The number of people with spiritual veins is very high, but most of them are unqualified. Only those with values above sixty are considered qualified. After waiting for a long time, Shen Xiang only saw two people pass the test.
"Shen Xiang, when it's your turn, use Tai Chi Divine Skill to conceal the attributes of gold, wood, water, and earth. That way, the array will only detect the fire attribute and display you as a fire attribute spiritual vein," Su Meiyao said seriously. She couldn't let others know that Shen Xiang possessed the Yin Yang Divine Vein; it was too dangerous.
When it was Shen Xiang's turn, he stepped onto the round platform and followed Su Meiyao's instructions. He saw red light emanating from the platform beneath him, and an unusual feeling washed over him. In the center of the platform, a value appeared.
"Fire attribute spiritual vein, seventy-five. Qualified. What's your name?" a middle-aged man asked. Although Shen Xiang had passed, the man wore a stern expression.
Earlier, Shen Xiang noticed that many disciples of Tai Wu Sect treated this middle-aged man with great respect, indicating he held some status within the outer sect and likely possessed strong power. Shen Xiang suspected the middle-aged man was a True Martial Realm warrior!
"Shen Xiang!" Shen Xiang replied.
The middle-aged man's expression changed slightly, and he seemed surprised to hear the name.
"Are you from the secular world?" the man asked coldly.
"Yes." This revelation drew curious looks from those around, as most people from the secular world were elderly, and young ones were rare.
"Please leave. We do not accept people like you who commit atrocities in the secular world!" The middle-aged man sneered, his face filled with hatred.
"What do you mean?" Shen Xiang frowned.
"In the secular world, you slaughtered a family and wiped out a gang called the Black Wind Gang. You must have killed over a thousand people. Our Tai Wu Sect does not accept such murderers," the middle-aged man declared loudly, shocking the crowd further.
Shen Xiang smirked, "If someone came to kill you, would you just stand there and let them? That family had attacked me repeatedly and colluded with the gang to assassinate me! If I didn't kill them, they would have destroyed my family. They brought this on themselves. Most people in Nan Wu Kingdom know about it; you probably haven't investigated thoroughly, have you?"
The middle-aged man's expression darkened. Shen Xiang added, "Are you from the Yao family? Are you trying to use your power to settle a personal score?"
Yao Haisheng, the middle-aged man, glared at Shen Xiang, but before he could respond, another middle-aged man with a kind demeanor and a long beard approached. Behind him was Zhu Rong.
As Shen Xiang suspected, Yao Haisheng was indeed from the Yao family.
Knowing this, Shen Xiang realized that the long-bearded man, Hao Dongqing, was also a True Martial Realm expert. Shen Xiang had not expected to encounter two such powerful warriors in one day, and he understood he could not defeat them.
"You, boy, hurry up and leave. Do you want my master to personally escort you out?" a cocky man behind Yao Haisheng shouted.
Hao Dongqing smiled gently, "No need to leave just yet; many people are watching this matter. If you leave now, it will tarnish the reputation of Tai Wu Sect!"
Shen Xiang understood that Hao Dongqing was helping him. "Tai Wu Sect is the strongest martial arts sect in Chen Wu Continent; I'm sure it can be fair and just."
Yao Haisheng was determined not to let Shen Xiang enter the sect. He replied coldly, "Shen Xiang, you're young and your strength is decent, but you need more experience. Your temperament easily invites trouble, and your strength means nothing in Tai Wu Sect. Joining now will only bring you suffering."
"Please leave! I have the authority to assess a new disciple comprehensively. Your spiritual vein is qualified, but your strength and mentality are inadequate. Come back in three to five years, and perhaps then you can join. The doors of Tai Wu Sect will always be open to you."
Yao Haisheng did not want to damage Tai Wu Sect's reputation. Although he was a True Martial Realm warrior, he would still be punished for wrongdoing.
"In five years, if you can defeat my disciple Fang Liang, you can join Tai Wu Sect for free. Otherwise, you need to train a bit more," Yao Haisheng said disdainfully, while the arrogant man beside him glared at Shen Xiang.
Shen Xiang inquired, "If I beat your disciple Fang Liang within five years, I can join for free? Is that for real?"
Yao Haisheng smirked, "Of course! You are from my hometown; this is a privilege I give you. But within five years, if you can't win, don't expect to enter Tai Wu Sect."
"Fang Liang? Isn't he that genius from the Fang family? At eighteen years old, he reached the ninth level of Mortal Martial Realm, and he's mastered several mysterious-level martial arts. I heard he even fought a ninth-grade monster, the Red Fire Eagle, and destroyed a mountain. He's ranked thirtieth among the outer disciples!"
Hearing the comments, Fang Liang grew smug, pride radiating from his face, while Yao Haisheng shared in the glory as Fang Liang's master.
"You'll never have a chance, kid! Within five years, I'll definitely enter True Martial Realm, and you won't stand a chance."
Fang Liang boasted loudly, radiating arrogance, and Yao Haisheng nodded in agreement, clearly proud of his disciple's potential.
"Can I really come and find him anytime within five years? That's what you said!" Shen Xiang smiled and replied, "I want to challenge him now!"