443: Chapter 378: The Test at the Palace Gate, the clash between the Hundred Schools of Thought and the Ancient Times

The gates of the Bronze Giant Hall slowly opened before Lin Zhou.

The massive doors, a thousand meters high and five hundred meters wide, slid inward silently, revealing the brilliant light of civilization within. However, Lin Zhou did not step inside immediately. This was because, the moment the gates fully opened, countless phantoms emerged upon the doorframe—not of The Transcendents, nor of King Yin, but of Ancient Sages.

Their faces were blurred, yet each possessed a distinct aura. Some were elegant, some majestic, some ethereal, and some profound. They wore the attire of different eras and held various objects—bamboo slips, long swords, jade tablets, and horsetail whisks. They stood on both sides of the doorframe like two rows of silent sentinels, their gazes falling upon Lin Zhou.

That gaze was not one of hostility or scrutiny, but rather—expectation.

[Bronze Giant Hall · Trial of the Temple Gates]

- Trial Content: Answer the questions of the Ancient Sages

- Number of Questions: Unknown (Changes based on responses)

- Trial Purpose: Verify if the successor's "Dao" is compatible with The Transcendent's "Way of Civilization"

- Failure Penalty: The temple gates close, permanently losing the qualification to enter

- Success Reward: Obtain core control of the giant temple

Lin Zhou took a deep breath and stepped toward the temple gates.

As his first step fell, the phantom of the first sage on the left side of the doorframe spoke. His voice was old and steady, like the whisper of a thousand-year-old tree: "Latecomer, what is civilization?"

Lin Zhou stopped and looked up at him.

"Civilization is people," Lin Zhou replied. "It is every person who has lived, loved, and strived. It is their will that condenses into civilization. It is their belief that supports civilization."

The sage was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Good."

His phantom glowed slightly, and then he stepped back, yielding half a position.

Lin Zhou continued forward.

As his second step fell, the first sage on the right side of the doorframe spoke. His voice was clear and majestic, like the striking of metal and stone: "On what is the Way of Civilization based?"

"It is based on the people," Lin Zhou said. "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 grant."

The sage's phantom vibrated slightly.

"Good."

He stepped back.

Third step, fourth step, fifth step...

With every step, a sage would ask a question. With every answer, a sage would yield the way. The questions became deeper and more difficult, ranging from "What is civilization" to "How is civilization passed down," and from "How does civilization resist Chaos" to "How does civilization survive within the Guixu."

[Trial of the Temple Gates · Progress]

- Questions Answered: 12

- Sages Who Yielded: 12

- Remaining Sages: Approximately 100

- Lin Zhou's Dao Heart Stability: 99%

When Lin Zhou reached the very center of the temple gates, a sage wearing a ceremonial robe and crown, holding a jade tablet, spoke. His voice was low and powerful, like the tolling of an ancient bell: "If you were to rule the world, how would you govern it?"

Lin Zhou stopped.

This question was more specific and realistic than all the questions he had answered before. It wasn't asking "what is civilization," but "what will you do."

He was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Govern the state with law, transform the people with virtue, strengthen the nation with industry, and cease all conflict with the military."

The sage's phantom moved slightly.

"Elaborate."

Lin Zhou raised his hand, and the blue-gold Fire of Civilization emerged in his palm.

"Govern the state with law—Law is the public instrument of the world. It makes no distinction between close or distant relations, nor between the noble and the lowly; all are judged by the law. When law is established, the state is governed; when law is abandoned, the state falls into Chaos."

"Transform the people with virtue—Virtue is the foundation of a person. Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness; gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, and humility. When virtue is established, the hearts of the people return; when virtue is abandoned, the hearts of the people scatter."

"Strengthen the nation with industry—Industry is the Sharp Weapon of the state. Through The Exploitation of the Works of Nature and the investigation of things to attain knowledge. When industry is strong, the nation is wealthy; when industry is weak, the nation is poor."

"Cease conflict with the military—The military are the claws and teeth of the state. Practicing Non-Aggression and universal love, using war to end war. When the military is sharp, the nation is secure; when the military is dull, the nation is in peril."

He lowered his hand, and the flame went out.

"These four complement each other; none can be missing. Rule of law is the bone, rule of virtue is the flesh, industry is the blood, and the military is the claws. When all four are present, civilization flourishes; when they are lacking, civilization withers."

The sage's phantom was silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly nodded.

"Good."

His phantom took a step back.

However, he did not yield the way.

"Latecomer, your answer is very comprehensive. But, I have one question—if the rule of law and the rule of virtue conflict, which shall prevail?"

Lin Zhou did not hesitate.

"Law shall prevail. Law is the bottom line. Virtue is the high line. Virtue can be encouraged but not forced. Law can be enforced but not violated. Those who break the law, even if their virtue is high, must be punished; those who follow the law, even if their virtue is thin, must be protected. This is what is meant by 'Law Shows No Mercy'."

"If industry and the military conflict, which takes priority?"

"The people take priority. Industry is for the people's livelihood, and the military is for the people's defense. If the people's livelihood is in distress, the military cannot be sustained; if the people's defense is lost, industry cannot be protected. Both are essentially one, and both are for the people. The people are the root, while industry and the military are the branches. If the root and branches are reversed, civilization is in danger."

The sage's phantom finally yielded the way.

"Latecomer, your Dao is different from that of The Transcendent. The Transcendent pursued 'Harmony between Heaven and Man,' while you pursue 'Being People-Oriented.' However, your Daos reach the same destination through different paths."

"Enter."

Lin Zhou nodded and stepped through the temple gates.

Behind him, the phantoms of the hundred sages bowed simultaneously.

[Trial of the Temple Gates · Passed!]

- Questions Correct: 108

- Time Taken: Approximately one hour

- Evaluation: SSS (Perfect)

- Reward: Core control of the Bronze Giant Hall +100%

Inside the temple, the brilliant light of civilization enveloped Lin Zhou.

He stood on a high platform, before him was that sphere of blue-gold Fire of Civilization. The flames were brighter than before, as if welcoming him.

"The Transcendent, I understand your Dao now," Lin Zhou whispered.

He raised his hand and pressed the jade tablet against the flames.

The fire and the jade tablet merged, erupting in a blinding light.

[Bronze Giant Hall · Core Control Transfer!]

- Original Controller: The Transcendent (Remnant Will)

- New Controller: Lin Zhou

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

- Controllable Functions:

1. Open/Close Temple Gates

2. Activate/Deactivate Defense Formations

- Activate/Adjust Suppression Core

- Invoke Fire of Civilization

- View/Repair Civilization Remnants within the Temple

When the transfer progress reached 100%, the entire giant temple vibrated.

The crystals on the temple ceiling surged with light, and the reliefs on the floor began to flow as if coming to life. Outside the temple, the grey-white Chaos mist was pushed aside by the temple's suppression power, revealing a clear void several thousand kilometers in diameter.

[Bronze Giant Hall · Suppression Range Expanded!]

- Original Suppression Range: 1,000 km diameter

- New Suppression Range: 3,000 km diameter

- Effect: Chaos energy concentration -90%, rule stability +100%

Lin Zhou retracted the jade tablet and turned to look outside the temple.

The exploration team members and the Stone Statue Guardians were still standing on the plaza, waiting for him.

"Brothers, from today on, this temple is ours." His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Its name is 'Zhen' (Suppress)."

"Its mission is to suppress the Chaos Star Domain."

"Our mission is to protect it."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Lin Zhou stepped down from the high platform and walked out of the temple gates.

He stood on the plaza, looking at the grey-white mist in the distance. Within the mist, the aura of the Guixu Projection remained, but it had weakened significantly—the expansion of the temple's suppression range was causing it continuous damage.

[Guixu Projection · Status (After Temple Suppression)]

- Integrity: 70% → 50%

- Repair Speed: 5% per day → 2% per day

- Distance: Approximately 500 km (Edge of the giant temple's range)

"It is receding." Xu floated to Lin Zhou's side. "Master, the temple's suppression power is continuously weakening it. If the current suppression intensity is maintained, it will completely dissipate in thirty days."

"Thirty days." Lin Zhou nodded. "That's enough."

He turned to look at Wen Yuan.

"Wen Yuan, set up defense Formations around the giant temple. Do not let any Chaos Beast get close."

"Yes!"

Wen Yuan led the rune craftsmen of the Research Hall Camp and began setting up Formations on the giant temple's plaza.

[Defense Formation · Under Construction]

- Location: Bronze Giant Hall Plaza

- Coverage: 10 km diameter

- Formation Type: Iron Wall Guardian Array · Improved Version

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

Lin Zhou walked toward the left side of the giant temple.

There was an area there enveloped by a blue-gold light shield. Within the shield floated countless remnants of civilizations—bamboo slips, silk scrolls, jade artifacts, bronzeware, stone carvings, and murals. They came from the previous Universe, from civilizations swallowed by the Guixu.

Lin Zhou walked to the light shield and reached out to touch it.

The shield vibrated slightly, and then a gap opened.

He stepped inside.

Inside was a massive secret chamber.

The walls of the chamber were covered in writing—not just one kind, but countless varieties. There were pictographs, cuneiform, alphabetic scripts, and syllabaries. Every kind of script was recording a period of history.

In the center of the chamber floated a stone stele.

The stele was not large, only about the height of a person. The body of the stele was blue-black, and on its surface were carved two Great Dao characters—Civilization.

Lin Zhou walked to the stone stele and reached out to touch it.

The stele glowed.

[civilization stele · Data]

- Source: The Transcendent

- Content: The essence of all civilizations from the previous Universe

- Status: Dormant (Requires Fire of Civilization to awaken)

- Awakening Condition: Fire of Civilization burning continuously for 100 days

- Awakening Effect: Can obtain the Civilization Legacy of the previous Universe

"One hundred days..." Lin Zhou murmured.

He raised his hand, condensed the blue-gold Fire of Civilization in his palm, and pressed it against the stele.

The fire seeped into the stele, and the characters on its surface began to glow faintly.

[civilization stele · Awakening Progress: 0.1%...0.2%...0.3%...]

"Only 1% can be awakened per day," Lin Zhou calculated. "One hundred days, three months."

He retracted his hand and walked out of the secret chamber.

Qin Qing was waiting for him at the entrance.

"Captain, what is inside the stele?"

"The essence of civilization from the previous Universe," Lin Zhou said. "Once it's awakened, we can learn their technology, thoughts, and wisdom from it. Perhaps we can find a way to combat the Guixu."

Qin Qing nodded.

"Captain, the Guixu Projection is still there. When are we going to deal with it?"

Lin Zhou thought for a moment.

"In three days," he said. "Wait until the Formations are fully set up and the temple's suppression power stabilizes a bit more. Then, we will go and end it."

"Alright."

Three days later.

On the Bronze Giant Hall's plaza, the defense Formations had been fully set up. The Iron Wall Guardian Array covered a ten-kilometer diameter area, rune turrets stood in rows, and the Stone Statue Guardians were arrayed and ready.

[Iron Wall Guardian Array · Improved Version]

- Coverage: 10 km diameter

- Effect: Ally defense +50%, enemy attack -30%, Chaos resistance +80%

- Rune Turrets: 100 (Each with attack power = Peak Lesser Divinity)

- Stone Statue Guardians: 1,100

Lin Zhou stood in the center of the plaza, the zhan nian sword on his back and the green lotus sword at his waist. Behind him were Wang Meng, Tie Xiong, Wen Yuan, Qin Shuang, Xu, Shou, and a hundred elite exploration team members.

"Brothers, the Guixu Projection is just five hundred kilometers ahead. It is receding, but it is still there. As long as it exists, the Chaos Star Domain is not safe."

"Today, we go to end it."

"Move out!"

The team advanced toward the Guixu Projection.

Five hundred kilometers within the temple's suppression range meant the Chaos energy concentration was only 10% of the outside, and rule stability was extremely high. The team's marching speed was fast, reaching the target area in less than two hours.

The Guixu Projection floated in the void.

Its integrity had dropped to 50%, and the distorted faces within the light cluster were wailing, struggling, and being assimilated. It sensed Lin Zhou's arrival and began to flee deeper into the void.

But it could not escape.

Because the temple's suppression range already covered a three-thousand-kilometer radius. No matter where it fled, it remained under the suppression power.

"Surround it," Lin Zhou ordered.

The Stone Statue Guardians dispersed, surrounding the Guixu Projection in the center.

The Guixu Projection struggled, emitting a silent roar. It tried to summon Chaos Beasts, but the temple's suppression power cut off its connection with Chaos energy. It tried to devour rules, but the suppression power made the rules firm. It tried to flee, but the Stone Statue Guardians' encirclement grew tighter.

"Captain, how do we fight it?" Wang Meng asked.

"Fire of Civilization," Lin Zhou said. "The essence of the Guixu Projection is 'nothingness.' The essence of the Fire of Civilization is 'existence.' Existence has a natural restraint over nothingness."

He raised his hand, condensing the blue-gold Fire of Civilization in his palm.

The flame was not large, yet it was warm and steady.

"Civilization—Judgment!"

The flame left his palm, transforming into a blue-gold beam of light that shot toward the Guixu Projection!

The beam struck the light cluster, making a sizzling sound.

[Fire of Civilization · vs. Guixu Projection]

- Damage: 10% integrity per second

- Guixu Projection Integrity: 50%...40%...30%...

The Guixu Projection struggled frantically, the distorted faces within the light cluster wailing and dissipating in the flames. But it was useless. The Fire of Civilization was its nemesis.

[Guixu Projection · Integrity: 30%...20%...10%...0%!]

The light cluster exploded violently, turning into countless grey-white fragments that flew in all directions. The fragments burned in the air, turning into nothingness.

The Guixu Projection had dissipated.

The battlefield fell silent.

[Guixu Projection · Completely Destroyed!]

- Time Taken: Approximately three minutes

- Consumption: 10,000 Divine Power

- Obtained: 1 wisp of Void Divinity (Faint)

- Obtained: 10 Guixu Fragments (Researchable)

Lin Zhou retracted the Fire of Civilization.

"It's over," he said softly.

Wang Meng raised his battle-axe and roared: "We won!"

"We won!" everyone cheered in unison.

Lin Zhou looked at the cheering soldiers, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"Let's go, back to the temple."

"There is still much to be done."

The team returned to the Bronze Giant Hall.

Lin Zhou stood on the high platform, looking at the grey-white mist in the distance.

Within the mist, the Guixu Projection had vanished, but the Guixu itself remained. The Chaos Star Domain was still there, the Chaos Beasts were still there, and the threat remained.

But he was not afraid.

Because behind him stood the giant temple 'Zhen'.

He had the Fire of Civilization.

He had the Legacy of ten million years.

"The Way of Civilization, passed down like an eternal flame."

He turned and stepped down from the high platform.