423: Chapter 358: Champion's Reward, Divine Crystal and Secret Realm

The lingering heat from the Universal Council speech had not yet dissipated, and Lin Zhou's name had already become the hottest keyword in the entire Universe.

But at this moment, he was sitting in the exclusive lounge prepared for him by Xinghai University, a light screen floating in front of him, displaying an encrypted message—a reward notification from the tournament organizing committee.

[All-Universe Academy Championship · Champion Reward Settlement]

- Winner: Xinghai University Team (Lin Zhou · Captain)

- Reward List:

1. divinity crystal x 10 units

2. [Chaos Star Domain Training Qualification] x 1 (Validity: One year)

3. Opportunity to ask the Universe Will a question x 1 (One-time use)

4. Tournament Honor Points + 1 million

5. Epic Card Pack x 3 (Random)

- Note: The Chaos Star Domain Training Qualification is a special reward, exclusive to the captain of the winning team.

Lin Zhou looked at the text on the light screen, his brows slightly furrowed.

divinity crystal, 10 units. This was one of the most precious rewards. divinity crystal could directly increase the God Rank, and it had no side effects. 10 units were enough to boost his God Rank from LV600 to over LV650.

But what caught his attention more was the second reward—[Chaos Star Domain Training Qualification].

Chaos Star Domain.

These four words represented two extremes in the hearts of all gods in the Universe—the most dangerous land of death, and also the place of the greatest Opportunity.

He pulled up the data, and dense information appeared on the light screen.

[Chaos Star Domain · Archive]

- Location: Edge of the Universe, the junction between the known Universe and the unknown Void Realm

- Range: Unknown (According to detection, at least ten times larger than the known Universe)

- Characteristics:

1. Rule Chaos: Basic rules such as time, space, and Karma are extremely unstable and may collapse or mutate at any time.

2. Energy Riots: The concentration of Chaos energy is extremely high, but it is extremely difficult to tame, and improper absorption will lead to God Rank contamination.

3. Bizarre Creatures: Most native creatures do not have fixed forms, and their attack methods are mainly based on "Rule Erosion."

4. Opportunities Everywhere: Scattered throughout the Chaos Star Domain are countless ruins of ancient civilizations, Innate spiritual objects, and even complete small Universe embryos.

- Danger Level: SSS+ (Highest in the known Universe)

- Entry Conditions: Must obtain "Chaos Star Domain Training Qualification," and God Rank must not be lower than LV500

- Mortality Rate: Approximately 70% (Statistical data from the last thousand years)

"70% mortality rate..." Lin Zhou murmured.

This number was higher than any battle he had ever experienced.

However, high risk meant high reward.

In the Chaos Star Domain, someone had once found a complete Innate supreme treasure, someone had achieved Fusion with a small Universe embryo and directly promoted to Mid-Tier Divine Power, and someone had discovered ruins of an ancient transcendent civilization and obtained a Legacy that surpassed this era.

"What are you looking at?" Qin Qing pushed the door open, and upon seeing the content on the light screen, her expression changed slightly, "Chaos Star Domain? You want to go?"

"Not necessarily." Lin Zhou put away the light screen, "Just getting to know it."

"70% mortality rate." Qin Qing stared at him, "Do you know what this means?"

"I know."

"Then you still..."

"I didn't say I was going." Lin Zhou interrupted her, "Just getting to know it."

Qin Qing looked at him, her eyes full of suspicion. She knew Lin Zhou too well—when he said "getting to know it," he was often already planning it.

"Captain, you just finished the tournament, your God Rank hasn't fully recovered yet. Even if you want to go, you should wait until your injuries are healed."

"I know." Lin Zhou nodded, "So, first, absorb the divinity crystal."

He raised his hand, and ten crystal-clear, diamond-like divinity crystals appeared in his palm. Each one emitted a pure, attribute-less Rule light. They floated in his palm, rotating slowly like ten miniature stars.

[divinity crystal · Status]

- Quantity: 10 units

- Purity: 99.9%

- Effect: Each unit can increase God Rank by 10-20 levels (depending on absorption efficiency)

- Absorption Method: Directly fuse into the God Rank, or absorb after conversion through the Temple of Civilization

- Recommendation: Convert through the Temple of Civilization, can increase absorption efficiency by 30%

Lin Zhou put the divinity crystal into the core of his God Kingdom and placed it in the Temple of Civilization.

The sanctuary sensed the presence of the crystals and vibrated slightly. A tributary branched out from the river of civilization within the hall, wrapping around the ten crystals. The river water washed over the surface of the crystals, stripping away and purifying the residual Impurities—although the purity was already extremely high, there were still trace amounts.

[divinity crystal · Purifying]

- Progress: 10% ... 20% ... 30% ...

- Estimated completion time: About one hour

- Purity after purification: 99.99%

- Absorption efficiency: + 30%

"Wait until the purification is complete before absorbing." Lin Zhou said to Qin Qing.

Qin Qing nodded, not saying anything more.

She knew that she could not change Lin Zhou's decision. She could only support him.

"By the way, did Pan Qian receive the same reward on his side?" Lin Zhou asked.

"Yes." Qin Qing pulled up the data, "Honghuang Academy also received the champion reward, but there is only one [Chaos Star Domain Training Qualification], which was given to Pan Qian."

"Joint champions, but only one qualification?" Lin Zhou frowned.

"Yes." Qin Qing nodded, "Because the entrance to the Chaos Star Domain can only accommodate one person at a time. So, the qualification can only be given to one person. The tournament organizing committee gave the qualification to Pan Qian because Honghuang Academy ranked first (comprehensive score was slightly higher)."

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

"That's fine."

"What's fine?" Qin Qing was confused.

"Pan Qian needs it more than I do." Lin Zhou said, "His Mount Buzhou has collapsed, and he needs a new Opportunity. The Chaos Star Domain might be able to help him find a new direction."

"You're not going?"

"I didn't say I wasn't going." Lin Zhou shook his head, "I just said, he needs it more than I do. But if there is an Opportunity, I will still go."

Qin Qing sighed.

"Captain, you're always like this."

"Like what?"

"Putting others' needs before your own."

Lin Zhou paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Maybe."

One hour later.

The purification of the divinity crystal was complete.

Ten crystals floated in the center of the sanctuary, emitting a pure, transparent light. They no longer looked like diamonds, but like ten drops of solidified morning dew—clear, flawless, and containing not a trace of Impurities.

[divinity crystal · Purification Complete]

- Purity: 99.99%

- Absorption efficiency: + 30%

- Recommended absorption method: Absorb sequentially, with a ten-minute interval between each to avoid God Rank overload

Lin Zhou sat cross-legged in the core of the God Kingdom, his consciousness sinking into the sanctuary.

He raised his hand and took the first crystal.

The crystal felt warm and smooth in his hand, like holding a piece of warm jade.

He pressed the crystal against his brow.

The moment the crystal fused into his God Rank, a stream of cool, pure energy surged into the core of his God Rank. It was not a shock, but—nourishment. Like spring rain moistening things, silent and soundless.

[God Rank · Absorbing divinity crystal (1/10)]

- God Rank: LV600 → LV610

- God Rank Integrity: 70% → 75%

- Divine Power Limit: + 5000

- river of civilization water level: 50% → 52%

"The effect is not bad." Lin Zhou thought to himself.

Ten minutes later, the second one.

[God Rank · Absorbing divinity crystal (2/10)]

- God Rank: LV610 → LV620

- God Rank Integrity: 75% → 80%

- Divine Power Limit: + 5000

- river of civilization water level: 52% → 54%

The third, fourth, fifth...

Each crystal increased his God Rank by about 10 levels, and the integrity of his God Rank was also steadily recovering. When he absorbed the sixth one, the integrity of his God Rank had recovered to 95%, nearly healed.

[God Rank · Absorbing divinity crystal (6/10)]

- God Rank: LV650 → LV660

- God Rank Integrity: 90% → 95%

- Divine Power Limit: + 5000

- river of civilization water level: 60% → 62%

The seventh one.

This time, the absorption took a little longer than before.

Because the God Rank was approaching a critical point—breaking through from the early stage of Mid-Tier Divine Power to the middle stage.

[God Rank · Absorbing divinity crystal (7/10)]

- God Rank: LV660 → LV675

- God Rank Integrity: 95% → 98%

- Divine Power Limit: + 7000 (Breakthrough bonus)

- river of civilization water level: 62% → 65%

- Breakthrough progress: 30%

The eighth one.

[God Rank · Absorbing divinity crystal (8/10)]

- God Rank: LV675 → LV690

- God Rank Integrity: 98% → 100% (Healed)

- Divine Power Limit: + 7000

- river of civilization water level: 65% → 68%

- Breakthrough progress: 60%

The ninth one.

[God Rank · Absorbing divinity crystal (9/10)]

- God Rank: LV690 → LV705

- God Rank Integrity: 100% (Stable)

- Divine Power Limit: + 7000

- river of civilization water level: 68% → 72%

- Breakthrough progress: 90%

The tenth one.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath and pressed the last crystal against his brow.

At the moment the divinity crystal fused, the Godhead shuddered violently!

A powerful, pure energy surged into the core of the Godhead, breaking through the final barrier!

[Godhead · Breakthrough!]

- Godhead Rank: LV705 → LV720 (Mid-Tier Divine Power, Mid-Stage)

- Godhead Integrity: 100% (Stable)

- Divine Power Limit: 200,000 → 300,000

- river of civilization level: 72% → 80%

- New Ability: [Civilization Perception] — Can perceive the existence of all "civilizations" within a diameter of 1,000 kilometers and analyze their level of development.

Lin Zhou opened his eyes, a flash of sharp light crossing them.

LV720. Mid-Tier Divine Power, Mid-Stage.

This Rank had already surpassed Pan Qian (LV580), Elios (LV580), Raphael (LV590), and others. Among the younger generation of the Universe, he was already the undisputed number one.

But, he knew that Rank did not represent everything.

True powerhouses relied on their Dao Heart, their conviction, and their civilization.

He stood up and stretched his muscles.

His Godhead was healed, his Divine Power was abundant, the river of civilization level had recovered, and the Heavenly Pillar was stable.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

"Captain, did you have a Breakthrough?" Qin Qing pushed the door open. Seeing Lin Zhou's state, a flash of pleasant surprise appeared in her eyes.

"Mm. LV720." Lin Zhou nodded.

"That's great!" Qin Qing smiled, a rare expression for her. "So, what are your plans for now?"

Lin Zhou was silent for a moment.

"Rest for a few days first," he said. "Then, go to the Universe Council."

"What are you going to the Council for?"

"To ask a question."

Lin Zhou raised his hand, and a special token appeared in his palm—it was the credential for asking a question to the Will of the Universe.

The token was golden, its surface flowing with countless law runes. In the center of the token, a question mark was engraved.

[Will of the Universe Question Credential]

- Source: All-Universe Academy Championship champion reward

- Effect: Holding this token, one can ask the Will of the Universe a question, which the Will of the Universe must answer (though the answer may be vague)

- Usage: Activate the token in the core area of the Universe Council, and the Will of the Universe will automatically descend

- Number of uses: One

- Note: The question must be chosen carefully; the answer from the Will of the Universe may bring unknown Karma

"What do you want to ask?" Qin Qing asked.

Lin Zhou put away the token and looked out the window.

Outside the window, the starry sky was brilliant.

"I want to ask—where did the Temple of Civilization come from?"

Qin Qing was stunned for a moment.

"The Temple of Civilization? Isn't that yours..."

"It is mine," Lin Zhou interrupted her. "But it is not 'mine.' It comes from a more ancient existence, from a more distant era. I want to know where its source lies."

"Why?"

"Because," Lin Zhou turned his head to look at Qin Qing, "only by knowing the source can one know the destination."

Qin Qing was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"Okay. I'll go with you."

Lin Zhou smiled.

"Thank you."

Three days later.

The core area of the Universe Council.

This was a special Void Realm, without stars, without dust, only pure, non-attributed energy. This was the "hub" of the Universe, a node where laws intertwined, and the place where the Will of the Universe was most likely to descend.

Lin Zhou stood alone in the Void Realm, holding the golden token in his hand.

Qin Qing, Wang Meng, Zhao Hao, Li Mo, Su Yueyao, and others stood in the distance, watching him quietly.

"Captain, be careful." Qin Qing's voice came through the mental link.

"Mm." Lin Zhou nodded.

He took a deep breath and injected his Divine Power into the token.

The token shuddered violently, erupting with blinding golden light!

The golden light shot straight into the depths of the Void Realm, like a golden pillar of light connecting heaven and earth.

[Will of the Universe · Summoning...]

- Token activation: Success

- Summoning range: Entire Universe

- Will of the Universe response: Descending

- Estimated time: About ten seconds

Ten seconds felt like ten years.

Sweat beaded on Lin Zhou's palms.

He had asked himself countless times: Do I really want to ask? The answer might be something he couldn't bear.

But he asked anyway.

Because he needed to know.

Nine, eight, seven...

In the depths of the Void Realm, a massive, formless will was descending.

It was not in human form, not in beast form, not in any form at all.

It was light, it was law, it was existence itself.

[Will of the Universe · Descended!]

- Form: None (Transcending all forms)

- Status: Above great divine power (The Universe itself)

- Communication method: Directly affecting the Soul

- Answer method: Vague, symbolic, requires interpretation

"Ask." The voice of the Will of the Universe resonated within Lin Zhou's Soul.

It was not language, but a direct transmission of meaning.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath and spoke:

"Where did the Temple of Civilization come from?"

The Will of the Universe was silent for a moment.

Then, a scene appeared in Lin Zhou's consciousness.

It was an incredibly ancient era; the Universe had just been born, laws were not yet stable, and Chaos and Order were intertwined.

In the Void Realm, a palace was suspended.

It was not the "Hall of Humanity," but something more ancient, more primitive—the embryonic form of the Temple of Civilization.

The palace was small, consisting of only one room, and inside sat a person.

No, not a person, but a "Transcendent."

He sat in the center of the hall, eyes closed, with countless fragments of civilization flowing around him.

Those fragments did not come from this Universe, but from—the previous Universe.

"This is..." Lin Zhou's eyes widened.

The scene continued.

The Transcendent opened his eyes, looked at this newborn Universe before him, and was silent for a long time.

Then, he stood up and walked out of the palace.

The palace slowly dissipated behind him, turning into countless specks of light that merged into the laws of the new Universe.

And the Transcendent walked into the depths of the Void Realm, toward the Return to Nothingness.

"The Temple of Civilization is the Legacy of the Transcendent," the voice of the Will of the Universe sounded. "He came from the previous Universe and witnessed its end. He created this hall and left his own civilization's Legacy inside. Then, he walked toward the Return to Nothingness, attempting to stop the end, but he failed."

"The hall remained."

"Waiting for the fated person."

The scene dissipated.

Lin Zhou stood where he was, silent for a long time.

"The Transcendent... came from the previous Universe?" He murmured.

"Yes," the Will of the Universe replied.

"Did he... die?"

"He disappeared. It was not death, but merging with the Return to Nothingness, delaying its erosion. But the hall he left behind remains."

"Why choose me?"

"It was not a choice. It was fate. The hall was waiting for you, and you were looking for the hall. You met; that is all."

Lin Zhou was silent.

"Do you have any more questions?" the Will of the Universe asked.

Lin Zhou thought for a moment and shook his head.

"No more. Thank you."

The Will of the Universe did not respond.

It slowly faded away, just as it had come, silently.

[Will of the Universe · Departed.]

- Answer: Provided

- Interpretation: Requires Lin Zhou to understand on his own

- Karma: Unknown

Lin Zhou stood in the Void Realm, watching the direction where the Will of the Universe had disappeared, silent for a long time.

"Captain, are you okay?" Qin Qing's voice came over.

"I'm fine." Lin Zhou turned and walked toward the others. "I just... learned some things."

"What things?"

"The Temple of Civilization comes from a Transcendent of the previous Universe. He created it, then walked toward the Return to Nothingness, attempting to stop the end of the Universe. But he failed. The hall remained, waiting for the fated person."

The others were silent.

"So, are you that fated person?" Wang Meng asked.

"Perhaps," Lin Zhou nodded. "But, I am not the only fated person. The person the hall is waiting for is everyone who is willing to carry on the Legacy of civilization."

He looked into the depths of the Void Realm, where the direction of the Return to Nothingness could be vaguely seen.

"The Transcendent failed. But his hall is still here."

"His civilization is still here."

"We must not let him down."

The others nodded.

Lin Zhou turned and walked toward the council hall.

"Let's go, go back and prepare."

"Prepare for what?"

"Chaos Star Domain."

Qin Qing was stunned: "Are you really going?"

"Yes," Lin Zhou nodded. "The Transcendent came from the previous Universe; his civilization might be hidden in the Chaos Star Domain. I want to find it."

"But, the mortality rate is 70%..."

"That's why I need you to help me."

Lin Zhou looked at the others, his eyes firm.

"Help me survive."

The others looked at each other, then nodded in unison.

"Alright!" Wang Meng patted his chest. "Wherever the Captain goes, I go!"

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

Li Mo's projection flickered: "I will prepare all the mechanisms and equipment."

Su Yueyao's moonlight projection drifted to Lin Zhou's side: "I will accompany you."

Qin Qing looked at Lin Zhou, her eyes full of complexity, but in the end, she also nodded.

"Okay. We will go together."

Lin Zhou smiled.

"Thank you."

He looked into the depths of the Void Realm, where the entrance to the Chaos Star Domain was waiting for him.

Waiting for him to uncover the secrets of the previous Universe.