Martial Saint with Passives

One day, Jiang Che was practicing his skills in the courtyard.

Because Xu Qingshan had previously noted that his Qi Blood was impure, Jiang Che didn’t dare to practice any new Cultivation Techniques.

Instead, he focused on visualizing the Fundamental Diagram while practicing his Cloud-Stacking Fist.

Although this wouldn’t increase his Skill Level, his Qi Blood was gradually improving.

’At this rate, a year should be enough. If it’s not, I’ll just have to find another Iron Body Skill and train it to Perfection...’

Jiang Che assessed the state of his Qi Blood and made a rough estimate.

Suddenly, a young female disciple appeared at the courtyard gate.

”You’re Jiang Che?” she asked, peeking her head in.

”I am. May I ask what business you have with me, Senior Sister?” Jiang Che asked, lowering his fists.

”I’m a disciple from Yanluo Courtyard. My master wishes to see you,” the young female disciple said.

”The Dean of Yanluo Courtyard?”

Jiang Che was taken aback. He didn’t know this person. Why would she be looking for him?

Though curious, Jiang Che dared not disobey and immediately followed the young female disciple.

Along the way, Jiang Che tried to probe why the Dean wanted to see him, but the female disciple didn’t know either.

The two of them made their way to a cluster of Daoist temples on the mountainside.

Compared to Yunhai Courtyard, these temples looked more elegant, and Jiang Che could faintly smell the fragrance of medicinal herbs.

He recalled hearing that Yanluo Courtyard specialized in Medical and Poisonous Elixirs, and guessed someone was likely practicing Alchemy.

Upon entering the main hall, Jiang Che saw a female Daoist priestess sitting in the seat of honor. She had a refined and beautiful face, with a few strands of silver mixed into her black hair.

It was Ye Lianzhen.

Jiang Che couldn’t guess her age. Though her face was youthful, her disposition was calm and steady, and her gaze was serene, suggesting she was a person of vast experience.

”Master, Jiang Che is here,” the disciple who had led him there said respectfully to Ye Lianzhen.

Jiang Che knew this must be the Dean of Yanluo Courtyard, so he bowed and said:

”Disciple Jiang Che pays his respects to the Dean.”

Ye Lianzhen waved her hand at the female disciple, signaling for her to withdraw.

Then, she spoke:

”Come closer so I can have a look at you.”

Jiang Che was a bit confused but walked over anyway, stopping three paces before Ye Lianzhen.

Ye Lianzhen studied Jiang Che carefully.

’So this is Senior Brother Luo’s disciple... He seems just like him back then, earnest and reserved.’

”How has your master been recently?” Ye Lianzhen asked.

”My master? You mean... Hall Master Luo Kun?” Jiang Che asked uncertainly.

”That’s right.”

Jiang Che guessed she must be an old acquaintance of his master. He recounted their escape from Lin Yuan City and how Luo Kun had subsequently followed Shao Jianbo to Taizhou. However, he omitted the part about his Transformation into the Black Armor Form to kill the Wuxiang Alliance assassin.

”To think something like that happened...” Ye Lianzhen’s feelings were complicated. If not for his two disciples, Senior Brother Luo would have likely lost his life.

She recalled Luo Kun’s warm smile from all those years ago, and the heroic figure he cut as he shielded her from harm.

Ye Lianzhen was lost in a daze, her mind involuntarily drifting back to memories of the past.

Jiang Che noticed Ye Lianzhen hadn’t spoken for a while and grew puzzled.

Looking up, he saw she seemed to be lost in thought, so he didn’t disturb her and waited patiently.

After a long moment, Ye Lianzhen spoke again:

”You’re currently cultivating in the Outer Sect?”

”Yes.”

”If I’m not mistaken, Xu Qingshan told you that you must achieve Force Integration within a year to enter his Yunhai Courtyard, correct?” Ye Lianzhen said nonchalantly.

”That is correct.”

”From what I can see, your Root Bone seems... less than ideal,” Ye Lianzhen said with a frown.

”Dean Xu assessed mine as lower-middling.”

”That’s what I thought... For that man Xu to demand you break through in a year, it seems he just found a way to refuse you without saying it outright,” Ye Lianzhen said mockingly.

”Actually, this disciple... is rather confident,” Jiang Che replied. He didn’t know what the situation was between her and Dean Xu, but he truly wasn’t worried about Force Integration.

”You have the same stubborn temper as Senior Brother Luo... Never mind. Come here,” Ye Lianzhen said, beckoning him over.

Hearing this, Jiang Che took another two steps forward.

Ye Lianzhen picked up a small wooden box from the tea table beside her and handed it to Jiang Che.

”Take it.”

”What is this?” Jiang Che took the box and opened it. Inside were three pure white pills, each the size of a longan pit.

”Primordial Marrow Pills. These three should be enough for you to reach Force Integration,” Ye Lianzhen said casually.

”This...”

Elixir Pills that could help someone achieve Force Integration were bound to be extremely precious. For a moment, Jiang Che didn’t know if he should accept them.

”What are you hesitating for? If I tell you to take it, then take it. They’re just a few Elixir Pills. My Yanluo Courtyard has plenty. Besides, your master has only sent one person here after all these years. If I don’t give you a little something, it’ll make me, Ye Lianzhen, look stingy!” Ye Lianzhen said, her brows furrowed.

”In that case, this disciple shall gratefully accept,” Jiang Che said, no longer refusing.

”Alright, you may go back. Remember to train hard,” Ye Lianzhen said with a wave of her hand.

”Thank you for the gift of these pills, Dean! This disciple takes his leave.” Jiang Che bowed, then turned and left.

Watching Jiang Che’s retreating back, Ye Lianzhen sighed softly.

’Senior Brother Luo, you were unable to continue cultivating back then precisely because your Root Bone was poor. Why did you end up finding a disciple with a poor Root Bone as well? The path of cultivation values Root Bone above all else. I can help him now, but in the future, he will ultimately have to climb the long steps of cultivation on his own. Without a good Root Bone, this boy’s journey will be ten, even a hundred times harder than others! Sigh...’

Her heart felt troubled, and she closed her eyes.

”Mother! Why did you give the Primordial Marrow Pills to someone else?”

Suddenly, a petulant voice rang out in the hall.

Ye Lianzhen opened her eyes to see a young woman with a delicate face, dressed in a red skirt, walking in.

”Qiaoqiao, were you just eavesdropping?” Ye Lianzhen asked with a frown.

This was none other than Ye Lianzhen’s daughter, Tang Qiaoqiao.

”I just happened to overhear! Mother, you promised to give me the Primordial Marrow Pills. Why did you give them to someone else!” Tang Qiaoqiao said angrily.