372: Chapter 307: The Birth of the Top 1000, the Rules Change in the Second Stage

Time flowed like a shuttle, passing quietly amidst the tranquility and occasional ripples of the Star Dust Mist Sea.

Ten days (external time) had passed since Lin Zhou refined the Innate Purple Qi and his Divine Fire quality achieved a fundamental improvement. During these ten days, the floating island stronghold entered a period of rapid development. Su Yueyao entered seclusion for three days and successfully refined a core fragment of the Eternal Light Crystal. Her Moon Essence purity increased significantly by 15%, and her Moon God Bloodline showed faint signs of further awakening. Her strength improved steadily, with her estimated Divine Rank approaching LV415. The remaining crystal fragments were also reasonably distributed to strengthen the core kin's equipment, optimize certain Formation nodes, and serve as strategic reserves.

The research on the "Pseudo-Innate Domain" led by Li Mo achieved phase-based results. Although they could not replicate the high-quality Domain Lin Zhou had created using the enlightenment tea tree as a core, by simplifying the Formation and combining the School of Agriculture's Fertile Soil Technique with the stable properties of some Eternal Light Crystals, they successfully developed a small-scale [Spiritual Qi Purification Formation]. It could stably increase the quality of Spiritual Qi within the Formation by about 30% (far from Innate, but better than standard environments) and had a 5% weakening effect on the suppression of rules from non-Primordial systems. This Formation had already begun deployment in key defensive nodes and core Cultivation areas.

As for Lin Zhou himself, he was adapting to and consolidating his new LV485 Realm while further familiarizing himself with the changes brought about by that touch of purple in his Divine Fire core and the faint Taiji phantom. He attempted to integrate a wisp of purple rhyme into the river of civilization and found that the river's "carrying capacity" and "inclusivity" had improved slightly but perceptibly, accelerating the analysis speed of heterogeneous rules. The optimization of Divine Power conversion efficiency (1:9500) brought tangible benefits. After ten days of natural recovery and accumulation, his Divine Power reserve had returned to its full value of 200,000/200,000, and the recovery speed was a notch faster than before.

During this period, Xinghai University did not completely turtle up. Following Lin Zhou's strategy of "seeking progress while maintaining stability," several elite squads used the floating island as the center to radiate outward for reconnaissance and hunting. The goals were clear: to find isolated or evenly matched opponents, as well as unmarked small and medium-sized resource points. Relying on their improved overall strength, more sophisticated tactical coordination, and Lin Zhou occasionally personally overseeing the battle (demonstrating new abilities for actual combat testing), they achieved impressive results.

They successively defeated or repelled four wandering teams (two ranked outside the top 500, one around 300th, and one around 150th), killed over twenty waves of Star Sea native monster groups of varying sizes, and successfully explored and occupied two new small resource points (one producing "Star Dust Adamantite" and one with a small amount of "Time Sand").

The points brought by these actions grew steadily. Xinghai University's ranking, like a boat sailing against the current, not only did not slide in the white-hot competition of the top 100 zone, but quietly climbed from 92nd to 87th! Their points reached 4,220.

This ranking and point total, within the massive base of one million participating teams, already stood at the top of the pyramid. Xinghai University, with the reputation of a "civilization dark horse," accompanied by the record of defeating Titans, Discussing the Dao with the Honghuang Academy, and steadily improving its ranking, gradually spread in the upper-middle circle of participants and was known and guarded against by more and more powerful teams.

On this day, the floating islands were operating in their usual rhythm of vigilance and development. Lin Zhou was at the Star Gazing Platform with Li Mo, deducing a new plan to combine the properties of [Texture of Force] with Mohist Mechanisms to improve the single-target armor-breaking capability of heavy defensive towers.

Suddenly—

[Warning: Large-scale, high-authority rule intervention detected!]

[Broadcasting across all channels...]

[Universe Will (Simulation) Announcement: Endless Star Sea Elimination War — Stage One, officially concluded.]

Without warning, a grand, indifferent voice of will, seemingly interwoven from the underlying rules of countless Universes, swept across the entire "Endless Star Sea" simulated dimension, ringing clearly in the depths of every remaining participant's consciousness!

Immediately following this, all participants' identity crystal cards automatically projected a huge holographic announcement, and the leaderboard refreshed violently before freezing!

[All-Universe Academy Championship · Stage One (Endless Star Sea Elimination War) Final Ranking]

[Total number of participating teams: 1,072,554]

[Qualifying teams: 1,000]

[Eliminated teams: 1,071,554]

[The list of the top 1,000 qualifiers is announced below (top 100 displayed):]

Honghuang Academy (Points: 21890)

Eternal Divine Court (Points: 21540)

Abyss Contractor Academy (Points: 21180)

Void Zerg Hive Academy (Points: 20560)

Ten-Thousand Machine Temple Academy (Points: 19870)

Elemental Royal Court Academy (Points: 19550)

Undead Overture Academy (Points: 19230)

Psionic Sanctuary Academy (Points: 18990)

Dragon's Nest Academy (Points: 18640)

Nature's Healing Academy (Points: 18320)

...

87. Xinghai University (Points: 4220)

...

Astral Ranger Academy (Points: 3980)

"Eighty-seventh place!" On the Star Gazing Platform, Zhao Hao was the first to roar out, his face full of excitement. "Haha, we've advanced again!"

Su Yueyao's lips curved slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared in her cold eyes. Qin Qing loosened her grip on her sword, and the lines on her serious face softened a little. Li Mo pushed up his glasses, his eyes flashing behind the lenses as he quickly recorded the data of the final leaderboard, especially the point gaps and changes of the behemoths at the top.

Lin Zhou looked at the striking "87" after "Xinghai University" on the leaderboard. His heart also relaxed slightly, and then more fighting spirit surged. Breaking out from a million people, making it into the top 1,000, and ranking in the middle of the top 100—this result was undoubtedly the best validation of their strategy and strength in the first stage. More importantly, they had accumulated valuable experience, resources, and... a certain amount of "fame."

"We did well in the first stage." Lin Zhou looked around at everyone and affirmed, "Steady progress, firm Foundation, and we didn't hesitate when it was time to draw our swords. This eighty-seventh place is what we deserve."

However, the Universe Will's announcement was not over yet. The indifferent voice of will continued to resound:

[Stage One elimination round ended, congratulations to the 1,000 teams that qualified.]

[Tournament Stage Two: 'Watch over the Spark' team cooperation instance, about to begin.]

[Rule explanation as follows:]

Grouping: The 1,000 teams will be randomly divided into 200 groups, with 5 teams in each group. The grouping is completely random and is not affected by academy, race, or ranking.

Instance Format: The five teams in each group will act as a temporary team, jointly entering an independent, highly realistic simulated historical fragment — [Ancient · Final Defense Line]. You will temporarily forget your competitive relationship and work together as a team to complete the instance goals.

Instance Background: [Ancient · Final Defense Line] recreates the last stand of a powerful ancient civilization that has perished, as its home planet faced an extinction crisis. The civilization was subjected to a full-scale invasion by a terrifying enemy from the other side of deep space — [Void Zerg]. The Zerg are known for devouring everything, assimilating rules, and infinite proliferation. Their ultimate goal is to devour the core spark of the civilization — [Spark Temple]. Your task is to assist the remaining forces of the ancient civilization, hold the [Spark Temple], and resist the tidal wave of the Void Zerg's general offensive until reinforcements arrive or specific strategic goals are achieved.

Instance Goals:

Main Goal: Ensure the [Spark Temple] core spark is not extinguished and hold for a specified time (time within the instance, specific duration to be notified upon entry).

Secondary Goal/Contribution: Kill Zerg units, complete specific tactical tasks (such as destroying Zerg hatching nests, defending key facilities, rescuing friendly units, etc.), assist ancient civilization units in evacuation or counterattacks, etc. Contribution will affect the final evaluation and rewards.

Team Cooperation: Within the instance, the five teams will share a temporary, limited-range "Joint Communication and Command Network." Teams cannot attack each other (rule restriction), but cooperation efficiency depends on mutual trust and coordination. Contribution will be calculated based on the team's overall performance and individual/squad contributions, and finally settled as Stage Two points.

Instance Risks: Casualties within the instance (loss of kin, damage to the Divine Kingdom) will be truly reflected and affect the subsequent competition status. However, fallen hero units, lost core buildings, and consumed special resources can receive a certain percentage of "repair compensation" (not full amount) after the instance settlement, based on contribution. Please make decisions carefully.

Qualification and Rewards: After the second stage ends, a comprehensive ranking will be conducted based on each group's instance completion (whether the main goal was achieved) and each team's individual contribution. The top-ranked teams will receive generous rewards (including but not limited to divinity, rare cards, special authority) and advance to the third stage. Groups that do not complete the main goal may face elimination of all or part of the teams.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes later, random grouping and teleportation into the instance will take place. Please have all teams prepare for team cooperation.

The new rules were announced, and in the Sea of Consciousness of all qualifying teams, keywords such as "Void Zerg," "Ancient Civilization," "Team Cooperation," and "Contribution" echoed.

Inside the floating islands, the atmosphere of joy just caused by the promotion was suddenly replaced by a new solemnity.

"Team cooperation instance... and five teams randomly grouped?" Qin Qing frowned, "This means we are very likely to be grouped with complete strangers, or even teams that had hostility before. Cooperation will be extremely difficult."

"Void Zerg..." Li Mo called up the limited data on Zerg civilizations in the database, his expression serious, "The data shows that this is an extremely dangerous swarm civilization. Individuals may not be strong, but they are endless in number and possess terrifying evolution, adaptation, and devouring capabilities. They are good at swarm tactics, rule erosion, and spiritual network control. They are a huge threat to any civilization. This instance background tests not only combat power but also large-scale defensive warfare, resource allocation, multi-branch coordination, and... rapid grinding and trust between different teams."

Su Yueyao said softly: "The contribution system... is both an incentive and a potential source of internal conflict. How to allocate tasks and how to define contribution will need to be handled with caution."

Zhao Hao scratched his head: "We can't fight each other, and we have to carry the bugs together... That's really troublesome. But if we get assigned some dead weight, wouldn't that be stifling?"

Lin Zhou pondered without speaking, rapidly digesting the new rules. The changes in the second stage were indeed unexpected. From solo or small-team operations, it suddenly turned into a large-scale defensive war with five teams cooperating, and the opponents were the Void Zerg, known for their numbers and trickery. This was undoubtedly an all-around test of leadership, the big picture, cooperation ability, and dealing with extreme pressure.

"Random grouping, fortune and misfortune are unpredictable." Lin Zhou spoke slowly, "But since it is a foregone conclusion, we must face it actively. Although the Void Zerg are terrifying, since it is a simulated instance, their strength must be within a controllable range. The key is to find a way to deal with them. As for the teammates..." He swept his gaze over everyone, "Trust takes time to build, but we can take the initiative to show value, strive for cooperation leadership, and at the same time set clear codes of conduct and contribution allocation plans to reduce internal friction."

He looked at Li Mo: "Immediately organize all relevant information about the Zerg and large-scale defensive warfare, including their common unit types, attack patterns, weakness analysis, and successful historical defense cases. We need to have a basic response framework before entering."

"Understood!" Li Mo immediately began to operate.

"Qin Qing, Zhao Hao, check the status and equipment of all kin to ensure they are at their best. Especially you, Qin Qing, your Law Domain may be crucial in maintaining the discipline of large battle lines and resisting mental erosion. Zhao Hao, your dragon swarm is an important mobile counterattack and air suppression force."

"Yes!" The two accepted the order.

"Yue Yao," Lin Zhou looked at Su Yueyao, "Your Moon Essence purification and healing abilities will be the team's lifeline in countering the Void pollution that the Zerg may carry and in treating the wounded. The power of the Eternal Light Crystal may play a miraculous effect at critical moments."

Su Yueyao nodded solemnly: "I will be prepared."

Lin Zhou himself also took a deep breath and sank his consciousness into his Divine Kingdom. The river of civilization flowed quietly, and the brilliance of the Hundred Schools of Thought rose and fell. Facing the swarm, the strategy of the School of Military, the discipline of the Legalist school, the engineering of the Mohist school, the logistics of the School of Agriculture, the healing of the School of Medicine, and even the cohesion of the Confucian school... will all face a real test. And the newly acquired [Texture of Force] and [Purple-Micro First Appearance] Divine Fire will also be tested in this defensive battle.

"Twenty minutes left." Lin Zhou looked at the boundless Star Sea outside the bridge, his eyes sharp, "No matter who the teammates are, no matter how fierce the insect tide is, our goal is only one — hold the line, complete the mission, get high contribution, and advance to the next round!"

"The edge of Xinghai University will not dim in the team, it will only shine brighter because of cooperation!"

Everyone straightened their backs, and their Battle Intent condensed again. The first stage had passed, and the second stage, which was more complex, more difficult, but potentially more rewarding, was about to begin.

The shadow of the Void Zerg, the sad song of the ancient civilization, the gathering and parting of the five teams... all will be intertwined and performed in this instance called [Watch over the Spark].

The thirty-minute countdown ticked away.