Outside the Martial Arts Stele Forest, a group of martial artists waited in place, occasionally casting envious glances toward Lin Jin and others.
From the moment Lin Jin, Qin Feiyang, Hua Jian, Wang Hu, and the other nineteen individuals began contemplating the Mystic Realm Stele, they represented the success in the examination to become Inner Sect Disciples.
Being an Inner Sect Disciple, with its lofty benefits, was enough to drive anyone mad with fervor.
More importantly, entering the Inner Sect was almost equivalent to opening a gate to becoming a formidable martial artist.
All of the historical Ten Elders of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect, as well as previous elders, were at the Mystic Breakthrough Realm and formerly Inner Sect Disciples, eventually becoming renowned powerhouses of the Northern Mountain County.
One could imagine just how profound the foundation of the Inner Sect was and how ardently sought after it was.
At this moment, Lin Jin paid no attention to the envious stares from the others. Instead, he focused intently on the lone figure inside the Stele Forest, Xiao Yi.
"Xiao Yi is still contemplating," Lin Jin said.
"Hehe," Tie Niu chuckled foolishly, "I couldn’t endure that inhuman torment any longer. Brother Xiao Yi’s ability to persist until now, and still contemplating, suggests his comprehension and mental fortitude are far superior to ours."
Liu Yanran smiled, her face full of happiness, seemingly more cheerful than anyone else.
Qin Feiyang smirked and teased, "If we are considered geniuses, then that guy is simply a monster."
The four chatted away in jest, but failed to notice that not far away, Guu Changfeng was also staring at Xiao Yi.
However, his eyes were filled with venomous resentment.
"Xiao Yi, you forced my hand, time and again ruining this young master’s plans and letting Lin Jin and his ilk target me, causing me to lose all face,"
"Today, I will make you pay a hundredfold."
Guu Changfeng thought darkly.
Elsewhere, ten deacons were also intently fixated on Xiao Yi.
"It’s already been two hours. It’s hard to say how much longer this kid can hold on."
"With the capability of an Innate Realm Martial Artist, two hours is just enough to comprehend a little over half of the stele’s content. If one can persist for four hours, they could fully comprehend the entire Mystic Realm Stele."
"If that’s really the case, it would be an extraordinary event."
"In the history of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect, no disciple has ever fully comprehended a Mystic Realm Stele during this assessment."
The Sword Hall Deacon laughed proudly, "If he really manages to fully understand a Mystic Realm Stele, there’s no doubt he will become the most talented disciple in the history of our sect."
"You Sword Hall have found a treasure this time," the other nine Hall deacons laughed.
"If this youngster truly succeeds, I fear even the elders will be stirred."
...
The Ten Deacons looked on eagerly and watched with bated breath.
However, after ten minutes, their faces of anticipation turned to expressions of regret.
Because Xiao Yi had already stood up from the Mystic Realm Stele, ceasing his contemplation.
"Is it over?" the Sword Hall Deacon sighed, "Just over two hours, at most seventy percent of understanding."
"What a pity," deacons from the other Halls shook their heads and said, "In the history of the Sword Sect, the most outstanding disciples could comprehend up to eighty percent."
"Never mind, seventy percent is still very impressive, at least much more so than the other nineteen."
...
Inside the Stele Forest, Xiao Yi smiled casually as his gaze swept over the Mystic Realm Stele without a hint of discomfort or pain.
Because he had fully comprehended the entire Mystic Realm Stele.
He understood all the content on the stele and naturally felt no discomfort.
Normally, fully comprehending a Mystic Realm Stele would indeed take over four hours.
But his rate of comprehension was far quicker than the others, so he had finished in just two hours.
When it came to understanding Sword Dao Knowledge, the higher and stronger the grade of one’s Sword Martial Soul, the faster the speed.
Of course, one’s own comprehension and mental strength also played a crucial role.
"Come out," the deacons outside the Forest gestured grandly, lifting him into the air.
"Deacons," Xiao Yi greeted the deacons before him with a bow.
"Mhm," the ten deacons nodded.
Xiao Yi frowned slightly, as he clearly saw a fleeting look of regret pass over the faces of the ten deacons.
"What’s going on?" Xiao Yi wondered silently.
The Ten Deacons looked at Xiao Yi seriously, each feeling a sense of regret.
"What a pity. If he could have persisted for another two hours, comprehending over eighty percent of the content, the elders would have been alerted."
"If he had fully comprehended, the elders might have competed to take him as their disciple."
The deacons secretly regretted, not knowing that Xiao Yi had already comprehended the entire Mystic Realm Stele, it was just that his comprehension speed was so fast, he did not need to spend that much time.
After a while, the Sword Hall deacon took the lead and asked, "You’re called Xiao Yi, right?"
"Yes." Xiao Yi nodded and said, "May I know what instructions the deacon has for me?"