Mission

Watching Yan Song leave, Li Gan's eyes held a trace of coldness.

This Yan Song was truly insidious—as an Official Disciple, he actually dared to launch a sneak attack.

Fortunately, his own strength was not weak, or the consequences would have been hard to predict.

Although the other party did not dare to truly kill, injuring him was a certainty.

It was precisely for this reason that Li Gan's sword only grazed the surface of the other's throat, not delivering a fatal blow, as a warning.

He only wanted to cultivate in peace, unwilling to get entangled in trouble.

With merely the Postnatal Realm Seventh Layer cultivation, he was still far from being able to protect himself within the Divine Sword Sect.

Even with a master, he did not want to cause him trouble.

In the blink of an eye, another half month had passed.

Song Yingying came up the mountain once more, mentioning that she had been reassigned to the Hundred Herb Garden with a better job.

Li Gan told her to focus on her work and cultivation.

Song Yingying also understood that the favor her grandfather had left behind was now spent.

Li Gan's cultivation life returned to calm once again.

Chenzhong Terrace was very quiet.

Almost no one came by.

Only Chen Yong occasionally visited, bringing news about the Menial Disciples.

Time flew like an arrow.

It was now deep winter.

The vegetation on the mountain was withered, and the cold wind was biting.

Li Gan, still in thin clothes, rang the bell and then began practicing the Heartless Sword Art again.

After a long while, he finished his practice.

He summoned the System Interface and checked it.

Host: Li Gan.

Cultivation Base: Postnatal Realm (Eighth Layer 43/100).

Sacrificial Tool: Chenzhong (Dharma 168/10000).

Martial Arts: Sword Piercing Fist (Perfection), Heartless Sword Art (Great Accomplishment 99/100).

His cultivation had now stepped into the Eighth Layer of Postnatal Realm.

As for the Heartless Sword Art, it had also reached ninety-nine points of progress in Great Accomplishment.

In fact, he had already reached this level several days ago.

But that last point of progress simply could not break through.

It was as if it had gotten stuck.

This was exactly the same as the Sword Piercing Fist before.

The Sword Piercing Fist had taken a full several months before finally breaking its limit and reaching Perfection.

But he estimated that the Heartless Sword Art would require even more time.

So, he was not in a hurry.

At dusk.

Li Gan arrived in front of the wooden house.

"Disciple, how long has it been since you became an Official Disciple?"

Zhou Buping said.

"Master, one year and one month."

Li Gan replied.

"According to Inner Sect regulations, it's time for you to start taking on the duties of an Official Disciple."

Zhou Buping nodded and said.

Li Gan had looked into the Inner Sect's rules—after becoming an Official Disciple, there was generally a one-year transition period, after which corresponding tasks would be assigned, usually once a year.

After all, the Inner Sect did not distribute cultivation resources to Official Disciples for free.

Moreover, after completing tasks, the Inner Sect would issue Contribution Points based on the task's rank.

The Contribution Points earned by Official Disciples for completing tasks were far higher than what Menial Disciples got for their work.

"Please instruct me, Master."

Li Gan quickly said.

"Go to the Inner Sect's Mission Hall tomorrow and pick one. Normally, tasks in the first three years are relatively simple and low-risk."

Zhou Buping spoke.

"Yes."

Li Gan quickly said, "Master, I'm going to do the task. If the Chen Bell isn't struck, what then?"

"It's fine for the Chen Bell to stop for a few days. Of course, you'd best find a Menial Disciple to strike the bell for you."

Zhou Buping waved his hand.

For a Menial Disciple, the Chen Bell not being struck would naturally be a serious incident, but since Li Gan was an Official Disciple, it didn't matter.

The Chen Bell's purpose was merely to mark the time.

Then, Zhou Buping tossed a book to Li Gan.

"This True Explanation of Heartless Sword Art was written by a deceased Senior. It should help you somewhat in comprehending the Secret Technique."

Li Gan took it and carefully flipped through it.

Although he had already trained the Heartless Sword Art to 99% Great Accomplishment, he had not comprehended the Secret Technique.

According to his master, the Heartless Sword Art usually required first comprehending the Secret Technique, and then through the Secret Technique, comprehending the Heartless Sword Intent.

Li Gan suspected that the reason he couldn't reach Great Accomplishment in the Heartless Sword Art might be because he hadn't comprehended the Secret Technique.

"Thank you, Master."

Li Gan quickly said.

"Don't rush. Comprehending the Secret Technique isn't that easy."

Zhou Buping said.

He didn't know Li Gan's current Cultivation Base or sword art progress, nor had he asked.

Moreover, after the Chen Bell had advanced to a Dharma Tool, it possessed the effect of concealing one's own Cultivation Base aura and spiritual sword momentum, so Zhou Buping couldn't see through it either.

Returning to the Bell Tower, Li Gan took out the book and flipped through it by the oil lamp.

After reading it, Li Gan shook his head. What the book said basically didn't suit him.

As long as one comprehended the Heartless Sword Art to Great Accomplishment, one could basically comprehend the Secret Technique. Logically, he should have already done so.

But the problem was that he hadn't.

He suspected it was related to the fact that he cultivated through the Bell Sound, rather than truly relying on his own comprehension.

The next day.

After striking the Chen Bell, Li Gan went down the mountain to the Inner Sect.

Since his master said it was fine for the Chen Bell to stop for a few days.

Then let it stop.

As for finding another Menial Disciple to strike the bell for him, forget it.

After all, a Menial Disciple striking the bell wouldn't increase the progress count of the Sacrificial Tool Chen Bell.

Only he, the Sacrificial Master, striking the bell was effective.

This was Li Gan's first time entering the Inner Sect.

Unlike the remote corners where the Chore Hall was located.

The Inner Sect had Seven Main Peaks, along with many other peaks, and a vast number of magnificent buildings spread out in an orderly layout, fully displaying the aura of a major sect.

Mission Hall.

A rather impressive complex of buildings. Compared to it, the Chore Hall was like a small thatched hut.

Moreover, the personnel structure of the Mission Hall included not only Menial Disciples doing the grunt work but also Official Disciples holding positions.

Li Gan swept his gaze over the many tasks hanging on the task wall.

They were divided into Inner Sect tasks and External tasks.

Inner Sect tasks naturally included things like serving in the Mission Hall. These Inner Sect tasks had a time cycle, often starting at a month and lasting up to a quarter.

Not only was the time long, but the Contribution Points were few.

The advantage was safety.

These kinds of Inner Sect tasks were usually snatched up the moment they appeared.

So, on this task wall, there were basically only External tasks left.

Things like bandit suppression missions, hunting Sea Bandits, Wanted Criminals on the Black List, Guard Missions, Escort Missions, Spirit Herb Gathering, Mine Supervision—all sorts, basically all carrying some risk.

The higher the Contribution Points, the greater the risk.

Li Gan had only one requirement for a task: a short time cycle.

After all, every extra day he spent outside meant a few fewer days striking the Chen Bell, and the progress of the Chen Bell's refinement would be delayed by that many days.

"Escort Mission, time cycle approximately ten days, recommended Cultivation Base Fifth Layer of Postnatal Realm or above, Contribution Points 300."

Li Gan's gaze landed on one task.

So he walked over to the task registration window beside it.

Soon, the staff handed him a temporary task token and a task booklet.

The temporary task token meant he had accepted the task and could serve as proof of doing the task.

The booklet contained the detailed content of the task.