C3 Mengxian Is Mine

Chu Tian sat cross-legged on the ground, clearing his mind as an unusually peculiar aura emanated from the Martial Tablet and began to flow within him.

The sensation was comforting to Chu Tian, akin to a fish finding its way back to water—warm and satisfying.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

After ten breaths, the Martial Tablet remained unresponsive. No light emanated from it, nor did any stone patterns emerge.

"What's happening?" Chang Qianyu's brow furrowed in confusion. The Martial Tablet typically required only three breaths to assess someone's talent, yet here was Chu Tian, seated for ten breaths without a single sign of activity. Such an occurrence was unprecedented.

"It shouldn't be like this!" Lei Hongyuan sensed that something was amiss from his seat, yet he remained silent, opting to wait instead.

Perhaps Chu Tian's talent was so exceptional and unique that it defied normal expectations. That was the only plausible explanation for now.

"Why isn't the Martial Tablet reacting?"

"Could it be that his talent is so poor that the tablet doesn't respond?"

"Don't spout nonsense. I've seen the worst of talents, but nothing as bizarre as this."

The crowd murmured among themselves, but Chu Tian was oblivious to the external stir. He had entered a deeply enigmatic state where only the void existed, and within the darkness, the essence of the golden spear raged like a tempest—overbearing, robust, and piercing.

This tempest seemed to be conveying something to him, a feeling both mysterious and profound.

With a whoosh, a gust of wind abruptly ejected Chu Tian from the storm.

He opened his eyes and rose to his feet, dusting off his clothes as he surveyed his surroundings. The onlookers gaped at him, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

"What happened?" Chu Tian inquired, his voice tinged with confusion.

Chang Qianyu snapped out of his daze. He had been anticipating the Martial Tablet's glow and the revelation of stone patterns, yet here was Chu Tian, unexpectedly standing up.

"I was about to ask you the same thing!" Chang Qianyu said, his frown deepening. He gestured with his hand, "We need to discuss this matter..."

With that, Chang Qianyu leapt up and joined Lei Hongyuan and another elder to deliberate on the unexpected turn of events.

"Tian, there might be an issue somewhere. Regardless, Xianxian stands with you." Shen Mengxian approached Chu Tian, her presence marked by a subtle fragrance, and she spoke with unwavering conviction.

"Perhaps," Chu Tian replied with a dismissive smile, fully aware of why the martial tablet had shown no response.

It was because his martial talent was so unique that the tablet couldn't express it in the usual way, so it remained silent.

After a moment, Chang Qianyu descended, his gaze upon Chu Tian now devoid of the earlier anticipation and warmth. He glanced at Chu Tian with disdain and declared coldly, "Chu Tian, your talent is abysmal, your constitution is equally poor, you do not qualify!"

"That's impossible! There must be a mistake!"

"Yes, let Young Master Chu test again!"

"Young Master Chu's talent is unparalleled. How could he possibly fail?"

The crowd was seething with indignation. Chu Tian's gentle and affable nature had won him the hearts of many in Ogeigh, and everyone had high hopes for his ascension. This outcome was truly difficult to swallow.

"Silence... You rabble, dare you question this elder?" Chang Qianyu's low shout, accompanied by a formidable presence, swept over the crowd.

The murmurs of doubt ceased instantly, and everyone watched Chang Qianyu with trepidation.

Such is the might of a martial cultivator, before whom even royalty must yield.

"The assessment for today is concluded," Chang Qianyu stated, his voice laced with displeasure. The three of them had traveled great distances to this secluded town for the sake of Chu Tian, the prodigy.

But now, instead of a prodigy, they had witnessed the emergence of a failure. This crushing disappointment made him wish he could crush Chu Tian in his grip.

"Elder Qianyu, please wait!"

Chang Qianyu's brow furrowed at the interruption, but upon recognizing the newcomer, he said, "Ah, Prince Nanfeng. What matter brings you to halt this elder?"

Despite Yan Nanfeng's royal status, Chang Qianyu's tone lacked any hint of deference.

What good is imperial authority? Before the Coldtalons, it is nothing but dust!

"I would like to take the test as well," Yan Nanfeng said, his face alight with a genial smile as he gently waved his folding fan with effortless grace.

"Go!" Chang Qianyu waved his hand with a hint of impatience. Chu Tian's talent had driven his mood to the brink of irritation. He had agreed to let Yan Nanfeng have a try, clinging to a slim hope for a stroke of luck.

Yan Nanfeng strolled to the Martial Tablet and casually sat down. Within moments, a mere couple of breaths' time had passed.

Buzz~

The Martial Tablet erupted in a dazzling crimson light, and then... the stone patterns began to emerge swiftly.

One, two, three...

It wasn't until after the seventh stone inscription that it finally ceased.

"My goodness, what kind of talent is this? Superior? Exceptional?"

"Seven-patterned bone structure. From now on, the name Yan Nanfeng will echo throughout Southreach!"

The crowd was astounded, their eyes glued to Yan Nanfeng, who remained seated before the Martial Tablet. They glanced at Chu Tian, sensing that something was amiss.

How infuriating! Why couldn't this genius be Chu Tian? Why did it have to be a foreigner?

Lei Hongyuan, seated in his place of honor, rose to his feet, exclaiming, "Exceptional talent, seven-patterned bone structure, a true genius!"

Chang Qianyu reacted similarly. After her initial shock, she was ablaze with excitement. Her eyes alight with fervor, she addressed Yan Nanfeng, "Yan Nanfeng, should you join our Coldtalons Sect, we can guarantee a century of peace for your Yan Kingdom!"

A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. The Yan Kingdom had only enjoyed a decade of stability, and it seemed that only a major sect like Coldtalons could make such a bold claim.

Yet, Yan Nanfeng slowly shook his head. Chang Qianyu inquired, "What is it that you desire? Whatever it is, if you agree to join Coldtalons, I will personally see to it that you have it!"

He understood the significance of a talent like Yan Nanfeng; perhaps in a hundred years, Coldtalons might very well depend on him.

At any cost, he was determined to have Yan Nanfeng join Coldtalons!

Yan Nanfeng stepped forward, his eyes brimming with deep affection as he gazed at Shen Mengxian. His voice was soft as he declared, "Mengxian, can you see? This failure is unworthy of you. Only I, Yan Nanfeng, am the best choice for you!"

Chu Tian's eyebrows lifted, but before he could speak, Shen Mengxian's eyes flashed with defiance as she retorted, "Enough! Tian doesn't need your judgment. Even if Tian isn't cut out for martial cultivation, I will stand by him for a lifetime."

"Xianxian..." A warmth spread through Chu Tian's heart. Having such a woman by his side was more than enough.

Yan Nanfeng's handsome features contorted at the sight of their tender gazes. Drawing in a deep breath, he abruptly addressed Chang Qianyu, "Elder Qianyu, if you expect me to join the Coldtalons Sect, then she must be mine!"

"You're despicable!" Shen Mengxian was livid, completely taken aback by Yan Nanfeng's brazenness.

Chang Qianyu was indifferent to her outrage. If Yan Nanfeng's joining the Coldtalons Sect hinged on a woman, what was there to fuss about?

"Very well... I consent," Chang Qianyu affirmed with a nod. A morbid flush crept over Yan Nanfeng's face as he leered at Shen Mengxian, his eyes ablaze with lust and avarice.

No matter how base or dishonorable, Yan Nanfeng was determined to possess Shen Mengxian.