Martial Saint with Passives

’This sword isn’t bad. It can actually cut through my transformed Black Armor...’

He suddenly remembered his severed hand on the ground and ran over to take a look.

To his surprise, he found that the severed hand had already turned into a puddle of black water!

’This... How is this the same as when a Black Beast dies?’

He was a little shocked.

’As I thought, the Heart of the Black Abyss is related to the Black Beasts.’

Afterward, Jiang Che ripped the Human Skin Masks off the faces of the two ”Coachmen.”

They were two middle-aged men with similar appearances.

One had the word ”Five” on his face, and the other had ”Six.”

”I didn’t expect it to be Number Five and Number Six of the Wuxiang Alliance,” Luo Kun said with a sigh as he came to Jiang Che’s side.

He had recovered enough to get up and walk around.

”So they’ll really come for revenge?” Jiang Che asked with a frown.

”I’m afraid so. The Wuxiang Alliance is notoriously vengeful. Now that Number Five and Number Six are dead—and they weren’t ordinary members—they will definitely retaliate,” Luo Kun said, his face clouded with worry.

”But how will they know who did it? If we erase all the traces, won’t it be impossible for them to find us?” Jiang Che asked curiously.

”It’s said their leader has a special method to place a mark on every member. Anyone who kills one of them gets marked, and they’ll follow that mark to track you down. Of course, even if you hadn’t killed them, you wouldn’t have escaped their pursuit. They never let a target they’ve marked for death get away. The people of the Wuxiang Alliance are maniacs like that. Once they’re on your tail, they’re nearly impossible to shake,” Luo Kun explained.

”A mark?” Jiang Che looked himself over but didn’t find anything unusual.

”It’s not a mark you can see.”

”Then how strong are the top four?”

”I’m not sure, but their leader is definitely at the Bone Forging Level. Bone Forging is a Great Realm after Force Integration,” Luo Kun said.

”I know,” Jiang Che nodded.

He had met three Bone Forging Level experts so far.

Zhao Kang, Tuoba Lie, and Li Hanchuan.

When he went to the peak of Black Wind Mountain to save Li Hanchuan, Jiang Che had used Omen to see Zhao Kang’s Ability.

With just one strike, Zhao Kang could kill his transformed self!

There would be no room to react, and no possibility of recovery.

Because his head would be instantly shattered.

No matter how strong his regenerative abilities were, he couldn’t survive an injury of that severity!

The thought of a Bone Forging Level expert possibly coming for revenge made Jiang Che feel a sense of pressure.

’I’m still too weak...’

But he felt no fear in his heart.

In fact, he was even a little excited.

”Che’er, you should go to the Cangyun Sect,” Luo Kun said suddenly.

”The Cangyun Sect?” Jiang Che was taken aback.

”The Cangyun Sect is a top-tier Major Sect in Cangzhou, and it’s full of experts. If you’re in the Cangyun Sect, the Wuxiang Alliance won’t dare to enter and kill you,” Luo Kun said.

”But I remember you saying, Master, that one can only enter the Cangyun Sect after reaching Force Integration. I haven’t reached it yet,” Jiang Che said.

”No matter. Force Integration is the requirement for the Inner Sect, but you can start your Cultivation in the Outer Sect. You can already defeat someone at Great Success in Force Integration, so breaking through to Force Integration is only a matter of time,” Luo Kun said with a smile.

”Alright, then thank you, Master!” Jiang Che didn’t hesitate.

He truly did want to continue getting stronger.

Not only could he better protect himself, his family, and his friends...

...but he might also be able to eliminate the hidden danger of the Heart of the Black Abyss.

Although he didn’t know if the Master of the Black Abyss was lying to him...

...once he reached True Mastery, he might have some room to bargain!

Right now, he was far too weak, too passive.

Especially now, being hunted by the Zhao Family, he was like a stray dog, unable to return to his own home.

It made him feel stifled and helpless.

And right now, the most suitable place for Cultivation was the Cangyun Sect.

It had a systematic array of Cultivation Techniques, which was much better than fumbling around on his own.

Afterward, Luo Kun returned to the carriage, opened the box Jiang Ling had retrieved from under his bed, and took out an Ink Jade Token with the character for ”Cang” engraved on it.

”Take this. It’s a Cangyun Sect token. With this, you’re guaranteed to get into the Cangyun Sect.”

Jiang Che quickly and carefully accepted it.

”Master, without this Token, would I not be able to get in?”

’If I hadn’t met Master,’ Jiang Che thought, ’and just went there on my own, would I have been unable to join the Sect?’

”Not necessarily. Even without the Token, you’d still have a chance if you cultivated the Cloud-Stacking Fist to Force Integration. I never told you, but our White Cloud Martial Arts Hall is actually an affiliated branch of the Cangyun Sect. The Cloud-Stacking Fist is a prerequisite for the True Skills of the Cangyun Sect’s various courtyards! Being able to cultivate the Cloud-Stacking Fist to Force Integration proves you’re of the Direct Lineage. It’s just that this Token shows you’re a relative of a disciple from the main sect, which makes getting in easier,” Luo Kun explained.

”Mm,” Jiang Che nodded, understanding the Token’s value.

’So it’s basically an inside connection!’

”A Major Sect isn’t like a small local Martial Arts Hall. Not just anyone can get in. They have four channels for recruiting disciples.”

Luo Kun said slowly.

”First, they seek out children under the age of six with excellent Root Bones and raise them from a young age. This is the primary way Major Sects cultivate their disciples.”

”Second, they establish hidden branches in various places, like my White Cloud Martial Arts Hall, to screen for qualified Seeds and send them to the headquarters.”

”Third is this Token. Disciples of the main Inner Sect get one opportunity to recommend a relative. Generally, as long as they aren’t exceptionally poor, they can get in.”

”As for the fourth, it’s for established practitioners to join. Martial Artists who are already at the Bone Forging Realm or even higher will be accepted, as long as they have a clean background. However, they are usually assigned to marginal tasks unless their Realm is exceptionally high. This path is generally for Independent Cultivators seeking refuge.”

”I see...” Jiang Che now understood that if he wanted to continue his Cultivation, his only option for now was the Cangyun Sect.

If by some chance he failed the Cangyun Sect’s assessment, his only other option to join a different Sect would be to practice the Moon Shifting Flower Shadow Technique that Li Hanchuan gave him, break through to Bone Forging, and then join a master as an established practitioner.

But in that case, he definitely wouldn’t be able to enter a Major Sect; it would have to be a smaller one.

And even if he got in, he wouldn’t necessarily get access to their core Cultivation Techniques.

”Oh, right. After you get there, you can look for Xu Qingshan. He’s my junior brother and was the Chief Disciple of our class in the Yunhai Courtyard. I heard he’s now the head of the Yunhai Courtyard, so I believe he can look out for you,” Luo Kun said with a smile.

This junior brother had received a lot of help from him when he first joined the courtyard, and when Luo Kun left the Cangyun Sect, he had solemnly promised to take care of Luo Kun’s descendants or disciples.

With this connection, Luo Kun felt that Jiang Che’s entry into the Cangyun Sect was practically a sure thing.

”Yes, Master!” Jiang Che felt reassured.

...

Afterward, everyone got into the carriages.

Shao Jianbo and Jiang Che each drove one, moving steadily away from Lin Yuan City.

A day and a night passed. They encountered no more pursuers, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

However, they arrived at a fork in the road.

One path led to Taizhou. The other led to Cangzhou.

Along the way, everyone had decided on their destinations.

Shao Jianbo’s family had moved to Taizhou, so naturally, he was headed there as well.

As for Luo Kun, his only daughter had married into a family in Taizhou, so he decided to travel with Shao Jianbo.

Jiang Che, on the other hand, was going to Cangzhou to continue his Cultivation at the Cangyun Sect.

Upon hearing this, Shao Jianbo fell silent for a moment.

He too had once yearned to continue his Cultivation.

But for the sake of the Shao Family, he had no choice but to give it up.

Besides, after seeing Jiang Che’s strength, he understood in his heart that Jiang Che was the one better suited to cultivate at the Cangyun Sect.

Since Jiang Che was going to Cangzhou, Jiang Ling would naturally follow him.

As for Yin Yingying, she also stated that she would be going to Cangzhou.

”To be honest, my family moved to Cangzhou several months ago to do business. They wanted to take me with them, but I wanted to continue my training, so I stayed behind. I never expected something like this to happen, and for my master to die...”

”Alright, then you can come with us,” Jiang Che nodded.

”Jiang Che, thank you! I’ll pay you once we get to Cangzhou!” Yin Yingying said hurriedly.

Jiang Che was about to say there was no need, but on second thought, he realized his future Cultivation would surely cost a lot of silver. Although he had some with him, it probably wouldn’t last long, so he didn’t refuse.

”Be careful on your journey!” Luo Kun said, reluctant to see them go.

”Yes, you too!” Jiang Che replied.

”Little Junior Brother, when you become a Cultivated True Master in the future, don’t forget to come visit us. I’ll be counting on you to bask in your glory and show off a bit!” Shao Jianbo laughed.

”Second Senior Brother, you’re joking! If I’m ever lucky enough for that day to come, I’ll definitely come back to thank you and Master for all your guidance! When that time comes, I’ll parade you through the streets with gongs and drums, I guarantee you’ll have more than enough ’glory’!” Jiang Che laughed.

”Then it’s a deal!” Shao Jianbo winked.

”Definitely!”

But in their hearts, they all knew that after this parting, they would likely never see each other again in this lifetime.

After bidding each other farewell, the two carriages set off in different directions.

...