Sacrificial Artifact System: From Bell-ringer to the Ancestral Patriarch of the Sect-Chapter 23 Task

Watching Yan Song leave, Li Qian's eyes held a glint of coldness.

This Yan Song truly is calculating; despite being an Official Disciple, he actually resorted to a sneak attack.

Fortunately, my own strength is not weak, otherwise the consequences would be unpredictable.

Even though he wouldn't dare to truly deal a killing blow, the intent to injure me was one hundred percent there.

It was for this reason that Li Qian's sword only nicked the surface of the opponent's throat, not really striking lethally, a warning to the other party.

He only wanted to cultivate in peace, unwilling to get caught up in trouble.

A mere Postnatal Seventh Layer of cultivation is not enough for self-protection within Divine Sword Sect.

Even with a Master, he did not want to cause him trouble.

In the blink of an eye, another half a month passed.

Song Yingying came up the mountain once again, mentioning that she had been assigned back to Hundred Herbs Garden for a relatively good job.

Li Qian told her to focus on her work and cultivation.

Song Yingying also knew that the bit of favor her grandfather had left was now fully expended.

Li Qian's cultivation life returned to its peaceful state once more.

Chen Bell Platform was very quiet.

Almost no one came here.

Only Chen Yong occasionally visited the mountain, bringing news related to servant disciples.

Time flew like a shuttle.

It was deep winter now.

The grass and trees on the mountain were desolate, the cold wind piercing.

Yet Li Qian still wore his thin clothes, practicing the Heartless Sword Technique after striking the bell.

After a long time, he finished his practice.

He summoned the system interface to take a look.

Host: Li Qian.

Cultivation: Postnatal (Eighth Layer 43/100).

Sacrificial Artifact: Chen Bell (Magic 168/10000).

Martial Arts: Sword Stabbing Fist (Perfect), Heartless Sword Technique (Great Success 99/100).

....

He had now stepped into the Postnatal Eighth Layer.

As for the Heartless Sword Technique, it had already reached 99 points of progress towards Great Success.

Actually, he had reached this level several days ago.

But that final point of progress... just couldn't break through.

It was like hitting a snag.

Just like the previous Sword Stabbing Fist.

Sword Stabbing Fist took several months, before finally breaking through the limit, achieving perfection.

But it's estimated... that the Heartless Sword Technique will take even longer.

So, he was not in a hurry.

....

As evening approached.

Li Qian came in front of the cabin.

"Disciple, how long has it been since you became an Official Disciple?"

Zhou Buping said.

"Master, one year and one month."

Li Qian replied.

"According to Inner Sect regulations, you should start undertaking the responsibilities that an Official Disciple should fulfill."

Zhou Buping nodded as he spoke.

Li Qian had learned about the Inner Sect's situation; after becoming an Official Disciple, there was generally a one-year transition period, and then corresponding tasks would be arranged, usually once a year.

After all, the Inner Sect didn't provide cultivation resources to Official Disciples for free.

Moreover, after completing a task, the Inner Sect would issue contribution points based on the task's level.

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The contribution points for tasks completed by Official Disciples were much higher than what servant disciples received for working.

"Please give your instructions, Master."

Li Qian promptly said.

"You go to the Inner Sect Task Hall tomorrow to receive one. Under normal circumstances, the tasks for the first three years are relatively simple and low-risk."

Zhou Buping said.

"Yes."

Li Qian quickly replied, "Master, I'm going to do a task, what should we do if no one strikes the Chen Bell?"

"The Chen Bell can stop ringing for a few days without any problems. Of course, it's best if you find a servant disciple to help you strike the bell."

Zhou Buping waved his hand dismissively.

For a servant disciple, not striking the Chen Bell is naturally a serious matter, but for Li Qian, an Official Disciple, it is of little consequence.

The purpose of the Chen Bell is merely to mark the passage of time.

Then, Zhou Buping threw a book to Li Qian.

"This true explanation of the Heartless Sword Technique was authored by a predecessor who has passed away... It should help you to comprehend the Secret Skill."

Li Qian took it over and examined it carefully.

Although he had practiced the Heartless Sword Technique to 99% of Great Success, he had not yet comprehended the Secret Skill.

According to his master, the Heartless Sword Technique is usually comprehended through the Secret Skill first, and then through the Secret Skill, one comprehends the Heartless Sword Intent.

Li Qian suspected that the reason he couldn't achieve Perfect mastery of the Heartless Sword Technique might be because he hadn't comprehended the Secret Skill.

"Thank you, Master."

Li Qian hastily expressed his gratitude.

"Don't rush it; comprehending the Secret Skill is not that easy," Zhou Buping advised.

He was unaware of Li Qian's current state of cultivation and progress in swordsmanship and hadn't inquired.

Moreover, after the Chen Bell was promoted to a Magic Artifact, it gained the effect of concealing one's cultivation aura and mental Sword Intent, so Zhou Buping couldn't discern it either.

After returning to the Bell Platform, Li Qian took out the book and began reading by the light of an oil lamp.

After reading, Li Qian shook his head, as the book's teachings were largely unsuitable for him.

As long as one comprehends the Heartless Sword Technique to Great Success, they should essentially be able to grasp the Secret Skill... By logic, he should have already done so.

But he hadn't.

He suspected... it had to do with the fact that he cultivated through the sound of the bell rather than relying on his own comprehension.

The next day.

After striking the Chen Bell, Li Qian went down to the Inner Sect.

Since the master said it was okay for the Chen Bell to stop for a few days.

Then let it stop.

As for finding another servant disciple to strike the bell for him, he decided against it.

After all, even if a servant disciple strikes the bell, it wouldn't add to the progress of cultivating the Sacrificial Artifact Chen Bell.

Only when he, the Sacrificial Master, struck the bell was it effective.

This was Li Qian's first time entering the Inner Sect.

Different from the remote corners where the Chores Hall was located.

The Inner Sect had seven main peaks and many smaller hills, with numerous majestic buildings scattered around in an orderly manner, displaying the prestige of a great sect.

Task Hall.

A quite imposing complex of buildings, the Chores Hall, in comparison, looked like a small thatched hut.

Moreover, the Task Hall's workforce included not only the servant disciples doing the lower-level work but also Official Disciples on duty.

Li Qian glanced at the many tasks hanging on the task wall.

Divided into Inner Sect tasks and external assignments.

Inner Sect tasks... naturally, were the likes of being stationed at the Task Hall, which has a time cycle ranging from at least a month up to a quarter.

Aside from the long duration, the contribution points were few.

But the advantage was safety.

These kinds of Inner Sect tasks were often snatched up the moment they became available.

So, the task wall was mainly left with external assignments.

There were all sorts of tasks like bandit suppression, chasing notorious outlaws, blacklist fugitives, escort missions, bodyguard duties, collecting Spiritual Medicine, managing mines... Each with its own degree of risk.

The higher the contribution points, the greater the risk.

Li Qian had only one requirement for the tasks: a short time cycle.

After all, every additional day he spent outside equated to fewer days striking the Chen Bell, which would delay the cultivation progress of the Chen Bell by the same number of days.

"Escort task, the time cycle is approximately ten days, recommended cultivation: Fifth Layer of the postnatal stage and above, contribution points: 300."

Li Qian's gaze landed on a certain task.

He then walked over to the task registration window.

Very quickly, the staff handed him a temporary Task Token and a booklet with task details.

The temporary Task Token represented that he had taken on the task and could serve as proof for performing the task.

The booklet contained detailed information about the task.

.....