113: Military strategists use deception to lure the enemy deep into their territory and set up an ambush (Part 1)

The collapse of the first layer of the [Mohist Non-Aggression: Molten Lava Barrier] seemed to toll the final death knell for the Cloud City Team. Scorching debris mixed with unsolidified lava splashed everywhere, sending up clouds of white steam as the air filled with the scent of sulfur and destruction.

The Raging Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage stepped onto the ruins of the barrier, letting out an earth-shattering roar, its lava-like pupils filled only with the most primitive desire for destruction. The liquid-gold energy shield on its body ([Golden Barrier]) had dimmed slightly under continuous attacks and lava burns, but it still radiated a despair-inducing defensive power. Its massive body, like a moving golden mountain, approached the second barrier step by step with an unstoppable momentum.

"Lin Zhou!" Su Yueyao's voice carried an undisguisable weakness and anxiety. Her Moonlight Divine Domain's range had shrunk again, barely able to protect the core area around her and Lin Zhou. The bright halo fluctuated violently under the impact of the opponent's berserk Aura, like a candle flickering in a storm.

Lin Zhou's face was as pale as paper, and a trace of pale-gold blood even seeped from the corner of his mouth—a manifestation of his Divine Fire vibrating due to excessive consumption. Maintaining three layers of lava barriers, especially the first layer that bore the brunt of the frontal attack, was a massive burden on his Divine Power, Mental Energy, and even his Godhead. He could clearly feel the Fire of Civilization in his Sea of Consciousness, which carried the patterns of the Hundred Schools, flickering at an unstable frequency, its light dimmed by at least thirty percent compared to its Peak.

God Panel (Brief)

Deity: Lin Zhou

God Rank: Demigod (LV 99 - Bottleneck Period; due to continuous high load, Rank fluctuates slightly, stability decreased)

God Fire: Fire of Civilization (Status: Flickering and unstable, energy output efficiency reduced by 15%)

Divine Power Reserves: 21,500 / 150,000 (Huge consumption from previously constructing barriers, maintaining Domains, and healing followers; Dragon Vein Earth Qi replenishment speed is far lower than consumption speed)

God Domain: Hundred Schools Temple (Projection state, area reduced to 18 square kilometers due to insufficient energy, environmental stability -20%)

Core Follower Status:

Literary Heart Elves (LV 28-32): Number: 412/650. Status: Mana exhausted (average remaining mana < 15%), mentally fatigued, "Vast Righteous Qi" Domain effect weakened by 40%. Hero unit [Elwin (LV 35)] is in a state of mild backlash, intelligence attribute temporarily -5.

Tiangong Dwarves (LV 26-30): Number: 335/550. Status: Fatigued, equipment durability generally below 30%, destruction rate of large mechanisms like Ballistae is 65%. Hero unit [Bronzebeard Stonehammer (LV 33)] lightly injured, strength attribute temporarily -3.

Law Fishmen (LV 25-28): Number: 288/500. Status: Discipline maintained, but "Net of Law" range reduced to the core area, strength weakened by 50%. Hero unit [Snik (LV 31)] moderately fatigued, spirit attribute temporarily -8.

Miraculous Buildings/Status:

Mohist Non-Aggression: Molten Lava Barrier (Second Layer): Durability 42,000 / 120,000 (continuously decreasing), energy shield strength: Low. Estimated to last at most 1 minute and 30 seconds under the concentrated attacks of the Raging Behemoth.

Mohist Non-Aggression: Molten Lava Barrier (Third Layer): Durability 98,000 / 120,000, energy shield strength: Medium.

Dragon Vein Node (Connected Status): Earth Qi output overloaded, replenishment efficiency dropped to 60% of normal.

Temple of Civilization (Projection): Functioning normally, but energy mobilization permissions are partially restricted due to the instability of the God Fire.

"I'm fine." Lin Zhou wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, the calmness in his eyes unchanged; instead, they became sharper, like a blade tempered in ice water. He rapidly analyzed the battlefield data: "The second barrier won't last long. Classmate Su, prepare to execute Plan 'Yi-3'. I need your cooperation for a tactical relocation and to lure the enemy."

Plan "Yi-3" was a risky move of the School of Military that Lin Zhou had formulated among countless pre-battle tactical simulations for the desperate situation where "absolute power cannot be countered head-on"—feigning defeat, luring the enemy deep, and using a preset battlefield to trade space for time and break force with skill!

"Understood." Su Yueyao didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately began mobilizing her remaining Moonlight Power to cooperate with Lin Zhou's actions. She had near-absolute trust in Lin Zhou, especially in such desperate situations where he always managed to create miracles.

Just then, Zhao Hao's weak but slightly excited voice came through the team channel: "Lin... Lin Zhou! My 'Dragon Awe Perception' has captured that big guy's energy core fluctuations! It's just to the left of its chest; the energy reaction there is at least three times more active than elsewhere! Although it's protected by its Golden Barrier, it's definitely a weakness!"

Although Zhao Hao's Dragon God Domain had been crippled, his own perception abilities as a Deity, especially regarding the energy fluctuations of powerful creatures, were still functioning. After the Golden Behemoth went berserk and its energy operation reached its Peak, this core weakness that had been well-hidden was finally keenly captured by Zhao Hao!

"Are you sure?" Lin Zhou's spirits rose! This was undoubtedly crucial information in a time of need!

"Eighty percent sure! The energy flow pattern is very special, like a hub for some kind of Bloodline power!" Zhao Hao confirmed.

"Great job, Zhao Hao!" Lin Zhou praised sincerely, then immediately shared this information with Su Yueyao and all hero units still capable of fighting.

With a clear target, the originally near-hopeless plan suddenly had a glimmer of hope!

"Adjust the plan! The goal is to lure it into the 'Crater Area', concentrate all forces, and attack the energy core on the left side of its chest!" Lin Zhou quickly issued new instructions through the mental link.

The so-called "Crater Area" was located to the side and rear of the core area they were currently defending. It was a region filled with massive craters and extremely complex terrain, caused by the Golden Behemoth's boulder throws and the Storm Giants' lightning spear strikes. It was originally a nightmare for the Cloud City Team, but now, in Lin Zhou's eyes, it had become a perfect ambush site! He had already secretly ordered the Tiangong Dwarves and some agile Literary Heart Elves to use the craters and debris to set up simple but lethal Mohist Mechanisms and traps.

"Elwin, Bronzebeard, Snik, act according to the plan! Remember, the retreat must look real, but do not let order break!" Lin Zhou gave his final instructions.

"For my god! For civilization!" The three hero units responded in unison. Despite their exhaustion, their conviction remained firm... Outside, in the virtual battlefield spectator seats and the Star Net live broadcast rooms, the atmosphere had reached a point of extreme suppression.

"It's over, the first barrier is broken, and the second one is about to go!"

"Lin Zhou seems to be injured! His Divine Power fluctuations are very unstable!"

"Goddess Su's Moonlight Domain is also about to fail..."

"The gap in strength is just too big; the Golden Behemoth is too monstrous!"

"Is the Cloud City Team's dark horse journey going to end here?"

Almost everyone believed that the Cloud City Team's defeat was only a matter of time. Even the referees on the high platform and the leaders of various schools mostly showed looks of regret. Only the principal and teachers of Yuncheng High School still clenched their fists, staring intently at the light screen, hoping for a slim miracle.

On the battlefield, Hao Tian also noticed the sharp decline in Lin Zhou's Divine Power fluctuations and the crumbling state of the second barrier. A cold arc curled at the corner of his mouth: "At the end of your rope, struggling in vain. Golden Behemoth, finish them off in one go!"

Under his command, the Raging Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage raised its giant claws again, and with a whistle that tore through the air, slammed them down hard against the second molten lava barrier! At the same time, the Storm Giants' lightning spears condensed once more, aiming at the same spot on the barrier!

"BOOM—!!!"

The second barrier shook violently, the lava on its surface boiling and churning as huge cracks spread at a speed visible to the naked eye! The barrier's light dimmed at an alarming rate!

Just when everyone thought Lin Zhou would fight to the death to maintain the barrier—

"Retreat! Abandon the second line of defense! Everyone, retreat to the Crater Area! Fast!" Lin Zhou's voice, carrying a hint of "panic" and "powerlessness," rang out simultaneously in the Divine Domain link and Su Yueyao's team channel!

The next moment, under countless startled gazes, the second [Mohist Non-Aggression: Molten Lava Barrier], which had been struggling to hold on, suddenly collapsed as if it had lost all support, dissipating even faster than the first! It was as if the maintainer had completely run out of energy!

Following that, the remaining Literary Heart Elves, Tiangong Dwarves, and Law Fishmen, led by Lin Zhou's three hero units, appeared to "flee in panic" and "disarray" toward the Crater Area in the rear! Even Lin Zhou and Su Yueyao's Divine Domain projections began to shrink backward, their light flickering as if their Divine Power was insufficient and they were about to collapse!

"They've lost! The Cloud City Team has been routed!"

"As expected, they couldn't stop it!"

"What a pity, Lin Zhou already did well enough..."

"The Golden Behemoth is matchless!"

Sighs, regrets, and cheers from Hao Tian's supporters rang out in the spectator seats.

Hao Tian looked at the "scurrying" remnants of the Cloud City Team, a flash of doubt crossing his eyes. Would Lin Zhou collapse so easily? Based on his previous combat performance, this didn't seem like his style. But the violent fluctuations of Divine Power, the collapse of the barrier, and the rout of the followers—these signs were all so real... especially Lin Zhou and Su Yueyao's obviously unstable Divine Domain projections, which couldn't be faked.

"Is it a trap? Or is he truly exhausted?" Hao Tian's mind raced, but the tyrannical emotions of the Golden Behemoth after its berserk state had influenced him to some extent. Combined with his absolute confidence in his strength, he quickly made a judgment: "In the face of absolute power, any trap is futile! Even if there's an ambush, I can break it with sheer force! Golden Behemoth, chase them down, leave none alive!"

He could not let pass this perfect opportunity to annihilate the core of the Cloud City Team in one fell swoop!

"ROAR!!!"

The Raging Golden Behemoth Royal Lineage let out an excited roar. The pleasure of destroying the enemy's defense and the instinct of hunting fleeing prey made it instantly abandon its last bit of caution. It took massive strides and, like a golden whirlwind, closely pursued the "fleeing" remnants of the Cloud City Team into that complex terrain filled with huge craters and debris—the Crater Area!

The Storm Giants and Silver Pegasus Knights followed closely behind, attempting to provide long-range support.

However, the moment the Golden Behemoth's massive body completely stepped into the Crater Area—

Lin Zhou, who had been "fleeing wretchedly," suddenly had a brilliant glint erupt in his eyes! On his pale face, where was there any sign of panic or exhaustion? There was only icy killing intent and the calmness of someone who held all the cards!

"Now!"

"School of the Military's Deception—Invite the target into the trap, Shut the door to beat the dog!"

"Mohist Mechanisms—Activate!"

"Legalist Edicts—Airspace Ban! Slow!"

"Confucian Righteousness—Lock onto the core!"

As Lin Zhou's series of cold and swift commands exploded in the mental link, the "routed" remnants of the Cloud City Team instantly stopped their flight, and their formation became orderly again in the blink of an eye! The Literary Heart Elves, Tiangong Dwarves, and Law Fishmen each took their positions, their eyes burning with a death-defying Battle Intent!

The entire Crater Area seemed like a sleeping giant beast suddenly awakening!