Sacrificial Artifact System: From Bell-ringer to the Ancestral Patriarch

In a martial arts sect like the Divine Sword Sect, there surely exist secret techniques similar to the Blood Burning Technique, perhaps even more advanced... But the problem is that he could not yet learn them.

These secret techniques all require a significant amount of contribution points to exchange.

He had once asked his master, Zhou Buping, hoping to be taught such secret techniques.

Zhou Buping told him not to worry about these for now... because to achieve the Perfect Body, one must absolutely not practice forbidden techniques that stimulate the body's potential.

Once a forbidden technique is used, any side effects would permanently prevent the achievement of the Perfect Innate.

Li Qian couldn't tell Zhou Buping that he had the aid of the Chen Bell and wasn't afraid of the side effects that came with forbidden techniques.

Anyway, he was idle and bored now. If he could improve on the Blood Burning Technique, it would benefit his martial arts cultivation.

Time flies like a shuttle, passing by swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had gone by.

The difficulty of improving the Blood Burning Technique was much greater than he had imagined.

His body had been injured countless times.

Fortunately, he was very cautious and careful, which did not affect the cultivation of his Pure Sword Body or the comprehension of Sword Intent.

All this was thanks to the miraculous effects of the Chen Bell.

It was now the deep winter.

Li Qian stood upon the Chen Bell Platform, and everywhere he looked was blanketed in white, with light snow still drifting from the sky.

Suddenly, he saw a figure moving rapidly towards the hillside.

Speed was swift, displaying advanced Qinggong.

Definitely not Chen Yong.

Li Qian was a bit surprised.

"Excuse me, are you Junior Brother Li? I am Lei Zhao, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Divine Sword Hall, sent by the Sect Leader's orders to request your presence at the Divine Sword Hall."

A man who looked to be about thirty came to the bottom of the bell tower and bowed to Li Qian.

Whoosh!

Li Qian jumped down from the bell tower, coming before Lei Zhao, "Senior Brother Lei, may I ask what business the Sect Leader has with me?"

He was very curious in his heart. As someone virtually invisible within the Divine Sword Sect, who rarely interacted with Inner Sect Disciples, and with the Sect Leader managing myriad duties, why would he be sought after?

"Junior Brother Li, I am truly sorry, but I do not know."

Lei Zhao shook his head and said.

...

Divine Sword Hall.

Located on Divine Sword Peak, though not among the Seven Great Peaks, it was the place where the Sect Leader usually handled administrative work and cultivation.

In the organizational structure of the Divine Sword Sect, the Sect Leader was not the most powerful authority; the main role was to manage the administrative aspects of the sect.

Whenever it concerned major sect affairs, it was customary for the Sect Leader, the Seven Peak Masters, and various authoritative elders to gather together to discuss and decide.

Just upon entering the Divine Sword Hall, Li Qian unexpectedly saw his master, Zhou Buping.

However, Zhou Buping's appearance was not good.

His hair was graying, his complexion bloodless.

It was as if he had aged twenty years.

"Master..."

Li Qian hurried forward, "What has happened to you?"

"I'm alright..."

Zhou Buping waved his hand, but then he started to cough, his breathing heavy.

"Li Qian, your master has been severely injured in the suppression of a rebellion."

The Divine Sword Sect Master, Feng Shaoyu, sighed.

In fact, several elder-level experts from the Divine Sword Sect who were dispatched to suppress the rebellion had been ambushed, with most sustaining serious injuries and even one falling on the spot.

"Sect Leader, can my master fully recover?"

Li Qian asked anxiously.

"It's difficult... Elder Zhou has injured his Qi Sea. Even if his physical injuries heal, his cultivation is likely to regress significantly. But most importantly, his Martial Intent is damaged, and such spiritual injuries can only recover slowly through rest."

Sect Leader Feng Shaoyu shook his head.

Li Qian was weighed down by heavy thoughts.

If there was one person in this world who mattered the most to him, it was naturally his master, Zhou Buping.

"As your master, I'm already old, and my cultivation realm doesn't really matter anymore. It's a good opportunity for me to step back and properly recuperate, to enjoy my later years."

However, Zhou Buping was much more optimistic.

Compared to Elder Song of Guiyi Peak, who had fallen, he was very fortunate to have returned alive.

Of course, the fact that he could return alive from such a dangerous and dire situation was entirely due to the strong conviction in his heart because he wanted to witness his disciple achieve the Perfect Innate.

"Master, let's go to the Chen Bell Platform, so your disciple can take better care of you," said Li Qian.

Moreover, he was pondering whether the sound of the Chen Bell could be used to heal Zhou Buping's injuries.

After reaching the level of a Magic Artifact, the Chen Bell's miraculous effect on body restoration was not limited to him as the Sacrificial Master.

If Zhou Buping were to live in the bell tower for an extended period, being bathed in the sound of the Chen Bell at close range, there would definitely be benefits.

"No need, your master plans to live in Lijian City. Just come to visit me often," said Zhou Buping, waving his hand.

"Master, taking care of you is precisely the duty of a disciple. Even if you want to live in Lijian City in the future, you should wait until your injuries have healed," Li Qian added.

He knew that his master's injuries were very severe, and although the Divine Sword Sect would surely treat the master... from the Sect Leader's tone, the prospects for a full recovery from the master's injuries were not optimistic.

Recuperating at the Chen Bell Platform would undoubtedly be more beneficial for the master's recovery.

"Elder Zhou, I also think what Li Qian said makes sense. Having a Direct Disciple take care of you is much better than a servant disciple doing so," Divine Sword Sect Master Feng Shaoyu also advised.

He knew that Zhou Buping had no wife, no children, no daughters... living alone his entire life, always in search of the disciple in his heart to pass on the so-called Heartless Sword Technique.

To other sect members, he appeared to have a reclusive personality and was difficult to get along with.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Buping finally nodded in agreement.

"Sect Leader... there's one more thing, I would like to use my own contribution points to apply for an exemption for Li Qian from participating in inner sect missions until his breakthrough to Innate in the coming years,"

Zhou Buping suddenly spoke.

As the Moon Worship Sect rebellion was spreading wider, the dangers of future inner sect missions would also increase.

He was worried that Li Qian participating in inner sect missions might encounter unforeseeable dangers.

If he were to sustain serious injuries, it would definitely affect the cultivation of the Pure Sword Body.

Had it been before he was injured, it would have been inappropriate for him to ask for such a favor.

If word got out, it could have serious and widespread repercussions.

After all, if you could do this, could other Peak Masters and elders do the same? Who doesn't have disciples they value highly?

"Eh? Elder Zhou, why is this? Inner Sect Disciples are supposed to participate in missions for the sake of their own growth and experience," said Divine Sword Sect Master Feng Shaoyu, quite taken aback.

Furthermore, he knew that such a precedent could have serious negative consequences.

He did not believe that Zhou Buping was unaware of this.

"Sect Leader, I have my own reasons," Zhou Buping did not explain.

Before Li Qian achieved the Perfect Innate, this matter must absolutely not be leaked.

Even... if Li Qian were to achieve the Perfect Innate, it would be best to keep it hidden.

After all, the Perfect Innate is a double-edged sword.

It might bring great fame, but it would also make one a target for many.

The better the wood, the faster it is cut down by the wind.

He didn't want his disciple to fall midway through his journey.

"Very well, I can grant him an exemption from participating in inner sect missions for the next few years, but... it can't be for too long, at most five years," Divine Sword Sect Master Feng Shaoyu said, deciding not to ask further questions.

As an Inner Sect Disciple, not participating in inner sect missions is actually against the rules of the sect.

However, Zhou Buping, being an elder, has made significant contributions and has suffered serious injuries, with uncertain chances of recovery, has only this one Direct Disciple, so it's understandable.

....