Li Qian transmigrated from Earth to a world of martial arts supremacy. He became an Odd-Job Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect after barely passing the assessment due to average talent. He bribed a deacon of the Odd-Job Hall for a favorable assignment, yet he was sent to the Time Bell Pavilion, a post devoid of perks and prospects. The Time Bell was an ordinary bell tower on a high mountaintop, where a giant bell was struck each hour from Mao to You to announce the time across the sect. There, Li Qian met Old Song, an elderly bell ringer who had served for sixty-four years without a single mistake. Old Song taught Li Qian to read the hourglasses and celestial signs, and to strike the bell at the exact moment the sand ran out.On Li Qian’s first bell ringing at the Mao Hour, he struck the bell precisely when the last grain of sand fell. At that moment, the Sacrificial Instrument System activated and bound itself to the Time Bell. The system displayed a transparent interface: Host Li Qian, Cultivation Level None, Sacrificial Instrument Time Bell (Mortal 1/100), Martial Arts None. The three characteristics were clear: as long as the Time Bell was not broken, the sacrificial master would live forever; ringing the bell once each day refined the protective Dao Bell; the bell sound granted enlightenment, cleansed the body, and cultivated Qi. Li Qian was overjoyed. This Time Bell became his treasure, and he resolved to guard the post with his life.From that day forward, Li Qian adhered strictly to the bell ringing schedule. He rose at the fifth quarter of the Yin Hour, around 4:10 AM, and went to bed at the Xu Hour. He rang the bell once at Mao, twice at Chen, three times at Si, until seven times at You, never missing a toll. After each bell, he practiced the Sword-Piercing Fist, the basic internal fist technique of the sect, which could eventually lead to becoming a ranked martial artist. Old Song supervised at first, but soon trusted Li Qian and spent more time drinking wine and sharing stories.The system’s effects became evident immediately. Each day’s first bell strike refined the Time Bell, and the sound of the bell granted Li Qian quick comprehension of martial arts and a tingling warmth that strengthened his body and aided Qi cultivation. His progress accelerated beyond normal odd-job disciples. After just one month, during a practice session beside the Time Bell, he sensed Qi—a sudden heat in his abdomen below the navel. He stabilized the Qi seed on the first try, something rare among beginners. Old Song noted his surprisingly good talent and expressed regret that he had not become a formal disciple.The system interface now showed: Host Li Qian, Cultivation Level Foundation Building (Qi Sensation), Sacrificial Instrument Time Bell (Mortal 49/100), Martial Art Sword-Piercing Fist (Mastery). Li Qian felt the Qi sensation growing stronger each day, poised to transform into Internal Breath, which would allow him to circulate Qi through his body and enhance his physique. The next stages were Internal Strength and then Internal Qi, which would finally make him a true martial artist capable of releasing attacks beyond physical limits.Li Qian formed a close bond with Old Song. Old Song had been a bell ringer since age thirteen, staying at the Divine Sword Sect because he had no family elsewhere. He often warned Li Qian not to be unrealistic about martial arts, emphasizing that for odd-job disciples, sensing Qi and eventually cultivating Internal Qi was the highest possible achievement. He also taught Li Qian that the key to bell ringing was absolute punctuality and management of sleep. Li Qian took these lessons to heart.The daily routine included medicinal cuisine meals with blood and Qi powder and dried meat from specially fed livestock, providing nourishment for cultivation. Monthly, Li Qian received a stipend of ten taels of silver and one contribution point, which he saved for future exchanges. He barely left the Time Bell Pavilion, devoting every spare moment to practice.On the forty-ninth day of refinement, Li Qian stood on the bell tower after ringing the Si bell. The connection between him and the Time Bell had grown strong enough that he could sense it even from below the tower. He knew that in fifty-one more days, the Time Bell would upgrade from mortal grade, strengthening further and making his immortality more secure. His ultimate goal was to continue refining the bell, advance through the stages of martial cultivation, and eventually become a powerful martial artist who could live forever as long as the Time Bell stood. For now, he was content with his disciplined life, preparing for the next milestone—the formation of Internal Breath.
