Chapter 1050: Chapter 727: Ghost Bell_3
Now connecting all these dots, Yang Xiao understood that after learning he had been captured, Tong Han quickly took control of the drum from the City God Master. This was the confidence she spoke of to withstand Qu Muzhi.
Tong Han’s rapid advancement in combat power was not the work of the Ru Lin Academy, but rather the result of this dangerous yet powerful magic artifact.
"Ah——"
Standing under the night sky, Yang Xiao sighed softly and tightened his lips. Since ancient times, money debt is easy to repay, but emotional debt is hard to bear. He disliked owing favors, especially to women.
Two hours later, a newly dressed Yang Xiao appeared outside the Peace Hotel. Daoist Qingfeng came to usher him inside. After some time apart, they indulged in a brief conversation.
Yet all necessary formalities were observed, and once again, Yang Xiao’s eyes were covered as he was led to the peculiar room where his master uncle resided.
Yang Xiao had no complaints about this treatment. Navigating the martial arts world requires vigilance. It’s wise to harbor a protective mindset. His master uncle had survived with so many blood debts thanks to extraordinary skills and necessary prudence.
Upon meeting his master uncle again, Yang Xiao greeted him first, and then briefly recounted his experiences on the mission. He respectfully handed over the Ghost Bell, which he had previously removed from the Drama Robe, placing it on the large copper plate held by Senior Brother Mingyue, who then offered the plate to the master uncle.
To this day, Yang Xiao had never glimpsed his master uncle’s true appearance, which made him understandably curious about the figure behind the curtain.
"Have you used this item?" came the master’s deep, hoarse voice, echoing through the space like a bell.
"Reporting to master uncle, I have not yet used it," replied Yang Xiao, bowing his head in respect.
"Mingyue, spar with him. Remember, maintain a calm demeanor, and do not harbor the intent to kill," instructed the master uncle.
"Yes, disciple obeys," came the reply.
The rugged-looking Senior Brother Mingyue saluted the master uncle, then turned to face Yang Xiao, raising his hand as he seized the standing killing rod beside him.
This killing rod was pitch black, as thick as a bowl, and with Senior Brother Mingyue’s robust physique, merely standing there, he exuded a strong sense of deterrence.
"Junior Brother, please."
Yang Xiao had witnessed last time the rod’s strange abilities impacting reality. Now, as its powers activated, the darkness behind Senior Brother Mingyue seemed like an inkblot that couldn’t be dissolved, standing a tall shadow amidst it.
Seeing this, Yang Xiao held nothing back, directly bringing out the Ghost Bell. He could strike unrestrainedly as Senior Brother Mingyue’s strength was immense, ranking among the top among Ghost-level Apostles that Yang Xiao had come across. In comparison, the Pingxi Marquis and the Yuyuan Sect’s Xiu Gate Master were no match. Due to his strong spiritual power, it was difficult to harm him.
Another crucial factor was the presence of his master uncle overseeing the battle. Even if mistakes occurred, his master uncle’s Soul Suppressing Bell could swiftly clear the field. Yang Xiao had personally experienced its might.
"Senior Brother Mingyue, I’m going to strike now."
After informing him, Yang Xiao concentrated, injecting his spiritual power into the Ghost Bell gradually and cautiously.
As this was a spar, he aimed to test the bell’s capabilities rather than harm Senior Brother Mingyue.
With the continuous infusion of spiritual power, suddenly, an uncanny bell sound resonated around Yang Xiao’s ears, echoing in the space.
The bell tolled near and far, intermittently, with no discernible direction, evoking a fear in Yang Xiao as if he was returning to a midnights’ hospital building.
Meanwhile, not far in front of him, Senior Brother Mingyue, who was sparring with him, frowned.
Suddenly, Yang Xiao noticed the evil Qi around Senior Brother Mingyue dissipating like being blown by the wind. Simultaneously, the space affected by the killing rod shook violently.
"There’s hope!"
Seeing this, Yang Xiao’s eyes lit up. No longer holding back, he channeled his spiritual power into the Ghost Bell in an all-out manner. In just a few breaths, the bizarre darkness behind Senior Brother Mingyue vanished entirely. Even the killing rod in his hand lost its fiendish aura.
Senior Brother Mingyue’s spiritual power attached to the killing rod had disappeared, or rather, it was blocked!
Yang Xiao had experienced a similar situation during the rescue of Tong Han when struck by the seal Qu Muzhi had thrown, sealing his Soul-Capturing Mirror.
His eyes brightened involuntarily, never expecting the Ghost Bell’s ability was to seal magic artifacts.
"Stop, let’s try again," suddenly came the voice from behind the heavy curtain, seemingly realizing something.
Retracting his spiritual power from the Ghost Bell, Yang Xiao, almost instantly, saw the killing rod in Senior Brother Mingyue’s hand exude terrorizing evil Qi once more.
But when Yang Xiao attempted to repeat his trick, he found the Ghost Bell unresponsive, unrelated to spiritual power. He felt his spiritual energy was still sufficient, yet unable to infuse it into the bell.
The object was no longer effective.
Cold sweat dotted Yang Xiao’s forehead; could it be his usage method was flawed, ruining this treasure?
"No problem." The master uncle slowly spoke, then turned to Daoist Qingfeng observing the spar, "Qingfeng, what do you think?"
Daoist Qingfeng pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Junior Brother Yang Xiao’s bell can seal magic artifacts. Once activated, the ghost in Senior Brother Mingyue’s killing rod was trapped and drawn into the bell ghost’s world."
"But this is only temporary and depends on the difference in spiritual power between the two. Given the large disparity between Junior Brother Yang Xiao and Senior Brother Mingyue, I think it can at most suppress for several minutes, which is the limit."
"Moreover, this bell cannot be restarted in a short time. In a combat situation, it can probably only be used once."
"And?" The elder behind the curtain asked after a moment.
"Reporting to master, I lack keen insight and have only noticed these few points," Daoist Qingfeng replied respectfully, bowing towards the silhouette behind the curtain.
The elder’s aged voice carried a hint of regret, "Qingfeng, you did listen correctly on all points but missed the most crucial aspect. This bell isn’t targeted at any specific magic artifact; its suppressive ability has an element of chance."
"If Mingyue used two or three artifacts simultaneously, what gets suppressed might not necessarily be the killing rod."
"Regarding the choice, I believe Yang Xiao wouldn’t be able to decide."
"Additionally, this artifact depletes the user’s spiritual power, but the opponent’s spiritual power remains undiminished. Mingyue’s ghost is only temporarily detained. Once it returns, it can immediately re-engage in battle."
"For opponents weaker than oneself, there’s no need to use this item. Against significantly stronger adversaries, it might be worth a gamble."
"With luck, sealing an opponent’s powerful artifact could provide a lifeline, potentially reversing defeat into victory. However, if a useless item is sealed, not only would considerable spiritual power be wasted, but there might not even be a chance for retreat."
"Cannot be used in favorable conditions, inconvenient in disadvantageous conditions, suitable only in desperate situations to gamble for a slim chance of survival."
"The bell is rare but not mighty; it’s a gimmicky tool, use cautiously."
This definition was given by the elder, who once dominated the martial arts world.
