Chapter 26: A Gathering of Geniuses

"Aunt, is this the place for the assessment?"

After a month of travel, Lin Fan finally arrived at the so-called assessment site under the guidance of Lin Qiuyan.

It didn't look like a place used by the hundred sects of the Southern Wilderness to select disciples; it looked more like a ruin.

However, unlike the desolation of a ruin, this place was bustling with activity. At a glance, there was a sea of people, with no fewer than a thousand individuals possessing the cultivation of the Spirit Soul Realm.

Of course, there were even more below the Spirit Soul Realm. These people all had youthful faces; many were in the Origin Mansion Realm, and even more were in the Spirit Pill Realm. As for the Heaven Pill Realm, it seemed there was no one else present besides Lin Fan.

"These are the various geniuses from the Land of Ten Thousand Nations! Of course, this is only a fraction of them. Our Heavenly Wind Empire is located in the southwestern region of the Land of Ten Thousand Nations. This is one of the southwestern gathering points for the assessment, and there are seven other such gathering points."

Lin Fan was completely stunned. There were at least a hundred thousand young people gathered here. He had originally thought these were all the people participating in the assessment from the Land of Ten Thousand Nations. He never imagined there were seven other gathering points of this scale.

"You guessed correctly. Roughly speaking, there are at least one million participants in each assessment. Yet, fewer than two hundred thousand will truly be able to enter the hundred sects. As for those who can join the Eight Great Divine Sects, there are only about a hundred. Therefore, if your goal is one of the Eight Great Divine Sects, you must rank in the top hundred in this assessment. Otherwise, you will have no chance at all."

"I know this is cruel, and perhaps even unfair to you. But this world was never fair. You received an assessment quota for free without undergoing the trials, which is also unfair to others. I think you are very clear that only three people from the Heavenly Wind Empire received quotas. You are one of them. The other two are from the Kong family and the Meng family. They only obtained their quotas after going through grueling trials. Compared to them, you are much luckier."

Listening to Lin Qiuyan’s admonition, Lin Fan nodded earnestly. Although he knew that even if she hadn’t secured the quota for him, he would have likely obtained one through his own ability, he understood her point. This world was not absolutely fair to anyone. The quota he obtained so easily was a dream that others in the Heavenly Wind Empire might never reach in their entire lives.

He knew he carried not just personal glory, but the hopes of the entire Lin family. Lin Fan took a deep breath, a flicker of firm resolve in his eyes.

"Aunt, I understand. I will do my best not to let this quota go to waste, nor will I fail everyone's expectations."

Lin Qiuyan looked at Lin Fan with a mix of relief and hidden concern. She was relieved that he understood, but worried about whether he could survive the assessment, let alone stand out among a million people to become one of the top hundred geniuses.

"Very well, little one. I look forward to your performance. I hope that in half a year, I will hear the news that you have become a disciple of the Eight Great Divine Sects!" Lin Qiuyan’s eyes welled with tears as she patted the young man's shoulder.

"This old man greets the Third Young Lady of the Lin family."

A voice drifted over from the side during the long wait. The two turned to see two elders leading a young man and a woman walking slowly toward them. The elders’ faces were filled with respect, while the young man and woman looked calm, their eyes even carrying a hint of disdain as they glanced at Lin Fan.

"Elder Meng, Elder Kong, long time no see! You both look as distinguished as ever!" Lin Qiuyan clearly knew the elders well and greeted them with a smile.

"Distinguished? How could we compare to you, Third Young Lady? We heard about the stir you caused in the Imperial Capital. It is hard to imagine that the little girl who used to turn the capital upside down is now a powerhouse in the Spirit Soul Realm."

Hearing the elders' nostalgic sighs, the usually carefree Lin Qiuyan blushed and waved her hand awkwardly. "That is all in the past, elders. Let's not speak of it. By the way, are these two the Qilin Son and Phoenix Girl of the Kong and Meng families?"

Seeing her change the subject, the elders smiled proudly and looked at their descendants. "You two little ones, don't you know how to greet the Third Young Lady?"

"Kong Yi and Meng Yao greet the Third Young Lady!" The two bowed respectfully. As top geniuses who had passed through numerous trials, they naturally possessed their own pride, but they dared not show any arrogance before a Spirit Soul Realm expert. After all, they had heard about the major events in the Imperial Capital; anyone who could repel Zhong Cheng, one of the Ten Geniuses of the Southern Wilderness, was someone of extraordinary status.

"We didn't expect Young Master Lin to also be participating in this assessment. We brought them over to familiarize themselves with you; if you happen to cross paths, please lend a hand, Young Master Lin."

Hearing the elder’s words, Kong Yi and Meng Yao frowned. They could clearly see that Lin Fan was only at the Heaven Pill Realm. Even if he were at the peak of the Heaven Pill Realm, they were both in the Spirit Pill Realm. Why would they ever need his help?

If this were the Lin Fan of the past, they might have been willing to befriend him, but now, he was beneath their notice. Seeing their expressions, Lin Fan understood their thoughts. However, since the elders had spoken, he couldn't refuse outright. He nodded with a smile, "Outside, we are all people of the Heavenly Wind Empire. If there is a need, I will naturally assist."

Kong Yi and Meng Yao pursed their lips, clearly disregarding his words. "The 'True Dragon' of the Lin family? Hmph, looks like he's just a joke now."

Lin Qiuyan also noticed their attitudes. Looking into the distance, she said, "Oh? The Gate of Assessment is about to open. Let's head over."

As the aunt and nephew left, Kong Yi expressed his dissatisfaction. "Elder Kong, that Lin Fan is only at the peak of the Heaven Pill Realm. It would be enough if he didn't drag us down; why ask him to help us? Is this not looking down on our strength?"

Meng Yao didn't speak, but her gaze toward Elder Meng suggested she felt the same.

"An extra friend is an extra path. You two are indeed the strongest of the younger generation, aside from Luo Qingyi, who was taken as a personal disciple by the Sect Master of the Yuan Chu Sect. However, do not underestimate others. It is said that when Lin Fan returned after his disappearance, his cultivation was gone, yet he recovered to the peak of the Heaven Pill Realm in such a short time. The sect assessment will last half a year; he may very well recover to his peak. Don't forget, he once reached the peak of the Spirit Pill Realm at fifteen. If he hadn't mysteriously disappeared for two years, he might have reached the Origin Mansion Realm at sixteen."

"Look around at the people participating with you—how many sixteen-year-olds are there at the Origin Mansion Realm? Furthermore, you two are only in the Spirit Pill Realm. Everyone else here, except for Lin Fan, is at your level or higher. Put away your little bit of pride. In the Heavenly Wind Empire, you might be able to be proud, but here, you are just ordinary people. I only hope that in half a year, I can see you return alive. Even if you don't enter the hundred sects, it doesn't matter..."

Elder Kong's earnest words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Kong Yi and Meng Yao remained lost in the excitement of having passed the trials.

"Those two little ones are too arrogant. If they don't restrain themselves, they won't last two months... Just listen to what was said, but remember: in that place, survival is the first priority."