7: The power of Legalism lies in establishing laws to punish the wicked! (Part 2)

The warning fluctuations from the [Temple of Law] were weak, but they carried an unquestionable power of rules that directly mapped into Lin Zhou's consciousness. It wasn't a specific sound or image, but a "Karma Fragment" deduced based on the rules:

Origin: Strongly associated with the coordinates of the [Grey Rock Trail].

Nature: Malice, greed, revenge.

Content Fragment: Vague goblin howls... "Find them... revenge... snatch back the dwarf slaves... that glowing Divine Domain..." ...Broken Star Map fragments point towards the general direction of the current Divine Domain... Threat Level: Low to Medium (based on the enemy strength and scale perceived in the deduction).

"Revenge from the Astral Goblins... they found us so quickly?" Lin Zhou understood. This wasn't surprising; he had wiped out one of their outposts and taken away the enslaved dwarves. Given the goblins' vengeful nature, they would inevitably investigate. He just didn't expect them to have some tracking method, and that the [Temple of Law] would capture this malicious Karma from the outside world just as it was established.

"Perfect. I'll take this opportunity to test the Divine Domain's defense and counterattack capabilities after the 'Simultaneous Implementation of Etiquette and Law,' and also make the newly joined dwarves completely loyal."

Lin Zhou immediately transmitted this warning through a divine oracle to the hero units Elwin and Bronzebeard Stonehammer.

"Filthy goblin claws want to reach into our home?" Bronzebeard Stonehammer fumed the moment he heard, his beard bristling. "Perfect! Let them taste the power of our newly forged gear!"

Elwin was much calmer: "my god has warned us; the enemy is on the way. We must immediately strengthen our guard and wait at our ease, relying on the Divine Domain's rules."

The Divine Domain immediately entered a combat-ready state. Under the coordination of the [Net of Law], the efficiency was astonishingly high:

Elf Ranger (50 Rank 6 elites) were led by Elwin, occupying high ground and hidden spots in the forest outside the Divine Domain, with arrows notched and the [Vast Righteous Qi] Domain ready to be activated.

Dwarf Guards (15 adult dwarves of Rank 12 and above) were commanded by Bronzebeard Stonehammer, holding newly forged Steel-wrapped Greatshields and Heavy Battleaxes, forming a solid defensive line to hold key passages.

Mechanical Defenses: Three [light mechanical ballistae] were set up in hidden positions with good fields of fire, operated cooperatively by the remaining dwarves and elves. A large number of [Caltrops] and [Triggered Burst Mechanisms] hastily produced by the [Tiangong Workshop] were placed along the predicted enemy attack routes.

Rule Empowerment: The [Net of Law] was fully activated; any existence intruding into the Divine Domain without permission would be suppressed by the rules.

The entire Divine Domain was like a hedgehog ready to strike, quiet yet full of danger.

The wait did not last long. About half a day later (Divine Domain time), an abnormal fluctuation appeared on the Chaos Barrier at the edge of the Divine Domain, like ripples on water. Immediately after, three crooked "Landing Pods" cobbled together from scrap wood and rusted metal forcibly tore a tiny temporary rift and crashed into the Orderly Forest at the edge of the Divine Domain.

The hatch doors opened, and about sixty Astral Goblins brandishing swords and crossbow bolts rushed out in a mess. Leading them was a Rank 15 Goblin Rogue Boss wearing slightly better leather armor and holding a poisoned dagger.

[Astral Goblin Marauder Squad]

Goblin Minions * 58 (Rank 8-11)

Goblin Rogue Boss * 1 (Rank 15)

Status: [Chaos], [Greed], [Slightly Suppressed by Rules] (-5% to all attributes)

"Found it! It's here! Catch those long-ears and the traitor runts! Snatched all their treasures!" the goblin boss shrieked, its beady eyes flashing with greed and cruelty.

However, they had only rushed a few steps when the foremost goblins stepped on hidden [Caltrops], screaming as they hopped around clutching their feet.

Immediately after—

Whir! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Three heavy ballista bolts from different directions, carrying a shrill whistling sound, precisely covered the area where the goblins were most densely packed! In an instant, five or six goblins were blown to pieces!

"Enemy attack! There's an ambush!" The goblin boss was both shocked and enraged.

Just then, Elwin's clear voice rang out: "Filthy creatures, intruding into the Divine Domain, violating the first and second articles of the Law! According to the Law—Punishment!"

The pale gold [Vast Righteous Qi] Domain expanded violently with her as the center, enveloping most of the goblins!

"Argh!" The goblins were like they had been splashed with boiling oil; the chaotic and evil aura on them clashed violently with the Vast Righteous Qi, letting out painful howls as their attributes were further suppressed (another -10% to all attributes)! Their movements became sluggish, and their morale plummeted!

"Fire!" Elwin gave the command.

The Elf Ranger hidden in the woods revealed themselves, and a dense rain of arrows fell like a swarm of locusts! The arrows attached with a trace of Righteous Qi were exceptionally effective against the goblins, each volley bringing a wave of miserable howls.

"Dwarf brothers, follow me and kill! Let these green-skinned scum know our power!" Bronzebeard Stonehammer roared. His [Rock Toughness] trait activated, his skin taking on a rocky luster. Braving the stray goblin crossbow bolts, he led the Dwarf Guards forward like a wall of steel! Every swing of their heavy axes could send a goblin flying along with its weapon!

The battle was completely one-sided.

The goblins' chaotic attacks were futile under the strict discipline and rule suppression.

Most of their crossbow bolts were deflected by the dwarves' shields and leather armor; the occasional hits were also significantly weakened by the [Tenacity] trait and leather armor defense.

Meanwhile, every attack from the Divine Domain's side was bolstered by multiple layers of rules, Domains, and traits, making them highly efficient.

Seeing things weren't going well, the goblin boss used its stealth skill, its figure blurring as it tried to bypass the frontal battlefield and ambush the elf archers in the rear.

However, its actions under the coverage of the [Net of Law] were as conspicuous as a firefly in the dark night!

"Attempting an ambush, an additional degree of guilt!" Elwin snorted coldly. The insight granted by the [Temple of Law] allowed her to instantly lock onto the stealthed boss.

She didn't pursue it herself but shared the target information through the rule network with all Law enforcement units (currently mainly herself and Bronzebeard).

Receiving the tip, Bronzebeard Stonehammer timed the goblin boss's movement trajectory and fiercely threw the battleaxe in his hand! "Eat my axe!"

The battleaxe whistled through the air in an arc, precisely blocking the goblin boss's path! Although it didn't hit directly, it forced the boss to reveal its form.

At the moment the goblin boss stumbled and revealed a flaw, Lin Zhou's consciousness drew upon the core power of the [Temple of Law].

Skill—[No Exemption from Punishment]! Activate!

Target: Goblin Rogue Boss!

Crime: Intruding into the Divine Domain, intent to plunder, ambush... Comprehensive judgment: deep malice!

An invisible and intangible force of rules, yet containing the absolute will of judgment, ignored spatial distance and instantly descended upon the goblin boss!

It felt as if a malice originating from the world itself had locked onto it, as if the entire heaven and earth were rejecting and punishing it! Its strength, agility, Physique... all attributes were forcibly stripped of nearly one-third in an instant! A sense of weakness and fear originating from the depths of its Soul spread!

"No... what power is this?!" The goblin boss was terrified, its movements completely distorted.

Pfft!

A precise arrow from Elwin seized this perfect opportunity and pierced its throat!

The goblin boss widened its eyes in disbelief, clutching its throat as it fell to the ground, its life force rapidly dissipating.

Once the boss died, the remaining Goblin Minions completely collapsed, crying for their parents as they fled towards the rift they had torn when they arrived.

"Chase..." Bronzebeard Stonehammer was in the heat of the killing and wanted to pursue.

"Do not pursue a cornered foe," Elwin stopped him. "The majesty of the Law has been manifested, and they have been punished. Consolidate the defense line and clear the battlefield.

The battle ended. On the Divine Domain's side, three were lightly injured, and none were killed. They completely wiped out the invading squad of sixty goblins, including one boss.

[System Prompt]: Successfully defended against an external invasion! The majesty of the [Legalism] Law has been manifested! The external defense effect of the [Net of Law] has gained practical experience!

[System Prompt]: Your followers have verified the superiority of the "Simultaneous Implementation of Etiquette and Law" System in actual combat; their cohesion has significantly increased!

[System Prompt]: Hero unit [Elwin] has reached Rank 8! Hero unit [Bronzebeard Stonehammer] has reached Rank 16!

[System Prompt]: The Tiangong Dwarves' sense of belonging and loyalty to the Divine Domain has significantly increased. Their faith status has changed from [Neutral] to [shallow believer]! Some have been promoted to [devout believer]!

Looking at the one-sided battle before them, the majestic power of the Law, and the tacit cooperation between the elves and dwarves, the last trace of doubt and estrangement in the dwarves' hearts completely vanished. They truly identified with this orderly, powerful, and fair Divine Domain!

Bronzebeard Stonehammer walked up to Elwin and solemnly performed the highest dwarven salute: "Elder Elwin, and the great deity behind you! The Bronzebeard Clan hereby sincerely joins you! We are willing to be the hammer and anvil of the Divine Domain, guarding the Order and peace of this place!"

Elwin smiled and returned the salute: "Welcome, Clan Chief Bronzebeard. my god's Dao lies in Order and civilization; we are all practitioners of it."

After the battle inventory, they found some astral Ore, fragments of Energy Crystals, and most importantly—a relatively complete Star Map marking the locations of several major goblin outposts in the [Grey Rock Trail] from the goblin corpses and Landing Pods!

"It seems we not only repelled the revenge but also found the key to counterattacking their nest." Lin Zhou's consciousness swept over the Star Map, and he already had a plan in mind.

After this battle, internal hidden dangers were rooted out, external threats were defeated at their first appearance, the dwarves were completely won over, and both strength and cohesion reached a new level. The might of Legalism was beginning to show its brilliance!

[Divine Domain Interface] Final Update:

Divine Domain Status: Monolithic (High internal unity, external defense verified)

Core Followers:

Literary Heart Elves - Stable faith, traits strengthened.

Tiangong Dwarves - Faith status updated (shallow believer to devout believer), 100% loyalty.

New Resources: 50 units of astral Ore, 20 low-level Energy Crystals, [Grey Rock Trail Goblin Outpost Star Map] * 1.

Special: Unlocked "External Defense/Punishment" mode; [Net of Law] and [No Exemption from Punishment] can be applied to invading enemies to a limited extent.

Lin Zhou knew that after internal consolidation and external testing, his Divine Domain now possessed greater potential and a more solid Foundation. It was time to turn his gaze back to the sea of stars and actively seek more opportunities and challenges.