Martial Saint with Passives

Jiang Che’s pupils contracted in an instant!

This seemingly unremarkable pearl in his hand was...

A Spirit-Grade ultimate treasure, on the same level as the Illusionary Truth Ancient Mirror?!

He no longer hesitated in the slightest, immediately issuing the confirmation command in his mind!

”Yes!”

BOOM!!!!

A wave of all-consuming darkness suddenly erupted from the black pearl, instantly and completely submerging Jiang Che’s entire Sea of Consciousness!

When he regained consciousness, he discovered a mysterious, jet-black pearl slowly rotating within his Sea of Consciousness, seeming to devour all light and perception!

At the same time, the text before his eyes refreshed!

[Soldier Resolution successful! Acquired Soldier Soul: Concealing Breath Treasure Pearl (Spirit Grade)]

[Soldier Soul Technique activated: Invisible Dao!]

[Invisible Dao: A Divine Ability used by Ancient Cultivators to obscure the secrets of heaven! Once activated, it can conceal all your aura, energy fluctuations, and even your karmic destiny within the pearl, isolating you from the Great Dao of heaven and earth! In this state, not even a peak True Mastery Realm Great Power investigating you in person with their Divine Thought could uncover any of your secrets!]

Jiang Che was utterly stunned as he read the skill description!

’It isolates me from all detection?!’

’Not even a Great Power of the True Mastery Realm can see through it?!’

A jolt of joy shot through him.

This was exactly what he needed!

He had far too many secrets!

Whether it was the infinitely evolving Skill Proficiency Panel or the Heart of the Black Abyss from the Outer Realm Evil God...

If any one of these secrets were exposed, it would be enough to doom him to a point of no return!

Especially since he was about to head to the Celestial Strategy Guard selection.

Unlike Cangzhou Prefecture, that place would surely be teeming with experts, with countless old monsters hiding in the shadows.

If one of those powerful figures with heaven-piercing cultivation were to notice something amiss...

The consequences would be unimaginable!

But now, with the Invisible Dao ability...

It was like putting himself inside a safe. He no longer had to fear his secrets being exposed!

This way, he could continue to lie low and develop safely within one of the Three Top Sects!

’This is the one!’

Without any further hesitation, Jiang Che decisively chose the seemingly unremarkable black pearl!

...

After confirming his choice, Jiang Che reversed the Soldier Resolution on the Concealing Breath Treasure Pearl and placed the Star-Chasing Bow back into his Divine Soul Slot.

Then, he walked out of the Treasure Pavilion with the Concealing Breath Treasure Pearl in hand.

Elder Qing Xu, who had been waiting outside, immediately hurried over with a beaming smile when he saw him emerge.

”Chief Jiang, have you made your selection?”

However, when his gaze fell upon the drab, black pearl, the smile on his face instantly froze.

He blinked, looking at Jiang Che with an expression full of confusion and bewilderment, and asked hesitantly,

”Chief Jiang... you... you chose this?”

”Yes.” Jiang Che nodded calmly. ”This is it.”

Elder Qing Xu’s expression grew even more peculiar.

He looked at Jiang Che, wanting to speak but hesitating. In the end, he couldn’t help but offer a kind reminder:

”Ahem... Chief Jiang, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? This pearl’s origin is indeed extraordinary. According to the Sect’s records, one of our Elders happened upon it two hundred years ago in the cave residence of an Ancient Cultivator while out on an expedition. At the time, everyone thought it was an incredible ultimate treasure.”

”But...” His tone shifted. ”For the past two hundred years, successive Sect Leaders and Elders have tried every method imaginable—from nurturing it with True Qi and attempting to bind it with blood, to even asking Artifact Refining Masters to study it—but none have been able to activate it in the slightest!”

”It’s like a stubborn rock; it doesn’t react at all. Over time, everyone gave up and simply tossed it into a corner, where it’s been ignored ever since... Are you sure... you really want to choose it?”

After hearing this, Jiang Che understood.

’No wonder such a treasure was piled in a corner, completely ignored!’

He smiled and said casually,

”It’s fine. I feel a certain affinity with this pearl. Although I don’t know what it’s used for yet, if I carry it with me, perhaps one day I’ll have a flash of insight and figure it out!”

”I see!”

Hearing this, Elder Qing Xu put on a look of sudden realization, quickly giving Jiang Che a thumbs-up and fawning over him with a face full of admiration,

”As expected of Chief Jiang, your insight is extraordinary! Such an ancient, wondrous object has gathered dust for many years. Perhaps it was waiting for a destined person like you! I believe that with Chief Jiang’s wisdom and fortune, you will surely uncover its mysteries and let this treasure shine once more!”

Jiang Che smiled but said nothing more.

Under Elder Qing Xu’s incredibly fervent gaze, he completed the registration procedures, then turned and left the Treasure Pavilion.

...

「Ten days later.」

DONG—

DONG—

DONG—

A series of urgent bell chimes suddenly echoed across the entire Cangyun Sect!

This was the Sect’s highest-level summons!

Jiang Che, inside his Spirit-level Cultivation Room, felt a stir in his heart. He immediately stopped his cultivation, rose to his feet, and headed for the White Jade Plaza.

「An incense stick’s time later.」

The White Jade Plaza was a sea of people.

Tens of thousands of Cangyun Sect disciples were arranged neatly according to their respective departments, their expressions solemn.

On the high platform, Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi wore a purple Sect Leader’s Daoist Robe, his expression more solemn than ever before.

Beside him stood a middle-aged Civil Official dressed in crimson robes and a black gauze cap, his face stern and serious.

Although this person’s aura was not obvious, his sharp, hawk-like eyes and the dignified air of someone long accustomed to a high position made everyone present not dare to underestimate him in the slightest.