10: In the first divine battle, military strategists outmaneuvered a powerful foe! (Part 1)

Within the divine Domain, everything was flourishing.

The vitality radiating from the Altar of Shennong, the literary atmosphere of Jixia Academy, the ingenuity of Tiangong Workshop, and the solemnity of the Temple of Law intertwined, collectively constructing a stable and vibrant prototype of a civilization.

The glorious victory over the "Rusted Gears" goblin stronghold not only brought massive resources but also greatly boosted the confidence and cohesion of all his believers.

[Divine Domain Status Panel (Post-Battle Update)]

Divine Domain Name: Hundred Schools Temple (Lin Zhou's Will)

Divine Domain Area: 12 square kilometers (Slight increase after the Fusion of the "Rusted Gears Stronghold Core")

Divine Domain Environment: Order Woodland (Habitability: 75/100)

Core Rules: Confucian Education (Stability +30%), Legalist Edicts (Order +40%), Mohist Mechanisms (R&D/Construction Efficiency +50%), School of Agriculture Fertile Soil (Resource Regeneration +100%)

Resource Reserves:

Power Of Faith: 1850 / 2000 (Near capacity, growing steadily)

Grain: 350 units/day, 4,500 units in reserve (Extremely abundant)

Minerals: Astral Iron Ore (Abundant), Common Iron Ore (Abundant), Crude Energy Crystals (Moderate), Mithril Scraps (Scarce)

Population:

Literary Heart Elves: 107 (Average Rank 9, Hero: Elwin Rank 11)

Tiangong Dwarves: 31 (Average Rank 14, Hero: Bronzebeard Stonehammer Rank 19)

Lightforged Gnomes: 3 (Average Rank 16, unnamed hero)

Miracle Buildings: Jixia Academy, Tiangong Workshop, Temple of Law, Altar of Shennong

Special Status: [High Morale] (All attributes temporarily +5%, lasts until the end of the next battle), [Civilization · Enlightenment] (Technology/Thought R&D speed +15%)

The three rescued Lightforged Gnomes had been fully integrated.

Their unique traits of "Light Energy Affinity" and "Precision Operation" created a marvelous chemical reaction with the Mohist Mechanical Arts.

Under the guidance of Li Mo (indirectly led by Lin Zhou), the Tiangong Dwarves and Lightforged Gnomes formed a "Joint R&D Group," beginning to attempt to combine energy crystals with mechanical arts to develop a new generation of energy cores and offensive weapons.

However, the tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease.

The rapid development of Lin Zhou's divine Domain, and the strong combat power and unique Order displayed by his believers on the Grey Rock Trail, had long attracted the attention of some malevolent existences in the vicinity.

On this day, Lin Zhou was reviewing the preliminary concept of the "Miniaturized Energy Ballista" from the Joint R&D Group via the divine Domain interface when a Divine Thought filled with malice and greed, like a cold viper, suddenly slammed into the outer barrier of his divine Domain!

"Hum—!"

The entire divine Domain shook slightly, and ripples appeared in the sky.

All believers, regardless of what they were doing, sensed it, looked up at the sky, and their internal power began to circulate spontaneously.

[Warning! External divine will intrusion detected!]

[Warning! Divine Domain barrier suffering malicious probing! Strength assessment: Faint Divinity (Rank 105 - Rank 110)]

[Source Analysis: Chaotic Evil tendency, suspected stray deity (Astral Beggar) adhering to the rules of Devouring and Plunder!]

"So it has finally come." A cold light flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes; he was not too surprised.

In the resource-scarce, dog-eat-dog bottom layer of the Void Realm, a nascent, seemingly "plump" divine Domain was like a lighthouse in the dark, inevitably attracting predators.

He had long been mentally prepared.

His consciousness rose, merging with the divine domain core, and Lin Zhou's Divine Thought transformed into a cold, sharp arrow, piercing back along the path of that malicious Divine Thought!

"Get out!"

A roar containing his will and the power of the divine Domain rules exploded in the Void Realm.

"Eh?" A frivolous and surprised response came from afar. "A tiny demigod, and yet your divine Domain rules are so condensed? Interesting! I, the god 'Bone Chewer', have taken a fancy to your territory and believers. Hand over half of your Power Of Faith and population obediently, and I might consider letting you be a vassal god!"

Following the words, a nauseating scene of a divine Domain was forcibly mapped into Lin Zhou's perception through the clash of Divine Thought:

It was a divine Domain of only about 8 square kilometers, the environment foul, the land presenting a sickly purplish-black, with rotting swamps and mud puddles emitting poisonous gas everywhere.

Crude shacks were piled up in disarray, and in the center stood a rough altar built from various bones.

Densely packed, numbering over two hundred, Kobolds were wriggling within the divine Domain; their eyes flashed with greedy and cruel red light, their claws sharp, and they carried a natural aura of plague.

[Hostile Deity]: Bone Chewer (Rank 108 - Faint Divinity)

[Divine Domain]: Rotten Swamp (Area: ~8 km²)

[Core Believers]: Mutant Kobolds (Number: ~220)

Average Rank: Rank 10

Main Traits:

[Plague Minions] (Attacks carry weak poison and disease effects, continuous damage)

[Swarm of Rats] (When the number exceeds the enemy, attack speed +10%)

[Bullying the Weak] (Morale +20% when facing weak enemies, Morale -30% when facing strong enemies)

Estimated Troop Types:

Kobold Minions (Rank 8-12, 80%)

Kobold Throwers (Rank 10-14, 15%, throw poisoned bone spears)

Kobold Plague Priests (Rank 13-15, 5%, can cast weak plague Spells, inspiration/fear aura)

[Deity Trait Estimation]: Inclined to strengthen believer aggression, fertility, and plague ability; divine arts may lean towards curses, fear, and direct damage.

"Half of my Power Of Faith and population?" Lin Zhou's Divine Thought was as cold as iron. "Your divine Domain, along with your nauseating believers, will become the resources for my divine Domain's growth after today!"

"Arrogant!" Bone Chewer was enraged. He had not expected a demigod to be so tough. "Since you are seeking death, I will come and take it myself! Divine War, initiate!"

The rules of the Void Realm vibrated, and a blood-colored declaration of war was branded by the power of rules, marking the formal connection and hostility between the two divine Domains!

An unstable channel filled with chaotic energy began to form slowly in the turbulent flow of the Void Realm between the two divine Domains.

According to the rules of Divine War, the channel would take about six hours of divine Domain time (a moment in real time) to stabilize.

Divine War had inevitably descended!

Lin Zhou's consciousness returned, and the oracle spread instantly throughout the divine Domain: "External enemy approaching, prepare for battle!"

There was no panic, no chaos.

The believers, long nurtured by the Legalist Edicts, displayed extremely high discipline.

Under the command of Elwin and Bronzebeard Stonehammer, the entire divine Domain operated rapidly and orderly like a precision war machine.

Elwin (Hero - Rank 11 Wenxin Elf):

Attributes (Estimated): Strength 18, Agility 35, Physique 25, Intelligence 40, Wisdom 45, Spirit 38, Charisma 32

Talents: [Wenxin Carving Dragon] (Thought dissemination and comprehension efficiency +100%), [Subtle Influence] (Words contain power of rules, can inspire/intimidate)

Skills: [Vast Righteous Qi] (Domain, damage to evil alignment +150%), [Rapid Fire Archery], [Elementary Leadership].

Equipment: [Elwin Repeating Crossbow (Fine Iron)], [Wenxin Robe].

Status: [Composed], [Determined].

Bronzebeard Stonehammer (Hero - Rank 19 Tiangong Dwarf):

Attributes (Estimated): Strength 48, Agility 22, Physique 45, Intelligence 28, Wisdom 25, Spirit 30, Charisma 20

Talents: [Gold and Stone Opening] (Forging and mineral identification talent), [Tenacious] (Negative status resistance +50%)

Skills: [Rock Toughness] (Defense +100%), [Whirlwind Slash], [Heroic Strike].

Equipment: [Runic Battle Axe (Fine Steel)], [Steel-clad Heavy Shield], [Full Plate Armor].

Status: [Battle Intent Boiling], [Guardian Will].

"This battle is a battle for the survival of our divine Domain, and also a battle to practice the Dao of my god and promote the Order of civilization!" Elwin stood on the high platform in front of Jixia Academy, his voice clear, spreading everywhere. "The enemy is a chaotic and filthy lot, relying on the sharpness of their claws and the poison of their plague. Their actions are unjust, and their hearts must be cowardly!"

His words contained [Subtle Influence] and a faint [Vast Righteous Qi], smoothing out the anxiety in the hearts of the few newly joined believers and stimulating the fighting spirit of all warriors.

Bronzebeard Stonehammer brandished his battle axe, his voice like a booming bell: "A dwarf's hammer is meant to smash these uncivilized scum! Let them taste the new gear we've forged!"

Lin Zhou sank his consciousness into the Temple of Civilization. On the interface, the School of Military thought, representing strategy, conquest, and the unorthodox, was radiating a murderous, iron-blooded light.

It was time!

"Unlock School of Military thought!"

"Consumed 150 civilization points, successfully unlocked School of Military thought (Elementary Stage)."

"Obtained infusion of partial content from the core School of Military classics, 'The Art of War' and 'Sun Bin's Art of War'."

"Obtained blueprint for initial miracle building — [General-Command Platform (Projection)]!"

"Unlock core skills of the School of Military: [Swift as the Wind], [Slow as the Forest], [Fierce as Fire], [Immovable as a Mountain]!"

In an instant, countless wisdom regarding military calculation, formation, emptiness and solidity, orthodox and unorthodox, and strategy flooded into Lin Zhou's mind.

That was the crystallization of thousands of years of Chinese art of war, the supreme method on how to obtain the greatest victory at the smallest cost!

A blueprint for a simple, tall, and seemingly all-encompassing [General-Command Platform (Projection)] appeared in his mind.

Build! Consume 800 Power Of Faith!

When the [General-Command Platform (Projection)] rose from the ground in the core area of the divine Domain, a murderous yet reassuring power of rules permeated the area.

All military units felt their Qi connected to the General-Command Platform, command became more like an extension of their own arms, and their perception of the battlefield situation became clearer.

[General-Command Platform (Projection)] (Miracle Building)

Effect:

Enhances the discipline and response speed of all military units within the divine Domain.

When a Hero/Commander is commanding here, the field of vision and command range are significantly increased.

Slightly increases the morale and accuracy of friendly units within range.

Can conduct pre-battle simulations here (consumes Power Of Faith), slightly increasing the win rate of the first engagement.

Lin Zhou immediately integrated the four basic military formation skills into the divine Domain rules, and directly granted Elwin and Bronzebeard Stonehammer the relevant comprehension and usage rights through an oracle.

[Swift as the Wind] (Swift March Formation): Active skill. Significantly increases the movement speed and attack speed of the designated unit (Initial effect: +30%), suitable for raids, flanking, and retreats. Consumes Power Of Faith/Divine Power to maintain.

[Slow as the Forest] (Slow March Formation): Active skill. Increases the formation stability and defense of the designated unit (Initial effect: +25%), suitable for steady advancement, defense, and countering charges. Consumes Power Of Faith/Divine Power to maintain.

[Fierce as Fire] (Strong Assault Formation): Active skill. Significantly increases the attack power and critical strike chance of the designated unit (Initial effect: Attack +35%, Crit Rate +10%), suitable for strong attacks and breaking formations. Consumes Power Of Faith/Divine Power to maintain.

[Immovable as a Mountain] (Steadfast Defense Formation): Active skill. Greatly increases the defense and negative status resistance of the designated unit (Initial effect: Defense +50%, Resistance +20%), suitable for holding strongholds and withstanding impacts. Consumes Power Of Faith/Divine Power to maintain.

With the guidance of the School of Military thought, Lin Zhou looked at the gradually stabilizing divine war channel and the intelligence of the enemy divine Domain, and he already had a plan in mind.

"The enemy has a numerical advantage and plague traits, which is favorable for chaotic battles and attrition. Our army has superior equipment, strict discipline, and the advantage of terrain and rules." Lin Zhou's consciousness connected with Elwin and Bronzebeard Stonehammer, transmitting a complete operational plan.

"The key to this battle is: leverage strengths and avoid weaknesses, utilize the terrain, divide the enemy forces, control movement with stillness, use the orthodox to engage, and the unorthodox to win!"

"Core tactics: Lure the enemy deep, echelon interception, concentrate superior forces, and annihilate them one by one!"

Frontline Interception Zone: 300 meters outside the exit of the divine war channel, establishing the first line of defense relying on the terrain.

Bronzebeard Stonehammer leads 15 Dwarf Breakers, with a mixed group of 5 operating [Light Mechanical Ballistae], to set up defenses here.

Mission: Use the [Immovable as a Mountain] formation to bear the first wave of enemy impact head-on, while the ballistae provide long-range damage.

Mobile Annihilation Zone: 200 meters behind the defensive line, an area with relatively open terrain but equipped with traps and obstacles.

Elwin leads 40 Elf Rangers, with 5 Lightforged Gnomes (providing technical support and weak light-based healing), to maneuver here.

Mission: After the enemy is stalled by the dwarves, use the [Swift as the Wind] and [Fierce as Fire] formations to conduct mobile shooting and flank strikes.

Core Defense Zone: Near the core building complex of the divine Domain.

All non-combatants (including scholars, farmers, craftsmen) assemble here, provided additional protection by the Net of Law from the Temple of Law, and defended by the remaining dwarves and elves as a last line of defense.

Surprise Force: 10 of the most elite Elf Ranger, commanded by Elwin with divided attention, lurk in the dense forest on the flank of the battlefield.

Mission: Wait for the key moment to execute "decapitation" or ambush enemy long-range units/Plague Priests.

At the same time, all resources that could be mobilized within the divine Domain were activated:

Tiangong Workshop: Producing explosive mechanical arrowheads, reinforced shields, and temporarily rushed [Elementary Antidote Potions] (developed by combining School of Medicine theories with local herbs, can alleviate plague effects) at full capacity.

Altar of Shennong: Its [Endless Life] trait is guided to the battlefield area, purifying the environment slightly and delaying the spread of the plague.

Temple of Law: The Net of Law is highly activated, defining "Chaos," "Plague," and "Betrayal" as illegal Domains, causing continuous mental suppression and rule weakening to enemy troops stepping into the divine Domain (estimated all attributes -5% to -10%).

Time ticked by, the divine war channel became increasingly stable, and that foul, evil aura was already rushing towards them.

The sharp screeches and roars of the Kobolds were vaguely audible.

All believers were in position, gripping their weapons, their eyes firm.

Elwin stood on the General-Command Platform, his white clothes snowy, his gaze calm.

Bronzebeard Stonehammer stood at the very front of the defensive line, like a rock, the cold light on his axe blade flickering.

Lin Zhou hovered above the divine Domain, coldly watching the entrance of the channel.

This was his first formal Divine War since becoming a god, and also the first practical test of the Hundred Schools of Thought and the military strategy of the School of Military.

"Come on, let me see if your barbaric devouring is stronger, or if the military edge of my civilization is sharper!"