Ten Directions Sword Master

Chapter 100: Master Yu Makes a Breakthrough

The dishes at Baihualou are excellent and worth their high prices.

However, nine out of ten times, Fatty Luo paid for the meal.

The prestige of the eldest grandson of the Luo family of Yuzhang is beyond doubt.

After Yu Tian's defeat, he did not linger. After a quick bandage, the group immediately left Bailu Academy.

Their heads, which had been held high when they arrived, now hung limply, as if covered in frost.

For the disciples of Bailu Academy, this battle allowed many to witness firsthand the gap between themselves and the top experts on the Human Ranking.

Just because Lu Li is by my side doesn't give me the unrealistic fantasy that if I put in the effort, I can also break into the top of the rankings.

Furthermore, Lu Li's ranking of twenty-fourth on the Human Ranking was not a fluke, but rather a testament to his genuine strength.

Two days later, perhaps due to the outcome of this battle, good news came from the Luo family.

The Luo clan chief nodded, agreeing to exchange the cicada's song for two low-grade treasure weapons.

The Raging Waves Blade counts as one item; the other needs to be delivered to Guangyutang within ten years.

If the time limit is exceeded, the cicada's song must be returned to the Luo family, and the Raging Wave Blade will be used as payment for the ten-year rental fee.

Lu Li agreed to these conditions without hesitation.

For me ten years from now, low-grade treasure weapons shouldn't be anything rare.

It's clear that the Luo family, having failed in their marriage alliance, is trying a different approach to solidify their relationship and deepen their connections.

As the Raging Wave Blade was sent out, the cicada's cry circled back into its own hand.

When fighting, this sword is still more handy.

"What a fine sword!"

Lu Li held the cicada's song in his hand and carefully appreciated it from beginning to end.

Previously, we only borrowed swords; now that we truly possess them, our perspective is naturally different.

"The Nebula Compass will activate again in less than a month. I'll try to advance to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage before then—"

The nourishment gained from the battle with Yu Tian has perfected the sword intent within my heart; any further growth would transform it into sword energy, bursting forth from my body.

His experience at the Tian Shu Hall in the Qingcheng World further enriched his internal energy, bringing him to the limit of the early Foundation Establishment stage.

With the addition of the Songyan Heqi Pill given to him by Dean Jiang Ge, the chances of breaking through to the next realm are practically guaranteed.

Even gaining a little strength before entering the Compass World is a good thing; whether or not the mission can be completed might depend on just that one small difference in the end.

"Junior Brother Lu, Dean Yu is looking for you."

A disciple stood guard outside the sword hall, not daring to enter. Only after he finished practicing his swordplay did he reveal his purpose.

Two consecutive victories made the academy disciples realize that a true prodigy had emerged among their peers, rather than a self-deceiving title within the academy.

Lu Li is only twenty-one years old, and he still has three years to strive for a higher position on the Human Ranking.

He doesn't even need to make any breakthroughs. As long as his cultivation level increases steadily, he will be a strong contender for the top ten on the Human Ranking by the time he reaches the late Foundation Establishment stage in the final year.

If no new prodigy emerges out of nowhere, there might even be a chance to glimpse an even higher ranking.

Flipping through the top ten of the annual lists, one can find a series of dazzling names.

The young monk Hengjing was previously ranked first on the list, but he only held the position for three months. Leaving aside his reputation, the one who truly dominated the list before him was the mute Taoist priest of Baiyun Temple.

It is said that he was born with a disability and could not speak. He was taken in and raised by a Taoist priest from Baiyun Temple.

The disciple, who was not highly regarded in the temple, showed extraordinary comprehension in martial arts training, surpassing many other young disciples recommended by temples and monasteries.

Changchun Gong, a martial art known for its long-lasting potential and profound simplicity, often puts one at a disadvantage in early-stage combat.

In the hands of the mute Taoist, however, his inexhaustible and ever-flowing internal energy swept away his peers of young masters.

He left Baiyun Temple at the age of 22, entered the top ten in the first battle, entered the top three in the second battle, and reached the top in the third battle.

The level of shock was far more exaggerated than Lu Li's story today.

However, with the prestigious Baiyun Temple as a shield, the doubts are much smaller.

After reaching the top, he remained steadfast for the next two years, with no one able to challenge his position.

Some even advanced to the Refining Spirit stage before the age of twenty-four, achieving a state of unity with the heavens and man.

He set a record in nearly a century, becoming the first person to be removed from the list of human beings due to advancing to the level of Refining Spirit rather than exceeding the age limit.

At only twenty-seven years old, he has already reached the mid-stage of the Spirit Refinement realm.

He is universally recognized as the most promising Dharma Body Master of Baiyun Temple after Master Xujing.

In many people's minds, his chances of condensing a Dharma body are even higher than those who have reached the pinnacle of spiritual refinement or are at the half-step Dharma body stage.

Going back further, there are few peerless geniuses like the Mute Taoist who dominate an entire generation, but there are many familiar names who have become top-ranked figures on the Earth Ranking.

"Dean Yu is looking for me? Didn't you say you were in seclusion and hadn't received any visitors?"

Lu Li thought the disciple looked familiar; it was this same person who had delivered the message last time.

However, the two attitudes were completely different.

Last time, there was a sense of distance; I was just doing my job of relaying messages.

This time, it was a mixture of closeness and fear.

"He just came out of seclusion this morning and immediately asked to see Junior Brother Lu. This shows how much Dean Yu values ​​Junior Brother."

"Okay, let me go back and change my clothes."

Lu Li nodded.

Having just finished sword practice, I was soaked in sweat. I couldn't face my teachers looking like this, but it wasn't anything urgent anyway.

Forestry School.

The same quiet and spacious hall remained, but perhaps it was just my imagination, the light inside seemed much brighter this time.

Yu Ziqi was in the same position, but he gave off a completely different feeling, like something new and growing vigorously.

"Congratulations, Master Yu, on your great progress in cultivation! May your martial arts flourish!"

Lu Li suddenly realized that he was not seriously injured at all; he had clearly gained some insights from the battle and had directly broken through his cultivation level upon his return.

"I wouldn't call it a major advancement, but I've caught up on the progress I missed over the past few years, and I'm finally at the late stage of the Spirit Refinement realm."

Yu Ziqi showed no joy or sorrow, as if this were a perfectly normal thing.

Considering his status as a direct descendant of Louguan and a grand-disciple of the Dan Ding Zhenren, this is indeed to be expected.

"However, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique has finally made some progress, pushing the Spring Sword Technique to perfection and comprehending the Azure Emperor's Willow Sweep."

He tapped his finger on the ground, and the hall, paved with bricks and stones and covered with mud and stones, stubbornly sprouted tender shoots at that moment.

With another flick of the wrist, the branch emerged, breaking through the bricks and stones, and began to climb up the walls and pillars.

In an instant, the main hall became lush and verdant, full of the spirit of spring.

"When you master the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique, your cultivation level will hinder your swordplay, and your swordplay skill will also become a constraint on your cultivation level. Only when both advance in tandem can all bottlenecks be overcome."

"This problem has troubled me for six years. It was only when I participated in the siege of Zhai Baishi and came to understand the principles of Rain Water and Spring Equinox that I finally understood this."

Lu Li's eyes lit up with surprise. The Spring Sword Technique was so magical. It was indeed worthy of being called the Spring Sword with Life, possessing infinite possibilities.

Of course, the main reason is that his own cultivation level is not high enough. Even if he comprehends the Autumn Sword Technique, he cannot be as good as Dean Yu Ziqi.

The seasons cycle, and there is no inherent superiority or inferiority among them.

It turns out that Master Yu has cultivated the Spring and Summer Sword Techniques, and with his current late-stage Refining Spirit cultivation, his true strength could probably leap to the middle of the Earth Ranking.

Lu Li compared Yuan Guanyu, the Divine Eagle of the Southeast, and arrived at this answer.

"Heh, I forgot you don't need to worry about that. You're the first person whose cultivation can't catch up to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms realm—after the Autumn Division, what other solar terms have you comprehended?"

Yu Ziqi's expression was strange, as if he had sensed a hint of bitterness in his voice.

"Reporting to Master Yu, it is the Xia Tribe Sword Technique."

Lu Li answered honestly.

"Your talent in this sword technique doesn't need anyone's guidance; just follow your heart's desire. I heard you defeated that kid from the Lushan Sword Alliance again; you do have a bit of the spirit of the Qinglian Hermit's sword-testing of the world back then."

Yu Ziqi smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly, and said.

"The Lushan Sword Alliance has been searching for a second Qinglian Hermit for decades, but the person who most resembles him is not in the alliance—hey, interesting."

"Yuan Guanyu originally promised me to withdraw the arrest warrant for you, but the plan failed and he was seriously injured. He hid in the capital and refused to see anyone. He will probably be on the blacklist for some time. There is another matter. In order to win over the people, the court may increase the requirements for the military examination next year. Both the official rank and the treasures will be upgraded by one level."

"If you're interested, you can start preparing now—the two temples, three monasteries, and the five great families won't be participating. If you prepare diligently, it's all in your pocket."

Lu Li frowned and said, "This disciple has no intention of risking his life for the Xiong family. What's the point of practicing martial arts if I lose my freedom and am driven by others?"

"They won't be so strict with truly promising geniuses. They still hope to cultivate a Dharma Body Grandmaster who is close to the royal family. And once you refine your spirit, you will understand that many cultivation resources cannot be provided by White Deer Academy."

Yu Ziqi was not angry and calmly analyzed the situation for him.

"You can completely separate the court and the royal family. Their interests are not aligned in many cases. The royal family is a super family with a deeper foundation and more resources than the five great families. Of course, the choice is up to you."

""

"I will leave Bailu Academy in a year at most—the academy will still need you to support it in the future."

Lu Li was shocked and asked, "Master Yu, are you leaving?"

"We've been away for too long; we should go back and check on things. Master's anger should have subsided by now—besides, if we don't return to Louguan, we don't know what to do next."

Yu Ziqi patted the bronze longsword, like a wanderer returning home, both hopeful and fearful.

"I am a latecomer to the martial arts world. Even if I were to master all four sword techniques one day, I would still have no chance of condensing the Yin-Yang Dharma Body of the Four Seasons. All my arrogance back then was in vain."

"You are different. You started with the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique. Follow the right path and let me see what the Yin-Yang Dharma Body of the Four Seasons, which only exists in imagination, is really like!"

"Back then, I owed Dean Jiang a favor. I joined the academy and learned the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique. I promised him that I would cultivate a Spirit Refining Seed who would also practice this sword technique before I left—I thought it would take many years, but your appearance allowed me to complete my mission ahead of schedule!"

Yu Ziqi smiled easily. The shackles on his shoulders were removed, and through this great battle, he understood his own heart. All the pent-up feelings in his heart were gone, and he decided to return to Louguan to face the past.

It was precisely because his entire being was in harmony with the true meaning of the Spring Sword Technique that he was able to master the Azure Emperor's Willow Flicking Technique so quickly.

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