Chapter 207: Chain Explosions

After diving into the water, Lin Qian followed closely behind Zhang Nianxin as they descended into the depths.

However, unlike the holy city of the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe's main clan, the venue for this clan assembly wasn't located deep in the ocean. Instead, it was only a few dozen feet below the surface.

As soon as Lin Qian entered the water, he could clearly see the massive coral island in the distance, with various buildings and figures moving about.

Since this wasn't a residential area, the buildings on the coral island weren't made of sea-blue crystals. Instead, they were constructed from azure gold and sea-glow stones.

Azure gold was an extremely sturdy underwater metal, making it ideal for building arenas that wouldn't be easily damaged, especially when reinforced with formations.

Sea-glow stones emitted a light much brighter than sea-blue crystals, and combined with the strong sunlight penetrating the water, the entire coral island was even brighter than the land above.

As they swam toward the large coral island, Lin Qian took note of its layout.

The island's perimeter featured a circular street lined with small residences made of azure gold and sea-glow stones, likely meant for temporary lodging.

In the center of this ring of buildings stood a vast arena, nearly the size of a small city like Bashan City in Linhai Prefecture.

Upon reflection, the arena's size made perfect sense.

After all, the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe members and their human allies participating in the clan assembly all possessed extraordinary combat power, with the weakest being at the Void-Fragmentation Realm.

If the arena were too small, it would restrict their abilities, preventing them from fully displaying their skills.

Such a spacious arena would allow for a more dynamic competition.

Once they arrived on the coral island, members of the main clan guided them to their temporary quarters.

"Chief of the Eastern Branch, you should already be familiar with the rules of the clan assembly. The only difference this year is that one human ally is allowed to assist in the competition," one of the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe members from the main clan informed Zhang Nianxin after escorting them to their destination.

"The Eastern Branch has five slots. The clan assembly will officially begin at noon, and the matchups will be drawn then. Please submit the confirmed participants' names to me," the main clan member continued.

Zhang Nianxin, well-versed in the process, took out a token and handed it over.

The main clan member infused the token with soul power, revealing six names—five from the Eastern Branch, and one being Lin Qian.

After verifying the information, the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe member bid farewell and left the residence.

With the preparations done, Lin Qian and the others chatted casually in the courtyard, waiting for the clan assembly to begin.

"Is the clan assembly of the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe solely about one-on-one matches in the arena?" Lin Qian asked curiously as he stood beside Zhang Nianxin.

Lin Qian had been so focused on his cultivation that he hadn't spoken much with Zhang Nianxin along the way, nor had he fully grasped the details of the clan assembly.

Zhang Nianxin nodded slightly and explained, "Indeed, the primary focus of the clan assembly is the one-on-one matches in the arena. However, there are also three additional major events and one special event."

"Oh? Three major events and a special event?" Lin Qian raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Yes, after the participants' names are submitted, the matchups will be drawn at noon, and the one-on-one matches will take place. These matches have always been the main attraction of the clan assembly. Following that, we have the three major events—alchemy, weapon forging, and formation crafting."

"The final special event involves the human allies teaming up with members of the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe for two-on-two battles."

"After all, once the clan assembly is over, we'll be heading to the ancient human ruins. At that time, both sea tribes and humans will be entering together, so cooperation is essential. It's better to test our teamwork now," Zhang Nianxin concluded.

Lin Qian nodded thoughtfully as he absorbed the information.

Suddenly, Zhang Nianxin's face lit up with excitement. "Your Majesty Lin, I have a small request, though I'm hesitant to ask..."

Seeing Zhang Nianxin's hesitant expression, Lin Qian smiled and said, "Chief Zhang, feel free to ask. If I can help, I will."

"Hahaha, Your Majesty Lin, you are truly generous," Zhang Nianxin laughed and continued, "I was wondering if you might be willing to assist us in the alchemy, weapon forging, and formation crafting competitions?"

Upon hearing Zhang Nianxin's request, Lin Qian's smile froze. "Huh?"

However, Zhang Nianxin didn't notice Lin Qian's reaction and continued to praise him.

"Your Majesty Lin, with your incredible talent and formidable combat strength, you must be a peerless genius capable of anything. I'm sure alchemy and weapon forging come naturally to you, and formation crafting must be a breeze as well, right?"

"I'm not just flattering you, Your Majesty. Your talents are truly extraordinary. With your help, we might even win first place in these three events," Zhang Nianxin added, his words drawing the attention of Zhang Qi and the other Eight-Armed Sea Tribe members, who nodded in agreement.

"Wait!" Lin Qian, overwhelmed by the chorus of compliments, raised his voice, silencing the group.

Once everyone had quieted down and turned to look at him, he sighed and said, "I... don't know how to refine pills, forge weapons, or craft formations."

"What?!" The group gasped in disbelief, stunned by his admission.

"To be honest, I've been shunned in those areas. Whenever I tried refining pills, the furnace would explode. When I attempted forging, the fire would blow up, and when I tried setting up formations, they'd all trigger chain explosions..."

"As a result, the people around me don't allow me to dabble in alchemy, forging, or formations anymore," Lin Qian confessed, spreading his hands in a helpless gesture. "So, I'm afraid I can't help with those three events. I'd be worried about blowing up the other contestants if I participated."

"..."

Zhang Nianxin and the others stared at Lin Qian in stunned silence. They had assumed he was capable of anything, only to discover that...

After a brief pause, the group burst into laughter, each imagining the chaotic scene of chain explosions during formation crafting.

"Well, in that case, let's forget about it. It seems even Your Majesty Lin has areas where you're not as skilled, hahaha," Zhang Nianxin said with a chuckle, waving off the idea.

As the group continued to joke and chat, noon drew closer, and the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe's clan assembly was about to begin.

Lin Qian was ready to showcase his strength beyond Linhai Prefecture!