Sacrificial Artifact System: From Bell-ringer to the Ancestral Patriarch of the Sect-Chapter 22: It is discourteous not to reciprocate.

Song Yingying left.

Li Qian promised to help her resolve this trouble.

Elder Song had taken good care of him before his death.

Both emotionally and rationally, he could not just stand by idly.

After all, he now had the capability to help.

According to Song Yingying, the one causing trouble was Yan Song, an Official Disciple of Inner Sect from Dishui Peak, mentored by elder Mu Hai. Although not a True Inheritor, his status was much higher than that of an ordinary Official Disciple.

Being a servant disciple, naturally, Song Yingying could not have gotten this information herself; it was Yi Zhong who secretly told her before he left.

Li Qian had never encountered an Official Disciple of the Inner Sect, and he hadn't even entered the Inner Sect himself.

After eating dinner.

Li Qian went down the mountain.

He arrived at the Chores Hall.

When he was a servant disciple, this Chores Hall had great authority over him.

But now, as an Official Disciple, to the people of the Chores Hall, although he might not be unapproachable, they wouldn't dare to underestimate him.

As soon as he showed his token of Official Disciple, immediately a Vice Hall Master of the Chores Hall came to attend to him.

"My name is Xu Wei, Vice Hall Master of the Chores Hall. I wonder what instructions does the Senior Brother have; our Chores Hall will certainly comply."

This Vice Hall Master was of considerable age, yet in front of Li Qian, he was extremely respectful, directly addressing him as Senior Brother.

Manager, Vice Hall Master, or even Hall Master of the Chores Hall are all servant disciples, just ones who have strong connections within the Divine Sword Sect.

Even some of them are intricately connected to Official Disciples, True Inheritors, and elders of the Divine Sword Sect.

"Vice Hall Master Xu, no need for formalities. Indeed, I do have a matter to request. Would you be able to contact Senior Brother Yan Song from the Inner Sect's Dishui Peak?"

Li Qian said.

"Senior Brother Yan Song?"

Vice Hall Master Xu was stunned. Why would one Inner Sect disciple contact another through their Chores Hall connection?

"I've only been an Official Disciple for about a year, so I'm not familiar with Senior Brother Yan Song."

Li Qian explained.

"Please rest assured, Senior Brother. I will definitely help you contact Senior Brother Yan Song."

Vice Hall Master Xu quickly said.

"Good, if there is any news, you can send someone to notify me at the Bell Platform."

Li Qian nodded and said.

"Turns out it is Senior Brother Li Qian of the Chen Bell Platform. Rest assured, I will notify you immediately."

Vice Hall Master Xu quickly said.

As the Vice Hall Master of the Chores Hall, he kept careful track of the servant disciples' movements.

In less than three years' time, for a servant disciple to be promoted to Official Disciple at the Chores Hall is exceedingly rare.

Chen Bell Platform's Li Qian... is now a legendary figure in the Chores Hall.

Privately, the people of the Chores Hall had all discussed it.

As a servant disciple, Li Qian was always inconspicuous until just before he became an Official Disciple, almost nobody had heard of him.

Who could have anticipated that he would rise rapidly, skyrocketing to the ranks of the lofty Official Disciples, making those old folks at the Chores Hall green with envy.

....

A few days later.

After the rain, the weather cleared up.

The air was extremely fresh.

A figure in brocade arrived within the bell tower.

"Senior Brother Yan."

"Junior Brother Li."

The two greeted each other as if they were old friends.

Yet actually, this was their first meeting.

"Senior Brother Yan, this place is modest, please excuse any shortcomings."

Li Qian said with a light smile.

"Junior Brother Li, this place, with its beautiful scenery and serene atmosphere, is an excellent place for cultivation. How can it be considered modest?"

Yan Song said.

Suddenly changing the topic, he asked, "Junior Brother Li sought me through the Chores Hall, may I know what matter it is?"

"Does Senior Brother Yan know how I became an Official Disciple?"

Li Qian said.

"Of course, Junior Brother Li passed the retest to become an Official Disciple."

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

"Of course not."

Li Qian sighed, shook his head, and said.

Yan Song's expression changed subtly, as he thought of a possibility that Li Qian had used a treasure map as advancement material to obtain the status of an Official Disciple.

Just... this really isn't worth it.

"So, I no longer have what Senior Brother Yan wants. Please, for my sake, let it go with Miss Song."

Li Qian said.

"Junior Brother Li must be jesting, I haven't troubled Miss Song..."

Yan Song smiled indifferently.

If that treasure map had really been sent out by Li Qian, then he would have no chance at all.

Thinking of an Innate opportunity slipping out of his reach, his inner rage and unwillingness reached their utmost.

"Junior Brother Li, ah... why bother?"

He sighed and turned to leave.

But the moment he turned around, the Inner Qi within his body surged, and he reflexively extended his fingers into a sword, pointing directly at Li Qian.

A fierce and malicious Sword Qi burst forth.

Li Qian was stunned.

He hadn't expected Yan Song to dare attack him.

As the Sword Qi approached,

Li Qian snorted coldly, his Inner Qi swirling around him, forming a peculiar energy membrane on his body's surface, much like a Golden Bell Shield.

When the Sword Qi hit the membrane, a muffled sound was emitted.

But the Sword Qi did not penetrate the membrane.

What goes around comes around.

Li Qian's fingers formed a sword, and he executed the Heartless Sword Skill, slashing outward.

Yan Song's face revealed horror.

Protective Gang Qi?

How could this be...

Postnatal Martial Artists needed to reach the seventh level of the Postnatal stage or above to form Protective Gang Qi.

Moreover... newly formed Protective Gang Qi shouldn't be very strong defensively,

unless one has cultivated specialized Protective Body Martial Skills.

Li Qian had been an Official Disciple for less than a year. How could he possibly have formed Protective Gang Qi?

Let alone cultivating specialized Protective Body Martial Skills.

Even he, a seasoned Official Disciple, had never cultivated it, as it's too difficult and time-consuming to master such special body protection techniques.

More importantly... his own cultivation was at the seventh level of the Postnatal stage, and the Sword Qi he released should have been sufficient to break any Protective Gang Qi formed by special body protection techniques.

Watching Li Qian counterattack, he flicked his finger, and upon the collision of Sword Qi, he staggered, his blood boiling.

He was even more astonished in his heart.

Li Qian's Sword Qi was so fierce and robust, certainly no weaker than his.

Instantly, he moved, quickly retreating outside the bell tower.

"Junior Brother Li, I just wanted to test your prowess, no offense intended."

He bowed his hands in salute.

"What goes around comes around. Senior Brother Yan, please take this move from me."

Li Qian smiled faintly.

Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed the sword hanging on the wall which shook and sheathed itself swiftly.

Accompanied by the sound of a sword's cry, a radiant sword light burst forth, shooting straight outside the bell tower like a flood dragon.

Yan Song's face drastically changed, and he suddenly reached for his waist, drawing a soft sword which vibrated, wrapping around the rushing sword light like a python.

But as the two swords collided, Yan Song shook, the Inner Qi in his soft sword instantly collapsing.

The next moment, his soft sword flew from his hand.

Simultaneously, a cold light swept across his throat.

Yan Song felt a coldness through his body, the threat of death filling his heart, making his body stiffen and immobilized.

After a while, seeing that Li Qian made no move, he slowly reached for his throat.

It felt moist.

Looking down at his hand, he saw blood.

Thankfully, it was only a skin cut.

Yet, he felt the relief of narrowly escaping death.

Li Qian's sword had been, moments ago, perilously close to killing him.

The opponent had clearly shown mercy.

"Junior Brother Li's swordsmanship is far beyond my reach."

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

Yan Song said bitterly, then dejectedly turned and walked away.

His defeat was utterly humiliating.

He had been an Official Disciple for eighteen years, and had been fortunate enough to enter the Sword Tomb once recently, gaining a lot from understanding the sword intent of predecessors and believed his swordsmanship had greatly improved.

Yet Li Qian's single stroke had completely crushed his internal pride.

A newcomer who had just entered the sect over three years ago, and been an Official Disciple for less than a year, and had never even entered the Sword Tomb, had defeated him in swordsmanship.

....