Martial Saint with Passives

"Chief Jiang!"

"Greetings, Chief Jiang!"

Whether it was fellow chiefs Shi Poyue and Wang Zhenhai, or the more senior Eldest Senior Brother Xiao Mingqian, they all stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Their attitude was no longer just the usual politeness between sect-mates, but one tinged with...

a heartfelt reverence for a superior expert!

"Senior Brothers, you’re too kind." Jiang Che returned the bow with a calm expression.

Just then, the sharp-eyed Shi Poyue’s expression suddenly changed, and he exclaimed in a choked voice, "Junior... Junior Brother Jiang! Your... your aura... you’ve broken through to the Peak of the Refining Organ Realm?!"

His cry was like a huge boulder dropped into a calm lake!

The entire hall erupted in an instant!

Everyone’s gaze focused on Jiang Che once more, but this time, their eyes were filled with unprecedented shock and disbelief!

"What?! The Peak of the Refining Organ Realm?!"

"I... I didn’t mishear, did I?! How long has it been since the Young Alliance Leader’s assembly?!"

Even Gu Qingxuan, who had been standing quietly by the window, whipped her head around. An emotion called "shock" once again appeared in her usually cold eyes.

Fang Muye was even more stunned, as if struck by lightning, and froze on the spot!

He stared intently at Jiang Che, sensing his opponent’s flawless, unfathomable, and powerful aura. The last trace of color drained from his face.

He knew he was far from being Jiang Che’s match.

But his pride hadn’t allowed him to give up on the slim chance of catching up.

’If I just work a little harder, if I just ask the family for more precious Cultivation Resources...’

But only now did he discover with despair...

the other man hadn’t even left him a receding shadow to chase!

Jiang Che felt everyone’s stunned gazes, but his heart was untroubled.

He simply nodded calmly, a tacit acknowledgment.

At this point, he no longer needed to hide anything deliberately.

His perspective had long since moved beyond competing with his peers.

In this bloody tide that had swept across the entire Cangzhou Prefecture, where even True Master Realm experts could fall at any moment...

...a mere squabble within the Refining Organ Realm was nothing more than child’s play!

His current goal was the lofty True Master Realm!

It was the power to truly control his own destiny and protect those around him...

Absolute power!

Just as everyone was still reeling from the immense shock of Jiang Che’s latest breakthrough...

Elder Jin of the Internal Affairs Hall emerged from the inner hall, leading several Stewards.

"Heh, it seems everyone has arrived." Elder Jin stroked his beard, his gaze lingering on Jiang Che for a moment, his eyes filled with approval and gratification.

Seeing this, Jiang Che, Gu Qingxuan, and the others immediately composed themselves, preparing to step forward and bow.

However, at that very moment!

A sinister, yet incredibly familiar and powerful aura seeped in from outside the door without any warning!

The smiles on the faces of Elder Jin and the others froze instantly. They quickly and respectfully stepped aside, standing with their hands clasped in deference.

Under everyone’s bewildered gaze...

...a figure dressed in a purple, cloud-patterned Daoist Robe, with a gaunt face and eyes as deep as an abyss, slowly walked in from outside.

It was none other than Vice Sect Leader Xie Songnian!

His appearance instantly dropped the temperature in the Internal Affairs Hall to freezing.

The formless pressure of a True Master Realm expert weighed down on every disciple’s heart like a heavy mountain, making it difficult for them to breathe.

"We greet the Vice Sect Leader!"

Not daring to be slow, everyone bowed in unison.

"There’s no need for such formalities."

With a gentle smile on his face, Xie Songnian slowly walked to the main seat and sat down, his gaze seemingly sweeping casually over the faces of the crowd below.

When his gaze fell upon Jiang Che, it paused for a moment, and a barely perceptible, ice-cold killing intent flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Jiang Che’s heart tightened. His [True: All-Seeing Eye] had already captured every trace of the other’s subtle killing intent!

’This old dog... just as I thought, he’s up to no good!’

Xie Songnian cleared his throat and began to speak slowly, in a solemn and earnest tone:

"Everyone, I have summoned you today because there is a matter of great importance—one that concerns the Sect and the safety of the entire Cangzhou Prefecture—that must be entrusted to you!"

He paused, his expression turning grave.

"Since the demonic uprising, under the thunderous cleansing of our Demon Extermination Alliance, the insolent arrogance of the Demon Sect’s Demons has been suppressed. Most of the Demon Sect strongholds scattered throughout Cangzhou Prefecture have been eradicated, leaving only a few remnants cowering like beaten dogs in remote and perilous lands, barely clinging to life."

"But when you cut weeds, you must pull them out by the roots!"

His voice suddenly rose, filled with awe-inspiring righteousness!

"You are all the cream of the crop of the Cangyun Sect’s younger generation, the future of our Sect! A towering tree cannot grow in a greenhouse! Only by being baptized in blood and fire can you become true pillars of strength! Now is the perfect time for you to descend the mountain, gain experience, serve the Sect, and eliminate evil for the righteous path!"

The phrase "descend the mountain to gain experience" made alarm bells ring in Jiang Che’s mind!

He was almost certain that this old dog was finally making his move against him!

Just as he thought, Xie Songnian continued, "By the decision of the Sect Elder Council, you chiefs and Core Disciples will lead teams, splitting up to travel to various perilous locations and launch a final sweep against the Demon Sect remnants!"

He picked up a scroll from the table and began to issue the assignments.

"Chief of Lingxiao Courtyard, Gu Qingxuan!"

"Disciple is here!" Gu Qingxuan stepped forward, her response cool and crisp.

"You are to lead a team to the ’Black Wind Mountain Range’ and eliminate the remnants of the ’Black Wind Stronghold’ entrenched there. The mountains are high, the forests are dense, and the terrain is treacherous. You must be extra careful."

"Yes!"

"Chief Wang Zhenhai of Panyue Courtyard, Chief Shi Poyue of Thunder Shock Courtyard!"

"Disciple is here!" The two stepped out together, their voices booming like bells.

"The two of you will combine forces and head to ’Chishui Marsh.’ It is reported that Demon Sect Demons are hiding in underwater caves, their movements strange and unpredictable. You must be cautious and look out for each other!"

"As you command!"

"Xiao Mingqian of Yunhai Courtyard!"

"Disciple is here!" Eldest Senior Brother Xiao Mingqian also stepped forward.

"You are steady and reliable. You will lead a team to clean up the few fish that slipped through the net, who are hiding within the Prefecture City. Coordinate with the Taiyuan Sect and be sure to completely eliminate this hidden threat within the city."

"Yes!"

...

Xie Songnian methodically assigned one mission after another.

Soon, only Jiang Che and Fang Muye remained in the hall without an assignment.

Everyone’s gaze involuntarily fell upon the two of them.

Xie Songnian set down the scroll, a meaningful smile gracing his lips.

He looked at Jiang Che, then at the somewhat dispirited Fang Muye, and spoke slowly:

"As for the two of you..."

"Disciple is here!" The two of them stepped forward at the same time.

"You two are to jointly lead a team to ’Wolf Fang Valley’!"

’Wolf Fang Valley...’

Jiang Che had read about it in the Cangzhou Wind and Cloud Chronicles.

Wolf Fang Valley was located on the western side of the Black Wind Mountain Range. The terrain was complex and filled with jagged rocks, like interlocking wolf fangs, and it had always been a haven for ruthless bandits.

Traces of the Demon Sect had recently been discovered there as well. The bandit gangs entrenched there seemed to have been recruited by the Demon Sect, and their strength was not to be underestimated.

The difficulty and danger of this mission were roughly on par with the tasks assigned to the other chiefs.

However, due to the complex terrain, it was slightly trickier.

Sending two top-tier chiefs to handle it together seemed reasonable enough.

But Jiang Che knew things couldn’t be that simple!

This mission seemed perfectly normal, with no apparent flaws.

But he was sure it concealed a deadly trap!

And moreover...

he had to lead the team with Fang Muye, of all people—someone who was clearly at odds with him?!

’That old dog isn’t just trying to use the Demon Sect to get rid of me.’

’He’s also using Fang Muye’s jealousy and hatred to plant a ticking time bomb within the team!’

’When the time comes, I’ll not only have to face a powerful external enemy but also guard against a stab in the back from a "teammate"?’

’What a vicious move!’

"What’s the matter? Chief Jiang, don’t tell me... you think this mission is too dangerous and you don’t dare to accept it?" Xie Songnian asked slowly, a playful smirk curving his lips as he watched the silent Jiang Che.

Jiang Che slowly raised his head, met Xie Songnian’s hypocritical gaze, and said calmly, "Disciple accepts the mission."

More words were useless.

Since he couldn’t avoid it, he would... face it head-on!

Of course.

He had already planned his escape route in his mind.

If things really went south, at worst...

...he would just activate [Shadow Escape] and leave!

...