399: Chapter 334: The Key to Breaking the Formation, The Debate Between Innate and Acquired Elements

The five-colored radiance of the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] condensed to its peak. The [Sword of Civilization] in Lin Zhou's hand pulsed with a brilliant white sword glow, and the Hundred Schools script flowing on the blade moved and chanted like living beings. The radiance of civilization intertwined with the rules of the Formation, illuminating the entire Void Realm Plain as if it were broad daylight.

Three hundred kilometers away, on Jinao Island, Dao Xuanzhen retracted his smile, a solemn expression appearing in his eyes. He could feel that the constantly shifting [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] was focusing all its power into a single point—onto the sword in Lin Zhou's hand.

That sword was not a physical object, but the Incarnation of 'Civilization'.

Before the sword was even swung, its momentum had already arrived.

“Fellow Daoist Lin Zhou, are you intending to fight me to the death?” Dao Xuanzhen's voice remained calm, but his tone held a hint of gravity.

Lin Zhou did not answer immediately. He hovered at the core of the Formation, surrounded by five-colored light, with the river of civilization surging behind him. His gaze pierced through the three-hundred-kilometer distance, meeting Dao Xuanzhen's eyes from afar.

“Brother Dao,” he finally spoke, his voice not loud, yet clearly spreading across the entire battlefield, “we both cultivate the path of Formations. After facing each other for three days, I have a few points of confusion I would like to ask you about.”

Dao Xuanzhen was slightly taken aback. In this tense moment, the opponent actually wanted to Discuss the Dao?

“Please, speak.”

Lin Zhou's voice was steady and deep: “Brother Dao's [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array] is an Innate Formation, originating from the Honghuang Heavenly Dao and aligning with natural principles. My [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] is an Acquired Formation, originating from human deduction and responding to all changes with its own transformations. I wish to ask Brother Dao—between Innate and Acquired Formations, which is superior and which is inferior?”

As soon as these words were spoken, not only was Dao Xuanzhen stunned, but even Qin Qing, Wang Meng, and the others beside Lin Zhou showed expressions of surprise.

“The Captain is...” Wang Meng muttered in a low voice.

“He is using a strategy.” A flash of realization crossed Qin Qing's eyes. “Discussing the Dao is an extension of the School of Military's 'attacking the heart as the primary goal.' He is interfering with the opponent's Dao Heart.”

Sure enough, Dao Xuanzhen pondered for a moment before answering seriously: “Innate Formations are uniquely blessed, resonating with the Heavenly Dao, consuming very little energy, and possessing immense power. Acquired Formations rely on human deduction; though they have many variations, they cannot escape the word 'intentional.' In my view, Innate is superior.”

Lin Zhou shook his head slightly: “I beg to differ with your words, Brother Dao.”

He raised the [Sword of Civilization], the tip pointing toward the [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array]: “Your Formation is indeed exquisite, resonating with the Heavenly Dao and possessing infinite power. However, precisely because it is 'Innate,' it lacks 'flexibility.' The Heavenly Dao has its constants, but the human heart is inconstant. An Innate Formation can deal with the 'constant,' but it struggles to deal with 'change.'”

“Whereas my Acquired Formation, though dependent on human deduction, possesses infinite possibilities precisely because it is 'man-made.' Humans can learn, evolve, and create. An Acquired Formation is not a static 'technique,' but a constantly growing 'Dao.'”

His voice gradually rose, carrying an unquestionable firmness:

“Innate is the Foundation, Acquired is the application; the use of the Formation lies in the person!”

These words exploded across the battlefield like a thunderclap!

Dao Xuanzhen's brow furrowed slightly, a light of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

Lin Zhou continued: “Brother Dao, have you ever considered why the 'Acquired' path exists in the Universe? Why does the Heavenly Dao allow 'man-made' existence?”

Without waiting for Dao Xuanzhen to answer, Lin Zhou provided the answer himself:

“Because the Heavenly Dao itself is evolving. The Universe was born from Chaos, moving from disorder to order, from simplicity to complexity—this, in itself, is an 'Acquired' process! Innate is the starting point, Acquired is the process, and the end point is transcendence!”

“Way of Civilization is the same. We emerged from ignorance, learning, creating, and passing on Legacies, accumulating wisdom step by step and transcending ourselves step by step. Acquired Formations are the manifestation of this spirit of 'transcendence'!”

Following his words, the five-colored light of the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] became brighter and more agile. It was as if the Formation itself was 'listening' to his discourse and resonating with it.

Dao Xuanzhen's brow furrowed even tighter.

He felt that his resonance with the Heavenly Dao seemed to have developed an extremely faint static. That noise did not come from the outside, but from within his own heart—for the first time, his belief that 'Innate is superior' wavered.

“Innate is the Foundation, Acquired is the application; the use of the Formation lies in the person...” he murmured, repeating Lin Zhou's words, the light in his eyes flickering.

At that very instant—

The overall stability of the [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array] dropped from 65% to 62%!

It wasn't because of an attack, but because the person maintaining the Formation had experienced a slight disturbance in his mind!

“It's working!” A flash of joy appeared in Qin Qing's eyes. “His Dao Heart has been shaken!”

Lin Zhou did not stop. He wanted to strike while the iron was hot and completely unsettle the opponent's Dao Heart.

“Brother Dao, let me ask you another question.” Lin Zhou's voice grew even deeper. “Why must the core of your [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array] constantly shift?”

Dao Xuanzhen answered subconsciously: “To increase the difficulty of breaking the Formation.”

“Wrong.” Lin Zhou shook his head. “The shifting of the core precisely proves that your Formation is 'afraid of being broken.' Because you know that once the core is locked, your Formation will be destroyed. Therefore, you can only constantly shift, hide, and evade.”

“Whereas in my [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array], the core is within me. I have no need to hide, no need to evade. Because I believe that my 'Dao' is unshakable!”

He spread his arms, and the five-colored light behind him condensed into a massive spectral image—it was the projection of the Temple of Civilization, towering, solemn, and immovable!

“Brother Dao, your Formation relies on 'hiding.' My Formation relies on 'faith.' Those who hide will eventually be exposed; those who have faith can move heaven and earth!”

Dao Xuanzhen's expression finally changed.

He felt his resonance with the [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array] weakening at an irreversible speed. It wasn't because of Lin Zhou's attacks, but because of himself—he began to doubt whether his insistence on 'Innate is superior' was correct.

Overall stability of the [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array]: 62%... 58%... 53%...

“No, that's not right!” Dao Xuanzhen suddenly shook his head, forcibly suppressing the stray thoughts in his heart. “Your words may have merit, but they do not prove that Acquired is superior to Innate!”

He took a deep breath, a firm light reconsolidating in his eyes: “I admit that Innate is the Foundation. However, the application of the Acquired is ultimately just 'use.' If the Foundation is not solid, what benefit is there in the use? My [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array] has a solid Foundation and resonates with the Heavenly Dao; how can it be shaken by mere Acquired variations?”

“Is that so?” The corners of Lin Zhou's mouth curled up slightly. “Then why is your Formation's stability decreasing?”

Dao Xuanzhen was stunned. He looked down at the projection of Jinao Island beneath his feet, and his face changed drastically.

He discovered that faint cracks had actually appeared in the connection between Jinao Island and the Formation!

It wasn't due to external attacks, but internal ones—because his own Dao Heart was shaken, the Luck feedback from Jinao Island had become disordered!

“This...” Cold sweat broke out on Dao Xuanzhen's forehead.

Lin Zhou gave him no room to breathe.

“Brother Dao, do you still not understand?” His voice was like a morning bell or a twilight drum, striking Dao Xuanzhen's heart. “Innate Formations rely on the 'gifts' of the Heavenly Dao. Whereas Acquired Formations rely on one's own 'creation.' The Heavenly Dao is inconstant; what it gives you today, it can take back tomorrow. But the 'Dao' created by oneself cannot be taken by anyone!”

“Your Formation is powerful because of its resonance with the Heavenly Dao, but it is also fragile because of it. Once a crack appears in your Dao Heart, the resonance will weaken, and the Formation will collapse!”

“Whereas my Formation is powerful because of the Legacy of civilization. As long as civilization is not extinguished, the Formation will not be broken!”

Following his words, the five-colored light of the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] surged again. The Formation's stability did not decrease; instead, it rose from 87% to 91%! Because Lin Zhou's 'Dao Heart' had become even firmer during the discussion.

[Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array Stability: 91% (Rising)]

[Nine-Bend Yellow River Array Stability: 47% (Continuing to Fall)]

Dao Xuanzhen's face grew paler and paler.

He could feel his connection with Jinao Island becoming weak. It wasn't that Lin Zhou was attacking, but he himself—his Dao Heart was being hit repeatedly by Lin Zhou's words, and the cracks were growing larger.

“Brother Dao,” Lin Zhou's voice became gentle yet more powerful, “our battle today was never meant to be between mortal enemies. If you are willing, we can sit down and properly discuss 'Innate and Acquired' or 'the Heavenly Dao and Civilization.' Why be fixated on victory or defeat?”

Dao Xuanzhen was silent for a moment, a flash of struggle in his eyes, but he eventually shook his head.

“Fellow Daoist Lin Zhou, your words have indeed touched me.” His voice was somewhat raspy. “However, I am the Captain of the Honghuang Academy's second team. I carry the honor of the academy and the Legacy of the Daoist sects. I cannot... admit defeat here.”

He took a deep breath, forcibly steadying his mind and temporarily suppressing the cracks in his Dao Heart.

“Since we cannot convince each other with words, then—let the Formations speak!”

He waved his horsetail whisk, and the projection of Jinao Island shone brightly. The stability of the [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array] stopped falling and began to slowly recover!

[Nine-Bend Yellow River Array Stability: 47%... 48%... 49%...]

“He's forcibly steadying his Dao Heart!” Qin Qing said urgently. “We can't let him recover!”

Lin Zhou, however, shook his head: “There's no need.”

The light of the [Sword of Civilization] in his hand dimmed; it was no longer in an attacking posture.

“Why?” Qin Qing asked, puzzled.

“Because his Dao Heart has already cracked.” Lin Zhou said calmly. “A crack can be temporarily suppressed, but it cannot be repaired. In the coming battle, he will have reservations, hesitation, and self-doubt. And for a hesitant Formation Master, no matter how strong the Formation, there will be flaws.”

He turned and looked at everyone: “Prepare for the final strike.”

“We don't need to break the core anymore.” Lin Zhou pointed toward Jinao Island. “Attack Jinao Island itself directly. Its Luck is already bound to Dao Xuanzhen's Dao Heart. Since his Dao Heart is shaken, Jinao Island's defenses will also weaken.”

“Li Mo, use the [Logic Bomb] to interfere with Jinao Island's regulatory operations.”

“Qin Qing, use the [Net of Law] to define Jinao Island as an 'attackable target.'”

“Wang Meng, Zhao Hao, follow me for a frontal assault!”

“Yes!”

The [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] shifted again. This time, it was neither defensive nor a skirmish, but pure—frontal assault!

The five-colored light transformed into a massive pillar of radiance, charging straight at Jinao Island!

Li Mo's [Logic Bomb] exploded on the surface of Jinao Island, creating a logic paradox zone that lasted for ten seconds, causing parts of Jinao Island's defensive Formations to fall into Chaos.

Qin Qing's [Net of Law] enveloped Jinao Island, pale gold chains of rules wrapping around the island's edges, defining it from an 'inviolable Holy Land' into an 'attackable target.'

Wang Meng's Behemoth Legion and Zhao Hao's Dragon Legion launched a simultaneous charge from the ground and the air!

And Lin Zhou, holding the [Sword of Civilization], led the way!

“Civilization—Slash!”

The brilliant white sword glow sliced through the void like the first light at the creation of the world, striking heavily against Jinao Island's protective array!

Crack—!

A massive crack appeared in the protective array!

“Brother Dao, your Formation is indeed exquisite. However, a Formation is ultimately a 'tool,' not the 'Dao' itself.” Lin Zhou's voice echoed within the crack. “A tool can be surpassed. But the Dao must be realized by oneself.”

“In today's battle, regardless of the outcome, I hope you remember—Innate is the Foundation, Acquired is the application; the use of the Formation lies in the person.”

Dao Xuanzhen looked silently at the crack, at the enemy troops pouring in, and at his own tottering Formation. A flash of realization crossed his eyes, followed by a hint of bitterness.

“The use of the Formation lies in the person...” he murmured, then suddenly laughed. “Fellow Daoist Lin Zhou, you are right. I relied too much on the 'Innate' and forgot that a Formation, after all, is set by a person.”

He put away his whisk and stopped resisting.

“In this battle, I admit defeat.”

[Honghuang Academy Team Two Captain Dao Xuanzhen—Admits Defeat!]

[Xinghai University Team—Wins! Advanced to the Top 25!]

The tournament announcement sounded, but the battlefield was unusually quiet.

Lin Zhou sheathed the [Sword of Civilization] and cupped his hands slightly toward Dao Xuanzhen: “Brother Dao, thank you for the match.”

Dao Xuanzhen shook his head with a bitter smile: “It wasn't a matter of letting you win; I truly lost. In terms of Formations, I am not your equal; in terms of the Dao Heart, I am also not your equal.”

He looked at the slowly dissipating [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array], his eyes flashing with complexity: “Innate is the Foundation, Acquired is the application... I will remember those words.”

He turned and looked at the projection of Jinao Island behind him. With a wave of his whisk, the island's image gradually faded and disappeared.

“Fellow Daoist Lin Zhou, until we meet again.”

With that, Dao Xuanzhen's figure, along with Jinao Island, turned into points of light and vanished from the battlefield.

[Honghuang Academy Team Two—All members withdrawn.]

[Xinghai University Team—Advanced to the Top 25!]

Inside the preparation space, cheers finally erupted.

Wang Meng excitedly slapped the table: “We won! We won! The 7th-ranked Honghuang Academy Team Two was taken down by us!”

Qin Qing also wore a rare smile, but her gaze fell on Lin Zhou: “Captain, that discourse on the Dao just now—were you truly trying to convince him, or was it a psychological attack?”

Lin Zhou smiled slightly: “Both.”

“Discussing the Dao was sincere; attacking the heart was a strategy. His Dao Heart was indeed shaken, but those words I said were also my true thoughts.”

“Innate is the Foundation, Acquired is the application...” Qin Qing murmured, a flash of insight in her eyes. “Those words are also enlightening for the School of Law. The Law is the same. Innate human nature is the 'Foundation'; Acquired education is the 'application.' One cannot rely solely on the 'Foundation,' nor solely on the 'application.'”

Lin Zhou nodded: “Exactly. The thoughts of the Hundred Schools are inherently interconnected.”

He turned to look at the list of the Top 25 on the light screen, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

Who would the opponent be in the next round?

But regardless of who the opponent was, Way of Civilization would forge ahead.

Because he had already found his own 'Dao'.

Innate is the Foundation, Acquired is the application; the use of the Formation lies in the person.

The use of the Dao also lies in the person.