Ringing the Bell for a Hundred Years, I Became the Sect’s Ancestor – Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Internal Breath

The life of a bell ringer wasn’t dull.

Every day, practicing fist techniques, strengthening Qi sensation, it was fulfilling and blissful.

A few more days passed.

After ringing the bell, Li Qian practiced Sword-Piercing Fist. As his fists thrust out like sword stabs, the muscles, bones, internal organs, and viscera throughout his body vibrated.

Suddenly, Li Qian felt the ball of Qi sensation that had been boiling in his abdomen around his navel, as if driven by his fist momentum, abruptly shift slightly.

His spirits lifted. He immediately adjusted his breathing, trying his best to mobilize that ball of Qi sensation.

Gradually, that sense of movement intensified.

Guided by the breathing movements of Sword-Piercing Fist, the ball of Qi and blood slowly moved.

At first, it was very slow, as if someone was pulling a cart, heavy and cumbersome.

But slowly, the movement of the Qi ball gradually accelerated, becoming much lighter.

He knew that this was the Qi sensation, in the process of moving, gradually changing its characteristics, transforming into Internal Breath.

If Qi sensation was driven by the body’s instincts,

Internal Breath could be actively controlled and circulated.

As for the underlying principles, only the ancestors who created these martial arts could answer that.

After a set of fist techniques, Li Qian felt his whole body burning hot. When he finally withdrew his fist momentum, he exhaled, as if a burst of high-temperature steam erupted from his mouth.

This was the body’s energy generated by the circulation of Internal Breath.

With that breath, Li Qian suddenly felt a wave of fatigue.

Moreover, his stomach rumbled with an intense hunger, as if he could devour an entire ox.

This was something he had never experienced before.

It indicated that after he stepped into Internal Breath, practicing fist techniques consumed more of his body’s Qi and blood energy.

He summoned the system interface.

Host: Li Qian.

Cultivation: Foundation Building （ Internal Breath ）.

Sacrificial Instrument: Time Bell （ Mortal 57/100 ）.

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

A satisfied smile spread across Li Qian’s face.

Just as he returned to the bottom of the bell tower, preparing to find something to eat and fill his stomach, Old Song walked in. He glanced at Li Qian and asked in surprise, “You’ve stepped into Internal Breath?”

“Yes, Old Song. How did you know?”

Li Qian nodded and said.

“Your face is pale. It’s obvious that you’ve just transformed Qi sensation into Internal Breath, and your body has consumed too much Qi and blood.”

Old Song explained.

It was only because Li Qian ate Medicinal Cuisine every day and his body was already strong enough. If an ordinary person were to break through to Internal Breath, they would likely suffer from Qi and blood depletion, affecting their foundation.

He immediately went to his room, opened a chest, and took out a small box.

“Eat this.”

Old Song took out some Exotic Beast Dried Meat and handed it to Li Qian.

“Old Song, this is too precious.”

Li Qian quickly shook his head and said.

He still had self-awareness. He had no ties to Old Song, and the old man had already been taking good care of him.

“It was originally for you. It’s a waste for me to eat it at my age. Besides, this Exotic Beast Dried Meat is much less palatable than Medicinal Beast Dried Meat.”

Old Song chuckled.

After spending some time together, he had a good impression of Li Qian.

Unlike those previous Odd-Job Disciples who came here, impulsive and eager for quick success.

Moreover, Li Qian’s martial arts talent was decent.

He believed that as long as Li Qian maintained his effort and a positive attitude, he would have a good chance of shedding his Odd-Job Disciple status and becoming a Formal Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect in the future.

Therefore, he was willing to lend a hand.

Li Qian was deeply moved.

◈◈◈

He had transmigrated to this world alone and helpless. He had desperately participated in the assessments and finally become an Odd-Job Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect.

In just a few months, he had endured more hardship than he had in his entire previous life.

“Eat it quickly. The initial formation of Internal Breath is a crucial moment when Qi and blood need to be replenished.”

Old Song added.

“Thank you, Old Song.”

Li Qian quickly expressed his gratitude.

He was a grateful person, and he kept Old Song’s kindness in his heart.

The Exotic Beast Dried Meat was indeed unpalatable.

It was very dry and hard, requiring considerable effort to chew.

After finishing a piece of Exotic Beast Dried Meat, Li Qian felt his abdomen distended, as if he had overeaten.

“Now quickly practice Sword-Piercing Fist and try to digest the Exotic Beast Dried Meat within three days. The faster the better, as it indicates better absorption, which will lead to faster growth of your Internal Breath.”

Old Song advised.

Li Qian nodded and immediately returned to the bell tower to continue practicing Sword-Piercing Fist.

He practiced and rested, rested and practiced again, naturally not forgetting to ring the bell.

Moreover, practicing Sword-Piercing Fist after ringing the bell yielded even better results.

It had to be said that this Exotic Beast Dried Meat was truly extraordinary. His Internal Breath grew at a visible pace.

By the time he finished ringing the last bell of the day at the You Hour, Li Qian had basically digested the Exotic Beast Dried Meat.

The feeling of fullness completely disappeared, replaced by a slight hunger.

His Internal Breath had grown more than tenfold, no longer the trickling stream it was before.

Old Song was surprised to see Li Qian able to eat dinner.

Li Qian had skipped both lunch and dinner earlier.

A piece of Exotic Beast Dried Meat, even with Li Qian constantly practicing fist techniques to aid digestion, could sustain him for two to three days.

“You’ve digested the Exotic Beast Dried Meat so quickly?”

Old Song inquired.

Li Qian nodded.

“Tsk tsk, when I ate my first piece of Exotic Beast Dried Meat, I had already cultivated Internal Strength, and it still took me most of the day to digest it. You’ve just formed Internal Breath, and you’ve digested it so quickly. It seems your body’s digestive function is extraordinary. This is a very good innate condition for martial artists.”

Old Song remarked in amazement.

Li Qian’s martial arts talent was not bad, and now his digestive function was strong. As long as he cultivated step by step, he would definitely achieve something on the path of martial arts.

Li Qian knew his own situation. The reason he digested so quickly was related to the bell ringing stimulating his stomach and intestines, promoting the growth of his Internal Breath.

In the following period, he rang the bell every day. Under the stimulation of the bell sound, his progress in Internal Breath cultivation was quite rapid.

Old Song became even more concerned about Li Qian’s martial arts training. He increased the amount of Medicinal Cuisine in his daily meals to meet Li Qian’s cultivation needs.

He was now treating Li Qian as a future Formal Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect.

He had spent his entire life striving for this goal, but ultimately failed, which he considered a regret.

Just like that, another month passed.

Old Song managed to get another piece of Exotic Beast Dried Meat for Li Qian to eat.

He also said that he would try to get a piece for him every month.

In Old Song’s words, Li Qian was currently laying the foundation. If he couldn’t eat well, it would have a significant impact on his future martial arts journey.

It was said that Formal Disciples of the Divine Sword Sect, in addition to their basic Medicinal Cuisine, received a fixed amount of Exotic Beast Dried Meat every month.

Odd-Job Disciples had no such benefits.

Old Song wanted to make up for this gap, so that Li Qian wouldn’t fall too far behind the Formal Disciples during his time as an Odd-Job Disciple.

Li Qian gradually realized this and became even more dedicated and hardworking, not wanting to let down Old Song’s kindness.