280: Chapter 215: Exploration Preparations, Assembling the Elite Squad

Hundred Schools Society Headquarters · Tactical Simulation Room (New Version)

Compared to before, the new headquarters' tactical simulation room has expanded more than fivefold. The interior is no longer a simple light curtain projection, but a semi-plane environment with nearly real-world simulation. At its center is a massive, real-world sandbox entirely condensed from Divine Power, capable of changing terrain, climate, and even simulating different rule environments as needed. The surrounding walls are embedded with countless precise data rune panels, displaying various simulation parameters and energy readings in real time.

Lin Zhou stood before the main control console of the sandbox, his expression focused. Zhao Hao, Wang Meng, Li Mo, and Qin Qing stood on either side, each with a solemn yet expectant look. The air was thick with the solemnity preceding a major battle.

Only three days remained until the final preparation deadline for using the [Unnamed Grotto-Heaven Exploration Voucher].

The sandbox currently displayed not the terrain of Xinghai University or any known Star Domain, but a high-probability regional model of the Grotto-Heaven's potential internal environment, simulated based on information provided by Su Yueyao, vague hints from the exploration voucher, and Lin Zhou's own preliminary deductions using the Temple of Civilization.

The model's light and shadow intertwined, presenting a chaotic and bizarre scene:

In the shattered sky, land fragments of varying sizes floated, some still slowly moving and colliding, with spatial rifts occasionally flashing past like black centipedes.

On the ground, the topography was twisted, mountain ranges looked as if they had been wrung by immense force, and rivers were intermittent, forming waterfalls in the Void Realm before inexplicably disappearing.

Some areas were marked in bright red, representing "Rule Turbulence Zones." Simulation data indicated that physical constants were unstable there, elements rioted, and there might even be "Time Flow Anomaly Points" or "Logical Paradox Fields."

Other areas were shrouded in gray mist, marked "Unknown Energy Reactions" or "Suspected Civilization Ruins."

The overall environment was dark, exuding a deathly stillness and desolation after the annihilation of a civilization, with strange light and shadow occasionally flashing, adding to the eeriness.

"Everyone is aware of the basic situation." Lin Zhou's voice broke the silence. He once again emphasized the warnings on the back of the exploration voucher and the supplementary information provided by Su Yueyao, especially regarding "civilization core fragments," "conceptual scars," and "rule ghosts," to everyone. "This is not an ordinary Secret Realm treasure hunt. We may be facing a 'civilization graveyard' torn from history, with shattered rules and full of unknown dangers. The exploration time is three hundred days internally, and we must be meticulous and have clear objectives."

He scanned the four of them: "This trip, quality over quantity. I will personally lead the team and need a small but capable, well-coordinated elite squad that can handle all kinds of extreme situations. After careful consideration, I have decided that this Grotto-Heaven exploration squad will consist of the five of us."

Zhao Hao, Wang Meng, Li Mo, and Qin Qing's eyes lit up upon hearing this. Far from fear, a strong Battle Intent and sense of responsibility surged within them. Being chosen by Lin Zhou to participate in such an important first exploration was, in itself, a great affirmation of their strength and trustworthiness.

"Old Lin, just tell us what to do! My Dragon is already parched with anticipation!" Zhao Hao rubbed his hands together, and from the phantom behind him, a deep, majestic Dragon roar faintly echoed.

Wang Meng nodded heavily, clenching his fist, producing a dull crackling of knuckles: "My Behemoth Giant Beast has thick skin and flesh, perfect for clearing the way!"

Li Mo adjusted his glasses, their lenses reflecting the complex energy turbulence data on the sandbox, his eyes filled with the excitement of solving a puzzle: "Rule turbulence, spatial fragments, ruin mechanisms... this is an excellent place to verify new technologies and theoretical models."

Qin Qing's expression was solemn: "The Law · Order has been established, and judgment can protect Order. Facing unknown rules and potential mental pollution, conceptual distortion, my Judgment Angel Legion can provide necessary rule protection and spiritual purification."

"Very good." Lin Zhou nodded; this was precisely why he chose these four. He brought up the sandbox's control panel and began to detail each person's role, tasks, and necessary preparations.

"First, let's clarify our respective core responsibilities and advantages." Lin Zhou pointed to the sandbox, and light and shadow shifted, highlighting five different icons, each corresponding to one of them.

[Lin Zhou (Captain/Core/All-Rounder)]

Divine Rank: LV32 (Recently advanced, now stably in the upper Middle Stage of Lesser Divinity)

Core Vassals:

Civilization Elves (Average LV4, Hero [High Priestess Elena] LV48, master [Speak and It Shall Be Done · Weakened], [Enlightenment Aura])

Creation Dwarves (Average LV38, Hero [Divine Craftsman Bronzebeard] LV46, master [The Exploitation of the Works of Nature], [Non-Aggression Barrier · Weakened])

Tianxian Mermen (Average LV37, Hero [Grand Law Enforcer Lin] LV45, master [Web of Law], [Judgment by Name])

Divine Domain/Core Abilities:

Temple of Civilization: Provides core support such as knowledge deduction, rule analysis, and civilization points conversion.

river of civilization (Prototype): Main reliance, used for rule confrontation, environmental adaptation, information absorption, and resistance to mental/conceptual pollution.

enlightenment tea tree: Provides temporary Comprehension Ability bonus for critical decision-making or insights.

son of heaven sword Fragment (Initially Refined): May serve as a special tool or trigger unknown reactions; use with caution.

Exploration Responsibilities: Overall command, rule dominance (dealing with turbulence, analyzing the environment, communicating with possible remnants of civilization consciousness), final decision-making, Fire of Civilization as a trump card for extreme situations.

[Zhao Hao (Air Support/Powerful Assault)]

Divine Rank: LV26 (Lesser Divinity Elementary Stage)

Core Vassals:

Blazing Giant Dragon Legion (Average LV42, main force is a mixed group of young Red Dragon and Golden Dragon, Hero [Dragon General Yan Yi] LV52, master [Dragons Breath · Enhanced], [Dragon Might Domain], [Dive Tear])

Small number of Dragon-blooded Subhumans assisting (responsible for ground support, short-distance Material transport).

Divine Domain/Core Abilities:

Dragon's Nest Mountain: Provides an environment for rapid Dragon hatching and growth.

Dragon Blood Boiling: Vassals have extremely strong burst power in a short time, with outstanding physical and fire damage.

Absolute Air Superiority: The Dragon Legion has high mobility, wide vision, suitable for reconnaissance, rapid strikes, seizing high ground, and aerial fire support.

Exploration Responsibilities: Aerial reconnaissance and vigilance, rapid response support, ground fire suppression, and transporting squad members for high-speed maneuvers when necessary.

[Wang Meng (Frontline Assault/Terrain Breakthrough)]

Divine Rank: LV245 (Lesser Divinity Elementary Stage)

Core Vassals:

Behemoth Giant Beast Legion (Average LV41, Hero [Behemoth King Shatterstone] LV5, master [Berserk Body], [Great Earth Tremor], [Fearless Charge])

Small number of Ogre Slingers and Shamans assisting.

Divine Domain/Core Abilities:

Wilderness Totem: Enhances Behemoth's strength and stamina.

Iron Will: Vassals have extremely high resistance to physical damage and strong resistance to mental effects like fear and confusion.

Absolute Strength: Skilled in assaulting fortifications, breaking through obstacles, and frontally resisting powerful physical impacts.

Exploration Responsibilities: Ground advance vanguard, resisting physical threats (such as possible physical guardians, collapsing terrain), destroying obstacles, protecting the team's flanks and rear.

[Li Mo (Technical Support/Mechanism Cracking)]

Divine Rank: LV23 (Faint Divinity Peak)

Core Vassals:

Mechanical Goblins Engineers (Average LV3 Gear] LV47, master [Logical Calculation], [Mechanical Synchronization], [Precision Disassembly])

Tiangong Dwarves Auxiliary Group (Temporarily seconded from Lin Zhou's Divine Domain, average LV38, responsible for physical operation and construction).

Large number of Engineering Puppet and reconnaissance/support-type miniature mechanical constructs.

Divine Domain/Core Abilities:

Heavenly Mechanism Workshop: Efficiently researches and produces various engineering machinery and mechanisms.

Logic Control: Extremely high cracking efficiency for mechanisms, spell formations, and energy circuits that rely on fixed logic for operation.

Creative Solutions: Good at using existing Materials and environment to temporarily create tools, build temporary fortifications, and solve difficult problems.

Exploration Responsibilities: Cracking ruin mechanisms and traps, analyzing energy circuits and spell formation structures, maintaining and manufacturing necessary exploration equipment (such as anti-rule interference amulets, temporary spatial stabilizers, environmental detectors, etc.), and responsible for logistical technical support.

[Qin Qing (Rule Protection/Order Purification)]

Divine Rank: LV255 (Lesser Divinity Elementary Stage)

Core Vassals:

Judgment Angel Legion (Average LV43, reformed by Law · Order, Hero [Throne Angel Commander Michael (Renamed)] LV53, master [Law · Order judgment (Enhanced)], [Chains of Order], [Holy Purification · Law · Order Version])

Small number of Supplicants (responsible for Holy Light maintenance and assistance).

Divine Domain/Core Abilities:

Supreme Tribunal + [Law · Order Sanctuary (Prototype)]: Provides powerful rule protection and an Order Domain.

Law · Order judgment: Has extremely strong killing and suppressive power against targets in states of "chaos," "disorder," "breach of contract," or "unlawful." Theoretically, it has targeted effects against intangible threats such as "rule turbulence," "conceptual pollution," and "resentment aggregations."

Order Barrier: Can deploy a localized Order Domain to stabilize rules within a small area, resisting mental erosion and conceptual distortion.

Exploration Responsibilities: Providing rule-level protection (stabilizing the small environment around the team), purifying potential mental pollution or conceptual distortion encountered, assisting Lin Zhou in rule analysis and confrontation, and performing targeted "Order judgment" when necessary.

"Our team configuration covers air-to-ground, powerful assault, technical cracking, rule protection, and my own civilization adaptation and leadership." Lin Zhou summarized, "Theoretically, it can handle most situations that may arise within the Grotto-Heaven. But it must be emphasized that facing the unknown of a 'civilization graveyard,' theory is always just a reference."

"Over the next three days, we need to complete the following core preparations."

Lin Zhou brought up the checklist:

1. Personal State Adjustment and Vassal Special Training:

Everyone must adjust their Divine Rank, Divine Power, and Divine Thought to optimal states.

Vassals undergo targeted special training: Zhao Hao's Dragons practice flying and combat in complex, unstable airspaces (simulating rule turbulence); Wang Meng's Behemoth Giant Beast strengthen their adaptation and Breakthrough abilities to abnormal terrain (floating shattered land, twisted topography); Li Mo's mechanical units undergo anti-interference tests and rapid deployment drills; Qin Qing's Angels deepen their "Law · Order judgment" techniques for locking onto and purifying intangible targets; Lin Zhou's own Vassals strengthen their rule adaptability and synergistic training in extreme environments.

2. Equipment and Materials Preparation:

General Materials: High-efficiency faith crystal (for rapid Divine Power recovery), various healing and purification potions (for physical trauma, energy erosion, mental pollution), basic survival and construction resources.

Special Equipment:

Led by Li Mo, develop a batch of [Elementary Rule Stabilization Charms] (attempting to resist rule turbulence effects), [Space-Time Beacon Markers] (marking safe paths or return points in chaotic space-time), [Conceptual Pollution Detectors] (prototype, limited functionality).

Qin Qing provides some [Order Holy Water] (Holy Light concentrate containing Law · Order power, used for purification and protection).

Lin Zhou will allocate three hundred million out of the one billion faith from the championship reward as a public emergency reserve for the squad.

3. Intelligence and Tactical Deepening:

Repeatedly study sandbox simulations and formulate detailed contingency plans for several most likely initial landing environments (including procedures for encountering rule turbulence, space-time fragments, suspected ruins, unknown creatures, etc.).

Establish efficient squad real-time communication and command links (considering potential communication interference within the Grotto-Heaven).

Clarify priority objectives for each stage: The early stage focuses on "survival" and "establishing a safe stronghold"; the Middle Stage attempts to "explore the surroundings, gather information, and find valuable ruins or clues"; the Late Stage decides whether to delve deeper into dangerous areas or withdraw in time, depending on the situation.

Specifically drill emergency evasion and response procedures for "encountering incomprehensible high-dimensional conceptual pollution or rule attacks" (the core being Qin Qing's Order protection and Lin Zhou's Fire of Civilization intervention).

4. External Support and Backup Plan:

Maintain contact with Su Yueyao, agreeing to attempt a brief, low-information safe signal transmission at specific times (every 24 hours in real-world time) (if Grotto-Heaven rules permit).

Within the Society, designate a temporary War Hall head for Zhao Hao's absence and inform core executives of the squad's whereabouts (limited to high-level, confidential), ensuring the Society operates normally.

Set up a worst-case scenario plan: If no message is returned after the agreed time (3 real-world days), activate a preset procedure for Su Yueyao to attempt to contact high-level school officials through Family channels for limited investigation (this is a last resort).

Lin Zhou laid out the arrangements one by one, clear and thorough. Everyone nodded frequently, calculating their respective responsibilities.

"Finally," Lin Zhou's tone deepened, "this exploration presents both risks and opportunities. What I want is not blind adventure, but cautious progress. All actions must prioritize self-preservation and squad preservation. If encountering irresistible forces or incomprehensible dangers, decisively withdraw and preserve our strength. Our goal is to uncover secrets and acquire resources for growth, not to be buried in the ruins of that civilization."

His gaze swept over the four: "Any questions?"

"None!" The four replied in unison, their gazes firm.

"Good." Lin Zhou nodded, "Then, go prepare. Tomorrow at this time, we will conduct our final joint drill and ultimate inspection here. The day after tomorrow morning, we depart on time!"

Everyone acknowledged the Order and quickly dispersed.

Lin Zhou remained alone in the simulation room, his gaze once again falling upon the kaleidoscopic, perilous simulated scene on the sandbox.

A five-person squad, each with Divine Rank LV2+, core vassal hero Rank LV40+, complementary abilities, and seamless coordination. This was almost the best lineup he could assemble for exploring such unknown perilous lands.

But facing a "graveyard" that might contain an ancient civilization, with shattered rules and twisted concepts, was such power truly enough?

He gently stroked the warm [son of heaven sword Fragment] on his chest, which had just undergone initial refinement. Su Yueyao's warning still echoed in his ears. In this particular Grotto-Heaven, would this fragment bring fortune or disaster?

And the Temple of Civilization... what reaction would it have to the remnants of a "civilization" of the same origin?

Too many unknowns, too many variables.

But the arrow was on the string, and it had to be loosed.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath, the Fire of Civilization quietly burning in his eyes, dispelling the last trace of hesitation.

"The secrets of the ancient civilization... the path ahead for 'Way of Civilization'... let us go ourselves to those ruins and find the answers."

He turned off the sandbox, leaving the simulation room, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the corridor. He began his final and most crucial preparatory work—adjusting the Temple of Civilization's state, deepening its connection with the river of civilization, and attempting to forge a deepest layer of Soul protection for himself using the Fire of Civilization to counter "conceptual level" impacts.

The horn of exploration was about to sound.