449: Chapter 384: Shock at the Return, Reporting the Crisis of the Ruins

The green grass of the New Universe rustled in the breeze.

Lin Zhou stood before the Light Gate, watching the slowly shrinking portal. The light of the New Universe within the gate remained bright, but the edges of the frame had begun to blur—not because of instability, but because the anchor point in the Old Universe had disappeared. After the collapse of 'Zhen', the Light Gate lost its support and was slowly closing.

[Light Gate · Status]

Connection Status: Old Universe anchor point has disappeared

Stability: 65% (Continually decreasing)

Estimated Complete Closure: Approximately seven days

Passable Personnel: Final time (Approximately five thousand people have all passed through)

“Captain, the gate is closing.” Qin Qing walked to his side.

“I know,” Lin Zhou said. “In the Old Universe, there is nothing left to support it.”

He turned around and looked at the land of the New Universe.

Five thousand soldiers stood in Formation, while one thousand one hundred Stone Statue Guardians stood silently on both sides. On their faces were the relief of surviving a disaster, the sorrow of losing their homes, and confusion about the future. But there was no fear.

Because they believed in Lin Zhou.

“Brothers,” Lin Zhou spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, “The Old Universe is gone. The Chaos Star Domain is gone. 'Zhen' is also gone.”

“But we are still alive.”

“Civilization still remains.”

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

“From today onwards, this is our new home. We will build a new 'Zhen' here, a new Shushan, and a new Yindu. We will continue the Way of Civilization here.”

“Are you willing to join me?”

“We are!” five thousand people responded in unison.

Lin Zhou nodded.

“Good. Set up camp and rest. In three days, we begin construction.”

Three days later.

The first camp of the New Universe was built on the grass near the Light Gate. The scale of the camp was not large, consisting only of a few rows of simple wooden houses and a plaza. However, in the center of the plaza stood a stele—not a civilization stele, but a monument forged by Lin Zhou with the Fire of Civilization, engraved with the names of all the fallen soldiers.

[Monument to the Fallen · Data]

Material: Fire of Civilization + essence of order

Number of Names Engraved: Approximately two thousand (including soldiers who fell in the Battle of the Chaos Star Domain)

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

Location: Center of the New Universe camp plaza

Lin Zhou stood before the monument, silent for a long time.

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

“Thinking about how to go back,” Lin Zhou said.

“Go back? To where?”

“The Old Universe.” Lin Zhou turned to look at her. “Although Guixu has swallowed the Chaos Star Domain, the Old Universe still exists. The Human Race is still there, and the myriad races are still there. We cannot abandon them.”

“But, the Light Gate is about to close...”

“That is why we must go back before the Light Gate closes,” Lin Zhou said. “Not everyone, but a few people. We must go back to report the crisis of Guixu and let the Human Race prepare.”

Qin Qing fell silent.

“I'll go,” she said.

“No, I will go.” Lin Zhou shook his head. “You are the Military Judge; you need to stay and maintain Order.”

“But...”

“No buts.” Lin Zhou interrupted her. “This is my responsibility.”

He walked toward the Light Gate.

The Light Gate had already shrunk to less than ten meters high and five meters wide. The light within the gate was still bright, but the blurring at the edges of the frame was becoming increasingly severe.

[Light Gate · Status (Three days later)]

Height: Ten meters

Width: Five meters

Stability: 50%

Estimated Complete Closure: Approximately four days

Lin Zhou stood before the Light Gate and took a deep breath.

“Wen Yuan, how much longer can the Light Gate hold?”

Wen Yuan calculated quickly: “At most four days. In four days, the Light Gate will completely close and will be impassable.”

“Four days is enough,” Lin Zhou said. “I will go back and report the crisis. I will return within four days.”

“Captain, it's too dangerous...” Wang Meng said.

“I know,” Lin Zhou interrupted him. “But someone must go.”

He stepped into the Light Gate.

Within the Light Gate, light flowed backward, time distorted, and space folded.

[Reverse Passage · In Transit]

Personnel Passing: 1 person

Passage Stability: 50%...45%...40%...

Estimated Arrival Time: Approximately two hours

Risk: High (Passage may collapse)

Two hours later.

Lin Zhou stepped out of the Light Gate.

Before his eyes was a vast void.

It was not the grayish-white void of the Chaos Star Domain, but absolute darkness. The darkness of Guixu.

[Old Universe · Status (Light Gate Exit)]

Location: Edge of the former Chaos Star Domain

Guixu Erosion Range: Has covered the entirety of the former Chaos Star Domain

Darkness Concentration: Extremely high

Rule Stability: 0

Time Flow: Chaotic

Lin Zhou expanded his Civilization Projection, enveloping himself within it.

[Civilization Projection · Expanded]

Coverage Range: Ten kilometers in diameter

Consumption: 10,000 Divine Power per minute

Effect: Resists Guixu erosion, stabilizes rules

Current Divine Power Reserve: 400,000 → 300,000

He flew in the direction of the Human Race.

The Human Expeditionary Force headquarters, Seventh War Zone, was approximately five thousand kilometers from the Light Gate exit.

Five thousand kilometers in the darkness of Guixu meant every step was filled with danger. The darkness was eroding, rules were collapsing, and time was twisting. Lin Zhou's Civilization Projection was like a lone lamp in the dark, weak yet steadfast.

[Flight · Data]

Distance: 5,000 kilometers

Speed: 500 kilometers per hour (Affected by Guixu erosion)

Estimated Arrival: Approximately ten hours

Divine Power Consumption: 100,000 per hour

Ten hours later.

Lin Zhou arrived at the Seventh War Zone.

However, the Seventh War Zone no longer looked as it did when he left.

The fortress walls were covered in cracks. Most of the defensive Formations had failed. The soldiers were exhausted and desperate. They saw the darkness of Guixu surging from the direction of the Chaos Star Domain.

[Seventh War Zone · Status]

Guixu Erosion Distance: Approximately 1,000 kilometers

Fortress Defense: Damaged

Soldier Morale: Low

Commander: Marshal General Zhao Wuji (Heavily injured)

Lin Zhou landed on the roof of the fortress's command tower.

At the top of the tower, Marshal General Zhao Wuji was standing by the window, looking at the darkness in the distance. His face was pale, and his Godhead integrity was only 60%, clearly having suffered heavy injuries in previous battles.

“Marshal.” Lin Zhou walked into the command room.

General Zhao Wuji turned around, and upon seeing him, surprise flashed in his eyes.

“Lin Zhou? Weren't you in the Chaos Star Domain...”

“The Chaos Star Domain is gone,” Lin Zhou said. “Guixu has swallowed the entire Chaos Star Domain.”

General Zhao Wuji's pupils suddenly constricted.

“What?”

“The speed of Guixu's erosion suddenly accelerated tenfold,” Lin Zhou said. “The Chaos Star Domain has been completely swallowed. 'Zhen' is also gone.”

He walked to the star map and pointed to the location of the Chaos Star Domain.

“This was once the Chaos Star Domain. Now, it is a void.”

General Zhao Wuji fell silent.

“How much time do we have?”

“At the current rate of erosion, Guixu will swallow the Seventh War Zone within three months. Within half a year, it will swallow half of the Human Race's Star Domains. Within a year, it will swallow the entire Human Race.”

“One year...” General Zhao Wuji murmured.

“Therefore, we must evacuate immediately,” Lin Zhou said. “Evacuate to the New Universe.”

“New Universe?”

“Yes.” Lin Zhou nodded. “The entrance to the New Universe left by The Transcendent is in the deepest part of the Chaos Star Domain. Although the Chaos Star Domain has been swallowed, the entrance is still there. As long as we pass through the entrance, we can enter the New Universe—a world without Guixu, without Chaos, and with only Order.”

General Zhao Wuji was silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly nodded.

“Good. I will report this to the High Command immediately.”

He turned, walked to the communication console, and activated the highest level of emergency communication.

[High Command · Emergency Communication]

Sender: Marshal General Zhao Wuji (Commander of the Seventh War Zone)

Receiver: All members of the High Command

Content: Guixu crisis, request to convene an emergency meeting

Priority: SSS+

One hour later.

The High Command emergency meeting was held in a virtual conference room.

Attending the meeting were the Supreme Commander of the Human Race, the commanders of the major military regions, Cosmic Council representatives, and the deans of various academies. Lin Zhou, as the only 'eyewitness' who had returned from the edge of Guixu, was exceptionally permitted to attend.

[High Command · Emergency Meeting]

Number of Participants: Approximately one hundred people

Moderator: Supreme Commander of the Human Race (God King level)

Topic: Guixu Crisis and Response Strategies

Lin Zhou's Status: Attending (Special Permission)

“Lin Zhou, please report on the situation of Guixu.” The Supreme Commander's voice was deep and majestic.

Lin Zhou stood up and walked to the center of the conference room.

“Everyone, the erosion speed of Guixu suddenly accelerated tenfold three months ago.”

He raised his hand and projected a star map.

“The Chaos Star Domain has been completely swallowed. At the current rate of erosion, Guixu will swallow the Seventh War Zone within three months. Within half a year, it will swallow half of the Human Race's Star Domains. Within a year, it will swallow the entire Human Race.”

The conference room erupted in an uproar.

“Impossible!” A military region commander stood up. “The erosion speed of Guixu has always been stable. How could it suddenly accelerate tenfold?”

“Because 'Zhen' is gone,” Lin Zhou said. “'Zhen' is the Bronze Giant Hall left by The Transcendent to suppress the Chaos Star Domain. It collapsed under the erosion of Guixu.”

“The Transcendent? Bronze Giant Hall?” Another commander frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Lin Zhou took a deep breath.

“Everyone, are you aware of the Temple of Civilization?”

The crowd fell silent.

“The Temple of Civilization is a relic left by The Transcendent. The Transcendent came from the previous Universe. Under the erosion of Guixu, he built 'Zhen' to suppress the Chaos Star Domain and delay Guixu's erosion.”

“But the power of 'Zhen' is not infinite. Millions of years have passed, and its power has been waning. Three months ago, the acceleration of Guixu's erosion caused 'Zhen' to collapse.”

“The Chaos Star Domain was thus swallowed.”

The conference room erupted in an uproar once again.

“This... how is this possible?” someone murmured.

“The facts are right before our eyes,” Lin Zhou said. “The Chaos Star Domain is gone. The Seventh War Zone is about to be swallowed. We must evacuate immediately.”

“Evacuate? To where?” the Supreme Commander asked.

“The New Universe,” Lin Zhou said. “The entrance to the New Universe left by The Transcendent is in the deepest part of the Chaos Star Domain. Although the Chaos Star Domain has been swallowed, the entrance is still there. As long as we pass through the entrance, we can enter the New Universe—a world without Guixu, without Chaos, and with only Order.”

“How do you know?” a Cosmic Council representative questioned.

“Because I have just returned from there,” Lin Zhou said. “My Civilization Guardian Legion has already entered the New Universe.”

He raised his hand and projected images of the New Universe.

Green grass, blue sky, and white clouds.

“This is the New Universe.”

The conference room fell silent.

Everyone looked at the image, their eyes filled with shock.

“The New Universe... really exists?” the Supreme Commander's voice carried a hint of trembling.

“It exists,” Lin Zhou said. “And it is large enough to accommodate the entire Human Race.”

The Supreme Commander was silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly nodded.

“Very well. I Order—the entire army, prepare for evacuation.”

“Target: the New Universe.”

“Timeframe: three months.”

“Yes!” everyone responded in unison.

The meeting ended.

Lin Zhou walked out of the virtual conference room and returned to reality.

General Zhao Wuji was waiting for him.

“Lin Zhou, do you really believe the New Universe can accommodate the entire Human Race?”

“It can,” Lin Zhou said. “The New Universe is vast, larger than the Old Universe. Moreover, there is no Guixu, no Chaos, only Order.”

“But the entrance is only a single gate. How can it accommodate the entire Human Race?”

“Therefore, it needs to be expanded,” Lin Zhou said. “Using the Fire of Civilization as a key and Guixu energy as fuel, we will expand the Light Gate. We will make it large enough to accommodate legions, fleets, and even entire Star Domains.”

“Can it be done?”

“It can,” Lin Zhou said. “But it will take time.”

“How long?”

“I don't know,” Lin Zhou shook his head. “Maybe a year, maybe ten years. But no matter how long it takes, we must do it.”

General Zhao Wuji fell silent.

“Alright. I believe you.”

He turned and walked toward the command room.

“I will go prepare for the evacuation.”

Lin Zhou watched his back and was silent for a moment.

Then, he turned and walked toward the direction of the Light Gate.

He had to go back.

Back to the New Universe.

Back to his brothers.

Because that was where his home was.

The Light Gate was still there.

However, it had already shrunk to less than five meters high and two meters wide.

[Light Gate · Status (Two days later)]

Height: Five meters

Width: Two meters

Stability: 30%

Estimated Complete Closure: Approximately two days

Lin Zhou stood before the Light Gate and took a deep breath.

He stepped into the Light Gate.

Within the passage, light flowed backward, time distorted, and space folded.

[Reverse Passage · In Transit]

Personnel Passing: 1 person

Passage Stability: 30%...25%...20%...

Estimated Arrival Time: Approximately four hours

Risk: Extremely high (Passage could collapse at any time)

Four hours later.

Lin Zhou stepped out of the Light Gate.

Beneath his feet was green grass. Above his head was a blue sky.

The New Universe was still there.

He had returned.

“Captain!” Qin Qing rushed over and supported him. “Are you alright?”

“I'm fine,” Lin Zhou shook his head. “Just a bit tired.”

He looked at the sky of the New Universe and was silent for a long time.

“Captain, the Old Universe side...”

“It has been reported,” Lin Zhou said. “The High Command has decided to evacuate. Within three months, the entire army will evacuate into the New Universe.”

“Three months? Is that enough?”

“It's not enough,” Lin Zhou shook his head. “But we must do it.”

He turned to look at the soldiers.

“Brothers, from today onwards, our mission has changed.”

“It is no longer defense, but—construction.”

“Constructing the New Universe, expanding the Light Gate, and welcoming the arrival of the Human Race.”

“Are you willing to join me?”

“We are!” five thousand people responded in unison.

Lin Zhou nodded.

“Good.”