262: Chapter 197: The Battle of the Four, Encountering the Chief Student's Brother's Sniping Again

The moment the semi-final bracket was announced, the entire Dome Arena fell into a brief silence, followed by a roar of noise more intense than ever before.

On the holographic light screen, startling match information flickered:

[Semi-Finals, Match One]

School of Literature and Law · Hundred Schools Squad vs War College · Unyielding Bastion Squad

Captain: Xuanyuan Hong (Fifth Year)

Map: [Shattered Plain of Divine War] (Extra-large, severe residual rules, complex terrain, multiple unstable spatial rifts exist)

Victory Conditions: Standard.

Match Status: Preparation Phase (1-minute countdown)

"Xuanyuan Hong! It's Xuanyuan Hao's older brother! The Chief Student who graduated last year, he's already at high-Rank Lesser Divinity now!"

"Unyielding Bastion Squad! The true ace of the War College! It's said that Xuanyuan Hong's Divine Kingdom has successfully eroded five astral realms, and the completeness of his rules is extremely high!"

"His Priesthood is [War]! A pure War Priesthood, not a branch! His followers are the legendary 'Spartan War Souls,' rule-based dependents born for War and dying for War!"

"It's over, it's over, the Hundred Schools Squad's luck has run out. Xuanyuan Hong is different from his younger brother Xuanyuan Hao; he's a ruthless character who truly fought his way out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. He extremely detests unorthodox tactical styles, and I heard he looks down on 'clever tricks' the most."

"In Xuanyuan Hong's eyes, Lin Zhou and the others' 'Hundred Schools of Thought' are probably just Evil Paths, right? This match... is likely to end badly."

"Look at the map, the Shattered Plain of Divine War! The spatial rifts and unstable rules there require extremely high control over the Divine Kingdom; one careless move and you could be sucked into the spatial turbulence! This map is more favorable to a deity like Xuanyuan Hong with stable rules and a robust Divine Kingdom!"

The audience was buzzing with discussion. The previous optimism that had favored the Hundred Schools Squad all the way was now replaced by solemnity and worry. Xuanyuan Hong's reputation was too great; he was a figure truly standing at the pinnacle of Xinghai University students, even having a fierce record of independently repelling a Mid-Tier Divine Power alien invader on the border battlefield. His presence alone was a form of pressure.

Inside the preparation room, the atmosphere dropped to freezing point.

On the tactical table, the information regarding Xuanyuan Hong and the "Unyielding Bastion" squad was far more detailed than that of other opponents, but it was also more suffocating.

[Xuanyuan Hong · Unyielding Bastion Squad Core Intelligence]

Captain/Core: Xuanyuan Hong, lv350 (High-Rank Lesser Divinity, approaching the threshold for Breakthrough to Mid-Tier Divine Power).

Priesthood: [War] (Core, has preliminarily condensed Priesthood Authority. Effect: All allied War-related behavior effects within range increased by 30%, enemy War-related behavior effects weakened by 15%).

Divine Kingdom: Name unknown, successfully eroded and preliminarily fused five astral realms (including at least one rich in metal mineral deposits, one filled with the aura of heroic War souls, and one stable "foundation" astral realm), estimated area over 600 square kilometers, rule completeness over 75%, already possesses Elementary Planar Barriers.

Core Followers: [Spartan War Souls] (Proto-Epic Followers).

Origin/Nature: Not natural beings, but rule-based dependents condensed under special rules from fallen heroic souls, unyielding will, and the ultimate pursuit of the "art of War" and "discipline and glory." Somewhere between spiritual and physical, they possess partial physical immunity and high resistance to mental control, fear, confusion, etc.

Characteristics:

Absolute Discipline: Orders are strictly followed, tactical Execution is 100%, no fear of death, morale locked at "Fanatic."

War Specialization: All abilities revolve around "War." Individual combat power is extremely strong (average level estimated at lv45+), and they are skilled in various military formations and combined attack techniques.

Rule Resonance: Highly resonant with Xuanyuan Hong's [War] Priesthood. Within his Divine Kingdom or the range of his Priesthood influence, all attributes receive an additional bonus (estimated +20%), and they can mobilize the power of War rules to a certain extent.

Variable Form: Can switch between forms such as heavy infantry (with giant shields and spears), light assault troops (with short swords and round shields), and even cavalry (condensing War soul mounts) according to the battle situation.

Hero Units: At least one War Soul Commander exists (level unknown, estimated lv50+), possibly possessing command-type aura skills.

Known Tactical Style: Steady and methodical, advancing step by step. Skilled in constructing a "War Bastion" (a super-strong defensive line formed by combining Divine Kingdom rules with War soul characteristics), then crushing the enemy with an unstoppable frontal advance. Extremely disdainful of flashy tactics and rule-based tricks, advocating absolute power and discipline.

Attitude toward "Hundred Schools": Based on limited public statements and past records, Xuanyuan Hong once commented on tactics similar to "ideological shortcuts" as the "babbling of the weak for self-comfort," believing that true power stems from pure will, discipline, and mastery of the essence of War. His younger brother Xuanyuan Hao's defeat to Lin Zhou in a "Discussing the Dao" was regarded by him as a great humiliation.

The cold data and hostile evaluations made the air in the preparation room seem to freeze.

Zhao Hao swallowed hard and said with difficulty, "lv350... six hundred square kilometers of Divine Kingdom... Spartan War Souls... Old Lin, how do we fight this? We can't beat them head-on, and if we play tactics, they despise it and might even have resistance..."

Wang Meng's face was also very unsightly. His Behemoth Legion had not yet recovered from heavy injuries. Facing an opponent of this level, they probably wouldn't even be qualified to be sandbags. "My Behemoths... even in their prime, probably couldn't withstand the charge of those War souls."

Li Mo's fingers tapped rapidly on the data tablet, but his eyes were filled with a sense of helplessness: "Preliminary deduction of the data model... frontal win rate is lower than 0.5%... On the rule level, the opponent's [War] Priesthood has a bonus and weakening effect on most direct combat behaviors. Many of our ideological effects might be judged as 'non-War' or 'shortcuts' and thus suppressed..."

Qin Qing was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "His [War] Priesthood leans toward the concepts of 'purity,' 'discipline,' and 'conquest.' My Judgment Angel's Order might be able to restrain its 'chaos' and 'evil' sides, but against this kind of 'ordered' War, the effect might be limited. Moreover, War souls have high resistance to mental influence."

Everyone's eyes fell on Lin Zhou once again. But this time, besides trust, there was obvious worry and heaviness in their gazes.

Lin Zhou stared at Xuanyuan Hong's information, especially the phrase "babbling of the weak for self-comfort" and the sense of shame over his brother's defeat. He understood that this battle was not just a match, but also a clash of ideologies, and might even involve personal grudges. The opponent would definitely not hold back and would even use the crudest method to "prove" that Lin Zhou's path was wrong.

The pressure was like a mountain.

But Lin Zhou's eyes, after the initial solemnity, gradually became calm, even igniting a flicker of fire. It was the excitement of encountering a true challenge and the steadfastness in his own path.

"Very strong. Unprecedentedly strong," Lin Zhou spoke, his voice steady, without a hint of panic. "Whether it's Godhead Rank, Divine Kingdom foundation, follower quality, or Priesthood Authority, he completely crushes us. In a frontal confrontation, we have no chance."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his teammates: "However, this doesn't mean we can only wait for death. Xuanyuan Hong's strength is built upon his absolute faith and control over 'pure War.' This is both the source of his power and potentially... his 'limitation.'"

"Limitation?" Zhao Hao was puzzled.

"Yes," Lin Zhou nodded. "He over-advocates absolute power, discipline, and frontal conquest, despising all 'unorthodox' tactics and thoughts. This means his tactical repertoire might be relatively 'pure,' and his adaptability might not be as flexible as ours. Furthermore, he harbors contempt and hostility toward us, which in itself is an emotion that can be exploited."

"The map—[Shattered Plain of Divine War]." Lin Zhou pointed to the tactical table projection. "Spatial rifts, unstable rule areas. This is a constraint on his steady-advancing tactical style, but it also places higher demands on the stability of our Divine Kingdom. However, these unstable factors might provide us with some... unconventional room to maneuver."

"Li Mo, I need you to do your best to analyze the map data, find the 'danger zones' where rules are most fragile and space is most unstable, as well as nodes where 'rule vacuums' or 'rule conflicts' might briefly exist. These places might be the key to us avoiding the crushing weight of the opponent's Divine Kingdom and the coverage of their War rules."

"Qin Qing, your Judgment Angel is sensitive to changes in Order and rules. I need you to constantly monitor the coverage range and intensity changes of the opponent's [War] Priesthood during the battle, looking for the 'edges' or 'weak connection points' of its rule network."

"Zhao Hao, Wang Meng." Lin Zhou looked at the two. "In this battle, your frontal pressure will be unprecedented. But I don't require you to hold out head-on. Zhao Hao, your dragons should focus on harassment, distraction, and maneuvering using the terrain, absolutely avoiding frontal collisions with the opponent's main War soul force, especially when they switch to anti-air forms. Wang Meng, your Behemoths... will not participate in the battle directly for now. I need them as the final reserve to protect the Divine Kingdom's core and execute some special tasks at critical moments."

"Special tasks?" Wang Meng was startled.

"I'll tell you when the time comes." Lin Zhou didn't elaborate, a profound light flashing in his eyes. "And for all of us, including me, our primary goal in this battle is no longer to defeat the opponent—that's nearly impossible under conventional conditions. Our goal is—survival and demonstration."

"Survival? Demonstration?" Qin Qing said thoughtfully.

"Yes," Lin Zhou's tone was firm. "Surviving for as long as possible under Xuanyuan Hong's absolute advantage without being quickly routed is itself a victory, a proof of our tactical resilience and survival ability. At the same time, we must 'demonstrate' the unique value of the Hundred Schools of Thought as clearly and powerfully as possible in this battle—not just as 'shortcuts,' but as different ways of understanding and applying War, civilization, and rules! We want everyone to see that even in the face of absolute power suppression, 'thought' and 'wisdom' still have their irreplaceable radiance!"

He looked at everyone, his voice carrying an inspiring power: "In this battle, we don't fight to defeat Xuanyuan Hong (though we won't miss the chance if it arises); we fight to prove our own path! For the glory of the School of Literature and Law! For all the 'non-mainstream' paths that are looked down upon!"

Lin Zhou's words were like the sun breaking through the clouds, dispelling part of the gloom and despair in his teammates' hearts. Yes, the opponent was suffocatingly strong, but that didn't mean there was no courage or value in fighting. Even if they lost, they would lose with dignity, making everyone remember their tenacity and uniqueness!

"Let's do it!" Zhao Hao gritted his teeth, his fighting spirit reignited. "Isn't he just a graduated old bird? We'll maneuver with him to the end! Let him see that our 'Evil Paths' aren't that easy to swallow!"

Wang Meng also nodded heavily: "My Behemoths are on standby at any time!"

Li Mo pushed up his glasses, a stream of data flashing behind the lenses: "Survival and demonstration... goal shift. Starting to replan data collection and tactical deduction models, focusing on prolonged warfare and rule evasion."

Qin Qing took a deep look at Lin Zhou and nodded slightly: "I will do my best to perceive the rule patterns. The Sword of Judgment can also be used for protection and manifestation."

The countdown reached zero.

Before his consciousness descended, Lin Zhou took one last look at the cold and majestic virtual image of Xuanyuan Hong in the files.

"Pure War? Then let me use The Way of the Hundred Schools to tell you that War has far more than one face."

The next second, a boundless sense of darkness and fragmentation surged, and his consciousness was cast into the [Shattered Plain of Divine War].

Awaiting them would be an unprecedented, bitter struggle between power and ideology.