Ten Directions Sword Master

Seeing the young man sheath his sword and approach, Lin Min'er slightly curtsied: "Young man, are you my father's friend? I wonder where he went; he wasn't at the counter when I came in."

At the same time, one should take a closer look. Apart from his eyes, the young man's facial features are quite ordinary, but when put together, they possess an indescribable charm.

"Mr. Bai works at the bookstore. Is Mr. Lin not there? He's probably playing chess nearby. His customers are all regulars, so no one would default on their payment."

Lu Li cupped his hands in greeting. The woman vaguely resembled Old Man Lin, with beautiful features and a charming appearance.

"helper?"

Lin Min'er exclaimed in surprise, wondering when her own bookstore could afford such a helper.

Although I only saw one sword move demonstration, the harmonious beauty of it surpassed that of all the disciples of Chaoyin Sword Hall.

She judged swordsmanship by only one standard: whether it looked good and whether it had aesthetic appeal.

Kuai Ling practiced swordsmanship like the rhythm of the ocean tide, ever-flowing and never-ending. Watching him was like standing on the shore, listening to the waves.

He was better looking than his elder brother and surpassed all his disciples.

Therefore, Kuai Ling is the strongest in the Chaoyin Sword Hall.

Even his father, who was already old, was no longer able to fight effectively when his cultivation level was similar.

Lin Min'er compared the two in her mind and concluded that this person's swordsmanship was comparable to her husband's, each with its own merits.

Although it is not as magnificent and imposing as the Tide Echoes Sword, it gives people a more natural and harmonious feeling.

Such a person could easily find a job at a sword shop in a big city; why would he end up doing odd jobs at a bookstore?

Thinking of this, Lin Min'er became wary, wondering if the other party was plotting something.

Although his elderly father lived a hard life and the family had no surplus wealth.

"Brother Bai came to work for me more than a year ago, but he didn't stay for long, so you didn't run into him."

A thin old man carrying a chessboard walked into the backyard and said.

Old Man Lin shoved the chessboard into Lu Li's hands, gestured with his chin, and then looked at his daughter: "What brings you back today? How's my son-in-law's injury? Should I prescribe a remedy? You can get him a couple of doses of the medicine, and I guarantee it'll cure him!"

"Father, your medical skills are only good for treating fever and headache. Ling Lang is a sword cultivator at the Azure Jade Realm. My father-in-law has invited a famous doctor from the city. I believe he will recover soon."

Lin Min'er frowned. Her father had no talent for martial arts and couldn't endure hardship. He had spent his whole life immersed in books and had only ever worked as a minor clerk in the city.

He was devastated by his wife's death and returned to his hometown with his daughter, spending his days with books and compiling many prescriptions from ancient texts.

It's unclear whether it was because of his constant saying, "If I can't be a good prime minister, I'll be a good doctor," or because he still couldn't let go of the pain of helplessly watching his wife pass away.

"It's good that you're alright. If you have time, introduce me to Brother Bai's son-in-law... It's a waste for him to be stuck in a bookstore with his talents."

Old Man Lin believed Lu Li's explanation that every time he disappeared, it was to go out to sea to fight and seek opportunities.

It was also from the bottom of my heart that I wanted to find him a stable way out.

"I wonder if Young Master Bai has a master? And what is his current cultivation level?"

Lin Min'er was already annoyed and had no time to deal with this matter, so she was just about to give a perfunctory answer.

But thinking of the gentle young man's performance in sword practice, I asked a question as if possessed.

"I haven't had the honor of becoming a disciple of any master on the Floating Island yet, so I've been practicing haphazardly on my own... I've just reached the ninth level of the Crimson Copper Realm, and I'm far from being as good as Young Master Kuai."

Lu Li had studied the realm divisions of the Floating Island World, which, from lowest to highest, were the Crimson Copper Realm, Azure Jade Realm, Geng Metal Realm, and Starfall Realm.

Using the names of sword-refining materials as realm names is also a unique feature of this place.

Each realm has nine levels. The Crimson Copper Realm encompasses the stages from Body Tempering to Qi Induction, the Azure Jade Realm covers the stages from Foundation Establishment to Spirit Refinement, and the Metal Realm corresponds to the Grandmaster Realm of True Person.

As for the highest realm, the Starfall Realm, the book is vague on the details.

He guessed that they were the strongest sword immortals, whose cultivation level was comparable to that of gods and demons.

"At your age, it's already quite rare to reach the peak of the Crimson Copper realm. In just a few years, you'll have the opportunity to break through to the Azure Jade realm and become the master of that pavilion."

Lin Min'er had only a superficial understanding of the differences in sword cultivation levels, and was even more unaware of the procedures for opening a sword academy. She offered some flattering words and, thinking of the impending demonic calamity, began recruiting people for the Chaoyin Sword Academy.

"If you have time, feel free to come to Chaoyin Sword Hall... Linglang loves to discuss swordsmanship with others, and he will be overjoyed to see a rising star like you."

"Alright, I'll have to trouble Madam Kuai again then."

Lu Li smiled slightly and thanked him sincerely.

……

Of the thousands of sword schools on the floating island, half of their sword techniques are inextricably linked to the sea.

After all, due to the geographical advantage, he spent many years observing the sea and listening to the tides, learning from nature, and his swordsmanship was inevitably related to water.

Kuai Ling's deceased grandfather had studied under a sect in his youth. He later distinguished himself in slaying demons and was granted the opportunity to study in the Central Holy Land.

After another seven years at sea, he finally mastered the Tide Echo Sword and founded the Sword Hall.

I've heard that he has the cultivation of the ninth level of the Azure Jade Realm, making him one of the strongest individuals in the surrounding cities.

The younger generation is slightly less capable, but they are still able to carry on the family business and maintain the reputation of the sword-fighting school.

A few days later, Lu Li managed to extract more information about the Chaoyin Sword Hall from Old Man Lin during a casual conversation before setting off to visit it.

"The Azure Jade Ninth Heaven is equivalent to the Perfection of the Divine Refinement Realm. In the real world, you would be a very important person, and even the Five Great Families would treat you as an honored guest... Yet on the Floating Island, you can only open one sword shop."

Lu Li was deeply moved; the difference in strength between the two worlds was obvious.

It's not that the real world was weak; in the Middle Ages and even earlier, the real world was even more glorious.

Immortals and gods have appeared in the world, and powerful beings have emerged one after another. Every person who has left their mark is a strongman that is unimaginable to people today.

Overnight, a sudden break appeared in the real world.

All those renowned immortals and powerful beings have vanished, their lineages have ceased to exist, and the passes have become impassable.

Such a situation does not exist in the Floating Island world. The Taibai Sword Sect seems to have existed since ancient times, standing in the center of the island from the very first day of written records.

"Gentlemen, my name is Bai Wuming. I have come to pay my respects to Young Master Kuai. Please announce my arrival."

Chaoyin Sword Hall is the largest building in town, and the entire street belongs to its family. Lu Li had seen it from afar long ago.

He stepped forward, bowed to the two disciples guarding the gate, and explained his purpose.

Yesterday, Lin Min'er came to the bookstore again, specifically mentioning that Kuai Ling was free today and she wanted to meet him.

"Looking for the young master? Wait here."

One of them was tall and glanced at it before turning and entering the sword hall.

After waiting for a full incense stick's time, the disciple finally appeared, said "Follow me," and walked inside without looking back.

"The young master will come to see you once he is finished with his work."

The tall disciple led him into the courtyard, left after saying those words, and no one paid him any more attention.

Lu Li frowned; this was not the scene he had expected.

Kuai Ling's initiative in extending the invitation demonstrates that Chaoyin Sword Hall has a strong desire to attract new talent, and there's no reason for them to ignore him like this.

Dozens of disciples were practicing swordsmanship in pairs in the courtyard, their enthusiasm palpable.

Lu Li walked to the far side and saw a stone tablet standing there, with the words "Tide Sound Returns to the Waves Sword Scripture" engraved on it in tiny characters.

The handwriting is dense, but it doesn't feel overwhelming; instead, it flows freely, like the rhythm of ocean waves.

The further you look, the more you get the illusion of a rising tide, with one wave after another, making you want to hold your breath.

"How outrageous! Such essential sword techniques are displayed directly in the main hall, open to all, without any fear of them spreading... Is this unique to the Chaoyin Sword Hall, or is it a common practice on the Floating Island?"

Lu Li was greatly shocked after only a fleeting glance.

Given the Tide Echo Sword's characteristic of being as powerful and ever-flowing as a tide, it would probably only be inferior to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique at White Deer Academy.

Furthermore, the openness of this sword manual, allowing visitors to freely observe it, is truly remarkable.