Ten Directions Sword Master

Seven days later, Lu Li observed the Tide Sound Returning Wave Sword and, with the founder's annotations, finally read it through once.

The founder of the Chaoyin Sword Hall, Kuai, truly had extraordinary insights into swordsmanship. His entire sword technique focused on the concept of "returning waves," setting it apart from common sword techniques that imitate the flow of waves.

In his later years, he attempted to take it a step further, condensing the Returning Wave Sword Body and breaking through to the Gengjin Realm.

Unfortunately, the attack failed, and he died on the spot; otherwise, the Chaoyin Sword Hall could have been even more prosperous for many more years.

Aside from occasionally watching the disciples of the sword hall practice their swordplay and debating moves, and pondering the essence of swordsmanship himself, Lu Li almost never left his study.

Kuai Ling seems to be busy with something; I haven't seen him these past few days.

In the open space in front of the study, Lu Li slowly practiced swordplay. This set of Tide Echoes Swordplay was not standard, but it incorporated a unique rhythm, rising and falling with the waves.

He used it three times in a row, and with a turn of the sword, water vapor rose and heat waves hit his face.

"A warm breeze arrives, crickets perch on the walls, eagles begin to pounce... It's not Lesser Fullness (Xiaoman) after all, but Lesser Heat (Xiaoshu)!"

Lu Li sheathed his sword and stood firm, carefully experiencing the subtle changes of this "Minor Heat" technique.

The clouds and steam rise, the sword is hidden in the mist, and it thrusts out from the void; it is an extremely concealed sword move.

It is an exception among the six swords of Xiabu, which are full of sharpness. It is less domineering and more unpredictable.

"Xiaoman" was the solar term he had devoted a lot of effort to understanding, and he was just one step away from mastering it. However, with the help of the Tide Sound Returning to the Waves Sword Scripture, he jumped to "Xiaoshu".

The Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique is like that; even with Lu Li's astonishing talent in it, he couldn't figure out which move to practice next.

More often than not, we should follow the changes of the four seasons and work on whichever solar term comes first.

In any case, it's a good start.

After learning two moves of the Xiabu Sword Technique, he refined them into the wisp of blazing energy in his dantian, and sure enough, there was a reaction. He progressed to the point where he could master it in just three months.

"There are so many sword techniques, we can't just randomly learn them... Time is precious, let's pick the one that will best hone the Xia tribe's sword techniques first..."

Lu Li pondered for a moment, then returned to his study and picked up a scroll.

The Xuan Turtle Mountain-Suppressing Sword Technique: Immovable as a mountain, guarding the center while concealing its killing intent.

A heavy sword has no edge; it serves as both defense and offense, as heavy as a mountain and as steadfast as the sea.

If it doesn't align with the intent of swordsmanship, discard it.

Thunderclap Sword Technique: It harnesses the fury of thunder and moves with the speed of lightning.

The sword strikes with the force of a thunderclap, swift and explosive, each strike accompanied by a thunderous resonance capable of shattering protective qi.

"Interesting, the ultimate fast sword has been enhanced with the essence of thunder... However, it is better suited for comparing with the Spring Sword Technique, as the remaining moves of the Summer Sword Technique are less useful."

Lu Li reluctantly put down the scroll of sword techniques; under normal circumstances, it would have captivated him completely.

……

After trying five or six different volumes, I finally found a swordplay manual that suited my taste.

The Great Wilderness Burning World Chronicles: Refine your heart with fire and burn away all obstacles.

It's more like a cultivation technique for tempering the mind and spirit, emphasizing burning the spirit and soul, undergoing tribulations in the heart fire, and strengthening spiritual power.

But in the world of the floating islands, no matter what kind of martial arts it is, it will eventually be related to swordsmanship.

The sword energy was as hot as molten lava, and its power was overwhelming, capable of damaging the opponent's soul.

It involves the spiritual level, and is clearly a martial art at the level of refining the spirit.

"Good stuff! Even disregarding the swordsmanship part, the first half, which focuses on tempering the mind, is worth studying."

Lu Li was overjoyed. As expected of the Floating Island where a sword immortal lived, such a technique would surely be a closely guarded secret among all families in the Great Chu.

Even direct disciples must undergo rigorous tests before being granted the title.

Tempering one's mind and spirit in advance greatly reduces the difficulty of attempting the Spirit Refinement stage.

In comparison, the sword techniques that followed were rather unremarkable.

He only read the first half, and his heart was filled with rage. His soul felt as if it had been thrown into a vat of boiling oil, and he experienced excruciating pain.

His skin was sizzling and steaming, his facial features were contorted, and he was in so much pain that he bit his teeth until they bled, but he was completely unaware of it.

Only the sword intent within his heart, refined to an ever-purifying degree, seemed poised to burst forth from his body.

With this help, the wisp of blazing heat within his dantian also became active, growing several inches larger.

It ruthlessly swept away all other internal forces, allowing them to flourish.

After holding on for three full hours, Lu Li's body went limp, and he collapsed, swaying precariously.

He was completely exhausted and lay motionless until nightfall when he finally got up.

"Wow, so domineering, so overwhelming. Anyone else would probably have their internal organs burned out by the inner fire and become a cripple..."

Lu Li let out a long breath and came back to life.

Every part of his body, inside and outside his dantian, was completely empty, without a single drop of internal energy.

With each breath, internal energy begins to emerge and grow, accompanied by a wisp of scorching heat that clings to the bone like a maggot, impossible to shake off.

He reached out and touched it; all the hair on his body burned away, leaving his head completely bald, just like a Buddhist monk.

"If the Great Wilderness Burning World Record doesn't work well, we'll suffer a huge loss this time."

Already starving, Lu Li ate the food brought to him by the servants outside the study, washed his hands, and began to examine himself.

The lingering heat of the inner fire caused the internal energy cultivated from the White Dew Frost Technique to carry a hint of heat that lingered for a long time.

A soreness between his brows, a deep-seated weakness emanating from his bones, made him realize that the Great Wilderness Burning World Record could not be practiced continuously, otherwise it would harm his body.

It is still unknown how much it will enhance the Xiabu Sword Technique, but several acupoints have become loose.

Give him the illusion that with just a little effort, he can achieve enlightenment and build a solid foundation.

He certainly wouldn't try it recklessly. The burning sensation in his dantian hadn't been resolved yet, and if he really believed in this feeling, he would only suffer a crushing defeat.

After meditating for a while, Lu Li took out a box, inside which lay two sword pellets.

This item comes from the Taibai Sword Sect and can temporarily enhance one's swordsmanship comprehension.

The sword pellets played a significant role in enabling the Taibai disciples to cultivate so quickly and master various sword techniques within a few years.

It's not uncommon within the Sword Sect; it's distributed per person and can't be used indefinitely.

For Taibai disciples, their luck is not yet ripe, their blessings are shallow, and even extraordinary comprehension is useless.

Once outside, sword pellets become rare; for example, the Chaoyin Sword Hall only issues one to its top-ranking guest elders each year.

The extra one was obtained by Lu Li in exchange for giving up other monetary benefits.

"Can it be understood as Bodhicitta (the aspiration for enlightenment) specifically for the way of the sword?"

Lu Li pinched the sword pellet; its surface was mottled and gleamed with rust.

He gently infused a stream of internal energy, which circled around and then returned as a pure sword intent, devoid of sorrow, joy, fear, or worry.

Only the most steadfast and unyielding sword intent can cut through all the fog ahead.

Suddenly, the view ahead opened up, and the remaining parts of the Six Swords of Xiabu were clearly visible.

"The sun shines brightly in the sky, a sword pierces the daylight... We only need to wait for dawn to see the truth!"

Lu Li muttered to himself, having seen far too much.

Many details that were overlooked when viewing the Seventy-Two Seasonal Phenomena before have now come to the fore and are readily available.

They were even too busy to keep up with everything they grasped in an instant.

"No rush, no rush... The sword pellet can last for three days, there's no need to rush."

Silent all night.

The following day, Lu Li began practicing his swordplay at dawn, starting with the basic sword techniques he had learned in his youth, progressing to the lightning-fast sword technique collected by the Lu family of Pengcheng, and finally to the sage-cultivating sword technique from Bailu Academy.

He then traveled to various parts of the world, recording the sword techniques he learned.

In the end, he even mastered the newly acquired Tide Echo Sword and the Great Wilderness Burning World Record with remarkable skill.

Sweating profusely, but showing no signs of fatigue, he instead became even more energetic.

Finally, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique arrived. First, the Autumn Six Swords were used, their chilling aura emanating from them, their sharpness concealed and their edge withdrawn.

It also implies a somber and heavy atmosphere, and a decisive and ruthless nature.

Then, using the Summer Sword Technique, "Minor Heat" connects to "Major Heat," and amidst the sweltering heat, the volcano falls silent, its momentum reaching its peak.

Facing the blazing midday sun, he swung his sword, pouring all his inner strength into it.

Sword light pierced the sky, the blazing sun shone brightly, and there were two suns in the sky.