65: Rewards settled, epic cards acquired (Part 2)

Connecting the communication, Zhao Hao's signature loud voice immediately bombarded him: "Old Lin! Holy crap! You really went through the roof this time! SSS+! Man, I followed you and mixed in an S+, and when I got home, my dad almost stared his eyeballs out! Hahaha! You're completely famous now!"

Lin Zhou smiled. He had a good impression of this straightforward comrade-in-arms whom he had met through a fight: "I received it. You did well too; an S+ evaluation is enough for your Family to focus on Cultivating you."

"That's all thanks to you!" Zhao Hao chuckled, then lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of excitement and mystery. "Anyway, Old Lin, let's talk business. From this assessment's rewards, I opened a very special card. My Family follows the Dragon path, so this thing isn't very useful to me, but I feel it might be useful for your 'Civilization' route. Want to take a look?"

As he spoke, Zhao Hao transmitted a virtual image of a card through the communicator.

Lin Zhou's gaze fell on the image, and his pupils shrank slightly.

It was an ancient card that was dark gold all over, with signs of damage on the edges, as if it had experienced endless ages. The background of the card face consisted of countless extremely fine unknown characters and symbols, flowing like a galaxy. In the center of the card, a small pinch of... seemingly ordinary yellow soil was sealed.

But this yellow soil gave off an inexpressible feeling of heaviness, antiquity, and the capacity to embrace all things!

[Special Item Card]: Breath of the Living Soil (Fragment)

Type: Special/Materials/Curio

Quality: ??? (Rule-Grade, Severely Damaged)

Effects:

[Endless Life]: Contains the ultimate rules of vitality and creation. Can grant a very small area of land the traits of "Infinite Self-Healing" and "Shaping at Will," and can slowly increase land fertility and Spiritual Qi.

[Foundation of Civilization]: ??? (Requires specific conditions to trigger)

[Bearer of All Things]: ??? (Requires specific conditions to trigger)

Description: A fragment formed from a wisp of the breath of the legendary creation divine object "Living Soil." Although its power is not even one-ten-thousandth of its original, it still possesses unfathomable capabilities. It seems to have an Origin connection with concepts such as "Civilization," "Legacy," and "Land."

"Breath of the Living Soil?!" Lin Zhou's heart shook violently. Even if it was just a fragment, just a wisp of breath, its reputation was too great! The "Endless Life" and "Bearer of All Things" it represented happened to coincide perfectly with the concepts of "Permanent Foundation" and "Inclusive Development" in the path of civilization he pursued!

This guy Zhao Hao's luck is truly Heaven-Defying! To actually open such a curio involving Origin rules!

"Haozi, this card might indeed be extremely important to me." Lin Zhou did not hide his needs, his tone solemn. "Name a price, or what do you need in exchange?"

"Psh! We're brothers!" Zhao Hao waved his hand grandly. "This thing would just be a decoration gathering dust in my warehouse anyway. It's best if you can use it! Just consider it my investment in you as a high-potential stock! In the future, when you become a great god, just don't forget to give your brother a hand! I'll transmit the card to you right now!"

Lin Zhou was somewhat moved. Zhao Hao seemed crude, but he was actually quite perceptive; he would remember this favor. "Fine, I'll accept this kindness. There will definitely be a reward in the future."

Soon, the physical card was transmitted through the special express channel between Divine Domains. Holding this card that seemed simple and unadorned yet weighed a thousand tons, Lin Zhou could clearly feel a faint but distinct desire and resonance coming from the Temple of Civilization within his body.

"Living Soil... Foundation of Civilization... Perhaps it can work together with the Hall of Heroes and the Dragon Vein to jointly lay the supreme Foundation of my future Divine Kingdom!" A moment of realization surged in Lin Zhou's heart as he carefully put away the [Breath of the Living Soil (Fragment)]. This was perhaps one of his greatest unexpected gains from this final exam!

Just after dealing with Zhao Hao's side, the communicator rang again. This time it was Su Yueyao.

Su Yueyao's peerlessly beautiful face appeared on the light screen. She looked at Lin Zhou, the corners of her lips curving slightly into a very faint but genuine smile: "Lin Zhou, congratulations. SSS+, well-deserved."

"Same to you, your SS evaluation is equally brilliant," Lin Zhou responded.

"Among my rewards this time, I obtained a bottle of [Moonlight Spiritual Dew], which has miraculous effects on nourishing the Divine Soul and repairing Origin damage." Su Yueyao raised her slender hand, displaying a jade bottle emitting hazy moonlight. "I saw your final duel with the Lich; your Godhead seemed to be damaged... This item might be useful to you."

Lin Zhou was taken aback. He hadn't expected Su Yueyao's observation to be so detailed, nor had he expected her to proactively offer such a precious reward to him. [Moonlight Spiritual Dew] was a healing Saint Grade item unique to the Moon Goddess lineage and was of great value.

"This item is too precious..." Lin Zhou subconsciously wanted to decline.

"It's fine." Su Yueyao interrupted softly. "If you hadn't integrated the allied forces and led the battle, it would have been difficult for me to obtain this evaluation. This is your deserved reward. Besides..." She paused slightly, her eyes clear as she looked at Lin Zhou, "Your path of civilization has many commonalities with the ancient Huaxia culture I study. I hope to see you go further on this path. Repairing your Godhead is crucial."

Since things had reached this point, further refusal would seem affected. Lin Zhou solemnly took the bottle of [Moonlight Spiritual Dew] transmitted through the spatial node. It was cool to the touch, and he could feel the extremely pure Moonlight Power and life energy contained within.

[Consumable]: Moonlight Spiritual Dew

Type: Potion/Divine Object

Quality: Epic

Effects:

Quickly restores a large amount of Divine Power (approximately 2000 points).

Gently nourishes the Divine Soul, repairing damage at the Soul level.

Has significant soothing and auxiliary repair effects on rule-based injuries (such as Godhead cracks).

Increases affinity for Moonlight-attribute power.

Usage Restriction: Non-Dark, non-Chaos factions.

"Thank you," Lin Zhou thanked her sincerely. "This item is indeed like charcoal in the snow for me."

Su Yueyao nodded slightly: "I look forward to continuing to spar and exchange ideas with you next semester." Having said that, she ended the communication, being crisp and efficient.

Holding the Moonlight Spiritual Dew, Lin Zhou felt reassured. With this item, his certainty in repairing his Godhead increased by several points.

Just then, the homeroom teacher Old Wang's communication connected again, his tone carrying uncontrollable excitement: "Lin Zhou! Good news! Regarding your Godhead damage, the school attaches great importance to it! After an application by the school and special approval from the education department, it has been decided to open the school's treasured [Spirit Nourishing Pool] for you once! This is the top resource of our Yuncheng No. 1 High School, and it has miraculous effects on repairing Godhead damage at the demigod stage!"

Spirit Nourishing Pool! Lin Zhou knew this place; it was a Holy Land for Cultivation established by Yuncheng No. 1 High School at great expense. Usually, only students who made great contributions to the school or achieved excellent results in extremely important competitions had the opportunity to use it. Although its effect was not as good as the legendary "Ten Thousand Laws Pool," it was undoubtedly timely rain for him now!

"Thank you to the school and the teachers for your nurturing!" Lin Zhou said immediately.

"This is what you deserve!" Old Wang said with emotion. "Make good use of this opportunity to completely repair the damage. Not long after school starts next semester, it will be the [Star Domain High School League], which is related to College Entrance Exam bonus points and early attention from prestigious schools. You must meet the challenge in your best state!"

Star Domain High School League! Lin Zhou's gaze sharpened. This was a stage with a larger scale and more intense competition than the final exams, gathering Genius demigods from the entire Star Domain. Its results directly influenced the final College Entrance Exam rankings and the favor of top universities.

"I understand, I will not fail expectations!"

Ending the communication with Old Wang, Lin Zhou looked down at his flourishing Divine Domain, his heart surging with heroic ambition. The rewards had been digested, and the path ahead was clear.

He sat cross-legged high in the Divine Domain and first swallowed that drop of [Moonlight Spiritual Dew].

The Spiritual Dew melted as soon as it entered his mouth, turning into a cool and sweet nectar. The gentle yet majestic energy quickly soaked into his Divine Soul, soothing the cracks on his Godhead. The intense stinging sensation was significantly relieved, and the edges of the cracks seemed to be plated with a layer of soft lunar-white halo, the repair speed increasing by a visible margin. His consumed Divine Power was also quickly replenished, stabilizing at around 6000 points.

He guided this power, circulating his own faint [Fire of Civilization], and combined it with his previous comprehension of the thoughts of the Hundred Schools to actively begin repairing his Godhead... Time slowly passed during his Cultivation.

When the holidays ended and before the new semester began, Lin Zhou entered the school's [Spirit Nourishing Pool] as arranged.

After soaking for several days in the pool water filled with pure Soul energy and rule fragments, combined with the residual medicinal power of the Moonlight Spiritual Dew and his own efforts, when he emerged again, the cracks on his Godhead had completely disappeared, and it had even become more crystal clear and Sturdiness by a few points! His state had returned to its Peak, and he had even gained a blessing from the disaster; his Divine Power was more pure, and his understanding of rules had deepened by a layer.

Standing at the Peak of the newly renovated [Hundred Schools Temple] Divine Domain, Lin Zhou felt the abundant power within him and the devout faith of his followers beneath his feet, his gaze piercing as he looked into the distance.

He had closed the first semester of grade 12 with an epic victory and rich rewards.

In the second semester of grade 12, a broader stage—the Star Domain High School League—and the final battle of destiny—the College Entrance Exam—were waiting for him.

His path of civilization would continue to advance triumphantly!