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516: Chapter 451: A Hundred Families Offer Sacrifices, Heroic Spirits Reappear to Assist in Defending the City

Time flowed like blood over the ruins of the Iron Wall Fortress.

Lin Zhou's godhead integrity had recovered to 80%, and the water level of the river of civilization had returned to 100%. The scales of the Dragon Vein Golden Scale had repaired by 70%; golden blood no longer flowed, but it lay in the corner of the wall, eyes closed, breathing heavily. It had not fully recovered. Su Yueyao's moonlight shone upon the wall every day, its silvery-white radiance seeping into the cracks of every brick and stone, repairing the wounds of the Great Wall of Civilization. The golden poem on the wall, "If only the Flying Generals of the Dragon City were here, not allowing the Hu horses to cross the Yin Mountains," glowed anew under the infiltration of the moonlight, and those Heroic Spirit projections that had become transparent during the battle ten days ago regained some solidity.

[Great Wall of Civilization · Status (Ten Days Later)] - Durability: 8,000,000 → 9,000,000 (Repairing) - Heroic Spirit Projections: Approx. 8,000 (Restoring Solidity) - Flying Sword: 12,000 (Sword Light Restored 80%) - Inscriptions: Approx. 10,000 (Luminous Intensity Restored 70%)

But Lin Zhou knew this was far from enough. The Lord of Nothingness's integrity had recovered from 60% to 95% over the ten days; its self-healing speed had doubled in the last three days because the energy outflow from the depths of the Return to Ruins crack had increased. Ten spatial Anchor Points had been destroyed, and Li Mo no longer had any Origin spatial stones left. The width of the crack had rebounded from 120 kilometers to 180 kilometers.

[Lord of Nothingness · Status (Ten Days Later)] - Integrity: 60% → 95% - Self-healing Speed: 0.2% per second in the last three days - Return to Ruins Crack Width: 180 kilometers - Estimated Next Attack: Anytime

At dawn on the eleventh day, dark red light surged out from the depths of the crack again. The Lord of Nothingness did not bring a beast horde, nor did it lead any lords; it walked out alone. Its size was a circle smaller than ten days ago, and its integrity was only 95%, but its gaze was even more crazed. The wound where its left eye had been blinded by Lin Zhou had healed, but the eyeball had not regenerated, leaving only a hollow cavity. Gray-white mist surged from the cavity; that was the existential lack it could not repair.

[Lord of Nothingness · Status (At Time of Attack)] - Integrity: 95% - Left Eye: Permanently Blind - Trait: Rage (Attack Power +30%, Defense -20%)

The Lord of Nothingness took a step, walking towards the Great Wall of Civilization. Each step made the Void Realm tremble, and the dark red Return to Ruins Domain unfolded once more, covering an area with a diameter of 10,000 kilometers. This time, the intensity of the Domain was higher than ten days ago because the Lord of Nothingness had concentrated all its power into the Domain, holding nothing back. The inscriptions on the Great Wall of Civilization flickered violently in the dark red light, and the durability dropped at a rate of 2% per second.

[Great Wall of Civilization · Status (Domain Suppression)] - Durability: 9,000,000 → 8,000,000 → 7,000,000 (-2% per second) - Heroic Spirit Projections: Beginning to turn transparent - Flying Sword: Sword light dimming

Lin Zhou stood above the city gate, and the river of civilization surged out from his God Kingdom. This time, he did not expand the river to cover the entire wall; instead, he contracted it to a small area above the city gate, protecting only himself and core members like Su Yueyao, Wang Meng, Qin Qing, Lei Zhan, and Iron Face. The water level of the river of civilization began to drop from 100%.

[river of civilization · Status (Domain Confrontation)] - Coverage: Diameter 100 meters - Consumption: 500,000 Divine Power per minute - Return to Ruins Domain Suppression Effect: 90% of non-Return to Ruins rules invalidated - river of civilization Water Level: 100% → 95%

"All troops, retreat behind the wall! Do not engage!" Lin Zhou ordered.

Seven thousand soldiers retreated behind the wall, outside the protection of the river of civilization. Their Divine Fire flickered violently in the Return to Ruins Domain, and their godhead integrity dropped at a rate of 1% per second, but not a single person retreated. They gripped their Flying Swords, the Fire of Civilization on the blades pulsing slightly in the dark red light. They could not fight in melee, but they could provide fire support from the wall—throwing their Flying Swords.

Wang Meng drew his Flying Sword, aimed at the soles of the Lord of Nothingness, and threw it.

[Flying Sword · Throw] - Attack Power: Full power strike of Mid-Tier Divine Power (Initial Stage) - Damage to Return to Ruins Faction: +500% - Effect: Lord of Nothingness integrity 95% → 94.9%

The Flying Sword pierced into the sole of the Lord of Nothingness, leaving a sword scar. The Fire of Civilization within the scar began to burn, evaporating a small patch of the surrounding Return to Ruins energy. The Lord of Nothingness's integrity dropped by 0.1%. But it did not stop its pace, not even glancing down. It ignored those ants; its only target was Lin Zhou.

"Keep throwing!" Wang Meng ordered.

Seven thousand Flying Swords were thrown simultaneously, seven thousand streaks of cyan-gold light appearing like a meteor shower in the dark red void. The sword rain fell upon the Lord of Nothingness, leaving seven thousand sword scars. Each scar was imbued with a wisp of the Fire of Civilization; flames burned on the dark red scales, and the Lord of Nothingness's integrity dropped from 95% to 90%.

[Flying Sword Volley · Data] - Number of Flying Swords: 7,000 - Integrity Drop: 5% - Flying Sword Recovery: Requires time

The Lord of Nothingness quickened its pace. Five hundred kilometers, four hundred kilometers, three hundred kilometers from the Great Wall of Civilization... Lin Zhou condensed the Fire of Civilization, preparing to release Civilization Judgment. But he needed time to charge, at least thirty seconds. The Lord of Nothingness would not give him thirty seconds.

Just then, a strong resonance suddenly came from the Temple of Civilization. It was not an external attack, but from the depths of the temple—the Hall of Heroes.

The Hall of Heroes was a miraculous building Lin Zhou had constructed in his God Kingdom to nurture the true spirits of those who had sacrificed themselves for the Way of Civilization. Elwin, Zhao Tiebi, and countless comrades who had fallen in previous battles—their true spirits were all sleeping in the Hall of Heroes. At this moment, the gates of the Hall of Heroes suddenly opened.

[Hall of Heroes · Status] - Number of Nurtured Heroic Spirits: Approx. 300 - Status: Sleeping - Action: Collective Awakening

Elwin's phantom walked out of the Hall of Heroes; his face was more aged than when he was alive, but his eyes remained gentle. He wore Confucian robes and held a bamboo slip, with "the analects" carved upon it. Behind him, Zhao Tiebi's phantom walked out, wearing the standard armor of the Seventh War Zone, gripping that broken longsword in his hand. Behind them, countless phantoms walked out—some Lin Zhou knew, others he did not. They were all heroes who had sacrificed themselves on the Way of Civilization, their true spirits nurtured in the Hall of Heroes for years, decades, even centuries. At this moment, they collectively awakened.

[Heroic Spirit · Data] - Quantity: Approx. 300 - Status: Phantom (Can be briefly materialized) - Materialization Duration: Approx. 30 minutes - Cost: Sacrifice true spirit, completely dissipate

Elwin walked up to Lin Zhou, looked at him, and smiled. That smile was exactly the same as the one he had worn years ago in the Academy Tournament instance when he detonated his spirit body—relieved, firm, and without regrets.

"Student, we meet again."

Lin Zhou's eyes turned red. "Teacher, you all..."

"The suppression of the Return to Ruins Domain is too strong. Your river of civilization cannot hold. We need to buy you time." Elwin turned to face the three hundred Heroic Spirits, "Everyone, the Way of Civilization is right before our eyes. Today, we sacrifice our true spirits to pave the way for those who come after. 'If one hears the Way in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret.'"

The three hundred Heroic Spirits chanted in unison: "If one hears the Way in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret."

Their phantoms began to burn—not scorched by the Return to Ruins energy, but actively sacrificing themselves. The true spirits turned into flames, and the flames condensed into entities. Elwin's body changed from transparent to solid, from a phantom to a real person. His godhead integrity recovered to the level he had when alive—LV200. Not high, but enough. Zhao Tiebi's body also solidified, godhead integrity LV300.

[Heroic Spirit · Materialization] - Number of People: Approx. 300 - Average Rank: LV250 - Materialization Time: 30 minutes - Cost: After 30 minutes, true spirit completely dissipates

Elwin led the Confucian Heroic Spirits onto the wall. He stood on the wall, unfolded the bamboo slip, and recited aloud: "The Master said: 'Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters? Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?'"

[Confucian Heroic Spirit · Skill — Vast Righteous Qi] - Range: Diameter 10 kilometers - Effect: Morale of friendly forces within range +100%, mental pollution immunity

- Against the Return to Void faction: Suppress Return to Void Domain effects by 10%.

Amidst the chanting, the soldiers on the city wall felt their divine fire stabilize, and their godhead integrity stopped declining. Battle Intent reignited in their eyes.

Mozi led the Mohist Heroic Spirits down the city wall to repair the cracks in the Great Wall of Civilization. Mozi's phantom held a carpenter's square, drawing lines on the wall. Behind him, the Mohist Disciples carried bricks and stones to fill the cracks.

[Mohist Heroic Spirit · Skill — The Exploitation of the Works of Nature]

- Target: Great Wall of Civilization

- Effect: Repair speed +500%

- Durability recovery: 1% per second

The Great Wall's durability began to rise from seven million. Han Feizi led the Legalist Heroic Spirits to set up the Net of Law behind the wall. His phantom held a legal decree and chanted the statutes: "The law does not fawn upon the noble, nor does the plumb line bend for the crooked. There is No Exemption from Punishment for ministers, and rewards for the good do not overlook the commoner."

[Legalist Heroic Spirit · Skill — Net of Law]

- Range: 10 kilometers in diameter

- Effect: Return to Void Domain suppression effect +10%, partial restoration of non-Return to Void rules.

The Net of Law unfurled within the Return to Void Domain, pale gold chains of rules wrapping around the ankles of the Lord of Nothingness, restricting its movement speed.

Laozi led the Daoist Heroic Spirits to set up a Formation above the city wall. His phantom held the tao te ching and chanted: "The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name."

[Daoist Heroic Spirit · Skill — Tao Follows Nature]

- Range: 10 kilometers in diameter

- Effect: Rule stability within range +50%, Return to Void energy concentration -30%.

The School of Military Heroic Spirits beat drums on the city wall, the sound shaking the heavens. The School of Agriculture Heroic Spirits planted spiritual plants behind the wall, their roots piercing into the Void Realm to absorb Return to Void energy. The School of Medicine Heroic Spirits treated the wounded under the wall, using Spiritual Qi acupuncture to stop bleeding and heal wounds. The School of Names Heroic Spirits used sophistry in front of the wall to confuse the Lord of Nothingness's perception. The School of Diplomacy Heroic Spirits set up a Formation of vertical and horizontal alliances in the Void Realm to restrain the Lord of Nothingness's tentacles. The School of Miscellaneous Heroic Spirits fused various skills to form a composite defensive barrier.

[Hundred Schools Heroic Spirit · Skill Stacking]

- Confucianism: Morale +100%, immunity to mental pollution

- Mohism: Great Wall repair speed +500%

- Legalism: Return to Void Domain suppression +10%

- Daoism: Rule stability +50%, Return to Void energy concentration -30%

- School of Military: Drum sound intimidation, enemy morale -20%

- School of Agriculture: Spiritual plants absorb Return to Void energy

- School of Medicine: Wounded recovery speed +200%

- School of Names: Lord of Nothingness perception confused

- School of Diplomacy: Tentacle movement restricted

- School of Miscellaneous: Composite defensive barrier

Three hundred Heroic Spirits, the Hundred Schools of Thought, held up a pure land within the Return to Void Domain. The Lord of Nothingness's footsteps finally halted. It lowered its head, watching those ants. It did not know them, but it recognized the fire upon them—the Fire of Civilization. Though the fire was small, it burned with pain. It was afraid.

Lin Zhou's Civilization Judgment finished charging.

"Civilization Judgment — Define!"

A blue-gold beam of light shot from his palm, striking the Lord of Nothingness's chest. Wherever the beam passed, dark red scales shattered, and gray-white mist surged wildly.

[Civilization Judgment · Effect]

- Return to Void Domain suppression: Hundred Schools Heroic Spirit stacking, power restored to 80%

- Lord of Nothingness integrity: 90% → 80%

The Lord of Nothingness roared, and its dark red tentacles lashed out at the city wall. Zhao Tiebi led the School of Military Heroic Spirits to meet the attack. He raised his broken longsword and slashed at the tentacles. The sword light severed one tentacle, but his own body was struck by another, and his phantom began to turn transparent.

[Zhao Tiebi · Status]

- Remaining time for manifestation: 10 minutes

- Integrity: 100% → 50%

- Action: Continue fighting

Elwin's chanting did not stop. His voice grew increasingly hoarse, but it became more determined. His body was also turning transparent, but his gaze remained unchanged.

"The Master said: 'The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete.'"

His phantom became completely transparent, turning into points of light and dissipating.

[Elwin · Completely Dissipated]

- True Soul: Sacrificed

- river of civilization: One new imprint added

Lin Zhou's tears welled up, but he had no time for grief. He condensed the Fire of Civilization once more.

"Civilization Judgment — Second Strike!"

The Lord of Nothingness's integrity dropped from 80% to 70%.

Zhao Tiebi severed a second tentacle, then was struck by a third, dissipating.

[Zhao Tiebi · Completely Dissipated]

One by one, the Heroic Spirits dissipated in battle. The Mohist Heroic Spirits dissipated after repairing the last crack in the city wall. The Legalist Heroic Spirits dissipated after the Net of Law stabilized. The Daoist Heroic Spirits dissipated after the final stroke of the Formation was completed. The School of Military Heroic Spirits dissipated after beating the final drum. The School of Agriculture Heroic Spirits dissipated after the spiritual plants took root. The School of Medicine Heroic Spirits dissipated after treating the last wounded soldier. The School of Names Heroic Spirits dissipated after confusing the Lord of Nothingness's perception. The School of Diplomacy Heroic Spirits dissipated after restraining the tentacles. The School of Miscellaneous Heroic Spirits dissipated after the composite defensive barrier was completed.

Three hundred Heroic Spirits, all dissipated.

[Heroic Spirit · Battle Results]

- Time gained: Approx. 30 minutes

- Lord of Nothingness integrity: 95% → 60%

- Great Wall of Civilization durability: 7 million → 9 million (repaired)

- Soldier morale: Restored

- Lin Zhou Civilization Judgment count: Three times

Lin Zhou's third Civilization Judgment reduced the Lord of Nothingness's integrity from 70% to 60%. His Divine Power was exhausted, the water level of the river of civilization dropped to 50%, and his godhead integrity dropped to 60%. But he did not retreat. He stood above the city gate, watching the Lord of Nothingness.

The Lord of Nothingness's integrity was only 60%; its left eye was hollow, its body covered in sword marks, and five tentacles were severed. But it was still alive. It watched Lin Zhou, its gray-white flame eyes filled with hatred. It opened its giant maw, and a gray-white beam of light shot toward Lin Zhou.

Su Yueyao rushed forward, her lunar radiance condensing into a shield to block the beam. The shield shattered, she was knocked back, and silver-white blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.

[Su Yueyao · Status]

- godhead integrity: 100% → 90%

- Status: Lightly injured

The Dragon Vein Golden Scale rushed out from the flank, Dragon Breath shooting toward the Lord of Nothingness's right eye. The Lord of Nothingness closed its eye; the Dragon Breath scorched its eyelid but did not injure the eyeball.

Wang Meng led the remaining soldiers to launch a final charge. Three thousand people simultaneously threw their Flying Swords, the rain of swords falling upon the Lord of Nothingness and leaving three thousand sword marks. Every sword mark was imbued with a wisp of the Fire of Civilization. The flames burned upon the dark red scales, and the Lord of Nothingness's integrity dropped from 60% to 50%.

The Lord of Nothingness took a step back. It was afraid. Not because of the pain, but because of the fire upon those ants. Though the fire was small, it burned with pain. Its integrity was only 50% left, and its self-healing speed could not keep up with the rate of injury. It needed time to recover. It turned around and fled toward the crack.

Lin Zhou did not pursue. He knelt on one knee on the city wall, gasping for air. Su Yueyao's lunar radiance enveloped him, repairing the cracks in his godhead. The Dragon Vein Golden Scale lay beside him, most of its scales shattered. Wang Meng climbed up from below the wall, covered in blood, but still alive.

"Captain, the Lord of Nothingness has run away."

"It has run away. But it will return."

Lin Zhou looked toward the direction of the crack; dark red light was still flickering. The Lord of Nothingness still had 50% integrity, and it needed time to recover. But the space Anchor Point could barely hold on, and the crack was expanding. Next time, there might be no Heroic Spirits to help them.

"Captain, Teacher Elwin and the others..." Qin Qing walked over, her voice choked with sobs.

"They have left. But they left behind imprints in the river of civilization." Lin Zhou raised his hand, and the river of civilization surged forth from his Divine Kingdom. In the river water were three hundred newly born imprints, each corresponding to a sacrificed Heroic Spirit. The imprints glowed, and the water was warm.

"They will not disappear. As long as the river of civilization remains, they will remain."

Lin Zhou stood up, looking toward the direction of the crack.

"Ten days. The Lord of Nothingness still has 50% integrity. It needs ten days to recover. The decisive battle in ten days—the final battle."

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