396: Chapter 331: Backlash Erupts, Opponent's Familia Turns Against Them

The afterglow of [Civilization Judgment] had not yet fully dispersed. The light of judgment, woven from pale golden beams of Law and the river of civilization, remained etched into the rules of the battlefield like a brand, radiating a solemn declaration: "Sacrificing oneself in exchange for power is an Evil Path."

The Abyssal Gate, that hideous portal that once loomed over the battlefield and devoured all, had now transformed into crumbling fragments. Countless shards of pitch-black magic iron, withered flesh, and shattered, pale eyes drifted and vanished in the Void Realm like lifeless leaves. The dark vortex at the center that once connected to the Abyss had long since dissipated into nothingness, leaving only a spatial scar torn apart by the backlash of rules. Fine golden arcs of electricity (remnants of the Civilization Judgment) still crackled at its edges, preventing the wound from self-repairing.

[Abyssal Gate Status: Destroyed]

- Wreckage Value: Small amount (Abyssal Magic Iron and Void Crystal Shards can be refined).

- Spatial Scar Repair Time: Estimated 100 years (affected by the rule remnants of Civilization Judgment).

With the collapse of the Abyssal Gate, those once-overpowering purple-black tentacles that had wreaked havoc across Lin Zhou’s first six layers of defense also began an irreversible disintegration, as if they had lost their source of life. Countless web-like cracks appeared on their surfaces, and thick, purple-black corrosive slime oozed from the fissures, only to quickly lose its vitality and turn into dull gray, harmless pus. The tentacles' massive bodies, appearing as if their skeletons had been removed, slumped, withered, and finally turned to ash, vanishing into the Void Realm.

However, this was merely the prelude to the grand opening.

The real "show" was being staged within the divine domain of the Abyss Contractor Academy's Blood Curse Delaka in a way that made every observer (including the countless viewers watching through the tournament broadcast) shudder with fear.

"No—! My contract! My power! Come back! All of you, come back to me!!!"

Draka’s hoarse, crazed roar, a mixture of extreme fear and resentment, emanated from his collapsing divine domain core. Through the battlefield rules, it echoed clearly in everyone's ears. The sound no longer seemed human, sounding more like a beast driven into a corner, letting out its final, desperate howl.

Having lost the energy supply of the Abyssal Gate and having the "legitimacy" of his sacrificial contract denied at the rule level by [Civilization Judgment], Draka’s own Divine Fire—already extremely unstable due to the sacrifice of his Godhead Origin—now flickered and contracted violently as if all its fuel had been withdrawn, its light dimming to the extreme. That mass of dark-golden Divine Fire, which once represented his Mid-Tier Divine Power cultivation, had now shrunk by more than half. Its color changed from a scorching dark gold to a dismal pale yellow, and its surface was covered in countless fine, cobweb-like black cracks—a sign that his Godhead Origin was damaged and his Divine Fire was on the verge of being extinguished.

[Draka's Status (Before Backlash Eruption)]

- Godhead Rank: Plummeted to LV480 (Edge of early-stage Mid-Tier Divine Power, extremely unstable)

- Divine Fire Integrity: Approx 65% (continuously declining, covered in cracks)

- Divine Power Reserves: 1200/50000 (Edge of depletion)

- Divine Domain Stability: 32% (on the verge of collapse, core rules disintegrating)

- Current Status: Sacrificial backlash in progress, Divine Soul damaged, Godhead Origin continuously leaking.

But these were not the most fatal.

The most fatal were his familiars, who had fallen into absolute madness due to the interrupted sacrificial ritual and Contract Backlash!

"Roar—!!!"

"Hiss—!!!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Countless chaotic, violent, and bloodthirsty roars erupted from every corner of Draka's divine domain. Those Abyssal Familiars he once treated as pawns and sacrificed at will—[Abyssal Dretches], [Pain Succubi], [Blood Imps], [Abyssal Ravagers], and even the elite [Abyssal Priests]—had all gone out of control!

Their eyes, whether they were the originally crimson demonic eyes or the dull, gray-white pupils from being controlled, all turned into a pure, crazed blood-red! In their consciousness, the "reins" woven from contracts and fear that connected them to Draka’s will were severed like they were cut by red-hot iron pincers the moment the sacrificial contract was forcibly interrupted by [Civilization Judgment], shattering completely!

Without restraint, the abyssal creatures returned to their most primitive instincts—chaos, destruction, and devouring everything they could, including their "creator"!

[Familiar Backlash Status]

- Range of Influence: 100% of the Abyssal Familiars within Draka's divine domain.

- Degree of Loss of Control: Completely crazed, no distinction between friend and foe.

- Priority Targets: Draka's main body, Draka's Divine Kingdom core, and any buildings/units bearing Draka's Divine Power mark.

- Duration: Unknown (may last until the end of the battle, or until all familiars are eliminated/self-destruct).

"Ah—! You lowly insects! I created you! I bestowed power upon you! How dare you... how dare you...!"

Draka’s roar was quickly drowned out by the noisier and more crazed roars of monsters and the boom of collapsing buildings.

Through the boundary of Draka’s divine domain, which had become transparent due to the collapse of its stability, Lin Zhou, Su Yueyao, Qin Qing, Wang Meng, Li Mo, and everyone from Xinghai University still watching the battle clearly "saw" that terrifying scene akin to the depths of Hell—no, perhaps it should be called a more bone-chilling tragedy of reaping what one sows than Hell itself.

Tens of thousands of [Abyssal Dretches] (Rank LV25-LV35, Traits: Swarm Attack, Death Explosion) were like an infuriated swarm of red ants, crazily climbing and gnawing at everything in Draka's Divine Kingdom. They ignored the attacks from defense towers (which had already lost much of their power due to Divine Power depletion), using their sharp teeth and claws to tear through city walls, fortifications, and warehouses, devouring and destroying everything inside—whether it was stored resources, low-level familiars not yet on the battlefield, or Draka's treasured items. Then, they swarmed toward the divine domain core area in groups, launching suicidal charges at the temple where Draka’s main body was located. Each one that died triggered a small-scale death explosion, leaving the temple's outer walls riddled with holes.

Hundreds of [Pain Succubi] (Rank LV40-LV48, Traits: Mental Attack, Aura of Pain) hovered in mid-air. They no longer followed Draka's commands to attack the enemy, but instead poured all their mental torture skills onto their former "master." They shrieked as they released [Painful Scream], [Whispers of Despair], and [Soul Lash]... Dark red mental shockwaves, like invisible blades, pierced through the temple's broken defenses and struck Draka's already damaged Divine Soul. Each hit made Draka’s screams more agonizing and his Divine Fire flicker more violently.

The [Blood Imps] (Rank LV30-LV38, Traits: Life Drain, Blood Control) were even more insidious. They no longer provided blood energy to Draka, but instead controlled the massive amount of "reserve blood" flowing in Draka's Divine Kingdom that he had previously sacrificed. This blood transformed into countless bloody tentacles, spears, and mist, attacking every defense node of the divine domain core from within. Blood tentacles wrapped around the temple's pillars, crushing them; blood spears pierced through the protective barrier around the Divine Fire; and the blood mist spread, eroding Draka's remaining Divine Power.

The most powerful [Abyssal Ravagers] (Rank LV50-LV58, Elite Units, Traits: Berserk, High Physical Attack) and [Abyssal Priests] (Rank LV55-LV60, Hero Units, Traits: Sacrificial Empowerment, Abyssal Spells) became the main force besieging Draka's body. The Ravagers swung massive bone blades and claws, crazily hacking at the temple's final line of defense, while the Abyssal Priests chanted chaotic incantations to summon more abyssal monsters or cast weakening and cursing Spells to accelerate Draka's decline.

"I command you... stop! Stop!!!"

Draka rushed out from the ruined temple, covered in blood, his Divine Fire flickering. He swung the broken demonic sword in his hand, slaying several Abyssal Ravagers in the front, attempting to suppress them with force. But more monsters immediately filled the gap; they did not fear death or pain, their eyes filled only with the desire for their "master's" flesh and Godhead.

An Abyssal Priest seized the opportunity and activated [Contract Backlash · Enhanced Version]—this was the punitive skill of the Abyss Will against contract breakers after a sacrificial contract was interrupted!

A thick, pitch-black chain composed of countless twisted runes emerged from the depths of the Void Realm. Ignoring Draka's defense, it directly pierced through his chest and wrapped around his flickering Divine Fire! The chain suddenly tightened!

"Ah—!!!"

Draka let out the most piercing scream since the battle began! Those pitch-black chains were not a physical attack, but rather, on the level of rules, they were forcibly extracting his remaining Godhead Origin and life force as the price for his "breach of contract"! The Divine Fire dimmed at a visible rate, and cracks multiplied rapidly! His body began to turn transparent, as if it would dissipate at any moment!

[Contract Backlash · Enhanced Version] Effects:

- Extracts 2% of Draka's Godhead Origin per second (irreversible).

- Deals 500 points of Soul damage per second (ignores defense).

- Duration: Until Draka dies or the power of the contract is exhausted.

This was the punishment of the Abyss Will! It didn't care whether Draka lived or died; it only cared that the price for the "breach of contract" was collected!

Lin Zhou floated quietly in mid-air as the phantom of the river of civilization slowly retracted, and the afterglow of [Civilization Judgment] completely dissipated. His face was somewhat pale, and his Divine Power consumption was immense (Current Divine Power: 82,000/200,000), but his gaze was as calm as water, showing no intention of intervening.

"Captain, should we... not take this chance to attack?" Wang Meng swallowed hard, watching the frenzied fratricide within Draka's divine domain. Even as a battle-hardened veteran, he felt a chill. The betrayal and attacks of those monsters against their "Creator" were simply too insane and thorough.

"No need." Lin Zhou's voice was calm and cold. "His Divine Kingdom is being backlashed by his own 'power.' His Servants are 'executing' the judgment for us. If we act, it might instead cause those monsters to shift their targets."

Qin Qing nodded, her pale face showing a complex expression of disgust mixed with relief. "This is the 'Dao' of an Abyssal Contractor. To enslave through contracts, to rule through fear, and to trade sacrifices for power. When the contract fails, fear turns to hatred, and sacrifice turns into backlash... The seeds he sowed are now bearing bitter fruit. As the Legalists say: 'Misfortune and fortune have no doors; they are only invited by people themselves.' It truly does not deceive me."

Su Yueyao didn't speak; she just stood quietly by Lin Zhou's side, her Moonlight Power gently enveloping them both, isolating them from the bloody and chaotic aura permeating the battlefield. She looked at the purgatory-like scene within Draka's Divine Kingdom, a flash of pity appearing in her beautiful eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. This was the enemy's choice, and it was also the enemy's end.

Li Mo's projection was fully focused on recording the data of the entire process of Draka's Divine Kingdom's collapse, his cold electronic voice occasionally sounding: "Divine domain stability dropped to 15%... Core building damage rate 87%... Servant backlash coverage 100%... Draka's Godhead Origin loss 72%... Estimated... the divine domain will completely collapse within three minutes."

Time ticked away, second by second.

Draka's screams grew weaker and weaker, and his Divine Fire grew dimmer. He tried to resist, but every time he swung his sword, more monsters pounced; he tried to flee, but the entire divine domain was collapsing, leaving nowhere to run; he tried to sacrifice again, but the definition of [Civilization Judgment] remained, and the rules of sacrifice had been "negated." He didn't have even the last shred of hope for a comeback.

Despair, total despair.

At that moment, an [Abyssal Ravager · Elite] (Rank LV60, suspected to be Draka's former "pet" or "captain of the guard"), the largest in size and covered in scars yet still possessing a towering aura of ferocity, broke through to Draka's side. Its massive bone claws grabbed Draka's sword-wielding right arm.

Crack!

With a forceful twist of the bone claws, Draka's right arm, along with the tattered demon sword, was brutally torn off! Dark-gold divine blood gushed out!

"No—!"

Draka screamed, attempting to cast a Spell with his remaining left arm, but he was silenced by several Abyssal Priests who followed closely behind, using a [Silence Curse] to seal his casting ability.

The elite Tyrant opened its bloody maw filled with sharp teeth, not to bite Draka's throat, but—to bite down on that flickering, crack-riddled dark-gold Divine Fire in Draka's chest!

"No... please... I am your master... I created you..." Draka let out a final, humble plea.

But he was answered by the frenzied biting of even more monsters.

The Abyssal Ravagers tore at his body, devouring his flesh; the Pain Succubi extracted his Soul, savoring his agony; the Blood Imps sucked his divine blood, manipulating it to flow backward; the Abyssal Priests chanted eerie incantations, stripping and partitioning his Godhead fragments from the tattered Divine Fire.

[Abyssal monsters tear apart and devour the Godhead of their former master god]

This scene was clearly transmitted to every spectator through the tournament broadcast System. Countless people turned pale, and some with weaker psychological endurance even vomited directly.

This was not a battle; this was an Execution, a backlash, the most thorough betrayal and destruction.

Draka's Divine Fire was torn into fragments by countless monsters, each piece swallowed and absorbed by a different creature. His Godhead, at the moment the Divine Fire shattered, completely collapsed, turning into countless tiny rule-light points that were plundered by the monsters that had devoured his Divine Fire fragments.

His body, having lost the support of the Divine Fire and Godhead, was as if drained of all essence; it rapidly shriveled and weathered, finally turning into fly ash and dissipating into the Void Realm.

His divine domain, at the moment its core collapsed, lost its final support, crashing down like a giant tower with its foundation removed! The earth shattered, the sky was annihilated, all buildings turned to ruins, and countless monsters still engaged in frenzied slaughter and devouring were swept into the void turbulence or swallowed by spatial rifts along with the collapse of the divine domain.

[Target: Blood Curse Draka — Fallen!]

[Abyss Contractor Academy Team — Wiped Out!]

[Xinghai University Team — Victory! Advanced to Top 50!]

The cold tournament notification sound echoed across the deathly silent battlefield.

Inside the Xinghai University preparation space, there was no cheering, no jumping for joy.

Everyone watched in silence as the last remnants of Draka's divine domain slowly dissipated, looking at the phantoms of the monsters still struggling, fighting, and devouring in the void (the remaining Servants thrown out after the domain's collapse). What welled up in their hearts was not the joy of victory, but a complex, indescribable emotion.

There was shock at the enemy's end, awe at the power of "Civilization Judgment," and total rejection of the "Abyssal Dao."

"He... died so miserably," Wang Meng said in a low voice, his tone devoid of mockery, containing only an inexplicable sentiment.

"He brought it upon himself," Qin Qing coldly spat out four words, but her hand slightly tightened around the Law longsword at her waist.

Su Yueyao leaned gently against Lin Zhou and whispered, "This path... was his own choice."

Lin Zhou was silent for a moment, then retracted his gaze from the void wreckage and turned to his teammates, his voice calm yet tinged with coldness:

"This is the end of 'sacrificing oneself for power.' It is not the heroic, tragic sacrifice of a hero, but a pathetic demise caused by the backlash of one's own power. Way of Civilization never encourages self-mutilation and destruction. True power comes from Legacy, from wisdom, and from the civilization foundation accumulated by countless generations, not from a deal with a devil."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Remember this battle. Remember Draka's end. This is the fate of the Evil Path."

Everyone nodded silently, a certain chord in their hearts deeply touched.

The tournament System's settlement interface soon popped up, showing that the Xinghai University team had successfully advanced to the top fifty, with the next opponent to be decided by a draw. At the same time, due to Lin Zhou's outstanding performance in this battle (especially ending the fight directly with [Civilization Judgment]), his personal points skyrocketed, and he received a large reward of civilization points (approx. +200,000 points).

But Lin Zhou did not check the rewards immediately.

He turned and looked toward the corner of the preparation space, at the floor bed still covered with soft fabric and protected by a barrier. Su Yueyao's "original body" was still sleeping there, her face pale and her breath weak. And the "projection" of Su Yueyao that had just assisted him in battle (a battle Clone she had temporarily condensed with a secret technique) had now turned into flecks of moonlight, returning to the original body to continue nourishing her damaged Divine Soul.

"Yue Yao..." Lin Zhou murmured in a low voice, a flash of guilt and heartache in his eyes. For this battle, she had once again consumed her already scarce Origin.

"It will get better." Qin Qing walked over and patted his shoulder. "We have already advanced to the top fifty. The following rewards will include treasures to repair the Origin."

Lin Zhou nodded and took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions.

He looked once more at the spatial scar left behind by the collapse of Draka's divine domain, which was still slowly mending, and his gaze became firm.

The Abyssal Gate was destroyed, and the sacrificial Evil Path was broken.

The top fifty had been entered, and new opponents were waiting.

But no matter who was ahead, Way of Civilization would hack through the thorns and forge ahead.

Victory belongs to Star Sea.

And the journey has only just begun.