126: League Championship: A New Chapter in Yuncheng's History (Part 2)

"Star Sea Divine Realm University... Hidden Dragon level clearance..."

Lin Zhou repeated these words in a low voice. The shock in his eyes slowly subsided, replaced by a deep sense of contemplation.

The room fell silent. The Principal, General Qin Wu, and even Su Yueyao all watched him, waiting for his decision. This was a temptation that almost any young deity would find impossible to refuse—a meteoric rise and a limitless future.

However, what Lin Zhou was considering was not merely the immediate shortcuts and resources.

His path was the path of civilization, the contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought. The Foundation of this path lay in dissemination, practice, and the collision and Fusion with countless living beings and different ideologies. While Star Sea Divine Realm University was indeed a top-tier institution with abundant resources, it was rife with internal factions and strict rules. Although Hidden Dragon level clearance was prestigious, it also meant being drawn into the high-level power struggles and facing stricter limitations earlier on.

What he needed, perhaps, was not a greenhouse, but a broader, freer stage where he could sow the seeds of the Hundred Schools of Thought, validating them in practice and perfecting them through collision. Though the College Entrance Exam was like thousands of troops crossing a single-log bridge, wasn't that high-profile stage—the process of clashing with geniuses from different Star Domains with different Legacies—itself a superb form of "dissemination" and "validation"?

Furthermore, the growth of the Temple of Civilization seemed to rely not just on the accumulation of resources, but more on the expansion and accumulation of "civilization" itself. Entering a relatively closed, high-end environment too early might not necessarily be a good thing.

After a moment of silence, Lin Zhou looked up, his eyes clear and firm as he met General Qin Wu's gaze.

"I thank the General, as well as the Federation's high command, for their kindness and high regard." His voice still carried a hint of weakness, yet it contained an unquestionable resolve. "However, I hope to rely on my own strength to enter my ideal institution through the College Entrance Exam."

He refused?!

The Principal's eyes widened, almost thinking he had misheard! This was a special recruitment offer from Star Sea Divine Realm University! And with Hidden Dragon level clearance! This was an opportunity that countless children of great clans and peerless geniuses could only dream of! Lin Zhou actually... refused?

A flash of obvious astonishment also crossed General Qin Wu's sharp eyes, but he did not get angry. Instead, he showed an even more interested expression: "Oh? Can you tell me the reason?"

Su Yueyao also glanced sideways, her cold eyes resting on Lin Zhou's face with a hint of confusion, but more so with trust and a calm waiting for an explanation.

Lin Zhou spoke slowly: "The path I walk is called 'Civilization'. The growth of this path cannot be separated from dissemination, nor from contact and collision with the wider world. The College Entrance Exam is the Federation's largest event, gathering the Human Race's Prodigies from every Star Domain. I hope to compete with more fellow travelers on that stage, and let the Dao I hold undergo a more diverse testing. Entering a specific environment too early might instead be detrimental to the expansion and solidification of my path at this stage."

He paused and continued: "Moreover, I believe that a true Genius can shine without the need for shortcuts. If I cannot even stand out in the College Entrance Exam, how can I bear the name of 'Hidden Dragon'? And how can I prove that my path of 'Civilization' is sufficient to become one of the cornerstones of the Human Race?"

His words were calm, yet they carried a soaring confidence and pride!

Not relying on external help, not taking shortcuts, but intending to prove his own Dao with upright momentum on that stage watched by billions of beings!

General Qin Wu looked deeply at Lin Zhou, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through his Soul. After a long time, a smile of appreciation appeared on his face, and he nodded: "Good! You have ambition! You have pride! And more importantly, you have a clear understanding and persistence regarding your own path! You truly are a Genius capable of invoking... that kind of great power!"

Instead of being displeased by the refusal, he thought even more highly of Lin Zhou. There were many with talent, but those with such Heart-Nature, courage, and a clear plan for their own path were few and far between!

"Since your mind is made up, I shall respect your choice," General Qin Wu said solemnly. "The special recruitment invitation remains valid long-term; the gates of Star Sea Divine Realm University are always open to you. Simultaneously, in view of your contribution and potential, the Federation will grant you the title of 'Three-Star Honorary Citizen', enjoying certain privileges and resource subsidies. Furthermore, while you participate in the College Entrance Exam, the military will secretly provide a degree of protection to prevent interference from certain petty individuals."

This was already immense preferential treatment and respect! Although he hadn't accepted the special recruitment, Lin Zhou had already won the recognition and investment of the Federation's high command.

The Principal listened from the side, his emotions surging. He felt a hint of regret that Lin Zhou had refused the special recruitment, yet he felt incredibly proud of the spirit he displayed and the military's commitment he had secured!

"Alright, you've just woken up and still need rest," General Qin Wu said. "Regarding the championship rewards and follow-up matters, the organizing committee will send someone to coordinate with you. Rest well. The College Entrance Exam is imminent, and I look forward to your performance on that stage!"

After saying this, he nodded to Lin Zhou, gestured to Su Yueyao and the Principal, and then turned to leave the room with his attendants.

The Principal excitedly patted the restoration pod, looking at Lin Zhou. Thousands of words eventually turned into one sentence: "Lin Zhou, rest well! Cloud City is proud of you! All of Cloud City is your strongest support!"

After seeing off the Principal, only Lin Zhou and Su Yueyao remained in the room.

Su Yueyao looked at Lin Zhou and said softly: "Refusing the special recruitment was unexpected, but... it fits your personality very well."

Lin Zhou smiled and didn't explain much, instead asking: "How is your injury?"

"It's no longer a major issue. I can recover after a few days of meditation." Su Yueyao's tone was flat, but Lin Zhou's concern caused a trace of imperceptible warmth to flash in her eyes.

Just then, the communicator in the room lit up, and a gentle electronic voice prompted: "Student Lin Zhou, Student Su Yueyao, the Star Domain High School League Organizing Committee's reward distribution System has been activated. Please confirm receipt."

It's here! The championship rewards!

Lin Zhou and Su Yueyao looked at each other, both seeing the anticipation in the other's eyes.

Lin Zhou's consciousness sank into his Divine Realm, connecting to the reward distribution System through the Temple of Civilization.

In an instant, a vast stream of information flooded into his perception!

Star Domain League Overall Champion Reward List:

Federation Credits: 5 Billion points.

Divine Realm Basic Resource Pack (Epic Rank):

【eternal ore vein core】x1

【Seed of the Ancient Tree of Life】x1

【faith crystal】x10,000 units

Special Building Cards/Wonder Cards (Choose three): 【library of wisdom (Gold)】, 【Hall of Heroes (Gold)】, 【elemental fusion furnace (Purple)】... High-level Legacy Cards/Skill Cards (Choose two): 【Legion Battle Array: Immovable as a Mountain (Gold)】, 【Great Prophecy (Incomplete Manual) (Gold)】... Star Domain Vault Entry Access (One time).

Lin Zhou browsed quickly, making choices based on his own needs:

Building Cards: 【library of wisdom】, 【Hall of Heroes】, 【elemental fusion furnace】.

Legacy Cards: 【Legion Battle Array: Immovable as a Mountain】, 【seed of civilization (Weak) (Special)】.

The moment he selected them, majestic energy and knowledge were injected into the Divine Realm!

The 【library of wisdom】 was established, and research efficiency soared!

The 【Hall of Heroes】 Foundation was laid, soothing the Souls of the dead and boosting morale and loyalty!

The 【elemental fusion furnace】 connected to the dragon pulse, and the energy level was upgraded!

The 【Immovable as a Mountain】 battle array was recorded into the School of Military Legacy, greatly increasing the legion's defense!

The 【seed of civilization】 merged into the Sanctuary, slightly enhancing the Sanctuary's radiance and rule activity!

The Divine Realm's Foundation grew visibly thicker!

But Lin Zhou's mind was primarily focused on the fixed portion of resources that he hadn't yet carefully inventoried. He needed to confirm if what he dreamed of was there—divinity crystals!

His consciousness locked onto the fixed reward list and scanned down quickly.

faith crystals... Divine Realm Expansion Origin Crystals... Soul Gold Dust... law comprehension stones... Found it!

divinity crystal: 7 Units!

Seven crystal icons emitting hazy rule-light lay quietly in the list!

7 units!

Plus the 3 units he had accumulated before!

3 + 7 = 10!

A full ten units of Divinity!

The Divinity Foundation required to ignite the Divine Fire was completely fulfilled at this moment by this championship reward!

An indescribable surge of excitement and emotion instantly dispelled his body's weakness and fatigue. He had paid so much for these ten units of Divinity! From the initial desperate situation to today's championship, all his efforts and struggles had finally seen the most critical dawn!

Resource Statistics (Key Materials for Igniting Divine Fire):

Divinity: 10 / 10 Units (Satisfied!!!)

Faith Reserves (Equivalent): Championship Fixed faith crystals + Original Reserves ≈ 52,100 Units (Far exceeding requirements)

Conclusion: Key materials are ready!

Suppressing the urge to immediately charge into the True God realm, Lin Zhou knew his current state was far from recovering to its Peak. Rashly igniting the Divine Fire would carry a very high risk of failure. He needed time; he needed to adjust himself, the Divine Realm, and his subordinates to their optimal state.

He continued to receive the fixed resources: a massive amount of faith crystals was deposited into the Sanctuary; the Divine Realm Expansion Origin Crystals allowed the area to steadily expand to 60 square kilometers; Soul Gold Dust, Law Stones, and resource card packs were all properly stored.

Finally, there was the most important 【Star Domain Vault Entry Access】.

With the opportunity before him, how could he miss it?

"Use access."

His consciousness was drawn by a vast power, traversing time and space, descending into a magnificent space where countless light orbs floated—the outer perimeter of the Star Domain Vault!

【Broken Heart of a Titan】, 【Star Core】, 【Hourglass of Time (Replica)】... the aura of countless treasures rushed at him, most of which had extremely high clearance requirements.

Lin Zhou's consciousness rapidly scanned all the "Demi-God Rank" selectable treasures, searching for the item that would be most helpful for solidifying his Foundation and assisting in igniting the Divine Fire in the future.

His gaze finally locked onto an unremarkable pale-golden light orb.

【Name: embers of the undying fire (Special Wonder)】

【Rank: ??? (Extremely high essence, damaged state)】

【Effect: Merges into the Divine Fire, slightly increasing potential and stability, with an extremely low probability of granting special attributes. Risk: May invoke the aura of Reincarnation.】

【Required Clearance: Demi-God Rank (Selectable)】

Increasing Divine Fire potential and stability! This was exactly what he needed! The "Undying" Concept also faintly resonated with the civilization Legacy!

"I choose, the 【embers of the undying fire】."