411: Chapter 346: The War Begins and Ends, the Qiankun Cauldron Suppresses the River of Civilization

Golden refinement light swallowed Lin Zhou's figure.

At that moment, time seemed to freeze.

Qin Qing's eyes widened and her mouth hung open, but she couldn't make a sound. Wang Meng roared and tried to rush forward, but Zhao Hao held him back firmly. Li Mo's projection flickered violently, nearly collapsing. Su Yueyao's Moon-Glow projection trembled abruptly, its silver-white light dimming to the extreme.

The moment Lin Zhou entered the qiankun tripod, the five-colored halo of the [Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] lost its core support and began to shake violently. The Formation's stability plummeted from 89% to 47%. The five-colored lights became chaotic and disordered—the gold of Confucianism, the black of Legalism, the white of Mohism, the cyan of Taoism, and the red of the School of Military. The five colors began to clash and devour one another like an orchestra that had lost its conductor, each playing for itself.

[Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array · Status]

- Stability: 47% (Continuing to drop)

- Core Formation Eye: Missing (Lin Zhou is absent)

- Current Status: On the verge of collapse

- Estimated Time to Complete Collapse: Three minutes

“Captain!” Qin Qing finally managed to cry out, her voice raspy and filled with despair.

No one responded.

At the mouth of the qiankun tripod, the golden refinement light continued to pulse. The Innate runes on the cauldron's surface flowed rapidly, emitting a humming sound like an ancient beast chewing on its prey. The world inside the cauldron was a sea of chaotic gold—no up or down, no left or right, no time, no space. There was only the pure power of "refinement," seeking to strip, decompose, and revert all "Acquired" things.

Lin Zhou floated within this golden Chaos, feeling his body, godhead, divine fire, and even his consciousness being "dismantled" by an irresistible force.

[qiankun tripod · Refinement in Progress]

- Target: Lin Zhou (Godhead LV500, Bearer of Way of Civilization)

- Refinement Progress: 3%... 7%... 12%...

- Refined Content:

- Peripheral Godhead Rules (5% stripped)

- Divine Power Reserves (2,000 points lost)

- Peripheral waters of the river of civilization (3% evaporated)

- Estimated Time to Complete Refinement: Approximately fifteen minutes

“Is this... the power of the qiankun tripod?” Lin Zhou gritted his teeth, feeling his consciousness being "peeled away" bit by bit. It wasn't pain, but something far more terrifying—nothingness. It was as if he were transforming from "existence" into "non-existence," returning from "Acquired" to "Innate."

But he felt no fear.

Because he knew that the river of civilization was still there.

The river surged within his Divine Kingdom. Though the peripheral waters had evaporated, the core waters—the purest parts carrying five thousand years of civilization's memories—continued to flow, as immovable as a mountain.

[river of civilization · Status (Inside Cauldron)]

- Water Level: 58% (Dropped to 52%)

- Core Area Integrity: 100% (Unaffected)

- Fire of Civilization: Still burning

- Current Confrontation Status: Resisting "Innate" refinement with "Acquired" attributes

“The qiankun tripod can refine the 'Innate,' but it cannot refine the 'Acquired,'” Lin Zhou chanted in his mind. “Because the 'Acquired' has no 'Origin' to return to. The 'Origin' of civilization is 'People,' it is 'Legacy,' it is 'Change.' These things did not exist 'Innately'; they were created by 'Human' effort.”

His consciousness sank into the core of the river of civilization.

Within the river, countless fragments of civilization flowed—Great Yu Taming the Floods, Confucius traveling the states, Qu Yuan's poetic laments, Su Wu herding sheep, Wen Tianxiang passing through Lingdingyang... Every fragment was an "Acquired" creation, a mark of "Humanity."

“qiankun tripod, you want to refine me? Then try and see if you can refine five thousand years!”

Lin Zhou snapped his eyes open, a brilliant white Fire of Civilization burning within them!

He raised his right hand, fingers splayed, aiming at the refinement light at the cauldron's mouth.

“river of civilization—Surge for me!”

BOOM—!!!

The phantom of the river of civilization behind him suddenly expanded! The water was no longer a gentle flow but a torrential flood breaking through a dam, madly pouring out of his Divine Kingdom, out of his body, and toward every corner of the qiankun tripod!

The golden refinement light and the pale-gold river of civilization collided violently inside the cauldron!

Sizzle—!!!

Like cold water poured into boiling oil, the space inside the cauldron shook violently! The refinement light tried to "revert" the river into Innate Spiritual Qi, but every drop of the river's water contained countless "Acquired" memories, beliefs, and legacies—these things had no Innate Origin to return to, because they were the "Origin" themselves!

[river of civilization · Confronting qiankun tripod]

- Refinement Speed: Dropped significantly (From 3% per second to 0.5% per second)

- river of civilization Evaporation Speed: Slowed

- qiankun tripod Load: Rising (Cauldron runes beginning to flicker unstably)

- Current Status: Stalemate

Outside the cauldron.

Pan Qian's expression changed for the first time.

He could feel that the qiankun tripod's refinement process was being blocked by a powerful "Acquired" force. That force wasn't brute strength, but a kind of—conviction. It was the faith and persistence in "Civilization" accumulated over countless generations.

“Is this... the river of civilization?” Pan Qian murmured, a hint of gravity flashing in his eyes.

He raised his hand and pressed it against the qiankun tripod, injecting more Divine Power into it.

[qiankun tripod · Power Increase]

- Divine Power Injection: +2,000 per minute

- Refinement Speed: Recovered to 0.8% per second

- Cauldron Runes: Stabilized

Inside the cauldron, Lin Zhou felt the pressure surge.

His godhead integrity began to drop slowly (82% → 80%), his Divine Power reserves were being consumed rapidly (28,000 → 25,000), and the water level of the river of civilization was also falling (52% → 49%).

But he did not back down.

Because he knew that every second he held out inside the cauldron was another second of preparation time for his teammates outside.

“Qin Qing...” Lin Zhou thought silently, “I'm counting on you all.”

Outside the cauldron.

Qin Qing took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the panic in her heart.

“The Captain is still alive.” She stared at the qiankun tripod. On its surface, the pale-gold light of the river of civilization and the golden refinement light were clashing fiercely. From time to time, river water overflowed from the cauldron's mouth—a sign of the river's counterattack. “He's buying time for us.”

She turned to face the group: “Everyone, follow my lead!”

“Qin Qing, you...” Wang Meng was stunned for a moment.

“The Captain is absent; I am the acting commander.” Qin Qing's voice regained its usual cool and firm tone. “Li Mo, report the Formation status.”

Li Mo's projection scanned rapidly: “[Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array] stability is at 42% and still dropping. The core Formation eye is missing, and the five-colored halo cannot be maintained. Recommendation—abandon the five-colored halo and contract into a single-color defensive Formation.”

“Abandon the five-colored halo?” Zhao Hao frowned. “Our combat power will be significantly reduced.”

“It's better than the Formation collapsing,” Qin Qing said decisively. “Contract into the 'Legalism' single-color Formation. The Legalist 'Net of Law' has the highest resistance against rule-based attacks. It's the most suitable for defense.”

“Understood.” Li Mo immediately adjusted the Formation.

The five-colored halo slowly dissipated, replaced by a pale-gold [Net of Law]. A web of rule-chains covered the sky above the Star Sea Divine Kingdom projection, forming a tight defensive barrier.

[Hundred Schools Myriad Phenomena Array · Single-Color Mode (Legalism)]

- Type: Defensive

- Property: [Net of Law]—Defense +50%, Rule Resistance +30%

- Coverage: 80km diameter

- Stability: 58% (Recovering)

- Current Status: Stable

“Wang Meng, Zhao Hao,” Qin Qing continued her orders. “Your task is to protect the Formation. Do not let anyone get near the qiankun tripod.”

“We're not attacking?” Wang Meng asked.

“No.” Qin Qing shook her head. “The Captain is inside the cauldron, and we don't know his status. Attacking blindly might interfere with his plan.”

“So we just wait like this?” Zhao Hao was unwilling.

“It's not just waiting.” Qin Qing looked at the qiankun tripod. “It's—waiting for the Captain to come out.”

She believed in Lin Zhou.

Just as Lin Zhou believed in the river of civilization.

Inside the cauldron.

The confrontation between Lin Zhou and the qiankun tripod had reached a fever pitch.

His godhead integrity had dropped to 75%, his Divine Power reserves were down to 18,000, and the river of civilization's water level had fallen to 45%. But his gaze remained steadfast.

Because he had discovered a secret of the qiankun tripod—

The refinement light inside the cauldron was not infinite.

Every refinement consumed the "Innate Origin" within the cauldron's runes. Once the "Innate Origin" was depleted to a certain level, the cauldron's refinement speed would drop significantly.

[qiankun tripod · Status (Lin Zhou's Perception)]

- Innate Origin: Approximately 70% remaining (Continuing to be consumed)

- Refinement Speed: Currently 0.8% per second, will drop as Origin is consumed

- Estimated Time to Complete Depletion: Approximately twelve minutes (If current power is maintained)

“Twelve minutes...” Lin Zhou calculated. “My Divine Power can hold out for eight minutes. If the cauldron's Origin isn't exhausted after eight minutes...”

He didn't let himself finish that thought.

Because he believed eight minutes would be enough.

“river of civilization—give me more power!”

He suddenly activated his godhead, pouring all his remaining Divine Power into the river!

The water surged again, overflowing from the cauldron's mouth and flooding every corner of the qiankun tripod!

The runes on the cauldron's body began to flicker unstably.

Pan Qian's face finally changed.

He felt the qiankun tripod's refinement process being "reverse-eroded" by the river of civilization. The "Acquired" power within the river was polluting the "Innate" rules inside the cauldron, making the refinement light no longer pure.

[qiankun tripod · Status Update]

- Innate Origin: 65%

- Refinement Speed: Dropped to 0.6% per second

- Rune Stability: 92% (Beginning to drop)

“How is this possible...” Pan Qian gritted his teeth and injected even more Divine Power into the cauldron.

But this time, the effect was negligible.

Because the river of civilization had already permeated every corner of the cauldron's interior. The flowing waters were not only resisting refinement but were starting to "assimilate" the Innate rules within—transforming "Innate" into "Acquired," and "purity" into "plurality."

[river of civilization · Reverse Erosion]

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

- Effect: Corrupting "Innate" rules with the power of the "Acquired."

- Progress: 5%... 8%... 12%...

- Estimated time for complete assimilation: about twenty minutes (if sustained).

"This is impossible!" Pan Qian finally lost his composure. "The qiankun tripod is a replica of an Innate supreme treasure; how could it be corrupted by the power of the 'Acquired'?"

"Because the power of civilization transcends the 'Innate'." Lin Zhou's voice came from within the cauldron, calm yet firm. "The 'Innate' is the starting point, while the 'Acquired' is the process. The Universe was born from Chaos and moved from disorder to order—this itself is the process of the 'Acquired.' The qiankun tripod can refine the 'Innate,' but it cannot refine the 'Acquired' because the 'Acquired' has no Origin to return to."

"The 'Origin' of civilization is 'people,' is 'Legacy,' is 'change.' These things do not exist innately; they are created by people. No matter how strong the qiankun tripod is, it cannot refine the 'human heart'."

His words struck Pan Qian's heart like the morning bell and evening drum.

Pan Qian's divine fire flickered slightly.

[Pan Qian · Dao Heart Status]

- Stability: 95% (starting to drop)

- Doubt Index: +5%

- Current Status: Slightly shaken

"The human heart..." Pan Qian murmured.

He recalled his original intention for Cultivating the "Dao of the Innate"—to pursue purity, to pursue the Origin, and to pursue the "Innate" that transcends time.

But, does a pure "Innate" truly exist?

The Universe was born from Chaos; is Chaos itself the "Innate"?

Or is it that the "Innate" is merely the starting point of the "Acquired," and the "Acquired" is the true direction of the Universe?

The first crack appeared in his Dao Heart.

[qiankun tripod · Status]

- Innate Origin: 60%

- Refining Speed: Dropped to 0.5% per second

- Rune Stability: 88%

- river of civilization reverse erosion progress: 15%

Inside the cauldron, Lin Zhou sensed the wavering of Pan Qian's Dao Heart.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Captain Pan Qian, your 'Dao of the Innate' is indeed powerful. But have you ever thought—what comes after the 'Innate'?"

Pan Qian was silent.

"It is the 'Acquired'." Lin Zhou answered himself. "The 'Innate' is the seed, and the 'Acquired' is the tree. No matter how pure a seed is, it is only the starting point. Although a tree is complex, it can bloom and bear fruit, and it can propagate its Legacy. Civilization is this tree."

"Your qiankun tripod can refine the seed, but it cannot refine the tree. Because the roots of the tree are planted in the 'human heart'."

He raised his hand, splayed his fingers, and aimed at the refining light at the mouth of the cauldron.

"river of civilization—final strike!"

The river water surged violently, like a dam bursting, gushing out from the mouth of the cauldron!

The golden light of refinement was dispersed by the pale golden river water!

The runes on the body of the cauldron flickered violently, and then—dimmed by more than half!

[qiankun tripod · Status]

- Innate Origin: 50%

- Refining Speed: Dropped to 0.3% per second

- Rune Stability: 75%

- river of civilization reverse erosion progress: 25%

- Current Status: Stalemate, but the scales are tipping

Pan Qian's expression changed completely.

He felt that the refining power of the qiankun tripod was being "suppressed" by the river of civilization. It was not a suppression of power, but a suppression at the level of rules—the "Acquired" attribute of the river of civilization was negating the "Innate" refining logic of the qiankun tripod.

"This... how is it possible..." he murmured.

But the facts were right before his eyes.

Pale golden river water continuously overflowed from the mouth of the qiankun tripod, while the light of refinement had been compressed into a small area inside the cauldron.

Lin Zhou's figure slowly emerged from the river water.

His Divine Spark integrity had dropped to 70%, his Divine Power reserve was only eight thousand, and the water level of the river of civilization had fallen to 40%. Yet, his eyes remained bright.

"Captain Pan Qian, your qiankun tripod cannot trap me."

He stepped out of the cauldron's mouth, suspended in the Void Realm, with the surging river of civilization behind him.

Pan Qian looked at Lin Zhou and was silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly retracted the qiankun tripod.

"Lin Zhou, you have won this round." His voice was calm, yet carried a hint of imperceptible fatigue. "But the match is not over yet."

He raised his hand and pointed toward Mount Buzhou.

"Next, let me show you—the true power of the 'Innate'."

The body of Mount Buzhou shook violently!

The Innate runes on the surface of the mountain lit up simultaneously, erupting with blinding golden light!

The entire mountain began to topple—in the direction of the Star Sea Divine Kingdom projection!

[Mount Buzhou · Attack Form — Heaven Collapse!]

- Effect: Using the main body of Mount Buzhou as a weapon, it topples onto the target, causing a "world-shattering" level of dual physical and rule-based damage.

- Power: Equivalent to 5% of a full strike of Great Divine Power (LV5000).

- Coverage: 1,000 kilometers in diameter.

- Consumption: 50% energy reserve of the Mount Buzhou projection.

"Dodge!" Qin Qing's expression changed drastically.

But it was too late.

The speed at which Mount Buzhou toppled seemed slow, but in reality, it was as fast as lightning. The entire mountain, like a giant pillar supporting heaven and earth breaking, bore down on the Star Sea Divine Kingdom projection with the irresistible force of "Heaven Collapse"!

The Void Realm was collapsing, rules were shattering, and even time seemed to have frozen.

Lin Zhou watched the toppling Mount Buzhou, his eyes devoid of fear, filled only with—resolve.

"Mount Buzhou is the pillar of heaven, supporting heaven and earth," he murmured. "But after the pillar of heaven breaks, there are still 'people' who can support it."

He raised his hand, splayed his fingers, and aimed at the toppling Mount Buzhou.

"river of civilization—become the pillar of heaven!"

The river water suddenly contracted, turning from a surging torrent into a thick, pale golden beam of light shooting straight into the sky!

Carved onto the beam of light was the epic of the Human Race, from drilling wood for fire to the Hundred Schools of Thought Contending, from bronze wares to spacecraft, from oracle bone script to quantum computers.

That was—[Pillar of Civilization]!

"Hold!"

The beam of light and Mount Buzhou collided in the Void Realm!

Boom—!!!

The violent energy impact blasted the Void Realm within a thousand miles into pieces!

Space was torn into countless black rifts, from which the aura of Chaos surged. The rules of time were twisted, the chains of Karma snapped, and even the distant spectator stands were affected, with countless spectators blown away by the shockwave.

[Pillar of Civilization vs Mount Buzhou]

- Pillar of Civilization height: 100,000 kilometers (same height as Mount Buzhou)

- Mount Buzhou toppling speed: Slowed

- Pillar of Civilization stability: 87%

- Current Status: Stalemate

Lin Zhou gritted his teeth and poured all his remaining Divine Power into the Pillar of Civilization.

His Divine Spark integrity dropped from 70% to 65%, his Divine Power reserve dropped from eight thousand to three thousand, and the water level of the river of civilization dropped from 40% to 35%.

But the Pillar of Civilization did not fall.

"Captain Pan Qian, your Mount Buzhou cannot support heaven." Lin Zhou's voice was hoarse, yet firm. "Because what supports heaven and earth is not a mountain, but 'people'."

"People are the heart of heaven and earth."

His words exploded in Pan Qian's mind like thunder.

Pan Qian's Dao Heart wavered once more.

[Pan Qian · Dao Heart Status]

- Stability: 90%

- Doubt Index: +10%

- Current Status: Shaking intensified

The toppling speed of Mount Buzhou slowed down again.

The light of the Pillar of Civilization, however, grew brighter and brighter.

Because, in the river of civilization behind Lin Zhou, the phantoms of countless sages were emerging one by one—Dayu, Confucius, Mencius, Mozi, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Han Fei, Qu Yuan, Wen Tianxiang...

They recited classics in unison, their voices shaking the Universe.

"As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, the gentleman must unceasingly strive for self-improvement!"

"The people are the most important; the state comes second; the ruler is the least!"

"Universal love and mutual benefit!"

"Tao Follows Nature!"

"Since ancient times, death has visited everyone; let a loyal heart shine in the annals of history!"

Each voice was like a hammer, striking against the body of Mount Buzhou.

Cracks began to appear on the runes of Mount Buzhou.

Pan Qian's expression changed completely.

He felt that the "Heaven Collapse" power of Mount Buzhou was being disintegrated by the "human heart" power of the Pillar of Civilization.

It was not a disintegration of power, but a disintegration at the level of rules—the Pillar of Civilization had proven that "people" could replace "heaven" and become a new pillar.

"So... this is the power of civilization," Pan Qian murmured.

He slowly retracted Mount Buzhou.

The toppling mountain body stood upright again.

"Lin Zhou, I concede."

[Honghuang Academy Main Team — Concede!]

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

The competition's notification sound echoed in the Void Realm.

Lin Zhou slowly descended, the Pillar of Civilization dissipated, turning back into the river of civilization and returning to his Divine Kingdom.

His body was trembling, his Divine Spark integrity was only 65%, his Divine Power reserve had hit zero, and the water level of the river of civilization had fallen to 35%.

Yet, his eyes remained bright.

"We won," he said softly.

Qin Qing rushed over and supported him: "Captain, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Lin Zhou smiled, "just a little tired."

Wang Meng, Zhao Hao, Li Mo, and Su Yueyao also gathered around.

"Captain, you're too fierce!" Wang Meng said excitedly. "Even the qiankun tripod couldn't trap you!"

"It's not that it couldn't trap me; it's that it didn't want to," Lin Zhou shook his head. "Captain Pan Qian has actually been holding back all along. If he had truly used his full power to drive the qiankun tripod, I might not have lasted five minutes."

"Then why did he..."

"Because he wanted to see how far the 'Way of Civilization' could actually go." Lin Zhou looked into the distance, where Pan Qian was retracting the Mount Buzhou projection. "He is a respectable opponent."

Pan Qian seemed to sense Lin Zhou's gaze; he raised his head and looked at him from afar.

Then, he nodded slightly.

That was the respect of one opponent for another.

Lin Zhou also nodded in response.

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

On the light screen, the golden text shone brilliantly.

And Lin Zhou, leaning on Qin Qing's shoulder, closed his eyes.

Not unconsciousness, just rest.

Because he knew that the road ahead was still very long.