428: Chapter 363: Recruiting Former Members, Gathering of Key Members of the Hundred Schools of Thought

The morning at the Steel Bastion still lacked sunlight.

The grayish-white light pouring from the Chaos Rift enveloped the entire fortress in a dead, pale silence.

On the ramparts, patrols changed shift after shift, everyone wrapped in heavy Talisman armor, their eyes behind the faceplates vigilant yet exhausted.

But today, there was a hint of anticipation in their gazes—the new Legion Commander was recruiting his old comrades.

The news had spread three days ago.

Lin Zhou had sent a recruitment letter to all graduated core members of the Hundred Schools Society through an encrypted channel.

The letter was short, only a few sentences: "The Steel Bastion needs you. The Way of Civilization needs you. I am waiting for you at the front line. — Lin Zhou."

No flowery language, no grand appeals, just the simplest statement.

But it was this simplicity that left everyone who received the letter silent.

They remembered their four years at university, the days and nights they fought together, and the words Lin Zhou said when he stood on the podium: "The Way of Civilization needs every single person."

Three days later, the teleportation array at the Steel Bastion began to flicker.

The first batch to arrive were the core members of the War Hall from the Hundred Schools Society.

The leader was a two-meter-tall, burly man named Tie Xiong.

His Domain was [Iron Giant], his kin was [Iron Rock Giant], specializing in defense and frontal assault.

Back in the Academy Championship, he led the Giant Legion to hold off the opponent's main force, buying precious time for Lin Zhou's counterattack.

[Tie Xiong · Personal Data]

- God Rank: LV320 (Lesser Divinity High Tier)

- Domain: Steel Divine Kingdom

- Core Kin: Iron Rock Giant (LV55 - LV65, Trait: High Defense, High Toughness, innate "Steel Will" immune to mental attacks)

- Talent: [Steel Bastion] — After activation, friendly forces within range get +50% defense, lasting ten minutes

- Former Position in Hundred Schools Society: War Hall Vice Hall Master

"Legion Commander!" Tie Xiong strode to Lin Zhou, saluted with a slightly non-standard salute, "Tie Xiong, leading 120 old members of the War Hall, reporting for duty!"

Lin Zhou looked at his face, roughened by the erosion of Chaos energy, and a warm current welled up in his heart.

"Tie Xiong, your face..."

"It's fine." Tie Xiong grinned, "Spent two years on the border, scorched by Chaos energy. Thick-skinned, it's no big deal."

Lin Zhou nodded, his gaze passing over him to look at the 120 War Hall core members behind him.

Their faces all bore the traces of wind and frost, but their eyes remained sharp.

"Welcome back."

The second batch to arrive were the core members of the Research Hall.

The leader was a bespectacled, refined young man named Wen Yuan.

His Domain was [Rune Heavenly Work], his kin was [Rune Craftsman], specializing in Formation layout and mechanism R&D.

Back in the Academy Championship, his designed "Eight Trigrams Dragon Locking Formation" trapped the opponent's main force for a full half-hour.

[Wen Yuan · Personal Data]

- God Rank: LV280 (Lesser Divinity Mid Tier)

- Domain: Rune Divine Kingdom

- Core Kin: Rune Craftsman (LV50 - LV60, Trait: Formation effect +50%, Talisman engraving speed +100%)

- Talent: [Formation Great Master] — Formation layout time reduced by 50%, Formation power +30%

- Former Position in Hundred Schools Society: Research Hall Vice Hall Master

"Legion Commander." Wen Yuan adjusted his glasses, "80 old members of the Research Hall, reporting for duty."

"What about your work at the Research Institute?" Lin Zhou asked.

Wen Yuan smiled: "Quit. The Research Institute is too comfortable, not suitable for me. The front line is the best testing ground for runes."

Lin Zhou looked at him, was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Good."

The third batch to arrive were the core members of the Administration Hall.

The leader was a cold-faced woman with eyes like knives, named Qin Shuang.

She was Qin Qing's cousin, her Domain was [Judgment Angel], her kin was [Enforcement Angel], specializing in rules judgment and Order maintenance.

Back in the Hundred Schools Society, she was Qin Qing's most capable assistant.

[Qin Shuang · Personal Data]

- God Rank: LV300 (Lesser Divinity Mid Tier)

- Domain: Judgment Divine Kingdom

- Core Kin: Enforcement Angel (LV52 - LV62, Trait: Damage to Chaos faction +50%, skill "Judgment Eye" can lock onto target weaknesses)

- Talent: [Order Domain] — Chaos faction units within the Domain have all attributes -20%, lasting until they leave

- Former Position in Hundred Schools Society: Administration Hall Head of the Enforcement Department

"Legion Commander." Qin Shuang saluted, "60 old members of the Administration Hall, reporting for duty."

"Does your sister know you're here?" Lin Zhou asked.

Qin Shuang shook her head: "No. But she won't blame me."

Lin Zhou nodded, not saying anything more.

The fourth batch, fifth batch, sixth batch...

Three hundred core members of the Hundred Schools Society rushed over from every corner of the Universe.

Some of them were already serving in the military, some were working at research institutes, and some were spreading the Way of Civilization among the populace.

But after receiving Lin Zhou's letter, they all made the same choice — set everything aside and rush to the front line.

[Civilization Guardian Legion · New Recruits Data]

- Total: 300 people

- Average God Rank: LV295 (Lesser Divinity Mid Tier)

- Core Kin Average Rank: LV55

- Professional Distribution:

- War Hall: 120 people (Specializes in frontal combat)

- Research Hall: 80 people (Specializes in Formation, mechanisms, Talisman)

- Administration Hall: 60 people (Specializes in Order maintenance, rules judgment)

- Outer Hall: 40 people (Specializes in diplomacy, intelligence, infiltration)

- Way of Civilization Acceptance: 100%

Including the original legion soldiers, the total number of the Civilization Guardian Legion reached 4,500.

Still missing 500.

But Lin Zhou was not in a hurry.

He knew that for true elites, quantity didn't matter, only quality.

Steel Bastion, Command Tower Conference Room.

Lin Zhou sat in the main seat, with Qin Qing, Wang Meng, Tie Xiong, Wen Yuan, Qin Shuang, and representatives of the newly recruited core members on both sides.

"Everyone," Lin Zhou started, "Today is the first official meeting of our Civilization Guardian Legion. First of all, thank you all for coming to the Steel Bastion from far away."

"You are too polite, Legion Commander." Tie Xiong laughed, "Only by following you can we eat meat."

Everyone laughed.

Lin Zhou also smiled, but quickly restrained his expression.

"Below, I announce the legion structure and personnel appointments."

He stood up and walked to the star map on the wall.

"The Civilization Guardian Legion is divided into five battalions —"

"First Battalion, Vanguard Battalion. Responsible for frontal combat, assault, and siege."

"Battalion Commander, Wang Meng."

Wang Meng stood up and saluted.

"Second Battalion, War Hall Battalion. Responsible for heavy defense, positional warfare, and frontal suppression."

"Battalion Commander, Tie Xiong."

Tie Xiong stood up and saluted.

"Third Battalion, Research Hall Battalion. Responsible for Formation layout, mechanism R&D, and Talisman engraving."

"Battalion Commander, Wen Yuan."

Wen Yuan stood up, adjusted his glasses, and saluted.

"Fourth Battalion, Administration Hall Battalion. Responsible for Order maintenance, rules judgment, and military law Execution."

"Battalion Commander, Qin Shuang."

Qin Shuang stood up and saluted.

"Fifth Battalion, Outer Hall Battalion. Responsible for intelligence gathering, infiltration and sabotage, and diplomatic liaison."

"Battalion Commander, temporarily held by me."

Lin Zhou looked at Qin Qing: "Qin Qing, appointed as Legion Judge, responsible for military discipline, law enforcement, and judgment."

Qin Qing stood up and saluted.

"Wang Meng, appointed as Deputy Legion Commander (concurrently serving as Vanguard Battalion Commander), assisting me in handling daily affairs."

Wang Meng was stunned for a moment: "Captain, I..."

"You can do it." Lin Zhou interrupted him.

Wang Meng took a deep breath and saluted: "Yes!"

"Everyone," Lin Zhou looked around at the crowd, "From today on, the Civilization Guardian Legion is officially formed."

"Our mission — hold the Steel Bastion, explore the Chaos Star Domain, and open up new paths for the Human Race."

"Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!" Everyone shouted in unison.

After the meeting ended, Lin Zhou came to the ramparts of the fortress alone.

He looked at the Chaos Rift in the distance and was silent for a long time.

Qin Qing walked over and stood by his side.

"Captain, what are you thinking about?"

"Thinking about whether 300 people is enough."

"Not enough." Qin Qing shook her head, "But they will grow."

"Maybe."

Lin Zhou looked down at the ramparts, where the newly recruited core members were communicating and integrating with the original soldiers.

Tie Xiong was teaching the soldiers how to use the heavy shield Formation, Wen Yuan was setting up new defensive Formations, and Qin Shuang was patrolling the ramparts, checking every sentry post. Wang Meng was leading the Vanguard Battalion outside the city to practice assault tactics.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

"Captain, you've changed." Qin Qing suddenly said.

"Changed?"

"Changed. Before, you carried everything on your own. Now, you've started to trust others."

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

"Maybe."

He turned and walked down the ramparts.

"Let's go, let's see how Wen Yuan's Formation layout is going."

On the outskirts of the Steel Bastion, Wen Yuan was directing the Rune Craftsmen to set up a new defensive Formation.

[Formation · Steel Bastion (Improved Version)]

- Designer: Wen Yuan

- Principle: Centered on the "Mohist Non-Aggression" from the Hundred Schools of Thought, combined with the Taoist defensive concept of "Tao Follows Nature"

- Coverage: 50 kilometers in diameter (covering the entire fortress)

- Effects:

1. All friendly forces defense +30%

2. All enemy forces attack -20%

3. Resistance to Chaos energy erosion +50%

4. Formation core (Formation eye) randomly shifts every six hours, increasing the difficulty of breaking the Formation

- Consumption: 500 Divine Power per minute (automatically replenished by the river of civilization)

- Layout Progress: 60%

"Wen Yuan, how is the progress?" Lin Zhou walked over.

Wen Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Legion Commander, the progress is a bit slow. The Chaos energy erosion is too severe, the stability of the Talisman engraving is only 70% of the normal situation. I need more Rune Craftsmen."

"Not enough manpower?"

"Not enough." Wen Yuan shook his head, "There are only 30 existing Rune Craftsmen, to cover a 50-kilometer Formation, we need at least 100 people."

Lin Zhou was silent for a moment, then said: "I will transfer another batch of graduates from Xinghai University. Wen Yuan, your Formation must be completed within five days."

"Five days?" Wen Yuan frowned, "Legion Commander, the fluctuations of the Chaos Rift are becoming more and more violent, I'm worried..."

"Worried about what?"

"Worried that the Chaos Beast Tide will erupt early."

Lin Zhou looked at the Chaos Rift in the distance. In the rift, the churning of Chaos energy was indeed more violent than the past few days. The grayish-white light, like boiling water, kept gushing out.

Intuition told him that Wen Yuan's worry was not redundant.

"Five days." Lin Zhou repeated, "It must be completed."

Wen Yuan took a deep breath: "Yes!"

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

Lin Zhou turned and walked toward a sentry post on the city wall.

There, Qin Shuang was on patrol.

"Qin Shuang, how are the soldiers of the Administration Hall Battalion adapting?"

Qin Shuang saluted, "Reporting to the Legion Commander, most soldiers have adapted to the Chaos environment. However, a small number of soldiers are showing symptoms of Mental Pollution."

"Mental Pollution?"

"Yes." Qin Shuang nodded. "Chaos energy contains chaotic rules. Long-term exposure leads to instability of the Divine Core, causing hallucinations and emotional loss of control. Seven soldiers have already shown mild pollution; I have transferred them to the medical area."

Lin Zhou frowned.

Mental Pollution from Chaos energy was his biggest concern.

In the Chaos Star Domain, he relied on the protection of the river of civilization to avoid being polluted. But ordinary soldiers, without the river of civilization, could only endure it through rune armor and willpower.

"Is there any way to solve this?" Lin Zhou asked.

Qin Shuang thought for a moment. "There are two ways—first, strengthen the protection Rank of the rune armor; second, enhance the soldiers' willpower. The former requires Wen Yuan's help, while the latter... requires your Way of Civilization, Legion Commander."

Lin Zhou nodded.

"I'll go find Wen Yuan. You be responsible for enhancing the soldiers' willpower. Every morning and evening, organize the soldiers to study the classics of the Hundred Schools and recite 'the analects' and 'tao te ching'."

"Yes!"

Lin Zhou walked quickly toward Wen Yuan's Formation core.

Wen Yuan was calibrating a core rune. Seeing Lin Zhou approach, he looked up and asked, "Legion Commander, is something the matter?"

"Can the rune armor be upgraded?"

Wen Yuan paused for a moment. "Upgrade? The current rune armor is already the latest version. Upgrading it further would require new Materials and technology."

"What Materials?"

"chaos crystals," Wen Yuan said. "chaos crystals contain chaotic rules and can be used to enhance the resistance of the runes. However, chaos crystals are only found within the Chaos Star Domain."

Lin Zhou was silent for a moment.

"I'll find a way to get the chaos crystals."

"Legion Commander, you're going into the Chaos Star Domain?"

"Yes." Lin Zhou nodded. "In five days, before the Formation is completed, I will bring back a batch of chaos crystals."

"It's too dangerous!" Wen Yuan shook his head. "Inside the Chaos Star Domain, the rules are chaotic and the flow of time is unstable. For you to go in alone..."

"Not alone." Lin Zhou interrupted him. "Wang Meng, Tie Xiong, and Qin Shuang will each lead a squad and come with me."

"But..."

"No buts." Lin Zhou turned around. "Prepare the Rune Collectors. We set out tomorrow morning."

Wen Yuan watched his departing back, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

The next morning, in front of the Chaos rift.

Lin Zhou, Wang Meng, Tie Xiong, Qin Shuang, and forty elite soldiers were ready to depart.

Everyone wore the latest version of rune armor, with Chaos resistance Talismans hanging from their waists and specially made Rune Collectors in their hands.

[Rune Collector · Status]

- Designer: Wen Yuan

- Principle: Using Mohist Mechanical Arts as the core, "stripping" and storing chaos crystals from Chaos energy.

- Collection Speed: Approximately 10 crystals per hour (per person)

- Capacity: Each unit can store 100 crystals.

- Consumption: 100 Divine Power per hour (provided by the wearer)

"Commander, we're ready." Wang Meng walked to Lin Zhou's side.

Lin Zhou looked at the gray-white rift and took a deep breath.

"Depart."

He was the first to step into the rift.

Chaos energy rushed toward him like an invisible tide, battering his Divine Core. The Entry Mark was glowing, maintaining his "existence." The river of civilization surged, resisting the erosion of the chaotic rules.

[Chaos Star Domain · Entering]

- Rule Chaos Level: Extremely High

- Divine Core Load: 110%

- Entry Mark Stability: 98%

- river of civilization Protection: Active

- Estimated Stay Time: Three days inside (approximately seven hours outside)

Lin Zhou looked back at his teammates behind him.

Their faces were filled with tension and determination.

"Stay close to me, don't fall behind."

"Yes!"

The group disappeared into the Chaos rift.

Inside the Chaos Star Domain, ruins were everywhere.

Lin Zhou led the team along the route he had previously explored, heading toward a Chaos Crystal Enrichment Zone.

[Chaos Crystal Enrichment Zone · Data]

- Location: Approximately one hundred kilometers from the entrance.

- Estimated Reserves: Approximately five thousand crystals.

- Danger Rank: A (Possible Chaos Beast activity)

- Collection Difficulty: Medium

Along the way, they encountered several waves of Chaos Beasts.

[Chaos Beast · Small Group]

- Quantity: 3-5 per wave

- Rank: LV200-LV250

- Characteristics: Rule Chaos, 30% Physical Immunity, 20% Energy Immunity.

Wang Meng and Tie Xiong took turns stepping forward, killing them with thunderous strikes.

[Combat Data · First Encounter]

- Number of Chaos Beasts: 4

- Time to Kill: Approximately three minutes.

- Our Losses: None

- chaos crystals Obtained: 4 (from corpse decomposition)

"The crystal content of these Chaos Beasts is too low." Tie Xiong frowned. "Only one per beast, it's not enough."

"That's why we're going to the enrichment zone." Lin Zhou said. "There are natural Chaos Crystal Veins there."

They continued forward.

Two hours later, they arrived at the enrichment zone.

Before them was a gray-white "forest"—countless chaos crystals "growing" from the ground like stalagmites, densely packed.

[Chaos Crystal Vein · Data]

- Reserves: Approximately eight thousand crystals (exceeding estimate)

- Purity: 85% (Relatively high)

- Collection Difficulty: Low (Crystals are exposed on the surface)

- Danger Rank: B (Possible small number of Chaos Beasts)

"Begin collection!" Lin Zhou ordered.

The forty soldiers spread out and activated their Rune Collectors.

The front of the collector emitted a pale golden beam of light, shining on the chaos crystals. The gray-white light on the crystal's surface began to tremble, and then it was "stripped" by the beam and sucked into the collector's storage compartment.

[ Data collection progress· First hour]

- Number of Collectors: 40 people

- Individual Collection Speed: Approximately 8 crystals per hour.

- Total Collection: Approximately 320 crystals.

- Storage Compartment Usage: 8% (100 crystals capacity per unit)

"The speed is too slow." Wang Meng shook his head. "At this rate, it'll take three days to collect just over two thousand crystals."

"It's enough." Lin Zhou said. "Two thousand crystals are sufficient for Wen Yuan to upgrade the rune armor."

Just as he spoke, a low roar came from the distance.

It wasn't a Chaos Beast, but a—Chaos Beast King.

[Chaos Beast King · Data]

- Rank: LV400 (Initial Stage Mid-Tier Divine Power)

- Size: Approximately fifty meters long, twenty meters high.

- Characteristics: Rule Chaos (one-kilometer diameter range), 50% Physical Immunity, 40% Energy Immunity.

- Skill: [Chaos Breath]—Sprays Chaos energy; those hit lose 10% of their Divine Core integrity.

" Everyone, Stop collecting, Formation Defense!" Lin Zhou ordered.

Wang Meng and Tie Xiong rushed to the front, deploying a defensive Formation. Qin Shuang led the soldiers of the Administration Hall Battalion to set up an Order Domain in the rear. Lin Zhou then unfolded the river of civilization, enveloping everyone within it.

The Chaos Beast King charged out from the gray-white mist, opened its massive maw, and a gray-white pillar of light erupted!

[Chaos Breath · Attack]

- Target: Defensive Formation

- Power: Full-force strike of an Initial Stage Mid-Tier Divine Power.

- Effect: Those hit lose 10% of their Divine Core integrity.

"Iron Wall Formation!" Tie Xiong roared.

Tie Xiong's Iron Giant subordinates rushed to the front and deployed [Steel Bastion]. A pale golden light shield rose, colliding with the Chaos Breath.

BOOM—!!!

The light shield vibrated violently but did not shatter.

[Steel Bastion · Durability: 100%→85%]

"We can hold it!" Tie Xiong gritted his teeth. "Again!"

The Chaos Beast King spat again.

A second time, a third time, a fourth time...

The durability of the Steel Bastion continued to drop: 85%... 70%... 55%...

"We can't let it continue!" A cold light flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes. "Wang Meng, follow me!"

He leapt into the air, the Sword of Civilization condensing in his palm.

Wang Meng followed closely behind, possessed by the Behemoth Giant Beast, his arms transforming into sharp claws.

"Civilization—Slash!"

The sword light sliced through the Void Realm and struck the head of the Chaos Beast King!

[Sword of Civilization · Damage]

- Target: Chaos Beast King

- Damage Value: Approximately equivalent to a full-force strike of a Mid-Stage Mid-Tier Divine Power.

- Effect: A crack appeared on the Chaos Beast King's head, and Chaos energy leaked out.

The Chaos Beast King let out a roar of pain and turned to bite at Lin Zhou.

Wang Meng charged from the side, his sharp claws stabbing fiercely into the Chaos Beast King's neck!

[Behemoth Claws · Damage]

- Target: Chaos Beast King

- Damage Value: Approximately equivalent to a full-force strike of a Peak Lesser Divinity.

- Effect: The Chaos Beast King's neck was torn open, and a massive amount of Chaos energy leaked out.

The Chaos Beast King struggled a few times before collapsing with a crash.

[Chaos Beast King · Slain!]

- Time Taken: Approximately five minutes.

- Our Losses: None

- chaos crystals Obtained: Approximately 200 (from corpse decomposition)

- Obtained Chaos Beast King Core: 1 (can be used to upgrade rune armor)

"Great!" Wang Meng said excitedly.

Lin Zhou put away the Sword of Civilization and landed.

"Continue collecting."

Three days later.

The collection team returned safely to the Iron Wall Fortress with two thousand three hundred chaos crystals and one Chaos Beast King Core.

Wen Yuan's eyes lit up when he saw those crystals.

"Legion Commander, these crystals are enough to upgrade a thousand sets of rune armor!"

"Then hurry up." Lin Zhou said. "The fluctuations of the Chaos rift are becoming more and more intense. I'm worried..."

Before he could finish, a heaven-shaking roar came from the distance.

It wasn't a Chaos Beast King, but—countless Chaos Beasts.

[Chaos Beast Tide · Warning]

- Scale: Approximately one hundred thousand.

- Rank: LV200-LV400

- Estimated Arrival Time: Approximately one hour.

- Danger Rank: SSS

Lin Zhou's expression changed instantly.

"All troops, enter Level 1 combat readiness!"

"Wen Yuan, can the Formation be activated early?"

Wen Yuan gritted his teeth. "Yes! But it will only have sixty percent of its power!"

"Sixty percent is enough!"

Lin Zhou turned and looked outside the city wall.

There, the gray-white Chaos energy was churning, and the silhouettes of countless Chaos Beasts were looming in the mist.

"Civilization Guardian Legion—prepare for battle!"

"Yes!"

Five thousand people, five thousand pairs of eyes, all looking toward that gray-white expanse.

There was no fear, only Battle Intent.

Because behind them was the Human Race.

Because in their hearts was civilization.