97: The top eight rewards and the Dragon Vein Fragment cause a sensation (Part 2)

Main Divine Domain.

Traces of the previous battle were still visible—residual energy turbulence from the shattered [Dharma Barrier], land that had yet to fully recover its vitality after being eroded by death aura, and the lingering fear on the faces of the followers.

However, a new, hopeful power was surging.

The three hero units—Elwin, Bronzebeard, and Snik—were leading their respective clans in orderly post-war reconstruction and purification work. The Literary Heart Elves recited passages to soothe hearts and dispel evil, their Vast Righteous Qi acting like a spring breeze and rain, smoothing the wounds of the earth. The Tiangong Dwarves hammered and repaired damaged buildings and machinery, the fires of the [Tiangong Workshop] reigniting. The Law Fishmen patrol became even more vigilant, the light of the [Temple of Law] stabilizing the order of the Divine Domain.

The Dragon Vein Mountain Range vibrated slightly, breathing Spiritual Qi and working hard to purify the remaining Death Qi. The Altar of Shennong was also playing its part; the life elixir condensed within the phantom of the [shennong cauldron] was carefully diluted by the old farmer, Barton, and poured onto the lands eroded by [Death Blight], attempting to awaken their vitality.

But everyone could feel that the Divine Domain's "Origin Qi" had been damaged. Like someone who had lost too much blood, although the wounds were being bandaged, the overall sense of weakness could not be eliminated immediately. Especially on the level of Laws, although the death passage was temporarily sealed by the [Lunar Radiance · Taiyin Seal], the dark vortex still existed like an ugly scar, constantly emitting an unsettling aura, as if the Lich King's cold will on the other side was still watching like a tiger stalking its prey.

"My Lord!" Sensing Lin Zhou's will descending, the three heroes and all the followers immediately put down their work and knelt devoutly on the ground, their voices filled with excitement and dependence. The previous crisis had allowed them to more deeply appreciate the existence and protection of their deity.

"Rise. You have worked hard." Lin Zhou's will swept across the entire Divine Domain, taking in the situation, and he made a decision. He had to fuse the [dragon vein fragment] as soon as possible to enhance the Divine Domain's Origin; only then could he completely stabilize the situation and even feed back into himself to deal with crises that might arise again.

With a thought, the dark-yellow [dragon vein fragment] appeared in the sky above the core area of the Divine Domain.

The moment the fragment appeared—

"Boom!!!"

The entire Divine Domain let out an unprecedentedly violent roar! It was like a long-awaited rain after a drought, or a wanderer returning home! The Origin rules of the Divine Domain trembled with joy!

The resonance of the Dragon Vein Mountain Range reached its peak. The mountains grew taller and more solid at a speed visible to the naked eye. The originally illusory dragon shadows became clear, even letting out audible dragon roars! Beneath the mountain range, the Spiritual Veins that were previously only flowing weakly were now injected with surging power, beginning to expand and extend frantically!

The earth shook, and the Spiritual Qi in the sky spontaneously gathered into a vortex, surging toward the dragon vein fragment! The chaotic mist at the edge of the Divine Domain was pushed back slowly by this newborn, majestic power!

"This is... a miracle! My Lord has brought another miracle!" Old farmer Barton was so excited that he wept, bowing repeatedly toward the dragon vein fragment.

Hero units like Elwin, Bronzebeard, and Snik also felt that vast, boundless power originating from deep within the earth. Their bodies and Souls trembled with longing, as if they had encountered their natural sovereign!

"Fuse!"

Lin Zhou no longer hesitated. He mobilized all his Divine Power and Fire of Civilization, wrapping them around the dragon vein fragment and slowly pushing it toward the core of the Divine Domain, fusing it with the transforming Dragon Vein Mountain Range and the leyline rules of the entire Divine Domain!

This process was smoother than imagined, as if it were a natural progression. The dragon vein fragment also seemed extremely eager to combine with a Divine Domain full of potential and unique rules.

[Beginning Fusion of Epic Wonder Card: dragon vein fragment!]

[Detected that the Divine Domain has a weak dragon vein Foundation, Fusion compatibility +20%!]

[Detected that the Divine Domain rules contain unique principles of civilization, the chance of beneficial mutations during the Fusion process is increased!]

[Fusion progress 1%... 10%... 30%...]

As the Fusion progress increased, astonishing changes occurred in every corner of the Divine Domain:

Spiritual Qi Concentration: The originally thin, misty Spiritual Qi was now so dense it almost turned into liquid spirit mist, permeating the entire Divine Domain! Especially around the Dragon Vein Mountain Range, the Spiritual Qi even condensed into drops of spirit liquid, falling from the sky! The Divine Domain's base Spiritual Qi concentration broke through 100%, 150%, 200% at a terrifying speed... finally stabilizing at a staggering peak of 250%! (Due to the current area and Foundation of the Divine Domain, it did not reach the theoretical maximum, but it far exceeded expectations!)

Environmental Transformation: The land eroded by death aura quickly regained its fertility under the wash of majestic vitality and Dragon Qi, becoming even darker and shinier, faintly shimmering with spiritual light. Ordinary plants and trees began to transform into spiritual plants, and the water in rivers and lakes became clear and sweet, containing Spiritual Qi.

Follower Baptism: All followers, regardless of race, were bathed in this feast of Spiritual Qi and Dragon Qi!

Literary Heart Elves: Their bodies became lighter and more translucent, their perception of the world's principles greatly enhanced, and their intelligence and spirit attributes grew significantly. Elwin's literary aura soared, breaking through directly to LV37! Her understanding of Confucian classics deepened, and the effect of the [Subtle Influence] skill improved.

Tiangong Dwarves: Their muscles became more knotted, their Strength and Physique attributes increased, and more importantly, they felt as if they had divine help while forging, with stronger control over fire and metal and bursts of inspiration. Bronzebeard laughed wildly as he hammered a piece of Ore, actually forging an Excellent-grade battle axe with dragon patterns! His own Rank increased to LV35!

Law Fishmen: Their scales became harder, flickering with a metallic luster, and they became more adept at sensing and utilizing the power of order. The book of Law in Snik's hand flipped its pages automatically, adding several articles of Law containing dragon prestige. His Rank increased to LV34!

Potential Increase: The initial potential of all newborn followers has increased by at least one minor Rank! This means the next generation of Literary Heart Elves, Tiangong Dwarves, and Law Fishmen will have a higher starting point!

Rule Stabilization: The spatial barriers of the Divine Domain became tougher, and the rule loosening caused by the previous death passage was completely smoothed over. Under the suppression of the dragon vein's power, the death aura emitted by the passage entrance sealed by lunar radiance was greatly weakened, and the Lich King's will seemed to be interfered with, becoming blurred.

Dragon Qi Protection Formation: An invisible, majestic Dragon Might Domain spread out from the Dragon Vein Mountain Range, covering the entire Divine Domain. If low-level undead units were to break in now, their strength would be suppressed by at least 30%!

Overall Divine Domain Data Update (Post-Fusion):

Divine Domain Name: Hundred Schools Divine Kingdom (Prototype)

Divine Domain Area: 58 square kilometers (automatically expanded under the dragon vein's blessing)

Divine Domain Rank: Demi-God Rank (Foundation greatly enhanced, rules tending toward perfection)

Environment Rating: Blessed Land (Spiritual Qi concentration 250%, stable rules, Dragon Qi protection)

Average Rank of Core Followers: LV29 (All members increased by 1-2 levels)

Hero Unit Ranks: Elwin LV37, Bronzebeard LV35, Snik LV34

Daily Faith Production: Increased to 150,000 (influenced by the increase in Spiritual Qi, follower potential, and morale)

A complete transformation!

A true rebirth!

The Hundred Schools Divine Domain, fused with the dragon vein fragment, had undergone a qualitative leap in its Foundation! From a promising newborn Divine Domain, it had leaped to become a prototype of a Blessed Land Divine Kingdom with a solid Foundation and infinite potential!

Lin Zhou could clearly feel his Divine Fire becoming more solid and vigorous, his Divine Power recovery speed skyrocketing, and his control over the Divine Domain reaching a new level. He even felt that he was a big step closer to the threshold of igniting his Divine Fire and ascending to a True God!

"Great! With the dragon vein suppression, the Divine Domain is finally stabilized!" A weight was lifted from Lin Zhou's heart. With such a solid Foundation, he had the confidence to face the upcoming top eight matches and completely resolve the hidden danger of the death passage.

He looked at the death passage, which was doubly suppressed by lunar radiance and the dragon vein, a cold light flashing in his eyes. It was time to find a way to completely remove this festering sore.

However, just as Lin Zhou was immersed in the joy of the Divine Domain's transformation, a storm caused by him was quietly approaching in the real world.

Outside the ordinary residential complex where Lin Zhou's home was located in Cloud City, several seemingly ordinary figures appeared and disappeared at different positions. Their gazes swept over the floor where Lin Zhou's home was, intentionally or unintentionally.

Further away, inside a seemingly ordinary black hovercar, a man whose face was hidden in the shadows was looking at Lin Zhou's profile on the light screen in front of him, as well as the virtual image of that dragon vein fragment, muttering to himself:

"A dragon vein fragment... I didn't expect to encounter such an Opportunity in a small place like this. Kid, you should understand the principle that 'possessing a jade ring is a crime,' right?"

His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the seat, making a rhythmic sound.

"Keep an eye on him. During the top eight matches, the Divine Domain network supervision is the strictest, making it hard to take action. When he leaves the Virtual Battlefield... that will be our time to harvest."

Crisis had never been far away. Glory and risk always went hand in hand.