196: Dragonborn come to join

The initial quietness of the newly established Hundred Schools Society did not last long. Or rather, certain underlying attention and weighing had been quietly taking place beneath the surface.

On the fourth day after the recruitment announcement was posted, in the evening, the door to the activity room was pushed open with a moderate force, bringing in a slightly cool breeze.

Lin Zhou, who was explaining the key points of basic School of Military formations to Shi Lei and demonstrating how the "Immovable as a Mountain" formation could compensate for the mobility flaws of Rock Golems using magnets on a sand table, looked up at the sound.

The figure standing at the door was unexpected, yet made sense.

Zhao Hao.

He didn't bring any followers, coming alone. His iconic, luxurious attire embroidered with dark gold Family patterns had been replaced by a relatively simple but high-quality deep blue martial outfit, reducing some of his flamboyance and adding a touch of solemnity. His expression was not relaxed; his brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes held a complex emotion—scrutiny, hesitation, a final struggle before a decision, and... a hint of confusion about his own path that was hard to conceal.

In the activity room, Li Mo was buried in a pile of parts and blueprints, trying to design a "Controllable Nutrient Dispenser" for Little Soft Sun's Slime; Wu Feng sat quietly in a corner, flipping through a photocopied book about the basic theory of the School of Medicine's "Calming the Mind and Settling the Heart" that Lin Zhou had lent him; Shi Lei stared with wide eyes, trying to understand the meaning represented by the magnets on the sand table.

Zhao Hao's appearance caused a slight pause in this somewhat humble yet focused initial scene of the society.

Li Mo looked up, pushed his glasses that had slid to the tip of his nose, and seemed somewhat surprised. Wu Feng and Shi Lei instinctively straightened their backs, feeling a bit awkward in the Face of this prestigious student, renowned among the freshmen for his illustrious Family background and powerful Divine Race.

Lin Zhou put down the magnet in his hand and looked calmly at Zhao Hao: "What's the matter?"

Zhao Hao's gaze swept around the activity room, passing over the simple equipment and focused members, finally settling on Lin Zhou. He didn't answer immediately but walked to the meeting table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, his movements somewhat heavy.

"Lin Zhou," he began, his voice lower than usual, "how many people are in your society... now?"

"Including me, five," Lin Zhou answered truthfully.

Zhao Hao's mouth twitched, as if trying to show his usual mocking smile, but ultimately failed. "Five... Hah, the top scholar's Face doesn't seem to work very well."

"True comrades are never gathered by Face," Lin Zhou said calmly. "Zhao Hao, speak directly. You didn't come here to mock the small number of people in my society."

Zhao Hao was silent for a few seconds, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the smooth tabletop. In the activity room, only the faint sounds of Li Mo fiddling with parts and the almost imperceptible energy flow from the distant "xinghai dome" could be heard.

"My Family's old man, and a few old fogies in the clan," Zhao Hao finally spoke again, his tone carrying suppressed irritation, "firmly oppose me coming to your so-called 'Hundred Schools Society.' They say the Dragon Clan's path of the Zhao Family is one of the supreme paths verified over generations, dignified and awe-inspiring, and there's no need to dabble in those unclear, flashy 'thoughts.'"

He looked up at Lin Zhou, his eyes sharp: "They told me to stay away from you, saying your path is crooked, opportunistic, won't last long, and might even... bring trouble upon myself."

Lin Zhou listened quietly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Zhao Hao took a deep breath and continued: "But I know myself. During the final period of the College Entrance Examination trial, and these days after enrollment, I've thought it over repeatedly and secretly observed. Your Murlocs, your Dwarves, even the things your roommate Li Mo's Goblins tinker with... Perhaps your total 'combat power' is temporarily less than my Dragon Clan's charge, but..."

He paused, as if searching for the right words: "But your approach is very 'stable,' very 'resilient,' very... 'smart.' Facing different situations, you always seem to have different ways to respond, unlike me, who besides having the Dragon Clan charge forward to tear enemies apart or spew Dragon Breath to clear the ground, seems... to have no other tricks."

The confusion on his Face became more apparent: "My Dragon Clan is very strong; in one-on-one fights at the same level, they can even suppress many S-grade Divine Races. But they are too 'pure.' Strength, Dragon Aura, Dragon Breath, Dragon Scale defense... What else? Facing complex rule confrontations, facing those tricky enemies who don't engage in direct combat, facing the development of a Divine Domain that requires fine operations and long-term management... I feel like a craftsman with only a heavy hammer, helpless when needing a carving knife, a file, or glue."

"I've checked information and asked some well-informed elders in my Family," Zhao Hao's voice lowered. "Pure-blooded Dragon Divine Domains following a pure strength path might rely on talent to dominate at the Faint Divinity and weak divinity stages, but when reaching medium divinity, needing to construct more complex Divine Kingdom rules and touch deeper Universe Laws, they often encounter huge Bottlenecks. Many Seniors are stuck there their entire lives, unable to advance. Because... the Dragon Clan's power is too 'overbearing' and too 'singular,' lacking 'compatibility' and 'growth potential' with other rule systems."

He had finally voiced his core concern.

Lin Zhou understood. Zhao Hao wasn't acting on a whim but had truly realized the potential crisis in his own development path. The advantages of the traditional Dragon Clan path were obvious, but the ceiling was equally clear. At Xinghai University, a platform looking out into the Universe, after witnessing broader possibilities, his proud but not foolish heart had wavered and developed a desire for change.

"So," Lin Zhou asked, "you want to find a way to compensate for the flaws of the Dragon Clan path or Breakthrough the Bottleneck within the Hundred Schools of Thought?"

"I don't know if it will work," Zhao Hao admitted frankly. "But I'm willing to try. At least, your 'thoughts' seem to allow weak Divine Races to exert extraordinary power and enable different power systems to work together. This might... be exactly what the Dragon Clan Divine Domain lacks."

He leaned forward slightly, staring at Lin Zhou: "Lin Zhou, although I, Zhao Hao, am arrogant, I'm not stupid. I know your path is not easy to walk, with many doubters and few supporters. But I know even more that if I lack the courage to try a new path, I can only forever walk on the old path paved by others, even if I can see a wall at the end, I can only crash into it."

"I came to formally join the Hundred Schools Society. Not just in name, but truly wanting to learn and change. Of course," he shifted his tone, regaining some of his usual Aura, "I didn't come empty-handed."

He flicked his wrist, a storage ring glowed faintly, and several jade boxes and scrolls of varying sizes appeared on the table.

"This is the first batch of resources I'm donating to the society in my personal name," Zhao Hao said, pointing at the items. "Consider it... a token of commitment, and tuition."

Lin Zhou's gaze swept over them.

The first jade box opened, revealing one hundred strange herbs neatly arranged inside, their bodies crimson red, leaves narrow and long like swords, with veins that seemed to flow with lava, emitting a scorching and pure life energy.

[Rare Resource · Dragon Blood Grass (Mature Form)]: A special spiritual plant that grows in places where ancient Dragons fell or where dragon veins converge, formed by long-term absorption of Dragon Clan essence and Bloodline energy. Effect: Can be used to refine potions that strengthen the Physique of Divine Races (especially Dragon Descendants, sub-Dragons, or physically powerful races); direct consumption (requires special treatment) can also slightly increase strength, Physique, and fire resistance. Each plant contains essence that can extract potions equivalent to about 10 points of temporary Physique bonus (effects last 7-15 days, depending on individual absorption ability), or permanently increase 1-2 points of Physique (best effect on first consumption, diminishing with multiple uses). This is a high-level Alchemy/potion material, of considerable value.

A full one hundred plants! This was enough to significantly strengthen the Physique of the society's core members' Divine Races in the short term, especially effective for close-combat units like Shi Lei's Rock Golems and even Lin Zhou's own Tiangong Dwarves.

The second jade box contained three fist-sized, amber-like crystals with natural cloud patterns on the surface, sealing a wisp of pale golden energy inside.

[Special Material · Ancient Dragon Crystal Fragments]: Energy crystal fragments formed from the remains of ancient Dragons under specific conditions over long periods. Contain pure Dragon Clan rule Aura and fragments of ancient will. Wide range of uses: Can serve as a high-level energy source; can be used to enhance the Bloodline potential of Dragon Descendant Divine Races (risky); can act as a medium for certain special rituals or Alchemy; can also attempt to analyze the ancient rule fragments contained within (extremely difficult). Extremely valuable, usually priceless and hard to find on the market.

This item was even more precious, potentially having miraculous effects for researching Dragon Clan-related rules or trying to find a Breakthrough direction for Zhao Hao's Dragon Clan Divine Race.

The third was a thick scroll made of some tough beast hide.

[Knowledge Scroll · Dragon Ecology and Common Weakness Analysis (Zhao Family Secret Edition)]: Detailed ecological habits, physiological structures, combat methods, innate skills, as well as verified common weaknesses and targeted strategies for various Dragons (including mainstream Dragon species like chromatic Dragons, metallic Dragons, gem Dragons, and some sub-Dragon variants) accumulated by the Zhao Family over generations. Content is detailed, data accurate, containing numerous practical cases and anatomical analysis diagrams. Belongs to one of the Zhao Family's internal Legacy knowledge, not to be disclosed to non-core members.

The value of this scroll lay not in its ability to directly enhance strength but in the deep understanding of the "Dragon" race it contained. It had high reference value for the society's research on "teaching according to aptitude" and developing paths based on the characteristics of different Divine Races. Zhao Hao offering it showed great sincerity.

"The Dragon Blood Grass and Dragon Crystal fragments were saved from my annual Family quota; although the old man opposes me coming, he hasn't cut off the resources yet," Zhao Hao explained. "This scroll... I replicated it from the Family library using my own contribution points; it can only be viewed, the original cannot be shared. But the knowledge inside, we can share and research."

Lin Zhou looked at the items on the table, then at the somewhat awkward yet exceptionally determined expression in Zhao Hao's eyes, and nodded.

"Welcome aboard, Zhao Hao," Lin Zhou extended his hand. "The Hundred Schools Society needs various different strengths and wisdom. The power of the Dragon Clan is an extremely powerful component. How to make this power, within the framework of the Hundred Schools of Thought, Rejuvenate, Breakthrough old constraints, will be one of our important research topics in the future."

Zhao Hao shook Lin Zhou's hand firmly, finally showing a relieved and expectant smile on his Face.

"Boss!" Li Mo excitedly come closer, his eyes shining as he stared at the Dragon Crystal fragments. "The energy fluctuation of these things is so stable! Can I try using them as a stable core for a new energy furnace? It might solve the steam boiler overheating problem!"

"And this Dragon Blood Grass!" Shi Lei He rubbed his hands together with a simple and honest expression.. "If my stone men's Physique gets stronger, their ability to withstand hits will definitely go up a level!"

Wu Feng also walked over; although he didn't speak, the confidence in the society's future in his eyes had clearly increased a lot. Little Soft Sun hid behind Li Mo, looking curiously and reverently at the Dragon Blood Grass and Dragon Crystals emitting powerful energy.

Zhao Hao's joining was like injecting a shot of adrenaline into the newborn society. Not only did it bring precious resources, but more importantly, he represented a powerful, traditional, yet willing-to-change force, formally merging into the Exploring the Torrent of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

"Since you've joined, don't idle," Lin Zhou said to Zhao Hao. "You have the deepest understanding of Dragons; start by sorting out the specific Bottlenecks currently faced by the Dragon Clan Divine Race, combine it with the School of Law's 'Law' thought to see if their discipline and cooperation efficiency can be improved; combine it with the School of Military's 'strategy' to optimize tactical combinations; you can even consider introducing a small amount of Confucian 'education' to try to promote the wisdom and controllability of Dragons (especially young Dragons), reducing the management losses caused by their wildness."

Zhao Hao listened seriously, light flashing in his eyes. These angles were things he had never thought of. Making Dragons learn Legalist Edicts? Learn School of Military formations? Even... learn Confucian classics? It sounded absurd, but upon careful thought, he faintly felt that perhaps there really was some possibility?

"I'll compile a detailed report as soon as possible," Zhao Hao said solemnly.

The atmosphere in the activity room, because of Zhao Hao's joining and his substantive contributions, became lively and full of hope. The initial humility and quietness were replaced by a solid, forward-moving feeling.

Lin Zhou looked at the several members gathered around the table, A heated discussion—Li Mo, obsessed with technology; Wu Feng, seeking redemption; Little Soft Sun, Desire for change; Shi Lei, Seeking progress in a simple way; and Zhao Hao, bringing Breakthrough and resources.

Although the number was still small and the Divine Races were varied, this was exactly the beginning of the The Way of the Hundred Schools—the ocean Embrace all rivers, its greatness lies in its capacity. Sparks had already been quietly ignited in hearts of different qualities.

Next, it was time to meet that Also observing, Lord of Behemoth, who reveres strength and conquest.

Lin Zhou thought to himself. Wang Meng's side was also time to add fuel to the fire.