190: The first appearance of the starry sea

The freshman registration day for Xinghai University was set for September 1st.

Three days in advance, Lin Zhou took the inter-astral teleportation array arranged by the Star Sea Star Domain authorities specifically for long-distance freshmen. He arrived at the "Morning Star" peripheral spaceport located at the core of the Star Sea Star Domain. Afterward, he transferred to a streamlined silver shuttle provided by the university, passing through layers of giant defensive barriers shimmering with runic light and void channels to truly enter the independent demi-plane where Xinghai University was located—the "Star Sea Academic City."

As the shuttle pierced through the final layer of the water-like spatial membrane, the scene before him suddenly opened up. Even with Lin Zhou's mindset, which had been baptized by the trial battlefield, he couldn't help but be shaken.

What met his eyes was not the "campus" he had imagined, but a vast and boundless "continent" suspended against the backdrop of the deep starry sky!

The continent itself appeared as an irregular oval, with an estimated diameter of at least over one hundred thousand kilometers! Its surface was not merely soil and rock, but was composed of countless "land fragments" of various sizes and shapes, each radiating a different attribute of light, spliced and fused together. Some fragments were as emerald green as jade, covered with towering ancient trees and winding rivers—these were primeval forests or ecological reserves. Some fragments were as silvery-white as snow, with countless sleek, futuristic metal buildings and energy towers—clearly technological research areas. Some fragments shone with brilliant golden light, filled with temples and shrines, where holy hymns could faintly be heard. Some fragments were shrouded in purple mist, with jagged peaks rising into the clouds, resembling a fairyland. Other fragments were enveloped in shadows or elemental storms, filled with a mysterious and dangerous Aura... These fragments were not static; instead, they were like lotus leaves floating on a calm lake, revolving extremely slowly around the most dazzling cluster of light in the center of the continent—a brilliant orb that seemed to be formed from the compression and condensation of countless stars—following some profound and mysterious Law. The entire continent was completely encased in a thick, light-blue energy shield flowing with magnificent bands of light like the Milky Way, insulating it from the erosion of the outer void.

Even more shocking was the "sky" here.

Above the continent, it was not the usual blue sky and white clouds, but a real, miniature, and seemingly reachable vast star sea! Countless stars, some bright and some dim, dotted the deep night background, slowly rotating and casting down a cool and mysterious glow. And at the very center of this star sea hung a giant "sun" composed of pure energy—that was the central light cluster around which the continent revolved. It emitted a warm but not blinding white light, which interlaced with the radiance of the stars to together illuminate this miraculous academic Holy Land.

"That is the 'Star Sea Dome,' one of the school's iconic wonders." Inside the shuttle, the intelligent guidance System's soft female voice sounded at the right time. "It is not a mere projection; it is a real 'Star Domain miniature' that has been compressed and fixed here by generations of the school's great experts. The Star Power and rule fluctuations it emits are of great benefit to a deity's Cultivation and rule comprehension. At the same time, the Dome itself possesses powerful composite functions such as defense, energy gathering, and space-time regulation."

Lin Zhou could clearly feel that the environment inside and outside the shuttle was completely different from the void he had passed through before.

What filled the air was no longer the atmosphere of an ordinary planet, but a highly active free energy so dense it almost formed a faint mist! This energy was not a single-attribute Spiritual Qi or Divine Power, but a more Origin-based and inclusive "Chaos Origin Qi" (as it was called within the school), which was easier for deities and subordinates of different attributes to absorb and transform. With just a breath, Lin Zhou felt a comfortable tremor from his not-yet-fully-recovered Godhead, and the efficiency of his autonomous absorption of external energy slightly increased.

[Environment Detection (Xinghai University Demi-plane - Peripheral Airspace)]:

Energy Concentration: Chaos Origin Qi ≈ 15 times standard Spiritual Qi concentration

Rule Manifestation Degree: High (Law veins are faintly visible, easy to perceive)

Spatial Stability: Extremely High (Solidified by forces at the Master God Rank or above)

Time Flow Rate: Synchronized with the Main Material Plane benchmark (1:1)

Special Status: Covered by the "Star Sea Dome," granting regional buffs:

Deity Rule Comprehension Efficiency +10% (Weak)

Subordinate (Intelligent type) Comprehension Ability slightly increased

Time flow rate within the Divine Domain is adjustable (Base +20%, requires application for permission and consumes energy)

Even in the peripheral airspace, the energy concentration was 15 times that of standard Spiritual Qi! Not to mention the rule manifestation degree and the buffs from the "Star Sea Dome"! The foundation of a top-tier institution was indeed unfathomably deep.

The shuttle did not land directly on those fragments that were clearly functional zones. Instead, it followed a specific guided flight path toward a relatively flat, densely built area with a uniform style on the edge of the continent. Here, skyscrapers stood tall, streets were clean, and people bustled about. Most buildings bore obvious characteristics of dormitories, shops, and public facilities—clearly the living and basic activity area for freshmen.

"Approaching 'Freshman Square.' All freshmen, please prepare for landing. Carry your personal belongings and admission credentials, and follow the guidance to complete registration," the guidance System broadcasted.

The shuttle landed smoothly at the edge of a silver-white square the size of dozens of football fields. The square was already packed with people. Freshmen from various races (mainly Human Race, but also a small number of other races' Prodigies who were friendly with or recognized by humans) from the Star Sea Star Domain and even other distant Star Domains gathered here, noisy and full of vitality. The air was thick with excitement, curiosity, tension, and the faint Divine Power fluctuations of young deities.

Lin Zhou stepped off the shuttle and onto the ground. Instantly, he felt an invisible, gentle yet irresistible rule power sweep through his entire body like mercury spreading over the floor, and delve deep into the Divine Domain linked to his consciousness.

[Warning]: Detected entry into the "Xinghai University Core Rule Field." To adapt to the school's unified teaching management standards and protect the safety of freshman Divine Domains, your Divine Domain will undergo temporary rule adjustments:

Divine Domain Area: Temporarily locked to 30 square kilometers (Your Divine Domain's current actual area is 50 square kilometers, with a potential limit of 60 square kilometers. The excess portion will be temporarily "folded and sealed," to be restored after leaving school or obtaining higher permissions).

Divine Domain Rule Manifestation: Reduced to basic teaching standard levels (Excessively high or peculiar rule fluctuations may affect teaching Order or be misjudged as anomalies).

Divine Domain Entry/Exit Permissions: Restricted (Without application and approval, subordinates may not be mass-projected into public school areas or perform cross-Divine Domain actions).

Divine Domain Security Mode: Automatically connected to the school's "Freshman Divine Domain Guardianship Network." An alarm and basic protection will be triggered upon encountering abnormal attacks or risks of rule collapse.

Lin Zhou's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he wasn't surprised. This was standard practice for large institutions, aimed at unifying teaching benchmarks, maintaining campus safety, and preventing accidents caused by freshmen's Divine Domains being too peculiar or unstable. He could feel that the "folded" 20 square kilometers of his Divine Domain (plus the extra 10 square kilometers of potential space) hadn't disappeared; instead, it was in a state similar to "hibernation." The connection with the main Divine Domain had become extremely weak, but the core rule brand remained.

However, he also keenly noticed that under the suppression of this unified rule field, although the Divine Domain area and some external expressions were limited, his perception of his own Divine Domain's core rules (especially the brand of the Hundred Schools of Thought) actually became clearer and purer due to the reduction of external interference. Furthermore, the dense Chaos Origin Qi and high rule manifestation degree in the school environment made his speed of repairing his Godhead and comprehending rules significantly faster than at home in Cloud City.

"You can't have your cake and eat it too. Here, the temporary area restriction is a fair trade for a better growth environment and safety. It's worth it," Lin Zhou quickly adjusted his mindset.

He followed the crowd toward a row of towering, giant archways at the center of the square that looked as if they were crafted from white jade—the Freshman Registration Desk. Above the archways floated four giant divine characters shimmering with astral flames: "Xinghai University," showing a magnificent Aura.

The registration process was highly automated. Lin Zhou pointed his personal terminal at the identification formation in front of the archway. A beam of light swept over, and his basic information, College Entrance Examination results, and admission agreement were verified instantly.

"Verification passed. Freshman: Lin Zhou. Identity: Human Race College Entrance Examination top scholar. Affiliated College: General College (Foundation Year). Dormitory Assignment: 'Beichen District' Tianjiao Building, Building B, Room 901. Initial Credits: 1,000 points (Additional 500-point reward for the top scholar). Basic supply pack, campus map, and freshman handbook have been transmitted to your personal terminal and dormitory storage space. Please follow the guidance to the dormitory area and attend the college-wide freshman opening ceremony in three days."

A concise and efficient electronic voice sounded, and a light screen was projected in front of Lin Zhou, showing detailed dormitory locations, a basic campus map, and a series of precautions.

"Lin Zhou!"

A somewhat familiar, loud, and pleasantly surprised voice called out.

Lin Zhou turned his head and saw Zhao Hao squeezing through the crowd, walking over quickly. He was dressed in luxurious custom clothing, with an irrepressible excitement on his face, followed by two freshmen who looked like lackeys.

"It really is you! I saw your shuttle over there just now!" Zhao Hao approached and slapped Lin Zhou's shoulder hard (though he controlled his strength quite a bit this time), his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Impressive, top scholar! I heard you chose Star Sea. I'm here too! We're classmates again!"

Lin Zhou nodded: "Congratulations."

"Congratulations to both of us!" Zhao Hao grinned, then lowered his voice. "I just asked around; there are quite a few Prodigies in our year. Those guys from the Central Star Domain and Penglai Star Domain who were on the same ranking list as you are mostly here. There are also some descendants of ancient God Races, special Bloodline Awakeners... Hey, things are going to get lively. When do you plan to start your 'Hundred Schools Society'? Count me in! I'm not joking this time!"

Having experienced fighting side-by-side during the College Entrance Examination trial (even though Zhao Hao had withdrawn early) and the subsequent reflection, Zhao Hao's attitude toward Lin Zhou had clearly changed from initial hostility and defiance to a degree of recognition and even a faint sense of following him. His Dragon Divine Domain had hit a Bottleneck on its traditional path, and Lin Zhou's System of thought, which seemed like an "Evil Path" but possessed startling power, undoubtedly gave him new hope and direction.

"We'll talk after I've settled in." Lin Zhou did not refuse. Zhao Hao's strength and background would indeed be helpful for a newly founded society.

"Alright! Then I'll head to my dorm first. I'm in the Fire Dragon Court in the 'Nanli District.' It's a bit far from your place, but we can contact each other via terminal!" Zhao Hao tactfully didn't linger and waved his hand as he left with his lackeys.

Following the map's guidance, Lin Zhou boarded a public "Star Rail Car" running within the campus, pulled by docile Elemental Creatures. He crossed most of the freshman area and arrived at the so-called "Beichen District."

The environment here was quiet and elegant, with low building density. Each dormitory building had a unique style, bearing obvious marks of "Prodigy" treatment. Building B was a nine-story tower constructed entirely of light-green warm jade and a certain silver metal. It was beautifully shaped, with faint energy runes flowing across its surface.

Room 901 was located on the top floor and was a luxury suite occupying the entire level. The interior space had been expanded to over three hundred square meters, divided into a meditation room (equipped with a basic spirit-gathering array and rule stabilizer), a living room, a study, an independent bathroom, and even a "Miniature Divine Domain Access Pod" connected to the school's public energy network (much more Advanced than the one in Lin Zhou's home). The balcony offered an excellent view, overlooking most of the freshman area and even allowing him to see the strange sights of other functional zones in the distance.

The room's intelligent butler System had already been activated, welcoming his arrival and informing him that the supply pack had been placed on the storage rack in the meditation room.

Lin Zhou put down his simple luggage and first checked the supply pack. Inside were: a set of standard-issue scholar robes printed with the Xinghai University emblem (equipped with basic cleaning and protection runes), an energy card storing 1,000 standard units of Chaos Origin Qi, a detailed course schedule and course selection guide, and a "Student Identity Jade Talisman" engraved with his name and student ID. The jade talisman was his identity credential, pass, credit storage and consumption tool within the campus, and also the terminal for connecting to the campus internal network.

He put on the jade talisman and instantly felt a tighter connection with the campus's "rule network." Many previously vague directions and pieces of information became clear.

Standing on the balcony, Lin Zhou looked out at this vast and miraculous institutional continent. In the distance, the central light cluster under the "Star Sea Dome" shone eternally, with countless functional zone fragments slowly revolving around it. The dense Chaos Origin Qi in the air made every breath feel like a minute nourishment for his Godhead.

"Xinghai University..." Lin Zhou whispered to himself.

This will be the crucial stop where the Hundred Schools of Thought truly take root and move toward systematization. It is also the important starting point for him to repair his Godhead, enhance his strength, make like-minded friends, and even establish a divine System in the future.

"Step one: settle the Divine Domain and get familiar with the environment. Step two: contact a mentor and determine a research direction. Step three: recruit members and establish the society..."

The plan emerged clearly in his mind.

He returned to the meditation room, activated the Miniature Divine Domain Access Pod, and sank his consciousness into it.

Although the Divine Domain area was suppressed to 30 square kilometers, the core area (about 15 square kilometers, including the Temple of Civilization, major subordinate settlements, and core building areas) was completely preserved. The remaining areas (including the newly expanded potential areas) were gently "folded" by rule power and were in a silent state.

The subordinates within the Divine Domain seemed to have already adapted to the new environment. They could feel that the Divine Domain's range had "shrunk," but they also perceived the incredibly superior and hopeful growth environment of the outside world (through the vague information Lin Zhou transmitted). Their morale was not affected; instead, they became more focused on the reconstruction and development at hand.

Lin Zhou slightly adjusted the resource allocation and development focus within the Divine Domain to better suit the 30-square-kilometer range and to fully utilize the acceleration effect brought by the high-concentration energy in the school environment.

Having finished this, he exited the link and returned to reality.

Through the window, he could see the sky darkening. The stars on the "Star Sea Dome" lit up one by one, reflecting the central light cluster and making the entire academic city look like a dreamland.

The hustle and bustle of freshman registration gradually subsided, but Lin Zhou's journey at Xinghai University had only just begun.

He took out his personal terminal and looked at the information Su Yueyao had sent earlier about Professor Qu Moyuan. He then looked at the dazzling array of courses in the selection System, covering countless fields of deity knowledge, and a hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes.

Tomorrow, he would first visit this "unorthodox" professor, and then properly explore this treasure-like institution.