2: Confucianism and Taoism are beginning to emerge, and their brilliance is being revealed in the monthly mini-competition!

The hatch of the God Domain connection pod slowly closed, cutting off the outside noise and the various gazes.

Lin Zhou's consciousness sank back into that newly reborn God Domain.

The three-square-kilometer [Order Woodland] was no longer deathly silent; the air was filled with a vitality called 'hope.' At the center, the [Jixia Academy (Projection)] stood quietly. Although it was just a phantom outlined by light and shadow, it radiated a warm, reassuring glow. The one hundred and two Literary Heart Elves no longer huddled in despair. They gathered around the academy, their once-numb faces glowing with the light of a desire for knowledge, whispering the maxims of the divine revelation. The pure white faith threads on their bodies, representing [Shallow Believer], were stable and resilient.

Lin Zhou first focused on the core data of the God Domain:

【God Domain Interface】

God Domain Name: Unnamed (Stable development)

God Domain Size: 3.1 square kilometers (Solid)

God Domain Environment: Order Woodland (Habitability: 38/100, slowly recovering)

Core Race: Literary Heart Elves (LV 1-4, some units upgraded)

Quantity: 102

Average Stats: Strength 4, Agility 11, Constitution 5, Intelligence 9, Wisdom 9, Charisma 16

Faith Level: Shallow Believer (Faith output: 0.5/person/day)

Status: [Seeking Knowledge], [Hope], [Firm Faith]

Trait: [Elegant Lv1]

Daily Faith Output: 51 units (Stable)

Available Faith Reserves: 0

Divine Power: 0

God Domain Building: [Jixia Academy (Projection)]

Fused Cards: 0/10

"51 units of faith daily..." Lin Zhou calculated in his heart. "At the Demigod stage, I cannot actively convert faith into divine power. This faith can currently only be used to maintain the basic operation of the God Domain and perform some minor 'miracles,' such as locally accelerating plant growth or providing spiritual encouragement."

His consciousness turned to the [Temple of Chinese Civilization] deep within his soul.

【Temple of Civilization Interface】

Host: Lin Zhou

Civilization Level: Ignorance Awakened (55/10000)

civilization points: 900

Unlocked Thought: [Confucianism] (Just Beginning) - Unlock progress 1%. civilization points can be consumed to increase the depth of comprehension or unlock related skills and buildings.

Unlockable Thoughts: (List same as the previous chapter)

Exchangeable Items: Not yet opened (Requires [Confucianism] thought to reach 'Slightly Accomplished')

Civilization Wonders: Not yet opened

900 civilization points were a precious sum of startup capital.

"The [Confucianism] thought is at the 'Just Beginning' stage, which is enough for now. The urgent priority is to enhance the hard power of the God Domain to deal with potential challenges." Lin Zhou recalled Zhao Hao's undisguised hostility and the common Laws of competition in this era of gods. "Relying solely on education will not allow long-term survival under the rules of the jungle."

His gaze swept over the list of unlockable thoughts.

[Legalism]? Rule by Law can greatly improve internal efficiency and Order, but the current population of the God Domain is too small, and Order has already been initially established, so it's not the most urgent. [Mohism]? Mohist Mechanism creation can quickly improve production and defense capabilities, but it requires basic resources and time accumulation. [School of Military]? The way of conquest directly enhances combat power, but the current number of race members is too small, and their constitution and strength are weaknesses; frontal combat is not their forte. [School of Agriculture]? The way of the foundation can solve food problems, but the berry bushes are barely sufficient under the enhancement of the Order environment.

After weighing it for a moment, Lin Zhou made a decision.

"Temple of Civilization, show the currently unlockable skills or branch abilities under the [Confucianism] thought."

The interface shimmered with light, and a new list appeared:

Vast Righteous Qi (Unlocking requires 300 civilization points) - The prototype of the core Confucian ability. Guide the belief in justice within the hearts of the race to form a special energy field, which has a significant restraining effect on Chaos, Evil, and Illusory targets. Mental resistance of friendly units within range is increased.

Effect: Damage to specific faction units +50% (increases with comprehension depth), friendly mental resistance within the domain +30%.

Note: Requires the race to possess a certain level of intelligence and concepts of justice; Literary Heart Elves meet the conditions.

Subtle Influence (Unlocking requires 200 civilization points) - Preliminary application of the power of language. Makes the words of the race leader contain weak rule power, which can boost morale in a small area or cause mental interference to enemies.

Effect: Increases the attack power of friendly forces in a small area by 10%, or causes enemies in a small area to fall into a 'hesitation' state for 1-3 seconds.

Note: Requires designating at least one race Hero unit.

Enlightenment (Unlocking requires 150 civilization points) - Accelerates the development of race intelligence and the inheritance of knowledge.

Effect: Designated race learning efficiency +20%, skill comprehension chance increased.

Note: Can stack with the effects of [Jixia Academy].

"Vast Righteous Qi!" Lin Zhou's eyes lit up. This skill was practically tailor-made for the Literary Heart Elves! The elves themselves have agility and intelligence as strengths, while strength and constitution are weaknesses, and they lack effective area-of-effect countermeasures. The domain formed by "Vast Righteous Qi" not only compensates for the lack of damage but also provides precious mental protection, making it a strategic-level ability. Although the cost is huge, accounting for nearly a third of the existing civilization points, it is definitely worth it!

"Unlock [Vast Righteous Qi]!"

"Consumed 300 civilization points, successfully unlocked the core Confucian skill [Vast Righteous Qi] (Novice)." "Related knowledge has been infused. The race meets the conditions and can use the power of faith to guide and activate it."

A warm current merged into Lin Zhou's consciousness, and he instantly understood how to guide the Literary Heart Elves to gather their beliefs and activate that supreme and upright energy field. At the same time, he noticed an elderly female elf standing at the very front of all the elves. The wisdom and determination in her eyes far exceeded those of her kin, and the faith threads gathered on her were the thickest and most solid. She seemed naturally to be the core of the elves.

"Appoint race Hero unit!" Lin Zhou mobilized his authority as the Lord of the God Domain and cast a sliver of his origin consciousness toward that elderly elf.

【System Prompt】: Please name the Hero unit. "Elwin." Lin Zhou gave this elder a name that fit the Elwin style.

【System Prompt】: Appointment successful! Your race has birthed its first Hero unit—[Hero Elven (Literary Heart Elves Elder)].

【Hero Unit】: Elwin

Level: LV 5 (Experience Points 0/500)

Stats: Strength 5, Agility 12, Constitution 6, Intelligence 12, Wisdom 13, Charisma 18

Talent: [Tireless Teacher] - Slightly increases the experience gain speed of surrounding elves.

Skills:

[Basic Nature Spells Lv2] (Racial Talent) - Can cast [Entangling Roots], [Lesser Healing], etc.

[Subtle Influence Lv1] (New Comprehension) - Boosts friendly forces in a small area, increasing attack power by 10% for 30 seconds.

Loyalty: 100 (Die-hard)

Faith Level: Pious Believer (Faith output: 1/day)

"Excellent!" Lin Zhou felt invigorated. The emergence of a Hero unit meant the race now had stronger capabilities for independent development and combat. Elwin's self-comprehended [Subtle Influence], although not as effective as the full skill directly exchanged, proved the potential for the fusion of the Hundred Schools of Thought with the race's own characteristics.

He immediately used a divine oracle to pass the guidance method of [Vast Righteous Qi] to Elwin and all Literary Heart Elves with an intelligence of 9 or higher. With the enhancement of the [Jixia Academy], their understanding speed was incredibly fast.

Just as Lin Zhou was initially consolidating the God Domain and Elwin began leading the elves in attempting to sense and gather the beliefs in their hearts—the surface of their bodies faintly shimmering with a pale golden light—

Buzz!

A mandatory connection request came through the God Domain barrier.

Immediately after, Teacher Li's serious voice rang out directly in the consciousness of all students:

"All students, connect your consciousness to the school's public God Domain network! The monthly resource competition will begin in ten minutes!" "The format of this competition: God Domain projection confrontation. Rules: Both sides will each dispatch one hundred race units to conduct a virtual battle in a standard plain environment until one side is completely wiped out or surrenders." "The winner will receive a Small Iron Mine—the [Small Iron Mine]!"

[Small Iron Mine] (Small Iron Mine/Excellent-Green)

Effect: After fusion, the God Domain will stably produce 300 units of iron ore daily.

Fusion Requirements: God Domain area ≥ 3 square kilometers, possesses basic mineral processing capability.

"Iron ore!" Lin Zhou's spirits rose. This was exactly the resource he currently needed! With iron, the Tiangong Dwarves (if he could obtain them in the future) could play their true role, and the Literary Heart Elves could also be equipped with better weapons and armor instead of relying solely on wooden bows and nature spells.

"I must take this!"

His consciousness connected to the public network, and a vast virtual space unfolded. In the center was a huge observation platform, surrounded by countless floating light orbs representing the students' God Domains. Teacher Li's virtual image stood in the center of the platform.

"The competition uses a combination of random matching and a challenge system. Now, those who are interested can actively initiate a challenge!" Teacher Li announced.

As soon as he finished speaking—

"Teacher! I, Zhao Hao, challenge Lin Zhou!"

An arrogant voice rang out, carrying undisguised malice. Zhao Hao's virtual image stepped out from the crowd, pointing toward the light orb where Lin Zhou was located, a sneer on his face: "Lin Zhou, you were lucky just now and stabilized your God Domain. I just don't know if your Forest Elves are tough enough to fight? Do you dare to accept?"

A burst of discussion immediately broke out on the observation platform.

"Zhao Hao's Half-Orcs are LV 5-8, numbering one hundred and fifty, and he even has a Hero unit!" "Lin Zhou's data looked good just now, but the foundation of Forest Elves is too poor. It's only been how long? How could he possibly win?" "Zhao Hao is clearly trying to kick him while he's down, to crush his race in a virtual battle and strike at his confidence!"

Teacher Li frowned slightly and looked at Lin Zhou's light orb: "Student Lin Zhou, do you accept the challenge? You have the right to refuse."

Everyone's gaze focused on him.

Lin Zhou's phantom slowly condensed. His face was calm, showing no joy or anger. He just glanced indifferently at Zhao Hao and uttered two words:

"I accept."

"Haha! Good! At least you have some guts!" Zhao Hao laughed loudly. "Don't go crying later!"

Seeing that both sides agreed, Teacher Li said no more: "Five minutes of preparation time to configure your participating race units. The battle is about to begin!"

Lin Zhou's consciousness returned to the God Domain.

"Elwin." "Great God, your loyal servant is here to listen." Elwin immediately led all the elves in respectful prayer.

"Select ninety-nine of the strongest clansmen, those most sensitive to 'Righteous Qi.' A battle to defend our home and faith requires your strength." Lin Zhou handed down a divine oracle. He did not choose to deploy everyone, leaving two of the weakest elves behind to guard the divine domain, which served as a small reserve.

"By your will!" Determination flashed in Elwin's eyes. She quickly gathered ninety-nine elves between levels LV3 and LV4, most of whom had just recently sensed the "Vast Righteous Qi."

Lin Zhou consumed 50 units of faith to cast a mass blessing on this hundred-person squad, slightly boosting their morale and condition. He focused the small amount of faith just generated on strengthening Hero Elven, temporarily raising her level to LV6 and providing a minor attribute boost.

【Lin Zhou's Legion】:

Literary Heart Elves * 99 (LV 3-4)

Average Attributes: Strength 4-5, Agility 11-12, Constitution 5, Intelligence 9, Wisdom 9, Charisma 16

Equipment: Simple Wooden Bow (Attack +2), Crude Leather Armor (Defense +1)

Status: 【Divine Blessing】 (Morale +10%), 【Righteousness Sensing】 (Can activate Basic Vast Righteous Qi Domain)

Hero: Hero Elven * 1 (LV 6)

Attributes: Strength 6, Agility 13, Constitution 7, Intelligence 13, Wisdom 14, Charisma 19

Skills: 【Basic Nature Magic Lv2】, 【Subtle Influence Lv1】, 【Basic Vast Righteous Qi Guidance】

Status: 【Enhanced Divine Blessing】

On the other side, Zhao Hao's legion data was also displayed in the public view:

【Zhao Hao's Legion】:

Orc Warriors * 149 (LV 5-8)

Average Attributes: Strength 13-15, Agility 7-8, Constitution 12-14, Intelligence 4, Wisdom 3, Charisma 5

Equipment: Crude Bone Club/Stone Axe (Attack +5-8), Tattered Leather Armor (Defense +3)

Trait: 【Bloodlust Lv1】 - Attack power increases after taking damage, but rationality decreases.

Status: 【Berserk Encouragement】 (Attack Power +10%, Defense -5%)

Hero: Grom Bonebreaker * 1 (LV 10 - Orc Champion)

Attributes: Strength 19, Agility 9, Constitution 17, Intelligence 5, Wisdom 4, Charisma 7

Skills: 【Savage Charge Lv2】, 【War Howl Lv1】, 【Heavy Strike Lv2】

Status: 【Enhanced Berserk Encouragement】

On paper, Lin Zhou's Elwin legion was completely crushed. Strength, constitution, numbers, equipment, hero level... they were at an absolute disadvantage in almost every aspect.

"Let the battle begin!" Teacher Li's voice rang out.

The virtual plain battlefield unfolded. Zhao Hao's orc legion let out a deafening roar. Led by the hero Grom, they surged forward like a green tide, initiating their signature 【Savage Charge】. The ground trembled slightly under their trampling as they bore down aggressively on the elves' position!

The spectating students held their breath, as if they could already see the tragic scene of the elves being torn apart by this torrent of violence.

However, facing the surging enemies, Elwin showed no sign of panic. She raised the simple wooden staff (a symbol slightly enhanced by Lin Zhou with faith) high, her voice clear and firm as it echoed across the battlefield:

"my god is with us! How can the power of filth defile the land of Order?" "Comrades, remember the divine oracle. Clear your minds and see your true nature; righteousness is born from within!" "Vast Righteous Qi, rise!"

Following her chant, the ninety-nine Literary Heart Elves behind her responded in unison. They closed their eyes, casting aside fear, as the divinely inspired maxims echoed in their minds, condensing their conviction to protect their home, Order, and their god!

Buzz—!

A pale golden, visible radiance suddenly spread out with the Elwin legion as the center, forming a semi-circular domain covering a hundred-meter radius! Within the domain, the very air seemed to become clear and solemn!

This was the core Confucian ability—the 【Vast Righteous Qi】 Domain! (Beginner Level)

The charging Orc Warriors' movements instantly stiffened the moment they stepped into this pale golden domain!

The chaotic and violent aura on them seemed to melt and be suppressed like snow meeting a scorching sun! Their originally blood-red eyes regained a hint of clarity, but this was followed by an instinctive disgust and discomfort, significantly slowing their charging momentum!

【System Prompt】: 【Vast Righteous Qi】 Domain is active! Attribute suppression applied to Chaotic/Evil alignment units (Orcs)! Enemy Strength -10%, Agility -10%, Morale -20%! 【System Prompt】: Friendly units (Literary Heart Elves) within the domain gain +30% Mental Resistance!

"What?!" On the viewing platform, Zhao Hao's projection cried out in shock, his face filled with disbelief. "What kind of ghost domain is this?!"

His orc hero, Grom, also felt the intense suppression and discomfort. He let out a furious roar, attempting to dispel the influence, but the effect was negligible.

Just as the orc charge faltered, Elwin spoke again, her voice carrying a faint ripple of divine power:

"Swift as the Wind! Fierce as Fire!"

Skill—【Subtle Influence Lv1】 activated!

The elves felt a surge of hot blood in their hearts, and their desire to attack and their speed increased abruptly!

【System Prompt】: Allies have received the 【Subtle Influence】 effect. Attack Power +10%, Attack Speed +15% for 30 seconds!

"Fire!"

Elwin gave the command!

The elves, who had long since drawn their bows, channeled faint natural energy into their arrows and released a dense rain of projectiles! As the arrows passed through the pale golden Vast Righteous Qi domain, they seemed to be imbued with a "Bane of Evil" property, shimmering with a faint interweaving of gold and green light as they accurately struck the orcs, whose formation was scattered and attributes suppressed!

Puchi puchi puchi—!

The sound of blades entering flesh was incessant!

The orcs were thick-skinned and hardy, but under the suppression of their attributes and the concentrated fire of enchanted arrows, they fell in heaps, screaming. Especially the lower-level LV5 orcs; they were taken down with almost every single arrow!

"Impossible!" Zhao Hao's eyes nearly split from rage. "How can their arrows have so much power?! And what on earth is that damned golden light?!"

Lin Zhou calmly watched the battlefield. The counter-effect of Vast Righteous Qi against chaotic alignment beings like orcs was even better than he had anticipated. The elves' advantage in high agility was brought into full play once the enemy was slowed down.

"Disperse! Skirmish! Maintain distance!" Elwin commanded calmly. The elves retreated as ordered, utilizing their agility—which far surpassed the orcs'—to shoot while moving back, always maintaining a safe distance from the enemy.

The orcs had plenty of strength but couldn't catch up or land a hit. The longer they stayed in that pale golden domain, the more anxious and weak they became, continuously whittled down by the elves' arrows.

"Grom! Kill that leading elf!" Zhao Hao roared in desperation.

The orc hero Grom let out a roar, a bloody light flashing on his body as he activated 【Savage Charge】. Braving the rain of arrows like a maddened rhino, he charged straight at Elwin at the front of the formation!

"Entangling Roots!" Elwin remained calm in the face of danger, striking her staff against the ground as natural energy surged.

Several thick vines erupted from the earth, quickly coiling around Grom's legs! Although these vines could only bind someone of Grom's strength for a mere second or two—

"Focus fire!"

Elwin seized the opportunity and issued the most critical command! Simultaneously, she activated 【Subtle Influence】 again: "Root Out Evil Completely!"

All the elves' arrows, including Elwin's own condensed Spear of Nature, focused entirely on the briefly controlled Grom at that moment!

Chichi chi—!

Countless attacks shimmering with gold and green light poured onto Grom like a rainstorm! The "Bane of Evil" effect of the Vast Righteous Qi dealt staggering damage to this orc hero!

Grom let out an unwilling roar, and his massive body crashed to the ground under the concentrated attacks, dissipating into virtual data—he had been "killed!"

The hero had fallen! The orc legion, already low on morale and suppressed by the domain, instantly collapsed! The remaining orcs let out terrified howls, no longer caring about the fight as they turned and fled, their formation completely disintegrating!

【Battle Over! Winner: Lin Zhou!】【Battle Statistics: Lin Zhou's Legion Losses: 0. Zhao Hao's Legion Losses: 150 (Total Wipeout). Evaluation: Perfect!】

Silence!

A deathly silence fell over the viewing platform!

Everyone stared at the result, dumbfounded.

Zero casualties, a total wipeout of an orc legion that had superior numbers, attributes, and hero level?! This was simply a fantasy! What exactly was that pale golden domain? Why was it so effective against orcs? Since when did Forest Elves become so powerful?

Zhao Hao's projection was pale, his lips trembling, unable to say a word. His gaze toward Lin Zhou was filled with shock, resentment, and a trace of fear that even he hadn't noticed.

Teacher Li took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with brilliance as he gave Lin Zhou a deep look and announced loudly: "In this small competition, Lin Zhou wins! He receives the reward: 【Small Iron Mine】!"

A card shimmering with green light appeared out of thin air and flew toward Lin Zhou's projection.

Lin Zhou reached out and caught it; it felt cool to the touch as the card's information flowed into his mind.

【Small Iron Mine】 (Small Iron Mine / Excellent - Green) - Bound: Lin Zhou.

Effect: After fusion, the divine domain will steadily produce 300 units of iron ore daily.

Fusion Requirements: Divine domain area ≥ 3 square kilometers, possesses basic mineral processing capabilities. Divine domain detected as meeting requirements, fusion possible.

He didn't give the despondent Zhao Hao a second glance as his consciousness returned to his divine domain.

In his hand, the green Small Iron Mine materialized, emitting a faint glow.

"With this, the foundation for development is even more solid." Lin Zhou gripped the card, his gaze piercing through the divine domain as if seeing the future. "Mohist Mechanisms, Legalist Edicts... the light of the hundred schools will surely be lit here one by one."

And the next challenge—the "Midterm Mock Exam" mentioned by the homeroom teacher, as well as that newly discovered 【Stone Age Ruins】 Grotto-Heaven—was waiting ahead.