Sacrificial Artifact System: From Bell-ringer to the Ancestral Patriarch of the Sect-Chapter 166 - 137: Riding the Eagle (Request for monthly ticket)

Chapter 166: Chapter 137: Riding the Eagle (Request for monthly ticket)

Outside Mang Niu County, atop a hill several miles away, over a dozen figures were watching from a distance.

Leading them was Xiao Wendao from the Divine Sword Sect.

It was already midday, and the sun was blazing hot.

Yet, the entirety of Mang Niu County was enveloped in a mysterious white fog, from within which one could faintly hear eerie wolf howls that sent shivers down the spine.

Faced with such a bizarre scene, Xiao Wendao had no intention of directly entering to explore.

The extensive fog reminded him of the Demon Relics from over two years ago, where poison and fog also pervaded, bearing a striking resemblance to this place.

He suspected that the entire county might be within a Great Array; otherwise, even the intense sun could not dispel the fog.

Outside the county area, the surrounding regions were completely free from the fog’s cover.

As for the condition of the people inside the county, that was unknown.

It was presumed they hadn’t all perished, but their situation was likely not much better.

Several days later.

Guiyi Peak Master Hou Shuwen arrived with the Martial Arts Army.

"Elder, this place obviously has an array set up too. Should we call out the old ancestor?"

Hou Shuwen transmitted this message secretly.

"No, it’s inappropriate to always disturb the old ancestor for such matters..."

Xiao Wendao responded with a secret message, believing the last excavation of relics was a private affair for the Divine Sword Sect, but this demonic trace was a public matter.

Wouldn’t the old ancestor’s identity be exposed should they appear?

Moreover, he worried that frequently calling upon the elder might become bothersome, potentially leading them to disregard the Divine Sword Sect’s affairs in the future, regretting it deeply.

Unless absolutely necessary, they should not call upon the elder.

"But this Mang Niu County fog is definitely influenced by an array; our array masters probably won’t be effective."

Hou Shuwen stated.

"Then let’s wait for the people from Prince Qi’s residence; they should bring an array master with them."

Xiao Wendao shook his head.

The last excavation of Demon Relics had incurred significant losses; this time, careful consideration was essential.

Thus far, they hadn’t seen any demonic creatures, and nobody knew exactly what was going on inside Mang Niu County.

At that moment, several array masters from the Divine Sword Sect approached.

They had just been near Mang Niu County to inspect the situation.

"Xiao Heavenly Person, this array feels somewhat similar to the one in the Demon Relics... Unfortunately, our proficiency in arrays is too poor to break it... However, Daoist Li from Chen Bell Platform is far more advanced in array expertise than us, and he seems to have researched this specific array system. Perhaps he could unravel some of its aspects."

The elderly Array Master Wang spoke.

"Is Li Qian really that proficient in arrays?"

Xiao Wendao expressed his surprise.

"Indeed, he is far more advanced than us..."

Array Master Wang nodded.

These past few years, frequent discussions on arrays had greatly benefitted them.

If it weren’t for the severely incomplete Taishan Formation Record, they would probably have mastered basic array skills by now.

"Elder, then let Li Qian give it a try."

Hou Shuwen suggested.

"No..."

Xiao Wendao shook his head, "The risks here are too great. If anything unexpected occurs, neither you nor I might be able to protect him, better wait for the people from Prince Qi’s residence."

Setting aside Li Qian’s relationship with the elder.

Even without that connection, Li Qian had considerable talent in both arrays and martial arts and had boundless prospects. He definitely could not let Li Qian take such a great risk.

Hou Shuwen thought it over and agreed. Judging by previous demonic traces, exterminating them often required a grave toll.

Moreover, the appearance of this demonic trace alongside an array likely indicated this instance was much more severe than past occurrences.

...

Chen Bell Platform.

Dong dong...

The clear and melodious sound of the bell resonated.

Bathed in the bell sounds, Li Qian felt his Qi and blood boiling, and the True Qi in his Heavenly Celestial True Pill stirring within.

Immediately, he drew his eighteenth sword and began to practice.

After one round of practice, Li Qian felt refreshed, experiencing a thoroughly exhilarating feeling.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he checked the latest information on his system panel.

Heavenly Human Realm (Middle Stage 42/100).

Chen Bell (Magic 8496/10000).

Great River Sword Qi (Second Layer 22/100).

Heartless Sword Intent (Heavenly Phenomenon 13/100).

Qi Blood Holy Realm (11/100).

Lion Camel Ridge Array Solution (Expertise 97/100).

...

After three years of cultivation, there was indeed progress.

But the advancement was still somewhat slow.

Regrettably, the higher the cultivation realm, the slower the cultivation process becomes. Each small increment required a tremendous amount of time.

Indeed, his cultivation speed was already fast.

Many martial artists in the Heavenly Human Realm might remain stuck in the early or middle stages for a lifetime.

For him to steadily improve was already quite fortunate.

"Lion Camel Ridge Array Solution has already reached a ninety-seven-point progress, maybe it will soon achieve minor completion."

Li Qian silently thought.

During these three years, his study of the Lion Camel Ridge Array Solution had never ceased.

Especially since he often visited Array Valley, interacting with other array masters, and studying the five Solid Array Piles and attempting their arrangement... his expertise advanced rapidly.

With that, he jumped down from the bell tower and fed a Feeding Pill to the increasingly larger Xiao Hei.

Then he mounted Xiao Hei’s back.

Now, Xiao Hei’s body was capable of supporting a person in flight.

However, the duration couldn’t be too long.

His significant investment in Xiao Hei wasn’t just so he could openly fly through the air?

Chirp!

Xiao Hei cried out and took to the skies.

Though flying required effort.

It was still fairly stable.

Li Qian stood on Xiao Hei’s back, utterly still, as if rooted.

Because they were carrying a person, Xiao Hei flew at a low height, gliding down the mountain.