Martial Saint with Passives

"Yeah, didn’t you see how he beat Chen Jiayu? That was the power of a Half-Step True Master! The moment his Divine Thought pressure came out, Chen Jiayu didn’t even have a chance to fight back! No matter how powerful Jiang Che’s fists are, can they possibly stand up to Divine Thought?"

"That’s right. It’s terrifying that Jiang Che can continuously unleash those explosive Fist Techniques. But Qin Wuya’s defense withstood a direct hit from Gu Qingxuan’s ’Celestial Fall’! I’m afraid Jiang Che..."

"There’s no doubt about the outcome of this fight. The only point of interest is how many moves Jiang Che can last."

Even the gamblers who had won a fortune betting on Jiang Che before didn’t hesitate this time, placing all their chips on Qin Wuya.

Atop the high platform, the atmosphere was just as heavy.

Taiyuan Sect’s Sect Leader, Zhao Qingtian, the "Mad Lion," fixed his gaze on the dark figure in the arena. Lifting his teacup and blowing on it gently, he turned to Xu Zhouzi beside him and said with a seemingly casual smile, "Brother Xu Zhouzi, your sect’s Chief Jiang this year is indeed a rare piece of unpolished jade. Given time, he will surely become an extraordinary figure."

Though his words were praise on the surface, the phrase "given time" carried a condescending, judgmental tone.

The implication was that Jiang Che, for now, was still insignificant.

Upon hearing this, Cangyun Sect’s Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi simply stroked his beard and smiled. He too lifted his teacup, replying in a calm, unhurried manner:

"Sect Leader Zhao, you flatter me. Unpolished jade is, after all, still unpolished. It requires much more carving. Not like your worthy nephew Wuya, whose path of the spear has already taken shape, his brilliance on full display. He is but one final step away from becoming a truly extraordinary figure."

These words seemed to compliment Qin Wuya, but they were a subtle jab, pointing out that although Qin Wuya was strong, he was ultimately still "one step away," having not yet truly entered that Realm.

The two Sect Leaders continued their verbal sparring, their words laced with hidden barbs, leaving the surrounding Elders inwardly shocked.

As for Xu Qingshan, his emotions at this moment were more complex than ever.

He looked at his disciple in the distance, who was about to step into the arena, his heart filled with a mix of pride and profound worry.

Jiang Che’s journey to this point had already far exceeded his expectations, bringing immense honor to him and the entire Yunhai Courtyard.

But his opponent was Qin Wuya!

A monster who had already begun Refining Spirit, a man with one foot already across the threshold of the True Master Realm!

This was no longer a simple contest of Strength. It had escalated to a clash on a higher level—a battle of Divine Thought!

’He only hoped that Jiang Che could hold on for a while in this fight, that his defeat wouldn’t be too humiliating. If he could just emerge unscathed, that in itself would be the greatest victory.’

...

Under the weight of countless complicated gazes, two figures slowly ascended the arena platform.

The final battle was about to begin!

"Cangyun Sect, Jiang Che."

"Taiyuan Sect, Qin Wuya."

The announcements were still brief, but this time, the atmosphere was heavier than in any match before!

The two faced each other from a distance, about thirty yards apart. Neither made an immediate move.

But the expressions of some disciples near the arena suddenly changed!

From Qin Wuya, an incomparably domineering and majestic "presence" erupted, a force that seemed capable of suppressing mountains and rivers!

It wasn’t a mere external release of Qi Force.

It was the fusion of his powerful Divine Thought, befitting a Half-Step True Master, and the Iron Blood Evil Qi he had honed through a Corpse Mountain and Blood Sea. The result was a terrifying aura capable of directly crushing an opponent’s will!

Enveloped in this "presence," Qin Wuya seemed to transform into an ancient War God, slowly opening his eyes and gazing down upon the mortal before him.

Disciples standing close to the arena felt their spirits waver and found it difficult to breathe.

It was as if their very souls were about to be torn apart and crushed by that domineering presence!

"So this is Qin Wuya’s ’presence’? It’s... it’s terrifying!"

"Just by standing there, he could make an opponent crumble without even fighting!"

However, just as everyone thought Jiang Che would lose his composure and be utterly crushed by this terrifying presence...

The unexpected happened!

Facing the overwhelming presence that swept toward him like a tidal wave, Jiang Che remained perfectly still, his expression unchanging.

But another "presence"—equally profound, equally powerful—erupted from within him, soaring upward to meet the challenge head-on!

If Qin Wuya’s "presence" was one of conquest and annihilation...

...then Jiang Che’s "presence" was one of dominion and control!

It was the "presence" originating from his [Nine Li Commander] Talent!

Although he had not yet begun Refining Spirit.

But this Talent also granted him a "presence" that could dominate hearts and minds on a battlefield!

This was the "Commander’s Momentum," a presence formed from mastering countless weapons and fist techniques, capable of commanding all will to fight!

Enveloped in this "presence."

Jiang Che’s figure seemed to grow impossibly tall, like a supreme sovereign of war stepping out of ancient myth, a master of all armaments!

The two formless "presences" clashed violently in the center of the arena, grinding against each other and turning the entire platform into the oppressive heart of a massive storm!

"What?! Jiang Che... has a ’presence’ of his own?!"

"Isn’t he only in the Late-stage Refining Organ Realm? He hasn’t even begun Refining Spirit, so how could he possibly grasp a ’presence’?!"

The entire crowd erupted in an uproar!

Atop the high platform, even the Sect Leaders, including Xu Zhouzi and Zhao Qingtian, had expressions of utter astonishment!

However, they quickly discerned the truth of the matter.

Although Jiang Che’s "presence" was profound.

Before Qin Wuya’s "presence," which was fused with powerful Divine Thought.

Its foundation was ultimately weaker, and it was being suppressed, forced to retreat step by step.

Just then, a sharp glint flashed in Qin Wuya’s imperious eyes!