224: Strategic alliances and counter-alliances to divide powerful enemies.

The Void Realm combat platform was not a place of dead silence and desolation. To simulate the complex environment of a real astral battlefield, the platform's rules pre-set a small number of random, low-intelligence 'Native Units' or 'Environmental Entities.' They usually had limited strength, neutral stances, and simple behavioral patterns. In previous divine domain battles, they were often directly ignored or casually cleared away by the powerful vassal legions of the warring parties, existing like background props.

But at this moment, for Lin Zhou—who was at an absolute disadvantage and facing the crushing advance of Xuanyuan Hong's divine kingdom—these 'background props' scattered at the edge of the battlefield, shivering in the aftershocks of the collision between the two divine domains' rules, became the only possible 'variable' in his eyes.

His Divine Thought acted like the most precise radar; while resisting the pressure of the throne of conquest's will and commanding his vassals to stabilize the defensive line, he swept across every corner of the battlefield at extreme speed. Soon, he locked onto the remnants of two relatively strong neutral forces:

To the rear-left, about eight kilometers away, was a slightly distorted 'elemental vortex' area that had survived the rule collision. Within it roamed dozens of energy lifeforms of indeterminate shape—Void Water Elementals (about thirty, average Rank 28-32) and Void Lightning Elementals (about fifteen, average Rank 30-35). They were originally derivatives of 'unstable elemental nodes' simulated by the platform. Currently, they were feeling extreme discomfort and instinctive repulsion due to the highly ordered, lightning-attribute rule field emitted by Xuanyuan Hong's divine kingdom. They were as restless as water droplets dropped into boiling oil, yet they dared not approach due to their insufficient strength.

To the front-right, about six kilometers away, was a large 'negative energy residue zone' formed during the energy aftershocks of the previous clash between Qin Qing and the Holy Radiance Angels. Wandering within were over twenty Wraiths with illusory forms emitting a cold, deathly aura (average Rank 25-30) and several Void Walker Skeletons (Rank 32, physical units) stiffened by negative energy contamination. They possessed a natural hatred and fear toward Xuanyuan Hong's rule field, which was filled with the 'will to conquer the living' and 'holy purification.' Like shadows exposed to a blazing sun, they were being slowly 'evaporated.'

They were all weak, disorganized neutral units struggling to survive in the gap between the two great divine domains. Under normal circumstances, whether it was Xuanyuan Hong's Holy Radiance Angels or Stigmata Titans, a casual strike could purify most of them.

But what Lin Zhou valued was not their combat power, but their existence itself, as well as their naturally opposing attributes to Xuanyuan Hong's rule field.

"Mister Gongsun!" Lin Zhou's Divine Thought rapidly communicated with the Debater Gongsun Li, who had just caught his breath and whose face was still pale. "I need you to help me 'translate' and 'embellish' some words, expressing them through 'concepts' and 'logic' that they can understand and accept! The targets are the elemental lifeforms to the rear-left and the undead remnants to the front-right! Quickly!"

Although Gongsun Li was mentally exhausted, his instincts as a School of Names Debater allowed him to immediately understand Lin Zhou's intention. He forced himself to focus, and that faint light of analyzing names and realities reappeared in his eyes. "My Lord wishes to employ the strategy of 'Uniting the Vertical and Horizontal'? However, they are chaotic and ignorant, with low intelligence; I fear they cannot understand the greater cause..."

"No need for a greater cause, only pros and cons!" Lin Zhou said quickly. "Tell those elementals: the 'golden lightning' over there (referring to Xuanyuan Hong's holy lightning and Order field) is devouring, assimilating, and imprisoning all freely flowing energy, intending to turn them into rigid Puppets! On our side, we have the 'Dao' that embraces 'flow' and 'change,' which can provide them with a temporary 'safe harbor'!"

"Tell those undead: the 'blazing will' and 'holy radiance' over there (the will to conquer and holy flames) view them as filth that must be purified and are completely erasing their existence! On our side, we acknowledge the diversity of 'existence'; even the obsessions of the dead can find a temporary place to stay, as long as they do not violate the basic Order!"

A light flashed in Gongsun Li's eyes as he understood instantly. This was not a complex philosophical debate, but a naked analysis of interests and conceptual packaging based on survival instincts! He transformed Lin Zhou's meaning into 'whispers' mixed with mental fluctuations and rule hints that were closer to the cognitive patterns of elementals and the undead:

To the elemental vortex area: "That which flows is freedom. That which solidifies is a prison. That golden lightning is magnificent, yet it wishes to lock all flows into a single track, turning your unrestrained spirits into deathly stones! My Lord possesses the virtue of 'The Highest Good is Like Water,' accommodating a hundred rivers and accepting ten thousand changes, and can temporarily grant you 'unfettered shade'! Help us slightly obstruct the edge of the golden lightning, and in exchange, you shall gain a chance to breathe and find a gap for new life!" (Conceptual packaging: Depicting Xuanyuan Hong's Law · Order as an imprisonment of 'energy freedom,' while packaging Lin Zhou's Daoist natural thought as a 'shelter that embraces flow.')

To the negative energy residue zone: "Those who exist possess obsession. Those who are destroyed meet their end. That light is blazing and domineering, viewing you as grime that must be removed, performing an act of total annihilation! My Lord upholds the principle of 'All Species Competing for Freedom Under a Frosty Sky,' allowing the path of continued existence for all spirits; even the obsessions of the departed have a place to temporarily reside! Restrain the army of light-wings (the Holy Radiance Angel flank), and you shall obtain a 'gap of existence' to avoid those flames of purification!" (Conceptual packaging: Depicting Xuanyuan Hong's conquest and holy will as an absolute negation of 'non-living existence,' while packaging Lin Zhou's inclusive philosophy as a 'sanctuary that allows for diverse existences.')

These 'whispers,' delivered through Gongsun Li's special mental techniques and a sliver of weak 'rule affinity' bestowed by the river of civilization, acted like precisely deployed message bottles. They crossed the chaotic rule aftershocks and reached the consciousness edges of those restless elementals and terrified, cowering undead.

At the same time, Lin Zhou himself took action. He couldn't just make empty promises. He forcibly partitioned a small portion of his remaining Divine Power (about 3% of his total reserve), and combined with the power of the Temple of Civilization and his remaining Net of Law permissions, he temporarily opened two small 'Orderly Protection Zones' at the rear-flank (away from the frontal Titan advance) and the side-flank of his divine domain.

These protection zones were not offensive, nor were they particularly sturdy. Their core rules consisted of only two points, barely maintained by Lin Zhou's Divine Power combined with the principles of civilization:

1. Prohibit active attacks (effective for neutral units entering the area, with average binding force).

2. Weaken external 'forced orderly assimilation' and 'absolute purification' effects (specifically countering the erosion of Xuanyuan Hong's rule field, weakening its assimilation/purification power by about 30-40% within a very small range).

This was like two tiny 'floating platforms' barely constructed from a few wooden planks amidst stormy waves, liable to fall apart at any moment. To Lin Zhou himself, they had almost no defensive value, but for those neutral units being eroded by Xuanyuan Hong's rule field like 'frogs in warming water,' they were no less than a life-saving straw!

"Do you see that glimmer? That is the embrace of the 'Dao'! It is the protection of 'Reason'! Step into it, and you shall find temporary rest!" Gongsun Li's 'whispers' guided them at the opportune moment.

Driven by interest, combined with survival instincts and Gongsun Li's clever conceptual packaging, the plan took effect.

The first to respond were the Void Lightning Elementals. Their own attributes were partially similar to Xuanyuan Hong's holy lightning, yet they felt the cold will within that holy lightning that sought to 'domesticate' and 'format' all thunder. This made them, who revered violence and randomness, feel extremely uncomfortable. The concept of 'embracing change' provided by Lin Zhou's side and that glimmering area capable of weakening the assimilation effect exerted an attraction on them.

Fifteen Void Lightning Elementals (Rank 30-35) were the first to break away from the vortex, turning into slightly hesitant, crackling bolts of lightning as they cautiously moved toward the 'protection zone' at the rear-flank of Lin Zhou's divine domain. They did not directly attack Xuanyuan Hong's troops, but their movement itself attracted the scanning attention of part of the Celestial Track Array. Furthermore, because of the pure lightning energy within them, they slightly interfered with the stability of the nearby holy lightning rules to a certain extent (like dropping ink of a different source into a stream of pure water).

Immediately after, over twenty Wraiths (Rank 25-30), driven by the fear of annihilation, also let out silent shrieks. Enveloped in cold negative energy, they drifted toward another 'protection zone' on the flank of Lin Zhou's divine domain. Their negative energy fields naturally conflicted with holy Order; though weak, once gathered, they produced a subtle contamination and weakening effect on the halo environment around the Holy Radiance Angels (who were currently locked in combat with Qin Qing's Judgment Angels), slightly easing the pressure on the Judgment Angels.

The Void Water Elementals and Void Walker Skeletons hesitated for a moment, but seeing that the 'pioneers' seemed temporarily safe, they also began to move one after another.

Lin Zhou immediately reached an extremely crude 'temporary non-aggression and limited cooperation agreement' with these 'opportunists' through Gongsun Li:

1. Lin Zhou would provide temporary 'Orderly Protection Zones,' allowing them to hide from the primary erosion and purification pressure of Xuanyuan Hong's rule field.

2. They were not to actively attack the vassals and buildings of Lin Zhou and Qin Qing.

On the premise of doing what they could without endangering their own fundamental existence, they were required to use their existence and energy characteristics to conduct indirect interference against Xuanyuan Hong's troops, such as:

The lightning elements releasing thunderstorms from a safe distance to interfere with Holy Thunder Rules and local scanning of the Celestial Track Array.

Wraith clusters emitting negative energy fields to pollute small areas of the holy environment and weaken the effects of Angel Halos.

Water Elementals creating small-scale energy turbulence to affect the uniform spreading of the rule field.

Bone Walkers acting as meat shields (though very fragile) to block potential stray bullets or probing attacks.

The agreement is only valid during this battle; after the battle, they will disperse and not hold each other accountable.

【Temporary Agreement: Fragile Anti-Conquest Alliance】

Initiator: Lin Zhou (utilizing Gongsun Li's name, Sophistry, and the principles of civilization).

Affiliates: Void Lightning Elemental x15, Wraith x22, Void Water Elemental x30, Void Walker Skeleton x5 (Totaling approximately 72 units, average Rank below LV30).

Core of Agreement: Mutual survival assistance and limited interference.

Lin Zhou's Contribution:

Temporarily opening and maintaining two small 'Order Sanctuaries' (consuming approximately 15 units of Divine Power per second).

Bearing the risk of attracting part of Xuanyuan Hong's attention.

Promising not to attack or forcibly enslave them during the battle.

Neutral Forces' Contribution:

Using their existence and characteristics to conduct continuous, low-intensity environmental interference and rule pollution against Xuanyuan Hong's Divine Kingdom rule field and some of his troops.

Attracting a portion of firepower and reconnaissance resources.

Estimated Agreement Effects:

Direct combat power increase: Near zero. All these units combined likely couldn't defeat a single Stigmata Titan or a squad of Holy Radiance Angels.

Environmental/Rule Interference Effects:

Causing approximately 1-3% local interference and delay to the spread and purity of Xuanyuan Hong's 'throne of conquest' rule field (like a mosquito bite, but persistent).

Producing a slight weakening of about 5-8% to the Holy Radiance Angel halos in specific areas (such as the flank aerial combat zone).

Slightly interfering with the scanning and analysis efficiency of the Celestial Track Array on the core area of the Lin-Qin Coalition (extending analysis time by about 10-15%).

Most Important Effect: Attracting and diverting some of Xuanyuan Hong's tactical attention and computational resources. He needed to be distracted to deal with these background units that had suddenly become 'active' and seemed to have reached a certain understanding with Lin Zhou, and could no longer focus all his energy on frontal crushing as before.

Agreement Stability: Extremely low. Completely based on short-term survival interests; once the protection provided by Lin Zhou fails, or the pressure applied by Xuanyuan Hong exceeds a certain threshold, these neutral units will immediately collapse or even defect.

It was this weak, almost laughable 'Alliance,' these dozens of buzzing mosquitoes gathered at the feet of a giant elephant, that produced an unexpected and subtle effect in this desperate battle.

For the first time, a nearly imperceptible ripple appeared in Xuanyuan Hong's always calm and wave-less gaze. His Divine Thought seemed to sweep over those elementals and undead who were peeking at the edge of the 'sanctuary' and starting to 'spit' (release interfering energy) at his rule field and flank troops.

“Interesting,” he whispered in his heart. “To actually attempt to exploit rule loopholes and environmental units... though the methods are immature and the effects are minimal, this line of thinking... is completely different from the usual logic of vassal battles or rule collisions.”

He did not panic because of this, nor did he specifically mobilize his main force to clear out these 'mosquitoes.' It wasn't worth it. However, his originally flawless tactical rhythm, focused on frontal Breakthroughs and left-wing suppression, experienced an extremely subtle, almost non-existent hitch. The Celestial Track Array needed to slightly adjust its scanning mode to filter out this new 'noise'; the Holy Radiance Angel commanders on the flanks needed to be slightly distracted by the negative halos brought by those Wraiths; even the willpower pressure from the throne of conquest seemed to weaken by a negligible, fleeting amount—less than 0.1%—against Lin Zhou's core area because it had to 'process' these newly appeared, weak but indeed present 'dissonant notes.'

This infinitesimal change, to Lin Zhou and Qin Qing who were struggling under extreme pressure, was like a breath of air to a drowning person!

In the front, the Stigmata Titan's advance no longer seemed so 'seamless,' and a nearly non-existent noise appeared in the resonance of their footsteps. On the left wing, the pressure felt by the Judgment Angel legion seemed to lighten by a tiny bit, allowing them to slightly adjust their Formation and stabilize their ground.

More importantly, the willpower pressure Lin Zhou and Qin Qing endured from the throne of conquest experienced an extremely subtle loosening at that moment!

“Now!” Lin Zhou seized this fleeting opportunity! He no longer used all his Divine Power to withstand the frontal pressure but diverted a portion, joined with Qin Qing, and launched a small-scale but precise counterattack!

“Net of Law · Definition Correction: One hundred meters ahead, the 'bearing' attribute of the earth is temporarily strengthened, and the 'force conduction' attribute is weakened!”

“Divine Decree · Light of Sanction: Focus fire on the landing zone of the rightmost Titan's left foot!”

Qin Qing understood instantly. The Judgment Angels immediately converted a portion of their purification and punishment power into a condensed beam of light carrying the rules of 'armor-piercing' and 'imbalance,' shooting it toward the position Lin Zhou specified!

Simultaneously, within Lin Zhou's divine domain, Xuan Zhenzi also forced himself to stay conscious, channeling the remaining power of the Formation to cooperate with Lin Zhou's definition, tampering with the earth rules in that area.

The rightmost Stigmata Titan (a non-hero unit, LV47) was lifting its foot to step down when it suddenly felt the 'feedback' from the void beneath its foot become extremely strange! The 'ground,' which should have uniformly conducted force and provided solid support, suddenly became exceptionally 'soft' and 'force-yielding,' as if stepping on a thick pile of cotton. Meanwhile, the sense of power that should have smoothly conducted through its whole body to maintain balance was obstructed!

Exactly at this moment, Qin Qing's Light of Sanction precisely hit the area under the sole of the foot it was about to set down!

“Bang!”

That Titan stumbled, its massive body losing its perfect balance and tilting to the right! Although it quickly used its warhammer to brace against the ground and stabilize itself without falling, this brief loss of balance caused a small, short-lived gap in the originally airtight Titan horizontal array! Furthermore, its tilt slightly bumped into another Titan next to it, causing a momentary interruption in the synchronization of the entire advancing Formation!

“Hmm?” Xuanyuan Hong's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. This time, he was truly a bit surprised. The opponent not only used the art of 'Diplomacy' to bring in negligible foreign aid to divert a sliver of his attention but also keenly seized that infinitesimal change in rhythm to launch a precise and cleverly coordinated local counterattack, actually causing a bit of... trouble for his Titan advancement Formation?

Although this bit of trouble was compensated for in the next second by the adjusted Titan Warlord and the fine-tuning of the Celestial Track Array in the rear, it did indeed happen.

“Utilizing everything available, including the environment, neutrals, and even the nearly non-existent tiny flaws in an opponent's perfect rhythm caused by external intervention... then, striking precisely.” Xuanyuan Hong looked at the standing figure at the divine domain core of Lin Zhou, the interest in his eyes deepening. “This isn't a confrontation of power or rules; this is... a gamble on the level of tactics and thinking. Though still immature, the potential... is interesting.”

He no longer viewed Lin Zhou merely as a freshman who needed to be 'assessed,' but truly placed him in the position of an 'opponent' (albeit an extremely weak one), starting to examine this battle, which in his view should have been without suspense, with a more serious attitude.

And for Lin Zhou and Qin Qing, this briefly established 'fragile Alliance' and the subsequent experience of successfully interfering with the opponent's perfect rhythm and landing an effective counterattack brought not just a breathing space, but also the reshaping of confidence and the opening of new ideas.

“It worked!” Qin Qing's voice carried a hint of excitement.

“It's not enough.” Lin Zhou's gaze remained sharp, his brain working at high speed. “His adjustments are too fast. We need a larger 'variable,' or... find a bigger flaw during his adjustment process. These neutral units are too weak, and their interference is limited... perhaps, we can try... 'creating' some new 'neutral units'?”

His gaze turned toward the architectural ruins within his own divine domain that were damaged in the first collision, as well as... the chaotic and masterless energy residue left behind by the collision of rules from both sides, which could be seen everywhere on the battlefield.

A bolder and riskier idea began to brew in his heart.

Uniting the Vertical and Horizontal... perhaps one can not only 'borrow momentum,' but also... 'create momentum'?