Sacrificial Artifact System: From Bell-ringer to the Ancestral Patriarch of the Sect novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - 18 Heartless Sword Technique

"Disciple, your ability to master the Sword Stabbing Fist to perfection demonstrates an exceptional comprehension in the ways of the Sword Dao. As your master, I have a Cultivation Technique here called the Heartless Sword Technique, which integrates Internal Cultivation Methods with Martial Arts Sword Skill. It is perfectly suited as your subsequent Cultivation Technique after becoming an Official Disciple. This Heartless Sword Technique is in no way inferior to the main cultivation techniques of the Seven Peaks; its distinctive feature lies in valuing comprehension over Root Bone.... For those with slightly poor comprehension, even entry is difficult."

The elder Zhou Buping entered the wooden cabin and took out a thin secret manual to give to Li Qian.

The cover of the secret manual was yellowed, clearly showing its age.

He gently opened the cover.

The essence of the Heartless Sword Technique lies in imbuing the sword with emotion.

The content that followed was obscure and hard to understand, profound and mystical, full of various terminologies; Li Qian was completely baffled.

Seeing Li Qian's confused expression, Zhou Buping immediately said, "Take it back with you, ponder over it well, and if there's anything you don't understand, come back here and ask me."

"Yes, Master."

Li Qian quickly nodded in response.

Then, he left the valley and returned to the Chen Bell.

No one would have imagined that with such a trip, he had already become an Official Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect, even taken as a disciple.

After returning to the Chen Bell and finishing his daily bell-ringing duties, Li Qian did not practice the Sword Stabbing Fist but instead studied the Heartless Sword Technique.

With the Internal Cultivation Methods, there was no longer a need to practice the Sword Stabbing Fist.

Even if he perfected the Sword Stabbing Fist, it would not change the fact that it was a basic fist technique.

After a long while, Li Qian was full of emotion, realizing that practicing the Heartless Sword Technique was one thing, but just understanding it was difficult.

In the end, having no other option, he could only practice the Sword Stabbing Fist a few times to ease his mood.

When the evening came, after striking the bell for the last time, Li Qian went down the mountain and directly headed for the valley.

"You're here."

Zhou Buping was still lounging in front of the wooden door.

As he spoke, he tossed a brand-new wooden card to Li Qian.

"This is the Official Disciple Identity Card your master has obtained for you, which also functions as a Contribution Card. If you have any contribution points... go to the Internal Affairs Hall in the inner gate to transfer them," Zhou Buping said.

Holding the wooden card, it was not exactly the same as the one from the street vendor in the black market, but there were no significant differences.

"How much of the Heartless Sword Technique have you understood?" Zhou Buping asked further.

"Master, your disciple... could only understand about ten to twenty percent," Li Qian replied, appearing ashamed.

"That's normal. You started as a servant disciple and have never practiced Internal Cultivation Methods, so you don't understand many terminologies and secret codes within them," Zhou Buping was not surprised.

Then, he began to explain the specialized knowledge of Internal Cultivation Methods to Li Qian.

This is the advantage of having a master.

One could receive direct, hands-on instruction.

If Li Qian were to figure it out on his own, not to mention the time and effort, it could also lead to erroneous practice.

The cultivation of Inner Strength is not as straightforward as simply practicing a fist technique... A slight mistake can lead to loss of control over Inner Qi, even resulting in deviating from the correct path.

With Zhou Buping's explanations, Li Qian gained a deep understanding of the Heartless Sword Technique.

When leaving, Zhou Buping tossed him a cloth bag.

Inside were a Direct Disciple's monthly allocations, a Qi Blood Pill, a Spirit-Nourishing Elixir, and a pound of Exotic Beast Meat Jerky.

Besides, Zhou Buping also gave Li Qian a precious sword.

"Whether it's the Qi Blood Pill or the Spirit-Nourishing Elixir, it's best to take one every two days, alternating between them, and only take more when breaking through," Zhou Buping advised.

The treatment for an Official Disciple is vastly different from that for a Direct Disciple with a master.

What they receive is the Qi Blood Pill, which is not comparable in effect to the Qi Blood Elixir.

Not to mention the Spirit-Nourishing Elixir that restores spirit, which Official Disciples do not have.

As for Exotic Beast Meat Jerky, Official Disciples only receive two ounces a month.

Most of the two bottles of elixirs and a pound of Exotic Beast Meat Jerky were likely supplemented by the master.

This is what Official Disciples do not have.

"Thank you, Master."

Li Qian quickly expressed his gratitude.

....

After returning to the bell tower, Li Qian began preparing to get started with the Heartless Sword Technique.