Ringing the Bell for a Hundred Years, I Became the Sect’s Ancestor – Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Guidance

After Zhou Buping left, Li Qian started making lunch.

The dishes he cooked were simple, just porridge. However, the porridge contained many ingredients, including various medicinal herbs used in medicinal cuisine and dried exotic beast meat.

Finally, a large pot of thick medicinal meat porridge was ready.

As for the taste, it’s hard to say.

Anyway, he ate at least one meal a day, and after eating it for a long time, he got used to it.

The main point was that it was rich in nutrients and could provide the body with the nutrients and energy needed for cultivation.

Li Qian ate the entire large pot of porridge.

Not long after he finished eating, Li Qian heard footsteps outside.

“Brother Qian.”

Immediately after, the door was pushed open, and Chen Yong, with a simple and honest face, walked in.

However, there was a large bruise on his face.

“What happened to your face?”

Li Qian asked in surprise.

“I was sparring with someone and accidentally got punched.”

Chen Yong scratched his head and said, “Brother Qian, I blocked with a sword parry, but I was hit by the opponent’s hook sword. I couldn’t dodge it no matter what. The opponent’s sword-piercing fist is clearly not much better than mine.”

As he spoke, he began to demonstrate in the room.

Li Qian immediately saw the problem. “This should be because your internal strength is not flowing smoothly when it reaches the Zhongfu and Tianzong acupoints, resulting in a slower fist speed. You were a little bit slower, and the opponent’s hook sword happened to seize your weak point. I guess it’s related to your long-term heavy lifting training with the crossbeam, which has affected these two acupoints.”

As early as half a year ago, he had accidentally given Chen Yong some pointers on fist techniques.

Since then, Chen Yong would often come up the mountain to ask for advice.

Chen Yong’s skill in sword-piercing fist was only at the level of proficiency, not even reaching minor completion, otherwise he wouldn’t have such a weakness.

Li Qian’s perfected sword-piercing fist was more than enough to guide Chen Yong.

“It seems there’s a slight issue. How can I solve it?”

Chen Yong said with a frown.

“It’s very easy to solve. There are specialized masseurs in the Odd-Job Hall. You can find one with good techniques, get a good full-body massage, especially focusing on these two acupoints, and have them knead them thoroughly.”

Li Qian said.

“Their prices are too expensive. One massage session will cost more than half a year’s monthly stipend.”

Chen Yong shook his head like a rattle drum.

He sent all his monthly stipend back home to support his family.

After all, his family was very poor, how could they have any money?

Li Qian smiled, walked over, and asked Chen Yong to assume the fixed sword stance from the sword-piercing fist. Then he pointed his fingers at several acupoints on Chen Yong’s body, and as his internal energy circulated, he passed through Zhongfu, entered Tianzong, and kneaded back and forth.

Hiss!

Chen Yong grimaced in pain, but he couldn’t move at all, as if he had lost control of his body.

After a while, Li Qian released Chen Yong.

Chen Yong slumped to the ground.

But as he moved his arm, he felt that the previously painful area was now warm and comfortable.

“I’ve adjusted it for you, but you need to rest for a few days and don’t practice fist techniques for now.”

Li Qian said.

“Brother Qian… you, you just used internal energy?”

Chen Yong looked incredulous.

Only internal energy could be transmitted into his body.

Internal strength couldn’t do that.

“Is that strange?”

Li Qian said calmly.

“Brother Qian, you’ve actually become a Ranked Martial Artist.”

Chen Yong’s voice trembled slightly.

Although there were quite a few Ranked Martial Artists among the Odd-Job Disciples, they were usually older.

For Odd-Job Disciples like him, it would probably take several more years to open up the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, and he might even never be able to open up the final Ren and Du Meridians.

Li Qian had actually become a Ranked Martial Artist in just four years, this speed was astonishing.

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind, could it be that Brother Qian had already become an Inner Sect Disciple?

Having become a Ranked Martial Artist in just over four years, passing the Inner Sect Re-examination should be a piece of cake.

Looking at Chen Yong’s reaction, Li Qian sighed inwardly. After Chen Yong learned that he was a Ranked Martial Artist, their friendship would probably not remain as casual as before.

As expected, Chen Yong became much more restrained afterwards.

After all, Li Qian was a Ranked Martial Artist and had a high chance of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple. He was suddenly miles apart from an Odd-Job Disciple like him, becoming unattainable.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.

The day of the True Disciple Selection was approaching.

◈◈◈

Discussions about the True Disciple Selection gradually increased within the Divine Sword Sect.

All of this had nothing to do with Li Qian.

He lived on the mountain and rarely had contact with the outside world.

Dong!

The clear and resonant bell sound broke the silence of the Divine Sword Sect.

Before dawn, Li Qian practiced the Heartless Sword Manual amidst the lingering sound of the bell. As he wielded his sword, it was like a sword dragon swimming around him, with invisible sword intent filling the air, as if there were constant sword hums.

After finishing a round of sword practice, Li Qian felt refreshed and his understanding of the Heartless Sword Intent deepened.

Hu!

Li Qian let out a long breath, and with a thought, he summoned the system panel.

Host: Li Qian.

Cultivation: Postnatal （Ninth Level 99/100）.

Sacrificial Instrument: Time Bell （Law 451/10000）.

Martial Arts: Sword-Piercing Fist （Perfected）, Heartless Sword Manual （Perfected）.

Martial Intent: Heartless Sword Intent （Illusory Image 31/100）.

Secret Technique: Myriad Transforming Sword Qi.

His cultivation had reached the Postnatal Ninth Level, close to perfection.

Now he practiced swordsmanship only to comprehend sword intent, and no longer cultivated internal skills.

This way, his cultivation realm wouldn’t break through to the Innate Realm.

“As long as I can comprehend the Flawless Vajra Method of the Heartless Sword Manual in the Sword Grinding Cave this time, I’ll have the opportunity to achieve Perfect Innate.”

Li Qian thought to himself.

As dawn broke.

Li Qian descended the mountain.

He first went to Wild Goose Gate Valley.

“Let’s go.”

Zhou Buping said as he walked towards an exit.

That was one of the entrances to the Inner Sect.

Inner Sect, on the plaza outside the Divine Sword Hall.

A large number of Inner Sect Formal Disciples had gathered.

After all, it was the True Disciple Selection.

Although ninety-nine percent of the Formal Disciples didn’t even have the qualifications to participate, it was undoubtedly one of the most important selections in the Divine Sword Sect.

Once one became a True Disciple, it was equivalent to stepping onto the threshold of the Divine Sword Sect’s upper echelon.

The Peak Masters of the Seven Main Peaks, the Five Directions Sword Envoys, and even the Divine Sword Sect Master were all True Disciples.

The highest position a Formal Disciple could reach was that of an Elder with Real Authority.

There were many discussions among the crowd.

“Who do you think will win the True Disciple spot this time?”

“I guess it will be Senior Brother Chang from Dripping Water Peak. It’s said that he comprehended sword intent before even reaching the Innate Realm.”

“Senior Sister Bai from Spiritual Void Peak also comprehended sword intent, even earlier than Senior Brother Chang.”

“I think Senior Brother Nangong from Unity Peak has a good chance too.”

“Senior Brother Nangong’s sword intent comprehension is too recent. Compared to Senior Brother Chang and Senior Sister Bai, he’s still lacking.”

“Maybe there are hidden talents among the others.”

“That’s highly unlikely. The final ownership of the True Disciple spot will only be among those few people.”

In front of the Divine Sword Hall, the Divine Sword Sect Master, the Seven Peak Masters, and many elders had already arrived.

In addition, there were more than ten Inner Sect Disciples, all qualified to participate in this True Disciple Selection.

The requirements for the True Disciple Selection were very high.

One must be under twenty-five years old.

One must have comprehended at least a Secret Technique.

And one must not be an Innate Martial Artist.

Those who could meet the requirements were basically one in a hundred among the Inner Sect Disciples.

Even so, there were still so many people qualified to participate in the True Disciple Selection, which showed the profound foundation of the Divine Sword Sect.