Ringing the Bell for a Hundred Years, I Became the Sect’s Ancestor – Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Sword Tomb

Time flies in the mountains, and cultivation knows no years. Since becoming a formal disciple after acknowledging his master, Li Qian’s cultivation life had once again become peaceful.

It was as if the previous troubles had never existed.

Li Qian gradually let go of the matter.

He also didn’t go to Song Yingying to ask why she had leaked the secret.

After all, they had only met once, and apart from Old Song, they didn’t have much to do with each other.

She had her path, and he had his Dao.

Dong!

The clear bell sound echoed through the mountains and forests, breaking the tranquility of the Divine Sword Sect.

It signified the beginning of a new day.

However, after striking the Time Bell, Li Qian immediately took a stance and practiced the Heartless Sword Technique. The abundant Internal Qi within his body circulated according to the Internal Skill Manual.

An astonishingly sharp aura permeated the air, cutting through it. As he practiced, streaks of Sword Qi surrounded and shuttled around him, until finally, only Sword Qi could be seen, and no trace of the person.

Only the sound of sword whistling echoed through the Bell Tower.

After a long while, Li Qian abruptly sheathed his sword, but the formless sword momentum lingered for a long time.

Calming the surging Internal Qi within his body, he let out a long breath. His eyes shone with a sharp and focused glint.

Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. He summoned the System interface to check the latest information.

Host: Li Qian.

Cultivation Level: Postnatal （ Fifth Level 9/100 ）.

Sacrificial Instrument: Time Bell （ Treasure 993/1000 ）.

Martial Arts: Sword-Piercing Fist （ Perfection ）, Heartless Sword Manual （ Minor Completion 23/100 ）.

In seven days, the Time Bell would be able to upgrade again.

His current cultivation level had already reached the Postnatal Fifth Level.

This speed wasn’t considered slow.

After all, in half a year, he had gone from the Postnatal Second Level to the Fifth Level, a significant improvement of three minor levels.

Of course, this was all thanks to the assistance of the Qi and Blood Pill, Spirit Nourishing Pill, and Exotic Beast Dried Meat. The role of the bell sound was also indispensable.

Additionally, the Heartless Sword Manual had also reached Minor Completion.

Even so, his current cultivation progress only increased by one point every two days, and the Minor Completion stage of the Heartless Sword Manual required three days to increase by one point.

“After the Time Bell upgrades, my subsequent cultivation should become much easier.”

Li Qian was filled with anticipation.

Time really flew by.

He had already been in the Divine Sword Sect for over three years.

In the afternoon.

Li Qian was working in the fields.

Suddenly, Chen Yong came running with two buckets of night soil.

“Brother Qian, I’m afraid I won’t be able to bring you night soil anymore.”

After pouring the two buckets of night soil into the pit, Chen Yong suddenly said.

“Oh, have you sorted out your job change?”

Li Qian wasn’t surprised and said with a smile.

“Yes, I’ve been assigned to the Gong and Drum Room.”

Chen Yong replied.

Compared to the Night Soil Room, the Gong and Drum Room was still a bit better. The only issue was the reversed work schedule.

Chen Yong had been an Odd-Job Disciple for three years and wasn’t a newcomer anymore. He could switch to a better job.

After all, the Divine Sword Sect recruited a batch of new Odd-Job Disciples every year.

“Brother Qian, the Combat Power Rankings are about to start again this year. Are you planning to participate?”

Chen Yong asked again.

“It’s too much trouble. I won’t participate.”

Li Qian shook his head.

He hadn’t told Chen Yong about becoming a formal disciple.

Speaking of which, Chen Yong was considered a friend he got along with relatively well in the Divine Sword Sect.

“I still plan to participate this year. Moreover, many of the older Odd-Job Disciples have left in the past two years, even Senior Brother Zhang Mingcan and Yi Zhong. The Combat Power Rankings should be a bit easier this year.”

Chen Yong said eagerly.

He had worked extremely hard over the past three years and believed that his cultivation and strength had improved significantly. He was eager to make a name for himself on the Combat Power Rankings.

◈◈◈

“Then I wish you success in making a name for yourself on the Combat Power Rankings.”

Li Qian said with a smile.

“I will definitely achieve it.”

Chen Yong said with a determined look on his face.

He didn’t want to leave the Divine Sword Sect dejectedly like Zhang Mingcan and Yi Zhong.

Actually, he was very puzzled. After Yi Zhong won first place in the Combat Power Rankings, he still had hope of becoming a formal disciple. Why did he suddenly leave the Divine Sword Sect?

As for Zhang Mingcan, it was quite normal. He had been first place in the Combat Power Rankings for two consecutive years, but lost it in the third year. He basically had no hope anymore.

A person’s peak period was limited. Rather than wasting three years in the Divine Sword Sect, it was better to go down the mountain and make a living in the secular world.

This was the sorrow of Odd-Job Disciples.

In the evening.

Li Qian arrived at the wooden house in the valley.

He didn’t come back every day now.

Usually, he came once every three to five days.

“Do you remember the Sword Tomb that I mentioned to you last time?”

Zhou Buping asked.

“I remember, Master. Only True Disciples are qualified to enter, and each True Disciple has only one chance to enter in their lifetime. Inside, they can comprehend the Sword Intent imprints left by the past generations of the Divine Sword Sect and have the opportunity to obtain a Divine Sword that recognizes them as its master.”

Li Qian nodded and said.

“Originally, only True Disciples were qualified to enter, but this time, the sect’s higher-ups have decided to relax the conditions and allow formal disciples who haven’t entered before to have one chance to enter.”

Zhou Buping said, “Of course, this is only for this time.”

“Master, are you planning to let me enter the Sword Tomb this time?”

Li Qian asked.

“Under normal circumstances, the deeper one’s comprehension of the Sword Dao, the better. This way, when comprehending the Sword Intent imprints left by the predecessors, one won’t be trapped within them.”

Zhou Buping said, “After all, the path of the predecessors is not necessarily the most suitable for oneself. It’s best to combine the path of the predecessors with one’s own comprehension and forge a path that belongs to oneself. So, the choice is yours.”

Li Qian understood his master’s meaning.

This year, the situation was special. Formal disciples were also allowed to enter the Sword Tomb.

If one missed this opportunity, they would have to become a True Disciple to be qualified to enter in the future.

Unless one had absolute confidence in becoming a True Disciple in the future, choosing to enter this time was the wisest decision.

“Master, if I have already comprehended Sword Intent, is there still a need to enter the Sword Tomb?”

Li Qian asked.

“Hahaha, of course there’s still a need. Comprehending Sword Intent only means that you have embarked on your own path of Martial Dao. Only by experiencing countless trials and tribulations, sensing a wide variety of Sword Intents and even Martial Dao Wills, can one reach greater heights. Moreover, the Sword Tomb not only contains the Sword Intents left by the predecessors, but also powerful swords. For sword cultivators like us, a powerful sword is also crucial.”

Zhou Buping laughed heartily.

“Master, I once read a book that recorded a powerful swordsman. He said that the first sword he used was a bright green, sharp sword, fierce and unstoppable. Before he reached the age of twenty, he used it to compete with heroes. The second sword was a soft sword, which he used before the age of thirty. He accidentally injured a righteous person with it, and out of regret, he abandoned it. The third sword was a heavy black iron sword, unsharpened but incredibly powerful. Before the age of forty, he relied on it to roam the world. The fourth sword was a decayed wooden sword. After the age of forty, he was not attached to any material object. Grass, wood, bamboo, and stone could all be used as swords. I wonder if this is true?”

Li Qian said.

This was actually from a martial arts novel he had read in his previous life.

He asked this question now because he wanted to know if, at the highest level of Sword Dao in this world, one could also use anything as a sword.

“Not attached to any material object, grass, wood, bamboo, and stone can all be used as swords. Such Sword Dao is truly divine. I have only heard of it, never seen it.”

Zhou Buping shook his head and said.

Li Qian understood.

When one’s cultivation realm was high enough, having a sword or not was not important.

But for now, a powerful sword was definitely the first choice.

“Master, I’ll wait until I have the opportunity to become a True Disciple before entering the Sword Tomb.”

Li Qian said.

His Heartless Sword Manual had only reached Minor Completion, and he was still far from comprehending Sword Intent.

Entering the Sword Tomb now would probably not yield much benefit.

“It’s good that you think that way.”

Zhou Buping showed a satisfied expression.

He didn’t want Li Qian to enter the Sword Tomb so early.