106: The final opponent, the Golden Behemoth, is a force to be reckoned with (Part 1)

Virtual Battlefield, Central Arena.

The smoke from the semifinals had not yet fully dissipated, but the tense atmosphere of the finals had already spread like something tangible. The two teams that advanced to the finals—Yuncheng No. 1 High School, which had created a dark horse miracle, and the winner of the other semifinal, the veteran powerhouse team from Cangqiong Academy—stood in the preparation areas at opposite ends of the arena.

On Yuncheng No. 1 High School's side, the atmosphere was heavy, carrying a hint of the exhaustion that follows a narrow escape. Although everyone's Divine Power states had recovered significantly through the virtual battlefield System's rapid recovery and their followers could be summoned again (fallen units require slow recovery in real time or the consumption of resources to be resurrected), the tragic and fierce battle against War God Academy in the semifinals had consumed more than just Divine Power; it had drained their minds and wills. Lei Huang and Yan Li's faces were still somewhat pale; their core followers had suffered the heaviest losses and would find it difficult to return to Peak combat strength in a short time. Su Yueyao stood quietly, her Moonlight Power flowing as she repaired her own losses, but a faint, hard-to-detect weariness also lingered between her cold brows.

Only Lin Zhou, relying on the power of his dragon vein fragment and the Fire of Civilization, recovered the fastest and had basically adjusted his state by now. However, deep in his eyes, there was also a look of gravity. Their opponent in the finals would certainly not be easier to deal with than War God Academy.

Everyone's gaze was focused on the five imposing figures in the opposite preparation area.

Cangqiong Academy was one of the most prestigious powerhouses in the history of the Star Domain High School League, having won the league title multiple times with unfathomable foundations. Their captain, Hao Tian, was even hailed as one of the individuals with the strongest personal strength in this league, possessing a legendary top-tier follower—the Golden Behemoth!

When Hao Tian's mountain-steady figure appeared, along with the phantoms of his team members' followers behind him—all of which emitted powerful Auras (Storm Giants, Silver Pegasus Knights, Spirit Dragons, etc.)—an invisible, suffocating pressure swept toward Yuncheng No. 1 High School like a tsunami!

In particular, the looming phantom of the giant beast in front of Hao Tian—which seemed cast entirely of pure gold, was a size larger than Xing Zhan's Golden Behemoth, and had eyes filled with an ancient and violent Aura—made the hearts of everyone who saw it contract involuntarily!

A Golden Behemoth! Moreover, it was a Golden Behemoth even more powerful and pure than Xing Zhan's four! It was very likely a Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage with an even more ancient and pure Bloodline!

“That is... Captain Hao Tian's Golden Behemoth...” Zhao Hao (who had regained spectating permissions) sucked in a breath of cold air in the team channel, his voice dry. “This Aura... is even more terrifying than Xing Zhan's!”

Lei Huang's expression was extremely ugly. Having personally experienced the terror of the Golden Behemoth, he said in a deep voice, “The power level is completely different... This Behemoth gives me the feeling that... it has already touched the threshold of a Legend! I'm afraid its Rank is close to or has even reached LV40 (Peak Demigod)!”

Although Yan Li and Su Yueyao did not speak, their tightly pursed lips and solemn eyes also showed the immense pressure they were under.

Lin Zhou's gaze was locked tightly onto that Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage. Through the perception of the Fire of Civilization, he could 'see' the terrifying power contained within the giant beast, which was like a volcano about to erupt, as well as that pure primeval Aura that seemed capable of tearing through all rules and proving one's path through strength!

Estimated enemy core unit data (based on perception and public information):

Follower Name: Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage (Hao Tian's Core)

Rank: LV39-LV40 (Demigod Peak, Half-Step Legend)

Estimated Attributes: Strength 75+, Physique 80+, Agility 30+, Intelligence 12, Spirit 20+

Estimated Skills (Enhanced Versions): [War Stomp: Earth-Render], [Crushing Tear: Armor-Break], [Golden Barrier: Absolute Defense], [King's Roar (Area Deterrence and Attribute Reduction)]

Estimated Traits: [Physical Damage Reduction 60%+], [Magic Resistance 40%+], [Greater Super Armor (Immune to most control effects)], [Earth Sovereign (Greatly increases terrain utilization and recovery)], [King's Pressure (Extra suppression against beast and giant units)]

This data was practically despair-inducing!

Strength and Physique attributes had broken past the 75 or even 80 mark! This meant that its pure physical attack and defense had reached the extreme of the Demigod stage! With higher damage reduction, magic resistance, stronger super armor, and the likely existence of area deterrence and terrain control... this Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage was an insurmountable, mobile super-fortress with destructive offensive power!

Compared to it, Xing Zhan's four Golden Behemoths were practically like underage cubs!

And this was just one of Hao Tian's core followers! The team members behind him—Storm Giants controlling the weather, Silver Pegasus Knights with peerless mobility, and Spirit Dragons that were mysterious and unpredictable—combined to form an almost perfect, integrated offensive and defensive Divine Realm System with virtually no weaknesses!

“The finals opponent... Cangqiong Academy, Hao Tian...” Lei Huang murmured to himself, his voice carrying a hint of powerlessness. Having experienced a death-match with War God Academy, he knew all too well what a Golden Behemoth of this level meant. That was not something that could be easily dealt with by relying on cleverness or terrain! It required an absolute collision of hard strength!

There was silence in the team channel. Even the usually boisterous Zhao Hao was speechless. The massive gap in strength lay before their eyes like a cold abyss.

Hao Tian seemed to sense the heavy atmosphere from Yuncheng No. 1 High School's side. He slowly raised his head, his calm gaze sweeping over the Yuncheng crowd before finally landing on Lin Zhou. His eyes did not hold the wildness and aggression of Xing Zhan, but rather an indifference and absolute confidence, as if he were looking down at ants.

“Yuncheng No. 1 High School, Lin Zhou.” Hao Tian's voice was not loud, yet it possessed a strange penetrating power that clearly reached everyone's ears. “Your dark horse journey ends here. In the face of absolute power, all techniques are futile. In the finals, I will let you see what a true... Peak is.”

There were no threats, no mockery, only a calm statement, yet it carried a pressure more heart-stopping than any arrogant boast!

He didn't even spare a second glance at the others, as if in his perception, only Lin Zhou was barely worth him saying this one sentence.

This kind of disregard was more humiliating and made one feel more powerless than direct contempt.

“Bastard!” Zhao Hao growled in the channel, yet he could not refute him.

Lei Huang and Yan Li clenched their fists, their faces turning ashen.

Su Yueyao looked at Lin Zhou, her cold eyes filled with worry.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the slight wavering in his heart caused by the massive gap. He met Hao Tian's indifferent gaze; there was no fear in his eyes, only a deep, pond-like calmness and a hint of unyielding Battle Intent.

“Power is not the only path.” Lin Zhou's voice was equally calm, yet it carried a steady strength. “The paths of a hundred schools are as vast as the sea. On the final stage, we shall see for ourselves.”

His response caused a very faint flash of surprise to cross Hao Tian's eyes, which then returned to being as still as an ancient well.

The gazes of both sides collided in the void, as if invisible sparks were flying.

[Star Domain High School League Finals: Yuncheng No. 1 High School vs. Cangqiong Academy! Map drawing in progress...]

[Finals Map Confirmed: Honghuang Mountain Realm!]

[The finals will be held in 24 hours of real time! Please prepare your teams!]

Honghuang Mountain Realm! A map rumored to have more ancient rules, a more complex environment, and higher requirements for the Bloodline and potential of followers!

The scene of the final map appeared on the light screen: majestic, continuous, and ancient mountain ranges towering into the clouds, with thin Innate Spiritual Qi (simulated) permeating between the Peaks, filled with powerful ancient Vicious Beasts (neutral units that attack indiscriminately), steep terrain, and a changeable climate.

This undoubtedly increased the variables of the finals, but for a follower like the Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage—which was highly adaptable, thick-skinned, and could be called the overlord of the land—this map seemed... even more advantageous!

Pressure, like layers upon layers of mountains, weighed heavily on the hearts of everyone from Yuncheng No. 1 High School.

Exiting the virtual battlefield, consciousness returned to reality.

Lin Zhou sat up from the login pod, rubbing his slightly throbbing temples. The strength of their finals opponent exceeded his worst expectations. A half-step legendary Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage, combined with Cangqiong Academy's perfected System... this was almost an unsolvable problem.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Just then, a slight but rhythmic knocking sound rang out.

Lin Zhou's brows furrowed slightly. At this time, his parents should still be out being interviewed or dealing with people offering congratulations. Who could it be?

He got up and walked to the door, looking out through the peephole.

He saw a refined middle-aged man standing outside the door, wearing a black suit and gold-rimmed glasses. Behind him were two followers with steady Auras and sharp eyes.

“May I ask if this is Student Lin Zhou?” The middle-aged man had a warm smile on his face, and his voice came through the door. “Pardon the intrusion. I am a special consultant for the Xinghai University Admissions Office; my surname is Wen. I have some matters regarding special recruitment and dragon vein fragments that I would like to discuss with you in person. I wonder if it is convenient?”

Xinghai University? Special recruitment? dragon vein fragments?

Lin Zhou's heart stirred, but he did not open the door immediately. On the eve of the finals, people from Xinghai University had suddenly visited and directly mentioned dragon vein fragments... this was too much of a coincidence. He quietly circulated his Divine Power and released his perception.

In the next moment, his gaze suddenly turned cold.

He sensed an extremely subtle yet cold Aura from this “Consultant Wen” and his followers that was completely out of place with the surrounding environment. That was by no means the temperament that university admissions personnel should have! More importantly, he perceived several even more hidden, malicious gazes downstairs, firmly locked onto his home!

Those who come are not friendly!