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

When he opened the parchment, it turned out to be a very detailed map, much more elaborate than what Elder Song had left on the hourglass, marked with various annotations.

Wrapped in the parchment, there was also a note.

Upon opening it, it was Elder Song's handwriting.

"Li Qian, since you have found this item, it means you have solved the puzzle... Congratulations, a great opportunity awaits you, but... this opportunity contains great danger, you must wait until you become a Ninth Grade Martial Artist before you follow this map..."

In the letter, Elder Song mentioned the origin of this parchment map, which was said to be left by a powerful Innate Martial Artist many years ago. Before his death, he hid all his cultivation techniques and treasures in a hidden location, and finally depicted the treasure location on this parchment map.

"Innate Martial Artist?"

Li Qian's eyes revealed a trace of surprise.

Elder Song had once described to him about the realms in martial arts.

Innate Martial Artists are much stronger than Ninth Grade Martial Artists.

The so-called Ninth Grade Martial Artists...are merely at an acquired level.

Only those above Acquired Ninth Grade are qualified to step into the Innate Realm.

As a powerful martial arts sect that intimidates three states and twelve counties, the Divine Sword Sect naturally has Innate Martial Artists.

"I once found the treasure location, unfortunately, with insufficient cultivation, I had no power to enter... This has always been my regret. Apart from myself, a few others know about the existence of this treasure map... You must be very careful and cautious, and not let any word out, otherwise, it will bring big trouble."

Li Qian's expression became solemn.

A treasure map left by a powerful Innate Martial Artist, one could only imagine the immense value it contained. If it got out, even the elders who are True Inheritors in the Divine Sword Sect might covet it.

"Could Elder Song's death be related to this treasure map?"

A thought struck Li Qian.

Thinking of this, he carefully looked at the information on the treasure map, forcing himself to memorize it.

His memory was originally quite good.

After being reborn in this world, it seemed to have been enhanced, almost capable of photographic memory.

If possible, he thought destroying this treasure map would be the safest.

In his view, although the opportunity of the treasure map was precious... it also came with huge risks.

He had the Sacrificial Artifact System, as long as he kept a low profile and quietly cultivated... there would definitely be a time for his rise.

There was no need to take risks.

"So, I better not leave the Divine Sword Sect."

Li Qian made a decision.

He suddenly understood a bit why Elder Song had stayed in the Divine Sword Sect for his entire life and dared not reveal the fact that he had relatives, probably also knowing the dangers brought by the treasure map.

Only within the Divine Sword Sect was it the safest.

After a long time, Li Qian silently memorized the contents of the treasure map, closed his eyes and recalled, sketched it again, and after comparing it to the treasure map with no omissions, he did not hesitate to take out a small knife and scraped off the map lines on the treasure map one by one.

There was no content left on the entire parchment.

Even so, he still used the knife to cut it open, destroyed the box as well, and finally buried it in a pit and tamped it down tightly.

To leave no trace, he also sprinkled some dry leaves, grass clippings, and gravel for camouflage.

After returning to the bell tower, Li Qian, as if nothing had happened, regularly practiced bell striking for cultivation.

Thus, half a year passed.

Although he had come down the mountain a few times... he had never seen Song Yingying again.

But Song Yingying should be quite well in the Hundred Herbs Garden.

Besides... he couldn't help her much.

During this half-year, he was somewhat worried that Elder Song's death might bring some trouble, but there had been no movements, except for that Chen Yong, no one had come up the mountain.

In the afternoon.

After practicing ringing the bell.

Li Qian suddenly had a thought and summoned the system interface to check the latest information.

Host: Li Qian.

Cultivation: Foundation Establishment (Inner Strength).

Sacrificial Artifact: Chen Bell (Treasure 312/1000).

Martial Arts: Sword Stabbing Fist (Great Success).

....

Now the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, the Yang Wei Meridian, Yin Wei Meridian, Yang Qiao Meridian, Yin Qiao Meridian, and Belt Meridian have been opened, and the sixth meridian, the Thrusting Vessel, has been half opened as well. It is estimated that in ten days to half a month, it will be fully opened.

The genuinely difficult meridians to open are the governor and conception vessels.

These are also the key meridians for transformation from Inner Strength to Inner Qi.

It is said that eight or nine out of ten servant disciples are stuck on opening the governor and conception vessels.

From Inner Breath to Inner Strength, there is also the transformation method.

But from Inner Strength to Inner Qi... the Qi Cultivation Technique required can only be found in true Internal Cultivation Methods.

Li Qian has the Chen Bell to assist in his cultivation, so opening the governor and conception vessels should not be too challenging.

Li Qian came down from the bell tower, preparing to make dinner when he suddenly heard a noise outside. He went out and saw a person walking towards the bell tower.

It was an old man with a black beard, wearing a grey robe, walking briskly.

Li Qian had never seen him before.

His sudden arrival at the bell tower made Li Qian grow cautious.

"I don't know what brings this senior to the bell tower?"

Li Qian took the initiative to ask.

"Young man, this old man has come to visit Old Song, where is he?"

The black-bearded elder stroked his beard, smiling as he spoke.

"Senior, Elder Song left more than half a year ago and has not returned since. Didn't you know?"

Li Qian said with a surprised expression.

"Left? Has it been that long?"

The black-bearded elder was quite surprised, "Hasn't he sent any messages back? Or did he tell you when he would return before he left?"

"No, before Elder Song left, he only told me that if he didn't return, I would have to go to the Chores Hall to receive my monthly provisions and contribution points. Other than that... he didn't instruct me on anything else."

Li Qian shook his head.

The black-bearded elder observed Li Qian, seemingly trying to discern if Li Qian was lying.

Even though the elder's gaze was oppressive, Li Qian calmly dealt with it to avoid giving away any vulnerabilities.

Thankfully, he has lived two lives and is not merely a naive youngster.

"I see."

The black-bearded elder did not notice anything unusual, thinking that Song Shijie, that old fellow, wouldn't truly trust a servant disciple who had only entered the bell tower several months ago.

He showed a smile, took out a bottle of pills, and threw it to Li Qian, "This Qi Blood Pill is a little gift from this old man."

Li Qian caught the bottle, overwhelmed, "Senior, I cannot accept a reward without merit..."

"Alright, just take it. If that Elder Song returns, or if he sends any message, tell me immediately at the Chores Hall... I am the manager of the Chores Hall, last name Zhao..."

The black-bearded elder waved his hand and then turned away.

Li Qian looked at the bottle in his hand, realizing it was meant to buy him off.

Qi Blood Pill?

This was the first time Li Qian had received an elixir. Until now, he had only eaten medicinally enhanced meals or a few slices of Exotic Beast Meat Jerky.

He only knew about elixirs because Elder Song had mentioned them, saying that those Official Disciples in cultivation would have specific elixirs provided for them.

......