[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-171":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After the Sky Fell",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2281027,4462,"Chapter 171: 170. Cross-Dimensional Departure","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>170. Chapter 170: Cross-Dimensional Departure\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meng De, every time you cross dimensions, you must first pass through Ghost Street. Ghost Street lies at the juncture of yin and yang, the most peculiar place—its mysteries are unknown even to aristocratic disciples. But to enter Ghost Street, you must visit the spirit woman in Three Yang City; only she possesses the ability to communicate between yin and yang and send people to Ghost Street. Previously, Zhao Qian reached you through a dream, and it was this spirit woman who performed the dream-linking technique. Fortunately, you left blood on Zhao Qian’s old clothing, using blood as a medium to activate the technique—otherwise, even the spirit woman could not have done it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That morning, Zhao Ge, Rong Niang, Thin Monkey, Zhao Qian, and others gathered together to see Li Yi off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi had already packed all his belongings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, his master Zhao Ge began explaining how to enter Ghost Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s how it works? Using blood as a medium to perform the dream-linking technique? But now that you mention it, I recall—I must keep the blood of someone from the Four Seas and Eight Provinces, so I can return here next time. Otherwise, without guidance, I’ll be stuck wandering Ghost Street and unable to cross dimensions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Li Yi immediately fetched an empty bottle once used to store nutrient solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, use my blood,” Rong Niang said at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi shook his head and called Jin Dafu inside, then handed him the bottle: “Find a servant with family, take a bowl of blood, don’t take too much—it could kill them. Afterward, give him extra silver and tell him to rest well; he’ll be fine in a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand, Master. I know how much to take without risking a life,” Jin Dafu immediately went to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Servant’s blood is fine—no need to waste your own vital energy,” Li Yi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Niang nodded, understanding at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood as a medium merely guides the Yin Horse into Three Yang City—it doesn’t have to be from someone close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Jin Dafu entered carrying the bottle filled with fresh blood: “Master, it’s done. I gave the servant twenty taels of silver, granted him a month’s leave, and gave him ten Blood-Replenishing Pills—he’ll be as strong as ever in a month, no danger to his life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Jin Dafu, while I’m gone, the household is under the authority of my master, Rong Niang, Zhao Qian, and the others. Obey them in all things. If any trouble arises, the Zhao Family Martial Hall will protect you—you won’t be shortchanged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will never forget your instructions, Master,” Jin Dafu replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi nodded, then rose and said: “Master, everything’s ready. I’m leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ge sighed: “Go well, Meng De. If all is well, return soon. I await the day you make your name known across the Four Seas and shake the Eight Provinces with your fists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next time I come, I’ll take you on a tour of the Four Seas and Eight Provinces and spread the fame of the Zhao Family Martial Hall,” Li Yi smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rong Niang, my daughter, you two will escort Meng De to the spirit woman to enter Ghost Street,” Zhao Ge added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both answered in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After farewells, the three mounted horses and rode out of the mansion, heading straight for the Chenghuangmiao where the spirit woman resided in Three Yang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin Monkey said: “Master, you’re biased! Why send the senior sister to see off the senior brother? I want to see him off too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ge glared: “They’re women—are you a woman too? Don’t you see Rong Niang and my daughter both have feelings for Meng De? I’m trying to bring them together. You’ve got no eyes at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, so that’s why,” Thin Monkey chuckled awkwardly. “Then why not just have the senior brother marry both senior sisters? I’d love to drink their wedding wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It depends on fate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ge shook his head slightly: “Meng De is a dragon among men, with lofty ambitions—he doesn’t dwell on romantic entanglements. In all these days in Three Yang City, he’s never touched a woman, and I suspect he’s still a virgin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I’m still a virgin too. Didn’t you say virginity makes cultivation stronger? But I don’t feel any different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you think they call you Thin Monkey? With your physique, if you didn’t abstain from women, you’d be a pile of bones by now. How could you have reached Bone Marrow Refinement? After this is done, train hard. Your senior brother passing on his cultivation method is a rare chance—seize it. If you still show no progress, dig your own grave and bury yourself—save us the shame.” Zhao Ge snorted heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin Monkey grumbled in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi, Rong Niang, and Zhao Qian had arrived on horseback at the Chenghuangmiao in Three Yang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was not the first of the month, so few worshippers filled the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old woman, nearly sixty, her face wrinkled, sat in a corner of the temple, eyes closed, hunched over, resting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, spirit woman, take this person to Ghost Street. How much?” Zhao Qian walked over and woke her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit woman slowly opened her eyes, her cloudy gaze sweeping the surroundings before settling on Li Yi. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, then she spoke coldly: “Send someone to Ghost Street? Two hundred taels per trip. But for this nobleman, the price doubles—four hundred taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You old hag, you’re gouging prices!” Zhao Qian snarled, raising her fist. “Watch out—I’ll beat you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh,” the spirit woman chuckled, saying nothing. “Four hundred taels for him alone. But if you two come along, I’ll take you for free.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Qian and Rong Niang froze, glancing at Li Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Yi agreed, they could follow him into Ghost Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re staying in Three Yang City. Four hundred taels it is,” Li Yi said. “Zhao Qian, pay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, you old hag, you’ve gotten lucky,” Zhao Qian grumbled, pulling out several silver notes and handing them over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit woman extended her withered hand, took the money, then slowly rose. “Follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked toward the back hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three followed. The back hall was dim, dark, flanked by rows of ancient coffins, some with incense sticks still burning. A foul stench mixed with overpowering incense filled the air, making them feel nauseous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit woman led Li Yi to a large coffin and said: “Lie inside. This coffin will take you to Ghost Street.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi glanced at Zhao Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Qian nodded—she had entered Ghost Street the same way before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Need funeral robes? I still have door gods—I’ll give you a discount,” the spirit woman’s cold voice echoed in the dim hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. My human-skin mask hides my living aura well enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would use the Yin Horse immediately upon entering Ghost Street—extra items were useless, just a waste of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He packed his belongings, then lay down inside the coffin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Yi, remember to come back soon,” Zhao Qian said, reluctant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior brother, stay safe on the road,” Rong Niang said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi replied: “Take good care of Master. Train hard. I hope next time we meet, you’re both Qi-Opening experts. If anything urgent happens, dream-link me—I’ll come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then handed them a small bottle filled with his blood, to serve as a medium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm,” Zhao Qian took it and nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After farewells, the spirit woman had Zhao Qian and Rong Niang help seal the coffin lid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the lid closed, darkness swallowed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s eyes glowed faintly—he saw clearly. A vast surge of yin energy flooded around him, identical to the night of the first of the month. As the yin energy enveloped him, strange, indescribable changes unfolded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body felt as if sinking endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know how long it lasted. When the sensation vanished, all movement ceased. The yin energy inside the coffin slowly faded, dissolving—everything returned to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it over?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi cautiously opened the coffin. He was no longer in the Chenghuangmiao of Three Yang City—he was inside an old house, littered with paper money and spirit cash, the air thick with an inexplicable coldness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recognized this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a courtyard on Ghost Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve made it back to Ghost Street?” Li Yi felt astonished—he couldn’t comprehend how.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just lying in a coffin to cross between yin and yang? Unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But perhaps this was simply the nature of the Four Seas and Eight Provinces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing his curiosity, Li Yi gathered his things and pulled on his human-skin mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rotting stench spread, masking his living aura. He quickly stepped out of the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After passing through an alley, he reached the terrifying Ghost Street, where vengeful ghosts drifted and yin soldiers patrolled. The spirits here were far deadlier than those he’d encountered on the first of the month. Without yin soldiers to maintain order, chaos would erupt—any living person entering here would die instantly; no one could trade here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Find a quiet, ghost-sparse spot to use the Yin Horse—prepare to cross back to the Danger Zone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, Li Yi moved swiftly through Ghost Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not use the Yin Horse here—the ghosts were too numerous; he feared trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Yi passed a familiar alley, he glanced toward it—and saw the old man who sold clay horses was gone. The stall stood empty, unoccupied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed his luck had held twice—someone had been selling clay horses. Without this chance, he’d never have discovered this shortcut to cross dimensions. After all, he was only at Spiritual Sensing realm—he hadn’t even reached the level where dimension-crossing was possible. The Four Seas and Eight Provinces were invaluable to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, he was the only person on Earth who could reach the Four Seas and Eight Provinces—he effectively controlled a world’s resources. He simply lacked the strength to exploit them yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this journey had already yielded rich rewards: he’d obtained the martial heritage and made tremendous progress in his cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Yi avoided the vengeful ghosts and pressed forward,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spiritual sense warned him—he felt watched. An indescribable sense of danger loomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi was puzzled. He had no enemies in Ghost Street. The surrounding ghosts lacked intelligence. His human-skin mask concealed his living aura. All danger should have been contained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But spiritual sense never lied. If it warned, a terrible threat was approaching fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a hoarse, furious voice echoed across Ghost Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was calling his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s face darkened. He turned instinctively—and saw an entire squad of yin soldiers approaching. Dressed in ancient armor, some held spears with dangling corpses, others wielded demon-headed greatswords. Their hollow eye sockets glowed green, like ghostly flames, sending chills down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the squad stood a great ghost, over three meters tall, clad in imperial robes like a lord of the netherworld. His face was black and blue, corpse-like, terrifyingly grotesque. His brows were furrowed in rage, as if he bore an eternal grudge against Li Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yi had never seen this ghost before. Yet his instincts screamed—he must flee. If caught, he would die on this Ghost Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he pulled out the clay horse and dripped his blood onto it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood triggered a violent storm. A majestic, towering Yin Horse materialized before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go—back to Tianchang City,” Li Yi leapt onto its back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yin Horse reared and neighed, then bolted forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hoped to outrun the yin soldiers and escape Ghost Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the horse’s direction led straight toward the great ghost’s approach—now, charging like a lamb into a tiger’s jaws, it was no different from suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Meng Changfeng, ancestor of the Meng family. In life, I was a Soul Transformation expert. After death, my yin spirit endured and took residence in Ghost Street. Li Yi, I know all you’ve done in the Four Seas and Eight Provinces—you stole my lifespan, killed my Meng family experts, and still owe me ninety years of yang life. Today, I will not let you go so easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yin spirit finally revealed the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Meng family ancestor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s expression hardened, and he shouted loudly: “The Meng family matter is settled. Meng Changfeng, do you wish to reignite conflict? If you make an enemy of me today, I will cross realms to come for you—your entire Meng family will perish, utterly destroyed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today you face inevitable doom—what talk of crossing realms for revenge later? All yin soldiers, kill this man. Do not let him escape Ghost Street.” Meng Changfeng commanded the yin soldiers, determined to end Li Yi here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words fell, the entire squad of yin soldiers drifted toward Li Yi, attacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These yin soldiers were no mere ghost officers he’d faced before—each possessed terrifying power. Just one yin soldier had triggered Li Yi’s spiritual sense, warning him of mortal danger. Now there were ten of them, with the yin spirit looming behind them—this situation was utterly despairing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi gritted his teeth, gripping the coin knife, activating the Guiding Art—his fist glowed brilliantly, radiant and dazzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he had fought ghostly entities in San Yang City and learned a few methods to counter them; otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to retaliate. After all, these were ghost bodies, not living flesh—normal firearms and fists had no effect. Any wound inflicted would strike the soul directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One yin soldier, wielding a ghost-headed greatsword, floated upward and slashed down at Li Yi, who charged forward on his yin horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi roared, his vertical pupils glowing as he sought to carve a path through Ghost Street. He thrust his fist forward, meeting the descending greatsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The combined energy field of the coin knife and the Guiding Art made this punch powerful enough to shake a yin soldier—but he had left the ghost-headed greatsword he’d stolen back in San Yang City’s mansion, not brought it along. Otherwise, he’d have another weapon in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he didn’t want to bring it—holding such a ghost artifact required constant use of the Guiding Art, draining too much energy. So he’d chosen to leave it behind, planning to retrieve it when he returned to San Yang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collision tore a jagged gash in the energy field around Li Yi’s fist, but the greatsword’s residual force was spent, and it was blasted away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the opening, Li Yi spurred his yin horse past the soldier, avoiding further entanglement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another yin soldier charged, screaming, also wielding a ghost-headed greatsword—this one slashed directly at Li Yi’s yin horse. Before Li Yi could react, the horse let out a mournful cry, its massive head falling to the ground, then dissolving into a pool of rotting mud, its supernatural essence gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the mud-horse dead, Li Yi stumbled and fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it.” Li Yi quickly steadied himself, landing on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Without your yin horse, where will you run? Come, accept death.\" Meng Changfeng’s black-blue face grew even more terrifying—he looked like the King of Hell, ready to execute Li Yi, the evil scourge of Xingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t kill Li Yi, this anomaly, and let him cross realms again, the Four Seas and Eight Provinces might be lost—and even he, as a yin spirit, would be affected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Yi’s immense future threat, Meng Changfeng had unhesitatingly broken their prior agreement, determined to ambush and kill him here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure success, he had prepared thoroughly: a full squad of yin soldiers, plus himself, the yin spirit, blocking all escape. Though Li Yi could kill Qi-Condensation experts, those were tactics against living flesh—useless against a yin spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck.” Li Yi cursed aloud—he felt the threat of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, crossing realms carried risk. He’d been targeted by a yin spirit for no reason, his path home cut off—and breaking through now seemed impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could think further—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two yin soldiers advanced, wielding hanging-man spears. These spears were even more terrifying than the ghost-headed greatswords. Merely approaching made Li Yi sense overwhelming danger—he saw the spears burning with eerie yin flames. Merely reflecting their glow sent icy cold through his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that yin fire touched him, his soul would be extinguished, leaving only a mindless corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yin soldiers swung their flaming spears, while the two earlier ones charged with their greatswords. Li Yi was completely surrounded—there was no time to summon a second yin horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he truly going to die here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi roared. In his final desperation, he unleashed the Guiding Art at full power—cosmic energy within him surged wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Guiding Art seemed to breakthrough. His hair stood on end, his clothes fluttered as if electrified. The cosmic energy gathered by the Guiding Art surged past his elbows, compressing into his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fists blazed with brilliance, radiating boundless power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He punched—fast, precise—striking one yin soldier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power exploded. The yin soldier was blasted backward—but his armor held, and he rose again, charging at Li Yi once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Yi pushed back one soldier, another swung his greatsword down at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi had no time to block—he barely dodged, relying on his spiritual sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a hanging-man spear swept in—swift, treacherous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi raised his fist instinctively, blocking the spear—but yin flames splashed off, one ember landing on his arm and instantly igniting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not flesh-deep pain—this was soul-deep agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Li Yi’s mind, the tiny figure clutching a treasure seal, seated on a lotus throne, let out a pained wail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, that figure was Li Yi’s soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damaged by the yin fire, the tiny figure grew visibly frail—shrinking, dimming, its form becoming hazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Master Zhao Ge’s words, his primordial spirit had been severely wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are yin soldiers this terrifying?” Li Yi felt despair. Even with the Guiding Art pushed to its limit, he could barely fight one yin soldier—two were beyond his capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now there were ten surrounding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, he simply lacked enough methods to combat ghostly entities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guiding Art only gave him the means to resist powerful ghosts—it wasn’t their true counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grab one of those hanging-man spears—maybe I can still turn this around.” Li Yi refused to give up. Ignoring the soul-pain, he surged forward, determined to overpower one yin soldier and seize his spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the yin soldiers wouldn’t grant him that chance. Though they looked like mummified corpses, they weren’t mindless ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Li Yi’s charge, two yin soldiers above him slashed down with greatswords, while the one before him reignited his yin flames—green fire spread across the air, forcing Li Yi back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he pressed forward, he’d be set ablaze and burned alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi had no choice—he retreated, unable to seize the spear or break through the blockade. He fell back step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yin soldiers pressed forward relentlessly, cutting off all escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yi was stubborn. With bursts of Guiding Art, he could briefly fight the yin soldiers, and his exceptional reflexes, combined with fighting while retreating, kept all ten from killing him quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a stubborn bastard—but your path to life is sealed. Only death lies ahead.” Meng Changfeng, towering over three meters, advanced past the yin soldiers, determined to end Li Yi himself—this potential threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew: if he didn’t crush Li Yi now, this man would one day become so powerful even Meng Changfeng, as a yin spirit, would have to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Meng Changfeng closed in, Li Yi was forced to retreat further, his mind racing—searching desperately for any escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in his focus on retreating, he forgot to watch behind him. His foot halted—he felt his body collide with something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a person? No—a ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he touched it, his entire body turned icy, stiffening. Even the yin fire burning on his arm went out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Changfeng, as a yin spirit, stared fixedly at the figure behind Li Yi. His advance halted—he sensed something unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Yi instinctively turned his head—he was met with a scene of sheer horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the icy ghost was a woman. And her face—familiar. It was Li Yi’s mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hummm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he saw that face, his head exploded with noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skull throbbed, his mind reeled, agony unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memories surfaced in Li Yi’s mind—but a terrifying force interfered, erasing parts of his memory, then rewriting them. Yet as he stared at that familiar face, new memories emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The constant clash of emerging memories and the eerie force twisted his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was his mother here—in Ghost Street?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t his mother lying in a nutrient pod?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—his mother seemed… off. Lin Jie had warned him before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, no—my mother is fine. I must go home. I must cross realms. My mother is waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi clutched his head, collapsing to the ground, screaming in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the woman who looked exactly like his mother stood motionless. She merely stood there, indifferent to Li Yi, her hollow, lifeless eyes turning slowly toward Meng Changfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she smiled—a strange, unnatural smile.\u003C\u002Fp>",3557,"2026-06-20T01:26:56.586Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1a712fba770cd9a0b12e96243f90bb6f803bd67b9ef6cbfca202f98e4750c10b","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-172","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-170",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg"]