Martial Saint with Passives

Chapter 496: Chapter 245: The Assessment Results Are Out, Jiang Che’s Strength Is Exposed, and Elder Xuan Cheng’s Investigation

After all, these were sensitive times.

What if Jiang Che had used some forbidden technique, or even...

What if he was a scout sent by the Great Yan Kingdom...

Faced with this pointed question, Jiang Che already had a prepared answer.

He bowed deeply and explained,

"Reporting to the Elder, this disciple did not intentionally hide my progress, nor was I slacking."

"It’s just that when this disciple first entered the Sect and came into contact with the profound and vast Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao, I keenly felt how shallow my own foundation was."

"This disciple believes that a great structure must be built on a solid foundation. If I only pursued a temporary breakthrough in my Realm while ignoring the fundamental principles of Martial Arts, I feared my future achievements would be limited, even if I succeeded in transitioning my cultivation."

"Therefore..."

Jiang Che raised his head, his gaze frank as he looked at Elder Xuan Cheng.

"Over these past few months, this disciple has spent most of my time in the Scripture Pavilion."

"Instead of rushing to cultivate True Qi, this disciple read through a massive number of Low-tier Martial Arts, attempting to find the common threads of the Martial Dao among those thousands of Dharma Gates, to verify my own learning, and to solidify my foundation!"

"Only when this disciple felt that I had a clear understanding and my foundation was firm did I begin to transition my cultivation with all my effort."

"That is why my progress was slow at first, but unstoppable in the late-stage!"

These words were seventy percent true and thirty percent false.

The true part was that he had indeed spent every day in the Scripture Pavilion reading Low-Level Martial Arts. This was on record and couldn’t be faked.

The false part was his motive. It wasn’t to "solidify his foundation," but purely to grind for Talent.

However, this reasoning wasn’t actually that outlandish within the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect.

There were other talented disciples who, like Jiang Che, studied a wide range of Martial Arts to solidify their foundations.

After all, the stones of other mountains can be used to polish one’s own jade.

As expected, after hearing Jiang Che’s explanation, the sharp look in Elder Xuan Cheng’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by a dawning understanding and admiration.

"So that’s how it is..."

Elder Xuan Cheng nodded and said with emotion,

"No wonder that junior brother of mine who guards the Scripture Pavilion mentioned to me more than once that a new disciple was obsessively flipping through those unattended Low-Tier Martial Arts every day."

"I never imagined it was you... Excellent, excellent! To think you possess such foresight and courage!"

"For the sake of building a firm foundation, you were willing to bear a bad reputation, endure the scorn and disdain of your peers, and even risk being eliminated..."

Elder Xuan Cheng looked at Jiang Che, the admiration in his eyes growing more intense.

"Such a Temperament, such composure... Truly a great talent!"

"Good! Very good!"

"With this level of understanding, your future achievements will be limitless!"

Jiang Che quickly put on a humble expression. "You praise me too much, Elder. This disciple is just a bit stubborn, like a clumsy bird that takes flight early."

"Alright, there’s no need to be overly modest."

Elder Xuan Cheng waved his hand, in high spirits. "Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, this old man can rest easy. Go back and get some rest, and just wait for the good news. As for Spirit Void Peak... there will be no problem!"

"Yes! This disciple takes his leave!"

Jiang Che bowed, then turned and left.

Watching Jiang Che’s departing figure, Elder Xuan Cheng stroked his beard and smiled, the last great weight finally lifted from his heart.

’This boy not only has outstanding Talent, but his Temperament is also as steady as a mountain. It seems Master has really found a treasure this time...’

...

As Jiang Che strolled back to C Seventy-Two Courtyard, he was startled by the scene before him.

The once-deserted courtyard gate was now surrounded by a dense crowd of people.

Their faces were not unfamiliar; they were all the prospective Celestial Strategy Guard disciples who had been eliminated this time.

But now, the pride of the chosen was gone from their faces.

In its place was anxiety, anticipation, and a deep longing.

"Senior Brother Jiang is back!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd instantly erupted, surging forward like a tide.

"Senior Brother Jiang! Please, save me! I was so close to breaking through to the Sixth Layer!"

"Senior Brother Jiang, for the sake of us all being from the same batch of Celestial Strategy Guards, could you help sort out my cultivation too?"

"Senior Brother Jiang, I’m willing to be your servant, I’m just begging for a sliver of Source Qi!"

The despair of being eliminated had made them cast aside all their dignity.

After all, this was the last straw they could grasp at to stay in the Inner Sect!

At the very front of the crowd, Lin Xiao and Su Xiaoxiao were even more frantic, their eyes red with anxiety.

The two of them were residents of this courtyard; how could they let others get ahead of them?

The pair rushed to block Jiang Che’s path.

Su Xiaoxiao tugged on Jiang Che’s sleeve, speaking urgently,

"Senior Brother Jiang! We’ve been neighbors for a year! Even if we weren’t close, there’s still some connection between us, right?"

"Please, help sort out our cultivation! As long as I can stay in the Inner Sect, I’ll agree to anything you say! Even if it’s..."

She bit her lip, seeming to have made some kind of decision, a blush rising on her cheeks.

Lin Xiao, beside her, was also pale, her eyes filled with pleading. "Senior Brother Jiang, we were wrong before. We were blind. As long as you’re willing to help us this one time, we’ll follow your lead from now on!"

Jiang Che looked at the two of them, his expression calm.

’If you knew this would happen, why did you act that way in the first place?’ he sighed internally.

He scanned the crowd again but didn’t see Qin Wuya.

’Right... with his pride, he’d rather go temper himself in the Outer Sect than come asking me for help.’

Then, Jiang Che spoke.

"Wait a moment."

He pulled Bao Da along and entered his East Wing room.

Then, with a SLAM, he shut all the noise and clamor outside the door.

Outside in the courtyard, everyone looked at each other in confusion.

"What does Senior Brother Jiang mean by this?"

"He pulled Bao Da in to discuss things? Does that mean there’s a chance?"

A sliver of hope rose in their hearts, and they all began to speculate.