90: Tactical Meeting: Taoist Non-Action Breaks the Tide (Part 1)

In the virtual battlefield, the defense perimeter of the orichalcum vein on the Meteorite Plain was already teetering on the brink of collapse.

The Star Titans of Dome Academy were like five insurmountable mountains of silver radiance. Every step made the earth tremble, and every punch caused the [rune wall] to fluctuate violently, sending debris flying. Star Meteor floated calmly in the air behind them like a hand playing chess, precisely mobilizing the massive legion. The Holy Light shed by the Radiant Angels acted like an adhesive, constantly repairing the minor wounds inflicted on the Titans by the desperate efforts of Lei Huang and Zhao Hao. The [electromagnetic towers] of the Magnetic Storm Dwarves continuously released interference fields, causing the assaults of the Red Dragon and Phoenix to repeatedly falter. The Wind Chasers and Ancient Treants firmly guarded the flanks, making it difficult for Zhou Feng's Shadow Demon Wolves to achieve anything.

The absolute disparity in strength, like a cold iron curtain, slowly pressed down on the hearts of everyone from Yuncheng No. 1 High School.

"It's no use! We can't even scratch them!" Zhao Hao's voice carried a hint of desperate hoarseness in the team channel. After his Red Dragon kin performed a dive and spat Dragon Breath, they were hit by the concentrated interference of three [electromagnetic towers]. They narrowly avoided being grazed by a Star Burst and pulled up in a pathetic state, their scales scorched black. "That layer of starlight armor is too thick; my Dragon Breath is just scratching the surface!"

Lei Huang's Thunder Giants were in slightly better shape, but they could only barely create some trouble on the Titans' charge path. When the violent lightning struck the Titans, it left only a few scorch marks and failed to stop their steady advance. He gritted his teeth, the veins on his temples bulging. "My lightning can cause brief paralysis, but the effect is too weak. As soon as the Radiant Angels' cleansing rain of light falls, it's instantly dispelled!"

As the main tank, Stone Breaking Heaven's Mountain Giants bore the greatest pressure. His face was flushed red, and his body trembled slightly; clearly, both his Divine Power and Mental Energy were heavily depleted. "My Mountain Giants... are about to break! The durability of the [Earth Bulwark] is plummeting!"

Yan Li's Phoenixes tried to burn the Titans with high-temperature flames, but the effect was equally lackluster. Instead, a large amount of fire was swept away by the cyclones summoned by the Wind Chasers. Su Yueyao's Moon Elves were doing their best to heal and dispel. The cool moonlight constantly descended, repairing wounds and soothing chaos, but a touch of solemnity also colored her cold brow. Although Moonlight Divine Power could effectively dispel negative effects and minor injuries from Star Burst, it couldn't reverse the overall decline of the battle situation.

Lin Zhou's Hundred Schools Kin relied on fortifications to put up the most stubborn resistance. The [Vast Righteous Qi] Domain of the Literary Heart Elves weakened the purity of the starlight to some extent, allowing subsequent attacks to deal slightly more damage. The [Net of Law] of the Law Fishmen constantly tried to bind the Titans' movements; although it was snapped by powerful force every time, it did indeed delay their offensive rhythm. The Tiangong Dwarves' ballistae and mechanisms were one of the main sources of effective damage, especially after receiving the enhancement of Lin Zhou's [Fire of Civilization: Firm Defense], as the bolts carried a trace of magic-breaking properties, leaving deeper gouges on the starlight armor.

However, in the face of absolute power, all of this seemed like a drop in the bucket. Lin Zhou could feel that the wisp of Fire of Civilization in his Sea of Consciousness was being consumed rapidly; the [Firm Defense] enhancement could not last long. Once the effect vanished, the defense perimeter would be breached in an instant.

"Lin Zhou! What do we do?!" Zhao Hao roared anxiously, having already lost his composure. Not just him; a heavy and desperate atmosphere permeated the team channel. In this final, they seemed to have reached the end of the road.

At this moment of internal and external crisis, when their spirits were shaken—

A cool, pure Moonlight Power, seemingly capable of washing away all anxiety and despair, descended like the Nine Heavens' Milky Way. It crossed the boundaries of the virtual battlefield with incomparable precision, penetrated the barrier between Lin Zhou's God Domain and the final space, and landed on his God Domain's core, which was being eroded by Death Qi!

[Moonlight: Taiyin Sealing]!

Su Yueyao responded! At a time when she herself was facing powerful enemies and in the heat of battle, she did not hesitate to use her Origin power to answer Lin Zhou's plea for help!

This moonlight was no longer the soft radiance that soothed the Soul, but carried the absolute Laws of "Stillness" and "Sealing"! The bright pillar of light was like a physical object, precisely enveloping the entrance of the shattered death passage!

"Chi—!"

Like a red-hot iron dipped into ice water, a sharp, piercing sound of erosion rang out! The surging Death Qi collided violently with this extreme Taiyin Moonlight! Under the illumination of this moonlight pillar, the expansion of the gray-black death ripples, [Death Blight], suddenly halted and then began to melt rapidly like snow under the sun!

The projection of the Lich King, sitting upon the skeleton throne, let out an alarmed and furious mental roar: "Taiyin power?! How is that possible?! Why can such a barren plane attract such pure moonlight?!"

The icy flame Soul-fire in its eye sockets flickered violently. It raised its dark scepter, attempting to mobilize more powerful death rules to counter this moonlight Seal. However, the essence of [Moonlight: Taiyin Sealing] was extremely high, and its properties of "Sealing" and "Stasis" happened to counter the "expansion" and "erosion" of death rules to a certain extent.

The moonlight pillar not only sealed the passage but also, based on the rules of Lin Zhou's God Domain, temporarily constructed a resilient moonlight barrier. It tightly blocked the passage exit, cutting off the influx of the subsequent undead legion! The undead units that had already rushed out were separated by this moonlight barrier, becoming trapped like turtles in a jar!

Real-time God Domain data feedback:

death passage status: [Unstable Space], [Being Forcefully Sealed (Moonlight: Taiyin Sealing)], [Energy Output Interrupted by 90%].

Invading Undead Legion: Lost subsequent reinforcements, isolated. Numbers: Skeleton Warriors x102, Death Knights x8, Lich x3, Abominations x2. Status: [Weakened by Moonlight Domain (All attributes decreased by 15%)], [Repelled by Order Rules].

Lich King Projection (LV40): [Interfered by Taiyin Sealing Power], [Unable to descend directly to the Prime Material Plane], [Rule Mastery Decreased].

God Domain Environment: [Death Blight effect terminated], [Dragon Vein Spiritual Qi begins to slowly purify residual Death Qi], [Altar of Shennong's life aura reviving].

Pressure plummeted!

Lin Zhou's original consciousness instantly cleared, and the bone-deep sense of death erosion and mental pressure significantly receded. A wave of indescribable gratitude and warmth surged in his heart; Su Yueyao's unreserved trust and support were worth a thousand pieces of gold!

"An opportunity!"

Lin Zhou's spirits were greatly lifted, and he immediately seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

"Elwin! Bronzebeard! Snik! It's time to counterattack! Coordinate with the Moonlight Seal and purify these undead!"

He no longer needed to distract himself by maintaining [Fire of Civilization: Firm Defense] to counter the death erosion; he could invest more Mental Energy and Divine Power into the counterattack within his God Domain.

"By your divine oracle!" The three hero units responded in unison, their morale skyrocketing!

"Vast Righteous Qi, cleanse the evil!" Elwin led the Literary Heart Elves, fully deploying the previously suppressed Vast Righteous Qi. The golden light surged like a tide toward the isolated undead, dealing continuous holy burning damage to them.

Skill Effect: Deals [Continuous Holy Damage (based on Intelligence attribute)] to undead units, [Applies 'Awe' effect (chance to interrupt spellcasting or attacks)].

"For my Lord! Crush these bags of bones!" Bronzebeard roared, personally leading the Tiangong Dwarf warriors in a counter-charge. They glowed with the fiery light of the artisan's fire, their warhammers and axe blades smashing hard into the joints and skulls of the Skeleton Warriors.

Unit Trait Triggered: [Artisan's Rage] — When Tiangong Dwarves defend the God Domain and fight invaders, their attack power increases by 20%, and they deal an additional 10% damage to constructs and undead units.

"Law is Order; disorderly Souls shall face judgment!" Snik's cold voice rang out. The [Net of Law] no longer attempted to bind the massive Titans but instead precisely enveloped those Death Knights and Liches. Golden chains coiled around them, greatly restricting their mobility and spellcasting abilities.

Skill Effect: Successfully binds Death Knights (Movement Speed -60%, Attack Speed -40%), interferes with Lich spellcasting (Chanting time extended by 50%).

Old Farmer Barton also led some brave believers, using hoes and pitchforks to attack isolated, severely weakened skeletons. Although the damage dealt was limited, this sense of participation greatly consolidated their faith.

Under the Moonlight Seal and the full counterattack of Lin Zhou's kin, the undead legion within the God Domain was being wiped out at a visible rate. Skeleton Warriors fell apart in swaths, Death Knights were smashed by dwarf warhammers, the Liches' chanting was constantly interrupted, and the Abominations' massive bodies, once bound by the Net of Law, became sitting ducks for the ballistae.

The Lich King projection sitting on the other side of the passage let out an unwilling roar, but it was firmly blocked by [Moonlight: Taiyin Sealing], unable to cross the line by even a step. It could only watch helplessly as its vanguard legion was annihilated... Virtual battlefield, Meteorite Plain.

At the final moment before the Yuncheng No. 1 High School defense line was about to collapse, Lin Zhou (final consciousness body), who had been pursing his lips with a pale face, suddenly burst out with sharp light in his eyes!

The crisis in his original God Domain had been alleviated thanks to Su Yueyao's timely assistance, allowing him to reinvest almost all of his focus back into the final!

At this very moment, he keenly captured a detail on the battlefield that had been previously overlooked!

Under the surface of the Star Titans launching onslaught after onslaught, Star Meteor's calm command, and the precise coordination of units like the Radiant Angels and Magnetic Storm Dwarves, there was a surge of emotional fluctuations from one force that was exceptionally intense—the [Wind Chasers] that had been cruising on the flanks, constantly summoning wind blades and cyclones to interfere with Zhao Hao and Yan Li, and blocking Zhou Feng's wolf pack!

These elemental creatures should theoretically have relatively stable emotions. However, through his subtle perception of the [principles of civilization], Lin Zhou discovered that when their attacks succeeded or they successfully blocked an opponent, they would emit a mental fluctuation similar to "rejoicing"; conversely, when an attack was neutralized or they were successfully harassed by Zhou Feng's wolf pack, they would show "anxiety and anger." These emotional fluctuations would slightly affect the intensity and stability of the wind elements they summoned.

This discovery was like a bolt of lightning streaking through the darkness!

He immediately focused his perception on the enemy's true core—those five Star Titans and the Radiant Angels providing support from the rear.

Sure enough! Although extremely faint and almost hidden by the powerful starlight and Holy Light, Lin Zhou still caught it! At the moment the Titans endured heavy attacks, especially when paralyzed by Lei Huang's lightning, they would reveal a trace of instinctive "rage"; and when the Radiant Angels' Holy Light successfully dispelled negative states and healed wounds, they would emit "peace and steadfastness."

"Emotions... it's emotion-driven!"

Lin Zhou's mind suddenly cleared!

Dome Academy's tactical system, centered on the Star Titans, seemed perfect, possessing power, defense, support, and control. However, within it, there existed an implicit power resonance between the various units, with "emotions" as the bond! The "steadfastness" and "occasional rage" of the Star Titans, the "peace" and "steadfastness" of the Radiant Angels, the "rejoicing" and "anxiety" of the Wind Chasers, and even the "smugness" of the Magnetic Storm Dwarves when successfully interfering with opponents... these emotions were like invisible threads weaving the entire legion's power together, forming a stronger whole.

This might be one of the keys to how Star Meteor could command the legion so precisely! He could not only issue commands but might also be subtly guiding and utilizing these emotional resonances to amplify the legion's combat power!

So, if... if there were a way to "calm" or "strip away" this emotional drive on a large scale and mandatorily?

A phrase jumped into Lin Zhou's mind like destiny—"Quietude and Non-Action"!

One of the essences of Daoist thought! It's not passive escapism, but following nature, not acting blindly, and letting all things return to their original state. If he could construct a [Pure and Inactive Realm] with Divine Power to forcibly suppress or even strip away the intense emotions within the battlefield range, then... the Star Titans, losing the "rage" bonus, would see their aggressiveness and explosiveness drop!

The Radiant Angels, losing "peace" and "steadfastness," would find their healing and buffing effects compromised!

The Wind Chasers, losing "rejoicing" and "anxiety," would find their control over wind elements becoming unstable!

The precise coordination of the entire Dome Academy legion, that invisible emotional bond, would be completely severed!

Thinking of this, Lin Zhou's heart pounded. This wasn't a head-on brute force struggle, but a clever Breakthrough aimed directly at the core! It was a precision strike against the weaknesses of the enemy's power system!

"Everyone!" Lin Zhou's voice rang out in the team channel with a hint of irrepressible excitement, instantly shattering the previous atmosphere of despair. "Hold on! I might have found a way to break the deadlock! Contract the defense line and give me thirty more seconds!"

His voice was like a shot of adrenaline, lifting the spirits of Zhao Hao, Lei Huang, and the others who were almost ready to give up.

"Lin Zhou? You have a way?" Stone Breaking Heaven asked, panting heavily; his Mountain Giants' [Earth Bulwark] was already covered in cracks.

"Trust me!" Lin Zhou's tone was resolute. "Su Yueyao, I need your Moonlight Power to cooperate. It's not for attacking, but to assist me in constructing a special 'Domain'!"

Su Yueyao's cool gaze turned toward Lin Zhou. Without any questioning, she simply nodded slightly: "I can."

She trusted him, just as he had trusted her before.

"Zhao Hao, Lei Huang, Yan Li, Stone Breaking Heaven, Zhou Feng! The moment my Domain expands will be the signal for the general offensive! Target—the two Titans directly in front, focus fire! Spare no cost!" Lin Zhou quickly issued instructions.

"Understood!"

"I've been waiting for those words!"

Although the others didn't know exactly what Lin Zhou was going to do, the absolute confidence he displayed and the various miracles he had created before made them choose to trust him unconditionally.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath, his consciousness sinking into the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, communicating with the [Temple of Civilization] that represented the source of Huaxia Civilization. His Mental Energy locked onto the light orb that represented Daoist thought, emitting an aura of purity and nature.

"Unlock basic application of Daoist thought—[Pure and Inactive Realm]!"

He consumed precious civilization points and his own Divine Power to begin constructing an unprecedented divine technique framework. At the same time, he transmitted a Divine Thought to Su Yueyao, containing the core points of the Domain construction and the key nodes where Moonlight Power needed to align.

Su Yueyao understood perfectly. Controlling the Moon Elves, she no longer used the pure Moonlight Divine Power for healing but instead used it like the most precise tool, beginning to blend and weave it with the Daoist sense of purity and inaction guided by Lin Zhou.

Above the virtual battlefield, the clouds began to shift. It was no longer the brilliance of starlight, nor the gray decay of death, but a kind of hazy, ethereal Pure Qi that began to spread silently...