The Southern Assembly was indeed a grand event in this region.
The Sea Clans of the Southern Sea Domain and the Human Clans near the coastal regions of the Southern Domain were each allowed to send a hundred representatives to participate in this feast.
Judging by the vastness of the surrounding ruins, this ancient human sect must have held a high status in its time, possibly once being a hegemon of the land.
Therefore, the various factions were highly eager to see what treasures could be obtained from this small world relic.
For the elders leading their teams, their instructions to their respective geniuses were simple: survive and bring back enough wealth to contribute to the clan, ensuring that they could retain at least half of their gains.
For the Eight-Armed Sea Clan, any treasures found within the ruins were also expected to be handed over, except in one case—Lin Qian and Ye Xin.
To express his gratitude for Lin Qian's immense help to Zhang Zidong, Zhang Tianxin decreed that any treasures Lin Qian and Ye Xin found within the ruins were theirs to keep. Zhou Yi'an not only had no objections but even strongly agreed with Zhang Tianxin's decision.
This meant that Lin Qian could fully reap the benefits of this Southern Assembly.
Since Zhang Tianxin and Zhou Yi'an had shown such goodwill, Lin Qian naturally accepted it with a smile.
A month passed quickly, and the injured members of the Eight-Armed Sea Clan and the Carefree Sect had mostly recovered.
Today, the Southern Assembly officially began, and everyone gathered early around the portal.
The portal to the small world was enormous, with an archway-like structure towering over dozens of zhang high. It was engraved with intricate runes, and a series of array patterns wound around the portal's structure.
The gathered geniuses could easily enter the portal all at once.
At the center, a swirling white light silently rotated, signaling the entrance to the mysterious small world.
Even the combined efforts of the numerous powerful experts present couldn't fully penetrate the mysteries of this small world!
What awaited within? Was it a deadly place full of dangers, or a land of opportunities with treasures waiting to be claimed? No one could say for sure.
Yet, none of the young geniuses standing behind the powerful elders showed any signs of fear or hesitation. Instead, their eyes shone with excitement.
After all, these were true geniuses, and for them, the unknown only represented a challenge to be conquered.
But among all those with a desire to conquer, none burned with more intensity than Lin Qian!
This small world was undoubtedly an unclaimed land. How wonderful would it be if it could be incorporated into the territory of the Huaxia Empire?
More land meant more resources, and that would make the Huaxia Empire even stronger!
For someone like Lin Qian, who thrived on growth and development, even the slightest increase in strength for the Huaxia Empire was something to be thrilled about.
"An unclaimed small world... I have to take it. I must take it!" Lin Qian muttered softly, his eyes filled with fervor as he stared at the swirling white portal.
As the geniuses from various factions began to approach the portal, those unrelated retreated, forming two distinct concentric circles of onlookers.
At the same time, the powerful experts leading the various forces floated slightly above the ground, watching over the young talents below.
"Activate!"
At that moment, the formation masters in front of the portal moved, with an elderly human expert leading them. He pointed at the portal and shouted.
Not only him but all the other human formation masters also extended their fingers, each releasing a drop of blood essence that pierced through the water and merged into the portal's structure.
The swirling white vortex in the portal began to spin rapidly, and a powerful repelling force emanated from it, pushing away all the surrounding seawater.
In an instant, the entire space around the portal was devoid of seawater.
The humans among the group removed their water-repelling devices, including Lin Qian, Ye Xin, and Li Yunfeng, who took off their water-breathing soul devices.
As for the sea clans, they only frowned, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
"Remember, we can only maintain the portal for one year. If you don't return by then, you'll be trapped inside for ten years until it reopens," the leading formation master reminded the young geniuses.
"If you're seriously injured, get close to the exit and leave early—don't push yourself."
"As the year progresses, try to get to the exit ahead of time. The portal isn't as stable as you think—it might close a few days late, or even half a month early. So, be cautious."
"Once the portal opens, you'll only have one hour to enter. After that, it will only allow people to leave, not enter."
"If you choose to leave early, your journey in the Southern Assembly will end, and you won't be able to re-enter."
"Young ones, I hope fortune smiles upon you in the small world."
After finishing his instructions, the formation master pushed his hands forward. The runes and inscriptions on the portal suddenly lit up, and the swirling white vortex halted, becoming even more radiant as it emitted a pulling force.
"Go!"
At the elder's command, sea clan and human geniuses alike surged towards the glowing white light.
As soon as their bodies were enveloped in the white glow, they disappeared from everyone's sight.
Lin Qian held Ye Xin's hand and leaped towards the white light.
As the glow surrounded them, their vision was entirely consumed by the brightness. Under the worried gaze of Zhou Yi'an, Lin Qian and Ye Xin's figures vanished into the light.
"You really are amusing, sending two Sky Realm cultivators to participate in the Southern Assembly, wasting two spots," a voice suddenly sounded from nearby, drawing the attention of Zhou Yi'an and Zhang Tianxin.
The speaker was a middle-aged man with a mustache, his eyes as sharp as blades, causing discomfort to anyone they landed on. He floated in the waterless space, his hands behind his back.
The man wore a dark robe with silver trim, a simple jade pendant hanging from his waist, and long hair cascading down his back. His presence exuded a powerful, oppressive aura.
"Wasting two spots? Yang Guixiang, haven't you noticed that young man's resemblance to someone in particular?" Zhou Yi'an sneered at the man. "Old friend, you're usually so proud of your ability to read people without fail—how could you miss this?"
Yang Guixiang's pupils suddenly turned blood-red as he shot forward, grabbing Zhou Yi'an by the collar and transmitting a soul message, "Who is that young man to the benefactor?"