212: With Su Yueyao's help, Yuehua calmed her mind and broke the illusion.

The dust had settled on the Xinghai University Freshman Cup preliminary points matches.

The final rankings hung at the top of the campus network like a frozen war monument, subjected to the heat and scrutiny of tens of thousands of gazes. Lin Zhou's name was fixed at 7th place—a position high enough for the vast majority of freshmen to look up to, yet subtly at the tail end of the lead group. His total score was 348 points, with a record of 30 wins and 1 loss. That single loss had occurred on the final day of the points matches, and his opponent was none other than the 6th-ranked Shadow Song. It was a brief, eerie battle that still left Lin Zhou feeling a bit stifled whenever he recalled it.

Right now, the drawing ceremony for the main tournament's elimination rounds had just concluded. On a massive virtual light screen, the names of the 512 qualifiers were paired off according to a new bracket, stretching out in a dense arrangement. Each matchup meant that at least 256 people would be heading home after the first round of the main tournament; the cruelty of it was far beyond that of the preliminary points matches.

Standing in the crowd, Lin Zhou's gaze quickly swept over the half-bracket he was in. His first-round opponent was a student from the College of Resource Exploration whose God Domain was 'Rock-Back Pangolin.' Known for excavation and Earth-type defense, they posed little threat. His main attention was focused on the potential powerhouses he might encounter in his quarter-bracket. Soon, his gaze narrowed slightly.

According to the bracket, if he successfully passed the first two rounds, he would very likely encounter that opponent from the shadows again in the Round of 64 (the third round)—Shadow Song (Void Phantom God Domain). This was assuming Shadow Song could also smoothly defeat his opponents in the first two rounds, which, based on his preliminary performance, was almost a certainty.

"Quite the... stroke of fate," Lin Zhou murmured to himself. There was no fear in his eyes; instead, a flicker of a cold flame ignited. He hadn't been satisfied with that loss in the preliminaries, but it had given him the most direct experience with the eeriness of the Void Phantom. Now that they were crossing paths again on the more critical stage of the main tournament, it was the perfect opportunity to wash away his shame and test his new tactics.

However, the difficulty of dealing with the Void Phantom far exceeded that of conventional opponents. Relying solely on the 'Portable Mental Stabilizer (Experimental Type)' hurriedly developed by the Tian Gong Institute and the enhanced detection module of the 'Net of Law,' Lin Zhou didn't have absolute confidence. That composite tactical System of shifting between void and reality, mental erosion, and stealthy ambushes formed a degree of 'mechanical counter' against the current Hundred Schools Divine Domain's frontal combat and rule-based confrontation capabilities.

"I need more targeted preparation, or... external help." This thought flashed through Lin Zhou's mind. He remembered Su Yueyao's previous warning, as well as her cold, pure Moonlight Divine Power, which seemed to have a miraculous effect on stabilizing the mind and purifying distracting thoughts.

Leaving the bustling drawing ceremony, Lin Zhou didn't return to his dormitory. Instead, after a moment's hesitation, he sent a short message to Su Yueyao via his personal terminal.

A moment later, at the 'Star-Gazing Terrace' located in a secluded spot of Xinghai University. The terrain here was high, far from the noise of the teaching area. At night, it was a Holy Land for stargazing enthusiasts, while few people came here during the day. A breeze blew past, carrying the coolness of early autumn.

When Lin Zhou arrived, Su Yueyao was already there. She stood with her back to the entrance, leaning against the railing. She wore a simple, light green gown, and her black hair was loosely pinned up with a plain jade hairpin, with a few strands fluttering in the wind. Just her back alone gave off a sense of tranquility and transcendence that blended into the surrounding environment. Sunlight spilled over her, yet it seemed softened by the faint, almost imperceptible moonlight radiance naturally flowing around her, making it look less harsh.

"You've come." Su Yueyao didn't turn around. Her cold voice carried on the wind; she seemed to have known of his arrival long ago.

"Senior Su," Lin Zhou walked to her side, also looking out at the distant silhouette of the campus. "I apologize for the intrusion. Regarding Shadow Song's Void Phantom God Domain, and the Moonlight Divine Power you mentioned before... I have some questions I'd like to ask."

Su Yueyao turned her face. Her expression on her beautiful features remained flat, but her eyes, like a cold pond under an autumn moon, reflected Lin Zhou's figure. "You lost to him in the preliminaries." It was a statement of fact.

"Yes," Lin Zhou admitted frankly. "The shift between void and reality makes it hard to lock on, the mental erosion is a serious interference, and the stealthy ambushes are impossible to guard against. Conventional means have limited effectiveness."

"The Void Phantom walks in the cracks between shadow and reality. The root of its power leans toward 'Nothingness,' 'Shadow,' and the 'Mind.' Ordinary light or fire might illuminate shadows, but it's hard for them to touch 'Nothingness,' and it's even easier for them to be exploited by fear and illusions at the 'Mind' level," Su Yueyao said slowly, her voice like a clear mountain spring, carrying a certain power that smoothed over agitation. "Moonlight, though belonging to the Light element, is 'Clear,' 'Cold,' and 'Still' in nature, which is closer to the rules of 'Taiyin,' 'Tranquility,' and 'Clarity.' It may be helpful for calming waves in the mind, dispelling false illusions, and revealing true forms."

She raised her slender hand, palm upward, and a wisp of extremely pure, soft silver radiance that seemed untainted by dust quietly emerged, flowing in her palm like concentrated moonlight. This radiance wasn't blinding, yet it gave off a strange feeling of peace of mind and the disappearance of distracting thoughts.

"My Moon God Domain inherits ancient charms; its core lies in 'Tranquility,' 'Purification,' and 'Protection.' Moonlight Power can cleanse filth, stabilize the Divine Soul, and reflect reality." Su Yueyao looked at Lin Zhou. "Your subjects have firm mental wills (especially those Law Fishmen), and the School of Confucianism's Vast Righteous Qi also has the effect of maintaining rectitude and repelling evil. If it can be slightly guided and protected by Moonlight, it might help them more effectively resist the Void Phantom's mental erosion and make it easier to see through its shifts between void and reality and its hidden movements under the moonlight's reflection."

Lin Zhou's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he needed! Not a direct attack power boost, but critical 'Resistance' and 'Insight' support! The 'Cold and Quiet' characteristic of Moonlight perfectly countered the 'Void Eeriness' and 'Mental Erosion' of the Void Phantom.

"Senior Su, do you mean..." Lin Zhou chose his words carefully, "that during battle, you can use Moonlight Divine Power to provide temporary protection and insight buffs for my subjects?"

Su Yueyao nodded slightly. "Theoretically, it's feasible. But it requires our Divine Powers to have a certain degree of resonance and coordination, and your subjects must not reject the Moonlight Power. Furthermore, my intervention must comply with the competition rules; I cannot directly attack or grant your subjects power beyond their own limits. It can only be 'Auxiliary' and 'Purifying' Domain support."

"The rules allow deities to cast divine arts or deploy Domains for their own subjects during battle, and also allow for limited external Divine Power support under specific conditions (such as team battles or temporary auxiliary agreements recognized by the System), as long as it doesn't constitute direct 'substitution' or 'power infusion,'" Lin Zhou quickly recalled the competition rules. "We can submit a 'Temporary Auxiliary Application' to the System, citing divine art research and tactical coordination. As long as it doesn't violate the principle of fairness, it will likely be permitted, though it might be subject to certain restrictions (such as a cap on support intensity, duration, etc.)."

Su Yueyao was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the options. Finally, she nodded gently. "Very well. I also... want to see if Moonlight and your 'Fire of Civilization' can produce the expected resonance." A very subtle hint of a researcher's curiosity flashed in her eyes.

Over the next two days, after obtaining preliminary permission from the System (which required testing and filing at a specific training ground), the two began intensive coordination drills.

The location chosen was a small auxiliary training ground applied for by the School of Literature and Law, which featured basic rule stabilization and shielding functions. In the field, Lin Zhou summoned fifty members of the Lawful Merman Enforcement Squad led by Iron Face, as well as twenty Wenxin Elf Scholars. Su Yueyao simply stood quietly to the side, her posture graceful, her moonlight radiance restrained.

The first attempt did not go smoothly.

When Su Yueyao tried to sprinkle a wisp of moonlight radiance onto the Law Fishmen formation, a faint green light representing Legalist Edicts instinctively rose from those deep blue messengers of Order, producing a slight repulsion with the moonlight. It wasn't hostility, but rather the natural friction of two different types of 'Order' and 'Tranquility' rules during their first contact. The Law Fishmen felt some discomfort, and the array showed an imperceptible ripple.

Su Yueyao frowned slightly, the moonlight flowing at her fingertips as she tried to adjust its frequency and penetration method to make it softer and more inclusive. Lin Zhou also immediately used his Divine Thought to soothe the Law Fishmen, guiding them to understand and try to accept this 'external, well-intentioned cold Order.'

At the same time, Lin Zhou had the Wenxin Elf Scholars begin chanting Confucian classics in low voices to stimulate 'Vast Righteous Qi.' Pure white Righteous Qi light rose, upright and peaceful, intersecting with the cold silver glow of the moonlight and the faint green edict light of the Legalists.

At first, it was chaotic; the lights were intertwined but remained independent, occasionally even cancelling each other out.

But gradually, under the conscious guidance and harmonization of the two deities, and under the influence of the latent, all-encompassing foundation of Lin Zhou's Temple of Civilization, a change occurred.

The 'Rectitude' and 'Uprightness' of the Vast Righteous Qi seemed to become the lubricant and bridge between the 'Coldness' of the moonlight and the 'Strictness' of the Legalists. The moonlight's radiance was no longer repelled by the green light of Law; instead, like a clear spring flowing over a rock, it began to soak into the fishmen's scales and spirits, bringing a strange feeling of mental clarity and calm. Meanwhile, the Vast Righteous Qi merged with the moonlight, its pure white light gradually becoming stained with a faint, noble silver glow, losing some of its rigidity and gaining more clarity and tranquility.

[Rule Fusion Attempt: Preliminary Coordination of Moonlight · Righteous Qi · Edict]

Participating Powers: Su Yueyao (Moonlight Divine Power · Tranquility/Purification); Lin Zhou (Confucian Vast Righteous Qi · Rectitude/Enlightenment; Legalist Edict Green Light · Order/Punishment).

Guiding Cores: Lin Zhou (Weak resonance of Temple of Civilization); Su Yueyao (Fine control of Moonlight).

Coordination Process: Using Vast Righteous Qi as a harmonizing medium to reduce the initial repulsion between Moonlight and Edict; the 'Tranquility' characteristic of Moonlight inversely nourishes the Vast Righteous Qi, giving it a more 'Clear' Concept; the 'Order' of Edict provides a framework for the three to coexist.

Preliminary Results:

Domain Prototype: Successfully formed a stable composite energy field within a small area of the training ground. Inside the field, silver moonlight, pure white Righteous Qi, and faint green edict light intertwined and flowed, coexisting in harmony.

Folk feedback: The Law Fishmen stated that within this Domain, their minds are exceptionally clear and calm, their resistance to emotions like chaos and fear has significantly improved, and their perception of subtle "discordant" fluctuations (simulated hidden malice) in the environment has slightly enhanced. The Wenxin Elf Scholars felt even greater peace of mind and an improvement in their focus.

Energy characteristics: This composite Domain simultaneously possesses multiple effects: "Mental Peace/Resistance Boost" (Moonlight + Righteous Qi), "Order Stability/Malice Detection" (Edicts + Righteous Qi), and "Purification of Falsehood/Reflection of Truth" (Moonlight core), with a slight synergistic enhancement between these effects.

Naming (Provisional): Radiant Virtue Domain.

"It succeeded!" Li Mo (monitoring data via instruments outside) couldn't help but whisper, "Energy field stability is at 85%! Synergistic coefficient is 1.15 (indicating a slight positive synergy)! Estimated mental resistance increase: 25-30%! Estimated interference resistance against hidden-type rules: 15-20%! And this is just the preliminary Fusion!"

Lin Zhou and Su Yueyao looked at each other, both seeing a sense of relief and faint joy in the other's eyes. Achieving such results in their first cooperation far exceeded their expectations.

"The key lies in the mediation of 'Vast Righteous Qi,'" Su Yueyao said softly. "This power of yours... is very special. It seems able to encompass many different types of energy and bestow upon them a 'positive' significance."

Lin Zhou understood; this was likely an implicit manifestation of the "all-encompassing" characteristic of the Temple of Civilization and Hundred Schools of Thought. As the manifestation of the core power of School of Confucianism, Vast Righteous Qi inherently possesses the traits of "enlightenment," "inclusivity," and "upholding righteousness," making it an excellent mediator.

The focus of the following training shifted to combat simulation. Using the training ground's rule simulation function, they replicated some of the attack patterns of the Void Phantom (derived from qualifier data): Spiritual Scream, Fear Aura, Shadow Jump, and Void-Real Assassination.

Under the coverage of the "Radiant Virtue Domain," the Lawful Merman Enforcement Squad showed extreme resilience against simulated mental impacts. That cold moonlight acted like the most effective sedative, smoothing the ripples in their consciousness; the Vast Righteous Qi built a solid mental dam; and the cyan light of Law precisely located and "defined" those incoming malicious mental fluctuations as "illegal," weakening them at the rule level. The simulated Fear Aura was rendered almost useless, and the trajectories of Shadow Jumps became relatively clear and identifiable under the limpid reflection of the moonlight.

"Significant effect!" Iron Face's voice (via consciousness feedback) seemed a bit less cold and a bit more steady. "Chaos and fear cannot intrude, and shadows have nowhere to hide. Our Execution of the Law will be more efficient."

Su Yueyao also nodded slightly: "Under the reflection of moonlight, even the void finds it hard to hide. At the moment of transition between void and reality, the rule fluctuations become particularly obvious, creating opportunities for counterattacks."

The tacit understanding between the two grew quietly through repeated drills. Without needing many words, a single glance or a subtle adjustment of Divine Power fluctuations was often enough to grasp the other's intentions.

Time flew by, and the first and second rounds of the main tournament passed uneventfully. Lin Zhou easily defeated his opponents by using Mohist Mechanical Arts combined with School of Military tactics, and pure School of Agriculture positional warfare combined with Legalist field control, advancing to the top 64.

And the bracket for the top 64 was exactly as expected—Lin Zhou vs. Shadow Song.

This match, because both were top ten seeded players and it involved a "revenge" plot from the qualifiers, plus the mystery of Lin Zhou's "Hundred Schools Divine Domain" vs. the eeriness of Shadow Song's "Void Phantom," attracted a lot of attention even before it started. On the school's network forums, prediction and analysis posts emerged one after another.

Match day, virtual combat network, dedicated high-spec combat space.

Lin Zhou's consciousness projection descended onto a special map—[Eternal Night Ruins]. This was one of the maps randomly selected by the System for the top 64, biased toward shadow and undead environments. The sky was an eternal dark purple with no sun, moon, or stars; only faint, distorted phosphorescence seeped from ruined buildings and withered trees. The ground consisted of cracked black rock and thick, sound-absorbing dust. The overall environment weakened light and life-based folks while buffing shadow and undead types.

For Shadow Song's Void Phantom, this was nearly home court advantage.

Lin Zhou's god domain core projection unfolded in a semi-collapsed stone palace ruin. He didn't hesitate for a moment; his first action was not to summon his folks, but to send a request to Su Yueyao via the "Temporary Auxiliary Protocol" channel, which had been submitted and approved in advance.

Almost the second after he sent the request, a wisp of cold, pure silver moonlight that seemed capable of piercing through the gloom of eternal night came from nowhere. It fell gently around Lin Zhou's god domain core projection and rapidly expanded, forming a stable Radiant Virtue Domain about a hundred meters in diameter! Within the Domain, moonlight, Righteous Qi, and Lawful glimmers intertwined, sealing out the eerie and damp atmosphere of the eternal night and bringing a sense of peace and clarity.

Immediately after, the 120-member Lawful Merman Enforcement Squad led by Iron Face (the main tournament allowed more elites) and 40 Wenxin Elf Scholars finished lining up within the Domain. The Elf Scholars immediately began chanting to reinforce and expand the Domain's effects.

Opposite them, Shadow Song's god domain core projection was hidden in a patch of twisted shadows, making it hard to locate. The entire Eternal Night Ruins seemed to come alive as countless rustling sounds came from all directions, as if innumerable eyes were peering from the darkness. Dense shadow energy gathered, and mental malice surged like a tide, attempting to erode, terrify, and dismantle the will of Lin Zhou's folks.

However, within the "Radiant Virtue Domain," all of this had little effect!

The moonlight smoothed the mental waves, the Righteous Qi stabilized their minds, and the edicts defined and weakened the malice. Lin Zhou's folk array remained as steady as a rock!

"Hmm?" From deep within the shadows came a very faint sound of surprised confusion from Shadow Song. He clearly hadn't expected the opponent to perfectly resist his opening mental pressure and deploy a composite Domain that obviously countered his abilities!

The battle instantly reached a fever pitch.

The Void Phantom no longer hid; countless twisted, translucent shadow creatures pounced from all corners of the ruins, emitting silent Spiritual Screams as they launched the first wave of their void-real combined charge. Simultaneously, the Fear Aura unfolded at full strength, and the trajectories of Shadow Jumps flickered in and out of the Domain!

"Net of Law, expand! Define: Shadow Jump as 'Illegal Stealth,' Fear Scream as 'Disturbing Order'!" Iron Face shouted coldly. A pale cyan Law Domain overlaid the Radiant Virtue Domain, further interfering with the stability of Shadow Jumps and weakening mental attacks.

"Moonlight reflection, clear truth!" Su Yueyao's cold voice seemed to transmit through the Domain. The moonlight within the Domain suddenly intensified like flowing mercury; wherever it passed, the outlines of those flickering shadow creatures became much clearer, and their movement trajectories left behind faint silver trails.

"Judgment, lock onto the source of maximum malice!" Iron Face pointed his halberd. Under the dual positioning of the moonlight reflection and the Net of Law, several elite Void Phantom (including one of Shadow Song's hero units) attempting a sneak attack from the shadows were successfully marked!

"Halt, Prostrate for Sin!" Mass Judgment was activated! This time, with the support of the moonlight's tranquil power, the mental impact of the judgment was more concentrated and had stronger penetration! Meanwhile, the targets, suffering continuous weakening from the Radiant Virtue Domain, found it even harder to resist with their will!

The specifically targeted Void Phantom hero (LV33) suddenly stiffened, being "shaken" out of its semi-ethereal state. The crimson light in its eyes flickered chaotically as it actually fell into a brief state of "Stun" and "Confusion"!

"Execution!" The Lawful Merman Enforcement Squad's combined attack followed instantly.

At the same time, the Wenxin Elf Scholars' Vast Righteous Qi resonated with the moonlight, forming soft halos that carried a firm sense of purification. These continuously washed over the shadow energy within the Domain, steadily compressing Shadow Song's "home court" advantage.

Shadow Song's tactical System was severely countered! Stealth was neutralized, mental attacks were powerless, void-real transformations were seen through, and sneak attacks were predicted and countered... The treacherous methods he was famous for seemed to have met their natural enemy in the face of the "Radiant Virtue Domain."

The battle took on a one-sided appearance. The Void Phantom could not break through the Domain's defensive line and were instead continuously weakened, located, judged, and eliminated within it. Shadow Song tried to move his god domain core deeper into the shadows, but the moonlight's clear reflection made his concealment difficult.

Ultimately, after attempting a concentrated shadow assault with all his forces—only to have his main force heavily damaged by Lin Zhou's prepared School of Military "lure the enemy deep" tactic combined with pre-set Mohist mechanisms (the "Shadow Binding Trap" prototype provided by the Tian Gong Institute)—Shadow Song helplessly realized that the scales of victory had completely tilted.

"...I surrender." Shadow Song's raspy and complex voice came from the shadows, filled with deep frustration but also a hint of dread toward that strange Domain.

[Top 64 Match · Lin Zhou Wins!]

Battle duration: 8 minutes 42 seconds.

Key winning point: "Radiant Virtue Domain" perfectly counters the Void Phantom tactical System.

Domain effect test results:

Mental resistance increase: approximately 28%.

Resistance to stealth/shadow rule interference: approximately 18%.

Synergistic purification effect: continuous weakening of enemy home field advantage and unit attributes.

Advancement: Lin Zhou enters the top 32!

As his consciousness returned, Lin Zhou slowly exhaled. This victory was hearty and satisfying; not only did he successfully get his "revenge," but more importantly, he verified the power of cooperating with Su Yueyao and the immense potential of the Hundred Schools of Thought to integrate external forces.

He opened his personal terminal and sent a message to Su Yueyao: "Thanks. The power of the Domain exceeded expectations."

A reply came quickly, with only two short words: "No thanks." But Lin Zhou felt as if he could see a faint, fleeting smile in those cold eyes through those two words.

With a victory over a strong enemy in the first match, he moved into the top 32. Ahead, even more powerful opponents awaited. But at this moment, Lin Zhou's heart was full of confidence. The The Way of the Hundred Schools was by no means a solitary struggle. The blend of moonlight and Righteous Qi was perhaps just the beginning.