Martial Saint with Passives

While Jiang Che was in seclusion, his courtyard gate was frequented daily by a wide variety of visitors.

There were wealthy merchants and gentry who came to congratulate him on topping the Hidden Dragon List.

There were young prodigies, drawn by his reputation, who came seeking guidance in the Martial Arts.

There were even young ladies from Noble Families, escorted by their elders, who came in hopes of forging a propitious union with him.

However, without exception, they were all politely asked to leave by the Servant Disciple guarding the courtyard, who cited the reason: ”The Chief is in seclusion and must not be disturbed.”

Although they were unable to see Jiang Che, they were relieved to find that he wasn’t receiving any other visitors either.

Meanwhile, during Jiang Che’s seclusion, the grand campaign of Exorcism throughout Cangzhou Prefecture was drawing to a close.

”Report! We have confirmation! The Hall Master of the Demon Sect’s Blood Hand Hall is hiding in the Hundred Herbs Hall pharmacy in the southern part of the city!”

”Report! The Hall Master of the Demon Sect’s Ghost Shadow Hall is operating under the alias Wang Er and selling pork on East Market Street!”

At General Qin Fuhu’s direction, the Iron Eagle Guard of the Qilin Army—a unit specializing in interrogation and investigation—began to lend its full support to the Demon Extermination Alliance’s Exorcism campaign.

With the support of the Iron Eagle Guard’s pervasive intelligence network, one after another, deeply hidden Demon Sect strongholds were rooted out!

The True Master Realm experts of the Three Great Sects mobilized in full force, striking with thunderous speed!

Almost every few days, another high-ranking member of the Demon Sect was cornered and executed.

...

「One month later.」

A joint proclamation from the General’s Mansion and the Demon Extermination Alliance was posted in the most prominent location in the Central Square of Cangzhou Prefecture City.

Written in strong, powerful calligraphy, the proclamation solemnly declared—

After months of bloody battle, the Demon Sect forces entrenched within the borders of Cangzhou Prefecture have been utterly vanquished!

Thus, the demonic scourge is ended!

The moment the news broke, all of Cangzhou Prefecture erupted in celebration.

Countless Martial Artists who had lost family and sect members during the demonic scourge wept with joy, rushing to share the news.

The city’s taverns and teahouses were overflowing with patrons.

Everyone raised their glasses in celebration, praising the wisdom and might of the Lord General, and lauding the heroic deeds of the Demon Extermination Alliance!

All of Cangzhou Prefecture was immersed in the joyous revelry of having survived a great catastrophe.

...

「In the Level A Cultivation Room.」

Jiang Che remained completely oblivious to the events unfolding outside.

He was lost in his cultivation.

And his power was skyrocketing at a terrifying rate.

In his hands, one Qi Blood Realm Martial Arts manual after another was easily mastered to the Perfection Realm in a matter of days.

Then, they would transform into brand new fundamental Talents, each merging into one of his four Core Talents.

As more and more Talents were integrated, Jiang Che could clearly feel his Core Talents undergoing a qualitative transformation!

The Passive Attributes bonus from [True: Infinite Battle Armor] was on a completely different level than before.

Jiang Che felt as if every inch of his flesh, every bone in his body, surged with explosive power!

Furthermore, after absorbing a massive number of burst and penetration-type Talents, the multiplier for its cataclysmic Active Skill, ”Twentyfold Strike,” had increased again, now reaching twenty-five-fold!

When combined with his Azure Dragon Annihilation, its power rose to a terrifying level that made even his own heart pound with fear.

The Insight and precognitive abilities of [True: All-Seeing Eye] also grew sharper.

When he focused with extreme intensity, he could even faintly glimpse the future trajectory of events unrelated to any crisis.

However, this trajectory was extremely vague, and the outcome could change as events unfolded.

Furthermore, he could only predict relatively minor matters.

For example, he could tell which Servant Disciple would deliver his next meal.

Or even what trivial dishes would be served.

Each attempt was also incredibly mentally draining.

As such, its practical value was limited.

Regardless, Jiang Che was still delighted to have gained an ability that allowed him to glimpse a sliver of the future.

’Before, I could only predict crises.’

’It was a passive ability.’

’But now, I can actively make deductions.’

’The significance is completely different.’

’Even though the effect isn’t strong right now...’

’As this Talent continues to evolve...’

’I might unlock the true ability to see the future!’

Additionally, the Talent’s Active Skill, [Pupil Seal], also seemed to have grown somewhat stronger.

However, Jiang Che hadn’t tested it yet and would have to wait until his seclusion ended to find out the specifics.

[True: Shadowless Escape Stream] had also received a boost to its passive abilities.

He felt his body was as light as a feather, as if at any moment he could break free from the bonds of gravity and ride the wind itself!

But the biggest surprise of all came from [Nine Li Commander]!

The moment Jiang Che finished absorbing his 137th Qi Blood Realm Martial Art and integrated the ”Halberd Momentum” Talent it unlocked into [Nine Li Commander]...

HUMMM—

A resounding clang, like thousands of weapons ringing out in unison, suddenly echoed in Jiang Che’s mind!

After devouring a massive number of weapon- and momentum-type Talents, [Nine Li Commander] finally underwent its ultimate transformation, successfully evolving into—

[True: Nine Li Commander]!

[Talent Acquired: True: Nine Li Commander]

[Description: You are a natural-born Commander-in-Chief, a king of warfare. In your hands, all weapons move as if they were extensions of your own limbs, their power greatly amplified. Your supreme aura, inherited from an ancient War God, is enough to make anyone with a weak will bow in submission, defeated before a battle even begins!]

[Passive Effect: Massively increases your Skill Level and power with all Weapons. Your Commander’s Momentum will inflict a powerful shock to the Divine Soul of any enemy whose Realm is lower than yours, preventing them from even conceiving of resistance. Against enemies of an equal or slightly higher Realm, it will still generate immense psychological pressure, significantly weakening their will to fight and their overall strength!]

[Active Skill: Soldier Resolution: Divine Descent! Upon activation, you may select one Weapon, instantly breaking it down into its most fundamental energy and binding it to your Divine Soul. You will gain a portion of the Weapon’s unique properties and be able to unleash the Soldier Soul Techniques it contains!]

[Current Divine Soul Slot (0/1)]

”Soldier Resolution: Divine Descent?!”

Jiang Che’s heart pounded in his chest as he read the description of this brand-new Active Skill.

’Break down a weapon and make it my own?’

’Gain the weapon’s properties?’

’Unleash its Soldier Soul Techniques?’

’This Ability...’

’It’s unbelievable!’

Subconsciously, his gaze fell upon the bow at his side—the sleek, black, and unadorned Star-Chasing Bow.

’What if... I used Soldier Resolution on the Star-Chasing Bow...’

’What would happen?’

Anticipation welled up in Jiang Che’s heart.

But he didn’t immediately break down the Treasure Bow that had been with him for so long.

Although the skill [Soldier Resolution: Divine Descent] sounded incredibly powerful, the description didn’t mention if a weapon could be restored after being used for it.

The Star-Chasing Bow was, after all, a powerful Treasure Artifact he had gone to great lengths to acquire.

It would be a terrible waste to consume it in a single use.

’I must... find some ordinary weapons to test this first.’

Forcibly suppressing the impulse, Jiang Che rose and walked out of the Cultivation Room. He summoned a Servant Disciple waiting outside the courtyard and instructed him, ”Go to the Sect’s Armory and bring me a few of the most common weapons—a saber, a spear, a sword, and a halberd, all made of Refined Iron.”

”Yes, Chief Senior Brother!”

Although the Servant Disciple was confused as to why the Chief Senior Brother would need such common weapons—the kind used by Outer Disciples—he didn’t dare to question the order. He simply accepted it respectfully and hurried off.

Before long, several ordinary weapons, gleaming with a cold, metallic light, were delivered to Jiang Che’s Cultivation Room.