402: Chapter 337: Top 20 Battle, Encountering the Eternal Divine Court Main Team

The twenty-four hours of preparation time slipped away like flowing water amidst intense Formation optimization and combat simulations.

The analysis of the [Nine-Bend Yellow River Array Formation Diagram Incomplete Manual] was completed two hours ahead of schedule. Li Mo's efficiency was as astonishing as ever—he mobilized all the computing resources of the Tian Gong Institute to peel off and model the twelve Innate Formation Runes one by one, successfully integrating part of the 'Single Qi Suppression' logic into the Legalist Formation eye of the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array].

[Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array · Optimized Version]

- New Trait: [Innate Suppression] (Fused from the Nine-Bend Yellow River Array)

- Effect: Enemy forces within the Formation are suppressed by 'Heavenly Dao Resonance,' resulting in an additional -5% to all attributes. Furthermore, a 'Rule Check' is performed every three minutes; failure results in entering the 'Slowed' state (Movement Speed -30%, Attack Speed -20% for 10 seconds).

- Consumption: An additional 500 Divine Power every three minutes (to maintain the suppression effect).

- Current Completion: 98% (Still requires practical combat testing).

Qin Qing's Legalist Formation eye was also strengthened. The combination of the 'Net of Law' and 'Innate Suppression' increased the influence of Legalist rules within the Formation by approximately 15%. She even successfully used the 'Define' skill to briefly 'freeze' one of Zhao Hao's Dragons for 2 seconds during a simulation battle, leaving Zhao Hao depressed for quite a while.

Wang Meng and Zhao Hao's combat simulations were also highly effective. Wang Meng's Behemoth Legion was like a fish in water within the Formation, precisely finding the optimal strike position with every Formation change. Zhao Hao's Dragon Legion practiced 'High-Altitude Raid' and 'Dive Bombing' tactics, their cooperation with the Formation becoming increasingly seamless.

Su Yueyao's Moonlight Projection was responsible for monitoring the Formation's energy balance. With her assistance, Li Mo optimized the Formation's energy distribution by 12%, reducing overall consumption by about 8%.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

However—

The moment the twenty-four-hour countdown hit zero and the draw results were announced, the atmosphere within the preparation space instantly froze.

Golden text slowly emerged on the light screen:

[All-Universe Academy Championship — Phase Three 'Road of Kings' Knockout Stage]

[The Top 25 have been born! The results of the next round of drawing are as follows...]

[Xinghai University Team (Milky Way Galaxy) next round opponent—]

The text suddenly enlarged, flashing with a blinding golden light:

[Eternal Divine Court Main Team (Eternal Galaxy)! Rank: 2nd!]

"Eternal Divine Court... Main Team?" Wang Meng's voice sounded a bit dry.

Zhao Hao's face also changed: "No way? Ranked 2nd? Aren't those monsters second only to the Honghuang Academy Main Team?"

Qin Qing quickly pulled up the data, her voice heavy with gravity:

[Eternal Divine Court Main Team Core Intelligence]

- Captain: Elios St. Eternal (Seventh Successor of the Eternal Divine Court, Godhead Level LV580, Mid-Tier Divine Power Middle Stage)

- Divine Domain: [Eternal Divine Kingdom] (Has encroached upon twenty complete Star Realms, Divine Kingdom area approx. 5,000 square kilometers)

- Divine Kingdom Trait: [eternal throne] Phantom — Time flow is exceptionally slow (the time flow rate within the Divine Kingdom is approximately 1/10th of the outside world; i.e., when 10 seconds pass outside, only 1 second passes within the Divine Kingdom). This trait is suitable not only for cultivation but also for combat: within the range of the Divine Kingdom, the enemy units' perception of time will be distorted, leading to phenomena such as 'slowness' and 'dislocation'.

- Follower Composition: Primarily [Immortal Heroic Spirits] (Rank LV50-LV70, balanced attributes, excels in battles of attrition), supplemented by [Eternal Guards] (Elite Units, Rank LV65+, high defense and toughness) and [Space-Time Priests] (Hero Units, Rank LV70+, can manipulate time rules).

- Core Tactics: Suppressing opponents with time rules, exhausting enemies with the 'immortality' of the Immortal Heroic Spirits, trapping enemies within the 'Domain' of the eternal throne, and ultimately crushing them with absolute power.

- Record: Undefeated in the group stage, has not lost a single match in the knockout stage so far, and all matches ended within 30 minutes (opponents collapsed due to time distortion).

"Time rules..." Lin Zhou's brow furrowed deeply. "That is one of the most troublesome abilities."

He pulled up the detailed data for the [Eternal Divine Kingdom]:

[Eternal Divine Kingdom (Partial Public Data)]

- Area: Approx. 5,000 square kilometers (10 times the area of Lin Zhou's Divine Kingdom)

- Rule Completeness: 92% (Extremely high)

- Core Wonder: [eternal throne] (Epic-grade, time flow within the Divine Kingdom can be regulated, automatically activates the 'Time Deceleration Domain' during combat)

- Time Deceleration Domain Effects:

1. Within the Domain, enemy units' time perception is distorted: Movement Speed -30%, Attack Speed -25%, Casting Speed -20%.

2. Within the Domain, cooldown times for enemy units' 'cooldown-type' skills are extended by 50%.

3. Within the Domain, durations for enemy units' 'duration-type' skills are shortened by 30%.

4. Within the Domain core (within a ten-kilometer radius of the Throne), the time flow rate is 1/10th of the outside world; those who enter this area will bear immense temporal pressure.

- Current Domain Coverage: Three hundred kilometers in diameter (can move along with the Divine Kingdom).

"This is practically cheating..." Wang Meng sucked in a breath of cold air. "Time deceleration, cooldown extension, duration shortening... we're already stripped of thirty to forty percent of our combat power before the fight even starts."

"More than that," Li Mo's electronic voice carried a rare gravity. "Time rules are among the most difficult to counter. While our [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] can suppress rules like Order, Chaos, and Void Realm, its interference effect on 'Time' is extremely limited. Simulations show that the Formation's 'Order Suppression' might weaken the Time Deceleration Domain by less than 10%."

"In other words, we almost have to tank the opponent's time rules head-on?" Zhao Hao's expression was grim.

"Not necessarily," Lin Zhou said in a low voice. "Powerful as time rules are, they are not without flaws."

He quickly pulled up the detailed intelligence on the [Eternal Divine Kingdom] and analyzed it point by point:

"First, while the Time Deceleration Domain covers a wide area, the time flow is slowest in the 'core area' (ten kilometers around the Throne), and the degree of time distortion weakens in the peripheral areas (beyond one hundred kilometers). In other words, if we don't enter the core area, the impact we suffer will be much smaller."

"Second, time rules consume a massive amount of energy. Maintaining the Time Deceleration Domain of the [eternal throne] consumes at least 1,000 Divine Power from Elios every minute. Although his Divine Power reserves are substantial (estimated to be over 500,000), he cannot maintain it indefinitely."

"Third, and most importantly—time rules have limited suppression effects on 'spiritual will' and the 'Dao Heart.' Time can distort perception, but it cannot distort belief. Our 'Way of Civilization' is precisely one of the firmest beliefs."

He looked at everyone: "Therefore, our tactical core is not to clash head-on with their time, but to—exhaust, delay, and find flaws."

Qin Qing frowned: "But the opponent's Immortal Heroic Spirits possess immortality; a war of attrition is unfavorable for us."

"Immortality is not true undying," Lin Zhou shook his head. "The 'immortality' of the Immortal Heroic Spirits is built upon the time reversal of the Eternal Divine Kingdom. Slain heroic spirits can be resurrected through 'time reversal' within the Divine Kingdom. However, resurrection consumes Elios's Divine Power, and resurrected heroic spirits will have a period of weakness."

"If we can kill a large number of heroic spirits in a short period, we can force Elios to consume more Divine Power for resurrection. When his Divine Power hits rock bottom, the Time Deceleration Domain will be impossible to maintain."

"At the same time," he added, "we can use the [Fire of Civilization] to purify the 'Immortal Mark' of the heroic spirits. Purified heroic spirits cannot be resurrected by time reversal."

Li Mo's eyes lit up: "The Fire of Civilization has a countering effect on 'Immortality'?"

"It does," Lin Zhou nodded. "The essence of the Fire of Civilization is 'Legacy' and 'Change,' while the essence of 'Immortality' is 'Stagnation' and 'Invariance.' The two are naturally antithetical. When we countered the 'Sacrifice' of the Abyss Contractor Academy before, the Fire of Civilization displayed a powerful countering ability. It should have a similar effect on 'Immortality'."

He quickly drew a tactical diagram on the light screen:

[Tactical Draft against Eternal Divine Court Main Team]

1. Early Stage: Focus on defense with the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array], avoiding the core area of the opponent's Time Deceleration Domain. Utilize the Formation's 'Order Suppression' and 'Innate Suppression' to weaken the immortality of the heroic spirit legion.

2. Middle Stage: Conduct a war of attrition using Mohist Mechanisms and the School of Military legion, killing heroic spirits in large numbers to force Elios to consume Divine Power for resurrection. Simultaneously, use the Legalist 'Net of Law' and Daoist 'Quietude and Non-Action' to interfere with the operation of time rules.

3. Late Stage: When the opponent's Divine Power is depleted to a certain extent, use the [Scroll of Civilization] to forcibly open a passage. Zhao Hao and Wang Meng will then launch a surprise attack on the [eternal throne], using the Fire of Civilization to purify the Throne's core and break the Time Deceleration Domain.

4. Final Battle: Lin Zhou will personally lead the Civilization Sword Cultivators in a direct confrontation with Elios, using the [Sword of Civilization] to slash through the [eternal throne] phantom.

"This plan..." Qin Qing scrutinized the tactical diagram carefully. "The risk is high. The troops raiding the Throne will have to endure 10 times the time deceleration in the core area. What seems like a few seconds to the outside world might be dozens of seconds near the Throne—enough for Elios to mobilize heavy troops for an encirclement."

"Therefore, the timing and route of the surprise attack must be precise to the second." Lin Zhou looked at Li Mo. "Li Mo, I need you to calculate the 'weak points' of the [eternal throne]'s Time Deceleration Domain—those areas where the degree of time distortion is lower."

Li Mo nodded: "Leave it to me. As long as I have enough data, I can model and deduce it."

"Additionally," Lin Zhou looked at Su Yueyao's Moonlight Projection, "Yue Yao, your moonlight can 'illuminate the false.' During the battle, I need you to use the moonlight to lock onto Elios's 'Time Nodes'—when he manipulates time rules, there must be a trajectory of Divine Power flow. As long as we find that trajectory, I can use the [Sword of Civilization] to sever it."

Su Yueyao nodded slightly: "I will do my best."

"Wang Meng, Zhao Hao, your tasks are the heaviest." Lin Zhou turned to the two of them. "When raiding the Throne, you must break through the heroic spirit legion's defensive line within dozens of seconds under 10 times time deceleration and inject the Fire of Civilization into the Throne's core. This requires you to use the fastest speed and strongest firepower, regardless of the cost."

Wang Meng gritted his teeth: "Let's do it! My Behemoths aren't afraid to die!"

Zhao Hao also nodded: "My Dragon Legion is standing by at any time."

"Good." Lin Zhou took a deep breath. "There are 24 hours left before the match begins. In these 24 hours, we need to conduct at least ten simulation battles targeted at the [Eternal Divine Kingdom]. Li Mo, you are responsible for constructing the simulation data; Qin Qing, you are responsible for optimizing the interference effect of the Legalist Formation eye on time rules; Yue Yao, you are responsible for researching how to lock onto Time Nodes with moonlight."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Just as everyone was preparing to act, the preparation space's communicator suddenly rang.

Lin Zhou answered, and a strange figure emerged on the light screen—it was a young man dressed in white robes, his face handsome yet cold as a statue. There was no emotional fluctuation in his golden pupils, which resembled a pool of stagnant water.

"Xinghai University, Lin Zhou." The person's voice was also like ice. "I am the captain of the Eternal Divine Court Main Team, Elios St. Eternal."

Lin Zhou narrowed his eyes slightly: "I have long heard of you."

Elios didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point: "You proved yourselves by defeating the Abyss Contractor Academy and the Honghuang Academy Second Team. However, the Eternal Divine Court is not something they can compare to. Your 'Way of Civilization' is completely meaningless before 'Eternity'."

His tone was flat, yet it carried an indisputable arrogance.

Lin Zhou remained unmoved: "Whether it's meaningless or not, we'll only know after we fight."

Elios was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "I'm looking forward to it."

The communication was cut off.

Within the preparation space, the atmosphere became even more solemn.

"This guy... is so arrogant," Wang Meng muttered.

"He has the capital to be arrogant," Qin Qing said coldly. "Godhead Level LV580, encroached upon twenty Star Realms, and the Seventh Successor of the Eternal Divine Court. Whether in terms of strength or background, he is the strongest opponent we have ever encountered."

Lin Zhou, however, smiled: "But he has one fatal weakness."

"What?" everyone asked in unison.

"Arrogance." A sharp glint flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes. "He believes too much in 'Eternity.' And 'Eternity' is precisely what is most easily shattered by 'Change'."

He turned and looked at the words "Eternal Divine Court Main Team" on the light screen, his gaze firm:

"Prepare for battle. This time, we will let 'Eternity' witness the power of 'Civilization'."

The countdown continued to tick away.

Twenty-four hours later, the Top 20 Battle was about to begin.

And Xinghai University would face the Eternal Divine Court, ranked second in the entire Universe.

Win, and they would create a miracle; lose, and they would stop here.

But regardless of the outcome, Way of Civilization would leave an indelible mark in this battle.