Martial Saint with Passives

’One year, the Sixth Layer, huh...’

He calculated silently.

’As long as there are enough resources, forget the Sixth Layer—I’ll grind my way to Tenth Layer Perfection!’

Elder Xuan Cheng didn’t give the crowd much time to digest this, continuing,

”Those who pass the assessment will have the opportunity to choose one of our Sect’s four main Branches to join.”

”These four Branches are located on four main peaks.”

He pointed toward four distant peaks that towered into the clouds.

”First is Heaven-Slaying Peak. It specializes in slaughter and assault, shattering all techniques with the sword. It is the most ferocious path!”

”Second is Coiling Dragon Peak. It specializes in Protective Gang Qi. Its disciples are Unmoving as a Mountain, their defense unparalleled!”

”Third is Spirit Void Peak. It specializes in a myriad of Techniques, Arrays, and Talismans. Its methods are unpredictable and ever-changing!”

”Fourth is Shadow Killing Peak. It specializes in stealth and assassination, following targets like a shadow and killing in a single strike!”

Jiang Che’s heart stirred as he listened to the descriptions.

’The offense of Heaven-Slaying Peak, the stealth of Shadow Killing Peak... Both seem like a good fit for me.’

’But it’s too early to be thinking about that now.’

”Furthermore,” Elder Xuan Cheng’s tone shifted, his expression growing serious. ”Within the Sect, there is something a hundred times more important than gold or silver. And that is... Sect points!”

”In the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect, gold and silver are things of the Mortal world, only good for buying food and daily necessities.”

”Anything truly beneficial to your Cultivation, whether it be Elixir Pills like the Rejuvenation Pill, top-tier Divine Weapons, or Defensive Magical Treasures...”

”...or even the qualifications to enter a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land to break through to the True Mastery Realm!”

”All of it must be exchanged for with Sect points!”

Hearing the four words ”Grotto Heaven Blessed Land,” Jiang Che’s eyes instantly lit up!

That was a treasured land possessing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism, a place that could help a person break through to True Mastery!

”Points are primarily acquired by accepting Sect missions from Xuanwu Hall. Slaying Black Beasts and Exotic Beasts, wiping out the Demon Sect, gathering Spirit Medicine, escorting merchant caravans... The list goes on.”

”Additionally, placing in the Sect’s grand competition or breaking through a Great Realm in your Cultivation will also earn you bonus points.”

At this, Elder Xuan Cheng waved his hand again.

Identity Tokens, each engraved with the two words ”Myriad Phenomena,” fell into the hands of the crowd.

”These Identity Tokens already contain five hundred initial points. Henceforth, you will receive one hundred free points every month.”

”If you pass the assessment in a year and become official Inner Sect Disciples, your monthly stipend will increase to two hundred points.”

”This is all you have to your names. Want more? Then go out there, fight for it, and earn it yourselves!”

With that, Elder Xuan Cheng fell silent, his gaze sweeping over the crowd one last time.

”The path of Cultivation is like rowing a boat upstream; if you do not advance, you will be swept back. You are on your own.”

As his voice faded, his figure flickered and vanished into thin air.

Immediately after, a young disciple in blue robes approached from the side, a warm, welcoming smile on his face.

”Fellow Junior Brothers, I am the Inner Sect Steward in charge of guiding new arrivals. Please follow me; I’ll take you to the residential area.”

Everyone hurried to follow, but their mood had become heavy and tense.

Within this colossal Sect, the real competition had only just begun!

Perhaps it was because this Steward had an approachable demeanor, unlike the profound and stern authority of Elder Xuan Cheng.

The group of New Disciples, who had been on edge, gradually grew bolder.

After they had walked for some time, many of them began to gather around the Steward, chattering excitedly as they inquired about the specifics of the Sect.

The Steward’s name was Lu Qing. He was an official Inner Sect Disciple who had worked his way up from the Outer Sect. He understood the confusion of new arrivals, so his demeanor was quite gentle, and he answered every question posed to him.

”Senior Brother Lu, this Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect is enormous! What are all these peaks for? Are there any special rules about them?” Bao Da, who had squeezed to the front, asked with a curious expression.

Lu Qing smiled, slowed his pace, and pointed to the most majestic peak among the mountains—one that shot straight into the clouds—and said,

”Our Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect has strict rules, and the functions of each peak are clearly defined. You’d all do well to remember what I’m about to say, lest you trespass into a forbidden area and bring a fatal disaster upon yourselves.”

Hearing this, everyone immediately perked up their ears.

”First, there are the four main peaks: Heaven-Slaying, Coiling Dragon, Spirit Void, and Shadow Killing. These are the locations of the four great Branches the Elder spoke of. If you pass the assessment, that is where you will cultivate.”

Then, he shifted his finger to point at the tallest main peak, the one most shrouded in clouds and mist.

”That one is called Taixu Peak.”

”That is the Cultivation Land of the Sect Leader, the Supreme Elders, and the Great Powers of the True Mastery Realm. It is also the very heart of the Sect’s great Array!”

As he said this, Lu Qing’s expression turned incredibly solemn.

”That place is an absolute restricted zone! Without a summons from the Sect Leader or a Supreme Elder, no disciple may take even a Half-Step inside! Violators will have their Cultivation crippled and be expelled from the Sect!”

”Moreover, legend says that the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, which can help one break through to the True Mastery Realm, is hidden within a Secret Realm on Taixu Peak.”

Upon hearing the words ”Grotto Heaven Blessed Land,” Jiang Che’s gaze sharpened. He took a long look at the insurmountable Taixu Peak, committing its image firmly to memory.

Next, Lu Qing pointed toward the back of the mountain range, at a steep, treacherous peak perennially shrouded in black clouds, from which a malevolent aura surged skyward.

Even from a great distance, the disciples could seemingly hear shrill shrieks and terrifying roars drifting from that direction, making their hearts pound with fear.

”That one is called Demon Suppression Peak.”

Lu Qing lowered his voice, a hint of dread coloring his tone.

”That’s where the Sect raises its Exotic Beasts and Black Beasts. It’s home not only to all kinds of ferocious wild Black Beasts, but also terrifying Exotic Beasts that have mutated from them!”

”And... rumor has it that in the deepest part of Demon Suppression Peak, there are terrifying existences suppressed there—beings that even the True Mastery Realm ancestors wouldn’t dare to provoke!”