---
The Bell That Shields the Mortal Against Immortals
The candle flickered in the quiet of Ye Ling's abode, its dim flame barely warding off the chill of the spring night. After practicing the first two moves of the Nine Heaven Slashing Sword, his muscles ached with suppressed sword intent, and his meridians pulsed from the residual force. Though he was still at the Foundation Establishment realm, the Heaven Peak Tier sword technique demanded precision and resilience far beyond what ordinary cultivators could bear.
> "One offensive technique isn't enough," Ye Ling muttered, his voice low and thoughtful.
In his past life, he had stood among the highest peaks of the Immortal Realms. He had fought against those ancient beings—creatures who had cultivated for millions of years, some since the birth of stars, who wielded divine abilities that could shatter continents and life-saving techniques that let them survive even after their heads were severed.
He remembered how one old ancestor had once unleashed three divine abilities and seventeen different spiritual treasures within the span of a breath. Another opponent had resurrected three times after seeming to die, all thanks to self-created reincarnation techniques that borrowed the essence of samsara itself.
In that world, strength alone was not enough. Preparation was everything.
> "They have their own divine techniques, immortal scriptures, self-created Dao arts… while I have to start from nothing," he thought bitterly, then smirked. "No… not nothing. I have the system."
Yet, even with the 10,000-fold Sign-In System, he couldn't afford to be arrogant. If he were to survive against such monsters, he needed not only offense—but also impenetrable defense.
> "A blade can kill," he thought, "but without armor, even the sharpest blade is useless against a thousand arrows."
And so, once again, he slipped through the shadowed paths of the Ye Clan, moving like a ghost through the night. None noticed him, for the Great Dao Concealment Technique veiled his presence from even the most sensitive spiritual senses.
His destination?
The Ye Clan Scripture Pavilion—again.
---
Inside the Pavilion
Though he had been here just days ago, the place seemed more familiar now. The musty scent of ancient scrolls, the silent aura of forgotten wisdom—it all stirred something in him. Reverence, perhaps. Or nostalgia.
He stepped to the center once more.
> Ding!
[Sign-In Available: Ye Clan Scripture Pavilion (2nd Sign-In)]
Would you like to sign in? [Y/N]
> "Yes," Ye Ling replied without hesitation.
> [Sign-In successful.]
Reward: Golden Bell Technique (Earth Rank)
Would you like to enhance by 10,000-fold? [Y/N]
His eyes glinted.
> "Enhance."
> [Enhancement complete.]
You have received: Holy Golden Bell Technique (Heaven Peak Tier)
Description: A supreme defensive technique that channels spiritual energy into an ancient golden bell construct. When cultivated to perfection, the bell resonates with the Dao of Protection. Even Immortal-ranked cultivators cannot shatter it unless they surpass your cultivation by multiple large realms.
Ye Ling's pupils narrowed.
This wasn't just defense—it was absolute survival.
He sat down instantly, channeling the newly obtained scripture. Lines of runes poured into his mind like divine fire, branding themselves into his soul. He entered a meditative state, and within moments, he felt the spiritual essence in his dantian begin to shift.
The Holy Golden Bell Technique functioned by circulating one's spiritual energy through a unique meridian pattern, condensing it into the form of a massive, radiant bell. Unlike ordinary defensive techniques, this was not a passive barrier—it was a sacred construct, forged through constant refinement and comprehension of defensive Dao.
He visualized it, and in the spiritual sea of his consciousness, a golden bell began to form. Majestic and ancient, it rang with a silent chime that shook even his soul.
> Tonnnng—
The bell was still ethereal now, barely strong enough to block a mortal strike. But in time…
> "When perfected, it's said that even Immortals cannot break it," Ye Ling whispered. "This… this is the defense I need."
---
The Cultivation Path Ahead
He slowly opened his eyes, golden light flickering in his pupils. A faint shimmer of bell-shaped energy glowed around his form for a moment before vanishing.
> "Offense. Defense. Concealment. Soul protection…"
Ye Ling mentally listed what he had obtained so far.
Nine Heaven Slashing Sword — A peak-tier offensive sword art with potential to slay even the heavens.
Holy Golden Bell — A defensive bastion that could one day block Immortal blows.
Immortal Dao Compassion Technique — A spiritual technique that veiled his reincarnated soul from heaven's will.
Great Dao Concealment Technique — An art that concealed his realm and presence from cultivators stronger than him.
Step by step, he was laying the foundation.
> "I may have fallen once. But this time, I will be prepared."
And with the system by his side, the path of heaven could not bind him.
He would rise.
Quietly, like mist on a mountain.
And when the heavens looked again—they would already be too late.
---
End of Chapter 8
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