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

After Li Qian achieved the Innate Realm, nearly half a month had already passed.

That day, just after Li Qian had finished cultivating by striking the Chen Bell, his master Zhou Buping came up the mountain.

"Li Qian, your teacher has mentioned your breakthrough to the Innate Realm to the Sect Leader. In three months, you will begin taking on Inner Sect tasks. Make sure you collect your tasks in time."

Master Zhou Buping said.

Since his disciple had already achieved Perfect Innate, there was no reason not to take on Inner Sect tasks.

Furthermore, it was time to go out and properly temper oneself.

"Understood, Master."

Li Qian said.

He also felt it was necessary to take on tasks.

Cultivation now was too consuming of elixirs; without elixirs, one could only cultivate three times a day... He couldn't always rely on his master's support.

During the years he had not taken on Inner Sect tasks, the Inner Sect had not allotted him any cultivation resources.

It had always been his master spending contribution points to supply him with resources for cultivation.

Of course, he didn't plan to take on too many tasks. Just completing the minimum of two Inner Sect tasks a year would suffice.

Even if he cultivated without elixirs... at most, it would be slower, but his cultivation speed was already fast enough.

There was no need to rush for quick success.

After all, he was only at the Innate Realm, not to mention the entire Great Chang dynasty, even within the Divine Sword Sect, he didn't know how many were stronger than him.

He was still far from having the strength to defend himself.

Safe cultivation was the most important.

What he truly relied on was the Sacrificial Artifact Chen Bell.

Cultivating by striking the bell was the most suitable method of cultivation for him.

Zhou Buping walked towards the wooden hut.

Li Qian continued to cultivate the Heartless Sword Skill and to comprehend Sword Intent.

After he finished cultivating, Li Qian habitually opened the system panel to check the latest information.

Host: Li Qian.

Cultivation: Innate True Qi (Early Stage 98/100).

Sacrificial Artifact: Chen Bell (Law 2334/10000).

Martial Arts: Sword Stabbing Fist (Perfect), Heartless Sword Technique (Perfect), Pure Sword Body (Perfect), Soul Chasing Sword Skill (Minor Achievement 18/100).

Martial Intent: Heartless Sword Intent (Illusion 19/100).

Secret Skill: Ten Thousand Transformation Sword Qi, Blood Burning Technique.

...

His cultivation progress had already reached the early stage, and he should break through to the middle stage today.

Moreover, he had recently cultivated a new sword technique, called Soul Chasing Sword Skill.

This was taught by Master Zhou Buping not long ago.

The Heartless Sword Skill, as the foundation for understanding Sword Intent, did not focus on killing,

So, he needed to cultivate a pure swordsmanship that did focus on the offensive, killing aspect.

Out of several swordsmanship options given by his master, he chose the Soul Chasing Sword Technique.

This sword technique emphasized speed, precision, ferocity, and strong bursts. The attacks were swift and the Sword Qi condensed was capable of soul-chasing and spirit-severing effects, making it a perfect match with the Heartless Sword Intent.

Having practiced for only over ten days, he had already reached minor achievement.

After all, with the foundation of the Heartless Sword Technique, along with the influence of the Chen Bell, cultivating other swordsmanship naturally yielded twice the results with half the effort.

If he chose to cultivate palm techniques or other martial arts, his progress would be much slower.

As a sect named after swords, the Divine Sword Sect also had palm, finger, leg, and saber techniques, but swordsmanship was the first choice.

In the afternoon.

Atop the bell tower.

As the True Qi within Li Qian's energy channels boiled and the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi converged, it was absorbed into his body and combined with his blood and Qi.

Boom!

His cultivation broke through a threshold as if shattering a barrier.

Streams of sharp True Qi released from the acupoints all over his body, forming swirling Sword Qi.

Within the Qi Sea inside his body, two Lifebound True Qi strands spiraled around each other like a double helix.

At the Early Stage of the Innate True Qi Realm, there is one strand of Lifebound True Qi.

By the Middle Stage, it splits into two strands of Lifebound True Qi.

If it reaches the Late Stage, it can transform into three strands of Lifebound True Qi.

The difference between one Lifebound True Qi and two or three is not just that the True Qi becomes more robust.

The biggest difference is that more than two strands of Lifebound True Qi will construct a True Qi Field, which, when released through martial techniques, will draw in Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, thereby having a strong amplifying effect.

The Qi Field formed by two Lifebound True Qi is known as the Two Forms Qi Field.

Three Lifebound True Qi strands form the Three Talents Qi Field.

It is said that in the True Essence Realm... apart from True Qi liquefying, it can also form the Four Symbols Qi Field, Five Elements Qi Field, and Six Trigram Qi Field.

As for the True Pill Realm, it is the Seven Stars Qi Field, Eight Trigrams Qi Field, and Nine Palace Qi Field.

At this moment, the two strands of Lifebound True Qi in Li Qian's Qi Sea have constructed the unusual Two Forms Qi Field.

Suddenly, the sword in his hand vibrated, infused with True Qi, and he executed a move from the Soul Chasing Sword Technique.

In an instant, drawn by the Two Forms Qi Field, Heaven and Earth Essence Qi converged, combining with the Innate True Qi on the sword, condensing into a dazzling sword light.

Whoosh!

The sword light broke the sky and shot out, and a bird flying a hundred meters away was cleanly sliced in half.

"The same strike, using the same amount of True Qi, yet the Two Forms True Qi can draw in Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, forming an amplifying effect, more than doubling the power."

Li Qian marveled immensely.

This was the amplification brought by the Two Forms Qi Field.

As he executed swordsmanship, even though the True Qi left the two strands of Lifebound True Qi, once infused into the swordsmanship, the influence of the Two Forms Qi Field would still persist.

This means that after breaking through to the middle stage of the True Qi Realm, Li Qian's strength has increased significantly.

"Try to raise your cultivation to the late stage of the True Qi Realm before participating in the Inner Sect tasks."

Li Qian's eyes glittered with a sharp light.

With his current rate of cultivation, the possibility was indeed quite large.

....

Time passed quickly, and more than two months had gone by.

Below the clock tower.

The sun shone brightly today.

"Brother Qian, I heard that the rebellion by the Moon Worship Sect in the Southeast Eight States is almost subdued."

Chen Yong shared some intelligence with Li Qian.

"So soon? Wasn't it getting more intense last year?"

Li Qian was surprised.

"I'm not sure either, but the number of extermination tasks in the Task Hall has decreased a lot in the past two months."

Chen Yong said.

Since becoming an Inner Sect Disciple, he had been working even harder to acquire cultivation resources, and after a full year, he had participated in numerous Inner Sect tasks to earn contribution points.

Chen Yong still had a simple and honest appearance, but his demeanor had taken on a few more traces of sharpness and efficiency.

"Brother Qian, there's something else; I heard that the Inner Sect is preparing for another selection for True Inheritors."

Chen Yong added.

"That's normal, after all, it's been more than five years since the last selection for True Inheritors."

Li Qian said with a light laugh.

Time really does fly.

"Brother Qian, I heard that becoming a True Inheritor allows one to enter the Sword Tomb once... Have you ever been in?"

Chen Yong asked.

Having been in the Inner Sect for so long, he naturally had heard about the time years ago when the sect opened the Sword Tomb to all Official Disciples.

But that was just the one opportunity.

And at that time, he wasn't even an Inner Sect Disciple.

"No."

Li Qian shook his head.

He pondered in his heart, wondering if there would be a chance to enter the Sword Tomb?

Unfortunately, his master had stepped down from his elder position due to injury, so this matter was likely to become very difficult.

It was a missed opportunity, but no big impact.

Although it was a bit regrettable, he couldn't make things difficult for his master.

After chatting for a while, Chen Yong left the Chen Bell Platform after seeking advice on some cultivation matters.

Li Qian then went straight to his master's wooden hut.

In the fields, Master Zhou Buping rolled up his trouser legs, turning the soil with a hoe, looking just like an old farmer from the countryside.

The fields stretched out, a green expanse planted with various vegetables and fruits.

There were even flocks of chickens and ducks.

It was quite a pastoral scene.

Ever since his master took over farming, Li Qian rarely worked the fields.

He only took up farming out of boredom at first.

But as time went on, given his nature, he would surely neglect it.

After finishing his cultivation, he would rather lie down than move a muscle.

"Master, your skill in growing vegetables is getting better and better."

Li Qian crouched on the ridge of the field and said with a laugh.

"Farming is like cultivating martial arts. You have to understand the growing habits of vegetables and fruits. After more observation, it becomes simpler."

Zhou Buping stood up and said with a smile, "What brings you here all of a sudden?"

"Master, I heard that the rebellion by the Moon Worship Sect in the Southeast Eight States is about to be subdued?"

Li Qian asked.

Although his master had retired due to injury, he often visited others, so he must have been well-informed.

"Pretty much."

Zhou Buping nodded.

"How come it was subdued so suddenly?"

Li Qian asked curiously.

"Alas, although the rebellion by the Moon Worship Sect is about to end, I'm afraid there will be more troubles to come."

Zhou Buping sighed, his words carrying a trace of worry.

"Master, why is that?"

Li Qian was quite puzzled.

Isn't the suppression of the Moon Worship Sect's rebellion a good thing?

"The so-called rebellion of the Moon Worship Sect is just a catalyst; its longevity was due to complex reasons behind it... the royal court, feudal lords, major martial arts factions... all parties have their own schemes."

Zhou Buping explained.

Li Qian understood upon hearing this; the rebellion of the Moon Worship Sect was not as simple as he imagined and perhaps there were various factions supporting it behind the scenes.

The apparent rebellion of the Moon Worship Sect masked an underlying struggle between the royal court, feudal lords, and major martial arts factions.

It appeared that the royal court's control over the regions had weakened considerably.

Otherwise, the various feudal lords and martial arts factions would not have taken advantage of the Moon Worship Sect's rebellion to create trouble.

Based on the historical experience from his previous life, this was clearly the beginning of a decline for the Dachang dynasty.

He just didn't know what role the Divine Sword Sect had played in this rebellion of the Moon Worship Sect?

....