339: Chapter 274: Crowned and Conquered, Xinghai Reaches the Pinnacle of the Milky Way

The final scene of the river of civilization swallowing the Divine Kingdom and Michael's Godhead dimming as he retreated spitting blood was like a shocking and tragic epic painting, deeply etched into the Divine Thought of every observer in the Pantheon Arena. The surge of that long river, encompassing all things and completely 'digesting' and transforming the exclusive divinity with the power of rules, brought not only a visual shock but also a violent washing away of the inherent perceptions of everyone present.

A dead silence lasted for a full ten seconds.

Then, like a volcano suppressed to its limit suddenly erupting, the entire arena was completely submerged by an unprecedented wave of sound!

"We won! We really won! We even won the Divine Duel!"

"The river of civilization... swallowing the Divine Court... My God! What level of rule manifestation is this?!"

"His Highness Michael... has lost, completely lost, even the Origin of his rules has been..."

"The questions of those three angels... 'Supreme Good'... could it really point to another possibility?"

"Xinghai University! Lin Zhou! The 'civilization warlord'! After today, there will certainly be a place for him at the Peak of the galaxy's younger generation!"

"Not just the younger generation! This ability to swallow and transform rules is unheard of! His potential..."

Amidst the waves of sound, shock, admiration, fanaticism, fear, and deep thought were all intertwined. The supporters of Xinghai University cheered wildly, while some originally neutral observers were also won over by this unprecedented way of victory. On the other hand, the Galactic Royal Academy and its supporters were in a state of dispirited silence, with many eyes still showing traces of unbelievable horror.

The Xinghai University platform had already been swept by a tide of ecstasy. Wang Meng pounded his chest and stamped his feet in excitement, letting out a long roar toward the sky; Zhou Yan grinned and laughed heartily, slapping the shoulders of those around him with force; although Qin Qing tried hard to maintain a cold expression, her slightly trembling fingers and shining eyes betrayed the agitation in her heart.

Vice Dean Wang Zhenyue was even more greatly relieved, saying "Good! Good! Good!" three times in succession, the wrinkles on his face seeming to smooth out. He looked at Lin Zhou, who was being supported by Su Yueyao, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration and emotion. This young man had not only won unprecedented honor for Xinghai University but might also... have opened a brand new door for the path of human deities in the entire galaxy!

Su Yueyao no longer cared for her usual reserve; she almost half-supported and half-embraced Lin Zhou, who was over-exhausted and extremely weak. Her pure Moonlight Divine Power flowed like the gentlest stream, continuously nourishing his parched Divine Soul and Divine Kingdom. She could feel that the river of civilization within Lin Zhou was in a strange state of being "full" and "digesting" after swallowing a massive amount of Divine Rules. Although he was weak, his foundation was growing frantically, as if he might break out of his cocoon and become a butterfly at any moment. Her cold eyes gazed at Lin Zhou's profile so close at hand; that pale but still determinedly curved outline caused ripples to rise in her heart—there was heartache, pride, and even a sense of... belonging, as if seeing a fellow traveler walking to a place of brilliance side by side.

"I'm fine, just a bit drained of strength." Lin Zhou managed to stand steady, giving Su Yueyao a reassuring smile, his voice raspy. He had indeed reached his limit; the successive high-intensity battles, especially the final feat of swallowing the Divine Kingdom, had nearly drained everything from him. However, his spirit was exceptionally excited; the sense of "satisfaction" and "evolution" coming from the river of civilization was incredibly clear, and his understanding of his own path had reached a new height.

At this moment, in the center of the arena, the Alliance Elder responsible for hosting—who was also the chief judge of this competition—revealed himself once again. He first gave a complex look toward Michael, who had been urgently retrieved by the Galactic Royal Academy team and was receiving treatment with a withered aura, then turned his gaze toward the Xinghai University platform, lingering on Lin Zhou for a moment with a flash of amazement in his eyes.

"Silence!" A voice imbued with Divine Might suppressed the clamor of the entire venue.

"After intense competition, all events for the junior division of the 97th Galactic Top Academies Exchange Competition have hereby concluded!"

"Based on the final match results and the notarization of the Divine Duel, this panel of judges formally announces—"

"The champion of this competition is—Xinghai University!"

"Boom—!" The cheering from Xinghai University's direction reached its Peak once more as countless divine lights representing the Xinghai University emblem lit up in the audience, converging into a brilliant sea of stars.

"Runner-up: Galactic Royal Academy."

"Third place: War God Academy."

The rankings were announced in Order, but at this moment, all the light seemed to be focused on the champions.

"Next, we will hold the award ceremony. Would the champion team—the Xinghai University representative team—please enter the stage!"

Under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, Vice Dean Wang Zhenyue led Lin Zhou, Su Yueyao, Wang Meng, Qin Qing, and Zhou Yan (Zhao Hao had been sent back to the academy early for deep treatment due to his heavy injuries) along a path of condensed starlight toward the highest podium in the center of the arena. With Su Yueyao's secret support, Lin Zhou's steps were slightly unsteady, but his back was straight and his eyes were bright.

As they stood on the champion's podium, which symbolized the highest honor for junior students in the galaxy, the entire Universe seemed to be crowning them. The background was a vast virtual galaxy and the magnificent phantom of the Pantheon, while beneath them were countless gazes of envy, worship, and amazement.

"First, we will present the team champion rewards," the host announced loudly.

A brilliant pillar of golden light descended from the sky, landing in the center of the five people. The light dissipated, revealing three floating prizes:

【Galactic Star Marrow (Concentrated) x10 Units】: A rare divine material nurtured in the core Star Domain of the galaxy. It can be directly absorbed to enhance Godhead potential and Divine Power purity, or used as a top-tier card Fusion material.

【Random Epic Resource Card Pack (Limited) x3】: Contains three random Epic-quality (Purple) resource or terrain cards, with one guaranteed rare variant.

【‘Pantheon’ Elementary Blessing Mark】: Grants a slight favor from the rules of the Pantheon Arena for a short period (one month), providing extra information or convenience in specific types of tasks or exploration.

Vice Dean Wang Zhenyue accepted the team rewards on behalf of the academy, his face overflowing with a proud smile.

"Next, we present the highest individual honor—this competition's 'Most Valuable Player (MVP)'!" The host's voice grew even louder. "After a comprehensive evaluation by the panel of judges, based on his outstanding performance in the elimination rounds, finals, and the Divine Duel, as well as his tactical contributions, understanding of rules, and decisive influence on the course of the matches, the MVP is awarded to—Xinghai University, Lin Zhou!"

"Lin Zhou! Lin Zhou! Lin Zhou!" In the audience, someone was the first to shout the name, which then quickly converged into a rhythmic wave of sound that shook the Void Realm! At this moment, the name of the 'civilization warlord,' accompanied by the glory of the MVP, truly resounded throughout the galaxy!

Another even more concentrated pillar of dark golden light, seemingly containing a trace of the Universe's Origin aura, descended to envelop Lin Zhou alone. Within the light pillar, an ancient-looking token appeared, neither metal nor jade, its surface flowing with deep starlight, along with a small mass of unknown substance confined by a special force field, constantly shifting like gray-white mist.

"MVP Individual Rewards:

【Ancient Battlefield Core Area Pass (Gold)】: With this pass, the holder and no more than four designated teammates gain the qualification to enter the 'Ancient Battlefield' core danger zone for a thirty-standard-day exploration. The resources and risks in the core area far exceed the periphery; legends say God King-level legacies and complete rule fragments exist there.

Properties: One-time consumable; bound to the holder, Lin Zhou; provides basic spatial coordinates for the core area and partial warning information for known dangerous zones (incomplete); contains a faint ancient aura that may attract specific entities or trigger special events.

【Unknown Divine Substance (Trace Amount)】: A special prize extracted from the depths of the competition's reward pool. Preliminary appraisal shows it contains extremely high-quality and complex divine attributes; its specific effects are unknown and must be explored by the holder. Hint: It may resonate with divine offices related to 'civilization,' 'knowledge,' or 'Legacy'."

As soon as these two rewards appeared, they immediately triggered even greater cries of surprise! Especially that golden 【Ancient Battlefield Core Area Pass】—its value far exceeded ordinary exploration rights! It was an opportunity and challenge that even many veteran Heavenly Gods and Main Gods dreamed of! And that mass of Unknown Divine Substance, though small in quantity, was clearly no small matter since it was given as an extra reward for the MVP.

Lin Zhou reached out and solemnly accepted the token and the mass of divine substance. The token was warm to the touch, and ancient war songs and sighs seemed to echo faintly in his ears; the divine substance sent a strange throb, creating a weak resonance with the river of civilization inside him. He understood in his heart that this was both a great honor and a heavy responsibility, as well as a future challenge.

Just as Lin Zhou accepted the rewards, from the guest seats, an elder who had been sitting silently in a magnificent dark golden robe and a simple star crown slowly stood up. His face was hale and hearty, his eyes as deep as the starry sky, and his aura was vast yet restrained—he was clearly a being of the Powerful Divine Power level! He was none other than the royal representative sent to this competition by the ancient "Sacred Augustus Empire" and a senior of Michael's generation—Duke Karl St. Augustus.

Duke Karl walked with steady steps to the award platform, took the Star Sea Laurel (a phantom condensed from Divine Power) symbolizing the championship from the protocol officer, and personally placed it on the Xinghai University team (represented by Wang Zhenyue). His movements were meticulous, maintaining the decorum befitting royalty.

However, when he turned to Lin Zhou to personally bestow the MVP Honor Star Ring upon him, his eyes, which seemed able to see through time and space, gazed deeply and with extreme complexity at Lin Zhou for a moment.

In that gaze, there was a trace of undisguised amazement at the junior's stunning achievement; a deep scrutiny of the inclusiveness and potential shown by "Way of Civilization"; a hidden grief and displeasure over Michael's crushing defeat and the swallowing of the Divine Rule; and even a trace of condescending inquiry and... wariness.

He did not speak, but that complex gaze was like physical pressure, making Lin Zhou instantly feel a Divine Might far exceeding Michael's, as well as the scrutiny and reserved attitude belonging to the ancient royalty and the established Order within it.

Lin Zhou met Duke Karl's gaze calmly, neither humble nor arrogant. He understood that what he had done today was not just winning a competition, but challenging certain deep-rooted traditions and concepts of the galaxy. The gaze of this royal representative was the most direct manifestation of this collision.

Duke Karl ultimately said nothing; he simply placed the star ring phantom on Lin Zhou's head, then nodded slightly and turned back to the guest seats, returning to his state of being as still as ancient water. But this brief and meaningful eye contact had already been noted by many observant people.

The award ceremony continued, but the atmosphere seemed to have gained a few hints of subtle solemnity.

When all the procedures were finished and the Xinghai University group left the stage carrying their full load of honors and rewards under the watch of countless cheers and complex gazes, Lin Zhou looked back. He took one last look at the magnificent phantom of the Pantheon and the blurred figure of Duke Karl in the guest seats.

Star Sea reaching the top of the galaxy was only the beginning.

The mysterious veil of the Ancient Battlefield was about to be lifted.

And the gazes from the ancient Order and powerful forces had also been quietly cast upon him.

Way of Civilization—the road ahead is long, the scenery boundless, yet it will surely be covered in thorns.

Sensing the fluctuations in Lin Zhou's emotions, Su Yueyao gently squeezed his arm and said in a low voice, "No matter what the road ahead is like, I will walk with you."

Lin Zhou felt a warmth in his heart; he took her cool yet firm hand and nodded.

The light of the Star Sea was exceptionally brilliant today. And the young deity carrying the seed of civilization and the ancient token was about to embark on a new journey.