334: Chapter 269: Emergency Adjustment, Taoist Naturally Breaks the Divine

Zhao Hao was teleported back to the platform, looking utterly despondent. His face was as pale as paper, and the lingering shock in his eyes acted like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing the bit of confidence and excitement the Xinghai University crowd had gained from the pre-match debate. The 0:1 score hung over everyone's hearts like a heavy boulder.

"Boss, I..." Zhao Hao opened his mouth, his voice dry and raspy. He wanted to say more, but Vice Dean Wang Zhenyue waved him off.

"Don't speak yet. Calm your mind, regulate your breathing, and recover your Divine Kingdom," Wang Zhenyue said in a deep voice, turning his gaze toward the tactical analysis light screen. "Now, let's review the first battle, find the key issues. Time is tight; the draw for the second round could start at any moment."

Key segments of the battle began to replay on the light screen, specifically the process of [Divine Judgment] locking onto, marking, and guiding the Angel Legion to focus fire and insta-kill the Dragon Elder. The massive 200% damage bonus and the nearly inescapable "heresy" judgment sent a chill through all who watched.

"Forced 'heresy' judgment..." Qin Qing's brow furrowed. As a deity who also possessed judgment abilities, she felt the essence of this rule-based skill more deeply. "This isn't simple factional counters. It's 'convicting' the very essence of the target's existence based on a set of pre-defined, highly exclusive 'Divine Standards.' Once convicted, the subsequent punishment (damage bonus) follows naturally, and its power is terrifying."

Su Yueyao's cold voice rang out, carrying a hint of gravity: "The key lies in his 'standards' and 'the power to define.' Within his Divine Rule Domain, 'Divine' is the only truth; everything else is heresy. Zhao Hao's Dragon derives its power from Bloodline, wildness, and Dragon Clan Legacy, which is completely incompatible with his 'Divine.' It might even be judged as an 'evil' or 'chaotic' variant by his standards due to traits like 'greed' or 'arrogance' in Dragon legends, intensifying the 'heresy' level and leading to such horrific suppression and damage bonuses."

Wang Meng scratched his hair irritably. "Then what do we do? Among us, my Behemoth also follows a wild path. Senior Qin Qing's angels... don't seem to be from the same lineage as his? Old Zhou's ( Zhou Yan) Titans are of Earth and Fire, which doesn't fit with Divine either. Brother Lin's Civilization is inclusive, but will inclusivity also be judged as 'chaotic' or 'impure' by him?"

Everyone's eyes subconsciously gathered on Lin Zhou. Since the battle ended and the review began, he had been silently staring at the light screen, his gaze deep, fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of his chair as if he were deducing something.

"Lin Zhou, what do you think?" Wang Zhenyue asked directly. This young "civilization warlord" had already shown incredible tactical insight and problem-solving abilities in previous matches; he was undoubtedly the backbone of the team right now.

Lin Zhou slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the solemn, anxious, or expectant faces of his teammates, finally resting on the brilliant yet cold image of the Angelic Divine Court on the light screen.

"The core essence of his [Divine Rule] isn't 'strength,' but 'exclusive single truth,'" Lin Zhou began, his voice calm yet possessing a clinical clarity. "He defines 'Divine' as the sole, supreme, and unquestionable standard, using it to measure, categorize, and judge everything. Those who conform receive protection and buffs; those who don't are heretics, subject to suppression and punishment. For this system to stand and exert power, the premise is that his 'Divine' standard must be recognized as 'the only truth' or 'supreme' by everything within his Domain—including rules, energy, and even the subconscious of the spectators."

He paused and continued: "The reason for Zhao Hao's defeat wasn't just the clash of power attributes, but also that, on a rule level, he passively acknowledged the authority of the opponent's 'Divine Standard.' The essence of Dragon power conflicts with the Divine; within the opponent's rule Domain, this conflict was amplified, categorized, and then punished. If we continue to strike back with conflicting attributes, or try to prove we are 'also divine' or 'not heretics' within his rule framework, we will fall into a disadvantage."

"Then what should we do? Just give up?" Wang Meng asked urgently.

"No." A sharp light flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes. "We don't enter his framework, nor do we debate with him over who is more 'Divine.' We... jump out of his framework and question the framework itself."

"Jump out of the framework?" Su Yueyao said thoughtfully. "You mean..."

"Use another 'Dao' that is grander, more fundamental, better at explaining the workings of all things, and naturally inclusive of 'Divine' existence to cover, encompass, and re-interpret his 'Divine,'" Lin Zhou's tone became certain. "If his Divine is the 'Only Truth,' then we will show that 'All Laws are Dao, All Daos share the same Origin.' If his rules are exclusive, then we will show 'Tao Follows Nature, Inclusivity and Harmony.'"

"The Taoist School!" A light flashed in Qin Qing's eyes.

"Exactly, Taoist thought," Lin Zhou nodded. "'Dao' is the Origin of all things, the law of operation. 'Divine' can be a manifestation of 'Dao,' the side of 'Dao' that leans toward Order, light, and supreme goodness. But 'Dao' doesn't just contain the Divine; it also contains nature, change, Yin and Yang, and all things. By using the Taoist concepts of 'Tao Follows Nature' and 'Unity of Heaven and Man' to construct a higher-dimensional rule-cognition system, we can incorporate his 'Divine' as a part of the 'Great Dao,' thereby weakening its uniqueness and exclusivity. When 'Divine' is just a subset of the 'Great Dao' rather than the whole, the foundation of his 'heresy' judgment and suppression power will be fundamentally shaken."

This line of thinking lifted everyone's spirits! It wasn't a head-on collision or a surrender, but a "philosophical deconstruction" and "rule coverage" from a higher level!

"However, theory is one thing; how do we implement it on the battlefield?" Zhou Yan raised the most practical question. "How can Taoist thought be converted into specific combat power to counter the Angel Legion's Divine Judgment and suppression?"

Lin Zhou looked at Su Yueyao: "Yueyao, your Moonlight is cold and pure, essentially leaning toward 'Taiyin,' 'Tranquility,' and 'Purification.' It shares common ground with the Taoist 'Quietude and Non-Action' and 'Natural Harmony,' so it can coordinate. I need time to manifest the rules regarding Taoist thought within the river of civilization—especially the harmonization of the environment through 'Tao Follows Nature' and the elimination of factional barriers through 'Oneness of All Things'—and condense them into a temporary, enhanced Domain skill."

He then looked at Qin Qing and Wang Meng: "Qin Qing, your Judgment of Law centers on 'Fairness' and 'Execution,' so it isn't suitable for now. Wang Meng, your Behemoth is fierce but easily judged as 'savage and chaotic.' If you are drawn for the next round, you must stall, use hit-and-run tactics, and wait for me to produce results here."

Finally, he looked at the light screen, the phantom of the river of civilization seemingly flowing in his eyes. "In the next round, if it's me or Yueyao who goes up, we will try to use the Taoist way of 'Nature' to collide head-on with his 'Divine.'"

As if to confirm Lin Zhou's analysis and determination, the host's voice rang out again in the center of the arena: "The draw for the second match begins!"

The vortex on the light screen spun, pulling at everyone's heartstrings.

A small ball popped out.

Xinghai University: Code name "Civilization" (Lin Zhou)

Galactic Royal Academy: Code name "Holy Radiance" (Michael St. Augustus)

"It's him again!" Wang Meng whispered.

"Lin Zhou versus Michael!" the host shouted. "Map drawing in progress... Drawing complete: [Dawn Woodland]!"

The light screen changed, revealing a forest terrain full of vitality yet with a strange sense of holiness. Pale golden dawn light flowed between the branches of towering ancient trees, and the forest clearings were filled with strange glowing flowers. Clear streams gurgled, and occasionally, docile glowing small beasts ran past. Map characteristics: The environment is filled with 'Natural Spiritual Light' and 'Weak Divine Blessing' (slight buffs for nature-type and divine-type units). The woodland terrain is complex, visibility is partially obstructed, and there are 'Spiritual Vein Nodes' (occupying them can slightly increase the recovery speed of the Divine Kingdom or grant temporary blessings).

This map didn't seem to have a clear bias for either side. The natural spiritual light might slightly strengthen Michael's Divine, but the complex woodland also gave Lin Zhou space for tactical maneuvering.

"Good." A flash of resolve appeared in Lin Zhou's eyes; this was exactly the right battlefield to verify his ideas. "Everyone, wait for my news."

He took a deep breath and stepped toward the teleportation light pillar. Su Yueyao said softly behind him, "Be careful. Moonlight is ready at any time."

Lin Zhou turned, met her gaze, nodded, and his figure vanished into the light.

[Dawn Woodland], the match begins!

Both sides' Divine Kingdoms unfolded at opposite ends of the woodland.

Michael's [Angelic Divine Court] descended once more, the Holy Light so brilliant it seemed to assimilate the surrounding dawn spiritual light, making it even more dazzling. The Angel Legion stood in a strict Formation, divine pressure spreading out. The [Divine Rule] Domain instantly covered a large area. The docile glowing small beasts in the forest fled in panic, and even the branches and leaves of some ancient trees curled slightly as if unable to withstand this pure Holy Light.

"It's you again, the spokesperson of Civilization." Michael stood before his Divine Kingdom's throne, his golden eyes looking toward Lin Zhou's Divine Kingdom. "Under the divine dawn, can those cluttered thoughts of yours still bloom with light?"

Lin Zhou did not respond; he simply unfolded his Divine Kingdom with all his might. The phantoms of the Hundred Schools Temple stood tall, surrounded by the river of civilization. But this time, the branch belonging to Taoist thought within the river was deliberately guided, amplified, and manifested! Within the waves, images emerged: Laozi riding a green ox, Zhuangzi dreaming of a butterfly, the flow of Yin-Yang Taiji, and the reflection of mountains, rivers, and nature. An aura of quietude, nature, harmony, and inclusivity began to spread, combining with the overall inclusive tone of the river of civilization to form a unique [Nature · Civilization] composite Domain.

This Domain did not clash head-on with the Divine Rule; instead, like a silent spring rain, it began to soak, harmonize, and permeate the surrounding world. Lin Zhou commanded the Taoist True Cultivators in his Divine Kingdom (converted from some Literary Heart Elves with the highest Comprehension Ability, average Rank LV35-LV38, led by a LV42 [Qingjingzi] who inherited Laozi's thought) to begin setting up a Formation and casting spells.

"The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name... Man follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows Dao, and Tao Follows Nature." Qingjingzi led dozens of Taoist True Cultivators at the edge of Lin Zhou's Divine Kingdom. Treading the steps of the Big Dipper and forming hand seals, they chanted chapters of the tao te ching in unison. Their voices were not loud, yet they carried a strange rhythm that stirred the immense "Natural Spiritual Light" and "Vitality" inherent in the [Dawn Woodland]!

As they cast their spells, centered on Lin Zhou's Divine Kingdom, a hazy [Natural Dao Domain] flowing with azure-green brilliance began to slowly expand! Within the Dao Domain, vegetation grew more lush and verdant at a visible rate, streams became clearer and more agile, and even the air turned fresh and pleasant, filled with vibrant life. More importantly, this natural force began to actively contact, envelop, and permeate the Holy Light at the edge of Michael's Divine Rule Domain!

A miraculous scene occurred!

When the power of the Natural Dao Domain, containing the rule information of "Tao Follows Nature" and "Oneness of All Things," touched the Holy Light shields of the outermost Angel Warriors, no violent annihilation or conflict occurred. Instead, the Holy Light shields rippled slightly, and extremely fine natural spiritual light patterns, like vines and leaves, actually began to appear on the surface! These patterns weren't destructive; they were more like... a natural "attachment" or "symbiosis"!

Following that, some lower-ranking Angel Warriors (LV42) nearby also began to show similar fine, emerald-green natural patterns on the edges of the halos above their heads that symbolized their divine status and power! These patterns were like living things, slowly but steadily spreading along the halos. Although they couldn't temporarily change the essence or function of the halos, they made them look no longer "pure and flawless," adding a trace of... "natural" marks?

"Hmm?" For the first time, Michael frowned slightly. He felt his Divine Rule Domain being "penetrated" at the edges by something extremely soft yet difficult to dispel. This penetration wasn't an attack; it was more like an attempt at "assimilation" or "inclusion," trying to incorporate "Divine" into a grander "Nature · Harmony" system to weaken its unique exclusivity!

"Paltry tricks," Michael snorted coldly. "The Divine shall not be defiled! Holy Light, Purify!"

He channeled his Divine Power, and the Divine Rule Domain shone brilliantly, attempting to dispel and purify those natural patterns. Holy Light and natural spiritual light clashed intensely. The spreading speed of the natural patterns slowed significantly and even began to recede. But on Lin Zhou's side, the Taoist True Cultivators continued their chanting and spellcasting. The Taoist branch within the river of civilization surged, continuously providing rule support for "Tao Follows Nature," allowing the Natural Dao Domain to stubbornly persist and continue its attempt to penetrate.

On the rule level, both sides engaged in a silent yet fierce tug-of-war! One side wanted to maintain the purity and exclusivity of the Divine, while the other tried to use natural inclusivity to dilute and merge that exclusivity.

In the center of the battlefield, Holy Light and natural spiritual light intertwined, annihilated, and regenerated, forming a magnificent and eerie sight. On the Angel Legion's halos and shields, those natural patterns were sometimes clear and sometimes dim, but they could never be completely cleared.

Michael's eyes finally became serious. He realized that the opponent had found a clever angle to deal with the Divine Rule—not by opposing it, but by encompassing and redefining it. This was much more troublesome than direct attribute confrontation.

"It seems your 'Civilization' indeed has some tricks," Michael slowly raised his hand, and light gathered on the divine throne. "But mere 'natural' interference like this is far from enough. Let me show you the true power of Divine Judgment—Lock on, that spellcasting leader!"

He The one behind Archangel raised the sword of judgment again. Golden light began to condense, locking onto the leader of the Taoist True Cultivators who was presiding over the Formation—Qingjingzi!

However, just as the golden light of [Divine Judgment] was about to burst forth, an abrupt change occurred!