Ten Directions Sword Master

Frost's Descent signifies a somber and desolate time.

Frosty blades are merciless; all things are shrouded in white.

The sword manual states that it is the most ruthless and decisive of the six swords of the Autumn Division, leaving no room for retreat; it is the ultimate technique for slaying evil.

Under the moonlight, Lu Li brandished his sword and danced, its cold light chilling the air.

Perhaps it was due to recent progress in the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique, or perhaps it was the pressure from being entangled by the Nine Netherworld Demonic Qi, but this sword dance was more exhilarating and even better than before.

Chi!

When his momentum reached its peak, he slashed down with his sword, shattering a millstone in front of the local temple into pieces.

At the same time, having something intangible in one's heart is also a sign of being struck by a sword.

A ghostly howl rang out, followed by wisps of black smoke that dissipated with the wind.

His body felt light, as if he had severed all ties with something and been freed from its influence.

He knew in his heart that the demonic energy that had been troubling him had disappeared.

The millstone shattered, the sound carrying far into the silent night, faintly accompanied by curses.

Lu Li didn't linger and was eager to go back and verify.

……

Facing the dawn, I practiced the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Techniques once, focusing on the Autumn Sword Style, trying to simplify it.

He returned to the room and practiced the White Dew and Autumn Frost Technique again, circulating his internal energy through a full cycle.

Lu Li's worries vanished, and he returned to normal, with no more annoying demonic shadows.

It even has advantages: internal energy becomes more refined, and swordsmanship becomes more proficient.

His cultivation at the late stage of Qi Induction has been completely consolidated.

As for the Autumn Sword Technique, I've already made some progress, and I should be able to truly master it in about two more months.

A few days' delay yielded double the reward.

"This misfortune turned into a blessing in disguise, but it cannot be regarded as the norm. If the demonic energy in the tomb were stronger or if the human and the demon had not left, it would be very dangerous... The root cause is that I have underestimated the Great Kang World and let my guard down. I must never have such a mentality again."

Lu Li reminded himself that every world the Nebula Compass had transported him to was extraordinary and could not be simply categorized.

Even if someone is only at the Innate Realm on the surface, they can still attract Foundation Establishment Realm beings.

The term "Nine Netherworlds" is obviously related to myths and legends.

If we really want to trace it back, none of the Foundation Establishment or Spirit Refinement techniques will work; it would probably take a Grandmaster of the True Person Realm to intervene.

After examining his mindset, Lu Li returned to a state of ease and comfort, and gained new insights while observing the lunar chart.

Autumn has not yet arrived; instead, the Beginning of Autumn has stirred up a sense of unease.

"Using stillness to control movement, turning the enemy's offensive... Interesting, it's actually a defensive sword move."

Since practicing the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique, Lu Li has never experienced simultaneously comprehending two sword moves.

The sword manual strictly forbids this, considering it a taboo in cultivation.

Even if you try to comprehend the solar terms in the wrong order, you might forget the previous move. Forcing progress could even damage your meridians.

Fellow practitioners observe the two solar terms without needing special instructions; no one will do it, and no one can do it.

But Lu Li was different; he could clearly distinguish between autumn and the end of summer, and he would never confuse them.

I can switch between them at any time, and there's no conflict with the solar terms.

"Having lived two lives has endowed me with this swordsmanship talent that I can be proud of, especially the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique, which seems to be a perfect match for me..."

As the summer heat gradually subsides, the inner fire naturally calms down.

When this technique is applied during the Autumnal Equinox, not only is there no gap in the body, but water cannot get in.

It can also calm the anger in one's heart, allow one to reflect on oneself, and prevent one's emotions from being stirred up by external means.

Just as Lu Li was pondering the sword moves for the Autumnal Equinox, a poor old Taoist priest came to Kang Le Fang. He had a whisk draped over his forearm and wore cloth shoes, untouched by dust.

I walked from one end of the street to the other, exactly thirty-six steps, and stopped in front of a courtyard.

"The renowned Bai Wuming lives here. He neither continues his previous practice of collecting ancient books and searching for divine weapons, nor does he associate with any forces. He even killed the envoy of this building... Could he really be a great hermit living in the city, a swordsman who is devoted to martial arts and practicing asceticism? That makes sense, otherwise how could he have such cultivation at such a young age?"

The poor, shabby old Taoist priest stepped forward and knocked on the door. He then spoke to the maid.

Tell your son that an old friend has come to visit.

"Please inform the Taoist priest of his esteemed name."

The old woman saw that the Taoist priest's robes were old and faded from washing, but he had a somewhat otherworldly and dignified air about him, so she dared not be negligent.

"Haha, no need for such trouble, this old Taoist has already seen Young Master Bai."

The poor, shabby old Taoist chuckled, stepped through the gate, and his figure inexplicably passed through the front hall, arriving at the central courtyard.

"Where did this wild Taoist priest come from, daring to cause trouble in my residence? Leave at once, or I'll report you to the authorities and have you arrested!"

Hearing the commotion, the maid in green ran over and pointed at her nose, cursing.

"They really are an ordinary family, with no secret plans or subordinates..."

The poor, pedantic old Taoist muttered to himself, flicked his whisk, and had the maid in green spin around a few times before retreating like a top.

An arm suddenly appeared and supported her back, preventing her from falling flat on her back.

"A dignified Innate Martial Saint, intending to attack a mere woman who knows no martial arts?"

Lu Li walked out of the study, waved for the servants to leave, and looked at the uninvited guest.

Their eyes clashed, their auras intertwined, and their fighting spirits rose and fell, resulting in a draw.

"Well done, well done, the ruthless swordsman Bai Wuming... Just a few years ago, when he first entered the martial world, he had only just entered the Innate Realm. How long has it been, and he's already at the late Innate Realm!"

The poor, pedantic old Taoist priest could not hide his astonishment. This was completely different from the information he had received in the previous building, and it was beyond his comprehension.

"Compared to Young Master Bai's cultivation speed, this old Daoist has wasted his life."

"Jia Buying, the Copper Coin Immortal, so you've also joined the Misty Rain Pavilion. Have you come here as a persuader or to kidnap me and take me back to report?"

Lu Li recognized the person's identity and said calmly.

In the Great Kang World, those born with innate abilities are called Martial Saints, and there are only a handful of people whose cultivation can hold their own against him.

With that outfit, she's too easy to spot.

Jia Buying was born in a dilapidated Taoist temple. His master only taught him a few second-rate martial arts skills, enough to ward off bandits and thieves.

Unexpectedly, when he was in his thirties, he saved a dying martial saint and obtained all of the man's internal energy and a scroll of martial arts techniques.

He was inexplicably drawn into the martial arts world, where he unleashed astonishing martial arts talent and grew into a top master within a few years.

Later, he wandered around the city's teahouses, observing the everyday life and human relationships, and created his own martial arts style.

He acts unconventionally, is both righteous and wicked, but his overall reputation is quite good.

Unexpectedly, such a person also secretly joined the Misty Rain Pavilion.

"Hey, if you were only at the initial stage of the Innate Realm, of course I would take you back... But our cultivation levels are similar, and this old Daoist doesn't want to have a death match with the ruthless swordsman who never leaves a survivor. How about this, we'll exchange three moves, and then this old Daoist will consider his mission accomplished and turn around and leave."

Jia Buying grinned, seemingly confirming his claim that he only wanted to get by with a few moves.

Lu Li naturally wouldn't believe it. When did a Martial Saint in the late stage of the Innate Realm become so worthless? Even if they joined the Misty Rain Pavilion, they would be highly regarded and would not be easily commanded.

This visit was either Tongbanxian's personal intention, or it was the words of a powerful figure he couldn't refuse.

In short, it won't end easily.

"Let's go somewhere else. This place is too small and not enough to satisfy our desires."

With a single move, Lu Li drew the Sun-Covering Sword hanging behind the door and headed straight for the city gate.

There's no need to worry about Tongbanxian not coming; Yanyu Tower's target is Bai Wuming, and targeting a few servants is unnecessary.

Whether it was because his killing made the prince feel he had lost face and needed to get revenge, or because Yanyu Tower believed Bai Wuming was a major obstacle to their future plans and needed to be eliminated first, ultimately, they would have to let their martial arts strength speak for itself.

"Before I draw my sword, I'd like to ask: what reward did the Misty Rain Pavilion offer that made the Taoist priest willingly run around like a lackey?"

Lu Li returned to the earth god temple where he had danced with his sword to slay the demon that night and asked curiously.

"Those who surpass the old Taoist master will naturally understand!"

For many years, no one had been so impolite to Jia Buying. His face darkened, and with a flick of his whisk, thousands of fine hairs swelled up, covering every possible space where he could hide.