Martial Saint with Passives

Furthermore, as he successively cultivated the Fourth and Fifth Layers of the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique to Perfection,

Jiang Che had also activated the Yin Yang Transformation Force Talent twice more.

This resulted in two enhancements to his Yin Yang Transformation Force.

Jiang Che took a moment to carefully sense the changes.

He discovered that the operational efficiency of the enhanced Yin Yang Transformation Force had increased by at least forty percent!

This meant that in future battles, he could convert the damage he suffered into stored True Qi with even greater efficiency!

’Not bad. My staying power has increased again.’

Jiang Che was very satisfied with this.

However, he was slightly disappointed by one thing.

The Talent’s grade was still at the Mortal Level; it hadn’t evolved to the True Level.

’I’ll probably have to master all nine layers of the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique to raise it to the True Level...’

Jiang Che understood this but wasn’t discouraged.

After all, its current conversion efficiency was already astonishing.

...

After finishing all this, Jiang Che counted the days and realized there was less than half a month until the official selection for the Celestial Strategy Guard.

By now, his Rejuvenation Pills were all gone.

He had also completely mastered the large batch of Qi Blood Realm Martial Arts he had previously collected.

In the time he had left, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish much, even if he spent every day in the Spirit-level Cultivation Room.

For the moment, he had no other urgent matters to attend to.

’Oh, right...’

He suddenly remembered the reward he had set aside for so long.

’The Treasure Pavilion... It’s time to pay it a visit.’

He stood up at once, pushed open the heavy Stone Door of the Spirit-level Cultivation Room, and strode slowly toward the ancient pavilion deep within the Sect.

...

Within the Celestial Spirit Cave, a forbidden ground of the Taiyuan Sect.

This was the Taiyuan Sect’s Cultivation Holy Land, where the Spiritual Qi was densest. Ordinarily, only the Sect Leader and Core Elders were qualified to enter.

At this moment, atop a massive stone platform deep within the cave, an imposing figure in tight-fitting golden attire sat cross-legged.

It was Qin Wuya.

BOOM!!!

Suddenly, a terrifyingly tyrannical aura erupted from his body!

The entire Celestial Spirit Cave shook violently, and countless bits of Broken Stone rained down from the ceiling!

The moment Zhao Qingtian and the several Core Elders guarding the entrance felt this aura, their faces lit up with ecstasy!

”He... he succeeded!”

”That’s True Qi! The aura of the True Master Realm!”

They rushed into the cave excitedly.

They saw Qin Wuya slowly rise from the stone platform.

A layer of faint golden True Qi swirled around him, flowing slowly as if it had a life of its own.

His eyes were like two blazing suns, shining with a divine light that none dared to meet directly!

”Hahahaha! Good! Excellent!!”

Zhao Qingtian roared with laughter as he looked at his completely transformed disciple.

”Worthy of being my, Zhao Qingtian’s, disciple! Worthy of being our Taiyuan Sect’s Qilin’Er, a talent seen only once in a century!”

He clapped Qin Wuya firmly on the shoulder, his eyes brimming with confidence and pride!

”Now, the spot in the Celestial Strategy Guard is as good as yours!”

”As for that Jiang Che, don’t even think about him anymore. You and he are worlds apart now!”

Feeling this unprecedented, terrifying power within him, Qin Wuya’s Dao Heart—which had been shrouded in shadow after his crushing defeat—became resolute once more!

He clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

’Brother...’

In his mind, an image of the figure who had loomed over him like a mountain for more than twenty years appeared.

’This time...’

’I will defeat you!’

...

「Meanwhile.」

The Profound Sound Sect, the Heaven-Sundering Sect, the Chen Family...

The chosen prodigies of these factions, on whom their sects and families had placed such high hopes, had all, without exception, failed. They had all fallen at the final hurdle in their attempt to break through to the True Master Realm.

However, this outcome didn’t cause much of a stir.

After all, the True Master Realm wasn’t something you could find just anywhere.

Throughout history, countless prodigies of stunning talent had been hopelessly stuck at this step, eventually passing away in despair as their lifespans dwindled to nothing.

Those who could succeed on their first attempt were as rare as a phoenix’s feather.

Failure was the norm.

Of all the high and mighty True Master Realm experts in the various factions today, how many hadn’t experienced countless failures before finally succeeding by a stroke of luck?

This was a chasm that required both painstaking effort and immense luck to cross.

Moreover, though they had failed in their attempt, their Divine Souls and Cultivation had still improved to varying degrees thanks to the lavish investment of resources.

It was not a total loss.

They were still brimming with confidence!

’The selection for the Celestial Strategy Guard tests more than just one’s Cultivation Realm!’

’It’s not like... I don’t have a chance!’

...

Jiang Che arrived at the Treasure Pavilion.

The one guarding the place was still Elder Qing Xu, an old man with crane-white hair, a youthful complexion, and the air of a sagacious immortal.

Upon seeing Jiang Che, a warm smile instantly spread across his face as he personally ushered him inside.

”Heh heh... Chief Jiang, you’ve come at last.”

”Elder,” Jiang Che greeted with a respectful bow.

Inside, the pavilion was filled with a dazzling array of gleaming treasures.

Rows of weapon racks, forged from the finest Profound Iron, displayed a variety of Treasure Artifacts that shimmered with a cold light.

Elder Qing Xu led the way, proudly introducing each item as if it were his own precious collection.

”Chief Jiang, please look. This sword is named Tingyu. It was forged from Outer Heaven Meteorite Iron and supplemented with the essence of Cold Marrow Ore. When drawn, its attacks are like a silent, ceaseless drizzle, making it perfect for assassinations...”

”And this armor, named Thick Earth, was refined from the heart of a ten-thousand-year-old subterranean stone. Its Defense Power is astonishing, enough to withstand a full-force blow from an expert at the Third Layer of the True Master Realm without taking any damage...”

Jiang Che listened as he slowly paced among the dazzling collection of Treasure Artifacts, his gaze sweeping over one extraordinary item after another.

Suddenly, a bold idea struck him.

He stopped and clasped his hands in a salute to Elder Qing Xu, who was still enthusiastically describing the artifacts beside him.

”Elder.”

”How may I help you, Chief Jiang?”

”Well,” Jiang Che began, ”there are simply too many treasures here, and every one is a masterpiece. I’m quite overwhelmed and don’t know how to choose. I was wondering... could you perhaps give me some time alone? I’d like to take my time, get a feel for them, and choose carefully. That way, I wouldn’t have to trouble you to stay and accompany me.”

It was, by all accounts, an unreasonable request.

After all, the Treasure Pavilion was one of the Sect’s most important locations. How could just anyone be allowed to remain inside alone?

Had any other disciple made such a request, Elder Qing Xu would have likely slapped them right out the door.

And yet, upon hearing Jiang Che’s words, Elder Qing Xu didn’t hesitate for even a fraction of a second!

An even more enthusiastic smile bloomed on his face. He waved his hands dismissively. ”But of course! Of course! A peerless talent like you, Chief Jiang, naturally needs to resonate with a treasure to choose it. My presence here is merely a distraction!”

”No problem at all! Chief Jiang, please, take your time. Pick whichever one you like. Take as long as you need! There’s no rush!”

”I will wait just outside. When you have made your selection, simply call for me!”

With that, the normally dignified Elder turned and briskly exited, even thoughtfully closing the pavilion’s main doors behind him.

Jiang Che watched the great doors swing shut and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.

’It seems... with my current reputation, as long as I don’t go around murdering people and setting fires, there’s probably nothing I can’t get away with in the Sect...’

’This is the difference that power makes...’

he thought to himself.

Next, he removed the Star-Chasing Bow from his Divine Soul Slot.

Then, he walked over to an imposing Ghost Head Saber, reached out, and gently placed his hand on the blade.

’Soldier Resolution!’

[Divine Soul Slot empty (0/1). Use Soldier Resolution on: Thick-Backed Ghost Head Saber (True Grade)?]

’Yes!’

...

Over the next hour, like a meticulous inspector, Jiang Che used Soldier Resolution on every single treasure in the Pavilion.

[Soldier Resolution successful! Acquired Soldier Soul: Profound Ice Spike (True Grade)! Activated Soldier Soul Technique: Profound Ice Touch! Imbues attacks with a freezing effect, slowing the enemy’s movements!]

[Soldier Resolution successful! Acquired Soldier Soul: Golden Silk Soft Hedgehog Armor (Mortal Grade)! Activated Soldier Soul Technique: Golden Thread Guardian! Passively increases Defense Power against sharp weapons!]

[Soldier Resolution successful! Acquired Soldier Soul: Blazing Fan (True Grade)! Activated Soldier Soul Technique: Flame Storm! Unleashes a fiery tornado to incinerate enemies!]

...

However, after testing a full round of items, Jiang Che’s brow furrowed ever more deeply.

Though to an outsider, each of these Treasure Artifacts was a priceless gem,

under the rating system of his Soldier Resolution ability, most of them were merely True Level.

There were even a few impressive-looking but ultimately flashy and impractical Mortal Grade items mixed in.

Although their associated Soldier Soul Techniques were varied and each had its own clever use,

not a single one truly surprised or impressed him.

After all, he was no longer an ordinary disciple at the Refining Organ Realm.

He was a top expert at the Peak of the Second Layer of the True Master Realm!

’Forget it...’

Jiang Che shook his head in disappointment, his gaze finally settling on a True-grade Treasure Artifact called the Shield of Rock.

This Shield could activate a Defense Skill called Unmoving as a Mountain, which could double his Defense Power for a short time.

Since it was a multiplicative boost and his own defense was already high, it would serve as a decent life-saving trump card.

’This’ll have to do...’

He was just about to pick up the Shield and call it a day.

Suddenly, his gaze inadvertently fell upon an inconspicuous, dust-covered shelf in a corner.

On the very bottom shelf lay a jet-black, utterly unremarkable bead that looked just like a common river stone.

He had completely overlooked it before.

’I missed one...’

He hesitated, wondering if it was worth the time to test it.

After all, the bead looked completely ordinary.

’Might as well check it out.’

In the end, Jiang Che walked over.

He picked the bead out of the dust. It was cool to the touch and emitted no energy fluctuations whatsoever, seeming for all the world like a perfectly ordinary stone.

Deciding to give it a try, he probed it with a wisp of his Divine Thought.

But there was no response.

’I have no idea what this thing is for...’

’Oh well.’

’Soldier Resolution!’

[Divine Soul Slot empty (0/1). Use Soldier Resolution on: Concealing Breath Treasure Pearl (Spirit Grade)?]

’S-Spirit Grade?!’