Chapter 478 - 242: Pessimism from the Outside? The Second Slot Unlocks! Breakthrough to the Fifth Layer

Jiang Che took a deep breath. He no longer tried to refuse, simply nodding gravely as he put the weighty gifts away.

"By the way, Che’er," Xu Qingshan asked, feigning nonchalance, though his eyes were locked onto Jiang Che. "How is your cultivation progressing here in the Sect? The Cultivation Techniques of a Major Sect like this must be extraordinary, right?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Che broke into a confident smile and said:

"Master, don’t worry."

"This ’Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao’ is certainly tricky, but it’s nothing I can’t handle! As for the one-year assessment, I might not take first place, but I can guarantee I’ll pass without a problem!"

These weren’t empty words.

Once he unlocked his second Divine Soul Slot and activated the Illusionary Truth Ancient Mirror, he would have a trump card to guarantee his survival. After that, he could go all out in his training without any inhibitions!

With his Root Bone and Comprehension, even with a late start, he could easily catch up to everyone else!

Seeing Jiang Che looking so full of confidence, Xu Qingshan felt a little more at ease.

"Good! I believe you!" He clapped Jiang Che firmly on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "As expected of my, Xu Qingshan’s, disciple!"

...

Afterward, Jiang Che gave his master, Xu Qingshan, a brief tour of the Sect’s scenery. Then, he found a well-reputed tavern near the mountain gate, and they had a simple meal.

Seeing it was getting late, Xu Qingshan made his excuses, saying he was busy with his own sect’s affairs and couldn’t stay any longer. He then bid Jiang Che farewell.

The moment he walked out of the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect’s mountain gate, the smile on Xu Qingshan’s face vanished, replaced by a deep-seated worry.

’Che’er, that boy... he’s always been one to share the good news and hide the bad. He must have said all that just to put my mind at ease.’

Xu Qingshan glanced back at the towering mountain range and sighed.

’When it comes down to it, he just doesn’t have enough resources!’

’Disciples from the Major Sects grow up soaking in medicinal baths, with access to endless resources. Che’er has great Talent, but he’s at a huge disadvantage in that respect.’

’No... what I’ve given him isn’t nearly enough!’

A look of grim determination flashed in Xu Qingshan’s eyes.

’I need to go back and talk to the Sect Leader. Even if it means selling everything we own... I have to scrape together more resources for Che’er!’

’I absolutely cannot let him be expelled from the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect for lack of resources!’

With such heavy thoughts weighing on his mind, Xu Qingshan started on his journey back.

Meanwhile, inside his room, Jiang Che stared at the mountain of items piled on his table. His gaze lingered on a pair of cloth shoes with neat, tight stitching, and he remained motionless for a long time.

After a long while, he carefully put the cloth shoes away. He then turned, his eyes filled with unprecedented determination.

’Almost there...’

’Just a little more!’

He sat down cross-legged again and resumed practicing the Hundred Refinements Saber Technique he had yet to complete.

...

「Late one night, several days later.」

In the East Wing of C Seventy-Two Courtyard, a candle flame flickered.

As he finished practicing the final sequence of the Hundred Refinements Saber Technique, Jiang Che slowly concluded his session.

At that very moment, a roar that only he could hear erupted from the depths of his Sea of Consciousness.

HUMMM—

Countless specks of light, representing his comprehension of weapons, flowed like a hundred rivers into the sea, frantically pouring into the Talent entry labeled [True Nine Li Commander].

Immediately after, lines of small, golden text appeared before his eyes:

[Devouring Weapon Class Basic Talent has reached the threshold!]

[Talent "True Nine Li Commander" is undergoing a transformation!]

[Second Divine Soul Slot, unlocked!]

A brilliant light flashed in Jiang Che’s eyes as he exhaled a long, turbid breath.

’Finally... it’s unlocked!’

All his frenzied grinding of Cultivation Techniques during this time had finally borne fruit!

Moreover, as the Talent advanced, the passive abilities associated with [True Nine Li Commander] were also significantly strengthened.

Jiang Che took a moment to carefully perceive the changes.

First was Weapon Mastery.

Now, the moment he gripped any weapon, he could instantly achieve Master Level proficiency without any practice.

Sabers, spears, swords, halberds—he could wield any weapon with miraculous skill.

Second was the most crucial ability: Commander’s Momentum.

If the previous ’momentum’ could only suppress opponents with its aura and instill fear in his enemies...

...then it had now undergone a qualitative transformation!

It not only awed the Divine Soul but now delivered a tangible spiritual attack!

When facing an enemy of a lower Realm, unleashing his momentum completely could even scatter their condensed True Qi, causing them to lose their nerve and fall to their knees before the fight even started!

Even experts at the same Realm would feel a prickling unease, a stabbing pain in their Divine Soul, and would be unable to use more than seventy percent of their total combat strength!

’What a domineering passive!’

Jiang Che clenched his fist, feeling the majestic aura stirring within him, and a great sense of calm washed over him.

However, pleasant surprises were one thing; he hadn’t forgotten the important matter at hand.

Jiang Che took out an ancient, timeworn Ancient Bronze Mirror from his Storage Bag. Its back was engraved with complex cloud patterns.

A Spirit-grade Treasure Artifact, the Illusionary Truth Ancient Mirror!

This treasure, which he had taken from Xie Songnian’s corpse, had lain dormant for a long time. Today, it would finally see the light of day once more.

’Soldier Resolution: Divine Descent!’

With a single thought, the Active Skill of [True Nine Li Commander] instantly activated.

HUM!

The Illusionary Truth Ancient Mirror in his hand transformed into a stream of light, instantly disintegrating into countless esoteric, runic particles. They drilled into the spot between his eyebrows and settled securely into the newly opened second Divine Soul Slot.

[Soldier Resolution successful! Acquired Soldier Soul: Illusionary Truth Ancient Mirror (Spirit Grade)]

[Soldier Soul Technique Activated: Void Illusion Technique!]

In an instant, a stream of profound information flooded his mind, and Jiang Che immediately grasped the secrets of this mystical technique.

Without hesitation, he immediately circulated his Divine Soul and blood essence according to the Technique.

"Condense!"

Following his low shout, the air beside him distorted slightly as a blurry mass of light and shadow rapidly coalesced and solidified.

In just three breaths, a figure appeared out of thin air in the room. Dressed in a blue shirt, his face, build, aura, and even the look in his eyes were completely identical to Jiang Che’s.

Seeing the Clone appear, Jiang Che felt much more at ease.

’In this danger-filled Martial Arts World, what could be more reassuring than being able to resurrect?’