Martial Saint with Passives

But Situ Xuan just shook his head again. "Too light! Way too light! Bring me a two-hundred-pound saber!"

This time, it wasn’t just the onlooking disciples who were stunned; even Zhang Jinghuai was taken aback. He asked, his face filled with confusion:

"Two hundred pounds? That’s a saber only a Force Integration Expert can even move! Old Ghost Situ, are you sure about this?"

A sharp glint flared in Situ Xuan’s eyes as he said:

"I’ve wielded sabers my entire life. How could I be mistaken? Even a hundred-pound saber doesn’t let this kid use his full strength—not even half of it! If I’m not mistaken, this boy has an Innate Iron Body, doesn’t he? And the purest kind, at that! In any case, my saber can only go to the one most suited for it! And this boy... his power is far greater than this!"

"That’s right, the boy has an Innate Iron Body. He’s helping me test some medicines right now... I just never expected his strength to be so immense!"

Although Zhang Jinghuai had Jiang Che test medicine daily and knew he possessed an Innate Iron Body, he’d never seen the boy practice martial arts. He had just assumed Jiang Che was stronger than an average person, but not by much.

He never imagined that someone at the mere Stone Skin Realm could already wield a saber that only a Force Integration Expert should be able to move.

Just then, the disciple who had gone to fetch the saber returned with an exceptionally wide and heavy blade.

The saber was jet-black, its surface covered in layers of intricate, beautiful patterns.

The body of the blade was straight, ending in a sharp, angled tip.

The blade was as wide as two palms, about a meter long, with a hilt that was also about half a meter in length.

Jiang Che felt a surge of anticipation.

He had only ever followed the Secret Manual to practice, with no one to advise him on matters like a saber’s weight.

He had felt his practice saber was too light, but he didn’t know what weight was truly right for him.

’Do I really need a two-hundred-pound saber already?’

The moment he took the saber, he felt an immediate difference.

’This feeling of power...’

His mind stirred, and he began to perform his Saber Technique.

This time, he truly produced a whistling sound, like the roar of a Breaking Wave!

Jiang Che also felt his strength being utterly unleashed!

His movements grew smoother and more exhilarating with each strike, until he couldn’t help but let out a long cry.

At that moment, Situ Xuan suddenly struck out with his palm.

Utterly fearless, Jiang Che decisively swung his saber to meet the attack!

The saber struck Situ Xuan’s palm but was deflected by a surge of Qi Force, unable to cut into his flesh.

Situ Xuan was actually an expert of the Force Integration Level!

’So this is Force Integration? This Force... it’s like an incredibly powerful magnetic repulsion. The closer I get, the stronger it pushes back!’

This was the first time Jiang Che had fought an expert of the Force Integration Level, and he instantly perceived the difference between Force Integration and an ordinary Qi Blood Martial Artist.

But he wasn’t discouraged and quickly followed up with another slash.

The Omen gave no warning, and besides, Situ Xuan wasn’t using his full strength.

So this was a guided spar!

Situ Xuan once again batted the blade aside with his palm, but instead of continuing his assault, he took a stance and waited for Jiang Che.

It was a rare opportunity, so Jiang Che fought without restraint.

Empowered by multiple Talents like Heart Stream, Mountain Collapse, and Break Extreme, Jiang Che fought with increasing fervor.

He discovered that Situ Xuan’s Force didn’t just automatically protect his body. When he attacked, it also added a secondary impact on top of the initial strike!

The two waves of power didn’t hit at the same time, but one right after the other.

This meant that every attack was not only incredibly powerful, but also carried a violent, jarring vibration, which made Jiang Che extremely uncomfortable!

’Looks like I’ve underestimated Force Integration Experts...’

He had once thought that after his Transformation, he might be able to contend with a Force Integration Expert.

But now he realized that as long as that Force wasn’t depleted, he could never truly injure a Force Integration Expert!

Of course, with his powerful Iron Body foundation and the Rejuvenation Talent, it would be very difficult for a Force Integration Expert to inflict a fatal wound on him right away.

Escaping, at least, was still possible.

’I wonder how much of his Power Elder Situ was using, and how he ranks among all Force Integration Experts...’

Jiang Che wondered to himself.

On his part, Situ Xuan was growing more and more astonished as they fought.

This boy before him was only at the Mid-stage of the Stone Skin Realm, yet the combat prowess he displayed was in no way inferior to someone at the Mid Stage of the Iron Skin Realm!

’No, even someone at the Late Iron Skin Realm wouldn’t necessarily be able to win against him! What an impressive Innate Iron Body. Truly, his courage is extraordinary!’ The more Situ Xuan watched, the more delighted he became.

The onlooking disciples all stared with wide eyes, unable to believe that a boy from the Stone Skin Realm could trade blows with their master and even hold his own!

After all, their master was one of the most formidable Elders in the entire Seven Stars Gang!

And usually, only disciples who had reached the Late Iron Skin Realm—or even the Peak of the Iron Skin Realm—could ever hope to fight on such equal footing with their master!

Zhang Jinghuai, too, gained a whole new understanding of Jiang Che’s true strength.

’It seems Old Li has discovered someone truly extraordinary...’

he marveled to himself.

Before long, the two finished their spar and retracted their power.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior!" Jiang Che said quickly.

"Boy, how does the saber feel?" Situ Xuan asked with a smile.

Jiang Che stroked the body of the blade, his fondness for it unconcealable in his eyes.

"Senior, this saber is magnificent. Wielding it feels completely unrestrained!"

"Then the saber is yours. Its name is Kunji. You must treat it well!" Situ Xuan said in a solemn voice.

An older disciple’s expression changed in shock. He quickly stepped forward and whispered:

"Master, are you really giving him Kunji? But that’s..."

Situ Xuan cut him off with a wave of his hand, declaring loudly:

"I’ve said it before: my sabers only go to the one most suited to wield them! In Jiang Che’s hands, Kunji can finally unleash its true ability! This matter is settled!"