445: Chapter 380: The Gift of Origin, the Spark Merges into the Heart of the Holy Temple

After the phantom of The Transcendent dissipated, only a floating crystal fragment remained in the secret chamber—the last bit of Origin left behind after the Legacy ended. The fragment was small, only about the size of a fingernail, and entirely transparent, like solidified morning dew. However, its light was brighter, warmer, and more resolute than before.

Lin Zhou reached out, and the fragment drifted into his palm.

[Transcendent Origin Fragment · Data]

Source: Final Remnant Thought of The Transcendent

Quality: Legendary (Unique)

Contained Energy: Can permanently increase the Rank of the Temple of Civilization

Fusion Method: Integrate into the core of the Temple of Civilization

Fusion Effect: Unknown (Predicted to trigger Sanctuary Evolution)

He gripped the fragment tightly and turned to walk out of the secret chamber.

Qin Qing was waiting outside the door. Seeing the light in his palm, she asked softly, "Captain, what is that?"

"The final gift from The Transcendent," Lin Zhou said. "Something that can make the Temple of Civilization evolve."

He walked toward the high platform in the center of the hall.

On the platform, the Origin of the Fire of Civilization had already fused with him, but the platform remained. On the blue-gold bronze of the platform, countless inscriptions were carved—records left by The Transcendent regarding the construction principles of the Temple of Civilization.

Lin Zhou sat cross-legged on the high platform and pressed the Transcendent Origin Fragment to his brow.

The fragment fused into his Godhead and entered the Temple of Civilization.

Inside the Temple of Civilization, the river surged, the Heavenly Pillar reached for the sky, and the qiankun tripod stood alongside the first bell of huaxia. The fragment floated at the sanctuary's dome, emitting a warm glow.

[Temple of Civilization · Fusing Transcendent Origin]

Fusion Subject: Transcendent Origin Fragment

Fusion Progress: 1%... 2%... 3%...

Estimated Completion: Approximately one hour

Effect During Fusion: Internal sanctuary rules stabilized, river of civilization water level +5%

Lin Zhou closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the sanctuary.

He "saw" the fragment slowly merge into the sanctuary's dome, turning into a transparent membrane of light that covered the entire sanctuary. On the light membrane, countless miniatures of civilizations emerged—there were Huaxia, Shushan, Yindu, and many more civilizations he had never seen before. They flowed, intertwined, and merged on the light membrane, like an infinitely extending river of civilization.

[Temple of Civilization · Evolving]

Sanctuary Rank: Epic → Legendary

New Trait: [Civilization Projection] (Awakening)

river of civilization Water Level: 90% → 95%

Heavenly Pillar Height: 90,000 km → 100,000 km

Divine Kingdom Rule Stability: +30%

When the Fusion progress reached 100%, the entire Temple of Civilization shook.

The light membrane on the dome suddenly expanded, enveloping the entire sanctuary. On the light membrane, those miniatures of civilizations began to "come alive"—not as static images, but as dynamic, evolving civilizational processes.

[Temple of Civilization · Evolution Complete!]

Sanctuary Rank: Legendary

New Ability: [Civilization Projection]

Civilization Projection Effects:

Can project the rules of one's own Divine Kingdom onto any world (including the Chaos Star Domain, the edge of Guixu, and even other Universes)

Within projection range, allies' all-attributes +50%, enemies' all-attributes -50%

Within projection range, Chaos energy concentration -90%, rule stability +100%

Within projection range, can summon phantoms of the river of civilization for attack or defense

Projection Cost: 1,000 Divine Power per minute

Projection Range: One thousand kilometers in diameter (can expand as Godhead Rank increases)

Projection Limit: Only one world can be projected at a time; switching requires a one-hour cooldown

Lin Zhou opened his eyes.

In his eyes, the phantom of the Temple of Civilization was reflected—that towering hall, condensed from countless civilizations, was slowly rotating within his Godhead.

"Civilization Projection..." he murmured.

He stood up and walked down from the high platform.

Qin Qing came to meet him: "Captain, has the sanctuary evolved?"

"Yes." Lin Zhou nodded. "It has a new ability—Civilization Projection. We can project our rules onto any world."

"Including the Chaos Star Domain?"

"Including it."

Excitement flashed in Qin Qing's eyes: "Then can we use the projection to expand the suppression range of 'Zhen'?"

"We can," Lin Zhou said. "But it requires Divine Power. One thousand points per minute for a one-thousand-kilometer diameter. If we expand it to the entire Chaos Star Domain, the consumption would be too high; we wouldn't be able to sustain it."

"Then expand it a little first?" Qin Qing suggested. "Expand the suppression range of 'Zhen' from three thousand kilometers to five thousand kilometers. That way, it will be even harder for the Guixu Projection to approach."

Lin Zhou thought for a moment and nodded.

"Alright. Let's try it."

He walked out of the hall doors and stood on the square.

Raising his hand, he condensed a transparent Fire of Civilization in his palm.

"Civilization Projection—Activate!"

The flames rose into the sky, turning into a blue-gold curtain of light that spread in all directions.

[Civilization Projection · Deploying]

Coverage Range: Diameter 1,000 km → 2,000 km → 3,000 km → 5,000 km

Cost: 1,000 → 2,000 → 3,000 → 5,000 Divine Power per minute

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

Projection Stacking: Overlaps with the suppression range of 'Zhen', effects stack

Everywhere the light curtain passed, the grayish-white Chaos mist was pushed aside, revealing a patch of clear void. Chaos energy surged at the edge of the light curtain but could not cross the boundary.

[Projection + Suppression · Stacking Effect]

Coverage Range: 5,000 km diameter

Chaos Energy Concentration: 0 (Complete purification)

Rule Stability: 200%

Allies' All-Attributes: +100%

Enemies' All-Attributes: -100%

"What a powerful effect," Wen Yuan marveled. "Legion Commander, this is practically the nemesis of the Chaos Star Domain!"

"But the consumption is also high," Lin Zhou said. "At five thousand Divine Power per minute, my Divine Power reserves can only last a few hours."

"Then only use it at critical moments," Qin Qing said. "Normally, we'll still rely on the suppression from 'Zhen'."

Lin Zhou nodded and withdrew the projection.

The light curtain contracted, turning back into flames and returning to his palm.

[Civilization Projection · Closed]

Duration: Approximately three minutes

Total Consumption: 15,000 Divine Power

Current Divine Power Reserves: 30,000 → 15,000

"Not much Divine Power left." Lin Zhou frowned. "We need to replenish it."

"How do we replenish it?" Qin Qing asked.

"Faith," Lin Zhou said. "The soldiers of the Civilization Guardian Legion can provide about ten thousand points of faith per day. But it's not enough."

"Then what should we do?"

Lin Zhou thought for a moment.

"Awaken the civilization stele," he said. "The stele contains the civilizational essence of the previous Universe. If we can awaken it, perhaps we can find a way to replenish Divine Power from it."

He walked back into the hall and stood before the civilization stele.

The Awakening progress of the stele had reached 0.6%. At 1% per day, it was too slow.

"Wen Yuan, is there a way to accelerate the Awakening?"

Wen Yuan pushed up his glasses: "Yes. By continuously burning it with the Fire of Civilization while injecting essence of order. essence of order can nourish the stele and accelerate its Awakening."

"How much essence of order is left?"

"About two hundred units."

"Is that enough?"

"It's enough to accelerate it to 10%," Wen Yuan said. "But to fully awaken it, we need at least ten thousand units. We don't have that much."

Lin Zhou fell silent.

"Then accelerate it to 10% first," he said. "Let's see what's inside the stele."

"Yes."

Wen Yuan led the rune craftsmen of the Research Hall Camp to set up an acceleration Formation around the stele. Lin Zhou sat cross-legged in front of the stele, condensed the transparent Fire of Civilization in his palm, and pressed it against the stele.

[civilization stele · Accelerated Awakening]

Acceleration Method: Burning with Fire of Civilization + Injection of essence of order

Current Awakening Progress: 0.6%... 1%... 2%...

Consumption: 10 units of essence of order per minute

Estimated Time to 10%: Approximately ninety minutes

Ninety minutes later.

The Awakening progress of the stele reached 10%.

The text on the body of the stele began to glow.

[civilization stele · Partially Awakened!]

Awakening Progress: 10%

Unlocked Content: 'Energy Conversion Technology' of the previous Universe

Technical Effect: Can convert Chaos energy into Divine Power (Conversion efficiency: 100 units of Chaos energy → 1 Divine Power)

Conversion Condition: Requires the Fire of Civilization as a catalyst

Conversion Equipment: Requires the construction of a 'Chaos Energy Conversion Furnace'

"Chaos Energy Conversion Furnace..." Lin Zhou thought thoughtfully.

"Wen Yuan, can we build it?"

Wen Yuan calculated quickly: "Yes. We need chaos crystals, essence of order, and the Fire of Civilization as the core. With our current Materials, we can build one small-scale Conversion Furnace."

"Build it."

Wen Yuan led the rune craftsmen of the Research Hall Camp and began constructing the Conversion Furnace on the giant hall's square.

[Chaos Energy Conversion Furnace · Under Construction]

Type: Small-scale

Conversion Efficiency: Can process 10,000 units of Chaos energy per hour, producing 100 Divine Power

Consumption: Continuous burning of the Fire of Civilization (no additional cost)

Construction Materials: chaos crystals × 1,000, essence of order × 50 units

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

An hour later.

The Conversion Furnace was completed.

It was a bronze furnace about five meters tall and three meters in diameter, its body covered in runes. A cluster of Fire of Civilization floated at the top of the furnace as a catalyst. The bottom of the furnace was connected to the suppression Formation of the giant hall, which could automatically absorb Chaos energy.

[Chaos Energy Conversion Furnace · Data]

Type: Small-scale

Conversion Efficiency: 10,000 Chaos energy → 100 Divine Power per hour

Daily Output: 2,400 Divine Power

Consumption: None (Fire of Civilization automatically maintained)

Current Status: Operating

"Two thousand four hundred a day," Lin Zhou said. "Not enough."

"But we can build several more," Wen Yuan said. "There's still space on the square; we can build nine more. With ten operating together, that's twenty-four thousand Divine Power a day, which is barely enough to maintain the Civilization Projection."

"Then build them."

Over the next three days, Wen Yuan led the rune craftsmen of the Research Hall Camp and built nine more Chaos Energy Conversion Furnaces on the square.

The ten furnaces were lined up in a row. The Fire of Civilization atop each furnace looked like ten eternal stars amidst the grayish-white mist.

[Chaos Energy Conversion Furnace · Array]

Quantity: Ten

Total Conversion Efficiency: 100,000 Chaos energy → 1,000 Divine Power per hour

Daily Output: 24,000 Divine Power

Current Divine Power Reserves: 15,000 → 40,000 (Accumulated over three days)

Lin Zhou stood before the furnace array. Looking at those burning flames, a sense of security surged in his heart.

"With these furnaces, our Divine Power can be self-sufficient."

"More than that," Wen Yuan said excitedly. "Legion Commander, there are more technologies in the stele. If we can fully awaken it, maybe we can build more efficient Conversion Furnaces, or even directly convert Guixu energy!"

"Guixu energy?" Lin Zhou frowned.

"Yes," Wen Yuan nodded. "Guixu energy is purer than Chaos energy. If we can convert Guixu energy, our Divine Power will be constant and never run dry."

"But Guixu energy is too dangerous," Qin Qing shook her head. "One slight mistake, and we'll be contaminated."

"Therefore, we need to be cautious," Wen Yuan said. "Research first, then practice."

Lin Zhou nodded.

"Wen Yuan, you are responsible for researching the technologies in the stele."

"Wang Meng, Tie Xiong, you are responsible for training the soldiers and improving combat strength."

"Qin Shuang, you are responsible for maintaining Order and preventing mental contamination."

"Qin Qing, you are responsible for overall coordination."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Lin Zhou turned and walked back into the hall.

He stood on the high platform, looking at the civilization stele in the hall.

The Awakening progress of the stele was still stuck at 10%.

"One hundred days..." he murmured.

He raised his hand, and the transparent Fire of Civilization condensed in his palm.

"From today on, burn the Stone Tablet with the Fire of Civilization for one hour every day to speed up its Awakening."

"Yes!" Wen Yuan replied.

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

On the square, ten Conversion Furnaces were in operation, flames burning atop them.

In the distance, within the grayish-white mist, fluctuations of Chaos energy still existed. However, under the suppression of the Bronze Giant Hall and the protection of the Civilization Projection, they could not cross the boundary.

"Captain, what are you thinking about?" Qin Qing walked over.

"Thinking about the entrance to the New Universe," Lin Zhou said. "The Transcendent said it's at the deepest part of the Chaos Star Domain. But the Chaos Star Domain is too large; we don't know the exact location."

"Then we'll search slowly," Qin Qing said. "We have time."

"No, we don't," Lin Zhou shook his head. "Although the Guixu Projection has been destroyed, Guixu itself still exists. It will continue to erode the Chaos Star Domain and expand its range. If we can't find the entrance to the New Universe before it swallows the entire Chaos Star Domain, it will be too late."

Qin Qing fell silent.

"Then what should we do?"

Lin Zhou thought for a moment.

"Send Xu to explore," he said. "Xu is a Rule Spirit and can move freely within the Chaos Star Domain. Let it search for the entrance to the New Universe."

"Alright."

Lin Zhou summoned Xu.

"Master, you called for me?" Xu floated in front of him.

"Xu, I want you to go to the deepest part of the Chaos Star Domain to find the entrance to the New Universe."

"What does the entrance look like?"

"I don't know," Lin Zhou shook his head. "But it should share the same Origin as 'Zhen'. It's a door to the New Universe left behind by The Transcendent."

Xu closed its eyes to sense for a moment, then opened them.

"Master, I can sense an energy source similar to 'Zhen' in the deepest part of the Chaos Star Domain. However, it is surrounded by Guixu energy, and my perception cannot penetrate it."

"Can you get close?"

"Yes, but it will take time," Xu said. "The Guixu energy is too thick; I need to adapt slowly."

"How long?"

"One month."

"Alright," Lin Zhou nodded. "In one month, whether you've found it or not, come back."

"Yes."

Xu floated toward the depths of the Chaos Star Domain, disappearing into the grayish-white mist.

Lin Zhou watched the direction it disappeared in, remaining silent for a long time.

"Captain, can it find it?" Qin Qing asked.

"It can," Lin Zhou said. "I believe in it."

He turned and walked back into the hall.

"Let's go, there's still much to do."

"Yes."

Over the next month, the Civilization Guardian Legion was busy within the Bronze Giant Hall.

Wen Yuan led the Research Hall Camp to study Stone Tablet technology and translate books from the previous Universe. Wang Meng and Tie Xiong led the Vanguard Battalion and War Hall Battalion to train soldiers and improve combat power. Qin Shuang led the Administration Hall Battalion to maintain Order and prevent mental pollution. Qin Qing oversaw the overall situation and coordinated all parties.

Lin Zhou, meanwhile, used the Fire of Civilization to burn the Stone Tablet for an hour every day to speed up its Awakening.

[civilization stele · Awakening Progress (One Month Later)]

Original Progress: 10%

Daily Acceleration: +1%

One-Month Acceleration: +30%

Current Progress: 40%

Unlocked Technology:

Chaos Energy Conversion Furnace (Already Built)

Order Essence Purification Method (Batch production of essence of order possible)

Civilization Armor Forging Method (Epic-grade Armor can be forged)

Guixu Energy Conversion Furnace (Theoretical, requires further research)

[Civilization Guardian Legion · Combat Power Increase (One Month Later)]

Total Troops: 5,000 people + 1,100 stone statues

Average Divinity Rank: LV300 → LV350

rune armor: All upgraded to "Civilization Armor" (Defense +100%)

Weapons: All upgraded to "Civilization Weapons" (Attack +100%)

Soldier Mental State: High Morale (Empowered by Fire of Civilization)

One month later, Xu returned.

It floated before Lin Zhou, its surrounding runes dim, clearly exhausted from the great exertion.

"Master, I found it."

Lin Zhou's heart jolted.

"Where is it?"

"In the deepest part of the Chaos Star Domain, about ten thousand kilometers from here," Xu said. "There is a door there. Not a bronze door, but... a Light Gate. Within the Light Gate, one can vaguely see another Universe—a Universe without Guixu, without Chaos, only Order and civilization."

"The entrance to the New Universe," Lin Zhou murmured.

"But it is surrounded by Guixu energy," Xu said. "The Guixu energy is too thick for me to get close. Furthermore, the Guixu Projections are also there—not just one, but three. They are guarding that door."

"Three Guixu Projections?" Lin Zhou frowned.

"Yes," Xu nodded. "Each one is stronger than the previous one. Their Rank is above LV700."

Lin Zhou fell silent.

Three Guixu Projections above LV700, guarding the entrance to the New Universe.

Meanwhile, his Divinity Rank was LV900, the river of civilization's water level was at 95%, and the Heavenly Pillar's height was 100,000 kilometers.

Could they fight?

They could.

But there would be a price.

"Captain, do we fight?" Qin Qing asked.

"We fight," Lin Zhou said. "The entrance to the New Universe is right before us. We cannot give up."

"But, three Guixu Projections..."

"Therefore, we need a plan," Lin Zhou said. "Wen Yuan, is there any technology in the Stone Tablet to deal with Guixu Projections?"

Wen Yuan quickly checked: "There is. The essence of a Guixu Projection is 'Nothingness'. The essence of the Fire of Civilization is 'Existence'. Existence has a natural suppression over Nothingness. However, if three projections attack together, the effect of the Fire of Civilization will be dispersed."

"Is there a way to concentrate it?"

"Yes," Wen Yuan said. "Using 'Zhen' as the core, we can concentrate the coverage area of the Civilization Projection onto a single point. This way, the projection's power will increase significantly, but the coverage area will shrink."

"Shrink to what size?"

"One hundred kilometers in diameter," Wen Yuan said. "But the power will increase tenfold."

Lin Zhou thought for a moment.

"Alright. Then concentrate it."

He turned and looked at everyone.

"Brothers, the entrance to the New Universe is just ahead. Three Guixu Projections are blocking the way."

"We are going to destroy them."

"Are you willing to come with me?"

"We are!" everyone responded in unison.

Lin Zhou nodded.

"Move out!"

The team advanced toward the deepest part of the Chaos Star Domain.

Within the ten thousand kilometers under the suppression of the giant hall, the concentration of Chaos energy was extremely low, and their marching speed was very fast.

Three days later, they reached their destination.

There was a door there.

A Light Gate, about a thousand meters high and five hundred meters wide, completely transparent like solidified light. Within the door, another Universe could be vaguely seen—there were stars, land, oceans, and life. No Chaos, no Guixu, only Order and civilization.

[New Universe Entrance · Data]

Type: Passage left by The Transcendent

Status: Stable

Target Connection: New Universe (No Guixu)

Guards: Three Guixu Projections (LV700+)

Three Guixu Projections hovered before the Light Gate.

They were larger, brighter, and more distorted than the previous one. Within the spheres of light, there were more faces, more wailing, and more struggling.

[Guixu Projection · Data]

Quantity: 3

Rank: LV720, LV750, LV780

Characteristics: Rule Devouring, Existence Erasure, Karmic Severance

Integrity: 100%

"Three of them." Wang Meng gripped his battle-axe. "Captain, how do we fight?"

Lin Zhou looked at those three light spheres and remained silent for a moment.

"Concentrate fire and take down the weakest one first."

He raised his hand, and the transparent Fire of Civilization condensed in his palm.

"Civilization Projection—Concentrate!"

The flames rose into the sky, turning into a pillar of cyan-gold light that shot toward the LV720 Guixu Projection.

[Civilization Projection · Concentration Mode]

Coverage Area: 100 kilometers in diameter

Power: +1000%

Consumption: 10,000 Divine Power per minute

Target: Guixu Projection (LV720)

The light pillar hit the projection, making a sizzling sound.

[Guixu Projection · Status (LV720)]

Integrity: 100% → 90% → 80% → 70%

Reaction: Struggling, attempting to flee

"Surround it!" Lin Zhou ordered.

The Stone Statue Guardians spread out, surrounding the projection in the center.

Wang Meng led the Vanguard Battalion in a charge, Tie Xiong led the War Hall Battalion in cover, and Qin Shuang's Order Domain enveloped the battlefield.

[Combat Data · First Projection]

Kill Time: Approximately five minutes

Consumption: 50,000 Divine Power

Obtained: 1 wisp of Void Divinity, 10 Guixu Fragments

The first projection dissipated.

However, the other two projections began to pounce toward Lin Zhou.

Their speed was extremely fast, twice as fast as the previous one.

"Captain, they're coming!" Qin Qing cried out.

Lin Zhou turned to face the two projections.

The zhan nian sword was unsheathed, and the green lotus sword was unsheathed.

Two swords, one to sever thoughts, one of the green lotus.

"Civilization Sword River—Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin!"

The Civilization Sword River surged out from the Divine Kingdom, turning into countless sword shadows that shot toward the two projections!

[Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin · vs Guixu Projection]

Number of Sword Shadows: Approximately 20,000

Total Attack Power: 10x full-power strike of a Mid-Tier Divine Power Peak

Consumption: 50,000 Divine Power

The sword rain fell, and the integrity of both projections dropped simultaneously.

[Guixu Projection · Status (LV750)]

Integrity: 100% → 80% → 60% → 40%

[Guixu Projection · Status (LV780)]

Integrity: 100% → 85% → 70% → 55%

"Continue!" Lin Zhou gritted his teeth, driving the sword river once more.

A second wave of sword rain, a third wave...

When the fourth wave of sword rain fell, the LV750 projection dissipated.

[Guixu Projection · Status (LV750)]

Integrity: 0% (Dissipated)

Obtained: 1 wisp of Void Divinity, 15 Guixu Fragments

Only the last one remained, LV780.

Its integrity was still at 30%. balance

"One last strike!" Lin Zhou roared, pouring all his remaining Divine Power into the sword river.

[Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin · Fifth Wave]

Consumption: 30,000 Divine Power

Power: 15x full-power strike of a Mid-Tier Divine Power Peak (Concentrated)

The sword rain fell, and the integrity of the last projection dropped from 30% to 0%.

[Guixu Projection · Status (LV780)]

Integrity: 0% (Dissipated)

Obtained: 1 wisp of Void Divinity, 20 Guixu Fragments

All three Guixu Projections had dissipated.

The area before the Light Gate was finally clear.

Lin Zhou landed back on the ground, his body swaying slightly.

[Lin Zhou · Status]

Divine Power Reserve: 15,000 → 0

river of civilization Water Level: 95% → 85%

Divinity Integrity: 100%

Spirit: Extremely fatigued

"Captain!" Qin Qing rushed over and supported him.

"I'm fine," Lin Zhou shook his head. "Just exhausted my Divine Power."

He looked at the Light Gate.

Within the Light Gate, the light of the New Universe was beckoning.

"Let's go, let's go inside and take a look."

He stepped toward the Light Gate.

Behind him, everyone followed.

The Light Gate was before them. The New Universe was in sight. The Way of Civilization was beneath their feet.