Martial Saint with Passives

Jiang Che’s heart tightened. His mind raced, and an expression of lingering fear and relief immediately appeared on his face. His voice even trembled slightly as he said,

”Vice Sect Leader! I was indeed ambushed by a True Master Realm expert from the Demon Sect! I thought I was dead for sure, but for some reason, just as that fiend was about to strike the killing blow, another mysterious expert in black appeared out of nowhere and started fighting him!”

”From the style of their cultivation techniques, it seemed... they were connected, like they were from the same sect and fighting amongst themselves. I took advantage of the chaos of their fierce battle to make my lucky escape.”

This was the only explanation he could think of to rationalize his narrow escape from death.

Xie Songnian’s brow slowly furrowed.

He stared at Jiang Che with a deep, unfathomable gaze, his heart filled with shock and uncertainty.

’Infighting?’

’Ghost Hand Rakshasa was carrying out my secret order. How could another True Master Realm expert just appear and start fighting him?’

’Could it be... something went wrong on Shadow Demon Mo Wuhen’s end?’

’Or is the Demon Sect not as united as they seem?’

Although the explanation sounded absurd, it was the only one that could account for how Jiang Che had escaped from a True Master Realm expert and was now standing here, safe and sound.

He looked at Jiang Che, the killing intent in his eyes growing so thick it could no longer be concealed.

He had originally planned to use the Demon Sect to eliminate Jiang Che without anyone ever knowing.

After all, if he did it himself and left any trace, it would be a troublesome matter.

But now, it seemed the plan had failed.

’Fine...’

’In that case... I’ll just have to send you on your way myself!’

’Even if I trigger the Sect Leader’s Talisman Seal, I can pin everything on Ghost Hand Rakshasa!’

’Anyway, everyone can only sense that the Sect Leader’s Talisman Seal has been triggered. No one will know who actually did it!’

Suddenly, at that very moment, the warning from Jiang Che’s True: All-Seeing Eye flared to its absolute limit!

An incomparably clear vision—a premonition of his death—exploded in his mind.

In the vision, Xie Songnian casually raised his hand and pointed a finger at him.

A seemingly unremarkable gray beam of light shot instantly toward the spot between his eyebrows!

The Sect Leader’s Talisman Seal triggered instantly, blocking the attack.

But Xie Songnian gave him no time to react, unleashing several more beams in succession and completely shattering the Sect Leader’s Talisman Seal!

Then, a beam pierced through his brow!

Immediately after, his body, along with his Divine Soul, was annihilated inch by inch by that terrifying True Qi, turning to ash!

There was no room to resist!

There was no chance to escape!

Jiang Che’s heart sank completely!

He knew that this time, Xie Songnian was truly determined to kill him!

’Looks like... my only option is to run!’

The Strength within his body began to circulate silently, preparing to activate Shadow Escape at any moment!

No one below the Seventh Layer of the True Master Realm could see through his concealment!

And according to his investigations, Xie Songnian was only at the Fifth Layer of the True Master Realm!

Even if he was hiding his strength, he would be at the Sixth Layer at most!

As long as he could escape into the shadows, he would have a chance to live!

However, just as he was about to activate Shadow Escape, just as Xie Songnian was about to raise that finger of death!

Suddenly!

A figure was rushing over at high speed!

The newcomer wore green robes and carried a longsword.

It was Gu Qingxuan!

”Vice Sect Leader?”

Gu Qingxuan looked at the tense and bizarre scene before her, a flicker of confusion flashing in her cool eyes.

Xie Songnian’s hand, which had been about to rise, paused mid-air.

”Ah, Qingxuan...”

He smiled and nodded at the suddenly-appeared Gu Qingxuan.

However, an extremely faint, icy glint of killing intent flashed for an instant in his abyss-like eyes!

’Should I... get rid of her too...?’

The thought flashed through his mind.

Gu Qingxuan was the future hope of the Sect, a disciple highly valued by Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi.

Killing her would bring unimaginable consequences.

But... if he didn’t kill her, who knew when he’d get another chance to kill Jiang Che!

Just as his killing intent and reason waged a frantic war in his mind, just as he was about to make a decision!

”SWOOSH!” ”SWOOSH!”

Two more incomparably powerful auras tore through the air from the direction of the Cangyun Sect, arriving at an even greater speed!

In the blink of an eye, they had landed on the scene!

It was Xu Qingshan and Ye Lianzhen, who had rushed over the moment they sensed the fluctuation from the Sect Leader’s Talisman Seal!

”Senior Brother Songnian?”

Xu Qingshan looked at Xie Songnian, then at the grave-faced Jiang Che and the confused Gu Qingxuan beside them. His brow furrowed. ”What... happened here?”

Ye Lianzhen said nothing, but her sharp, phoenix-like eyes swept over Xie Songnian’s face like knives, full of scrutiny and suspicion.

Seeing these two Deans, both of them True Masters, appear at the same time, Xie Songnian knew... he had lost his chance for today.

He sighed inwardly with regret. All the killing intent and coldness on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by a perfectly measured expression of concern and gravity.

He let out a long sigh at the two newcomers and said in a tone filled with lingering fear and relief,

”Ah... Junior Brother, Junior Sister, you’ve come at the perfect time!”

”I just received a distress call from that boy, Muye, saying Jiang Che had run into the Demon Sect’s True Master expert, ’Ghost Hand’ Rakshasa, and was in mortal danger! I rushed here to help at once, but who knew... I was a step too late!”

As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Che, a ”relieved” smile appearing on his face. ”Thankfully, Jiang Che is a blessed child. It seems some unexpected event occurred, and he managed to luckily escape from that fiend’s clutches. I had just arrived and was about to ask him for the details.”

His words were flawless. They explained why he was here and positioned him as a concerned elder, leaving no room for criticism.

Gu Qingxuan glanced at Jiang Che. Seeing that although his aura was somewhat unstable, he was indeed uninjured, she said no more. She gave a slight nod to the elders, and with a flicker of her body, she transformed into a streak of green light and vanished into the night.

Xu Qingshan and Ye Lianzhen exchanged a look, each seeing the gravity in the other’s eyes.

Naturally, they didn’t fully believe Xie Songnian’s lies.

Xu Qingshan walked over to Jiang Che and examined him carefully. Only after confirming that he was truly unharmed did he finally let out a sigh of relief.

He turned to Xie Songnian and said coolly, ”In that case, thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Songnian. It is late. I will take my disciple back to my courtyard now.”

With that, he gave Xie Songnian no further chance to speak and directly led Jiang Che away in the direction of the Sect.

Ye Lianzhen also shot Xie Songnian a cold glance before following closely behind.

Xie Songnian watched the three of them depart. The gentle smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a gloom as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice.

...