105: A hard-fought victory to secure a spot in the finals (Part 2)

Natural disaster, descends!

The collapsing rock walls and gushing lava instantly turned that narrow rift into a deathly purgatory!

Although the four Behemoths possessed invincible strength and astonishing defense, they were not true gods. Facing this terrifying scene like the power of nature, they appeared small and helpless! Huge falling rocks smashed onto their golden bodies, producing dull, thunderous booms. Although they couldn't immediately break through the [Golden Barrier], the terrifying impact and continuous strikes made them roar in pain and anger. Their massive bodies were knocked off balance, and one was even pinned by its hind leg by a super giant rock, temporarily trapped!

Even more terrifying was what lay beneath their feet! The shattering earth could not bear their terrifying weight, and the tumbling lava instantly submerged their calves! The Behemoths' magic resistance was not low, but against continuous high-temperature burning and the physical erosion of the lava, their defensive effectiveness was greatly compromised! Their golden fur began to char, emitting a pungent burnt smell, and their painful roars echoed through the rift!

The War Great Treant and Hill Giant pursuers tried to rescue them but were also blocked by the collapsing rocks and erupting lava, unable to move a single step!

On Yuncheng No. 1 High School's side, they were well-prepared!

Elwin led the Literary Heart Elves to fully support the [Aura of Righteousness Barrier], which acted like an inverted bowl, protecting the core area and keeping most of the falling rocks out. Su Yueyao's Moonlight Guardian focused on defending against lava splashes and high-temperature heatwaves. Bronzebeard's Tiangong Dwarves had even constructed simple shelters in advance using mechanisms and stones.

Although they also endured immense pressure and tremors, with their formation scattered and many kin injured, their situation was more than ten times better than the main force of War God Academy, which was taking the brunt of the natural disaster!

"Bastards! You despicable rats!" Xing Zhan watched from the rear, his eyes nearly bursting with rage. He never expected the opponent to be so resolute, using this near-suicidal method to deal with his invincible Behemoths! He wanted to command the remaining units to force a Breakthrough, but the collapsed area and raging lava formed a natural barrier that was impossible to cross in a short time!

"Now is the time! Concentrate fire and eliminate the trapped Behemoths!" Lin Zhou's voice carried a hint of exhaustion, but more of it was calm and decisive. Creating this natural disaster had nearly exhausted most of Lei Huang and Yan Li's Divine Power, and his own mind was under immense pressure from calculation and command.

But this was the only chance!

The remaining Thunder Giants endured their injuries, condensing their final thunder. They no longer sought range but instead turned it into concentrated lightning spears, precisely shooting at the eyes, mouths, and other relatively vulnerable parts of the Behemoths suppressed by rocks or struggling in the lava!

Yan Li's Phoenix also gave its all, spitting out its last few breaths of Origin Phoenix Fire to burn the Behemoths' wounds!

Lin Zhou's Hundred Schools Kin—Ballistas, Swords of Righteousness, and Judgments of Law—poured all available attacks like a rainstorm onto the four cornered beasts!

Kicking them while they were down!

Having lost their mobility, trapped in a harsh environment, and subjected to concentrated fire, even the powerful Behemoths had finally reached their end!

One Behemoth had its eye pierced by a lightning spear and collapsed into the lava wailing; another had its internal organs ignited by Phoenix Fire and slowly sank while struggling; the one pinned by the giant rock died first under the Tiangong Dwarves' targeted demolition and the Judgment of Law; the last Behemoth tried to leap out of the purgatory but was suppressed by the final [Subtle Words and Great Meanings: Suppress] cast by Elwin with all her Literary Qi. Its figure stalled and was immediately submerged by countless attacks... The four Behemoths, the core strength Xing Zhan relied on for his fame, were completely wiped out under this man-made disaster and Yuncheng No. 1 High School's all-out concentrated fire!

"No—!" Xing Zhan let out a heart-wrenching roar, nearly going insane! Cultivating Behemoths was extremely difficult; these four were his life's blood. Having them all perish here was a devastating blow to him!

Without the Behemoths, the remaining War Great Treants and Hill Giants of War God Academy were still powerful, but they had lost their sharpest spearhead and strongest deterrent. On Yuncheng No. 1 High School's side, although everyone was injured and their Divine Power was exhausted—with Lei Huang and Yan Li's kin suffering heavy losses and nearly losing combat effectiveness—Lin Zhou's Hundred Schools Kin still maintained a relatively complete structure! Su Yueyao's moonlight also had some strength left!

The cleanup battle was without suspense.

With the help of the Hundred Schools Kin led by Elwin, Bronzebeard, and Snik, as well as Su Yueyao's Moon Elves, Yuncheng No. 1 High School painstakingly cleared out the remaining resistance from War God Academy.

When Xing Zhan himself was "invited" off the battlefield by the joint force of Snik's [Judgment of Law] and Su Yueyao's Moonlight Impact, this extremely tragic semi-final finally came to a close.

[Semi-final, Yuncheng No. 1 High School vs. War God Academy, battle ended! Winner: Yuncheng No. 1 High School! Successfully promoted to the Star Domain High School League—Finals!]

The announcement from the virtual battlefield, carrying an unprecedented solemnity and shock, echoed in the consciousness of every spectator.

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Then, an uproar and excitement like a mountain tsunami erupted!

"We won! Yuncheng No. 1 High School won!"

"My god! They really did it! They broke into the finals!"

"It was too tragic... The Behemoths were wiped out, and the Yuncheng side is almost tapped out as well..."

"Lin Zhou... it's Lin Zhou again! That move of using the terrain was too ruthless! And too brilliant!"

"A miracle! This is a true miracle! A team from a third-tier city, a dark horse all the way, has fought its way into the Star Domain finals!"

Inside and outside the virtual battlefield, people went completely wild! The name of Yuncheng No. 1 High School, like a prairie fire, swept across the entire Star Domain network at an unprecedented speed! Historically breaking into the Star Domain High School League finals! This was a glory never before seen in the history of Cloud City's education!

Inside the preparation space, a flash of light appeared, and the four members of Yuncheng No. 1 High School returned.

Lei Huang and Yan Li were nearly collapsed, leaning against the wall and gasping for air, but their faces were filled with unbelievable ecstasy and excitement.

Su Yueyao's face was pale, but her eyes were as bright as stars. She looked at Lin Zhou beside her, who was also heavily exhausted but stood tall, and the corners of her mouth curled into a breathtaking arc.

Lin Zhou let out a long sigh of relief. Feeling the nearly depleted Divine Power and mental energy within him, a mix of extreme fatigue and extreme accomplishment intertwined. The finals... they really made it!

"We... made it to the finals!" Lei Huang's voice trembled as he repeated these words, as if he couldn't believe it.

"Yeah, we're in the finals." Lin Zhou nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over his tired but excited teammates, finally meeting Su Yueyao's eyes. The two shared a smile, everything understood without words. Fighting side by side in blood had already tightly linked their hearts.

The real world, Cloud City.

When the news of the semi-final victory swept back like a storm through official channels and countless self-media, the entire city fell into an unprecedented ocean of carnival!

On the giant light screen in the city center square, the scene of the four members of Yuncheng No. 1 High School finally standing on the battlefield was played repeatedly, especially the figure of Lin Zhou calmly commanding and ultimately securing the victory!

On the streets, countless citizens spontaneously poured out, waving the flags of Yuncheng No. 1 High School, shouting the names of Lin Zhou, Lei Huang, Yan Li, and Su Yueyao, along with the slogan "Cloud City must win!" Fireworks bloomed brilliantly in the night sky, lighting up the entire city like day!

Inside the campus of Yuncheng No. 1 High School, it became an ocean of joy. Teachers and students embraced and wept, cheering and jumping for joy!

This was Cloud City's moment of glory! It was the loudest voice this third-tier city had ever projected in the field of education—no, on the entire Star Domain stage!

In Lin Zhou's home, his parents were already surrounded by relatives, friends, neighbors, and reporters who had rushed over upon hearing the news. Their communicators rang incessantly. Pride, joy, and tears were intertwined.

However, at the Peak of this city-wide celebration, the hidden crisis finally revealed its savage fangs.

Cloud City, outside Lin Zhou's residential complex.

Inside that black hovercar, the man in the shadows looked at the city-wide celebration on the light screen and Lin Zhou's high-profile figure. The corners of his mouth curled into a cold, mirthless arc.

"The night before the finals, in the spotlight, hearts and minds relaxed... it truly is the best time to strike."

He picked up an encrypted communicator and slowly uttered two words:

"Action."