Ringing the Bell for a Hundred Years, I Became the Sect’s Ancestor – Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Demons and Devils

“Master, what is this exactly?”

Li Qian looked at his master’s serious expression and immediately understood that this black stone was definitely not ordinary.

“Have you heard of demons and devils?”

Zhou Buping didn’t answer directly but asked instead.

“Uh, no.”

Li Qian shook his head directly.

He had read many books and also understood some information about this world.

But the level he had come into contact with was very limited.

“It’s normal that you don’t know. In fact, the vast majority of martial artists, even some Innate martial artists from ordinary sects, may not necessarily know.”

Zhou Buping nodded and said, “A long time ago, there were terrifying demons and devils on this land. They preyed on humans and other creatures for sustenance. It was only when human martial arts developed to a certain level that they were finally driven out.”

“Master, is this black stone related to demons and devils?”

Li Qian asked curiously.

“Yes, if Master is not mistaken, this thing is a Demon Stone. After a demon or devil dies, the essence of its body will condense into this kind of Demon Stone. Of course, there is another saying that when a demon or devil’s strength reaches a certain level, this kind of Demon Stone will condense inside its body.”

Zhou Buping nodded. “It is said that this Demon Stone is very polluting. After being swallowed by a living creature, it is easy to cause mutation. Moreover, over time, the creature that swallowed it may completely absorb the essence of the Demon Stone, complete the demonization process, and transform into a real demon or devil. It is said that only martial arts experts above the Celestial Being level can contend against real demons and devils.”

“This Demon Stone is so dangerous? I thought it was some kind of treasure.”

Li Qian was very surprised.

Fortunately, he had killed the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect in time, otherwise, it would have been a disaster if it transformed into a demon or devil in the future.

Only martial arts experts above the Celestial Being level could deal with it. One could imagine how strong real demons and devils were.

“Hehe, this Demon Stone is very dangerous for ordinary martial artists, even Innate martial artists, but you don’t have to be afraid.”

Zhou Buping laughed. “An ancient book that Master has read records that after cultivating a Flawless Physical Body, one can restrain the Demon Stone and even absorb the demonic essence within it to further promote the strengthening of the Flawless Physical Body. You have already cultivated the Immaculate Sword Body, which contains the Flawless characteristic, so presumably, you can do the same.”

“Master, can the Immaculate Sword Body be further improved?”

Li Qian was very surprised.

After he had cultivated the Immaculate Sword Body, he had tried to continue cultivating, but he couldn’t make any further progress, as if he had already reached the limit of his physical body.

“Master doesn’t know this, but the ancient book mentioned that using Demon Stones can indeed promote the strengthening of the Flawless Physical Body.”

Zhou Buping hesitated for a moment, then reminded, “Li Qian, don’t rush to try it. Wait until your cultivation realm is stronger before you try it again. That way, you’ll be more confident.”

The Demon Stone could gradually mutate a creature, even demonize it. The risk was too great.

Even if Li Qian had cultivated the Immaculate Sword Body, he had to be cautious.

“Master, don’t worry, I won’t try it rashly without absolute certainty.”

Li Qian nodded.

He cherished his body very much.

Even if the Immaculate Sword Body couldn’t be further improved, it was enough as long as he could steadily improve his cultivation realm.

There was no need to take such a big risk.

“Mm.”

Zhou Buping knew that his disciple had a steady personality, so he really didn’t need to worry too much.

After their conversation, Zhou Buping put his hands behind his back and walked out of the Bell Tower leisurely, heading down the mountain, ready to take a walk and digest everything.

Li Qian looked at the black stone in his hand. He really didn’t expect it to have such a great origin.

Demon Stone.

Demons and devils…

According to Master, demons and devils were almost extinct now. Even if they occasionally appeared, they would be quickly wiped out.

Finally, Li Qian wrapped the black stone in a thick layer of oil paper, wrapped it tightly, and finally put it in a wooden box, hiding it in the cellar.

This Demon Stone could mutate creatures, so it had to be stored with extra care.

He wasn’t in a hurry to study the black stone.

Anyway, he would soon break through to the late stage of the Innate True Qi Realm.

Wouldn’t it be safer to study the black stone after reaching the True Essence Realm, or even the True Elixir Realm?

Li Qian suddenly looked at the child who had been sitting quietly, her hair messy, and took her to take a bath.

“Wait, how is she a girl?”

He suddenly froze.

Originally, looking at her appearance, he thought she was a boy.

After the child had bathed, Li Qian had her change into new clothes.

He had bought these specially for the child in Sword’s Edge City.

◈◈◈

“Go to sleep quickly.”

Li Qian let the child sleep on the bed where Master used to sleep.

The child lay down and closed her eyes.

So obedient.

But why was she a fool?

Li Qian shook his head, then blew out the oil lamp and went up to the Bell Tower.

Not long after, the sound of the gong and drum came faintly from the foot of the mountain in the distance.

Li Qian adjusted all the hourglasses.

Then, he took out his precious sword beside the Time Bell and practiced the Heartless Sword Technique once, using it to comprehend Sword Intent.

After he finished one round, he practiced the Soul-Chasing Sword Technique again.

While practicing his sword, the sound of the bell kept ringing in his mind.

After practicing his sword techniques, Li Qian saw that the progress of the Soul-Chasing Sword Technique had improved a bit, and he was very satisfied.

After returning to the house, Li Qian heard the child move, obviously not asleep yet.

He walked over.

He saw the child quickly close her eyes.

It seemed that she wasn’t completely foolish.

Li Qian smiled, returned to his bed, sat down cross-legged, laid his precious sword across his legs, and used his Heartless Sword Intent to communicate with the precious sword.

This was the unique sword-nourishing technique in the Heartless Sword Manual.

Through long-term sword-nourishing, the sword and the swordsman could form a very special connection, making the sword feel like an extension of their body, and eventually achieving the state of man and sword as one.

When one reached this level of sword-nourishing, one could call it a Divine Sword.

The next day.

Li Qian woke up on time at the Yin Hour.

The child was breathing evenly, obviously sleeping soundly.

After washing up, Li Qian opened the lid of the coal stove, added a few pieces of dry coal, and began to wash the rice. He chopped up the various medicinal cuisine ingredients and Exotic Beast Dried Meat and threw them into the clay pot for cooking porridge. Finally, he put it on the coal stove to simmer.

After doing all this, he went up to the Bell Tower.

White mist filled the air, enveloping the mountains and ridges.

It would be another sunny day today.

Li Qian walked up to the Time Bell and gently stroked it with his hand.

The texture was warm and smooth.

It was as if it were a part of his body.

Time passed by minute by minute.

As the sand in an hourglass ran out, Li Qian grabbed the striker with one hand and gently exerted force. The end of the striker heavily struck the Time Bell.

Dong!

A clear bell sound rang out, spreading far away, echoing over Divine Sword Sect.

The ringing of the Mao Hour bell heralded the start of a new day.

Amidst the lingering sound of the bell, Li Qian first swallowed a handful of Qi and Blood Pills, then assumed his stance and began to cultivate.

Just as he finished a Great Heavenly Cycle of the Heartless Sword Manual, a thin and small figure slowly walked up the stairs.

It was the child.

The child stood at the top of the stairs, not approaching, just staring blankly at Li Qian who was practicing his sword.

Li Qian noticed the child coming upstairs, but he didn’t stop.

Because he couldn’t stop.

After a Great Heavenly Cycle of cultivation, his cultivation progress in the middle stage of the True Qi Realm had naturally reached 100.

The transformation had officially begun.

From the middle stage of the True Qi Realm, breaking through to the late stage—

This process was irreversible.