432: Chapter 367: First Victory, Obtaining the Chaos Crystal

With Xu joining, the team's exploration efficiency increased several times over.

It floated at the front of the team, the pale gold Order Runes around its body acting like a lighthouse, illuminating the grayish-white mist. Those originally unpredictable spatial folds and time distortions became clearly discernible under Xu's perception—it could "see" the "gaps of Order" within the chaotic rules and guide the team safely through.

[Xu · Pathfinding Effect]

- Spatial Fold Warning: Detected 3km in advance, success rate 95%

- Time Distortion Avoidance: Detected abnormal areas in advance, bypass success rate 100%

- Chaos Beast Perception: Range of 100km, can distinguish herd size and Rank

- Resource Detection: Can perceive the location and reserves of chaos crystal veins

"Master, there is a chaos crystal vein fifty kilometers ahead," Xu's voice was clear and gentle. "The reserves are approximately 30,000 crystals. However, it is guarded by three Chaos Beast Kings."

"Three?" Wang Meng gripped his battle-axe. "What Rank?"

Xu closed its eyes to sense for a moment: "Two LV420s, one LV500."

Lin Zhou pondered. Three Beast Kings would be a hard fight for a hundred-man squad. But the temptation of 30,000 chaos crystals was too great—these crystals could upgrade two thousand sets of rune armor, or support Wen Yuan in ten large-scale Formation experiments.

"Fight," Lin Zhou made the decision. "Xu, mark the specific locations of the Beast Kings and the terrain of the vein."

Xu raised its hand and projected a 3D map in the air. The vein was located in a low-lying basin, with the three Beast Kings distributed in a triangle, each about two kilometers apart. The basin was surrounded by undulating hills, suitable for setting up an ambush.

[Vein · Tactical Data]

- Location: Center of the basin, approximately 500 meters in diameter

- Crystal Distribution: Approximately 5,000 exposed on the surface, underground reserves of approximately 25,000

- Beast King Distribution:

- Beast King A (LV420): North side of the basin, specializes in physical attacks

- Beast King B (LV420): South side of the basin, specializes in Chaos Breath

- Beast King C (LV500): Center of the basin, leadership status, possesses Rule Devour ability

- Terrain Advantage: Hills can cover the flanks, the basin allows for surrounding a point to strike at reinforcements

Lin Zhou quickly formulated a tactic.

"Wang Meng, you lead thirty men from the Vanguard Battalion to attack Beast King A from the north. Draw its attention, but do not fight it head-on; lure it to the eastern hills."

"Tie Xiong, you lead thirty men from the War Hall Battalion to pin down Beast King B from the south. Use shield Formations to block its breath and keep it trapped in place."

"Qin Shuang, you lead twenty members of the Law Enforcement Team to set up an Order Domain on the outskirts of the basin to weaken the Beast Kings' chaotic rules."

"Wen Yuan, you lead ten men from the Research Hall Camp to set up Rune Cannons on the high points of the hills to provide support in all directions."

"Xu, you are responsible for monitoring Beast King C's movements. Once it leaves the center of the basin, report immediately."

"I will deal with Beast King C."

Everyone took their Orders and quickly moved into position.

"Action!"

Wang Meng was the first to strike, activating Behemoth Berserk as his battle-axe struck toward Beast King A with the momentum of thunder!

Beast King A was a Chaos Beast shaped like a giant bear, its body covered in grayish-white scales and its eyes burning with Chaos fire. It was enraged and roared as it lunged at Wang Meng. Wang Meng fought while retreating, luring it toward the eastern hills.

[Beast King A · In Pursuit]

- Speed: 15% faster than Wang Meng

- Distance: Closed from 50 meters to 30 meters

- Wang Meng Status: Berserk, Defense +50%, but sanity declining

"Faster! Even faster!" Wang Meng gritted his teeth, pushing his Behemoth Bloodline to the limit.

To the south, Tie Xiong led the War Hall Battalion in a standoff with Beast King B. Beast King B was shaped like a giant serpent, coiled at the southern edge of the basin, constantly spitting Chaos Breath. Tie Xiong's Steel Giant Legion raised their massive shields, forming a moving city wall.

[Beast King B · Chaos Breath]

- Attack Frequency: Once every ten seconds

- Breath Range: 50 meters wide, 300 meters long

- Steel Bastion Durability: Decreases by 5% with each breath attack

"Hold your ground!" Tie Xiong roared. "Do not let it break through!"

In the center of the basin, Beast King C slowly stood up.

It was a giant beast shaped like a lion, twice the size of the other two. Its mane was composed of countless Rule Fragments, each one constantly shifting in color. In its eyes, there was no Chaos fire, but a deep, black-hole-like darkness.

[Beast King C · Data]

- Rank: LV500

- Form: Chaos Lion King

- Traits:

1. Rule Devour: Can devour rule-based attacks within range

2. Chaos Domain: All attributes of allies within range +30%, all attributes of enemies -30%

3. Roar of the Void: When roaring, all units within range undergo an "Existence Check"; if they fail, godhead integrity -5%

It looked at Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou also looked at it.

One man and one beast, separated by a distance of two kilometers, their gazes met.

"Xu, what is its weakness?" Lin Zhou asked.

Xu hovered beside him, quickly analyzing: "Master, Beast King C's Rule Devour ability comes at the cost of the Chaos energy in its core. Each time it devours, its core energy is consumed by about 1%. If you can force it to devour continuously until its core energy is exhausted, its defense will collapse."

"Continuous devouring..." Lin Zhou thought for a moment. "Then let it eat its fill."

He leaped up, the Sword of Civilization condensing in his palm.

He did not strike at Beast King C, but rather at the Rule Fragments surrounding it!

The sword light fell, and dozens of Rule Fragments were shattered, dissipating into Chaos energy.

Beast King C roared, opening its massive maw to "devour" the dissipating Chaos energy back.

[Beast King C · Rule Devour]

- Devour Target: Shattered Rule Fragments

- Consumption: Core Energy -1%

- Core Energy Remaining: 99%

"It's working." A sharp light flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes.

He continuously swung his sword, shattering the Rule Fragments around Beast King C. Beast King C was forced to devour them time and again, and its core energy continued to drop.

[Core Energy: 99%→95%→90%→85%]

Beast King C finally realized something was wrong. It stopped passively devouring and instead actively lunged at Lin Zhou!

Its speed was like lightning, and the Rule Fragments in its mane turned into countless blades, shooting toward Lin Zhou!

Lin Zhou dodged, but there were too many blades, and several fragments grazed his shoulder.

[Lin Zhou · Status]

- godhead integrity: 90%→88%

- Wound: Slight Chaos Contamination (Fire of Civilization automatically purifying)

"So fast." Lin Zhou frowned.

He unfolded the river of civilization, stabilizing the space around him. The pale gold light of the river blocked the flying Rule Fragments.

[river of civilization · Defense]

- Coverage Range: 500 meters in diameter

- Consumption: 1,000 Divine Power per minute

- Effect: Rule fragment speed within range -50%

Beast King C charged into the river, its speed clearly dropping.

Lin Zhou seized the opportunity and swung his sword at its neck!

The sword light fell, cutting a gash in Beast King C's scales, and Chaos energy gushed out.

[Sword of Civilization · Damage]

- Target: Beast King C

- Damage Value: A full-power strike of a Mid-Tier Divine Power at the middle stage

- Effect: Neck scales damaged, Chaos energy leaking

Beast King C roared, activating [Roar of the Void]!

A grayish-white sound wave spread from its mouth, sweeping across the entire basin!

[Roar of the Void · Effect]

- Coverage Range: 3 kilometers in diameter

- Existence Check: All units perform a Willpower Check (Difficulty 80)

- Failure Penalty: godhead integrity -5%

Lin Zhou's Willpower Check passed (Dao Heart stability 98%), but the other soldiers were not so fortunate.

[Team Status · After Roar of the Void]

- Affected Personnel: Approximately 80 people

- Check Failed: Approximately 30 people

- godhead integrity Decrease: 5%

- Mental State: Mild Confusion (Skill casting may deviate)

"Everyone, steady!" Lin Zhou roared. "Do not panic, the Fire of Civilization will protect you!"

He raised his hand, and the Fire of Civilization rose into the air, turning into a pale gold pillar of light that illuminated the entire basin.

[Fire of Civilization · Group Protection]

- Coverage Range: 3 kilometers in diameter

- Effect: Willpower Check +20 for allies within range, Mental Contamination Resistance +50%

- Consumption: 2,000 Divine Power per minute

Under the protection of the Fire of Civilization, the soldiers' states stabilized.

On Wang Meng's side, Beast King A was lured into the eastern hills and fell into a Rune Trap pre-set by Wen Yuan.

[Rune Trap · Data]

- Type: Rule Imprisonment Formation

- Effect: Traps the target for ten minutes

- Consumption: 1,000 Divine Power per trap

- Beast King A Status: Trapped, struggling

On Tie Xiong's side, Beast King B's breath frequency began to drop. Its Chaos energy reserves were limited, and after twenty consecutive breaths, it needed time to recover.

[Beast King B · Status]

- Chaos Energy: 70%

- Breath Frequency: Once every 10 seconds → once every 30 seconds

- Steel Bastion Durability: 55%

"Good opportunity!" Tie Xiong led the War Hall Battalion in a counterattack, the Steel Giant Legion crushing forward with their shields, forcing Beast King B back.

In the center of the basin, the battle between Lin Zhou and Beast King C reached a fever pitch.

Beast King C's Rule Devour ability had been forced into use over a dozen times, and its core energy had dropped to 75%. Its speed, strength, and defense had all clearly declined.

[Beast King C · Status]

- Core Energy: 75%

- Speed: -15%

- Attack Power: -10%

- Defense: -20%

"It's time to end this." Lin Zhou took a deep breath and contracted the river of civilization, condensing it into a pillar of light that shot straight into the sky.

The pillar of light exploded, turning into countless pale gold points of light that showered the battlefield.

Each point of light landed on a soldier.

[Fire of Civilization · Group Buff · Enhanced Version]

- Coverage Range: Entire battlefield

- Effect: All attributes of all allies +50% for ten minutes

- Consumption: 10,000 Divine Power

"Brothers, charge with me!" Wang Meng roared, burst out from the rune trap, and swung his axe at Beast King A's head!

The axe blade fell, splitting Beast King A's skull, and Chaos energy surged wildly.

[Beast King A · Killed!]

- Time Taken: Approximately fifteen minutes

- chaos crystals Obtained: Approximately 500

- Chaos Beast King Core Obtained: 1

On Tie Xiong's side, the War Hall Battalion crushed forward with their shield wall, forcing Beast King B into a corner. Qin Shuang's Law Enforcement Team flanked it, illuminating Beast King B's core with the Light of Judgment. Wen Yuan's Rune Cannon hit the core in one shot, and Beast King B collapsed.

[Beast King B · Killed!]

- Time Taken: Approximately eighteen minutes

- chaos crystals Obtained: Approximately 500

- Chaos Beast King Core Obtained: 1

In the center of the basin, Lin Zhou faced off against Beast King C.

Beast King C's core energy had dropped to 60%. It no longer devoured but instead lunged frantically at Lin Zhou, attempting to win with brute force.

Lin Zhou dodged, the Sword of Civilization burning in his hand.

"Civilization—Slash!"

The sword light slashed across Beast King C's back, shattering its scales and causing Chaos energy to gush out.

Beast King C let out a desperate roar, activating one last Roar of the Void.

However, under the protection of the Fire of Civilization, all the soldiers passed their Willpower Checks.

The Roar of the Void was ineffective.

Lin Zhou leaped up and pierced the Sword of Civilization into Beast King C's core.

[Sword of Civilization · Core Piercing]

- Target: Beast King C Core

- Effect: Core ignited by the Fire of Civilization, Chaos rules "harmonized"

- Consumption: 5,000 Divine Power

Beast King C's body froze, and then it slowly collapsed.

Its core, under the burning of the Fire of Civilization, changed from grayish-white to pale gold.

[Beast King C · Status]

- Life/Death: "Civilized"

- New Form: Rule Guardian Beast (Order-side)

- Rank: LV450 (Decreased)

- Loyalty: 100%

Beast King C stood up, the darkness in its eyes dissipating, replaced by a gentle pale gold light.

"Master," it lowered its head, its voice deep and respectful.

Lin Zhou looked at it and remained silent for a moment.

"What is your name?"

"I have no name."

"Let's call you 'Shou,' as in 'Guardian.'"

"Shou..." Beast King C murmured. "Thank you, Master."

Lin Zhou nodded and turned to look at the vein.

[chaos crystal Vein · Collection]

- Reserves: Approximately 32,000

- Collection Time: Approximately 2 hours (100-person collection)

- Expected Harvest: 32,000 crystals

"Begin collection," Lin Zhou ordered.

The soldiers took out their Rune Collectors and began to work. The collectors' beams shone on the crystals, stripping and storing the grayish-white crystals.

[Collection Progress · First Hour]

- Collectors: 100 people

- Single-person collection speed: Approximately 15 crystals/hour

- Total amount collected: Approximately 1,500

- Storage bay occupancy: 15% (100-crystal capacity per unit)

"The speed is still slow," Wang Meng frowned.

"No rush," Lin Zhou said. "We have time."

He walked up to Beast King C—Shou.

"Shou, can you sense other veins?"

Shou closed his eyes to sense for a moment, then opened them. "Master, within a three-hundred-kilometer radius, there are seven more veins. The total reserves are approximately 150,000 crystals."

"150,000 crystals..." Wen Yuan gasped. "Legion Commander, if we can mine all those veins, the Civilization Guardian Legion's equipment can be upgraded to the top level in the entire Universe!"

"Then we will mine them one by one," Lin Zhou said. "No rush."

Two hours later, the vein was mined out.

[Vein Collection · Summary]

- Total collected: 32,000 chaos crystals

- Chaos Beast King Cores obtained: 3

- Rule Fragments obtained: Approximately 500

- Team Status: All members sustained minor injuries; no fatalities

- Lin Zhou's Divine Power consumption: Approximately 50,000

"Return to the fortress," Lin Zhou ordered.

Under the leadership of Xu and Shou, the team returned safely to the Iron Wall Fortress.

On the fortress walls, Qin Qing was already waiting there.

"Captain, you're back!" Her eyes were full of joy.

"We're back," Lin Zhou nodded. "And we brought back many good things."

He took out the chaos crystals and handed them to Wen Yuan.

"These crystals should last us for a while."

Wen Yuan took the crystals, his eyes shining. "Legion Commander, with these, I can increase the defense of the rune armor by another 30%! I can also develop new Formations!"

"Then go do it," Lin Zhou said. "In three days, we will enter the Chaos Star Domain again."

"Going again?" Qin Qing frowned.

"Yes," Lin Zhou nodded. "In the Chaos Star Domain, there are more veins, more ruins, and more secrets. We cannot stop."

He looked toward the distant Chaos rift.

"And, I have a premonition—the true threat has not yet appeared."

Qin Qing fell silent.

She knew that Lin Zhou's premonitions were never wrong.

"Then we will be prepared," she said. "No matter what the threat is, we will face it together."

Lin Zhou nodded and turned toward the command tower.

Behind him, the soldiers were cheering.

The 32,000 chaos crystals were something they had traded their lives for.

But they knew that this was only the beginning.

In the Chaos Star Domain, more challenges were waiting.

And they were ready.