Ringing the Bell for a Hundred Years, I Became the Sect’s Ancestor – Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Courtesy Demands Reciprocity

Song Yingying left.

Li Qian promised to help her resolve this trouble.

Old Song had taken good care of him when he was alive.

Out of empathy and reason, he couldn’t stand idly by.

After all, he now had the ability to help.

According to Song Yingying, the one causing trouble was Yan Song, a Formal Disciple from the Inner Sect, a disciple of Elder Mu Hai of Dripping Water Peak. Although not a True Disciple, his status was much higher than ordinary Formal Disciples.

With Song Yingying’s status as an Odd-Job Disciple, she naturally had no way to obtain this information. It was Yi Zhong who secretly told Song Yingying before he left.

Li Qian had never interacted with a Formal Disciple from the Inner Sect; he hadn’t even entered the Inner Sect.

After dinner.

Li Qian went down the mountain.

He arrived at the Odd-Job Hall.

When he was an Odd-Job Disciple, the Odd-Job Hall had a lot of control over him.

But now, as a Formal Disciple, even if he wasn’t unattainable to the people of the Odd-Job Hall, they wouldn’t dare to underestimate him.

When he presented his wooden token as a Formal Disciple, a Deputy Hall Master of the Odd-Job Hall immediately came to greet him.

“I am Xu Wei, Deputy Hall Master of the Odd-Job Hall. May I ask what instructions Senior Brother has? Our Odd-Job Hall will certainly carry them out.”

This Deputy Hall Master was quite old, yet he was extremely respectful in front of Li Qian, addressing him as Senior Brother.

The managers, deputy hall masters, and even the hall master of the Odd-Job Hall were all Odd-Job Disciples, just those with strong connections within Divine Sword Sect.

Some even had intricate relationships with Formal Disciples, True Disciples, and Elders of Divine Sword Sect.

“Hall Master Xu, there’s no need to be so formal. I do have a favor to ask. I wonder if you could contact Senior Brother Yan Song from Dripping Water Peak in the Inner Sect.”

Li Qian said.

“Senior Brother Yan Song?”

Hall Master Xu was taken aback. Why would one Inner Sect Disciple need to go through their Odd-Job Hall to contact another Inner Sect Disciple?

“I only became a Formal Disciple recently, within the last year. I’m not familiar with Senior Brother Yan Song.”

Li Qian explained.

“Please rest assured, Senior Brother. I will certainly help you contact Senior Brother Yan Song.”

Hall Master Xu said hastily.

“Good. If there’s any news, you can send someone to the Bell Tower to inform me.”

Li Qian nodded and said.

“So it’s Senior Brother Li Qian from Time Bell Pavilion. Please rest assured, I will inform you as soon as possible.”

Hall Master Xu said hastily.

As the Deputy Hall Master of the Odd-Job Hall, he knew the comings and goings of all Odd-Job Disciples.

In less than three years, for an Odd-Job Disciple to be promoted to a Formal Disciple was extremely rare in the Odd-Job Hall.

Li Qian from Time Bell Pavilion was now a legendary figure in the Odd-Job Hall.

Privately, the people of the Odd-Job Hall had discussed him.

Among the Odd-Job Disciples, Li Qian had always been unknown. Until he became a Formal Disciple, almost no one had heard of him.

Who would have thought that he would rise to prominence, leaping over the Dragon Gate and becoming a high and mighty Formal Disciple, making these old guys in the Odd-Job Hall envious to death.

A few days later.

The rain had just stopped, and the sun was shining.

The air was exceptionally fresh.

A figure dressed in fine clothes arrived at the Bell Tower.

“Senior Brother Yan.”

“Junior Brother Li.”

The two greeted each other like old friends.

But in reality, this was their first meeting.

“Senior Brother Yan, my place is humble. Please forgive me.”

Li Qian chuckled.

“Junior Brother Li, your place is scenic and tranquil, a perfect place for cultivation. How can it be humble?”

Yan Song said.

He suddenly changed the subject, “Junior Brother Li, you contacted me through the Odd-Job Hall. I wonder what’s the matter?”

“Senior Brother Yan, do you know how I became a Formal Disciple?”

Li Qian said.

“Naturally, it’s because Junior Brother Li passed the re-examination and became a Formal Disciple.”

Yan Song’s heart sank slightly, then he said.

“Of course not.”

Li Qian sighed and shook his head.

Yan Song’s expression changed slightly because he thought of a possibility: Li Qian had offered that treasure map as a promotion item in exchange for his Formal Disciple status.

But that would be too much of a loss!

“Therefore, I no longer have what Senior Brother Yan wants. Please, for my sake, let go of your grudge against that Miss Song.”

◈◈◈

Li Qian said.

“Junior Brother Li, you’re joking. I haven’t made things difficult for any Miss Song.”

Yan Song smiled indifferently.

If that treasure map had truly been given away by Li Qian, he wouldn’t have any chance.

The thought of a Xiantian opportunity slipping away from him filled him with intense anger and unwillingness.

“Junior Brother Li, why did you have to do this?”

He sighed and turned to leave.

But the moment he turned around, his Internal Qi suddenly surged, and he swiftly struck with his fingers like a sword, aiming at Li Qian.

Sharp and vicious Sword Qi burst forth.

Li Qian was stunned.

He didn’t expect Yan Song to dare attack him.

As the Sword Qi approached.

Li Qian snorted coldly, his Internal Qi surging and forming a peculiar Qi membrane around his body, like an impenetrable golden bell.

When the Sword Qi hit the Qi membrane, it made a muffled sound.

But the Sword Qi didn’t pierce through the membrane.

Courtesy demands reciprocity.

Li Qian pointed his fingers like a sword, executing the Heartless Sword Technique with a single stroke.

Yan Song’s face was filled with shock.

Protective Qi?

How is that possible?

For a Postnatal martial artist to form Protective Qi, they must at least reach the seventh level of the Postnatal realm or above.

And when Protective Qi is first formed, its defensive power isn’t very strong.

Unless they have cultivated a special body protection technique.

This Li Qian had been a Formal Disciple for less than a year. How could he have formed Protective Qi?

Not to mention cultivating a special body protection technique.

Even he, a seasoned Formal Disciple, hadn’t cultivated it because special body protection techniques were too difficult to learn and time-consuming.

More importantly, he was also at the seventh level of the Postnatal realm. The Sword Qi he emitted in his attack was enough to break through the Protective Qi formed by special body protection techniques.

Seeing Li Qian’s counterattack, he flicked his fingers, and as their Sword Qi clashed, his body swayed, and his blood surged.

He was even more astonished.

Li Qian’s Sword Qi was so sharp and powerful, it was definitely not inferior to his own.

Immediately, he moved, swiftly retreating outside the Bell Tower.

“Junior Brother Li, I just wanted to test your strength. I meant no offense.”

He cupped his hands and said.

“Courtesy demands reciprocity, Senior Brother Yan. Please receive my move.”

Li Qian smiled slightly.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed the precious sword hanging on the wall, which trembled and abruptly unsheathed.

Accompanied by a sword cry, brilliant Sword Light burst forth, shooting like a dragon towards the outside of the Bell Tower.

Yan Song’s expression changed drastically. He quickly touched his waist, and a soft sword sprung out, vibrating like a python as it coiled around the incoming Sword Light.

But as their swords clashed, Yan Song’s entire body shook, and the Internal Qi he had infused into the soft sword instantly crumbled.

The next moment, his soft sword flew out of his hand.

At the same time, a flash of cold light swept across his throat.

Yan Song felt a chill run through his body, the threat of death filling his heart, causing his body to stiffen, unable to move.

After a while, seeing that Li Qian wasn’t making any further moves, he slowly reached out to touch his throat.

It felt wet.

He looked down at his hand and saw blood.

Fortunately, it was only a scratch.

However, he felt a sense of relief, as if he had just escaped death.

If Li Qian’s sword had been a little closer, he would be dead.

The other party had clearly shown mercy.

“Junior Brother Li’s swordsmanship is far beyond my reach.”

Yan Song said bitterly, then turned and left, dejected.

He was utterly defeated.

He had been a Formal Disciple for eighteen years. Some time ago, he had the opportunity to enter the Sword Tomb and comprehend the Martial Dao Sword Intent of his predecessors, benefiting greatly. He thought his swordsmanship had improved significantly.

But Li Qian’s sword had completely shattered his pride.

Someone who had only started three years ago, became a Formal Disciple less than a year ago, and hadn’t even entered the Sword Tomb had defeated him in swordsmanship.