414: Chapter 349: Reverse Refining, Forging the Cauldron with the Flame of Civilization

Pan Qian's figure had already vanished into the Void Realm.

The projection of Mount Buzhou slowly faded; the giant pillar that held up the heavens began to blur and dissipate from its edges like a mirage. The light of the Innate Runes flickered, as if making a final farewell. The golden patterns on the mountain's surface gradually lost their luster, turning from a brilliant gold to a dull gray, eventually dissolving into nothingness.

But the qiankun tripod remained.

The massive three-legged, two-eared bronze cauldron floated in the Void Realm. The Innate Runes on its body continued to flow slowly, though their light was much dimmer than before. The mouth of the cauldron tilted slightly toward the direction of the Star Sea Divine Kingdom projection, as if still hesitating—to refine, or not to refine?

Pan Qian had left in such a hurry that he forgot to take it with him.

Or—did he leave it behind on purpose?

Lin Zhou floated in the Void Realm, looking at the massive cauldron with a complex expression.

His body was still trembling; his godhead integrity was down to only 55%, his Divine Power reserves were at zero, and the water level of the river of civilization had dropped to 20%. Forget fighting; he even needed Qin Qing's support just to stay airborne.

But in his eyes, a strange light burned.

"Captain, what are you looking at?" Qin Qing followed his gaze. "The qiankun tripod... Pan Qian didn't take it?"

"Perhaps it was intentional," Lin Zhou murmured.

"Intentional? Why?"

"He wants to see if I can do what he couldn't."

Lin Zhou gently pushed away Qin Qing's support and flew unsteadily toward the qiankun tripod.

"Captain! Are you crazy?" Qin Qing's face paled. "Your Divine Power is at zero; if you get close to the qiankun tripod, you'll be refined!"

"I won't," Lin Zhou shook his head. "The qiankun tripod's refinement mode has been deactivated. Right now, it's just a vessel."

"It's still dangerous!"

"I know," Lin Zhou didn't stop. "But I want to try."

"Try what?"

"Reverse Refinement."

Qin Qing was stunned.

Reverse Refinement—using the Fire of Civilization to refine the qiankun tripod?

That was an imitation of an Innate Supreme Treasure, an existence capable of Refining All Things. Using an Acquired fire to refine an Innate tool was practically a joke.

But Lin Zhou's eyes didn't look like he was joking.

He flew to the front of the qiankun tripod, stopping only ten meters away from its body.

The Innate Runes on the cauldron's body sensed his approach and brightened slightly, as if on guard. However, they did not attack.

The refinement mode was indeed deactivated.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath and raised his right hand, spreading his fingers and aiming them at the cauldron.

In his palm, a wisp of faint, pale-golden flame slowly ignited.

It was the Fire of Civilization.

It wasn't the blazing, sun-like radiance seen during battle, but a gentle, tiny flame like that of a candle. The flame was small, only the size of a thumb, but it was warm and steady, as if it had burned since ancient times and would continue to burn forever.

[Fire of Civilization · Current Status]

- Source: Core of the river of civilization

- Current Intensity: Weak (Due to river water level remaining at only 20%)

- Characteristics: Can "Enlighten" all things, can also "Refine" laws

- Consumption: None (Flame generates automatically, does not consume Divine Power)

"Captain, are you really going to..." Qin Qing's voice was filled with worry.

"Trust me," Lin Zhou said without looking back.

He gently pushed the Fire of Civilization in his palm toward the qiankun tripod.

The flame left his palm and drifted slowly toward the cauldron's body.

Ten meters... eight meters... five meters...

The Innate Runes on the cauldron's body sensed the flame's approach and began to flow faster. A faint golden light surfaced on the runes, seemingly "scrutinizing" this wisp of flame.

The Fire of Civilization did not resist, nor did it speed up. It just quietly and slowly drifted toward the cauldron, like an uninvited guest knocking on a host's door.

Three meters... one meter...

The flame touched the cauldron's body.

Sizzle—!!!

The Innate Runes on the cauldron suddenly erupted with a piercing golden light! It wasn't an attack, but—defense. The runes formed a golden barrier on the surface of the cauldron, attempting to block the flame's intrusion.

But the Fire of Civilization did not "intrude."

It simply pressed against the surface of the barrier, burning quietly.

The golden light of the barrier and the pale-gold of the flame intertwined.

There was no violent confrontation, no explosion of energy, only—communication.

[Fire of Civilization · Contacting qiankun tripod]

- Cauldron Defense: Activated (Innate Rune Barrier)

- Flame Behavior: No attack, no intrusion, only "communication"

- Cauldron Reaction: Shifting from "Defense" to "Scrutiny"

- Current Status: Stalemate

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

The golden light of the cauldron began to change.

It was no longer a pure, cold gold, but was tinged with a warm, pale-gold luster. That was the color of the Fire of Civilization.

Tiny cracks, nearly invisible to the naked eye, began to appear on the barrier.

They weren't cracks caused by an attack, but rather—by assimilation.

[Cauldron Body · Status Update]

- Innate Rune Stability: 92%... 90%... 88%...

- Change: "Acquired" imprints beginning to appear on rune surfaces

- Imprint Form: Tiny Hundred Schools Inscriptions

Lin Zhou's pupils contracted sharply.

He saw that on the surface of the cauldron, between those Innate Runes, extremely tiny, pale-golden characters were beginning to emerge.

They were Hundred Schools Inscriptions.

The Confucian "Benevolence," the Legalist "Publicity," the Mohist "Universal Love," the Daoist "Nature," the Military "Courage"... every character was only the size of an ant, yet clearly discernible.

They weren't carved on; they "grew" out from within the cauldron—like seeds sprouting, like flowers blooming.

[qiankun tripod · Mutation]

- Phenomenon: Hundred Schools Inscriptions appearing on the inner walls of the cauldron

- Cause: The power of "Enlightenment" from the Fire of Civilization is "infecting" the cauldron's Innate laws

- Progress: 1%... 2%... 3%...

- For every 1% increase, the cauldron's affinity for the Fire of Civilization increases by 5%

"This... how is this possible?" Qin Qing's eyes widened.

The qiankun tripod was an imitation of an Innate Supreme Treasure; its laws were "Innate," fundamentally opposed to the "Acquired" Way of Civilization. Innate and Acquired were like water and fire; they should be mutually exclusive.

But the Fire of Civilization was "infecting" it.

Not destroying, not modifying, but—enlightening.

Like a teacher instructing a student.

The Innate Runes on the cauldron shifted from their initial vigilance and defense to curiosity and acceptance. They no longer resisted the Fire of Civilization but actively approached the flame, as if "learning."

[Cauldron Body · Status Update]

- Innate Rune Stability: 88%... 85%... 82%...

- Hundred Schools Inscription Emergence Progress: 3%... 5%... 8%...

- Cauldron Attitude: Shifting from "Defense" to "Acceptance"

The corners of Lin Zhou's mouth curled up slightly.

"As I thought."

"As you thought what?" Qin Qing asked.

"The 'Innate' of the qiankun tripod isn't absolute," Lin Zhou explained. "Innate is the seed, and a seed needs soil to sprout. The 'Acquired' of the Fire of Civilization is that soil."

"When a seed meets soil, it doesn't resist; it takes root and grows."

"The qiankun tripod is 'taking root.'"

Qin Qing only half-understood, but she saw more and more Hundred Schools Inscriptions appearing on the cauldron, becoming denser.

Beside the character for "Benevolence," the character for "Righteousness" grew.

Beside "Righteousness," "Rites" grew.

Beside "Rites," "Wisdom" grew.

Beside "Wisdom," "Trustworthiness" grew.

The Five Confucian Virtues emerged one by one on the cauldron.

Then came the Legalist "Law, Method, Authority," the Mohist "Universal Love, Non-Aggression, Valuing the Worthy," the Daoist "Dao, Virtue, Nature," the Military "Wisdom, Trustworthiness, Benevolence, Courage, Strictness"...

The Hundred Schools of Thought, like seeds, were taking root and sprouting in the "Innate" soil of the qiankun tripod.

[qiankun tripod · Mutation Progress]

- Hundred Schools Inscription Emergence: 15%... 20%... 25%...

- Cauldron Innate Rune Stability: 82%... 78%... 75%...

- Cauldron Color: Gradually turning from dark gold to pale-gold (the color of the Fire of Civilization)

"Captain, the cauldron is changing color!" Wang Meng cried out in surprise.

Lin Zhou nodded.

He knew this wasn't a bad thing.

The color change of the qiankun tripod meant its "Innate" laws were being "neutralized" by the "Acquired" laws of the Fire of Civilization. Not destroyed, but fused.

Innate and Acquired were never truly opposed.

Innate is the starting point; Acquired is the process. The starting point needs the process, and the process needs the starting point. The two complement each other, and neither can be dispensed with.

The qiankun tripod previously only understood "Innate," so it could only refine the "Acquired." Now, it was beginning to understand the "Acquired," and so it began to accept it.

This was the "inclusivity" of civilization.

[Cauldron Body · Status Update]

- Hundred Schools Inscriptions appearing: 25%...30%...35%...

- Cauldron Body Color: Pale Gold (30%), Dark Gold (70%)

- Cauldron Body Affinity for the Fire of Civilization: +150%

- Current Status: Undergoing "Enlightenment"

Lin Zhou withdrew his hand, but the Fire of Civilization remained attached to the cauldron's body, burning quietly.

He no longer needed to do anything.

The flame had its own will; it would "teach" the qiankun tripod itself.

"Captain, Pan Qian is back!" Zhao Hao suddenly shouted.

Lin Zhou turned his head and saw Pan Qian's figure reappearing in the distance.

His expression was complex—not anger, not surprise, but... reflection.

"Lin Zhou, what are you doing?" Pan Qian's voice was calm.

"As you can see," Lin Zhou pointed at the qiankun tripod, "I'm teaching it."

"Teaching it what?"

"Teaching it that—the Acquired is not an enemy, but a partner."

Pan Qian fell silent.

He looked at the Hundred Schools Inscriptions emerging on the qiankun tripod, watched the cauldron's body gradually turn from dark gold to pale gold, and saw the Innate Runes coexist harmoniously with the Acquired characters. An indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

"So... it can be like this," he murmured.

"Innate and Acquired are originally one," Lin Zhou said. "The Universe was born from Chaos. Chaos is 'Innate,' but Chaos itself is also changing. Change is 'Acquired.' Therefore, Innate and Acquired have never been in opposition."

"They are two sides of the same coin."

Pan Qian remained silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly nodded.

"Lin Zhou, you are right."

He raised his hand and pressed it lightly against the qiankun tripod.

The cauldron's body shuddered as the Innate Runes and the Hundred Schools Inscriptions lit up simultaneously. The golden light and pale gold light intertwined, forming a strange beauty.

[qiankun tripod · Status Update]

- Pan Qian's Intervention: Actively injecting his own Divine Power into the cauldron to assist the "Enlightenment" process

- Hundred Schools Inscriptions Manifestation Speed: Accelerated (35%...40%...45%...)

- Cauldron Body Color: Pale Gold (50%), Dark Gold (50%)

- Pan Qian's Dao Heart Stability: Recovering (65%...70%...75%...)

"You're helping us?" Qin Qing asked in surprise.

Pan Qian nodded. "I am helping it, and I am also helping myself."

"I want to see what becomes of the Fusion between Innate and Acquired."

Lin Zhou looked at Pan Qian, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

This was a true seeker of the Dao.

He was not obsessed with his own "Dao," but was willing to understand the "Dao" of others. This open-mindedness was exactly what civilization needed.

"Captain Pan Qian, thank you."

"No need for thanks," Pan Qian shook his head. "It is I who should thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for letting me see that there is more than one Dao."

Their gazes met in the Void Realm.

There was no hostility, no competition, only a shared pursuit of the "Dao."

[qiankun tripod · Enlightenment Progress]

- Hundred Schools Inscriptions appearing: 50%...55%...60%...

- Cauldron Body Color: Pale Gold (60%), Dark Gold (40%)

- Cauldron Body Affinity for the Fire of Civilization: +200%

- Cauldron Body New Trait: [Acquired Affinity] — Can refine the "Innate" and also "nurture" the Acquired

Time passed slowly under the joint "teaching" of the two.

Ten minutes... twenty minutes... thirty minutes...

The Hundred Schools Inscriptions on the qiankun tripod grew denser and brighter. The color of the cauldron's body also gradually shifted from predominantly dark gold to predominantly pale gold.

When the inscription coverage exceeded 80%, the qiankun tripod suddenly shuddered.

Buzz—!!!

The cauldron's body erupted with a blinding light—not golden, but iridescent.

The Benevolence of the School of Confucianism: Gold.

The Justice of the School of Legalism: Black.

The Universal Love of the School of Mohism: White.

The Naturalness of the School of Taoism: Azure.

The Valor of the School of Military: Red.

The Diligence of the School of Agriculture: Green.

The Benevolence of the School of Medicine: Blue.

The Logic of the School of Names: Purple.

The Balancing of the School of Diplomacy: Orange.

The Inclusiveness of the School of Miscellaneous: Yellow.

The ten colors intertwined to form a brilliant rainbow that gushed from the cauldron's mouth, illuminating the entire Void Realm.

[qiankun tripod · Evolution!]

- Original Quality: Epic Wonder / War Weapon (Innate Supreme Treasure Replica)

- New Quality: Legendary Wonder / Civilization Sacred Object (Fusion of Innate and Acquired)

- New Traits:

1. [Refining All Things]: Can refine the Innate and also nurture the Acquired.

2. [Civilization Resonance]: When resonating with the river of civilization, refining efficiency +300%.

3. [Hundred Schools Blessing]: For every new school of thought added to the cauldron's inscriptions, the cauldron's defense +10%.

4. [Light of Enlightenment]: The light emitted from the cauldron's mouth can "enlighten" enemy units, causing them to briefly defect.

- Current Inscription Coverage: 85%...90%...95%...

"It evolved..." Pan Qian's eyes widened.

He had never imagined that the qiankun tripod could evolve.

This cauldron was the supreme treasure of the Honghuang Academy, passed down for tens of thousands of years. Countless generations of experts had used it, refining countless enemies and treasures, but it had never changed.

Until today.

Until the Fire of Civilization ignited its "Acquired" potential.

"So, it has been waiting all along," Pan Qian murmured.

"Waiting for what?" Lin Zhou asked.

"Waiting for someone who could teach it the 'Acquired'."

Pan Qian looked at Lin Zhou, his eyes full of complexity.

"Lin Zhou, this cauldron is yours now."

Lin Zhou was stunned. "What?"

"The qiankun tripod has already recognized you as its master." Pan Qian pointed to the Hundred Schools Inscriptions on the cauldron's body. "Look, those characters weren't carved on; they 'grew' from within the cauldron. They represent the cauldron's 'heart'."

"The cauldron's heart has changed; the old master can no longer control it."

He gave a bitter smile. "I can no longer activate it now."

Lin Zhou tried to sense the qiankun tripod.

Sure enough, as soon as his consciousness touched the cauldron's body, he felt a warm, familiar response. It wasn't submission, but—recognition.

The cauldron recognized his "Dao."

[qiankun tripod · Master Recognition]

- New Master: Lin Zhou

- Reason for Recognition: The Fire of Civilization "enlightened" the cauldron's Innate rules

- Current Status: Can be summoned at will (requires no consumption of Divine Power)

- Note: The cauldron's former master (Pan Qian) still retains partial permissions, but requires Lin Zhou's authorization

"This..." Lin Zhou hesitated.

"Take it," Pan Qian said. "This cauldron is more valuable in your hands than in mine."

"But, it's the supreme treasure of the Honghuang Academy..."

"A supreme treasure is meant to be passed down, not kept as a collection," Pan Qian interrupted him. "You made it evolve; you made it stronger. This is its destiny, and yours."

He turned around, preparing to leave.

"Captain Pan Qian," Lin Zhou called out to him.

Pan Qian looked back.

"When the competition is over, I will return the cauldron to the Honghuang Academy."

Pan Qian was taken aback for a moment, then he smiled.

"No need to return it. You can keep it."

"Why?"

"Because you have already proven—you are more suited for it than I am."

He vanished into the Void Realm.

This time, he had truly left.

Lin Zhou looked at the qiankun tripod in his hand. The cauldron had shrunk to the size of a fist and was floating quietly in his palm. The Hundred Schools Inscriptions on its body flowed slowly in the iridescent light, feeling warm and familiar.

[qiankun tripod · Current Status]

- Size: Freely scalable (minimum fist-sized, maximum mountain-sized)

- Inscription Coverage: 98% (nearly complete)

- Cauldron Body Color: Pale Gold (80%), Iridescent (20%)

- Current Functions: Can refine, nurture, and enlighten

"Captain, are you really going to keep it?" Qin Qing walked over.

"For now," Lin Zhou nodded. "I'll discuss it with Pan Qian after the competition ends."

"But it belongs to the Honghuang Academy..."

"That's why we need to discuss it," Lin Zhou smiled. "Way of Civilization is not about possession, but sharing."

He put away the qiankun tripod and turned to face the others.

"Let's go back and rest."

"The road ahead is still long."

Everyone nodded.

A white light flashed, and the entire Xinghai University Team was teleported back to the preparation space.

On the light screen, the golden words "Xinghai University Team — Advanced to the Top Five" continued to shine brightly.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhou leaned against the headboard of the medical pod, looking at the phantom of the qiankun tripod in his palm, a slight smile playing on his lips.

qiankun tripod, Legendary grade.

The Fusion of Acquired and Innate.

Way of Civilization had advanced another step.