Chapter 7 (1/2)
Chapter 7: The Bell That Ends All
The mighty [Qing-Yun Sect]. It has nearly two thousand acres of fields with tens and tens of thousands of Daotongs who were recruited for the sole sake of maintaining it. As payment, each of these Daotongs were given the initials chapters of [Qing-Yun Sect’s Qi Formation]. Albeit extremely rare, each year they would find a Daotong or two who was gifted enough to learn Qi fluctuation and transcend into the world of cultivation.
To the rest of the Daotongs, these individuals were considered to be geniues favored by the G.o.ds.
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“My dear brothers, I’m off! Let’s drink again when I come back for a visit”
Early in the morning, Fang-Xing had already packed his cloth-bundle and said his goodbye to the Daotongs he had lived with in the past months.
All five of them: w.a.n.g, Freckle-Boy, Ghost-Face, Mousy and Bowlegs, all stood quietly as they stared in admiration in front of Fang-Xing’s wood cabin. To them, it was beyond their wildest imagination that the boy standing in front of them would soon become an Outer Sect Disciple.
At first, they didn’t pay attention to Fang Xing’s diligence as it was a common sight for newcomers. The newcomers believed themselves to be favored by G.o.ds, but, with time, they would eventually accept their Zi’Zhi and give up on the fantasies of becoming a Spirit Cultivator.
So it was no surprise that no one expected Fang-Xing to have already achieved Tier One until he announced it the night before he rang the bell to become an Outer Sect Disciple.
“Laoda, I knew you were different from the likes of us. When you do become an Outer Sect Disciple, please don’t forget us, your brothers,” w.a.n.g said sincerely as he fought the urge to not cry. Freckle-Boy, on the other hand, had already bursted into tears.
“Stop being a crybaby! Your Laoda, me, is not dying. I’m just getting a promotion. You dumba.s.ses remember what I told you last night about the weeds.
I worked hard on figuring this out so you all better keep it a secret. As long as you ALL DO as I said, I’ll gladly be your Laoda again when you all join me in the Outer Sect!”
“It’s… it’s kind of bizarre. The method you told us. But don’t worry! We’ll do it,” one of them spoke.
Fang-Xing smiled. ‘Whether you guys believe it or not, it’s up to you guys.’
“Anyways, my brothers, I’ll be going now. See you all later!” Waving his hand, Fang-Xing turned his back to the [Herb Field] and walked towards the mountain peak.
“Best wishes to you, Laoda Fang-Xing!”
As soon as Fang-Xing’s silhouette disappeared into the distance, the five Daotongs straightened up their backs, wiped off their tears, and sighed almost in unison:
‘The monster is FINALLY gone!”
“I haven’t had a good night sleep in the past months’
‘Thank the lord! Our lives can be finally normal again”
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Unaware of what the Daotongs were thinking behind his back, Fang-Xing arrived at the border of the mountain peak. This place was special even for the [Qing-Yun Sect] as one could truly appreciate its beauty and sheer vastness. The mystical fogs cascaded the mountain slope, but with a gentle blow of wind, the fogs would disappear and beautiful temples could be seen.
At the foot of the mountain, there were rows and rows stone stairs leading up to a quaint pavilion. Inside it was a large bronze bell, a timeless treasure of the [Qing-Yun Sect]. As Fang-Xing approached the top of the pavilion, he saw a plaque:
[Samsara Bell]
At the time of chime
A life ends but starts anew
Fly high and afar
‘I wonder if this is it?’ Thinking to himself, Fang-Xing gently stroked the bronze bell, “This must be the bell that I have to ring to become an Outer Sect Disciple.”
As soon as Fang-Xing confirmed that he was in the right place, he gave the bell a slight push.
Nothing.
Confused, Fang-Xing activated the [Book of Revelation] and concentrated on the bell.
‘Samsara Bell. Low Grade Magic Tool. Cannot be rung with ordinary wood. Must be sounded with Qi. The sound of its bell will be heard over three miles…”
“I see how it is…. Hmph! [Qing-Yun Sect] and immortal life, here I come!
And Xiao Jianmin, you better watch out. The tenth band of [Guiyan Valley] is finally here.”
Fang-Xing, taking a deep breath, circulated his Qi into his [Dantian] and released all of it towards the Samsara Bell.