215: A narrow victory to advance, a tribute from the Elven royal family.

Xinghai University, Freshmen Cup Round of 16 Dedicated Battle Platform, "Review and Exchange Quiet Room."

Unlike the mechanism where one returns directly after ordinary matches, the tournament System provides contestants with a special buffer space after entering the Round of 16. The quiet room is small and minimalist in style, with soft, soothing light-blue energy halos flowing on the four walls, which can effectively calm the mental fluctuations and Divine Power ripples after intense combat. Here, both sides of the battle can choose to leave immediately or stay briefly for non-mandatory post-match communication—provided, of course, that both parties are willing.

Lin Zhou's consciousness projection slowly solidified in the quiet room. In the Round of 16 match that had just ended, his opponent was a "Lava Troll" deity from the War Academy. The followers were thick-skinned and durable, their attacks carrying burning and lava-splatter effects, making them extremely difficult to deal with. Lin Zhou finally used a "Frost Diversion Position" constructed with Mohist Mechanical Arts combined with the School of Agriculture's "Adaptation to Local Conditions" to change the local terrain (creating frozen soil), and cooperated with Legalist Edicts to limit the enemy's frenzy. Only then did he manage to win with a slight advantage, paying a significant price (over two hundred followers "withdrew," and multiple buildings in the god Domain projection were damaged) to successfully break into the top eight.

The fatigue of battle had not yet fully subsided, but his Godhead was efficiently processing the combat data, and the Temple of Civilization was slowly absorbing the rule-collision experience and a small amount of civilization points gained from this battle (the reward for defeating a purely barbaric and violent civilization was relatively low, about 80 points).

Just then, on the other side of the quiet room, the teleportation light representing the opponent's departure did not light up; instead, a figure slowly condensed.

It wasn't the Lava Troll deity who had just been defeated, but... Elvis Starseeker.

This handsome elf, who possessed the Bloodline of an Ancient Elf King, was currently wearing dark green star-patterned robes similar to those he wore at the Emerald Whisper Tea House. His expression was calm, and his gaze was clear. He had obviously used some kind of authority or application to wait here specifically for Lin Zhou.

“Lin Zhou,” Elvis spoke first, his voice as pleasant as ever, but with a newfound solemnity.

“Elvis?” Lin Zhou was slightly surprised, but still nodded slightly. “Congratulations on advancing to the top eight as well.” He remembered that Elvis's opponent in the Round of 16 was that "Steelbone Hammer" (Hill Giant + Mechanical Modification); it seemed Elvis had also defeated a powerful foe.

“Congratulations to you too.” Elvis took two steps forward and stopped about three meters away from Lin Zhou. This distance in the quiet room seemed neither overly close nor distant, yet sufficient to express respect.

He skipped the pleasantries, his emerald eyes looking directly at Lin Zhou as he spoke slowly, “Watching your battle, though it was difficult, you still implemented the Dao of ‘breaking force with ingenuity and governing change with reason.’ Ice counters lava, mechanisms divert and disperse its power, and edicts make its frenzy disorderly... It is completely different from my race's simple reliance on natural might or individual valor.”

Lin Zhou listened quietly, wondering why he had come specifically to find him.

Elvis paused, seemingly organizing his words. A moment later, his expression became even more serious, even carrying a hint of near-pilgrimage solemnity. He placed his right hand over his chest and slowly performed a standard ancient elven etiquette for a Junior paying respect to a wise elder or mentor who had enlightened them—bowing slightly, left hand behind his back, right palm facing up and lightly touching the position of his heart on the left chest, then extending it outward, as if offering something invisible.

This movement was elegant and full of ritual, completely different from the common human cupped-fist salute or bow, embodying the highest respect for "wisdom" and "guidance" in elven culture.

“Your Excellency Lin Zhou,” Elvis's voice was low and clear, “After our meeting at Emerald Whisper and observing your subsequent battles, I am increasingly convinced that the ‘The Way of the Hundred Schools’ you practice—especially the parts concerning ‘enlightenment,’ ‘civilization,’ and ‘principles’—has inestimable revelatory significance for the future of my race's ancient Bloodline inheritance.”

“I, Elvis Starseeker, in the name of the current direct descendant of the Starseeker Family and the inheritor of the Ancient Astral Elf King Bloodline, do not stand here as an opponent or an equal,” he looked up, his gaze burning, “but in the posture of a seeker and a student, to express my most sincere respect and gratitude to you.”

“Thank you for using the ‘Dao’ to break my ‘force’ on the battlefield, allowing me and my clansmen to witness another possibility beyond power—the principles of civilization can govern all forces. This defeat, for me, is not a disgrace, but truly an enlightenment.”

These words were spoken extremely formally, even somewhat grandiosely. Lin Zhou could feel the unfeigned sincerity in the other's words and the pride and persistence unique to an ancient Bloodline inheritor. To have a haughty descendant of an Ancient Elf King treat him with the "etiquette of a Disciple" after a match, regardless of victory or defeat, and use terms like "student" and "enlightenment"—the weight of this was far greater than winning a single match.

This marked the first time that the "Hundred Schools of Thought" and the "Way of Civilization" represented by Lin Zhou had truly gained the recognition and respect of a core Genius from a deeply established traditional powerhouse (an elven branch) within Xinghai University. This was not a private exchange of curiosity, but a public, ritualistic statement.

“Elvis, you are overstating it.” Lin Zhou did not avoid this salute but accepted it naturally, then responded seriously, “The The Way of the Hundred Schools lies in exploration and sharing. That you could gain something from it is the fortune of this Dao, as well as our shared destiny. There is no need to consider yourself a Disciple; you and I are fellow travelers on the Dao, and we can simply learn and progress together.”

Elvis straightened up, a faint, genuine smile appearing on his face. “‘Fellow travelers on the Dao’... Good. Then, Fellow Traveler Lin Zhou, as a thank-you gift for this ‘enlightenment,’ and as a gesture of sincerity for future exchanges...”

He reached out his hand, palm upward. A flash of ancient runic light passed through his emerald eyes, and the natural aura around him rippled slightly. In his palm, the space warped gently like water ripples, and a leaf shimmering with a strange luster slowly manifested from void to reality.

This leaf was about the size of a palm, and its shape was not that of an ordinary leaf, but more like a miniature of a leaf from some ancient divine tree. The veins were not simple textures but natural runes cast from the purest emerald and mithril, forming an extremely complex pattern imbued with vibrant vitality and ancient rhythm. The leaf itself was a deep, dark gold that seemed to have gathered the luster of countless years, with faint, star-like silver-white dots flowing along the edges. Just looking at it, one could feel an ancient life aura so thick it wouldn't disperse and the flavor of pure natural rules, making one feel refreshed as if they were in a primeval forest untouched by any civilization.

【Special Item: Ancient Leaf (Gift of the Astral Ancient Tree)】

Source: Formed from the rule resonance between Elvis Starseeker's Bloodline Origin and his god domain core—suspected to be an ancient divine tree with the concept of the "Astral Ancient Tree." It is not a physical substance but a combination of highly concentrated natural rule fragments and the blessing mark of an Ancient Elf King.

Quality: Cannot be simply defined by conventional card quality (White, Green, Blue, Purple, Orange); it is closer to a rule artifact/blessing mark.

Nature: Bound gift (effective only for Lin Zhou and his god Domain), non-tradable, non-replicable.

Core Effects:

Essential Natural Affinity Enhancement: After Fusion, it can permanently and slightly increase the natural rule affinity and depth of understanding of the god Domain and the deity's Origin. The effect far exceeds the ordinary elemental affinity brought by the previous [Water Elemental Core], pointing directly toward the grander and more fundamental rule Domain of "Nature."

Specific Manifestations:

Growth speed of all plants in the god Domain +10%, with a slight increase in the probability of spiritual plant advancement/mutation.

Among followers, units with natural attributes or those related to plants and the earth (such as Literary Heart Elves and some School of Agriculture followers) receive slight nourishment to their potential, with a +5% speed in cultivating related skills.

The deity (Lin Zhou) himself gains a permanent slight increase (about 3-5%) in the ability to perceive, analyze, and learn nature-type rules (including but not limited to Wood, Earth, Life, Growth, Decay, etc.).

When attempting to fuse or understand other nature-System rules, cards, or technologies in the future, rejection reactions are reduced, and the compatibility success rate is increased.

Ancient Elf King Blessing: The leaf contains a faint ancient blessing mark of an Ancient Astral Elf King (though extremely weak). This blessing provides no direct combat power bonus but possesses the following hidden effects:

Symbolic Meaning: Obtains the potential goodwill and recognition of some ancient elven groups (limited to elven branches that know the source of this blessing and respect ancient etiquette), which may bring unexpected convenience or reduce hostility in specific situations.

Rule Resonance: Slightly increases the faint sense of resonance with rules related to "Stars," "Moonlight," "Ancient Order," etc.

Purification and Protection: The aura emitted by the leaf can slightly purify negative energy (such as hostility and resentment) within the god Domain and produce an instinctive repulsion against low-level, malicious natural erosion (such as pollution from certain evil magical plants).

Knowledge Guide: The complex natural runes in the leaf can serve as a "primer" or "key" for long-term meditation by Lin Zhou and the scholars in his god Domain (such as Literary Heart Elves), with the hope of decoding fragments of knowledge regarding the ancient natural rune System, astral energy, and the way life combines, providing inspiration and direction for research in related fields.

Fusion Method: Non-mandatory Fusion. It can be placed near the god domain core (Temple of Civilization) to let its rule aura naturally permeate the god Domain; it can also be actively and slowly absorbed by Lin Zhou through the guidance of Divine Power; or it can serve as the core foundation for certain special buildings (such as the planned "Ancient Tree of Enlightenment" or "Nature Altar").

Note: This item is also precious to Elvis himself, as it is a product of the deep link between his Bloodline and god Domain. Giving it to an outsider requires consuming part of his Origin rule power, and the number of times it can be given in a lifetime is extremely limited (usually only to close friends, mentors, or those linked by destiny). Its gift represents the highest level of recognition and friendship.

“This is formed from a wisp of the rule mark of my Bloodline divine tree—the ‘Astral Ancient Tree,’” Elvis solemnly handed the leaf, which seemed to carry the rhythm of ancient stars and forests, to Lin Zhou. “It cannot directly grant powerful strength, but it can open a door for you to the deeper ‘Principles of Nature,’ and it is also a symbol of my race's friendship. May it accompany you forward and witness the brilliance of your ‘The Way of the Hundred Schools.’”

Lin Zhou was moved. He could naturally feel the extraordinary nature of this leaf and understood the weight of the friendship and recognition behind it even more. This was by no means an ordinary match gift, but an investment and expectation from an ancient civilization inheritor toward an explorer of a new civilization path.

He reached out both hands and carefully took the "Ancient Leaf." The leaf felt warm to the touch and pulsed slightly as if it were alive, emitting an ancient aura that quieted the mind. The Temple of Civilization immediately sent a clear, joyful resonance, as if a long drought had met sweet rain, welcoming this fragment containing pure ancient natural rules and civilization blessings.

“Thank you.” Lin Zhou accepted it solemnly. “This gift is precious; I will keep it in my heart. The The Way of the Hundred Schools is something I wish to share with all those in the world who aspire to the sublimation of civilization.”

Elvis nodded with a smile, seemingly having settled an important matter, and his expression relaxed significantly. “I look forward to seeing an even more brilliant performance from you in the quarter-finals. Perhaps we will have the chance to meet again on an even higher stage.” He was referring to the possible finals, his tone full of confidence in Lin Zhou.

“I look forward to it as well,” Lin Zhou responded.

After the two exchanged a few more brief words about their views on the subsequent matches, Elvis's figure turned into dots of emerald light and dissipated in the quiet room.

Lin Zhou stood alone, the "Ancient Leaf" in his hand shimmering with a mysterious luster. He did not leave immediately but sank his consciousness into the god Domain, carefully placing the leaf next to the [Temple of Civilization], at the core of a "Hundred Herb Garden" area specially planned for the future cultivation of spiritual plants and the comprehension of nature.

The moment the leaf touched the ground, it was as if a drop of thick ink had fallen into clear water; a circle of soft, emerald-gold ripples imbued with ancient vitality rippled out from it as the center, instantly sweeping across the entire god Domain!

The vegetation in the god Domain, whether ordinary grass and trees or spiritual plants, all stretched slightly at this moment, their colors becoming more vivid and their growth vitality significantly improved. The Literary Heart Elves felt their minds become even more tranquil and clear, and their perception of natural elements sharpened slightly. Even the Tiangong Dwarves felt that the textures of Materials seemed easier to grasp during forging.

【Ancient Leaf Fusion Beginning (Natural Permeation Mode)】

Fusion Status: Bound, rules slowly releasing.

Currently Active Effects (Preliminary):

Overall natural aura concentration in the god Domain increased, environmental comfort +5%.

Estimated growth cycle of the spiritual plant [Dragon Blood Rice] shortened by 8%.

Wenxin Elf Scholars receive a slight bonus to their reading comprehension speed of "Nature" related classics.

The Temple of Civilization's analysis efficiency for "Nature," "Life," and "Growth" type rules slightly increased.

Estimated full Fusion/digestion time: Slowly continuing, depending on the growth speed of Lin Zhou's god Domain.

Exiting the god Domain, Lin Zhou's consciousness returned to the quiet room, his face carrying a look of deep thought.

Elvis's gift and respect were of extraordinary significance. This was not only recognition of him personally but also the first step for the concept of "Civilization Enlightenment" to gain substantial recognition from a traditional powerhouse within Xinghai University and even further afield. The natural affinity enhancement and knowledge guidance brought by this "Ancient Leaf" would directly aid his god Domain's development, especially in providing a valuable key for exploring the path of fusing "Civilization" and "Nature."

More importantly, this represented a trend—the Hundred Schools of Thought were beginning to show an appeal that transcended simple combat techniques, touching the core concerns of those races and civilizations with deep foundations, thereby potentially attracting more "fellow travelers" like Elvis to join or cooperate.