409: Chapter 344: The Birth of the Top Ten, a Historic Breakthrough for the Star Sea

When Lin Zhou woke up again, the medical pod's timer showed: forty-eight hours had passed.

A full two days.

His consciousness slowly rose from the Chaos, like a drowning man finally surfacing. His first sensation was pain—those fine cracks on his Godhead were still healing, and every flow of laws brought a needle-like sting. His second sensation was warmth—although the water level of the river of civilization in the Temple of Civilization had dropped, the temperature of the water was warmer, as if the conviction tempered by battle was feeding back into his Godhead.

[Lin Zhou · Status Update]

- Godhead Integrity: 67% (godhead repair fluid continuing to take effect, restored to combat-ready level)

- Divine Power Reserve: 12,000/200,000 (Faith Conversion + river of civilization feedback)

- civilization furnace Durability: 41% (Slowly repairing)

- river of civilization Water Level: 58% (Stable)

- god-king godhead fragment: Integrity 80%, Absorption Progress 0.03%/day (Accelerating)

- Current Status: Combat-ready, but unable to sustain high-intensity combat for long

"The captain is awake!" Wang Meng's voice came from outside the medical pod, carrying an irrepressible excitement.

The projections of Qin Qing, Zhao Hao, and Li Mo, along with Su Yueyao's moonlight projection, all gathered around. Qin Qing's eyes were slightly red, clearly having worried much over the past two days; although Wang Meng was covered in bandages, he was in high spirits; Zhao Hao leaned against the wall with a relieved smile; Li Mo's projection was much more stable, with data streams flickering in his mechanical eyes; Su Yueyao's moonlight projection was dim, but she still stood guard quietly by his side.

"How long was I asleep?" Lin Zhou sat up, his voice still raspy.

"Forty-eight hours," Qin Qing said as she handed him a cup of [Spirit Spring Water]. "You scared us to death. Two consecutive comas, and your Godhead integrity once dropped to 35%. The medical pod's alarm rang for a whole day and night."

"And now?"

"It's stable now. The godhead repair fluid will last for another twelve hours, and it's expected that your integrity will recover to over 80% by then. But the Divine Power reserve..." Qin Qing shook her head, "is only twelve thousand, not even enough to unfurl the Scroll of Civilization."

"It's enough." Lin Zhou took a sip of water, soothing his parched throat. "What about the match results? Did we advance to the top twenty?"

"We advanced," Wang Meng chimed in. "After the Eternal Divine Court admitted defeat, the judging panel ultimately ruled us the winners. Captain, that sword strike of yours was too fierce—you smashed the eternal throne directly!"

Lin Zhou did not respond. He remembered that strike—Hundred Schools Returning to One, Six Consecutive Sword Slashes, exhausting all his strength and conviction. If the river of civilization hadn't fed back a sliver of Divine Power at the last moment, he might not have even had the strength to swing that final sword.

"Who is our opponent in the next round?"

Qin Qing brought up a light screen, showing the latest bracket and draw results.

[All-Universe Academy Championship — Top 20 List]

1. Honghuang Academy Main Team

2. Xinghai University (Milky Way Galaxy)

3. Eternal Divine Court Main Team (Eliminated)

4. Void Contractor Academy

5. Holy Light Hall Academy

6. Ring of Elements Academy

7. Mechanical Divine Domain Main Team

8. Abyss Contractor Academy (Eliminated)

...

20. (Omitted)

[Xinghai University's Next Opponent — Holy Light Hall Academy (Holy Light Galaxy)! Rank: 5th!]

"Ranked 5th?" Lin Zhou frowned slightly. "Higher than the Eternal Divine Court?"

"No, the Eternal Divine Court was 2nd, but we eliminated them," Qin Qing explained. "Among the remaining teams, Honghuang Academy's main team is 1st, Void Contractor is 4th, Holy Light Hall is 5th, Ring of Elements is 6th... Because we defeated the Eternal Divine Court, our points surged, and our current overall ranking has risen to 2nd."

"2nd?" Lin Zhou was stunned for a moment.

"Yes," Wang Meng grinned. "Captain, we're a seeded team now!"

[Xinghai University Team · Current Rank: 2nd]

- Points: 187,500 (Second only to Honghuang Academy Main Team's 201,000)

- Record: Six wins, zero losses (Including the elimination of the Eternal Divine Court)

- Comprehensive Evaluation: Attack A+, Defense A, Rule Mastery S-, Teamwork S

Lin Zhou was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Rankings are just numbers. Holy Light Hall... what's their intelligence?"

Li Mo immediately pulled up the data, his electronic voice steady and clear:

[Holy Light Hall Academy Main Team Core Intelligence]

- Captain: Holy Light Arbiter · Raphael (Godhead Rank LV590, Mid-Tier Divine Power Intermediate Stage)

- Divine Domain: [Holy Light Divine Kingdom] (Has eroded eighteen astral realms, kingdom area approx. 4,500 square kilometers)

- Divine Kingdom Trait: [Holy Light Judgment] — All 'non-Holy Light' units within the Domain take continuous damage (0.5% HP loss per second), with an additional 300% damage bonus against 'Darkness', 'Chaos', and 'Void' factions.

- Follower Composition: Primarily [Holy Light Angels] (Rank LV55-LV70, Traits: Divine Armor, Light of Healing, Sword of Judgment), supplemented by [Holy Light Priests] (Hero Unit, capable of mass healing and resurrection) and [Holy Light Sentinels] (Elite Unit, high defense and tenacity).

- Core Tactics: Use the Holy Light Domain to wear down enemies, use the 'immortality' of Holy Light Angels (can be resurrected by priests) to exhaust enemies, and use the Sword of Judgment for precision removal of high-threat targets.

- Weakness: The Holy Light Domain has lower resistance (approx. 30%) to 'Order' and 'Civilization' type rules, and the angels' resurrection depends on the priests; killing the priests will break the resurrection chain.

- Record: Undefeated in group stages, only loss in the elimination rounds was to Honghuang Academy's main team (0:3).

"Holy Light..." Lin Zhou mused. "The essence of their power is 'Holy' and 'Judgment,' which shares commonalities with our 'Civilization' but also conflicts. 'Holy' emphasizes exclusivity, while 'Civilization' emphasizes diversity. This battle isn't about power, but about 'philosophy.'"

"Philosophy?" Wang Meng scratched his head.

"Yes," Lin Zhou nodded. "Their Holy Light believes only 'Holy Light' is righteous and everything else is heresy. Our civilization believes that 'all rivers run into the sea; its greatness comes from its capacity.' Whoever's philosophy aligns more with the truths of the Universe will win."

He looked at Qin Qing. "When is the match?"

"Tomorrow morning," Qin Qing said. "Captain, your condition..."

"By tomorrow, my Godhead integrity can reach over 80%, and my Divine Power reserve can recover to around thirty thousand," Lin Zhou calculated. "Although it's not even half of my Peak, with the Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array, it should be doable."

"But..."

"No buts," Lin Zhou interrupted her. "We've already made it to the top twenty, and we're only one step away from the top ten. This step must be taken."

He stood up and stretched his limbs. His body was still a bit stiff, but the Fire of Civilization within his Godhead had reignited, warm and steady.

"Tonight, we prepare through the night. Li Mo, analyze all battle recordings of Holy Light Hall and find their tactical patterns. Qin Qing, optimize the Legalism Formation Eye to strengthen interference against 'Holy' rules. Wang Meng, Zhao Hao, your task is to study how to quickly kill the Holy Light Priests. Yue Yao, your moonlight can 'purify' the Holy Light; I'll need you to assist in defense tomorrow."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Twenty-four hours later.

[Xinghai University Team vs. Holy Light Hall Academy — Match Start!]

[Battlefield Generating... Battlefield Type: Radiant Plains (Holy Light environment, 20% bonus to Holy Light faction)]

[Both Divine Domains deploying, distance: 300 kilometers.]

Lin Zhou stood at the core of the Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array, flanked by his teammates who had recovered significantly after two days of rest. His Godhead integrity had returned to 82% and his Divine Power reserve to thirty-two thousand; though far from his Peak, it was enough to support a medium-intensity battle.

Opposite them, the projection of the Holy Light Hall's divine kingdom was like a massive sun, emitting a piercing golden light. Within the light, countless Holy Light Angels were arrayed, their silver-white wings blotting out the sky. At the core of the divine kingdom, atop a sanctuary condensed from pure light, stood a young man clad in golden armor and holding a sword of light.

Holy Light Arbiter · Raphael.

His face was handsome yet cold, and his golden pupils held no emotion, only an absolute faith in the 'Holy Light'.

"Xinghai University, Lin Zhou," Raphael's voice echoed in the Void Realm like a tolling bell. "I have studied your 'Way of Civilization.' It is diverse but unrefined, broad but impure. Before the pure Holy Light, it is not worth mentioning."

Lin Zhou was not angered and said calmly, "The Holy Light is indeed pure, but purity also means singularity. The Universe is pluralistic, and so is civilization. A singular 'Holy Light' cannot encompass the diversity of all things."

"Diversity?" Raphael sneered. "Chaotic diversity is inferior to pure Order. The Holy Light is the only Order."

"Then let's put it to the test."

Lin Zhou raised his right hand, and five-colored light converged in his palm.

"Members of Star Sea — Attack!"

The five-colored rings of the Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array suddenly expanded, like five giant dragons pouncing toward the Holy Light Divine Kingdom!

The battle instantly reached a fever pitch.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

The swords of judgment of the Holy Light Angels poured down like a rainstorm, each strike carrying the Light of Purification and dealing massive damage to "non-Holy Light" units.

However, the "Order suppression" and "Innate suppression" of the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] effectively weakened the power of the Holy Light, and with Su Yueyao's lunar purification, the casualties of the Star Sea kin were kept within an acceptable range.

Wang Meng's Behemoth Legion launched a frontal assault, Zhao Hao's Dragon Legion provided aerial cover, Qin Qing's Law Fishmen flanked from the sides, and Li Mo's mechanical beasts were responsible for containment and attrition.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhou sat at the eye of the Formation, using the river of civilization as a Foundation to provide a continuous stream of energy to support the entire Formation.

[Combat Data (Real-time)]

- Holy Light Angel Losses: Approx. 3000 (first five minutes)

- Star Sea Kin Losses: Approx. 1500 (mainly Behemoth + mechanical beasts)

- Holy Light Priests Surviving: 8/12 (4 killed)

- Lin Zhou Divine Power Consumption: Approx. 500 per minute (maintaining the Formation eye)

- Current Divine Power Reserves: 28000/32000

"There are eight priests left!" Wang Meng roared in the command link. "Their resurrection speed is too fast! We just killed one, and another one resurrected three angels!"

"Change tactics." Lin Zhou commanded decisively. "Qin Qing, use the Net of Law to lock onto the positions of all the priests. Zhao Hao, your Dragon Legion should dive from high altitude and concentrate fire to kill the priests. Wang Meng, your Behemoths are responsible for cover, blocking the angels' counterattack."

"Understood!"

Qin Qing gritted her teeth and shrank the Net of Law to a diameter of fifty kilometers, precisely locking onto the coordinates of the eight priests. Pale golden chains of rules wrapped around the priests, restricting their movement and spellcasting.

"Now! Zhao Hao!"

"Dragon Legion—Dive Bombing!"

Twenty dragons dove from high altitude, their Dragon Breath coalescing into a golden pillar of fire that slammed fiercely into one of the priests!

Boom—!!!

The priest's Holy Light shield flickered violently before finally shattering. The Dragon Breath engulfed them, turning them into ashes.

[Holy Light Priest: 8 → 7]

"Continue!"

On the second dive, another priest fell.

The third wave, the fourth wave...

When the number of priests dropped to three, Raphael could finally no longer sit still.

"Holy Light Judgment!"

He raised his light sword, pointing the tip toward the sky. A thick golden pillar of light descended from the heavens, enveloping the entire battlefield!

[Holy Light Judgment · Domain Expansion!]

- Effect: All "non-Holy Light" units within the Domain lose 1% of their health per second and suffer from "Holy Light suppression" (all attributes -20%).

- Coverage: 200 kilometers in diameter.

- Cost: 2000 Divine Power per minute.

- Duration: Until Raphael actively deactivates it or Divine Power is exhausted.

"The Domain has been expanded!" Qin Qing's expression changed. "Our health is dropping!"

"Steady." Lin Zhou said in a deep voice. "Tighten the Formation and use the river of civilization to resist the Holy Light erosion."

He urged the river of civilization, and pale golden river water surged out from the Sanctuary, covering the sky above the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] to form a translucent barrier. The Holy Light landed on the barrier, making "hissing" sounds, but could not penetrate it.

[river of civilization · Holy Light Resistance]

- Effect: The river of civilization can resist the erosion of "Holy Light" and "Divine" type rules.

- Resistance Efficiency: 80% (Holy Light damage reduced by 80%)

- Cost: 1000 Divine Power per minute

"Captain, your Divine Power..." Qin Qing said worriedly.

"I can hold for another twenty minutes." Lin Zhou said calmly. "We must end the battle within twenty minutes."

He raised the [Sword of Civilization] and pointed the tip toward Raphael.

"Wang Meng, Zhao Hao—cover me!"

"Yes!"

The Behemoth Legion and the Dragon Legion launched a charge simultaneously, containing the main force of the Holy Light Angels. Lin Zhou seized the opportunity to rush out of the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array], his figure turning into a streak of light as he lunged straight at Raphael!

"Civilization—Slash!"

The sword light tore through the Void Realm and slashed toward Raphael!

Raphael swung his sword to parry, and the light sword collided with the Sword of Civilization, erupting with blinding light!

[Duel Data]

- Lin Zhou Divine Power: 27000

- Raphael Divine Power: Approx. 350,000 (but consumption is huge)

- Lin Zhou Sword Skill: Sword of Civilization (Hundred Schools Return to Origin)

- Raphael Sword Skill: Holy Light Judgment (Divine Purification)

The two swords met, deadlocked for three seconds.

Lin Zhou was knocked back a hundred meters, the webbing between his thumb and index finger split, and golden divine blood dripped down. But the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Because he saw it—a tiny crack had appeared on Raphael's Holy Light shield.

"Your Holy Light is not perfect."

He swung his sword again!

The second slash, the crack widened!

The third slash, the shield began to crack!

"Impossible!" Raphael's expression changed drastically. "The Holy Light shield, how could it possibly..."

"Because your 'Holy Light' is 'exclusive'." Lin Zhou said, enunciating every word. "Exclusive things are destined to be unable to accommodate 'change'. And civilization is precisely 'change'."

The fourth slash!

The shield—shattered!

The sword light landed on Raphael's shoulder armor, and a gash split the golden armor.

[Raphael · Status]

- Holy Light Shield: Shattered

- Armor Integrity: 87%

- Divine Power Consumption: Accelerated (due to shield shattering)

- Current Status: Shocked, Dao Heart slightly shaken

"You..." Raphael clutched his shoulder, looking at Lin Zhou in disbelief.

"Admit defeat." Lin Zhou said calmly. "Your Holy Light cannot stop civilization."

Raphael was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"No. The Holy Light never admits defeat."

He raised his light sword, pointing the tip toward the sky.

"Holy Light—Final Judgment!"

On the light sword, a thick golden pillar of light like the sun coalesced! The pillar contained all of Raphael's Divine Power and faith, its power comparable to a full-force strike from a Peak Mid-Tier Divine Power!

"Captain, dodge!" Qin Qing exclaimed.

Lin Zhou did not dodge.

He raised the [Sword of Civilization], and five-colored light gathered on the blade once more.

"Hundred Schools Return to Origin—Civilization · Final Slash!"

The two pillars of light collided in the Void Realm!

Boom—!!!

The violent energy impact shattered the Void Realm for a hundred miles around!

The light dissipated.

Lin Zhou knelt on one knee, the [Sword of Civilization] plunged into the ground, supporting his body. Golden divine blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, his Godhead integrity dropped from 82% to 71%, and his Divine Power reserves were less than three thousand.

But, he won.

Because Raphael's light sword had already broken into two pieces.

[Holy Light Sword of Judgment — Broken!]

- Integrity: 0%

- Repair Possibility: Needs to be reforged

- Raphael Status: Divine Power exhausted, Holy Light Divine Kingdom stability dropped by 40%

Raphael looked at the broken sword in his hand and was silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly knelt down, one knee touching the ground.

"I admit defeat."

[Holy Light Hall Academy — Admission of Defeat!]

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

The tournament notification sound echoed in the Void Realm.

Lin Zhou slowly stood up and put away the [Sword of Civilization]. His body was trembling, but his eyes were incredibly bright.

Top Ten.

Xinghai University had historically broken into the Top Ten of the All-Universe Academy Championship.

Preparation space.

When Lin Zhou was supported back to the medical pod by Qin Qing and Wang Meng, the light screen was already exploding with activity.

[All-Universe Academy Championship — Top Ten Born!]

1. Honghuang Academy Main Team

2. Xinghai University (Milky Way Galaxy)

3. Abyss Contractor Academy

4. Elemental Ring Academy

5. Mechanical Divine Domain Main Team

6...

"2nd place!" Wang Meng slapped the table excitedly. "Captain, we are 2nd place!"

Lin Zhou leaned against the head of the medical pod bed, looking at the golden text "Xinghai University (Milky Way Galaxy)" on the light screen, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

2nd place.

A year ago, he wouldn't even have dared to imagine this result.

But now, they had done it.

"Captain, communication from the school." Qin Qing handed over the communicator.

On the light screen, the figure of the Xinghai University principal appeared. The old man had white hair, but he was full of vigor, his eyes full of gratification.

"Lin Zhou, you all did very well." The principal's voice carried irrepressible excitement. "In the three thousand years since Xinghai University was founded, no team has ever entered the Top Ten of the All-Universe Championship. You have created history."

"Principal, you are too kind." Lin Zhou said modestly. "It was everyone's effort."

"No, it was your leadership." The principal shook his head. "I have already proposed to the Board of Trustees to grant you the title of 'Xinghai University Honorary Alumnus' and open all permissions of the Forbidden Library to you. From today on, you can access all the secret treasures accumulated by Xinghai University over three thousand years—including research materials on ancient civilizations, secret methods for Godhead promotion, and some... forbidden knowledge that even I have no authority to ask about."

Lin Zhou's heart shook.

The Forbidden Library.

That was the most mysterious place in Xinghai University, said to house the ultimate secrets about "civilization" and "transcendence" passed down from the Old Universe era.

"Thank you, Principal."

"No need to thank me, this is what you deserve." The principal smiled. "Rest well. We are waiting for your good news in the next round of the competition."

The communication ended.

Lin Zhou leaned against the head of the bed and closed his eyes.

Top Ten.

The Forbidden Library.

And... a more distant future.

He opened his eyes and looked out the window.

In the Void Realm, the stars flickered.

Way of Civilization continues.