440: Chapter 375: Summoning from the Depths, the Temple Sensing the Same Source Power

The pale golden light of the Great Wall of Civilization acted like a lighthouse amidst the grayish-white mists of the Chaos Star Domain, illuminating the land for a hundred miles around.

Three days after the battle, Lin Zhou's Divinity Rank stabilized at LV850, the water level of the river of civilization rose back to 90%, and the height of the Heavenly Pillar reached 80,000 kilometers. Li Bai, the sword spirit within the green lotus sword, could now briefly manifest physically; he patrolled the city walls daily in his Sword Intent form, occasionally reciting a few lines of poetry to provide a moment's relief for the soldiers' frayed nerves.

However, the peaceful days did not last long.

Early this morning, while Lin Zhou was meditating atop the command tower, the Temple of Civilization suddenly began to vibrate violently.

It wasn't an external attack, but a resonance coming from deep within the Sanctuary.

[Temple of Civilization · Abnormal Vibration]

- Cause: Homologous power summons detected

- Direction: Deep within the Chaos Star Domain, approximately three thousand kilometers from the Embers Outpost

- Intensity: Medium (Continuously strengthening)

- Nature: Homologous with the Temple of Civilization, suspected to be a civilization relic from the previous Universe

Lin Zhou snapped his eyes open.

He could feel that the summons was not hostile, nor was it a probe; it was a calling. Like a relative lost for many years, it sent out a faint but firm signal across the vast sea of people.

"Xu, sense it. What is in that direction?" Lin Zhou pointed toward the depths of the Chaos Star Domain.

Xu closed its eyes to sense, the runes of Order around its body flashing frantically. Its face turned pale, and its voice trembled: "Master... in that direction, there is... there is a massive structure. No, not a structure, it's a... city. A city surrounded by Chaos energy. In the center of the city, there is a bell."

"A bell?"

"Yes. A bronze bell. It's ringing." Xu's voice carried disbelief. "Every so often, it rings once. Wherever the sound of the bell passes, Chaos energy is pushed aside, and rules become stable. That bell is resisting the Return to Ruins."

Lin Zhou's pupils contracted sharply.

A bronze bell. Resisting the Return to Ruins. Homologous power.

"That is... Huaxia's Bianzhong."

He stood up, walked to the edge of the city wall, and looked into the depths of the Chaos Star Domain.

In the grayish-white mist, a faint cyan-black silhouette could be seen—not the grayish-white of Chaos energy, but the color of bronze.

"Captain, are you going?" Qin Qing walked over, her eyes filled with worry.

"I must go," Lin Zhou said. "That city and that bell are homologous with the Temple of Civilization. If we can obtain it, our ability to resist the Return to Ruins will increase significantly."

"But it's too dangerous. Three thousand kilometers, crossing the most dangerous areas of the Chaos Star Domain. Moreover, the Return to Ruins projection is still watching like a tiger from afar."

"That's why I need you to stay." Lin Zhou turned and looked at Qin Qing. "You will lead the Administration Hall Battalion, the Research Hall Camp, and part of the War Hall Battalion's forces to guard Dragon City. I will take the Vanguard Battalion, the Stone Statue Guardians, the Sword Cultivator squad, as well as Xu and Shou, to explore the depths."

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

"Alright. But, you must promise me—come back alive."

"I promise you."

Lin Zhou gathered the entire army and announced the exploration plan.

"Brothers, in the depths of the Chaos Star Domain, there is a city of an ancient civilization. In that city is a bell, homologous with our Way of Civilization. I am going to find it and bring it back."

"Wang Meng, take two hundred men from the Vanguard Battalion and follow me."

"Tie Xiong, take one hundred men from the War Hall Battalion and follow me."

"Wen Yuan, take fifty men from the Research Hall Camp and follow me."

"Qin Shuang, take fifty men from the Administration Hall Battalion and follow me."

"Li Bai, follow me."

"Xu, Shou, follow me."

"The rest of you will be under Qin Qing's command to guard Dragon City."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

The three-hundred-man exploration team assembled before the gates of Dragon City.

Everyone wore upgraded rune armor, with Chaos resistance Talismans hanging from their waists and weapons held firmly in their hands. Wang Meng's Behemoth Berserkers held battle-axes, Tie Xiong's Iron Giants raised massive shields, Wen Yuan's rune craftsmen carried detectors, and Qin Shuang's Law Enforcement Team held swords of judgment.

Lin Zhou stood at the front of the team, the zhan nian sword on his back and the green lotus sword at his waist. Behind him were one hundred of the three hundred Stone Statue Guardians—the other two hundred remained in Dragon City to assist in the defense.

[Exploration Team · Composition Data]

- Total Personnel: 300 people + 100 stone statues

- Average Divinity Rank: LV300

- Equipment: rune armor · Upgraded Version

- Carried Supplies: Sufficient for ten days

- Xu's Pathfinding Range: 100 km radius

- Shou's Vigilance Range: 10 km radius

- Li Bai Sword Spirit: Physical manifestation possible (duration: ten minutes)

"Depart!"

Lin Zhou was the first to step into the grayish-white mist.

Xu floated at the front of the team, the runes of Order around its body illuminating the path ahead. Shou followed at the rear, its massive body like a mobile fortress. One hundred Stone Statue Guardians lined both sides, the cyan-white fire of Sword Intent burning in their eyes.

The team pushed forward into the depths of the Chaos Star Domain.

One hundred kilometers... two hundred kilometers... five hundred kilometers...

The deeper they went, the higher the concentration of Chaos energy. The Chaos resistance of the rune armor was being consumed rapidly, and the divinity load on the soldiers grew heavier and heavier.

[Exploration Team · Status (at 500 km)]

- Chaos Energy Concentration: 200x the exterior

- Divinity Load: 130% average

- Mental Pollution Index: 35%

- rune armor Durability: 85% average

"Wen Yuan, what has the detector found?" Lin Zhou asked.

Wen Yuan stared at the detector screen, his brow furrowed. "Legion Commander, three hundred kilometers ahead, there is a rule anomaly zone. It's not a Chaos vortex, nor is it a beast nest, but... a city. The detector can scan the outline of city walls and a large number of Rule Fragments."

"How large is the city?"

"Approximately fifty kilometers in diameter. The walls are about a hundred meters high. The buildings inside are dense, with palaces, squares, and towers. In the center of the city, there is a massive energy source—it should be that bell."

"Continue advancing."

The team accelerated.

When they were only a hundred kilometers from the target, Lin Zhou heard the sound of the bell.

Dong——!!!

It wasn't a sound, but a vibration at the level of rules. The bell's toll came from deep within the Chaos Star Domain; wherever it passed, the grayish-white Chaos energy was pushed aside, revealing a patch of clear Void Realm.

[Bianzhong · Bell Sound Effect]

- Coverage Range: 1,000 km diameter

- Effects:

1. Chaos Energy Concentration -50%

2. Rule Stability +30%

3. Allied Mental Pollution Index -20%

4. Enemy (Chaos units) All Attributes -10%

"What a powerful bell sound," Wang Meng marveled.

"This is the Huaxia Bianzhong," Lin Zhou said. "A major artifact of the ancient Huaxia Civilization, cast in bronze and used for ritual music. Its sound can 'settle heaven and earth, harmonize Yin and Yang, and Order all things.'"

"Within the Chaos Star Domain, it can even resist the Return to Ruins."

He quickened his pace.

One hundred kilometers... fifty kilometers... twenty kilometers...

Finally, they saw the city.

The city walls were a hundred meters high, built from massive cyan-black stones. The stones were carved with ancient patterns—not runes, but ancient Huaxia totems: the Dragon, Phoenix, Qilin, Black Tortoise... Each totem glowed faintly, keeping the Chaos energy outside the city.

Above the city gate, two large characters were carved—[Yindu].

[Yindu · Data]

- Type: Ancient Civilization Relic

- Scale: 50 km diameter

- Preservation State: Poor (Walls collapsed in several places, half of the buildings inside have fallen)

- Rule Stability: 70% (Far higher than the Chaos Star Domain average)

- Chaos Energy Concentration: 10x the exterior (Extremely low)

- Core: Bianzhong (Located in the city center)

Lin Zhou stepped through the city gate.

The moment his foot hit the ground, the Temple of Civilization vibrated once more.

[Temple of Civilization · Resonance Strengthening]

- Resonance Object: Yindu

- Resonance Intensity: Extremely High

- Effect: river of civilization water level +5%, Heavenly Pillar height +10,000 km

Inside the city, streets crisscrossed, and buildings stood in rows.

There were palaces, ancestral temples, altars, and workshops. Although most had collapsed, the former glory could still be seen amidst the ruins. Along both sides of the streets stood many stone statues—not the Sword Cultivator statues of Shushan, but warrior statues clad in armor and holding polearms. Their expressions were solemn and their gazes firm, as if they were still guarding the city.

[Yindu Guardian Stone Statue · Data]

- Quantity: Approximately one thousand

- Status: Dormant (Not activated)

- Activation Condition: Will automatically wake when the Bianzhong rings

- Rank: LV400-LV500

- Characteristics:

1. Bronze Body (70% Physical Immunity, 50% Energy Immunity)

2. Guardian Heart (Automatically attacks intruders)

3. Formation Synergy (Formations can be composed between statues, all attributes +50%)

"These statues are even stronger than those of Shushan," Wang Meng exclaimed.

"Because they are the guardians of 'Yin Shang'," Lin Zhou said. "Yin Shang was an ancient Dynasty of Huaxia, famous for its bronze ware and for ruling the country with rites and music. Their army was the strongest in the world at that time."

He continued walking toward the center of the city.

The city center was a massive square.

The ground of the square was paved with bluestone slabs, and every slab was engraved with Oracle Bone Script. The content of the text recorded the achievements of the successive kings of Yin Shang, records of sacrifices, and the results of divinations.

In the center of the square stood a high platform.

The platform was about fifty meters high and cast from bronze. Every level of the platform was engraved with exquisite patterns—Taotie, Kuilong, Phoenix birds... all lifelike.

At the top of the platform, a bell was suspended.

The bell was three meters high and two meters in diameter, entirely greenish-black. The body of the bell was covered in inscriptions—not Oracle Bone Script, but the even more ancient Bronze Script. The content of the inscriptions was an 'Ode to Heaven Sacrifice'.

Beside the bell stood a person.

No, not a person, but—a phantom.

The phantom wore the ceremonial robes of the Shang and Zhou period, with a twelve-tasseled crown on his head and a jade tablet in his hand. His face was blurred, but his gaze was gentle, carrying the vicissitudes of thousands of years.

[King of Yin · Phantom]

- Identity: The last King of Yin Shang

- Status: Remnant Thought (Preserved to this day using the chime bells as a vessel)

- Rank: LV700+ (But unable to fight)

- Purpose: To guard the chime bells and wait for the destined person

Lin Zhou walked to the bottom of the platform and looked up at the king.

"Latecomer, you have finally arrived." The king's voice was like the tolling of an ancient bell, deep and distant.

"You are..." Lin Zhou asked.

"The last King of Yin Shang, Di Xin," the king said. "Some also call me... King Zhou."

Lin Zhou was stunned for a moment.

King Zhou? The King Zhou of Shang who was overthrown by King Wu of Zhou?

"Weren't you... in the Battle of Muye..."

"Self-immolated." Di Xin nodded. "But that was only the death of the Physical Body. My Soul has been preserved until now, using the chime bells as a vessel. All for the sake of waiting for one person."

"Waiting for me?"

"Yes," Di Xin said. "Waiting for someone who can inherit the Huaxia Civilization. Waiting for someone who can ring the chime bells. Waiting for someone who can oppose the Return to Void."

He raised his hand and pointed to the chime bell on the platform.

"This bell is called the 'first bell of huaxia'. It is the beginning of Huaxia Civilization and also its end. Its sound can stabilize heaven and earth, harmonize Yin and Yang, and Order all things. But it has been silent for thousands of years."

"Because no one could ring it."

"Why?" Lin Zhou asked.

"Because ringing it requires not just power, but also—a Dao Heart." Di Xin looked at Lin Zhou. "I have felt your Dao Heart. The Way of Civilization is people-oriented. This is the core of Huaxia Civilization."

"Therefore, you might be able to ring it."

Lin Zhou was silent for a moment, then he stepped onto the platform.

Every step was as heavy as a mountain.

There were ninety-nine steps to the platform. On every step, an inscription was engraved—

"The people are of supreme importance; the altars of the gods of earth and grain come next; the ruler is the least important."

"Heaven sees as my people see; Heaven hears as my people hear."

"What the people desire, Heaven will surely follow."

These inscriptions were the essence of Huaxia Civilization—putting the people first.

Lin Zhou reached the top of the platform and stood before the chime bell.

The bell was massive, a head taller than him. The Bronze Script on the bell glowed faintly under the illumination of the Fire of Civilization.

He raised his hand and pressed his palm against the bell.

[Chime Bell · Resonance]

- Resonance Target: Lin Zhou (Way of Civilization)

- Resonance Intensity: Extremely High

- Bell Status: Slumbering (About to awaken)

- Ringing Condition: Requires 'Fire of Civilization' as the hammer and 'Dao Heart' as the force

Lin Zhou took a deep breath.

He closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into the Temple of Civilization.

In the Sanctuary, the river of civilization surged, and the Heavenly Pillar propped up the sky. The qiankun tripod was slowly rotating, and the inscriptions of the Hundred Schools flowed in seven-colored light.

"Fire of Civilization—Come forth!"

He gave a low shout, and a clump of pale golden flame condensed in his palm.

The flame left his palm and transformed into a hammer of fire, hovering above the chime bell.

[Fire of Civilization · Hammer Transformation]

- Form: Hammer of Fire

- Weight: None

- Effect: Can ring the chime bell, triggering its 'Sound of Huaxia'

Lin Zhou gripped the hammer of fire and struck the chime bell with force.

Dong—!!!

The bell rang out, not as a sound, but as a vibration on the level of rules.

Wherever the sound passed, Chaos energy was pushed aside, rules became stable, and Order descended.

[first bell of huaxia · Rung!]

- Effects:

1. Coverage: 10,000 kilometers in diameter (The entire central Chaos Star Domain)

2. Chaos energy concentration -80%

3. Rule stability +100%

4. Allied forces' all attributes +50%

5. Enemy forces' all attributes -50%

6. Awaken Yindu Guardian Stone Statue (1,000 units)

7. Inflict heavy damage on Return to Void projections (Return to Void projections within 3,000 kilometers, integrity -30%)

In the square, one thousand Yindu Guardian Stone Statue lit up simultaneously!

Their eyes were no longer cold crystals, but burned with golden flames. They woke from their slumber, raised the halberds and spears in their hands, and roared in unison.

[Yindu Guardian Stone Statue · Activated!]

- Quantity: 1,000 units

- Rank: LV400-LV500

- Traits: Bronze Body, Guardian Heart, Formation Synergy

- Loyalty: 100% (Recognize Lin Zhou as Master)

On the platform, the phantom of Di Xin looked at Lin Zhou and smiled.

"Latecomer, you have done it."

"From today on, the first bell of huaxia belongs to you."

"Yindu belongs to you."

"These one thousand guardians belong to you."

His phantom slowly dissipated.

Before vanishing, he said one last sentence:

"The Way of Civilization is passed down like a torch. Do not fail it."

Lin Zhou looked in the direction where Di Xin had dissipated and bowed deeply.

"Senior, I will not fail it."

He turned and looked at the chime bell.

The body of the bell vibrated slightly, emitting a low hum as if in response.

[first bell of huaxia · Master Recognized!]

- New Master: Lin Zhou

- Portability: Can be stored in the Divine Kingdom Core (shrinks to the size of a fist)

- Effects:

1. Within the Divine Kingdom, it can be rung at set intervals to stabilize the Divine Kingdom's rules

2. On the battlefield, it can be rung once to cover a diameter of 10,000 kilometers

3. Damage +500% against the Return to Void faction

4. When resonating with the river of civilization, the bell's power is +100%

- Consumption: Each ring requires 10,000 Divine Power (automatic ringing in the Divine Kingdom consumes nothing)

Lin Zhou stored the chime bell into the Divine Kingdom Core, placing it within the Temple of Civilization.

The bell landed in the center of the Sanctuary, alongside the qiankun tripod. The tripod and the bell, one tall and one short, one round and one square, complemented each other perfectly.

[Temple of Civilization · New Collection]

- first bell of huaxia (Legendary Grade / Civilization Sacred Object)

- Effects: river of civilization water level +10%, Heavenly Pillar height +20,000 kilometers, Divine Kingdom rule stability +30%

He stepped down from the platform.

One thousand Yindu Guardian Stone Statue lined up on both sides of the platform and saluted him.

"Master!" they shouted in unison.

Lin Zhou nodded.

"From today on, you are also members of the Civilization Guardian Legion."

"Your mission—guard Dragon City, guard the Embers Outpost, and guard the Way of Civilization."

"Yes!"

Lin Zhou turned and looked at Wang Meng, Tie Xiong, Wen Yuan, Qin Shuang, and the three hundred exploration team members.

"The exploration of Yindu has come to an end."

"But the exploration of the Chaos Star Domain continues."

He pointed into the distance, where the Return to Void projection was still struggling.

"Next stop, the Return to Void projection."

"Destroy it."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Lin Zhou took a step forward, the zhan nian sword unsheathed, and he flew on the sword.

Behind him, the one thousand Yindu Guardian Stone Statue followed closely.

Further behind were the three hundred exploration team members and the one hundred Shushan stone statues.

The troop advanced grandly toward the direction of the Return to Void projection.

The resonance of the bell still echoed in the Void Realm.

Chaos energy was receding, and Order was descending.

The Way of Civilization was illuminating the Chaos Star Domain.