Martial Saint with Passives

Could this... could this really be a battle fought by Martial Artists of the Refining Organ Realm?!

"They’re too strong... Both of them have already touched the threshold of the True Master Realm!" an Elder on the high platform said in shock.

Jiang Che watched, captivated. His [True: All-Seeing Eye] operated at full power, committing their every move and every Transformation of Strength to memory.

He discovered that both Qin Wuya and Gu Qingxuan had begun to use the power of Divine Thought in their attacks!

This was the most prominent sign of the Half-step True Master Realm, a stage entered after beginning to refine the spirit!

The battle entered a white-hot stage!

"Celestial Spirit Dragon Head-Raising!"

Qin Wuya roared, and the Long Spear in his hand transformed into a roaring golden dragon. It shot toward the heavens with boundless might, as if it would punch a hole through the very sky!

"Lingxiao Celestial Fall!"

Gu Qingxuan’s expression remained unchanged as she, too, unleashed her strongest ultimate move!

That terrifying Sword Intent, which seemed capable of felling the very stars, descended once more!

BOOM!!!

The spear and the sword collided violently, directly above the center of the arena!

The entire plaza trembled violently from the impact!

The piercing light made everyone instinctively shut their eyes!

When the light faded, the crowd hurriedly looked toward the arena.

Qin Wuya still stood with his spear in hand, though his face was a little pale.

Across from him, Gu Qingxuan staggered back three steps before barely managing to steady herself.

The hand gripping her sword was trembling slightly, and an unnatural flush appeared on her cool, beautiful face.

"Will you continue?" Qin Wuya asked her calmly.

Gu Qingxuan didn’t speak. She silently sheathed her sword, gave Qin Wuya a slight nod, then turned and gracefully drifted off the stage.

...

"Chief Gu... lost..."

"Sigh, she was just a hair short in the end! Qin Wuya’s Cultivation is, after all, half a step higher than hers!"

"But did you see?! Qin Wuya’s face didn’t look right either! Chief Gu must have wounded him!"

A wave of discussion erupted across the plaza, a mixture of regret, shock, and admiration.

On the high platform, although Taiyuan Sect’s Sect Leader Zhao Qingtian wore a smile, a grave look flashed in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Cangyun Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi stroked his beard and nodded, showing no great disappointment on his face.

Xu Qingshan smiled at Yue Lingfeng, the head of Lingxiao Courtyard, who was beside him. "Senior Brother Yue, your disciple is quite impressive."

Hearing this, Yue Lingfeng’s perpetually stern face softened for a rare moment, and he nodded.

Although Gu Qingxuan had lost the match, she had been able to push Qin Wuya that far.

Her strength was beyond doubt!

...

At the same time, on the other arena, the final semifinal match began!

Chief of Cangyun Sect’s Yunhai Courtyard, Jiang Che!

Versus!

The chief of the Profound Sound Sect, fourth on the Hidden Dragon List, Xiao Qingge!

This duel also captured everyone’s attention.

This time, however, the discussions were almost entirely one-sided.

"Sigh, there’s no suspense here. Jiang Che’s run as a dark horse ends now."

"That’s right, Xiao Qingge is leagues above Su Linfeng! Even Gu Qingxuan would have to take her ’Phoenix’s Cry in the Nine Heavens’ seriously! Jiang Che’s Fist Technique might be fierce, but his Divine Soul Cultivation must be his weak point. He’s going to be completely suppressed!"

"Exactly. It’s already a miracle that Jiang Che made it to the top four. There’s no shame in losing to Xiao Qingge!"

Even on the high platform, after seeing that her disciple’s opponent was Jiang Che, the perpetually tense expression on Profound Sound Sect’s Leader Liu Ruyan visibly relaxed. A smile that said victory was already in the bag even appeared on her face.

In her view, Jiang Che’s utterly firm and yang-aspected fist style was perfectly countered by her disciple’s Sound Wave Technique, which specialized in attacking the Divine Soul.

This battle was already decided!

On the arena, the two stood facing each other.

"Junior Brother Jiang," Xiao Qingge said, shouldering her signature Profound Iron Suona. Her face bore a wild, unrestrained smile, and the fire of battle burned in her eyes. "I didn’t get my fill last time at the Chen Mansion. Don’t you dare disappoint me today!"

"I will give it my all," Jiang Che replied calmly, his dark silver Gloves glinting coldly in the sunlight.

"Good!"

As the refereeing Elder gave the signal, Xiao Qingge didn’t hesitate for a second, immediately bringing the Suona to her lips!

SKREEE—BLARE—!!!

A Suona blast, louder and more urgent than any before, suddenly erupted!

This time, it wasn’t tentative ripples of sound waves, but tangible "blades" formed from condensed crimson sound waves. They blotted out the sky, forming a death storm that charged madly toward Jiang Che!

"It’s ’Guangling Shadder’! The Profound Sound Sect’s strongest killing melody!" an expert in the crowd exclaimed.

Jiang Che felt as if he were surrounded by piercing, demonic sounds, with countless sharp sound blades slicing at him from every treacherous angle.

At the same time, an even more powerful Spirit-based assault, like an invisible giant hammer, smashed viciously toward his Divine Soul!

Yet, Jiang Che neither dodged nor retreated!

He took a deep breath, his feet planting themselves firmly onto the arena floor like the gnarled roots of an old tree!

"Hah!"

With a low shout, he shot both fists out, weaving an impenetrable curtain of fist shadows before him!

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Each punch landed with perfect precision on the incoming sound blades, releasing a series of dull explosions like the beating of war drums!

Incredibly, by relying on nothing but his formidable physical body and immense Strength, he managed to halt the entire "Guangling Shadder" sound wave Killing Array—an attack that would have sent any expert of his level into a panicked frenzy—keeping it a full three feet from his body!