363: Chapter 298: The First Battle Arrives, Targeted by the 8th-Ranked Team

Floating Archipelago, "Star Gazing Platform".

Two days had passed in the outside world since the completion of the "Ten-Day City Building." Everything within the base was in perfect Order; the defensive system was undergoing continuous fine-tuning and optimization, resource collection was proceeding steadily, and small-scale scouting teams sent out had gradually brought back more detailed intelligence on the surrounding Star Domain. Xinghai University's points were climbing slowly but steadily, currently reaching 287 points, ranked 52,134th. This ranking was considered decent among a million teams, but it remained low-profile and had not caused any major ripples.

Lin Zhou was currently discussing the next step of the "Elite Strike" plan with Su Yueyao and Li Mo. The target selected was a small "Magnetic Storm Mine" located about three standard star sectors (three million kilometers) away from the base. It produced a mid-tier energy-conducting metal called "Thunder-Patterned Steel," which could optimize energy transmission for Mohist Mechanisms. Furthermore, detection showed that it was guarded by a group of wild lightning elementals and a few scattered contestants, making the threat controllable.

"...In summary, seizing the 'Magnetic Storm Mine' is expected to require the deployment of a three-hundred-man elite mixed squad led by a hero unit to resolve the battle quickly. The estimated combat time will not exceed thirty minutes. We can obtain approximately five hundred units of Thunder-Patterned Steel Ore and have a chance to capture some Lightning Elemental Cores, with a total value of about 80-120 points," Li Mo analyzed while pointing at the holographic star map.

"Agreed," Lin Zhou nodded. "Yue Yao, you will lead the team this time. Take the 'Moonlight Guard' and some Tiangong Dwarves demolitionists, along with five Civilization Sword Cultivator. Qin Qing will be responsible for backup and Order shielding. Go and return quickly; if you encounter an irresistible force, retreat immediately. Safety first."

"Understood," Su Yueyao responded coldly, a sharp glint flashing in her moon-like eyes. After the integration and Cultivation during the hundred-day city building, her Moon Goddess divinity resonated deeper with Lin Zhou's Fire of Civilization. Her strength had improved steadily and was in need of a practical combat test.

Just as the Order was about to be issued, Qin Qing, who had been monitoring the outer early-warning network, spoke through the internal communication network. Her cold and urgent voice echoed in the minds of Lin Zhou and the others simultaneously:

"Alert! The outer mist-sea early-warning network has detected a large-scale, high-energy reaction cluster rapidly approaching from the northwest! Distance: 800,000 kilometers! Speed: Extremely high! Estimated arrival at the edge of the outer warning circle in fifteen minutes!"

"Energy signature analysis: Highly unified. Primary attributes are 'Earth,' 'Strength,' and 'Thunder,' mixed with 'Order' and 'War' divine fluctuations. Comparing with the database... 92% match—Titan Domain Academy signature!"

"Cluster scale: Detected over fifty high-intensity individual energy sources (estimated to be Titan bodies or War Colossi), as well as a large number of vassal race energy reactions (Mountain Giants, Storm Giants, Gargoyles, etc.). Overall energy intensity... estimated to be at the Early Stage of Mid-Tier Divine Power (LV520-LV550) leadership level!"

"The opponent's trajectory... is heading straight for our base! They haven't performed any reconnaissance or flanking maneuvers; their intent is clear!"

On the Star Gazing Platform, the atmosphere instantly froze.

Titan Domain Academy! A behemoth ranked 8th on the leaderboard! A top-tier powerhouse team that believed in absolute strength, breaking through finesse with raw power, possessing a massive Divine Kingdom scale, and whose followers were famous for being thick-skinned and having berserk attacks!

Why would they appear here? And head straight for their base?

Li Mo immediately pulled up the recent macro-energy flow chart and intelligence summary: "Northwest... the 'Gravity Well Secret Realm' fifteen million kilometers away... Did they come from there? Did they lose the struggle for the Secret Realm, or have they already harvested enough and started sweeping the periphery?"

"No, it doesn't look like a sweep." Su Yueyao frowned slightly. "Their trajectory is too straight; their target is extremely specific. It's as if... they know we are here and are coming specifically for us."

Lin Zhou's eyes were calm as he thought rapidly. Under normal circumstances, a team ranked 8th would not be interested in a team ranked outside the top 50,000, let alone strike a well-hidden base so accurately. Unless...

"We've been 'marked,' or... we're being underestimated," Lin Zhou said slowly. "Ranked 8th, they might think that we, the 15th-seeded team, have actual strength that doesn't match our ranking and are a 'soft persimmon' that can be easily crushed. They probably want to harvest a wave of points and resources as an 'appetizer' before heading to the core area. Our base location might have been exposed due to the fluctuations during construction or some detection methods we didn't notice."

"This is too much!" Zhao Hao's voice came through the communication, carrying suppressed rage. "I don't care what Rank they are; if they dare to come, we fight! My Dragon's Breath is still hot!"

"The opponent's strength cannot be underestimated," Qin Qing's calm voice sounded again. "Based on energy back-calculations, their Divine Kingdom scale likely exceeds 500 square kilometers. The average level of their main Titan followers is estimated to be around LV50, and they have a highly coordinated war array. In a head-on collision, even relying on our defenses, the odds of winning are fifty-fifty, and our losses would certainly not be small."

Five hundred square kilometers against three hundred and fifty square kilometers! An average level of LV50 against an average level of LV42! On paper, the opponent held a clear advantage. Moreover, they were 8th on the leaderboard; their combat experience, resource reserves, and hidden trump cards would definitely not be weak.

Li Mo quickly performed a combat power simulation: data streams rolled frantically on the light screen. "Relying on our complete defense system, the estimated win rate is 47.2%, with a 68% probability of a pyrrhic victory. If we abandon the base for guerrilla warfare, the win rate falls below 30%. I suggest... avoiding their edge for now, activating the concealment contingency, going into total silence, and abandoning some peripheral facilities, betting that the opponent won't search this mist sea thoroughly."

This was the safest choice, also aligning with the early strategy of "building high walls and storing grain widely." Endure for a moment to preserve strength.

Su Yueyao looked at Lin Zhou, waiting for his decision. There was no fear in her beautiful eyes, only trust and determination.

Lin Zhou was silent for a few seconds. His gaze swept over the floating archipelago defense cluster below, which had condensed a hundred days of hard work, over the follower warriors standing by at their posts, and over the determined faces of his companions.

Avoid? Perhaps they could preserve most of their strength. But if they did, the momentum accumulated for their first battle would dissipate, the base they worked so hard to build might be damaged or occupied, and more importantly—once they took this step back, a shadow of "retreating is an option" might be left in their hearts when facing other strong teams in the future. Way of Civilization emphasized passing on the torch and constant self-improvement; it emphasized being "unmoved by poverty, unyielding to power." Fearing before the fight was not its Way.

Furthermore, the opponent was charging straight at them so arrogantly, clearly intending to devour them. If they hid without firing a single shot, even if they were preserved, they would lose their edge. It might even make the opponent think they were weak, leading to an even more thorough search.

"No." Lin Zhou raised his head, all hesitation gone from his eyes, replaced by a determination as calm as the sea yet containing a sharp edge. "We must fight this battle. And we will face them head-on, showing our Aura!"

"Although the opponent has a high Rank and strong paper strength, they are not without weaknesses," Lin Zhou's thoughts were clear, his speaking speed steady. "First, the opponent is coming from afar while we are waiting at our leisure, supported by complete defensive fortifications. Second, the opponent's direct charge shows their arrogance and underestimation of the enemy; they lack sufficient understanding and respect for us, which is a major taboo in the School of Military. Third, the Titan system's strengths lie in power, defense, and frontal assault, while its weaknesses lie in flexibility, responding to rule changes, and potentially being weak against 'mental levels' and 'Order rules.' And this is precisely where our Way of the Hundred Schools excels!"

He looked at everyone: "We don't need to aim to annihilate the incoming enemy; that's unrealistic. Our goal is to rely on our defenses to give the opponent a head-on blow, deal enough damage to break their momentum, and force them to realize that taking us down will cost far more than expected. This will make them retreat of their own accord or buy us more time to maneuver. At the same time, this battle is the best opportunity to test the results of our 'Ten-Day City Building' and show all onlookers that we are by no means a soft persimmon!"

"Fight!" Zhao Hao was the first to roar, his Battle Intent burning.

"We can fight," Su Yueyao nodded slightly, her moonlight flowing.

"The defense system is ready and can be activated to the highest combat readiness at any time," Qin Qing said solemnly.

"All war mechanisms and rune Formations have completed final checks, energy reserves are sufficient, and the command network is clear," Li Mo pushed up his glasses, a sharp light flashing behind the lenses.

"Good!" Lin Zhou no longer hesitated, his voice spreading throughout the entire base. "All personnel, enter the highest state of combat readiness! Activate the 'Firm Guard' contingency!"

"Qin Qing, fully activate the Net of Law and all barriers, boosting them to maximum power! Focus on strengthening the defense and deflection against 'Physical Impact' and 'Thunder Attributes'!"

"Li Mo, all defense towers end silence, charge and stand by! Activate the preset tactical plan 'Mountain' (targeted at heavy physical impact units)! The outer warning mechanisms enter active attack mode to delay the enemy vanguard!"

"Zhao Hao, your Dragon Legion take flight and patrol the inner ring of the middle defense net. Be ready to intercept any possible high-altitude raids or long-range strikes from the opponent, and serve as a mobile counter-attack force!"

"Su Yueyao, the Moonlight Guard and the Elf Mage Corps take your positions. Prepare large-scale purification, healing, and field-control Spells. Focus on guarding against the opponent's possible mental intimidation and area-of-effect thunder!"

"All other combat units, enter defensive positions according to your assigned locations! All non-combat personnel, enter the underground shelters!"

"I will sit at the center, coordinating the overall situation and waiting for the opportunity to deliver a critical blow!"

The Orders were like mountains; in an instant, the entire floating archipelago came to "life"!

The light blue natural barrier suddenly lit up, the golden Order runes and silver moonlight patterns flowing on its surface shining brightly, its thickness and strength visibly increasing. Across the archipelago, one hundred and eight main defense towers and three hundred and sixty sentry towers hummed simultaneously, their runes lighting up in sequence. Various ballistae, launchers, and energy ray generators adjusted their angles, pointing toward the northwestern sky. Underground, energy channels roared, feeding surging energy into the entire defense system. In the sky, the thirty dragons of various colors led by Zhao Hao (Red Dragons, Gold Dragons, Black Dragons, Green Dragons, etc., average level LV48, hero unit LV58) spread their wings, letting out low dragon roars as they patrolled within the defensive barrier. On the ground, the Wenxin Elf Mage Corps began their chants, as layers of buffing Auras and protective barriers enveloped key areas; the Law Fishmen patrol dived into the water to operate underwater defense facilities; the Tiangong Dwarf warriors stood guard at the defense towers and ground fortresses, operating various mechanical weapons.

A murderous, condensed, yet orderly atmosphere of war permeated the air above the entire base. Unlike the pure sense of power pressure from the Titans, this was a sense of a stern fortress with a foundation of civilization, precise calculations, and layered defenses.

Minutes and seconds passed.

The outer early-warning network continuously sent back real-time information:

"Enemy cluster has entered the 500,000-kilometer range... speed unchanged!"

"Entered the 300,000-kilometer range... detected the opponent deploying their Divine Kingdom Domain projection. The range is massive, and the pressure is intensifying!"

"Entered the 100,000-kilometer range... outer warning mechanisms triggered! Some micro-mechanisms were directly crushed by the opponent's Domain, but they successfully delayed the vanguard vassal army's speed by about 5% and sent back clearer images!"

On the holographic projection, the clear appearance of the enemy finally manifested.

It was a massive Divine Kingdom phantom shrouded in earthy yellow and dark golden light. Its visually estimated range indeed far exceeded five hundred square kilometers. Within the phantom, one could see towering mountain ranges, flowing lava rivers, standing giant temples, and densely packed, neatly arrayed colossal figures.

At the very front of the team were over a hundred Mountain Giants (average level LV45), their bodies over fifteen meters tall and composed of rock and muscle shimmering with a metallic luster. Carrying giant hammers, battle axes, or lightning spears, they marched with heavy steps like moving hills, clearing the path and blocking attacks for the main force behind them.

Following closely behind was the true core—over fifty genuine Titans! They were generally between twenty to thirty meters tall, with skin like bronze rock tempered for ten million years and muscles knotted like mountain ranges, their eyes jumping with golden lightning. Some held giant shields and war hammers comparable to small mountain Peaks (defensive type), some condensed heart-palpitating lightning spears in both hands (long-range/assault type), and some even carried huge war catapults inscribed with runes (ultra-long-range support type). Their average level had reached a staggering LV50, with several exceptionally tall ones showing energy reactions approaching LV55, clearly hero or elite units. They stood in a strict array, and every step they took (even in the void) caused the surrounding space to tremble slightly, a sense of pure power rushing toward the observer.

In the sky, there were circling swarms of Gargoyles with wings made of rock (average level LV40), as well as a few Storm Giants priests/commanders clad in magnificent armor and riding lightning giant eagles (average level LV48-LV52).

In the center of this massive legion, seated upon a throne made of pure energy resembling a small moving mountain range, was a figure. This person was also tall, not a Titan but in human form, yet his muscles were swollen like granite, his skin was dark gold, his hair stood up like burning flames, and lightning flashed in his eyes. He wore crude yet primitive mixed armor of animal skins and metal, holding a giant hammer taller than himself, entwined with materialized golden lightning.

【Titan Domain Academy · Representative Team Captain: Octavius Earthshaker】

Estimated Divine Rank: LV530-LV540 (Early Stage Mid-Tier Divine Power)

divine office Inclination: 【Strength】, 【Earth】, 【War】 (Weak)

Divine Kingdom Characteristics: Extremely strengthens the strength, Physique, physical defense, and lightning resistance of the followers; abnormal gravity within the Divine Kingdom, causing continuous suppression on non-adapted units; rules are relatively simple and direct, rejecting complexity and deceit.

Current Status: Divine Kingdom expanded by approximately 65% (projection), the main legion is fully deployed, aggressive and imposing, intending to crush the target with the momentum of Mount Tai pressing down.

Octavius's gaze pierced through the void, firmly locking onto the floating archipelago faintly visible in the Stardust Fog Sea in the distance, his mouth curling into a ferocious and contemptuous smile. His mental fluctuations rolled over like muffled thunder:

“Xinghai University? The fifteenth-ranked seed? Nesting in a corner like this? What a waste of a seed slot! Hand over your points and resources obediently, and I can let your Divine Kingdom keep a little bit of its Fire of Civilization. Otherwise... I don't mind personally smashing you bugs who play with thoughts, along with your turtle shells, into cosmic dust!”

Arrogance! Naked arrogance! He treated Xinghai University as if it were nothing!

Inside the base, the team members who heard this mental transmission all glared with fury, their Battle Intent burning even brighter.

Lin Zhou remained unfazed, standing in the center of the Star Gazing Platform. The phantom of the river of civilization flowed slowly around him as he responded in a calm yet equally clear voice, carrying a sense of civilizational weight that brooked no desecration:

“This place is a site of civilizational Legacy, not a place where your brute force can trample at will. If you want to fight, then let us fight. I only wish to remind Your Excellency that some ‘turtle shells’ are very hard; be careful not to break your teeth.”

“Sharp-tongued!” Octavius laughed wildly, waving his giant hammer. “Crush them! Let these academic wimps know what true power is! Mountain Giants, vanguard assault! Titan Legion, prepare for lightning volley! Gargoyles, suppress the enemy's aerial units! For me—charge through!”

Boom—!!!

The Order was given, and the Titan Legion suddenly accelerated! Over a hundred Mountain Giants let out muffled roars, their bodies glowing with a thick earthy yellow light as they formed a tight Formation. Like dozens of falling meteors, they slammed hard into the light blue energy barrier on the outermost layer of the floating archipelago, which had already been reinforced! Behind them, over twenty Titans holding lightning spears burst with lightning, their spears held high as blinding golden lightning converged and compressed madly at the tips, emitting a destructive Aura! The Gargoyle swarms in the sky turned into a grayish-black torrent, shrieking as they pounced toward Zhao Hao's Dragon Legion patrolling within the barrier!

The great battle was on the verge of breaking out!

Facing this overwhelming frontal assault, Lin Zhou's eyes were cold as he issued the first defensive command:

“Outer barrier, maximum power output, focus on ‘force dissipation’ and ‘energy deflection’! Qin Qing, Net of Law, focus on interfering with the ‘stability’ of the enemy's lightning convergence nodes!”

“All defense towers, target—the enemy Mountain Giant vanguard! Mohist ‘Armor-Piercing Shock Crossbows’, ‘Chained Earth Spike Runes’, ‘Gravity Mire Rays’... Fire!”

“Zhao Hao, Dragons take flight, avoid the first wave of the Gargoyles' spearhead, and use Dragon Breath and area Spells for covering attacks to disrupt their Formation! Su Yueyao, prepare Moonlight Pure Erosion, target the enemy Titan priests and commanders!”

Almost at the same time the command was issued, the Titan Legion's attack arrived!

Bang bang bang bang—!!!

The “meteor Formation” of Mountain Giants slammed violently into the light blue energy barrier! The barrier vibrated intensely, letting out an overburdened hum. Its surface rippled violently, and even fine, web-like cracks appeared! But the golden Order runes and moonlight patterns flowing on the barrier flashed wildly, striving to disperse and guide this terrifying impact force to the entire surface of the barrier, even channeling part of the power through preset energy channels into the rock island foundation below for dissipation. At the same time, the Net of Law laid by Qin Qing took effect, attempting to define this violent collision as “disrupting Order” and applying reverse rule resistance to it.

Although the barrier was tottering, it was not broken in one hit! It successfully blocked this first wave of the most violent physical impact!

Simultaneously, the defense towers on the floating archipelago opened fire!

Shhh-shhh-shhh—! Mohist Armor-Piercing Shock Bolts from the thirty-six main towers tore through the air. These bolts were not simple physical penetrators; their heads contained high-frequency vibration runes and armor-piercing energy fields specifically designed for heavy armor! They accurately struck the joints, eye sockets, and other relatively weak spots of the Mountain Giants. Although they failed to kill these thick-skinned creatures immediately, the violent vibration and armor-piercing effects caused their charging momentum to suddenly stall, the earthy yellow glow on their bodies fluctuating wildly as they let out roars of pain.

Thump thump thump—! On the ground, the preset Chained Earth Spike Runes were triggered. Steel earth spikes, each several meters long and shimmering with a metallic cold light, suddenly thrust out from the surface of the rock island or the energy rainbow bridges, stabbing hard into the soles and calves of the Mountain Giants. Although most were blocked by the hard rock skin and protective light, they still caused considerable damage and hindered movement.

Hum—! Dozens of grayish Gravity Mire Rays shot out from other defense towers, enveloping the Mountain Giant cluster from above. The gravity within the area instantly increased by three to five times! This made the Mountain Giants, already slowed by their injuries, move even more sluggishly, as if they had fallen into an invisible quagmire.

The first round of defensive tower volleys successfully dazed, hurt, and slowed the aggressive Mountain Giant vanguard!

The battle in the sky was equally intense. The Gargoyle swarms tried to entangle Zhao Hao's Dragon group, but the Dragons, relying on their higher mobility and stronger individual strength, did not fight head-on. Instead, they maneuvered within the inner space of the defensive barrier. Blazing Dragon Breath, corrosive acid, and bone-chilling ice breath intertwined into a net of death, burning, dissolving, or freezing and shattering the pouncing Gargoyles in large numbers. The Moonlight Guard commanded by Su Yueyao released cold Moonlight Pure Erosion beams, accurately sniping those Storm Giants priests who were trying to cast buff Spells or coordinate movements, interfering with their spellcasting.

However, the Titan Legion's true killing move was only just ready!

Those twenty Titans holding lightning spears, after a brief charge (during which the charging time was slightly extended due to the Net of Law's interference with energy stability), finally condensed their power to the Peak!

“Thunderbolt Judgment!” Octavius let out a mad roar.

Twenty pillars of golden lightning, as thick as barrels and brilliant to the extreme, tore through the void. With a momentum that could destroy everything, they slammed hard into the already cracked outer energy barrier of the floating archipelago! These thunderbolts not only contained terrifying physical destructive power but also carried a hint of [War] and [Destruction] rules, possessing extremely strong penetration and disintegration characteristics against energy defenses!

This was a combined strike sufficient to heavily damage or even crush the defenses of a Mid-Tier Divine Power Early Stage!

Facing this unavoidable Thunderbolt Judgment, Lin Zhou's eyes narrowed, and he finally moved.

He took a step forward, his right hand raised with the palm up, as if holding an invisible heavy object.

“river of civilization, bear the weight!”

“Wisdom of the Hundred Schools, ward off the lightning!”

The phantom of the river of civilization behind him suddenly began to surge. Amidst the sound of waves, the light of wisdom from countless ancient sages seemed to flicker. The river branched out, turning into a translucent civilizational barrier composed of countless civilizational epics and chapters of thought, meeting those twenty golden thunderbolts!

It was not a head-on block, but a bearing and diversion!

Boom boom boom boom—!!!

The lightning pillars slammed violently into the civilizational barrier! In an instant, the blinding lightning and the glow of civilization madly intertwined and annihilated each other! The barrier vibrated intensely, and countless civilizational phantoms flickered in the lightning, as if they could be torn apart at any moment. But the river flowed endlessly; though the front waves were shattered, the back waves followed, continuously dispersing, absorbing, and even attempting to “interpret” and “transform” the violent destructive power contained within the lightning using the principles of civilization!

Confucian Righteousness neutralized its violence, Legalist Edicts constrained its disorder, Taoist nature guided it back to heaven and earth, Mohist logic analyzed its energy structure... The Hundred Schools of Thought each displayed their capabilities, collectively resisting this destructive strike.

Ultimately, after consuming nearly 5,000 points of Lin Zhou's Divine Power and the phantom of the river of civilization dimming a bit, the twenty Thunderbolt Judgments were successfully blocked, dispersed, and most of their power was neutralized. Only a small amount of stray lightning arcs struck the already damaged outer barrier, causing its cracks to expand, but it ultimately failed to penetrate completely!

“What?!” Octavius stood up abruptly from his energy throne, shock appearing in his eyes for the first time. The combined Thunderbolt Judgment of his Titan Legion had actually been blocked by a fifteenth-ranked team using a strange method he had never seen before? Even that strange river phantom of the opponent seemed to be trying to “ Digestion” his lightning rules?

How was this possible?!

Inside the base, Lin Zhou panted slightly, but his gaze remained sharp. He knew this was only the beginning. Blocking this strike demonstrated their defensive resilience and peculiar methods, but it also exposed part of the river of civilization's capabilities and consumed a significant amount of energy. The outer barrier was already severely damaged, and the enemy's main Titan Legion had not yet truly entered melee combat.

Octavius quickly recovered from his shock, replaced by the rage of being provoked: “Interesting! But that's as far as it goes! All Titans, charge! Flatten those islands for me! I'll see how many times that broken river of yours can block!”

The true hand-to-hand combat was about to begin.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath, looking at the various follower legions behind him who had been prepared for a long time, at the forest of defense towers on the islands, and at the Dragons circling in the sky.

“Everyone,” his voice spread across the battlefield, “let them see what the Wall of Civilization is, and what... the weight of thought is!”

“Engage!”