Martial Saint with Passives

The decision to launch the crusade had been made, and the official order had been handed down.

In the eyes of most, You Manor had become a fat, juicy prize, its tantalizing aroma just waiting for them to charge in and carve it up.

The next day, Jiang Che ran into Yun Weiwei at the entrance to his courtyard.

She was dressed in practical martial attire, looking as if she were about to head out.

Upon seeing Jiang Che, she stopped, her cold face carrying a hint of sharp intensity.

"I’ve signed up for the crusade against You Manor," she said directly. "This is a rare opportunity. There are risks, of course, but the rewards are greater. What about you?"

Jiang Che shook his head. "The You Family has many experts. The fighting is bound to be brutal. My strength is low, so I’d better sit this one out."

Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Yun Weiwei’s eyes, and her tone grew a few degrees colder. "If you don’t take risks, do you expect Cultivation Resources to just fall from the sky? Hiding out in your own little corner of the world, how will you ever make a name for yourself?"

After speaking, she didn’t spare Jiang Che another glance, turning and striding away.

Jiang Che watched her retreating back, offering no explanation.

’Something about this whole affair feels strange, like it’s all a grand play directed by Xie Songnian.’

’If I just jump in, I might not get any benefits. Instead, I could end up as just another pawn and cannon fodder on someone else’s chessboard!’

The resources he had on hand were still ample, and with the dividends from the Yin Family, he had enough to support his cultivation for some time.

Steadily increasing his strength was the proper path.

With the Skill Proficiency Panel, he believed he would grow powerful sooner or later. There was no need to wade into these muddy waters now.

However, not long after, a disciple from the Internal Affairs Hall came to his door.

The disciple handed him a sheet of paper with a blank expression.

"You’re Jiang Che? This is the Recruitment Order for the crusade against You Manor. You are on the expedition list. Assemble at the sect gate plaza at dawn tomorrow. Please pack your belongings in advance and do not be late!"

Jiang Che took the Recruitment Order and saw that his name was indeed written on it.

He was stunned.

"I didn’t apply to participate in this crusade," Jiang Che said with a frown.

The disciple stated matter-of-factly, "The list was jointly compiled by the Internal Affairs Hall and the Precepts Hall, based on factors like a disciple’s strength and past performance. Once a Recruitment Order is issued, absence without cause is forbidden!"

With that, he turned and left.

Jiang Che held the paper, his brow tightly furrowed.

He hadn’t signed up at all. How could a "great opportunity" like this fall into his lap?

But in an instant, he understood.

’Xie Xingwen!’

’It has to be Xie Xingwen’s doing! He wants to use this crusade as an opportunity to get me out of the Sect so he can make his move!’

Realizing this, Jiang Che actually calmed down.

Panicking was useless.

He took stock of his trump cards.

He had the Attack Jade Talisman from his master, the Illusion Mist Pearl from Ye Lianzhen, and the active Concealment Ability of his [True: Shadowless Escape Stream].

’Unless I get so unlucky that I run into some old monster at the Seventh Layer of the True Master Realm or higher who decides to hunt me down personally, escaping with my life shouldn’t be a problem.’

Since he couldn’t avoid it, he would go.

Jiang Che made up his mind. When the time came, he would hang back as much as possible, find a cushy logistics job or something similar, and absolutely not rush to the front lines.

But before he left, he decided to acquire some good gear and arm himself properly.

He then drew the Kunji Saber from his back.

This old friend had seen him through countless battles, and its blade was now covered in fine cracks and nicks.

The saber was already struggling against foes in the Late-stage Bone Forging Realm, and it was next to useless against those in the Refining Organ Realm. It couldn’t even break through their Body-Protecting Qi.

’It’s time for a new one.’

He immediately went to find Cheng Yuzhi.

The chubby little fellow was busy with something, but upon seeing Jiang Che, he immediately ambled over with a grin. "Senior Brother Jiang! I heard you’re going on the crusade against the You Family? That’s a great chance to get rich!"

Jiang Che didn’t respond to that, asking directly, "I have a question for you. Where can I buy better Weapons, Armor, and things like hidden weapons or poisons?"

Cheng Yuzhi’s eyes darted. "The ordinary weapon shops and Medicine Halls outside all have them. The prices are fair, but the quality is just so-so. Senior Brother Jiang, if you want the real high-quality stuff, you have to go to the Linlang Pavilion!"

"Linlang Pavilion?" Jiang Che had never heard of it.

"That’s right! It’s one of the most exclusive treasure pavilions in all of Cangzhou Prefecture!" Cheng Yuzhi lowered his voice. "They specialize in catering to us disciples from the Three Great Sects and the Noble Family Members! They only stock the good stuff! Elixir Pills, Weapons, Treasure Armor, curios... you name it, they have it! The only thing is, it’s insanely expensive! And for some of the best items, money isn’t enough—you have to trade other treasures for them!"

He then gave Jiang Che detailed directions to the Linlang Pavilion.

Jiang Che memorized them, said his thanks, and returned to his room.

He took all his gold bank notes and dragged a heavy parcel out from under his bed.

Inside were several rare, high-quality ores he had picked out from the pile, as well as some Top Grade Elixir Pills from his master, Ye Lianzhen, and the Sect.

’With these, I might be able to trade for something good.’

The Linlang Pavilion wasn’t far from the Cangyun Sect, situated beside a quiet bamboo forest.

It was a three-story building of wood and stone, with upturned eaves and intricately carved beams and pillars, giving it an air of ancient, refined elegance.

Above the main entrance hung a plaque with gold characters on a black background, the three large words "Linlang Pavilion" written in a flamboyant, artistic script.

Two guards with steady auras stood at the door, their sharp gazes sweeping over the passersby.

As Jiang Che stepped inside, a faint scent, a mixture of sandalwood and metal, washed over him.

The light inside the shop was bright yet soft. Rows of shelves made from purple sandalwood were neatly arranged, displaying all sorts of items in an orderly fashion.

There were sabers and swords that gleamed with a cold light, lustrous and translucent Jade Bottles, neatly stacked Treasure Armor, and some bizarre, unnamable objects... every single one exuded an extraordinary aura.

A middle-aged Shopkeeper in a brocade robe, with a shrewd look about him, immediately came forward to greet him, his face wearing a professionally enthusiastic smile. "Greetings, esteemed customer. What can I help you find? Our shop has Weapons, Elixir Pills, Armor, and curios. We have everything you could want, and I guarantee your satisfaction."

Jiang Che’s gaze swept across the shelves. "I’d like to see some Weapons," he said directly.

"Right away!" the Shopkeeper said with a smile. "What kind of Weapon are you accustomed to, sir? Saber? Sword? Spear? Our shop has top-quality specimens of each!"

Jiang Che pondered for a moment.

The core of his Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique was its Fist Technique.

When he used the Kunji Saber, he was really just channeling the Force of his Fist Technique through the blade, which ultimately added a layer of separation.

The best way to perfectly unleash his immense strength and the Force of the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Technique was still a Fist Technique!

And the weapons that could be used with a Fist Technique...

"Do you have any Gloves?" Jiang Che asked.

The Shopkeeper’s eyes lit up at his words. "An excellent choice, sir! Not many people use Gloves, but a good pair is no worse than any blade! Please wait a moment!"

He turned and walked into an inner room, returning a moment later holding a Purple Sandalwood Box.

He opened the lid. Inside, resting on soft black velvet, was a pair of dark silver gloves.

The surface of the Gloves had a fine, scale-like pattern. They were cool and smooth to the touch, seemingly woven from some kind of special metallic thread blended with other unknown materials.

"Please, sir, try them on," the Shopkeeper gestured.

Jiang Che picked up one of the gloves. It was much lighter than he expected.

When he put it on, the glove automatically tightened and adjusted, fitting perfectly to every contour of his hand as if it were a part of his own skin. There was almost no sensation of a foreign object.

"This is..." Jiang Che was a little surprised.

The Shopkeeper introduced them proudly, "These are called the Silk Wrapped Gloves. They are crafted from Profound Silk drawn from Outer Heaven Meteorite Iron, blended with Ice Silkworm Silk, Jiao Tendons, and several other rare materials, all meticulously woven by a master craftsman. Normally, they’re soft and form-fitting, so they won’t hinder your movements at all. But once you infuse them with Force, they become unbelievably hard! Go on, sir, try infusing them with your Force!"

With a thought, Jiang Che sent a sliver of Bone Forging Force into the glove.

VMMM!

The scale-like pattern on the glove’s surface instantly lit up with a faint glow, and the entire glove became incredibly rigid!

"Excellent!" Jiang Che couldn’t help but praise.

He threw a few punches. The wind from his fists whistled, and the Force flowed without the slightest hint of obstruction, as if the gloves were an extension of his own body!

The Shopkeeper smiled. "I’m glad you’re satisfied, sir! These Silk Wrapped Gloves will serve you well all the way to the Sixth Layer of the True Master Realm! Any higher than that, and the True Qi of a Great Cultivator at the Seventh Layer of the True Master Realm undergoes a qualitative change that the Gloves can’t withstand. But for you, that is a long, long way off."

Jiang Che was indeed very satisfied. "How much?" he asked.

The Shopkeeper held up two fingers. "Two hundred thousand taels of Gold."

Jiang Che sucked in a sharp breath.

’So expensive? All my gold bank notes combined don’t even come close to that amount!’

"Can you go any lower?" Jiang Che tried to haggle.

The Shopkeeper shook his head, his smile unchanging. "Sir, our shop has fixed prices. We are fair to all customers and never haggle."

He glanced at Jiang Che’s expression and added, "However, if you’re a bit short on funds at the moment, you can also trade other treasures of equivalent value. Our shop is always looking to acquire various Heavenly and Earthly Treasures."

An idea sparked in Jiang Che’s mind. He lifted the large parcel he was carrying.

"Shopkeeper, could you see how much these are worth?"

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