Ringing the Bell for a Hundred Years, I Became the Sect’s Ancestor – Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Treasure Map

When he opened the cowhide paper, it turned out to be a rather detailed map, much more detailed than the one Old Song left on the hourglass, with various markings on it.

In the cowhide paper package, there was also a paper strip.

Opening it, it was Old Song’s handwriting.

“Li Qian, since you were able to find this, it means you have already solved the puzzle. Congratulations, a great opportunity awaits you. However, this opportunity contains great danger. You must wait until you become a Ranked Martial Artist before you follow this map.”

In the letter, Old Song mentioned the origin of this cowhide map. It was said to have been left by a powerful Innate Martial Artist many years ago. Before this Innate Martial Artist passed away, he hid all his cultivation methods and valuables in a secret place and finally drew the information about the hidden treasure location on this cowhide map.

“Innate Martial Artist?”

A look of surprise appeared in Li Qian’s eyes.

Old Song had told him about some of the realms of Martial Path.

Innate Martial Artists are far more powerful than Ranked Martial Artists.

The so-called Ranked Martial Artists are merely at the Postnatal level.

Only after reaching above the Ninth Level of Postnatal can one qualify to step into the Innate Realm.

As a powerful Martial Arts Sect that dominates the Three Provinces and Twelve Counties, Divine Sword Sect naturally has Innate Martial Artists.

“This old man once found the hidden treasure location, but unfortunately, my cultivation was too shallow, and I was simply unable to enter. It’s a pity. Regarding the existence of this treasure map, in addition to this old man, there are several others who know about it. Be careful and cautious, and do not let the news leak out, otherwise, there will be big trouble.”

Li Qian’s face became serious.

A treasure map left by a powerful Innate Martial Artist, the value it contains is self-evident. If it were to spread, I’m afraid even the True Disciples and Elders of Divine Sword Sect might covet it.

“Could Old Song’s death be related to this treasure map?”

Li Qian’s heart stirred.

Thinking of this, he carefully looked at the information on the treasure map, forcing himself to memorize it.

His memory was originally quite good.

After being reborn into this world, it seemed to have been enhanced, almost to the point of having a photographic memory.

If possible, he felt that destroying this treasure map was the safest course of action.

In his opinion, although the opportunity presented by this treasure map was precious, it also came with great risks.

He had the Sacrificial Instrument System. As long as he acted discreetly and cultivated diligently, he would surely rise to prominence.

There was no need to take risks.

“Therefore, I should try my best not to leave Divine Sword Sect.”

Li Qian made a decision.

He suddenly understood why Old Song had stayed in Divine Sword Sect his entire life and did not dare to reveal the fact that he had relatives. Perhaps it was also because he knew the danger the treasure map brought.

Only within Divine Sword Sect was it the safest.

After a long time, Li Qian silently memorized the contents of the treasure map, closed his eyes, and recalled and sketched it in his mind. After comparing it with the treasure map and finding no omissions, he unhesitatingly took out a small knife and carefully erased the map lines on the treasure map one by one.

There was nothing left on the entire cowhide paper.

Even so, he used the small knife to cut it into pieces, along with the box, and finally buried them in a pit, filling it up and compacting the soil.

In order to leave no trace, he also scattered some dry leaves, grass clippings, and gravel for camouflage.

After returning to the Bell Tower, Li Qian acted as if nothing had happened and continued his regular bell-ringing cultivation.

Thus, more than half a year passed.

Although he had gone down the mountain a few times, he had never seen Song Yingying again.

However, Song Yingying should not be too bad off in the Hundred Herbs Garden.

Moreover, he couldn’t really help her much.

During this past half-year, he had been somewhat worried that Old Song’s death might bring some trouble, but there had been no movement. Apart from that Chen Yong, no one else had come up the mountain.

Afternoon.

After his bell-ringing cultivation.

Li Qian suddenly had a thought, summoned the system interface, and checked the latest information.

Host: Li Qian.

◈◈◈

Cultivation Level: Foundation Building （Internal Strength）.

Sacrificial Instrument: Time Bell （Treasure 312/1000）.

Martial Arts: Sword-Piercing Fist （Major Completion）.

Currently, five of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians have been opened: Yang Linking Vessel, Yin Linking Vessel, Yang Heel Vessel, Yin Heel Vessel, and Belt Vessel. The sixth one, the Penetrating Vessel, has also been opened for the most part. It is estimated that it will be fully opened in ten days to half a month.

The truly difficult ones to open are the Ren and Du Meridians.

These are the key meridians for transforming Internal Strength into Internal Qi.

It is said that many Odd-Job Disciples are stuck at the Ren and Du Meridians, unable to open them.

From Internal Breath to Internal Strength, there is the Strength Transformation Method.

But from Internal Strength to Internal Qi, the required Qi Cultivation Method can only be found in genuine Internal Skill Manuals.

Li Qian had the Time Bell assisting his cultivation, so the difficulty of opening the Ren and Du Meridians should not be too great.

Coming down from the Bell Tower, Li Qian was about to prepare dinner when he suddenly heard a noise outside. He went out and saw a person walking towards the Bell Tower.

It was an old man with a black beard, dressed in a gray robe, walking briskly.

Li Qian had never seen him before.

Now, he suddenly came to the Bell Tower, and Li Qian couldn’t help but feel vigilant.

“I wonder what brings Senior to the Bell Tower?”

Li Qian took the initiative to ask.

“Young man, this old man is here to visit Old Song. Where is he?”

The black-bearded old man stroked his beard and said with a smile.

“Senior, Old Song went out more than half a year ago and hasn’t returned. Didn’t you know?”

Li Qian said with a surprised look.

“Went out? Has it been that long?”

The black-bearded old man was very surprised. “Didn’t he send any message back? Or, before he left, didn’t he tell you when he would return?”

“No, before Old Song left, he only told me that if he didn’t return, I would have to go to the Odd-Job Hall to collect the monthly stipend, supplies, and contribution points. He didn’t say anything else.”

Li Qian shook his head and said.

The black-bearded old man looked at Li Qian, seemingly trying to discern whether he was lying.

Although the black-bearded old man’s gaze was very oppressive, Li Qian calmly responded to avoid being seen through.

Fortunately, he had lived two lifetimes and was not a naive young man.

“So that’s how it is.”

The black-bearded old man didn’t see anything amiss. It seemed that that old thing, Song Shijie, couldn’t possibly truly trust an Odd-Job Disciple who had only been in the Bell Tower for a few months.

He smiled and took out a medicine bottle, tossing it to Li Qian. “These Qi and Blood Pills are a small token of this old man’s appreciation.”

Li Qian caught the medicine bottle, as if flattered. “Senior, this junior has done nothing to deserve such a gift.”

“Alright, take it. If that Old Song returns, or sends back any message, be sure to inform this old man at the Odd-Job Hall immediately. This old man is the manager of the Odd-Job Hall, surnamed Zhao.”

The black-bearded old man waved his hand and turned to leave.

Li Qian looked at the medicine bottle in his hand. So it was meant to bribe him.

Qi and Blood Pills?

This was the first time Li Qian had received medicinal pills. He had only eaten Medicinal Cuisine or a few small pieces of Exotic Beast Dried Meat before.

Regarding medicinal pills, Old Song had only mentioned them. It was said that Formal Disciples would have a dedicated supply of medicinal pills for their cultivation.