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

"No... it's still different. If the Luo King Mansion placed heavy troops along the Qi River, it could completely stop the Night King Mansion's army from moving south."

Hou Shuwen shook his head, he stood up and walked to a huge map, drawing a line, "But by doing so, Luo King Mansion would have to adopt a defensive stance."

He couldn't fathom what Luo King Mansion was really trying to do.

At that moment, an elder of the Flying Eagle Hall rushed in, delivering a piece of intelligence.

After Sect Leader Feng Shaoyu read it, his expression immediately turned strange.

"Sect Leader, what news?"

Master of Martial Peak, Xie Tiancheng, promptly asked.

"Luo King Mansion did not attack our Divine Sword Sect but instead attacked Baihua Palace... According to the intelligence, the gates of Baihua Palace have already been breached."

Sect Leader Feng Shaoyu stated.

The room fell silent.

Everyone was somewhat incredulous.

What was going on?

"Baihua Palace has always been neutral, they hadn't participated in the previous Jade Capital rebellion... Luo King Mansion should have been courting them instead, why attack Baihua Palace at this time?"

Spirit Void Peak Master Wei Quansheng said, dumbstruck.

"I understand now, Luo King must be worried that after the intelligence leaks, they wouldn't be able to overpower our Divine Sword Sect quickly, so they had to settle for the next best thing. Baihua Palace is located in Xiang State, a critical pass to Shuchuan Road; if Luo King Mansion controls Xiang State, they would effectively control the gateway to Shuchuan Road, being able to push forward at any moment."

Guiyi Peak Master Hou Shuwen clapped his hands and said, "It seems Luo King Mansion has already planned their retreat."

After the establishment of the Great Chang, the territories of various kings and Martial Arts Sects were carefully designed for mutual restraint and balance, thereby creating a subtle equilibrium across the entire map of Great Chang.

The Imperial Family could then control everything.

Baihua Palace controlled Xiang State, precisely to curb the forces within the feudal states of Shuchuan Road, holding control of Wanjing Pass, which is tantamount to seizing the gateway to Shuchuan Road.

Moreover, the powers within the feudal states of Shuchuan Road, including Fan Royal Mansion, were not strong, without the capability to wrest control of Wanjing Pass from Baihua Palace.

Besides, if Fan Royal Mansion dared to act up, they would be immediately subjected to the merciless purging by the Imperial Family.

"If Baihua Palace doesn't want to be annihilated, they have no choice but to join forces with Luo King Mansion."

Sect Leader Feng Shaoyu sighed.

Baihua Palace's strength was not weaker than Divine Sword Sect.

Yet, they were still breached.

If Divine Sword Sect was caught unprepared and suddenly attacked by Luo King Mansion, he shuddered to think of the consequences.

"Doesn't Baihua Palace have a Heavenly Person? How could they be breached so easily?"

A powerful elder suddenly spoke.

"Baihua Palace, like our Divine Sword Sect, has only one Heavenly Person, and this Heavenly Person is also quite aged. Without any preparations and being ambushed, you can imagine what happened?"

Sect Leader Feng Shaoyu sighed.

Heavenly Persons are very strong.

But Luo King Mansion has more Heavenly Persons.

If Luo King Mansion attacked Divine Sword Sect, even with Heavenly Person Xiao sitting in the sect... the possibility of falling in an unexpected attack is quite high.

Now, they just have to wait for Uncle-Master Heavenly Person Xiao to return, along with the Heavenly Person from Night King Mansion... That would make two Heavenly Persons, even if Luo King Mansion launched a major attack on Divine Sword Sect, they would still have the power to fight back, and not be breached as quickly as Baihua Palace.

A few days later.

Divine Sword Sect remained peaceful.

Heavenly Person Xiao finally rushed back.

And even brought two Heavenly Persons back with him.

This made the high ranks of Divine Sword Sect overjoyed.

"Uncle-Master, who are these two seniors?"

Inside Divine Sword Hall, Sect Leader Feng Shaoyu, after paying his respects to Heavenly Person Xiao, couldn't help but ask.

"This is Heavenly Person Chai from the Imperial Family, and this is Heavenly Person Hua from Baihua Palace."

The bald elderly Heavenly Person Xiao immediately introduced them.

The high ranks of Divine Sword Sect promptly paid their respects, but they were all shocked.

"Heavenly Person Hua?"

Wasn't Baihua Palace breached by Luo King Mansion a few days ago?

How could Heavenly Person Hua be here?

This Heavenly Person Hua looked rather weak, seemingly severely injured.

"Thankfully, Heavenly Person Xiao intervened and saved me midway, otherwise I would have perished."

Heavenly Person Hua, an old woman with white hair and full of wrinkles on her face, sighed.

At that moment, a figure in a purple robe strode out from the outside.

It is indeed the Night King Mansion's Heavenly Person Ye.

"Madam Hua, I told you during the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, in the face of great momentum, you cannot remain uninvolved. If you had made decisions earlier, you wouldn't have ruined the thousand-year foundation of Baihua Palace."

Heavenly Person Ye said solemnly.

Baihua Palace's Heavenly Person Hua could only give a bitter smile.

"Brother Ye, I didn't expect it to be you who came to support Divine Sword Sect."

Heavenly Person Xiao stood up and greeted with clasped hands.

"Brother Xiao, glad to see you unharmed. I didn't expect this old bone of yours to be so tough...You even survived the chaos in Jade Capital."

Heavenly Person Ye said with a smile.

He didn't go to the Jade Capital during its chaos.

Another Heavenly Person from Night King Mansion went.

"Being alive now is also a blessing from heaven."

Heavenly Person Xiao shook his head with a smile.

If it were not for a bit of luck during the rebellion in Jade Capital over a year ago, he would probably have grass growing over his grave.

Even so, having nursed his injuries for so long, he still hasn't recovered.

For Heavenly Persons of his age, severe injuries and depletion of Lifebound Essence Qi can be grave, each injury shortening their lifespan.

That's why he looks much older now than he did a year ago.

Then, Heavenly Person Ye began to interact with the Imperial Family's Heavenly Person Chai.

Four Heavenly Persons talked, and others couldn't interject, only listening from the side.

Regardless, the return of Heavenly Person Xiao finally gave the higher-ups of Divine Sword Sect a pillar to lean on.

Now, they must find ways to take back Ye City in Xuan State.

....

Chen Bell Platform.

These days, Li Qian has been very puzzled.

Weren't there supposed to be battles happening, why is there no sign of them?

It made him very nervous these few days.

After all, he was ready to sound the Chen Bell nine times at any moment.

"But, no battles are even better."

Li Qian grasped the striker and struck the Chen Bell heavily.

With the clear sound of the bell ringing five times, he bathed in the sound of the bell, feeling comfortable all over, and then immediately released the striker, drew out his Sword Eighteen and began cultivating.

At this moment, a figure quickly ran up from the mountain base.

It was indeed the head of the Chores Hall, Xu.

He first greeted Liu Ming.

His heart was naturally filled with envy.

This Liu Ming was too lucky; he had only been at the Chen Bell Platform for a few years, yet he had already become an Entry Level Martial Artist.

After Li Qian finished his practice, he clasped his hands and said with all due respect: "Senior Brother Li, the notice from the inner sect states the martial law has ended."

"Ended?"

Li Qian jumped down from the bell tower, quite surprised.

Could it be that the crisis has been averted?

That would be even better.

It means he could continue to ring the bell and cultivate in peace.

Thus, he secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

There's no helping it; his current strength simply isn't enough.

Unable to ascend higher or descend lower.

Not to mention handling a Heavenly Person, even if he could...Heavenly Persons also vary in strength.

Rather than fighting above his level, he preferred to overpower others with his cultivation realm.

Even if he can't achieve domination by realm, it should be at least the same level, right?

Without reaching the Heavenly Person realm, he feels utterly insecure.

So his greatest ambition now is to advance to the Celestial Realm as soon as possible.

....

PS: Updating four chapters first, a total of 18,000 words, which is equivalent to eight chapters during a normal period. Updates will continue during the day, and I'm asking for a wave of monthly tickets, thanks to all the esteemed readers.