Martial Saint with Passives

The dwelling of True Master Bai Yi was located at the bottom of a colossal sinkhole deep within the Abyss of Ten Thousand Poisons.

The entire dwelling had been carved out of the wall of an unknown black megalith at the bottom of the sinkhole.

Its design was simple yet grand, imbued with an ancient, weathered quality.

The dwelling’s main gate stood over a hundred feet tall, carved with intricate patterns of stars and clouds that radiated a heart-pounding pressure.

By now, the area around the sinkhole at the dwelling’s entrance was already a sea of people.

Besides the renowned prodigies from the Hidden Dragon List, elite disciples from other major Sects had also rushed over upon hearing the news, hoping to get a piece of the pie.

On a temporary high platform built outside the dwelling.

The deans and Elders of the Cangyun Sect, Taiyuan Sect, Profound Sound Sect, and others, as well as the Patriarchs of Noble Families like the Chen and Fang Families, were all present.

They watched the scene below with solemn expressions.

After Jiang Che arrived, he squeezed his way into the crowd.

He looked up.

He saw that the one standing at the very front, closest to the dwelling’s gate, was none other than Qin Wuya.

He still wore that look of disdain for the world, as if the final inheritance was already in his grasp.

Not far from him, Gu Qingxuan was hugging her sword with her eyes closed in rest, seeming completely indifferent to her surroundings.

Xiao Qingge, on the other hand, was bickering with Qing Ling, looking as if they were about to come to blows.

When they saw Jiang Che, they both waved at him.

Jiang Che smiled and gave them a fist pump in return.

In a corner, Lin Qingyun stood with his sword, nearly melting into the shadows and making him difficult to spot.

Sensing Jiang Che’s gaze, a faint smile appeared on his cold face. Jiang Che nodded back in acknowledgment.

Suddenly, Jiang Che’s [True: All-Seeing Eye] sensed a faint trace of hostility.

He glanced back and saw Fang Muye not far behind him, his gaze sweeping over him, intentionally or not.

Jiang Che’s guard went up instantly.

’This man is so narrow-minded. He’s probably become twisted because my reputation has surpassed his.’

Elsewhere, Chen Jiayu was fanning himself with a folding fan, chatting and laughing with some Noble Family Members he knew.

When he saw Jiang Che, his eyes lit up, and he squeezed through the crowd.

”I just knew you’d come!” Chen Jiayu said with a smile.

”Mm, just here to try my luck,” Jiang Che chuckled.

”Junior Brother Jiang, you’re too modest,” Chen Jiayu said, shaking his head.

He had never forgotten the arrow from which Jiang Che had saved him.

He had replayed the moment in his mind countless times afterward and realized he would have been utterly powerless to stop that arrow.

This made his estimation of Jiang Che’s strength rise even higher.

Just then, the Qilin Army’s Defender General, Long Xiang, stepped before the crowd. He slowly scanned everyone and boomed in a deep voice,

”The assessment begins!”

The prodigies, who could barely contain their excitement, shot forward like arrows loosed from a bowstring. They transformed into dozens of streaks of light, scrambling to be the first to reach the black Stone Door that radiated an ancient pressure.

Jiang Che, mixed in with the crowd, followed the stream of people into the profound darkness.

After passing through an invisible Restriction that rippled like water, the view before him suddenly opened up!

...

「Outside the dwelling.」

Since no one could see what was happening inside, nor could they enter, they could only wait for the participants to emerge and recount their experiences.

On the high platform surrounding the sinkhole.

The Elders and Patriarchs of the various sects were currently engaged in a heated discussion, speculating on the final winner.

”Heh, in my opinion, the inheritance of True Master Bai Yi can only go to my Taiyuan Sect’s Qin Wuya!” an Elder from the Taiyuan Sect declared while stroking his beard, his face filled with undisguised pride. ”Wuya’s Root Bone and Comprehension are both top-tier, and his Cultivation is unmatched among his peers. Who else could possibly claim this True Intent Brand but him?”

”I disagree!” Yue Lingfeng, the Dean of the Cangyun Sect’s Lingxiao Courtyard, snorted coldly, his gaze as sharp as a sword. ”My disciple, Gu Qingxuan, has achieved Sword Heart Clarity. Her understanding subtly aligns with the Sword Dao that True Master Bai Yi cultivated back in his day. Her opportunity is greater!”

Nun Jing Yi of the Profound Sound Sect was not to be outdone. She stated calmly, ”My Qingge may not be a Sword Cultivator, but True Master Bai Yi’s interests were wide and varied. Who’s to say the final test for the inheritance will necessarily be a competition of Swordsmanship?”

For a moment, the Elders and deans of each sect advocated for their own prodigies, and the atmosphere grew tense.

Xu Qingshan didn’t join their debate, merely watching the dwelling’s entrance with a calm gaze.

Deep down, however, he held a sliver of hope for Jiang Che.

He didn’t really think Jiang Che could have the last laugh...

...but this disciple of his always managed to create miracles.

’Perhaps... he can bring a surprise this time, too?’

Elsewhere, Ye Lianzhen, Tang Qiaoqiao, Liu Qing, and the others were also watching nervously.

”Mother, do you think... Jiang Che can do it?” Tang Qiaoqiao couldn’t help but ask in a low voice.

Ye Lianzhen shook her head, her expression complex. ”It will be difficult. Everyone inside is one of the top geniuses in Cangzhou Prefecture. His... foundation is ultimately a bit lacking.”

Hearing this, for some reason, Tang Qiaoqiao felt a strange sense of conviction. ’Maybe... maybe he really can create a miracle!’

The disciples of Yunhai Courtyard, like Xiao Mingqian and Chen Shi, were even more nervous, clenching their fists and silently praying for their own Chief Disciple.

...

「Inside the dwelling.」

The dome above was inlaid with countless fist-sized Luminous Pearls that emitted a soft glow, illuminating the entire Space as brightly as day.

A faint, unidentifiable medicinal fragrance and the long-sealed scent of stone and earth lingered in the air.

Before the crowd could get a good look around, their attention was drawn to a dark passage ahead and a stone tablet next to it.

The tablet read: This is the Martial Arts Corridor. Only one person may enter at a time.

Once a challenger enters, an Energy Guard, condensed by an Array and matching the challenger’s Realm, will appear in the corridor.

Only by defeating the guard can one exit the corridor and proceed deeper.

Those who fail will be teleported outside the dwelling.