In the desolate southern region, the once raging spatial rift is now shrouded by a massive pale golden light curtain.
The light barrier was jointly set up by the major forces in the Southern Region. Runes flowed, firmly locking in the spatial power that was capable of tearing the heavens and earth apart. Although it would occasionally ripple, there was no longer any sign of it completely exploding.
"It's done! The space has stabilized!"
"Great! At least the Southern Region won't be torn apart!"
Outside the light barrier, the cultivators from the Southern Region breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing the joy of surviving a calamity. The emergency deployment they had just made had almost exhausted most of the array flags and spirit stones brought by their respective forces; it was fortunate that they had managed to stabilize the space.
Lin Zhou squatted on a distant sand dune, chewing on a blade of grass, idly watching the light screen. He could sense that deep within the space beneath the light screen, there were indeed many energy fluctuations, presumably some ancient treasures or something similar.
But he had no interest whatsoever—the treasures he received from the system's daily check-ins were practically moldy in his storage bag, so why would he care about these "second-hand goods"?
"Boring." Lin Zhou yawned and was about to turn around and go back to the sect when he saw a group of cultivators surrounding several old men, carefully walking towards the light screen.
"Everyone, the space is now stable. Shall we go in and explore it first?" the patriarch of the Rock Family, who was at the head of the group, said in a deep voice, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Walk!"
A group of people activated the temporary passage on the light screen and filed in.
Lin Zhou raised an eyebrow, but didn't leave. He crossed his arms and watched the excitement—he had nothing to do back home anyway, so he might as well see what treasures these people could find.
An hour later, the light curtain passage lit up again, and the group of cultivators emerged looking disheveled. Their clothes were tattered, some were injured, and their faces showed no trace of the excitement they had shown when they entered; only frustration and resentment remained.
"How is it? What's inside?" The people outside hurriedly crowded around and asked.
"Don't even mention it!" a cultivator said with a bitter face. "There are indeed treasures inside, spiritual veins, pills, and ancient treasures are everywhere, but... but they are all protected by formations!"
"There are trials too!" another added. "If you want to get the treasure, you have to pass the trials first! Those trials are really strange. Some test your cultivation level, some test your temperament, and some even have talent requirements. When the few of us went in, we almost got trapped inside and couldn't get the treasure, let alone get it!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in uproar.
Having a treasure but not being able to get it? That's even more frustrating than not having the treasure at all!
Ancestor Pan Shi frowned and pondered for a moment: "With our strength, I'm afraid we can't crack this tough nut. This secret realm was obviously left behind by an ancient powerful being, with trials layer upon layer. It's absolutely impossible to succeed by fighting alone."
"What the Ancestor means is..."
"Invite the forces from the four regions, and even the Central Region, to come together!" A decisive glint flashed in the eyes of Ancestor Pan Shi. "This secret realm is filled with treasures, which my Southern Region cannot possibly contain. Rather than watching others sneak in and plunder, it's better to openly invite all parties to explore for treasures together!"
"Go treasure hunting together?" someone asked, puzzled. "Wouldn't we be at a disadvantage?"
"Suffer a loss?" The ancestor sneered. "The secret realm space is extremely unstable. It was only temporarily stabilized just now. Who knows when something else might happen? Let all forces come together. This way, we can share the risks and pool everyone's strength to break through the formation and pass the trial. In the end, we can divide the treasures according to the amount of effort we put in. It's much better than us forcing our way in by ourselves and ending up with nothing!"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
Yes, the Southern Region is not the strongest of the four regions. Rather than trying to take it all for itself and suffering the consequences, it is better to unite with all parties. At least we can get a share of the pie. More importantly, we can share the risk of spatial collapse. If something goes wrong, we can't just blame the Southern Region, can we?
"Okay! Let's do it this way!"
"Send a message to the four regions, as well as the major powers in the Central Region, saying that an ancient secret realm has been discovered in the Southern Desert, containing great treasures and opportunities, and sincerely invite all parties to explore it together!"
"It must be emphasized that the secret realm is fragile. Those who enter must not tamper with or damage it. Violators will be punished by all four realms!"
One after another, message talismans shot into the sky, spreading rapidly throughout the four domains and the central domain.
The news caused an uproar throughout the cultivation world.
"An ancient secret realm? The southern desert? Is it real or fake?"
"When did those people from the Southern Region become so generous? They're even extending invitations to all sides?"
"Whether it's generous or not, as long as there's treasure, that's all that matters! My sect will send someone to take a look right away!"
The Three Saints Sect of the Central Region, the remaining aristocratic families of the Northern Region, the Buddhist and Taoist forces of the Western Region, and even the smaller forces within the Southern Region that did not participate in the initial arrangements, all began to move.
In an instant, countless flying boats and streaks of light converged on the southern desert. Some sent out vanguards to gather intelligence, some brought large armies directly, and others secretly made contacts, hoping to form an alliance and share more benefits later.
"What are the conditions for entering the secret realm?" An envoy from a central region power approached Ancestor Pan Shi and asked respectfully.
After discussing with the other leaders of the Southern Region, Ancestor Pan Shi announced loudly: "There are only two conditions: First, you must be a core disciple or elder of your respective forces, with a cultivation level of at least the Nascent Soul Realm, so as not to become a hindrance upon entering; Second, once inside, you must not damage the secret realm space without authorization, nor kill your fellow cultivators without cause. Those who violate these conditions will be punished on the spot by the Southern Region in conjunction with all parties!"
The conditions are simple and clear, which also prevents those who want to take advantage of the situation or cause malicious damage.
Upon receiving the reply, the messengers sent messages back to their respective sects.
Soon, hundreds of forces from the four regions and the central region gathered on the outskirts of the Southern Desert. Tents stretched for miles, and the area was bustling with activity, more than ten times more lively than when the Southern Region's own people were there.
Lin Zhou looked at the commotion, a smirk playing on his lips as he chewed on a blade of grass.
"The more people there are, the more complicated things become," he murmured. "It seems this secret realm is going to be quite lively."
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