420: Chapter 355: The Holy Temple Manifests, the Primordial Captain Retreats in Shock

The colorful light of the Civilization Pillar slowly flowed within the Void Realm.

The hollow hole that had pierced through the pillar’s body was now ninety percent repaired, filled by the willpower of ordinary people. Although the remaining ten percent still existed, the light shining from within—warm, soft, and like the morning dawn—was bit by bit devouring the final gap. The Civilization Pillar was breathing; with every breath, the hole shrank an inch, and with every heartbeat, a crack in the pillar's body healed.

[Civilization Pillar · Self-Healing Progress]

- Penetrating Wound Repair: 92%... 94%... 96%...

- Crack Coverage: 40%... 35%... 30%...

- Stability: 65%... 68%... 72%...

Lin Zhou hovered beside the Civilization Pillar, his hands having already left its surface. His face remained pale, and the cracks on his Godhead were still there, but they were no longer expanding. His Dao Heart stability had risen from 30% back to 70%, his Godhead integrity had recovered from 28% to 55%, and the water level of the river of civilization had risen from 10% to 35%.

His Breakthrough was still continuing.

However, it wasn't his Godhead Rank that was breaking through, but rather—his understanding of "Civilization."

“Civilization is people,” he murmured, his eyes reflecting the phantoms of ordinary people upon the Civilization Pillar.

Farmers, craftsmen, soldiers, mothers, children... they were silent and invisible, yet they were everywhere. They were not powerful, yet they propped up the heavens. They were not eternal, yet they left behind a Legacy.

“So, this is the answer I have been searching for all along.”

At this moment, his consciousness achieved an unprecedented resonance with the Temple of Civilization.

It wasn't that he was drawing power from the sanctuary; rather, the sanctuary was responding to his understanding.

Buzz—!!!

From deep within the Void Realm came a low hum, like that of an ancient chime.

It did not come from a single direction, but from all sides, from every dimension, and from the very bottom layer of the rules. The sound was deep and distant, as if it had crossed countless eras, arriving from the very source of civilization.

Lin Zhou looked up into the depths of the Void Realm.

Something there was "descending."

It didn't fall from the sky, nor did it rise from the ground; instead, it emerged from the bedrock of "existence." Like an iceberg slowly surfacing from beneath the sea, or the truth gradually revealing itself from behind a canvas.

[Warning! High-tier existence manifestation detected!]

- Source: Unknown (Transcends current battlefield rules)

- Tier: Above great divine power (Estimated LV8000+)

- Manifestation Form: Architectural Projection

- Area of Influence: Entire battlefield (10,000 km diameter)

Pan Qian felt it too.

He whipped his head around, looking at the silhouette emerging in the Void Realm. His pupils contracted to their limit, and the Innate Bloodline within him boiled frantically, even more violently than when he had seen the words "Huaxia." It wasn't resonance, but—awe.

“This... what is this?” His voice was hoarse, carrying a tremor he had never felt before.

In the Void Realm, a majestic palace was slowly taking shape.

It wasn't a projection or an illusion, but—the actual entity.

The base of the palace was built from countless transparent, crystal-like bricks. Every single brick was engraved with a name. Not the names of heroes, nor the names of ancient sages, but—the names of ordinary people.

Farmers, craftsmen, soldiers, mothers, children...

The names were densely packed, extending from the base all the way to the palace gates, and from the gates to the flying eaves. They were beyond counting or calculating, as if the names of every person in the entire Universe were engraved upon it.

The pillars of the palace were cast from bronze. Upon the pillars were relief carvings—not of War or conquest, but of life. A mother nursing, a father tilling the soil, a child running, an old man smiling. There was no grand spectacle, only the mundane day-to-day.

The flying eaves of the palace were carved from white jade. Wind chimes hung from the corners, swaying silently in the Void Realm, yet producing a sound that only the Soul could hear—it was the laughter, cries, sighs, and calls of countless people, interwoven into a symphony that transcended time and space.

And upon the lintel of the palace, two Great Dao characters were engraved.

It wasn't "Huaxia," but—"Humanity."

A single word, yet it contained everyone.

[Temple of Civilization Entity — Manifested!]

- Name: Temple of Civilization (True Name: Hall of Humanity)

- Tier: Above great divine power (Transcends current Universe rules)

- Form: Majestic palace, unfathomably high, immeasurably wide

- Lintel Inscription: Humanity (Great Dao script, Origin of Civilization)

- Reason for Manifestation: Lin Zhou's Dao Heart Breakthrough, realization that "Civilization is People"

- Manifestation Range: Entire battlefield (Visible to all participants, spectators, and referees)

- Duration: Unknown (First manifestation, unstable)

The moment the palace fully manifested, the entire battlefield fell silent.

It wasn't the silence of sound, but a silence at the level of rules—all energy fluctuations, the flow of rules, and the passage of time seemed to be "stilled" by this palace. It wasn't suppression or negation, but—inclusion.

Like the ocean accommodating a hundred rivers, or the sky embracing the stars.

[Battlefield Status · Abnormal]

- Energy Fluctuations: Dropped to 0 (All offensive skills cannot be released)

- Rule Flow: Stagnant (All rule-based effects temporarily disabled)

- Passage of Time: Normal (Only perception is affected)

- All Existences: Under "Civilization Protection" (Cannot attack one another)

Pan Qian's body froze.

Not because he was under attack, but because—he could not attack.

His Godhead, Divine Fire, and Dao Heart were all telling him: battle is not permitted here.

Because this place was "Home."

No one fights inside their own home.

“This... how is this possible?” Pan Qian murmured, trying to mobilize his Divine Power, but his Divine Power was like a stone dropped into the ocean, yielding no response.

He looked at Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou was also looking at him, his gaze calm.

“Captain Pan Qian, one cannot fight here.”

“Why?”

“Because this is the ‘Hall of Humanity.’ It is the final destination for everyone—including you, and including me. In one's destination, there are no enemies.”

Pan Qian fell silent.

He looked at that majestic palace, at the densely packed names on the base. He tried to find his own name among them—not "Pan Qian," but the name from before his Reincarnation, his true name among the Innate Human Race of the primordial era.

He found it.

It wasn't carved on the base, but on a pillar beside the palace gate. The name wasn't large, yet it was clearly visible—"Pan."

That was his name during his first Reincarnation.

“My name... why is it on there?” His voice trembled.

“Because you, too, are human,” Lin Zhou’s voice came from the distance. “Whether you are Innate or Acquired, whether you are a deity or a Mortal, as long as you have once lived, loved, and strived, your name will be carved upon it.”

“This is the Temple of Civilization—it records the existence of all ‘Humanity.’”

Pan Qian’s eyes turned slightly red.

He had Cultivated the Innate Dao for hundreds of years, pursuing purity, solidity, and the unshakeable. He had thought this was the end of the "Dao." But today, when he saw this palace, he suddenly understood.

What he had been pursuing was never the "Dao."

It was—to be remembered.

To be remembered by civilization, remembered by history, and remembered by posterity.

“So, what I have been looking for all along was this.”

His knees buckled slightly.

Not because he was going to kneel, but because—he could no longer stand.

Not because of weakness, but because—he was moved.

Hundreds of years of persistence, hundreds of years of loneliness, hundreds of years of the "Innate Dao"... in this moment, all were embraced by this palace.

“Can I... can I go in and take a look?” His voice was hoarse.

Lin Zhou was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“You can. But, only you alone.”

Pan Qian took a deep breath and walked toward the palace.

His steps were slow, yet very firm.

Every step was taken in the Void Realm, yet it felt as if he were stepping on solid ground. Because, in the Void Realm, there were countless invisible hands supporting his feet.

Those were the hands of ordinary people.

They were silent and invisible, yet everywhere.

Pan Qian reached the palace gates, raised his hand, and gently pushed.

The door was not locked.

The door opened.

Inside the gates, there was no golden splendor, no lingering Immortal Qi, only—light.

A warm, soft light, like the morning dawn.

Within the light stood countless people.

They were not phantoms, but—real existences.

They had flesh and blood, laughter and tears, and warmth.

They looked at Pan Qian, their gazes holding no awe or worship, only—welcome.

“You've come,” a farmer said.

“You've worked hard,” a craftsman said.

“You're tired,” a soldier said.

“Come home,” a mother said.

Pan Qian's tears finally fell.

He had Cultivated the Innate Dao for hundreds of years and had never cried. Because "Innate" did not need tears. But at this moment, he wept.

Not out of sorrow, but—release.

“I'm back.”

He stepped through the palace gates.

The moment his foot touched the ground, the palace shook violently!

The character for "Humanity" on the lintel erupted with blinding light!

The light pierced through the palace gates, through the Void Realm, through the entire battlefield, and illuminated every corner of the Universe!

[Temple of Civilization · Resonance!]

- Resonance Subject: Pan Qian (Reincarnation of the Primordial Innate Human Race)

- Reason for Resonance: Pan Qian accepts his identity as "Human"

- Resonance Effect: Pan Qian's Dao Heart stability +30% (45%→75%), Godhead Rank stops falling and begins to slowly recover

- Sanctuary Status: Stable (Following its first manifestation, it has stabilized due to resonance)

Outside the battlefield, the Divine Thoughts of the referee panel were exchanging frantically.

“The entity of the Temple of Civilization has manifested!”

“This is a Universe-level event!”

“It must be recorded! It must be reported!”

“The match... can it still continue?”

No one could answer.

Because at this moment, the entire battlefield was under the shroud of the sanctuary.

No one could attack, no one could resist, and no one could refuse.

Because this place was "Home."

Inside the hall.

Pan Qian stood in the light, looking at those ordinary people, silent for a long time.

“Who... are you all?” he finally spoke.

“We are your family,” a mother replied.

“Family?”

“Yes,” the mother nodded. “You have reincarnated countless times, and every time, you had a family. We are the collection of all your families.”

“They... are all here?”

“All here.” The mother pointed to the people in the light. “Your father, your mother, your siblings, your wife, your children... they are all here.”

Pan Qian's tears flowed once more.

He saw them.

Those people he had once loved, lost, and forgotten across his countless Reincarnations.

They were all here.

“I'm sorry... I forgot you all,” he said in a low voice.

“It’s okay,” the mother smiled. “We remember you.”

Pan Qian knelt down.

Not to worship, but to—embrace.

He hugged that mother, feeling her warmth.

It wasn't a phantom, but a real, warm, living person.

“I... won't leave,” he said.

“No,” the mother shook her head. “You still have a mission.”

“A mission?”

“Yes.” The mother pointed outside the palace gates. “Outside, there are still many people who need you. Your teammates, your opponents, your civilization... they are all waiting for you.”

Pan Qian looked up, toward the outside of the palace gates.

There, Lin Zhou was still hovering by the Civilization Pillar, watching him.

His gaze was calm, yet filled with expectation.

“He is waiting for me too?”

“Yes,” the mother nodded. “He is waiting for you to return.”

Pan Qian was silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly stood up.

“I understand.”

He turned and walked toward the palace gates.

His steps were even firmer than when he had arrived.

Because he knew he was no longer alone.

Behind him were countless family members.

Before him were countless people who needed him.

He stepped out of the palace gates.

The moment his foot touched the ground, the palace slowly faded away.

It didn't disappear, but—returned to nothingness.

Because its mission had been completed.

It had allowed a wanderer who had been lost for hundreds of years to find his home.

[Temple of Civilization · Status]

- Manifestation: Ended

- Duration: Approximately three minutes

- Impact: Pan Qian's Dao Heart repaired, Lin Zhou's Dao Heart stabilized, both parties unable to continue fighting

Pan Qian stood in the Void Realm, looking at Lin Zhou.

In his eyes, there was no more confusion or exhaustion, only—determination.

“Lin Zhou, thank you.”

“No need for thanks,” Lin Zhou smiled. “You simply found yourself.”

Pan Qian nodded.

“The match... shall it continue?”

Lin Zhou shook his head: “No more. It's a draw.”

“A draw?”

“Yes.” Lin Zhou pointed to his own Divine Kingdom. “My injuries haven't healed yet, and your Dao Heart has only just been repaired. Continuing to fight serves no purpose.”

“Furthermore...” He looked at the fading afterglow of the sanctuary in the Void Realm. “This place is not suited for battle.”

Pan Qian was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“Fine. A draw.”

[Referee Panel · Final Ruling]

- Result: Honghuang Academy Main Team vs. Xinghai University Team — Draw

- Reason: Both parties are in conditions unsuitable for continued combat, and uncontrollable factors appeared on the battlefield

- Follow-up: Both parties are tied for champion, sharing the honor

The tournament's notification sound echoed through the Void Realm.

Pan Qian looked at Lin Zhou and suddenly smiled.

“Lin Zhou, I am convinced by your Way of Civilization.”

“It's not that you're convinced, it's that you understand,” Lin Zhou corrected.

“Understand what?”

“Understand that—Innate and Acquired are originally one. ‘Humanity’ is the root.”

Pan Qian was stunned for a moment, then his smile deepened.

“Perhaps you are right.”

He reached out his hand.

Lin Zhou grasped it.

The two men’s hands gripped tightly in the Void Realm.

Not as opponents, but as—Fellow Daoists.

“Until we meet again,” Pan Qian said.

“Until we meet again,” Lin Zhou nodded.

Pan Qian turned and, leading the members of Honghuang Academy, disappeared into the Void Realm.

This time, his back no longer looked lonely.

Because behind him were countless family members.

Lin Zhou hovered in the Void Realm, watching the direction where Pan Qian had disappeared, silent for a long time.

“Captain, we should head back too.” Qin Qing floated over.

“Mm.”

A white light flashed, and the entire Xinghai University Team was teleported back to the preparation space.

The lights of the medical bay were bright and warm.

Lin Zhou leaned against the headboard, holding the mount buzhou core fragment in his hand.

The fragment was no longer dark gold, nor was it transparent; it was—colorless.

Because it had been assimilated by the power of "Humanity."

[mount buzhou core fragment · Status Update]

- Color: Colorless (Formerly Dark Gold → Transparent → Colorless)

- Contained Rules: Innate "Supporting the Heavens" Dao + Acquired "Passing the Torch" Dao + "Humanity" Origin

- New Attribute: [Hall of Humanity] — Can be merged into the Civilization Pillar, granting it the ability to "Record All Humanity."

Lin Zhou merged the fragment into the Civilization Pillar.

The Civilization Pillar shook, and upon its body, countless names began to emerge.

Not the names of heroes, nor the names of ancient sages, but—the names of all people.

Farmers, craftsmen, soldiers, mothers, children...

Every name represented a person who had once lived, loved, and strived.

Every name was glowing.

[Civilization Pillar · Status Update]

- Height: 50,000 kilometers

- Pillar Body: Countless names emerging (Continually increasing)

- New Trait: [Record of Humanity] — The pillar will record the existence of all "Humanity," whether or not they are remembered by others

- Current Recorded Count: Approximately one billion (Continually growing)

Lin Zhou looked at those names, the corners of his mouth turning slightly upward.