Martial Saint with Passives

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

The first golden rays of dawn had just pierced the clouds, scattering across the sprawling mountain range of the Cangyun Sect.

In the exclusive courtyard of the First Disciple.

Inside Jiang Che’s room.

He was already dressed neatly in black martial attire.

At this moment, he stood by the window, his gaze calmly fixed on the brightening sky outside.

However, his consciousness had long since split into two invisible threads, stretching beyond the courtyard and even further into the distance.

One thread of his consciousness was connected to the black-feathered crow that had long become his most capable "scout."

Right now, this ordinary crow was perched silently amidst the branches of an inconspicuous old tree outside the Vice Sect Leader’s courtyard. The dense leaves were its best camouflage.

Through its eyes, Jiang Che could clearly see that Xie Songnian’s normally quiet courtyard was bustling with people coming and going today.

Xie Songnian himself had changed into a purple Daoist Robe embroidered with cloud patterns, symbolizing his status as the Vice Sect Leader.

He was currently chatting and laughing with several Elders, seemingly full of anticipation for the upcoming grand event.

Jiang Che observed with a cold detachment.

The reason he insisted on using this ordinary crow for the surveillance mission, rather than deploying the stronger and more intelligent Shadow Iron Eagle, "Xiaohei," was precisely because he valued the crow’s "ordinariness."

In a world teeming with experts, an ordinary crow was like a pebble on the roadside—inconspicuous, and certain to attract no one’s attention.

This made it far more suitable for surveillance.

As for Xiaohei, despite its immense potential, it was, after all, a rare Exotic Beast.

If it appeared, its magnificent form and unique aura would make it easily exposed, a target for all to see.

The best scout is always the one most easily overlooked.

His other thread of consciousness, meanwhile, was connected to his true ace in the hole.

The Shadow Iron Eagle, Xiaohei.

Xiaohei had now grown to be over a meter tall.

Its Profound Iron Feathers gleamed with a cold, metallic luster in the morning light.

It was no longer that "ugly-cute" furball, but an aerial overlord beginning to show its royal bearing.

Under Jiang Che’s command, it wasn’t waiting in the courtyard. Instead, like a loyal shadow guard, it was soaring silently through the high clouds above the First Disciple’s residential area.

Its sharp eyes were surveying everything below.

No suspicious aura that attempted to approach Jiang Che’s courtyard could escape its watch.

Only with Xiaohei on guard could he truly feel at ease leaving his sister, Jiang Ling, home alone.

Although Xiaohei was not yet an adult, it possessed the bloodline of an Overlord Level Exotic Beast.

Even a common expert of the Refining Organ Realm would be no match for it!

Having made all these arrangements, Jiang Che finally withdrew his consciousness and slowly exhaled a turbid breath.

He walked to the table and slung the jet-black Star-Chasing Bow across his back.

He then secured the Jade Bottle containing the Divine Crane Pill close to his body.

This was the Qi Replenishing Divine Medicine he had spent a great fortune on previously.

If he were to run into trouble, the support of this Elixir Pill would allow him to fire his Star-Chasing Bow’s Eighteenfold Strike a few more times!

All preparations were complete.

He pushed open the door, and the cool morning air rushed in, refreshing his Spirit.

His sister, Jiang Ling, was already waiting in the courtyard. Seeing Jiang Che emerge, she immediately ran up to him, her small face etched with worry and nervousness.

"Brother, you... you have to be careful."

Jiang Che looked at his sister, smiled, and ruffled her hair. "Don’t worry, it’s just a martial arts tournament. You be good and stay home. I’ll be back."

He didn’t tell her about the potential dangers of his trip, merely giving her a reassuring smile as he always did.

After comforting his sister, Jiang Che lingered no longer. He strode out of the courtyard and set off toward the Sect’s main gate.

The rising sun cast his shadow long across the bluestone path.

...

「Cangzhou Prefecture City, Central Square.」

In the very center of the square, four giant arenas, each carved from a single block of Black Basalt and towering thirty feet high, were erected in four separate sections.

On the north side of the square, a magnificent, elevated viewing platform had already been constructed.

Upon the platform, hundreds of chairs made from Golden Rattan Wood were neatly arranged and draped with gorgeous brocade.

By now, nearly every prominent figure in Cangzhou Prefecture had gathered here.

In the center of the platform, four exceptionally noble Purple Gold Thrones were set side by side.

Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi of the Cangyun Sect was dressed in a simple Daoist Robe. With his silver hair and beard, he had the air of a celestial being. His eyes were closed in meditation, as if he were oblivious to the surrounding clamor.

To his left was the Sect Leader of the Taiyuan Sect, "Mad Lion" Zhao Qingtian.

This man had a mane of white hair like a lion’s, and his build was as formidable as a mountain. Even while sitting still, he exuded an unparalleled, domineering aura.

He wore golden martial attire and had a square jaw and a wide mouth. He possessed a natural authority without being angry, and when his tiger-like eyes opened and closed, a sharp glint flashed from them, as if they could see through a person’s heart.

To Xu Zhouzi’s right sat the Sect Leader of the Profound Sound Sect, "Fairy Miao Yin" Liu Ruyan.

She appeared to be no older than thirty, but the look of serene world-weariness in her eyes was not something a young person could possess.

She was dressed in a pale purple palace gown, her features beautiful and dignified.

Simply by sitting there quietly, she seemed to become the center of the entire world. Every frown and every smile held a unique charm that could sway one’s heart and soul.

However, the most eye-catching seat was the fourth throne, the one positioned in the very center.

On this throne sat a middle-aged man clad in Heaven-Devouring Qilin Armor, a simple, Ancient Battle Saber hanging at his waist.