Martial Saint with Passives

His face was resolute and sharply defined, his temples lightly frosted with gray, and his eyes were as deep as an abyss.

Just a calm sweep of his gaze over the crowd below was enough to silence the entire clamorous square.

He was the head of both military and political affairs in Cangzhou Prefecture, the General in command of the three-hundred-thousand-strong Qilin Army—Qin Fuhu!

Even top-tier experts like Xu Zhouzi, Zhao Qingtian, and Liu Ruyan, who led their respective sects, appeared somewhat deferential before him, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

"General Qin, I trust you’ve been well." Zhao Qingtian was the first to cup his fist, his voice booming like a great bell.

Qin Fuhu gave a slight nod, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Sect Leader Zhao, you’re too kind. I have gathered you all today for this grand event for the future of our Cangzhou Martial World. The Demon Sect runs rampant; they are not an enemy a single sect can face alone. I hope you can all set aside your sectarian differences and work together as one."

His words were few, but each one resonated with the iron-willed decisiveness of a soldier.

The leaders of the Three Sects all nodded in agreement.

Below the high platform, the Elders and deans of the various sects, along with the Patriarchs of Noble Families like the Chen Family and Fang Family, were also seated on both sides, their expressions varied as they watched the arena below.

The vast square was already packed to the brim with Martial Artists and common folk who had rushed here from all directions upon hearing the news.

The top floors of every major tavern, the teahouses lining the streets—every place with a view of the arena was crammed with people.

Countless gazes were fixed on the center of the square, upon the prodigies who were about to appear—those who represented the pinnacle of combat prowess among Cangzhou Prefecture’s younger generation!

...

As a primary organizer of this "Demon Extermination Alliance," Vice Sect Leader Xie Songnian was weaving through the guest seating area, his face beaming.

He skillfully exchanged pleasantries with the Elders of the various sects and the Patriarchs of the Noble Families, chatting and laughing amiably. He perfectly embodied the grace and bearing of a host, as if the pain of recently losing his son had already vanished without a trace.

"Vice Sect Leader Zhao, I trust you’ve been well!"

"Nun Jing Yi, your presence here today is truly a blessing for the Cangzhou Martial World!"

"Patriarch Chen, your son seems even more impressive than before. I’m afraid the position of Young Alliance Leader is destined to be his!"

He was a masterful socialite, smooth and tactful with everyone, drawing smiling responses from the crowd and making for a lively atmosphere.

Just then, a commotion erupted from the contestant passageway on the south side of the square.

The prodigies from the various sects participating in the assembly were beginning to make their entrance!

"Look! It’s the people from the Taiyuan Sect!"

Under the watchful eyes of the masses, a group of Taiyuan Sect disciples dressed in golden martial attire were the first to enter the arena.

The one in the lead stood as straight and proud as a spear. He was handsome, and his eyes, glinting with a sharp light, held a look of disdain for the world.

He was merely walking casually, yet an invisible, unstoppable, and domineering aura spread from him, instinctively silencing the clamor of the surrounding crowd!

It was none other than the man ranked second on the Hidden Dragon List, Qin Wuya!

"As expected of Qin Wuya! That aura alone is enough to crush ninety-nine percent of the people here!"

"I heard he’s already mastered the Taiyuan Sect’s Ultimate Skill, the *Celestial Spirit Destruction Spear*, to the Transformation Realm! When his spear moves, it’s said to startle even gods and ghosts!"

Following close behind him was another prodigy from the Taiyuan Sect, ranked seventh on the Hidden Dragon List: Lin Qingyun.

He was still dressed in his spotless white robes, cradling a longsword. His expression was cold and severe, like an ancient, unmelting iceberg.

His appearance immediately sparked a new wave of discussion.

"Why is Lin Qingyun competing for the Taiyuan Sect? What about Shen Mingxuan, who’s ranked sixth on the Hidden Dragon List?"

"I heard that after Lin Qingyun returned from True Master Baiyi’s Cave Mansion, his strength increased by a lot! He went and challenged Shen Mingxuan to a fight and actually won in ten moves! That’s how he got this spot!"

"For real? He’s that amazing?"

However, Lin Qingyun turned a deaf ear to the tsunami of discussion around him, his eyes seeing nothing but the sword in his hands.

Next, the disciples of the Profound Sound Sect also entered the arena.

Leading them was, of course, Xiao Qingge, dressed in fiery red martial attire and carrying a Profound Iron Suona on her shoulder!

She strode forward with heroic flair, a confident and flamboyant smile on her face. From time to time, she would wave energetically to the cheering crowd, inciting even more fervent screams.

Following her was a handsome young man with a gentle, jade-like disposition, holding a White Jade Flute.

This was the Profound Sound Sect’s other genius, ranked eighth on the Hidden Dragon List, Su Linfeng.

Chen Jiayu of the Chen Family entered with a few familiar Noble Family Members, a White Jade Folding Fan in his hand.

He was cultured and graceful, with a warm smile on his face, looking less like he was attending a life-or-death battle and more like he was on his way to an elegant gathering of poets and artists.

One after another, the famous prodigies from the Hidden Dragon List made their entrance.

Each appearance triggered massive cheers and commotion from the crowd!

Finally, it was the turn of the two representatives from the Cangyun Sect.

When Gu Qingxuan, clad in blue and as coolly detached as an immortal, and Jiang Che, dressed in black and as calm as an abyss, walked out of the passageway side by side...

The atmosphere in the entire Central Square was pushed to its absolute peak!

"It’s Chief Gu!!"

"And Chief Jiang!!"

The disciples of the Cangyun Sect erupted in unprecedented, fanatical cheers!

"Chief Gu is invincible!"

"Chief Jiang will be victorious!"

Listening to the tidal wave of noise and seeing the grand spectacle of the sea of people before him, Jiang Che couldn’t help but feel a ripple of emotion in his heart.

He could clearly feel countless gazes, like searchlights, focusing on him.

Some were curious, some were scrutinizing, and some were expectant.

Naturally, there was no shortage of doubt.

"So that’s Jiang Che? He doesn’t look like much."

"Shh... quiet down! Didn’t you hear? A few days ago, back at the Sect, he took down Fang Muye, who’s at the Peak of the Refining Organ Realm!"

"For real?! He’s that strong?"

"Of course it’s true! But... who’s Fang Muye? Today’s opponents are Qin Wuya and Gu Qingxuan! No matter how strong he is, can he really be stronger than those two?"

"Exactly. I’d say he’ll be lucky to make it into the top five this time! After all, his foundation is too shallow, and he rose to prominence way too quickly!"

"I still think the final Young Alliance Leader will be chosen from between Qin Wuya and Gu Qingxuan. Jiang Che might be a dark horse, but in the end... his background is just a bit lacking!"

However, Jiang Che paid no mind to these discussions.

At this moment, his [True: All-Seeing Eye] was operating at full power.

He was searching the square for any suspicious individuals.

However, after a long and careful search, he found no one with the aura of the Demon Sect.

’Am I just being paranoid?’ Jiang Che wondered inwardly.

...

After all the competing prodigies had entered and taken their places in their respective areas...

On the high platform, Vice Sect Leader Xie Songnian slowly rose to his feet.

He walked to the front of the stage, his gaze sweeping over the young, energetic faces below and the vast, dark sea of people surrounding them. A perfectly measured smile, full of an elder’s hope, appeared on his face.

He cleared his throat, his voice imbued with True Qi, carrying clearly to every corner of the square.

"Everyone! Today, we, the righteous cultivators of Cangzhou Prefecture, have gathered here for one purpose—to stand together against the Demon Sect and uphold the righteous path!"

"The demons of the Demon Sect lurk in the shadows! Their methods are cruel, and they bring suffering to the common people! We Martial Artists must take it upon ourselves to wield our swords, purge the world of these demons, and restore peace and order to Cangzhou!"

This passionate opening speech instantly ignited the atmosphere of the entire venue, causing countless young Martial Artists’ blood to boil as they raised their arms and cheered.

"Exorcise the demons, defend the path! Exorcise the demons, defend the path!"

When the roar of the crowd subsided slightly, Xie Songnian nodded in satisfaction and continued his announcement. "To select a talented individual to lead the younger generation, today, we, the Demon Extermination Alliance, will hold a tournament of champions to select the ’Young Alliance Leader’ of our generation!"

"A total of thirty-two prodigies will be participating in this assembly. The competition will be a single-elimination tournament determined by drawing lots, with one-on-one matches to decide the victor! These are martial spars; blows should be stopped before they become fatal. You must not harm the life of a fellow cultivator! The final winner will receive the alliance’s token and a ’True Essence Pill,’ and will be crowned the first Young Alliance Leader of the Cangzhou Demon Extermination Alliance!"

As he finished announcing the rules, a soldier from the Qilin Army, holding a lot-drawing cylinder made of Profound Iron, walked to the base of the arena stage.

The thirty-two competing prodigies went up one by one to draw their lots.

Jiang Che drew lot number "sixteen." His opponent would be the other person who also drew number "sixteen."

He looked up to see a lean and powerful young man holding a pair of Water-Splitting Needles. The man was also looking at him, a fierce fighting spirit burning in his eyes.