Comprehension!

"You're too kind, Senior," Di Chen said mildly.

"I heard from Wuya that you refused to join the Sword Sect? Could you tell this old man why? You should know that only in the Sword Sect could your potential

be put to its fullest use, especially your physique," the old man asked after a moment's deliberation.

Beside them, Jian Wuya felt regret, but even more than that, he hoped Di Chen would join the Sword Sect, because their sect desperately needed a genius like him!

"Senior, with my talent, do you think I need that? I cultivated to become a Saint at ten, reached Great Saint at thirteen, and even fought ten Quasi-Emperors single-handedly," Di Chen countered with a smile.

Hearing this, the old man fell briefly silent. Di Chen's words were truly sharp.

"Won't you reconsider?" the old man continued asking, still unwilling to give up.

"No need," Di Chen said mildly.

"Alas!" The old man sighed softly, then said, "Since your mind is made up, I won't force you. You came here for the Sword Stele, correct?"

"Yes. To be frank, Senior, I am indeed extremely interested in the Sword Stele." Di Chen nodded in acknowledgment.

"Very well. I have one request. Could you bring out your companion divine artifact

and let me examine it?" the old man said after a little hesitation.

A companion divine artifact could only be possessed after awakening the Supreme Sword Physique. Even a supreme expert like the old man had never seen one.

An unparalleled sharpness burst from Di Chen. He slowly raised his right arm, and space instantly trembled as terrifying pressure spread in all directions.

An ancient, unadorned black longsword floated above Di Chen's palm, radiating

an unmatched cold gleam, as though it would pierce the void. Sword Qi crisscrossed, incomparably sharp. The weapons in the Sword Graveyard

sensed this Sword Qi and all began humming wildly, as though they had encountered their sovereign

and submitted beneath the sword.

"This... this is a companion divine artifact," the old man said in shock.

"Correct!" Di Chen withdrew all his imposing presence and spoke slowly.

By now, the old man was trembling all over with excitement. He reached out and took the longsword,

and the temperature in the Sword Graveyard abruptly plummeted. An icy gleam slashed across the heavens, and the whole world seemed to freeze,

while countless weapons shook violently, letting out metallic

clangors. It was as though they were showing this ancient black sword their

submission, not daring to resist in the slightest.

"What a treasure!"

the old man exclaimed excitedly.

Although he had lived for endless years and seen countless rare treasures,

companion divine artifacts were only recorded in ancient books. Today, he had finally seen one with his own eyes. How could he not be excited?

Di Chen watched the old man's actions, puzzled. Was there any need to be this excited?

At this thought, Di Chen could not help revealing a playful smile.

Di Chen did not disturb the old man, simply remaining quietly in the Sword Graveyard. Only after a long while

did the old man recover from his loss of composure, embarrassment appearing on his face. He had been far too excited just now.

He looked at Di Chen apologetically. "I lost my composure."

"No matter!" Di Chen waved a hand.

"Ahem, ahem!" The old man coughed twice to hide his embarrassment, then changed the subject. "Young friend, the Sword Stele is the Sword Sect's supreme treasure. Within it are the insights into

the Sword Dao left by generations of our sect's ancestors. It also contains the Sword Sect's supreme sword arts and some powerful secret techniques. If you can obtain

these things, you will surely achieve twice the results with half the effort in cultivating the Sword Dao!" the old man said solemnly. "Your visit here is bound to displease some Sword Sect disciples. When the time comes, please show mercy, young friend. Just teach them a little lesson."

Hearing the old man's words, a keen glint flashed through Di Chen's eyes.

"Don't worry. Naturally, I'll show mercy!" Di Chen said with a slight smile.

Hearing Di Chen's assurance, the old man breathed a sigh of relief.

"Very well! Wuya, take our young friend there!"

The old man gave Jian Wuya his instructions, then reluctantly returned the companion divine artifact to Di Chen. Once the two had left, his face filled with a bitter smile.

"Ah, what a pity! He actually refused. This child truly is outstanding! A pity I can't forcibly snatch him over. The forbidden zone..." the old man murmured. At the thought of those old monsters in the forbidden zone, his body trembled involuntarily...

The Sword Sect's central square...

The Sword Stele towered at the very center of the square, a full thousand zhang high. Pitch-black throughout, it was engraved with many profound patterns, giving it an air of unfathomable mystery.

Jian Wuya brought Di Chen to a stop before the Sword Stele and pointed at it, saying:

"This stele is called the Sword Stele. Our Sword Sect's founding patriarch crafted it himself. It contains countless sword intents and sword arts. You can comprehend them here. I'll put up a barrier for you, so no one can disturb you."

Di Chen nodded, then sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

Rumble-

The Sword Stele suddenly burst into brilliant golden light, enveloping the entire square. Immediately afterward, an enormous formation diagram appeared above the square, covering it completely.

"What's happening... Someone is comprehending the Sword Stele."

The Sword Sect's disciples hurried toward the central square. When they arrived and saw a youth sitting cross-legged, they all froze.

"Why is it that outsider? What gives him the right?!"

They roared angrily. They were all core disciples of the Sword Sect.

"Hmph! He's just an outsider, yet he's qualified to enter the Sword Stele?" someone said resentfully.

"I refuse to accept this!"

"Why should an outsider be allowed in to comprehend the Sword Stele?" someone else shouted.

More and more gathered, talking among themselves, filled with hostility toward Di Chen and itching to rush forward and drive him away.

Just then, Zhang Yu stepped forward and barked, "Silence!"

Everyone froze, not expecting Zhang Yu to defend an outsider.

"Eighth Senior Brother... Aren't you going to stop him?" a man asked in confusion.

His name was Li Haoran, and like Zhang Yu, he was a disciple of the Sword Sect.

"You'll soon know why he's qualified," Zhang Yu said mildly.

At Zhang Yu's words, everyone froze. They did not understand why.

"You don't understand." Zhang Yu calmly shook his head.

"Disperse, all of you. Go do whatever you should be doing." Zhang Yu began driving everyone away.

At this, everyone was furious, but there was nothing they could do. After all, Zhang Yu was one of the Sword Sect's eight chief disciples.

Once everyone had left, Zhang Yu drew a deep breath, his eyes fixed on Di Chen as though waiting for something.

Suddenly, sharp sword intent radiated from Di Chen, like a sword descending upon the mortal world! His presence abruptly grew keen, like a sharp sword,

striking fear into people's hearts even from a great distance.

"What terrifying sword intent!"

Zhang Yu's pupils contracted sharply, and inwardly he could not help sucking in a cold breath. Just the sword intent being released made him tremble with fear. This was simply beyond imagination,

and this fellow's Sword Dao realm was far more profound than his own.

Whoosh, whoosh!

Suddenly, several streaks of light raced over from afar, finally landing in the Sword Sect's square.

"Sixth Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Sister."

Zhang Yu paused, then hurried forward to greet them. He recognized the arrivals: they were none other than Xu Hao, Qin Lan, and Liu Yixue, each one of the ten chief disciples,

Sixth Senior Brother Xu Hao nodded.

Then he looked toward Di Chen, raising his brows as a trace of an unusual look appeared on his face.