Chu Nan stood at the front of the line, staring at a towering, irregular-shaped black stone not far away.
This stone is called the Martial Vein Stone, a peculiar treasure capable of resonating with the martial veins in a human body. It undergoes different transformations based on the martial vein's level, allowing one to judge the martial vein level through these changes.
Because it almost never makes errors, it's highly favored by both large and small sects, as well as martial arts families.
It's specifically used to test the talent of martial artists.
At this moment, Chu Nan was full of confidence. During the last assessment, his Treasure Blood had not yet awakened. This time, after breaking and re-establishing himself, with the nourishment of his Treasure Blood, his talent was sure to improve.
After all, Chu Hai was able to elevate his martial vein to the Royal Level relying on his Treasure Blood. How could he, the true owner of this Treasure Blood, be any worse!
Chu Nan did not intend to hide his talent; he wanted to make a high-profile return to the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect.
Only by demonstrating his value could he earn protection from the sect in the future, making the Chu family apprehensive.
But just as he was about to approach the Martial Vein Stone, intending to reach out and touch it, Chu Miao shot forward and seized his hand.
Chu Nan frowned, glaring at Chu Miao with hostility, "Chu Miao, are you looking for death?"
At a time like this, Chu Miao still wanted to stop him, something Chu Nan couldn't tolerate.
Unmoved by Chu Nan's threatening words, Chu Miao sneered and said, "You're a disciple who was expelled; do you think re-entering is that easy?"
"What do you want to say?" Chu Nan asked.
Chu Miao released his hand, then said, "Others need only a Profound Level talent to enter, but not you."
"Royal Level, you must show a Royal Level martial vein to pass the assessment!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was in an uproar.
"A Royal Level martial vein, how is that possible!"
"Even in the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect, fewer than ten martial artists with Royal Level martial veins are recruited annually. Chu Nan can't possibly achieve that."
"Heh heh, Chu Nan, the Chu family's traitor trying to make a comeback in the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect, I don't think it's possible."
At this moment, Lin An stepped in front of Chu Nan and angrily said, "Royal Level martial vein! There are fewer than a hundred people with Royal Level martial veins in the entire Cyan Mountain Prefecture, your demand is too excessive!"
"Excessive?" Chu Miao retorted disdainfully, "He, Chu Nan, was an expelled disciple. Giving him a chance to re-enter is already a great mercy, how are we being excessive."
He was extremely pleased with himself, thinking this plan was very clever.
The very act of making this demand meant they had no intention of letting Chu Nan join the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect!
Li Jianfei also spoke up at this time, saying, "The elder responsible for this year's disciple recruitment is here. If you have objections, you can speak with the elder!"
Chu Nan looked up toward the heights and saw an old man with white hair standing aloft, overseeing everything below.
He did not make any comment against the demands made by Chu Miao and Li Jianfei, implicitly agreeing to the situation.
Chu Nan knew it wouldn't be easy to return to the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect, so he nodded and said, "Fine, Royal Level martial vein it is!"
"If the martial vein isn't Royal Level, I, Chu Nan, will leave immediately."
Lin An slightly furrowed his brow, his gaze toward Chu Nan showing a hint of reluctance.
Chu Miao also frowned slightly; he hadn't expected Chu Nan to agree so quickly, leaving him a bit at a loss.
He thought to himself, "I once heard that Chu Hai's Royal Level martial vein was obtained by borrowing Chu Nan's Treasure Blood..."
"Could it be that Chu Nan also elevated his martial vein to the Royal Level with his own Treasure Blood?"
Thinking this made Chu Miao feel uncertain, so he added, "Wait, even detecting a Royal Level martial vein isn't enough!"
"Being an expelled disciple itself is a crime, so if you don't have a Royal Level martial vein, you must sever your martial vein on the spot and roll down from here!"
Severing a martial vein is a fate more painful than death for a martial artist, and Chu Nan had endured such pain before.
The purpose of Chu Miao's words was to make Chu Nan fear this consequence, so he'd back down.
Li Jianfei added fuel to the fire alongside, saying, "Chu Miao's junior brother is right; if you want to rejoin the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect, you must agree!"
The Cyan Mountain Sword Sect elder in the air remained indifferent, showing no concern for this.
Lin An was completely enraged: "You two scoundrels have gone too far, I can't stand it anymore."
On his first trip out, he had gained some insight and was extremely angry about the injustice Chu Nan faced; he couldn't help but speak up.
Chu Nan saw Lin An was about to make a move and hurriedly held him back, "Lin An, don't be like this. Isn't it just severing a martial vein? I'll agree to this too!"
He coldly glared at Chu Miao, his eyes unwavering and fearless.
That confident demeanor made Chu Miao involuntarily take two steps back, renewed suspicion in his heart.
The surrounding crowd was also astonished, exclaiming, "He agreed, Chu Nan actually agreed!"
"Is this man insane? For the sake of entering the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect, he's even willing to stop being a martial artist?"
"He's truly on a path of self-destruction. I guess being expelled from the Chu family drove him to this."
Chu Nan's cold glance swept over Chu Miao as he prepared to touch the Martial Vein Stone. Unexpectedly, Chu Miao stopped him again, saying, "Slow down!"
A murderous intent flashed in Chu Nan's eyes. This person had thwarted him repeatedly, and his patience had been completely exhausted.
Chu Miao sneered, "A Royal Level martial vein isn't enough, it must be an Emperor Level martial vein; you need to have an Emperor Level martial vein."
"You trash, if you don't have an Emperor Level martial vein, then get out of here!"
Everyone fell silent, even Li Jianfei didn't speak up for Chu Miao.
This was truly shameless, continually raising the bar, giving no chance at all.
A Royal Level martial vein had one in a thousand chance; an Emperor Level martial vein was one in ten thousand.
In the Cyan Mountain Sword Sect's entire history, there were only two. Across the whole state, in thousands of years, fewer than twenty were discovered.
Even if Chu Nan's talent was exceptional, having an Emperor Level martial vein was impossible.
"An Emperor Level martial vein, Chu Nan probably won't agree, right?"
"Agreeing to such conditions would mean he's gone insane."
Lin An was speechless for a while, about to argue for Chu Nan when he said, "An Emperor Level martial vein? Fine, I agree!"
Chu Nan stood with his hands behind his back, his posture extremely upright. At that moment, he seemed not like a martial artist, but like an unwavering pine tree.
Even the White-robed Elder in the air couldn't help but look over, pondering, "Is this young man acting on impulse, or does he truly have this potential?"
"Regardless of the result, I must ensure his protection!"
Everyone around was visibly shocked, not expecting Chu Nan to agree so readily.
Chu Miao laughed loudly, saying, "Good, good, since you agreed, it's settled!"
He no longer stopped Chu Nan and directly stepped aside, allowing Chu Nan to proceed with the assessment.
In his view, Chu Nan's agreement indicated definitive failure.
Lin An tugged at Chu Nan's clothes, lightly shaking his head, not wanting Chu Nan to test his martial vein.
Chu Nan said calmly, "Rest assured."
With that, Chu Nan walked up to the Martial Vein Stone and gently placed his hand upon it.
And at the instant his hand touched the Martial Vein Stone, it initially vibrated slightly before erupting in dazzling golden light.
The intense light illuminated dozens of meters around, making it impossible for many to open their eyes for a moment.
Lin An's eyes widened in utter disbelief, exclaiming, "Golden, this is an Emperor Level martial vein; Chu Nan has an Emperor Level martial vein!"
Everyone present was shocked; if their eyes weren't unbearably pained by the golden light, they'd think they were dreaming.
"This is a joke, right? I actually have the fortune to witness an Emperor Level martial vein!"
"Sharing the same space as an Emperor Level martial vein, we'll never have a day to shine."
"Terrifying, truly terrifying!"
The White-robed Elder in the sky was almost blinded by the golden light, nearly falling from the air. Stroking his beard, he chuckled softly, "An Emperor Level martial vein has emerged; it seems the sect will be stirred again."