amidst the rampant speculation, Jiang Che’s name caused a small stir for a while.

But he turned a deaf ear to it all, spending his days immersed in Cultivation.

With abundant resources, his Cultivation progressed at an incredible speed.

...

「On this day.」

Jiang Che had just returned to his residence from a B-level Cultivation Room.

He happened to run into Mu Jun, Shu Yaxin, and Yan Hanpeng, who were just about to head out.

Ever since Jiang Che had become the Mining District Steward and politely rejected Mu Jun’s attempt to befriend him, the two had not interacted.