112: The Mohist School's doctrine of non-aggression and absolute defense against brute force (Part 2)

A world-shaking roar, accompanied by the piercing sound of twisting metal and shattering rock, erupted!

The Raging Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage's terrifying charge, which condensed all its power and was enough to smash mountains, slammed heavily into the first layer of the [Mohist Non-Aggression: Molten Lava Barrier]!

At the center of the collision, a blinding gold and red light burst forth like a miniature sun! A terrifying energy shockwave expanded rapidly in a ring, completely leveling all uncollapsed stone pillars within a radius of several hundred meters, and the ground was forcibly shaved down by three feet! The scorching air current, mixed with violent impact force, made Lin Zhou and Su Yueyao behind the barrier feel as if they were in the middle of a storm, even with the protection!

"Crack... Creak..."

The tooth-aching sound of cracking came from the barrier!

The five-meter-thick first layer of the barrier, composed of lava and Mohist runes, showed a massive, spider-web-like depression and spreading cracks where the Behemoth hit! Scorching lava splashed from the cracks like blood, and the entire barrier shook violently, as if it would completely disintegrate at any moment!

However—

In the end... it did not break!

The Mohist runes, containing the Concept of "Non-Aggression," flickered wildly inside the barrier, guiding and dispersing the impact force throughout the entire structure. Dragon Vein Earth Qi poured continuously from the ground, reinforcing the barrier's Foundation. The majestic fire energy provided by the [Active Volcano] card constantly repaired the cracks and replenished the splashed lava!

The Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage's invincible charge was forcibly halted for the first time! Its massive golden body was stuck outside the first layer of the barrier! The enormous recoil made it stumble, letting out a roar of rage and confusion!

Its claws, capable of tearing through legendary defenses, clawed fiercely at the barrier, but could only leave deep gouges and kick up a shower of sparks; they couldn't tear it apart instantly! The sustained high temperature scorched its claws and fur, and while it didn't cause fatal injuries, it made the Behemoth feel a long-lost sting and irritation beneath its [Golden Barrier]!

It worked!

At this most critical moment, Lin Zhou's tactic of "trading space for time, using order to overcome savagery" finally succeeded in stalling the unstoppable brute-force charge of the Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage through the establishment of the [Mohist Non-Aggression: Molten Lava Barrier]! It won a precious breathing space for the Cloud City Team and stabilized their formation, which had been on the verge of complete collapse!

"It was blocked?!"

"My god! What is that? A lava wall?"

"It's Lin Zhou! He used a new power again! Is that Mohist Mechanism Art? How can it be so strong?"

"He actually blocked the Raging Golden Behemoth's charge! This defensive power is insane!"

Inside and outside the virtual battlefield, the originally pessimistic atmosphere was instantly ignited! Countless spectators let out cries of disbelief! Lin Zhou once again, in a desperate situation, revealed a jaw-dropping trump card and ability!

Haotian's face, which had been as calm as a deep well, finally showed a clear change and... a hint of gravity. He clearly felt that the lava barrier was not a simple elemental creation; it contained an extremely resilient rule-based Concept that emphasized "Defense" and "Non-Aggression." It was this Concept that caused a qualitative change in the barrier's defensive properties, allowing it to barely withstand the impact of the Raging Behemoth.

"Mohist... Non-Aggression..." Haotian whispered these words, his gaze sharp as a knife. "To have comprehended thought to such a degree, integrating it into Divine Power and transforming it into a physical manifestation of rules... Lin Zhou, I admit, I underestimated you before."

But he did not panic. No matter how strong a barrier was, it had its limits, especially a temporary structure that clearly required a continuous and massive consumption of Divine Power to maintain.

"I'll see how long you can hold out!" Haotian snorted coldly, no longer holding back. "Golden Behemoth, continuous attack! Destroy it! Storm Giants, concentrate fire, strike a single point! Silver Pegasus Knight, Spirit Dragons, find the barrier's energy nodes and interfere!"

Upon receiving the command, the Raging Behemoth fell into a state of total frenzy. It no longer tried to smash the barrier in one go, but instead swung its massive golden claws like a pile driver, launching a relentless and frantic assault on the same point of the first barrier! The light of [Crushing Tear: Armor Break] lit up again and again!

The Storm Giants in the rear also condensed powerful lightning spears, no longer firing in a broad area but focusing their attacks on the point the Behemoth was attacking!

Silver Pegasus Knight circled in the air, their Holy Light spears raining down on the flickering Mohist runes on the barrier, attempting to destroy its energy structure. Spirit Dragons emitted distorted dream ripples, interfering with Lin Zhou's energy supply and mental link to the barrier.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Under such concentrated and violent attacks, the first lava barrier let out a groan of pain. The cracks continued to expand, and the repair speed was far from keeping up with the destruction. Its overall glow dimmed rapidly!

Lin Zhou's face turned pale, and his body swayed slightly. Maintaining three layers of barriers consumed far more than he had imagined. Especially the first layer, which bore the brunt of the attacks; every heavy blow felt like it was striking directly at his Divine Fire, causing his Divine Power to pour out like a burst dam! The Fire of Civilization in his Sea of Consciousness also flickered unsteadily.

"Lin Zhou!" Su Yueyao looked at him with concern. Her Moonlight Power tried to share some of the pressure, but her power attribute was incompatible with the lava barrier, so it had little effect.

"I can still hold on!" Lin Zhou gritted his teeth, frantically squeezing every bit of potential from the Dragon Veins and himself. "Elwin! Bronzebeard! Snik! Help maintain the barrier's structure, focus defense on the attacked area!"

The Literary Heart Elves infused Vast Righteous Qi into the barrier. Although it couldn't directly enhance the defense, it could stabilize the internal structure and resist mental interference. The Tiangong Dwarves used limited Materials to urgently reinforce the rear of the barrier. The Law Fishmen concentrated their order field on the damaged point, trying to delay its collapse.

But it was still a drop in the bucket!

"BOOM—!!!"

Accompanied by a massive explosion, after enduring dozens of frantic attacks from the Raging Behemoth and concentrated fire from the Storm Giants, the first layer of the [Mohist Non-Aggression: Molten Lava Barrier] finally succumbed to the burden. It collapsed completely, turning into countless burning fragments and flowing lava that slowly sank into the ground!

The Raging Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage let out a roar of victory. Its lava-like pupils peered through the thick smoke and heat waves, staring intently at the second barrier behind, and behind that, the pale-faced Lin Zhou and Su Yueyao!

It took heavy strides, stepping over the ruins of the first barrier that hadn't yet cooled, and charged toward the second barrier with an even more violent Aura!

The defense had been torn open!

The crisis was not resolved; instead, it became even more imminent!

Lin Zhou looked at the rapidly approaching Golden Behemoth, then at the teetering second barrier, and finally at his exhausted followers and the injured Su Yueyao behind him. A flash of determination crossed his eyes.

He knew that relying solely on defense would ultimately lead to a dead end. The Mohist Non-Aggression barrier had bought him precious time and a chance to breathe, and it had also greatly depleted the Raging Behemoth's strength and the opponent's long-range firepower. Now, it was time to execute the most risky—and possibly the only—step in his tactic that could decide the outcome!

His consciousness sank into the Temple of Civilization once again. But this time, he was no longer communicating with a single school's light orb. Instead, he was trying to summon the phantom of the river of civilization—the one that had been flowing quietly, carrying the wisdom of all the Hundred Schools!

He wanted to use this Origin of civilization, which gathered the power of the Hundred Schools, to launch an unprecedented counterattack!