405: Chapter 340: Desperate Measures, Igniting the Fragments of the God King in a Battle

The tournament's notification tone was still echoing in the Void Realm, and the golden text reading "Xinghai University Team - Advanced to Top 20" had not yet faded when a sudden change occurred!

Elios, who had turned to leave, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He slowly turned his head, and a bizarre, almost crazed smile appeared on his handsome yet pale face.

"Lin Zhou... do you think it's over just because you won?"

His voice was no longer calm, but carried a determination to perish together: "The heir of the Eternal Divine Court can lose, but will never... admit defeat!"

His hands suddenly formed seals, and the tattered eternal throne emitted a piercing hum!

[eternal throne · Self-Destruct Sequence — Activated!]

- Effect: Burn all the Origin of the throne to release a "Temporal Annihilation" shockwave.

- Coverage: 300km radius (enveloping the entire battlefield).

- Estimated Power: Equivalent to a full-strength strike from a Great Divine Power (LV5000+).

- Side Effects: The throne will be completely destroyed; Elios's godhead Rank will permanently drop to Faint Divinity and cannot recover for the next century.

- Countdown: 10 seconds!

"Madman!" Qin Qing's face turned deathly pale. "He wants to take us down with him!"

Wang Meng roared, "Retreat, quickly!"

But it was too late.

The impact range of [Temporal Annihilation] was 300 kilometers, while the core of the Star Sea Divine Kingdom projection was less than 20 kilometers away from the eternal throne. Within ten seconds, there was simply no way to escape.

More fatally, Lin Zhou's Divine Power reserves were below 4% (8000/200000), his godhead was covered in cracks, the civilization furnace's durability had fallen to 52%, and the entire [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] was on the verge of collapse.

Xinghai Team Status (Critical):

- Lin Zhou: Divine Power 8000, Godhead Durability 61%, Divine Fire flickering.

- Qin Qing: Divine Power 2000, Net of Law has failed.

- Wang Meng: Behemoth Legion casualties exceed half, multiple severe injuries to himself.

- Zhao Hao: Dragon Legion has only seven dragons left capable of fighting.

- Li Mo: Projection is unstable, mechanical beast losses exceed 70%.

- Su Yueyao: Moonlight projection is dim, energy insufficient.

- [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] Stability: 34% (Imminent collapse).

The ten-second countdown felt like a century with every passing second.

"Captain, what do we do?" Everyone's eyes turned toward Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou's face was as pale as paper, but his eyes were exceptionally calm.

He slowly raised his right hand, palm up, fingers slightly spread.

In the deepest part of his godhead, a golden fragment emitting a vast, oppressive pressure was slowly rotating. It was the god-king fragment he had obtained in the core area of the Ancient Battlefield—[god-king godhead fragment (Gold)], containing a wisp of Great Divine Power level rule comprehension, which would normally take a century to fully absorb.

But at this moment, Lin Zhou decided to—forcibly ignite it.

[god-king godhead fragment · Status]

- Completeness: 100% (Unabsorbed)

- Energy Contained: Approximately equivalent to 1% of a Great Divine Power (LV5000)

- Normal Absorption Progress: 0.01%/day (Requires 100 years)

- Consequences of Forcible Ignition:

1. The fragment will release all energy at once, lasting about 30 seconds.

2. The fragment will permanently consume 5% of its Origin (meaning that 5% can never be absorbed).

3. During the ignition process, Lin Zhou's godhead will bear immense pressure, potentially causing irreversible damage.

4. After the ignition ends, Lin Zhou will enter a state of extreme weakness (Divine Power zeroed, godhead dormant for at least seven days).

"Captain, what are you doing?" Qin Qing sensed something unusual about Lin Zhou.

"Burning my boats," Lin Zhou's voice was terrifyingly calm. "All of you, move back as far as possible."

"No! Are you crazy? Your godhead is already cracked; if you ignite the god-king fragment, you'll..." Qin Qing's words were interrupted by Lin Zhou.

"I won't die," Lin Zhou's lips curled up slightly. "But if we don't do this, we all will."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank into the deepest part of his godhead, where that golden god-king fragment floated quietly in the core area of the Temple of Civilization. Countless complex rule patterns flowed across the fragment's surface—the ultimate insights of an ancient God King into "Power," "Dominance," and "Immortality."

"Senior, allow me to borrow your strength."

Lin Zhou's Divine Thought touched the edge of the fragment.

Hum—!!!

The fragment suddenly jolted, and then began to burn!

It wasn't physical combustion, but a "release" on the level of rules. Countless golden cracks appeared on the fragment's surface, and from within them surged a blazing, lava-like golden light! The light followed the pathways of Lin Zhou's godhead, madly pouring into his Divine Fire, his Divine Kingdom, and his river of civilization!

[god-king godhead fragment · Ignited!]

- Energy Release Rate: Consumes 0.5% of the fragment's Origin per second.

- Duration: Approx. 30 seconds (15% of fragment Origin consumed, 5% permanent loss, 80% remaining for continued absorption).

- Lin Zhou's Current Status:

- Godhead Load: 118%... 135%... 150%... (Overload)

- Divine Fire Burn Level: 200%... 250%... 300%... (Limit)

- Divine Power Recovery: +5000/sec... +8000/sec... +12000/sec...

- river of civilization Materialization: 30%... 50%... 80%...

"Ah—!!!"

Lin Zhou let out a long cry toward the sky, golden divine blood spraying from his seven orifices simultaneously! His body trembled violently, and countless golden cracks appeared on his skin, like porcelain about to shatter. But at the same time, a vast, ancient, terrifying pressure that seemed to come from the primordial era erupted from within him!

Behind him, a blurred, hundred-zhang-tall phantom of a God King slowly emerged!

The phantom's face was unclear; one could only vaguely discern a stalwart man with a burly build, wearing an imperial crown and dragon robes. He stood with his hands behind his back, eyes closed, yet he exuded a domineering aura of "In all the heavens and earth, I alone am supreme."

[God King Phantom (Incomplete)]

- Source: Residual will within the god-king godhead fragment.

- Level: Great Divine Power (LV5000+, but due to fragment incompleteness, the phantom can only exert about 1% of its power).

- Characteristics:

1. [Pressure]: All enemy units within range suffer -50% to all attributes (lasts 30 seconds).

2. [Dominance]: All friendly units within range receive +50% to all attributes (lasts 30 seconds).

3. [Immortality]: Lin Zhou's godhead is immune to all damage for 30 seconds (but the backlash is doubled afterward).

4. [Cost]: After 30 seconds, Lin Zhou will enter "Godhead Dormancy" (at least seven days).

"This... what kind of power is this?" Wang Meng was awestruck by the pressure of the God King Phantom, nearly unable to stand.

Qin Qing's face was also pale, but she quickly reacted: "Everyone, move back! This is the Captain's last resort, don't interfere with him!"

"But..." Zhao Hao wanted to say something more.

"Move back!" Qin Qing said sharply.

The others gritted their teeth and retreated.

As for Lin Zhou, he raised his right arm, fingers spread, and aimed at the counting-down eternal throne.

"Elios, you want us to perish together? I'll grant your wish!"

He suddenly clenched his fist!

The God King Phantom behind him simultaneously performed the clenching motion!

Boom—!!!

An invisible, irresistible great power surged from the phantom's fist, like a physical giant hammer, smashing ruthlessly onto the eternal throne!

[God King Phantom · Skill — Void Shatter!]

- Effect: Tearing through space, time, and rules with pure power.

- Power: Equivalent to a 1% full-strength strike from a Great Divine Power (LV5000).

- Consumption: 5% of god-king fragment Origin (already accounted for).

Crack—!!!

The silver-white light shield on the surface of the eternal throne shattered instantly like paper!

Under the impact of the immense force, countless cracks appeared on the body of the throne, and then—it exploded!

It wasn't a self-detonation, but being crushed by external force!

[eternal throne — Completely Destroyed!]

- Self-Destruct Sequence: Interrupted by external force, only released about 30% of its energy.

- Temporal Annihilation Shockwave: Not fully formed, power reduced to Mid-Tier Divine Power level (bearable).

"No... impossible!" Elios's eyes widened, looking at the God King Phantom in disbelief, "That's... Great Divine Power? How could you possibly..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

Because that God King Phantom suddenly opened its eyes.

The phantom's eyes had no pupils, only two spheres of golden light burning with the fires of rules. That light swept over Elios, like an ancient God King looking down upon an ant.

Elios's body suddenly stiffened, and his Divine Fire flickered violently, almost going out!

[Elios · Status]

- Godhead Rank: Temporarily suppressed to LV300 (affected by God King Phantom's pressure)

- Divine Power Reserves: 50,000 (Unable to mobilize)

- Current Status: Locked by "God-King Pressure," unable to move.

"Admit defeat, or die." Lin Zhou's voice was no longer his usual gentle tone, but carried a hint of the God King Phantom's dominance and indifference.

Elios was silent for a moment, then slowly lowered his head.

"I... admit defeat."

[Eternal Divine Court Main Team — Admitted Defeat!]

[Xinghai University Team — Advanced to Top 20!]

(Secondary confirmation: although Elios had already admitted defeat earlier, his self-destruct attempt was deemed a violation, and the referee panel ultimately ruled Xinghai University the winner)

The tournament's notification tone rang out once more, and this time, there were no more surprises.

The God King Phantom behind Lin Zhou slowly closed its eyes and then dissipated like a bubble.

The light from the burning fragment also gradually faded, leaving behind a golden fragment that had dimmed significantly, floating in the Temple of Civilization.

[god-king godhead fragment · Status Update]

- Completeness: 80% (5% permanently consumed, 15% temporarily consumed, 80% remaining for continued absorption)

- Current Absorption Progress: 0.01%/day (Returned to normal)

- Next Forcible Ignition Cost: Consumes 10% permanent progress (doubled)

As for Lin Zhou, the moment the phantom dissipated, he felt an unprecedented weakness surge over him like a tide.

His Divine Power, after the fragment finished burning, dropped instantly from its brief "full" state to zero.

[Lin Zhou · Status (Aftereffects)]

- Divine Power: 0/200000 (Completely exhausted)

- Godhead: Entered "Dormant" state (cannot be used for at least seven days)

- Divine Fire: Retaining only basic combustion (maintaining the Divine Realm from collapsing)

- civilization furnace: Durability 32% (Near destruction)

- Body: Extremely weak, multiple Meridians broken, requires long-term recuperation

His vision went black, and he passed out once again.

This time, it was a real coma.

"Captain!" Qin Qing rushed forward, catching Lin Zhou's falling body.

Wang Meng, Zhao Hao, Li Mo (projection), and Su Yueyao's moonlight projection also gathered around.

"How is he?" Wang Meng asked urgently.

Qin Qing checked Lin Zhou's condition, her expression grim: "Divine Power exhausted, godhead dormant, Divine Fire weak... he needs at least a month of rest."

"A month? But the next round of matches..." Zhao Hao trailed off.

"Next round, we forfeit," Qin Qing said decisively. "The Captain's life is more important than the competition."

"No... no need..." A weak voice came from Lin Zhou's mouth.

"Captain! You're awake?" Qin Qing said in surprise.

Lin Zhou struggled to open his eyes, which were bloodshot but still clear: "Next round... I can... just give me... seven days..."

"Seven days? Your godhead will be dormant for at least seven days, how can you fight?" Qin Qing shook her head.

"Temple of Civilization... has a way... to accelerate recovery..." Lin Zhou's voice was intermittent. "Send me back... to the Divine Kingdom..."

The others looked at each other and finally nodded.

[Battlefield Space Closing Countdown: Thirty Seconds.]

With a flash of white light, the entire Xinghai University Team was teleported back to the preparation space.

As for Lin Zhou, he was carefully carried by Qin Qing and Wang Meng into a medical pod in the preparation space.

The medical pod's scan results showed:

[Lin Zhou · Medical Report]

- Godhead: Dormant state, estimated recovery time: 168 hours (seven days).

- Divine Fire: Stable (lowest power).

- Divine Power: 0 (Needs faith conversion to replenish).

- Body: Multiple Meridians broken, internal organs displaced, requires at least three days of bed rest.

- Recommendation: Forfeit the next round of matches and rest for one month.

But even in his coma, Lin Zhou still murmured: "Seven days... is enough..."

Qin Qing sighed and looked at the others: "Prepare for the next round. Since the Captain said seven days, we will believe him."

Everyone nodded silently.

On the light screen, the list of the top twenty teams was scrolling.

Xinghai University's name was prominently listed.

And their next opponent would be decided by a draw tonight.

No matter who the opponent was, they had to be prepared.

Because Lin Zhou had paid too much for this victory.

And they could not let his sacrifice go to waste.