173: The eighth wave of rage, the fertile farmland traps the demon army.

The addition of three hundred Stone Spirit Guards was like building a thick rock revetment beside a crumbling dike. They stood silently on the left flank of the defense line, their yellowish-brown rock bodies, together with the dwarves' metal shield wall and the broken low walls the elves relied on, formed three distinct layers of defensive depth.

Seven Abyssal Giants, like moving mountains, trampled the earth, carrying foul winds and Devilish Qi, launching a furious charge. Their steps were heavy and firm, each one cracking the ground and sending gravel flying. The remaining Gargoyle swarm also pressed down like dark clouds, covering the giants' charge route. On the ground, the remaining Corruptors, Berserk Demons, and other mixed troops followed closely, forming a multi-layered, three-dimensional offensive.

"Stone Spirits, form up! Immovable as a Mountain!" The Stone Spirit Leader (who came with the reinforcements to command and coordinate) let out a muffled roar. All three hundred Stone Spirit Guards simultaneously stomped their heavy rock feet deep into the ground, activating [Earth Connection]. A faint yellow earthy elemental glow circulated among them, resonating with each other, as if they had become a single, unshakable giant rock. Their defensive posture had a similar effect to the Dwarf Shield Guard's Immovable as a Mountain formation, but it was purer and more robust.

"Prepare to engage the enemy—!" Rock Shield's roar and the Stone Spirit Leader's Divine Thought sounded almost simultaneously.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The seven giants successively crashed into the defense line formed by the Stone Spirit Guards! The deafening impact sounded like a giant hammer striking an anvil! The head-on collision of rock against rock (the giants' rock armor and the Stone Spirits' bodies) erupted in an extremely muffled roar and flying gravel!

[First Collision Data Feedback]:

Abyssal Giant (LV35) charge impact damage: Average single hit approximately 800-1200 points of physical damage (including charge bonus).

Hills Stone Spirit Guards (LV30, Earth Connection state) damage taken: Average single hit approximately 350-500 points (high physical defense + Earth Connection damage reduction + formation sharing).

Stone Spirit Guard HP: Average approximately 9000 points.

Collision Result: Approximately thirty Stone Spirit Guards in the front row staggered back a few steps, cracks appearing on their rock bodies, but the formation did not break! They successfully curbed the charge momentum of the seven giants! The giants themselves also paused slightly due to the recoil.

Comparison to expectation (without Stone Spirits): If only relying on the Dwarf Shield formation to resist, it would not instantly collapse, but a large number of front-row Shield Guards would inevitably be killed, and the defense line would likely be torn open.

"Now! Concentrate fire!" Rock Shield seized the moment the giants' charge was thwarted and ordered sharply. The Ballistae, Elf Longbows, Dwarf Javelins, and the long spears thrusting from behind the flank's Dwarf Shield formation, which had been poised, rained down like a storm upon the giants, who were temporarily "pinned" in place by the Stone Spirits!

Pfft! Bang! Crack!

The attacks landed on the giants' thick rock armor and skin. Although the damage per hit was limited, it accumulated, especially attacks imbued with the Order Evil Breaking effect, which had some penetration against the Abyssal Demonic Creatures' defenses. The giants roared in pain and swung their weapons in retaliation, but the Stone Spirit Guards' rock bodies were extremely durable. Coupled with the emergency support from the Medical Apprentices in the rear (using earth elemental affinity

The Gargoyles in the sky were also blocked by the reorganized anti-air firepower (especially after adjusting the angle of some hunter kite crossbows), making it difficult for them to have a decisive impact on the ground defense line.

For a time, the giant's assault on the left flank was stubbornly held back by the Stone Spirits in cooperation with the defense line! Although the Stone Spirit Guards were constantly taking damage (within three minutes of the battle, over twenty Stone Spirit Guards had been severely wounded and lost combat effectiveness, requiring them to retreat and be replaced by comrades), their presence bought the entire defense line valuable breathing and adjustment time.

However, Lin Zhou's face showed no joy. His Divine Thought was closely connected to the Star Gazing Platform, while he simultaneously focused part of his attention intently on the central Abyss Fissure.

The tremor of the fissure grew more violent, and the will of the demigod existence, like a venomous snake emerging from its nest, coldly swept across the entire battlefield, finally landing heavily on Lin Zhou! A terrifying pressure, far exceeding that of the giants, and even surpassing the previous energy storm, like an invisible shackle, attempted to crush Lin Zhou's will!

"Hmph!" Lin Zhou grunted, and the Fire of Civilization surged, its jade-white light flowing, resisting the invisible pressure. But his Divinity's burden instantly increased by another 3%, and his Divine Power accelerated its consumption.

Even worse, the Star Gazing Platform transmitted a new, chilling alarm: "Detecting large-scale rule disturbance in the Abyss Fissure! Energy output mode changed! No longer generating new elite units, but... large-scale battlefield environment modification!"

"Target area: Centered on the Abyssal Giant cluster, spreading outwards! Method of influence: Abyssal Soil Transformation!"

"Effect: Rapidly converts ordinary land into [Defiled Scorched Earth] containing high concentrations of Devilish Qi. Scorched Earth characteristics: Deals continuous corrosive damage to non-Abyssal ground units (5-10 points per second, increasing with duration), movement speed reduced by 15%, natural life recovery completely suppressed, and will slowly erode the Earth Connection effect of Elemental Creatures!"

"Conversion speed: Extremely fast! Expected to cover a five-hundred-meter radius around the giant cluster within two minutes! Our left flank Stone Spirit defense line and some ground troops will be completely enveloped!"

"Warning! The [Defiled Scorched Earth] environment is extremely disadvantageous to all our ground units (including Stone Spirits)! If not contained, the left flank defense line will rapidly collapse!"

No sooner had the words fallen than Lin Zhou saw that, centered on the seven giants, the earth beneath their feet rapidly turned black and cracked, as if splattered with thick ink, emitting a pungent smell of sulfur and decay. The black, seemingly living "soil" spread like a plague, and wherever it passed, plants instantly withered into ashes, rocks were stained with grime, and even the air became viscous!

This was precisely the method of the demigod existence! It no longer dispatched cannon fodder but directly used the power of rules to modify the battlefield, creating an absolute home-field advantage for its vanguard. On this Defiled Scorched Earth, Abyssal units would be buffed, while the Order side would be continuously weakened and bled! Especially for the Stone Spirits, who relied on the power of the earth, this was like pulling the rug out from under them!

The faint yellow earthy glow connected to the Stone Spirit Guards on the left flank immediately flickered erratically, like a faulty circuit, upon contact with the spreading Defiled Scorched Earth! Their ability to draw power from the earth and recover themselves was severely interfered with, and they even began to suffer backlash damage (losing HP per second)! Their movement also became more sluggish!

"Earth... contaminated... connection... interrupted..." The Stone Spirit Leader's voice carried pain and anger. The line of three hundred Stone Spirits began to waver, and their defensive efficiency greatly decreased. The Abyssal Giants fighting them roared with excitement, their attacks becoming even more ferocious!

"Dominator! The Stone Spirits can't hold on! The scorched earth is spreading!" Rock Shield's anxious message sounded.

In the air, the yellowish-brown rock body among the seven Observers (representing the Incarnation of Earth Elemental Order) trembled slightly, seemingly displeased by the Abyss's crude pollution of the earth, but it still adhered to its stance of "only observing" and made no move. The star map phantom calmly watched Lin Zhou, to see how he would respond to this targeted environmental killing move.

Environmental modification... home-field advantage... Lin Zhou's brain raced. The opponent used Abyssal rules to pollute the earth, creating a scorched earth home field. So, could his side also use rules... to reverse-modify the environment, creating terrain that was advantageous to his side, or at least could offset the opponent's advantage?

The Confucian School? The Legalist School? The School of Military? The Mohist School? None seemed directly skilled in large-scale, rapid environmental shaping and modification. The School of Medicine could purify, but its range was limited and couldn't keep up with the spread of pollution.

Then... the School of Agriculture!

"Agriculture is the foundation of all under heaven." The core of the School of Agriculture Ideology lies in cultivation, in the land, and in Adaptation to Local Conditions, utilizing and transforming nature to sustain all living beings. If the Fertile Soil Technique can turn barren land into fertile land, then... can "Defiled Scorched Earth," this extreme form of "barrenness" and "harm," also be "transformed" to a certain extent?

Not complete purification (which would require a higher level of power or time), but... transforming its form, utilizing its characteristics, for my own use! For example, turning dry, hard scorched earth into a muddy swamp? This could not only trap the Abyssal Giants, who excel in strength and weight, but also use the isolating properties of mud and water to weaken the erosion and continuous damage of the scorched earth on Earth Connection?

"Adaptation to Local Conditions... water to cover earth, water to extinguish fire... the scorched earth is hot and defiled. If moistened with water and mixed with earth, perhaps it can be turned into a mire!" A light flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes, and his thoughts instantly became clear.

"Fire Hammer! Li Mo! All water storage facilities in the territory (wells, reservoirs, even the clean water used by the Imperial Hospital for boiling medicine) are to immediately inject water into the pre-set shallow trench area on the left front line via the reserved underground pipes (the simple water supply/drainage System previously laid by the Mohist School)! Maximum flow!" Lin Zhou immediately issued the first command.

"Qing Lin! Mobilize all Medical Apprentices who have mastered 'catalysis' and 'nourishment' type natural Spells, and those proficient in herbal medicine, to immediately mix all stockpiled [fast-growing aquatic plant seeds] (such as certain algae, aquatic grasses) and [demon-devouring vine seeds that thrive on chaotic energy but are controllable (a byproduct of previous plague research)] into specially formulated nutrient potions, and prepare to sow them!"

"Rock Shield! Order the frontline troops, especially the Stone Spirits, to gradually and orderly contract the defense line by about fifty meters within the next minute! Abandon the currently severely contaminated scorched earth area and retreat behind the pre-set second low wall in the rear! When contracting, use shields and Spells to stir up as much dust as possible to create cover!"

One command after another was issued like flowing water, and the entire territory once again operated at high speed like a precise instrument.

Although the School of Agriculture Ideology was unlocked, Lin Zhou had primarily used it to increase food production and resolve famine. He had never before applied it on such a large scale for environmental modification on a battlefield. This was undoubtedly a risky endeavor, requiring a deeper understanding of core concepts like "Fertile Soil Technique" and "Adaptation to Local Conditions," and combining them with battlefield realities and knowledge from other schools (Mohist School engineering and Medical School's life knowledge).

Lin Zhou floated in mid-air, his mind sinking into the School of Agriculture section of the Temple of Civilization's ancient texts. The simple characters recording farming seasons, soil identification, irrigation canals, and crop habits now seemed to transform into runes containing the ultimate truths of heaven and earth. Within the light of his Divine Fire, a wisp of greenish-blue, representing vitality, nourishment, and creation, quietly emerged, interweaving with the jade-white Daoist pure light and the pale golden Fire of Civilization.

He once again formed Hand Seals. This time, the seals were ancient and profound, as if a farmer was measuring land or drawing water for irrigation. Within his Divinity, the budding "Education" and nascent "Law" divine offices subtly resonated, providing a framework and Order support for the impending large-scale "application of rules."

"School of Agriculture Secret Art · Adaptation to Local Conditions — Fertile Soil Technique · Marshland!"

Lin Zhou's voice was no longer ethereal but carried a steady, firm quality, like the earth itself. He mobilized his remaining Divine Power Reserves (now less than six hundred units), combined with the conversion of Power Of Faith within his territory, and activated a faint trace of Earth Vein Power (obtained from the Fusion of dragon vein fragment) deep within the territory's core, connected to the earth. Simultaneously, he activated the core runes of the previously established, rudimentary Mohist School-crafted Irrigation System!

Rumble... A strange tremor emanated from the ground. Unlike the vibrations caused by the Abyssal Giants' stomping, this tremor was more muffled and prolonged, as if something deep within the earth was awakening and flowing.

In the area approximately one hundred meters wide in front of the left flank's defense line, which was being corroded by the Defiled Scorched Earth, the pre-laid underground ditch network opened under the drive of the runes! Water from all storage facilities in the rear of the territory (including some clear water reserved by the Imperial Hospital for brewing medicine, containing faint life energy) surged along the pipes, pouring into these ditches!

At the same time, Qing Lin directed the Medical Apprentices to evenly scatter nutrient potions mixed with special seeds into the flooded area using simple spreading devices.

Lin Zhou's Divine Power and power of rules, like an invisible hand, guided the water flow, harmonized the soil polluted by the scorched earth, and catalyzed those special seeds!

Water and scorched earth mixed, immediately causing a violent reaction! The chaotic energy in the scorched earth tried to evaporate the water, but Lin Zhou's power of rules suppressed this reaction, forcing the two to merge! The previously dry, hard, and putrid-smelling black scorched earth quickly became moist, viscous, and muddy!

In just one minute, a black swamp, approximately a hundred meters wide and covering the main combat area of the left flank, deep enough to reach the knees (or calves for Giants), appeared on the battlefield! Murky bubbles constantly rose to the surface of the swamp, emitting a complex odor combining earthy, decaying, and a strange vitality.

"Fertile Soil Technique · Marshland (Battlefield Modification) Effect":

Coverage: Front line of the left flank, a strip area 100 meters wide and approximately 300 meters long.

Terrain Characteristics: Deep, viscous swamp. Severely impacts the movement of ground units.

Specific Effects:

Movement Speed Reduction: All ground units entering the swamp (regardless of friend or foe) have their movement speed reduced by 70% (for extremely heavy units like Abyssal Giants, the effect is weakened to a 50% reduction).

Action Impairment: A "Strength/Agility" check is required for every certain distance moved. Failure may result in temporary "stagnation" or "sinking" (for friendly units who are aware of the terrain in advance and prepared, the check difficulty is reduced).

Environmental Damage Change: The continuous corrosive damage of the original [Defiled Scorched Earth] (5-10 points per second) is greatly weakened. Water dilutes some of the corrosive energy, and the physical isolation of the mud swamp reduces direct contact. Changed to: Deals 2-5 points of mixed damage (physical + corrosive) per second to non-Abyssal units, no additional damage to Abyssal units, but also no benefits.

Earth Connection Interference: The mud swamp environment severely interferes with [Earth Connection] type skills. Stone Spirit Guards in this area lose the effect of [Earth Connection], cannot gain defensive bonuses or health recovery, but also no longer suffer backlash damage from the scorched earth. Can be considered as temporarily "isolating" the direct impact of the Defiled Scorched Earth.

Special Effect — [Elementary demon-devouring vine Growth]: The special seeds scattered by the School of Medicine, catalyzed by nutrient potions and Lin Zhou's rules, rapidly grow countless dark green vines with tiny suckers in the swamp. These vines have a weak attraction to Abyssal Devilish Qi and will actively entangle Abyssal units entering the swamp (prioritizing non-plant, slow-moving targets).

[demon-devouring vine] Attributes: Low HP (approx. 100-200), weak attack power (each entanglement deals approx. 10-20 physical damage and comes with a weak "restraint" effect, reducing the target's attack speed by 10%), but numerous, and attacks will absorb a small amount of the target's Devilish Qi/life force to replenish the swamp environment (slowing the rate at which the swamp is completely polluted by Devilish Qi).

Consumption: 400 units of Lin Zhou's Divine Power, a large amount of territory's reserve clear water (approx. 60% consumed), depletion of special seeds and nutrient potion inventory, slight wear and tear on Mohist School irrigation pipes.

Duration: Depends on Divine Power maintenance and water supply, estimated to last 15-20 minutes.

The moment the swamp formed, the seven Abyssal Giants charging at the forefront, ready to expand their gains, and the Demonic Tide ground forces following behind them, immediately suffered!

The Giants' heavy bodies instantly sank into the mud, making every step difficult! Their speed sharply decreased! They roared in anger, swinging their weapons to smash the mud, but could only splash foul muck everywhere, unable to quickly extricate themselves. The Berserk Demons and Corruptors following them were even more miserable, many sinking directly to their waists, struggling with difficulty, becoming living targets for ranged firepower.

Meanwhile, on Lin Zhou's side, the Stone Spirit and Dwarf troops had already retreated to the new defense line behind the swamp as ordered. Although they temporarily lost the bonus of [Earth Connection], they at least escaped the continuous damage and interference of the Defiled Scorched Earth and could defend and counterattack based on the new fortifications. The swamp became a natural, massive obstacle, firmly trapping the surging main force of the Demonic Tide ground troops in front!

"Well done! All ranged units, concentrate fire and cover the swamp area! Focus on the Giants and large demons stuck in the mud!" Rock Shield roared excitedly. Ballistas, bows and arrows, and javelins once again showed their power, their targets now almost fixed!

The Stone Spirits also picked up huge rocks from the ground and hurled them at the Giants in the mud! Although their aim was mediocre, their power was considerable.

For a time, the battle on the left flank actually reversed! The Demonic Tide's ground offensive was completely delayed and segmented by this sudden swamp!

"demon-devouring vine! Begin entanglement!" Qing Lin whispered. In the swamp, countless dark green vines shot out like venomous snakes, coiling around the legs, feet, and bodies of the Giants and demons. Although they couldn't cause fatal damage, the continuous minor damage, sense of restraint, and feeling of Devilish Qi being absorbed made the Abyssal units even more irritable and weak.

The Abyssal Demigod's cold will swept over the swamp again, and Lin Zhou could clearly perceive a hint of surprise and... offended rage within it. Evidently, it hadn't expected this tiny Order deity to be able to resolve its environmental killing move in such a nearly "playful" manner.

"Interesting..." The star map phantom Observer's voice seemed to carry a hint of amusement, "Turning harm into benefit, adapting to local conditions. Using water to moisten scorched earth, and vines to trap the demon army. This is not brute force, but the application of wisdom and understanding of 'earth.' The techniques of the School of Agriculture actually have such wonderful battlefield uses. Young Fire Sower, you always bring surprises."

The other Elemental Observers, especially the Earthy-Yellow Rock Body and the Emerald-Green Light Cluster, also showed clear interest in this artificial swamp, seemingly evaluating the rule application techniques contained within it.

However, Lin Zhou knew that this was only a temporary measure. The swamp could trap them for a while, but not forever. That demigod existence would never sit idly by while its vanguard army was consumed in this manner. A greater storm, he feared, was already brewing.

Indeed, the light from the central Abyss Fissure once again underwent a strange change. Instead of spreading Defiled Scorched Earth, it began to contract and condense inwards, as if all the chaos and malice were gathering at a single point, then... to unleash destructive thunder.

"Detecting ultra-high concentration Abyssal energy gathering at the fissure's core! Nature... highly condensed, extremely destructive! Suspected demigod Ontology is about to launch a direct attack! Or... summon an even more terrifying direct legion!" The Star Gazing Platform's alarm was already hoarse.

Lin Zhou glanced at the Abyssal Giants struggling and roaring in the mud, then at the terrifying fissure in the distance that seemed to be waiting to devour people, and took a deep breath.

He knew that the time he had bought must be used for final preparations. The true decisive battle might arrive in the next second. And his trump cards were already few and far between.

"The Way of the Hundred Schools, endlessly regenerating..." he murmured to himself, his gaze falling upon the Jixia Academy within his territory, which, though dilapidated, still radiated the indomitable light of civilization. There, it seemed, something else was waiting to be awakened.