Martial Saint with Passives

Simplify, purify, and infuse with True Intent...

In just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

This crude Fist Technique, which could originally only reach the Third Layer of the Qi Blood Realm, now contained force application techniques and Strength variations that, under his analysis, had reached...

...the level of a Half-Step True Skill, capable of reaching the Refining Organ Realm!

’It really works!’

Jiang Che’s heart pounded in his chest.

’It seems True Master Xuan Yang’s final wish... that grand ambition to create the world’s most perfect Martial Arts...’

’...might not be impossible for me to fulfill!’

Having tested his Comprehension, Jiang Che shifted his attention to control.

He focused his mind, simultaneously connecting to the patrolling Shadow Iron Eagle Xiaohei high in the sky, the crow monitoring the outside world, and his hidden Clone!

Previously, he was capable of controlling three targets at once.

But it was like trying to do three things at once; there was always a sense of sluggishness, making it difficult to control each target with minute precision.

Often, focusing on one meant neglecting another.

But now...

’Xiaohei, circle left and dive!’

’Crow, hop to another branch and preen your feathers!’

’Clone, patrol once around the inn!’

Three commands, issued in the very same instant!

Three perspectives, feeding back into his mind in the very same instant!

Clear, smooth, and utterly without lag!

Jiang Che felt as if his brain had become a sophisticated supercomputer, effortlessly handling multiple threads of tasks!

This feeling...

It was like having god-like micro-management skills while playing a real-time strategy game in his past life!

Every unit was a perfect extension of his will, moving as effortlessly as his own limbs!

’This feeling... is incredible!’

Jiang Che took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

Finally, his gaze fell upon his own Talent Skill, [True: All-Seeing Eye]!

With the massive surge in his Mental Power, this Talent, which was based on it, was bound to undergo a qualitative transformation!

’Pupil Seal...’

His figure flickered as he silently left the room and made his way to the inn’s rear courtyard.

A large yellow dog, used to guard the house and courtyard, was tied up there.

Although the dog wasn’t an Exotic Beast, it was robust and exceptionally fierce—countless times stronger than the crow from before.

Jiang Che stood in the shadows, a purple light swirling in the depths of his eyes.

’Pupil Seal!’

BUZZ—

An invisible mental wave instantly pierced the large yellow dog’s mind!

The large yellow dog, which had been about to bark wildly, suddenly went rigid.

The next second, its ferocious gaze quickly lost focus, then became docile and submissive.

It lay down obediently, wagging its tail gently at Jiang Che.

No resistance at all!

And no backlash whatsoever!

’Success!’

A thought struck Jiang Che.

’Before, I could only control weak insects and birds.’

’Now... I can easily take down a beast of this size!’

’And what’s more...’

He checked his remaining reserves of Mental Power.

’Even after controlling it, my Mental Power is still incredibly abundant!’

’This means... the number of creatures I can control has also increased dramatically!’

Looking at the docile yellow dog, an idea suddenly...

...flashed through Jiang Che’s mind like lightning!

’If I can control a dog...’

’...then what if...’

He slowly turned his head, his gaze shifting toward Prince Zhao’s Mansion.

’Could I possibly...’

...

「Prince Zhao’s Mansion, within the bedchambers.」

The intricately carved Golden Rattan Wood window lattices were shut tight. Inside, flickering candlelight cast Zhao Kang’s anxious figure onto the wall, stretching and shrinking it like a phantom.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhao Kang paced back and forth on a floor covered with a priceless carpet from the Western Regions, the soles of his boots making a soft SHUSH against the fabric.

His brows were knitted tightly together, a fine sheen of cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with turmoil and conflict.

He was hesitating.

Hesitating... over whether to use the cover of night to pack his valuables and flee.

Although that young True Master named Jiang Che had verbally promised not to kill him.

But he, Zhao Kang, hadn’t clawed his way to his current position in a treacherous place like Lin Yuan City by being naive enough to blindly trust others!

The man was a True Master Realm expert, after all!

Even his master, Gu Song, a man of unfathomable power and god-like methods, was wary of Jiang Che—so much so that he had abandoned him.

In such an expert’s eyes, his own meager abilities were probably worth less than a bedbug’s.

What if...

What if that powerhouse had a bad day, or suddenly decided that leaving him alive was a liability, and casually snuffed him out...

Who could he possibly complain to then?

You only get one life. Once it’s gone, everything is truly gone!

’I should run... As long as there’s life, there’s hope...’

Zhao Kang gritted his teeth, spun on his heel, and started toward a hidden compartment he’d prepared long ago to retrieve a large stash of gold notes.

However, just as he opened the hidden compartment, he froze.

His gaze swept across the utterly luxurious bedchamber.

He looked at the priceless antique vases, at the throne that symbolized his power, and listened to the sounds of the patrol guards outside, who dared not slacken their pace even in the dead of night...

A look of intense reluctance and greed filled his eyes.

The Great Chu Dynasty was currently in a precarious state.

The armies of the Western Realm Great Yan Kingdom were pressing on the borders, rebellions by the True Mother Sect were erupting in the north, and the Court was too preoccupied to even manage its own affairs. How could it possibly have the energy to govern a remote place like Lin Yuan City?

As long as he delivered the tax silver on time, the Court would turn a blind eye even if he declared himself king of the city!

In his own little corner of the world, Lin Yuan City, he was the sky! He was the law!

This feeling, of everyone having to kneel and kowtow before him, addressing him as "His Majesty"...