Soul Emperor Martial God

An hour later, under the guidance of Elder Yi, three hundred individuals headed towards the location of the third assessment — the Martial Arts Stele Forest.

The Martial Arts Stele Forest, located at the deepest part of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect, was usually a forbidden area for the sect and also one of the sect's most significant foundations.

In terms of importance, it was even above the Cold Ice Pool.

After a short while, the crowd arrived at the Martial Arts Stele Forest.

What caught their eyes were hundreds of massive blue steles.

They varied in size; the largest were dozens of meters tall, whereas the smallest stood at just a few meters.

As they drew closer, an ancient and majestic aura assaulted their senses, causing everyone to look solemn.

At the same time, ten figures suddenly appeared out of thin air and stood before the crowd.

These were ten middle-aged men, each emanating an extraordinary aura.

Judging from their aura, the weakest among them was above the Eighth Layer of the Mysterious Profundity.

"Elder Yi," the ten greeted Elder Yi respectfully following their appearance.

"Mhm," Elder Yi nodded, then turned around and said to the crowd, "These ten are the Inner Sect Stewards of the Sword Sect."

"All possess remarkable Cultivation levels and a wealth of Martial Arts Knowledge, and they are also the seniors responsible for teaching disciples in the Inner Sect."

"Whether you will have the opportunity to receive their guidance in the future depends entirely on this final round of assessment."

After Elder Yi finished speaking, three hundred Martial Artists bowed in unison to the ten Inner Sect Stewards and said together, "Greetings, Stewards."

"Dispense with the formalities," the ten nodded, gave the crowd a once-over, and then all revealed satisfied smiles.

"Hmm, the quality of Martial Artists participating in the assessment this year is much better than before."

"Indeed, looking at their Cultivation levels and ages, their talents are indeed much better than those of the disciples in past years," the ten stated with a smile.

Then, Elder Yi turned around, faced the three hundred Martial Artists, and said in a solemn voice, "The third round is called Stone Tablet Enlightenment, testing your natural talent."

"What's decided here will determine your future status within the Sword Sect. Whether you become an ordinary Outer Disciple or enter the Inner Ten Halls and become an Inner Sect Disciple depends entirely on your inherent talent."

The Sky-splitting Sword Sect differentiated between Outer and Inner Sect Disciples, with vastly different statuses and treatments.

Outer Disciples received a certain amount of Cultivation Resources from the sect each month and were instructed by Outer Sect Stewards.

Inner Disciples received ample Cultivation Resources, entered the Inner Ten Halls, and were guided by Inner Sect Stewards.

Not to mention the difference in Cultivation Resources, even the difference in Martial Arts Teachers was substantial.

The Outer Sect Stewards were generally responsible for mundane duties within the sect, with Cultivation levels around the Third and Fourth Layers of Mysterious Profundity.

Whereas the Inner Sect Stewards had Cultivation levels with the weakest at the Eighth Layer of Mysterious Profundity.

Regarding the Inner Ten Halls, they were respectively the Medicine Hall, Sword Hall, Fire Hall, Cold Ice Hall, Ten Thousand Wood Hall...

Sword Sect disciples were assigned different halls based on their Martial Souls, Cultivation Techniques, combat methods, etc.

In short, this meant specialized cultivation, allowing for more targeted guidance.

Additionally, each of the Inner Ten Halls had an elder proficient in that hall's Cultivation doctrines.

The Sky-splitting Sword Sect's Ten Elders, all of Mystic Breakthrough Realm Cultivation, each was a formidable Martial Artist renowned throughout Northern Mountain County.

For instance, the Medicine Hall Elder was a Mystic Breakthrough Seventh Layer Martial Artist and also a Peak Fifth-grade Alchemist.

Inner Disciples of the Medicine Hall not only practiced Martial Arts but also studied refining knowledge.

The Sword Hall Elder, recognized as the top Sword Dao Practitioner in the Northern Mountain County.

The Ten Thousand Wood Hall Elder, a Plant-based Martial Soul practitioner himself, was said to know every plant in the world intimately and was extremely powerful.

...

The Ten Elders seldom managed affairs, focusing on their Martial Arts Cultivation.

Teaching disciples was generally the responsibility of the Inner Sect Stewards.

However, being an Inner Sect Disciple ultimately provided the opportunity to meet with the elders and seek guidance.

Just this point alone highlighted the vast difference between Inner and Outer Sect Disciples.

...

Returning to the matter at hand.

The Sky-splitting Sword Sect had well over ten thousand Outer Disciples; however, each hall of the Inner Sect had only a handful of disciples, and altogether, they numbered just a few hundred.

It's clear that becoming an Inner Sect Disciple was extremely difficult.

Those who joined were without exception the geniuses among geniuses.

At this time, Elder Yi pointed at the hundreds of blue steles and explained, "These are the Mystic Realm Steles, inscribed by the elders of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect throughout the ages."

"Each one contains the lifetime of Cultivation knowledge of one elder."

"Be it Martial Arts Techniques or Cultivation insights."

"There are a total of one hundred and eighteen blue steles here, representing the Martial Arts heritage left by one hundred and eighteen ancestors."

"Only those with exceptional talents can comprehend the contents of the Mystic Realm Steles."

"Even if you are exceptionally talented," Elder Yi waved his hand and said, "whether you can choose one that suits you from the content of each Mystic Realm Stele, and gain something from it, will depend on your own opportunities."

Having said so, Elder Yi gestured with his hand and added, "That being said, follow me into the Monument Forest."

Each assessment of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect has its purpose.

The first tests adaptability; the second tests personal strength; the third tests talent.

Adaptability, not only for Martial Artists but for ordinary people as well, is essential; hence it is the first assessment and carries the least weight.

Personal strength needs no further explanation and is placed second in the assessments, having relatively more importance.

Talent, being the third assessment, carries the most weight and is what the stewards of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect value the most.

After all, those who come for the assessment are geniuses from all over Northern Mountain County, and none of them is very old.

A lack of adaptability or insufficient strength is acceptable.

But talent alone, the Sky-splitting Sword Sect only accepts geniuses, not mediocrities.

After leading three hundred Martial Artists into the Martial Arts Stele Forest, Elder Yi turned around and left without another word, not even greeting the ten Inner Sect stewards, instantly disappearing from the spot.

Meanwhile, the three hundred Martial Artists were already eagerly looking at the content of the Mystic Realm Steles. Brought to you by the folks at MV|LEMPYR.

It was no joke; each Mystic Realm Stele represented the lifetime Cultivation wealth of a Mystic Breakthrough Realm Martial Artist.

Xiao Yi was no exception. He was also secretly amazed, truly worthy of being the Martial Arts Holy Land of Northern Mountain County, the number one sect, with one hundred eighteen Mystic Realm Steles, each representing a Mystic Breakthrough Realm Martial Artist.

The history of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect was incredibly long, existing since the establishment of the Flame Martial Kingdom.

Over these countless years, having had one hundred eighteen Mystic Breakthrough Realm Martial Artists clearly showed its profound depth.

Just when everyone was eagerly comprehending the stele,...

Suddenly, a Martial Artist began to vomit violently.

Soon, someone even faints outright on the ground.

"What's happening?" Lin Jin was startled.

"I feel a bit dizzy and blurred," Qin Feiyang said puzzledly.

"Be careful," Xiao Yi furrowed his brows and said sternly, "There are prohibitions on the steles that can affect our minds and thoughts."

This was an assessment; how could it be so easy for everyone to comprehend the Mystic Realm Steles?

Every Mystic Realm Stele was engraved with prohibitions. Those who directly looked at the contents would feel dizzy and their minds unstable, making it difficult to focus and comprehend.

The ten Inner Sect stewards outside the Martial Arts Stele Forest just smiled faintly.

"The Mystic Realm Stele isn't so easily comprehended."

"Under the influence of the prohibitions, anyone's mind will be unstable. To successfully comprehend, one must possess exceptional endurance, intelligence, and insight."

"This is truly the time to test talent."

"According to past practice, at most only fifteen people can pass the assessment. I wonder how many will this year."

Inside the Martial Arts Stele Forest, more and more Martial Artists began to feel uncomfortable.

As long as their eyes fixated on the Mystic Realm Steles, they would feel dizzy and disoriented.

Everyone was struggling to endure.

The result was that from being dizzy, their headaches intensified, suffering inhuman torment.

Xiao Yi and others' expressions became solemn.

"Be cautious," Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "If you can't bear it, don't force yourself, just don't try to comprehend these steles."

"Mhm," Lin Jin and the others nodded their heads, then dispersed to find a Mystic Realm Stele suitable for themselves.

If it wasn't suitable, then there was no need to waste time trying to comprehend it.

Xiao Yi walked quickly, his gaze scanning over each stele.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi suddenly stopped in front of a Mystic Realm Stele that towered dozens of meters.

The size of the Mystic Realm Steles varied. The larger they were, the stronger the elder's Cultivation and the more extensive their knowledge; the smaller, the opposite.

"This was a Hand Technique specialist elder, who reached the Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer. Unfortunately, it's not suitable for me," Xiao Yi shook his head and continued walking.

If it wasn't suitable, firstly it was a waste of time, and secondly, since he was not skilled in Hand Techniques, it would be difficult to comprehend.

Generally speaking, if one's Martial Soul matched the knowledge on these Mystic Realm Steles, comprehension would be much easier.

Furthermore, the higher the rank of the Martial Soul, the easier it was to comprehend.

After a while, Xiao Yi stopped again, his eyes revealing joy.

In front of him was a Mystic Realm Stele that recorded the knowledge of an elder skilled in swordsmanship.

This elder had a Cultivation of Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer in his time, known for his rapid and fierce swordsmanship.

His sword moved as fast as lightning, yet as powerful as thunder; especially the explosive power at the moment of attack, like a volcanic eruption, immensely powerful.

One thrust of his sword could reach the throat of the enemy in a blink, and the explosive power that followed was even more terrifying than the speed.

He once instantly killed a Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer Martial Artist with a single sword strike.

"Amazing, it's you," Xiao Yi lit up and began to comprehend this Mystic Realm Stele.