[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-21":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},2280877,4462,"Chapter 21","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>The fourth day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless something unexpected happens, this will be their last day of work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s mood was poor, for they were about to lose a high-paying job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before this day’s work even began, at around six in the evening, Supervisor Xu Ming came to notify them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The boss has awakened from the cultivation pod. The evening guidance work is canceled, but the boss has a new task for you—if you’re not in a hurry to leave, come with me to the top floor now.” Xu Ming’s words left everyone startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the evening work is canceled, what about the pay? Will it be refunded?” Zhang Gao asked immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supervisor Xu Ming said: “No refund needed. That’s the boss’s compensation—just keep it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good then.” Zhang Gao glanced at the others: “Everyone, shall we go take a look, or leave now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go see. The employer is generous—if there’s a new task, the pay will surely be high.” Lu Jue added: “Li Yi, what about you? Going back, or coming with us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi thought for a moment: “I didn’t earn as much as I hoped. Rare to find such a good employer—I’ll go see. If it’s suitable, I’ll stay on; if not, I can leave later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly my thought,” Lu Jue nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go,” Zhao Xiaoxiao said, impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the group, curious, followed Supervisor Xu Ming back to the top floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So many people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they arrived, they found a large crowd gathered—just a quick glance revealed at least thirty cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I guess all four batches of guides have shown up. No wonder so many,” Zhang Gao whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not just guides—there are also unfamiliar bodyguards, and their strength seems formidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi scanned the surroundings and noticed several new bodyguards in black suits. Though all wore sunglasses, the faint glow in their eyes could not be hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, these bodyguards were all cultivators who had activated their spiritual media.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m curious about the employer’s identity—who could casually hire so many cultivators and possess such high-end cultivation resources?” Lu Jue began scanning the crowd, searching for someone special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after circling the group, no one fit the description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The boss just went to bathe. Please wait a moment,” Supervisor Xu Ming explained to the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one complained—they waited patiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly fifteen minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a soft *ding*, a dedicated elevator arrived at the top floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then three footsteps echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here they come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone felt it simultaneously and turned toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading the group was a young man, seemingly around twenty-four. Tall and straight-backed, with sharp brows and bright eyes, handsome yet stern. As he walked forward with hands clasped behind his back, a faint white aura shimmered around him, brightening the room slightly, radiating an untouchable dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a traditional long robe, his black hair falling past his shoulders, like a hero stepped straight from a martial arts novel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood two women: one in a form-fitting suit, agile strides, her vertical pupils glowing faintly green—unnatural eyes; the other, voluptuous and dressed in professional attire, a mature, sensual secretary. Though she showed no signs of cultivation, her beauty was dazzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone felt the same: this man was the true protagonist; they were mere extras, background, utterly unworthy of comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now I understand why in novels, the moment the protagonist appears, everyone knows he’s extraordinary. If I had this aura and face, I’d be the center of attention wherever I went,” Zhang Gao muttered, his eyes green with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s terrifying. His cultivation realm has reached an extremely high level. Look at the white light flickering around him—in ancient times, this was called ‘light born from empty space, radiance in darkness.’ Today’s science would say his body has evolved so profoundly that he’s begun forming an energy field. If he evolves further, he’ll generate one himself—equivalent to a rare artifact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jue drew a deep breath, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With such cultivation resources, producing a cultivator this powerful is only natural—his talent must be extraordinary too.” Li Yi fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he’d prepared himself mentally, seeing the employer still surprised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yi firmly believed: with his rare artifact, he too could reach this level one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, among the crowd, he stood like a lowly lackey—unremarkable, invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The gap between people can be greater than that between a man and a dog,” someone nearby murmured, unconcerned if heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Apologies for keeping you waiting. I’m Yang Yi. I’ve gathered you here for two reasons. First: your hard work these past days allowed my meditation to reach completion. Though you were hired, I don’t see you that way. Your participation in the guidance work came through recommendations from my friends and relatives—they trusted you enough to refer you, and if they trust you, so do I. Therefore, I thank you for your assistance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi paused his steps and spoke slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was clear, not loud, yet it echoed throughout the entire floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone remained silent. They were paid workers—what was there to thank? Just polite words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi continued: “Second: my cultivation wasn’t merely to raise my realm. It was because a powerful transcendent creature emerged in Tianchang City’s danger zone. I fought it—and barely escaped with my life. That’s why I secluded myself to cultivate, preparing for this day’s rematch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But before the operation, I’ve invited ten friends who’ve activated their spiritual media to serve as sentinels. Each spiritual medium needs two assistants who haven’t activated theirs. Rather than hiring randomly outside, I trust those recommended by my friends and relatives more. So I plan to recruit twenty of you for this mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, this mission won’t ask for your effort without reward. Those who join will receive eighty thousand taels as compensation. If any danger arises, I, Yang Yi, will offer additional compensation—no one will suffer a loss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, many hearts stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eighty thousand taels for a single trip—this was a high price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it was the danger zone, with Yang Yi leading, they’d merely be attendants—no real danger. This eighty thousand was practically free money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m in,” a cultivator immediately raised his hand loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Count me in too,” another spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi smiled slightly: “Those willing to join may register with Xu Ming. Those unwilling may leave freely—entirely your choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, what do you think? Join or not?” Zhang Gao whispered. “I’m tempted—everyone can see this money is practically free. Our strength won’t help at all—we’re just going through the motions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The danger zone isn’t that simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jue said: “The danger there isn’t just transcendent creatures—it’s also terrifying ghosts and inexplicable horrors. Why does Yang Yi need us, who haven’t activated spiritual media, as assistants? Because those who have activated it can see unclean things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our eyes are ‘blind’—in a way, that makes us safer. Hence the odd setup: one spiritual medium with two non-activated cultivators.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So if no danger arises, fine. But if it does, our chance of dying is high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Zhao Xiaoxiao said: “Li Yi, I don’t advise you to go. You earn twenty to thirty thousand a day—this isn’t worth risking. If you need money, I can refer you to other work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi thought a moment: “I’ve been poor too long. Even though I earned some money this time, such opportunities don’t come often. I’ll go. If I save more now, I won’t have to waste time working later—I can focus on cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if you don’t come back?” Zhao Xiaoxiao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi smiled: “If real danger strikes, I’ll run immediately. If I can’t escape, then I’m just unlucky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright, since you're determined, I won't persuade you. I'm not going to the danger zone—I'll go back and focus on cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaoxiao shook her head. She was not one to take risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not going either. Even if the odds of returning are high, I don’t like gambling—and my luck’s always bad,” Lu Jue shrugged, declining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gao said: “Li Yi, let’s go together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a strong desire for wealth and wanted to earn more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright,” Li Yi nodded. “Let’s register with Xu Ming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two moved at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jue turned away: “Zhao Xiaoxiao, let’s go—pack your things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaoxiao stared at Li Yi for a long while before finally looking away, took a deep breath, and left without delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twenty slots for participants were filled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yi also decided: they would depart at midnight—six hours from now—for the danger zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Midnight operation?” Li Yi found the timing odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his body had evolved—he could see clearly at night—so evening travel wouldn’t hinder him.\u003C\u002Fp>",1450,"2026-06-20T01:26:56.586Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","aea8b1d8079c527a057cf117c59c7965063248246669ac4ca188d5922d598c2f","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-22","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-20",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg"]