[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-227":6,"glossary-terms-4462":23},{"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},2281083,4462,"Chapter 227: 218. The Soulborn","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-227",227,"\u003Cp>218. Chapter 218: The Soulborn\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Yi walked into the Investigation Bureau again, he found Battalion Commander Zhang Lei waiting at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, Engineer Zheng just told me about your situation. Good—we’ve been waiting for you to wake up to discuss the Golden Academy slots. This matter is critical and affects many; resolving it sooner benefits everyone. Come with me to the conference room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei spoke bluntly, his gaze flicking behind Li Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Yi’s mother had not appeared, he felt slightly relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.” Li Yi nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Zhang Lei led Li Yi to the Investigation Bureau’s conference room, where several senior officials sat, their expressions grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief greeting, Zhang Lei gestured for Li Yi to sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, let’s cut to the chase. The Golden Academy slots were already decided during your coma. Currently, three people in the Bureau qualify for these two slots: Daoist Pete, you, and Gu Mengping, who joined early as an external operations officer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daoist Pete has the most seniority and greatest contributions—his slot is virtually locked. The only dispute is between you and Gu Mengping over who deserves the remaining slot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Precisely because of this dispute, the Bureau has kept the matter secret and made no public announcement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei laid it all out plainly from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s expression shifted as he glanced at Zhang Lei, but before he could speak, one senior official added: “Gu Mengping has seniority; you have recent achievements. But your weakness is your current realm—only Qi Refining. Entering the Golden Academy would be extremely stressful for you. There are too many oddities there; at your level, you’d likely face exclusion and bullying. All things considered, I lean toward assigning Gu Mengping the slot—it’s safer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the Bureau has already decided, why bother calling me in to discuss this? Isn’t that pointless?” Li Yi frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He voiced his dissatisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If merit doesn’t secure a slot, who will risk their life on missions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, don’t be angry. Many in the Bureau still believe you should go to the Golden Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei said: “Everyone has their reasons. Some think a Qi Refining external officer is better suited here—it avoids controversy. But I support you going to the Golden Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my view, Gu Mengping’s potential is inferior to yours. His value there would be minimal. He’s been with the Bureau a long time and has participated in every mission, but lately he’s earned few merits—that’s why the dispute arose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Lei, whether there’s dispute doesn’t matter—what matters is the Bureau’s decision. But from what I’ve heard, the Bureau clearly favors Gu Mengping. If so, what does that make our past missions? Just empty promises? This approach may suit you, but I want to know: when the next city crisis hits, will cultivators still cooperate with the Bureau?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi fixed his gaze on the senior officials, his tone sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officials fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi continued: “I now understand the Bureau’s intent—you want me to voluntarily give up the slot so Gu Mengping can take it, appeasing the old guard and minimizing external backlash. If that’s the case, I have nothing to say. But I will resign immediately, renounce my external officer status, and disband my team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the officials’ expressions changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s team was no trivial force: besides him, there was Lin Yue, a Qi Sensing expert, and several other Qi Refining cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Yi resigned, the Bureau’s strength would plummet, its reputation severely damaged, possibly triggering a chain reaction as other external officers followed suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without giving the officials time to respond, Li Yi stood and moved to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei’s face darkened as he quickly blocked him: “Don’t act rashly. Sit down and discuss further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't we just talk about this? One slot can't go to two people. If the Bureau chose Gu Mengping, then I've lost this competition—resigning is the only logical choice. That's enough, Zhang Lei. Don't try to persuade me, or we'll ruin our relationship. I have other things to attend to—I'm leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi acted decisively. If he couldn’t get the slot, staying in the Bureau meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei dared not stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi was no ordinary Qi Refining cultivator—he was stronger than Zhang Lei himself. If they truly clashed, the consequences would be disastrous and unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, calm down. It’s not that far yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re not against you—we just have to consider certain things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, we can compensate you elsewhere. Zhang Lei, stop him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officials in the room grew panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outcome they feared most had come to pass—Li Yi leaving would trigger a chain reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yi ignored them, pushed open the conference room door, and strode out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, I’ll be honest with you: the real reason we didn’t choose you isn’t Gu Mengping’s seniority. During your ten-day coma, Gu Mengping passed the Bone Wall illusion trial and broke through—now he’s no longer a Qi Sensing cultivator. He’s a Soulborn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Zhang Lei gritted his teeth and revealed the secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no choice—if Li Yi left now, it would be too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Yi halted mid-step and turned back: “What? Gu Mengping became a Soulborn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei took a deep breath: “Because he broke through, the Bureau had no choice but to assign him the slot. If we didn’t, who knows what a Soulborn might do in Tianchang City? If he resents you, you’ll be in danger. The Bureau had no other option—sending him away was the only way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now I understand why all the senior officials changed their stance and backed Gu Mengping—it’s because he broke through.” Li Yi’s expression shifted; his doubts were resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never expected Gu Mengping to have such luck—within ten days, he’d used the Bone Wall mural to condense his soul and break through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon reflection, it made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Mengping had long been a famed Qi Sensing expert in Tianchang City, like Yang Yi and Li Shaoqing—stuck at the peak of Qi Sensing for years. His sudden breakthrough wasn’t surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he broke through at the worst possible moment—this instantly overturned the slot originally meant for Li Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t be undone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianchang City had only one Soulborn—he was the only one who deserved the Golden Academy slot. Sending only a Qi Refining cultivator like Li Yi would be unjustifiable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Soulborn’s influence was too great, and no one could control him. The Bureau granting the slot likely carried a hint of appeasement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, no one dared offend Gu Mengping anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei said: “Now you understand the Bureau’s dilemma. But this news is still sealed—only we few know Gu Mengping broke through. We didn’t reveal it earlier because he demanded secrecy. We planned to discuss it with you first, but didn’t expect your reaction to be so strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, I understand. You’ve done outstanding work recently—if you don’t get the slot, many will protest. But a Soulborn must also be accommodated—otherwise, trouble could erupt. Gu Mengping isn’t Yang Yi anymore. He’s no longer restrained by Li Shaoqing, me, or Daoist Pete. He can act freely now. If he causes trouble, we can only watch helplessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke with deep frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever was strongest ruled—even he had to yield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now I understand the Bureau’s predicament,” Li Yi said. “But the Bureau promised slots based on merit, not seniority or realm. Had I known this was the rule, I should’ve skipped missions and stayed home to cultivate—wouldn’t that have been better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s words were valid—he had every right to be dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One senior official clenched his teeth: “Li Yi, let’s compromise. Give up the Golden Academy slot, and we’ll make you a Cross-Border Agent. Everything else remains unchanged. What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s gaze sharpened as he turned to the official: “Can you become a Cross-Border Agent without entering the Golden Academy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. The Bureau has internal channels—placing one person is no problem,” the official said seriously. “Li Yi, trust me—I’ll handle this. There’s a Cross-Border operation soon. If you agree, I guarantee results within ten days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei stared at the official in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t known about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Bureau’s influence ran deep—its shadow touched everything. Securing a Cross-Border slot was still highly probable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s eyes narrowed in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew deep down: with Gu Mengping’s breakthrough, the Golden Academy slot was his now. Li Yi couldn’t possibly displace Daoist Pete—he lacked both seniority and merit. His elimination was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was surprised the Bureau dared offer a Cross-Border Agent slot as compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, many sought the Golden Academy solely to cross over, escape Earth, and avoid the Heaven’s Collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need time to think,” Li Yi said. He didn’t accept—but he didn’t refuse either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Take your time,” the official said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi nodded and walked out of the Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after he left did everyone exhale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Gu Mengping is infuriating—why break through now?” One official slammed his fist on the table, furious. “We’d already decided: Li Yi and Daoist Pete. Now he butts in and makes us look bad inside and out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some things can’t be predicted,” another sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lei said: “Li Yi is unique. His importance rivals a Soulborn’s. I still believe he should go to the Golden Academy, and Gu Mengping should become a Cross-Border Agent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Golden Academy slot is public—giving it to a Soulborn is acceptable. The Cross-Border Agent slot is an internal privilege—they’re not the same. For now, let’s wait and see if Li Yi agrees. Hopefully, he’ll understand our position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no other choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the meeting over, the slot issue was temporarily settled.\u003C\u002Fp>",1639,"2026-06-20T01:27:02.229Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","621465dd16005f757f09638c987321e89670d25d6920c0981963311ca3d2e905","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-228","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-226",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg",{"terms":24,"userReplacements":180},[25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70,75,80,85,90,95,100,105,110,115,120,125,130,135,140,145,150,155,160,165,170,175],{"id":26,"raw_term":27,"original_term":28,"translations":29},1803422,"Li Yi","李易",[],{"id":31,"raw_term":32,"original_term":33,"translations":34},1803423,"Zhao Xiaoxiao","趙曉曉",[],{"id":36,"raw_term":37,"original_term":38,"translations":39},1803424,"Wu Zhen","吳振",[],{"id":41,"raw_term":42,"original_term":43,"translations":44},1803425,"Zhang Gao","張高",[],{"id":46,"raw_term":47,"original_term":48,"translations":49},1803426,"Xiang Xiangzi","香湘子",[],{"id":51,"raw_term":52,"original_term":53,"translations":54},1803427,"Xuan Yuezi","玄月子",[],{"id":56,"raw_term":57,"original_term":58,"translations":59},1803428,"Bald Daoist","禿道人",[],{"id":61,"raw_term":62,"original_term":63,"translations":64},1803429,"Taiyi","太易",[],{"id":66,"raw_term":67,"original_term":68,"translations":69},1803430,"Yun Feizi","雲妃子",[],{"id":71,"raw_term":72,"original_term":73,"translations":74},1803431,"Du Baizhi","杜白芷",[],{"id":76,"raw_term":77,"original_term":78,"translations":79},1803432,"Wu Zuohua","武左華",[],{"id":81,"raw_term":82,"original_term":83,"translations":84},1803433,"Zhou Yu","周煜",[],{"id":86,"raw_term":87,"original_term":88,"translations":89},1803434,"Cang'erzi","蒼耳子",[],{"id":91,"raw_term":92,"original_term":93,"translations":94},1803435,"Li Chengyu","李成玉",[],{"id":96,"raw_term":97,"original_term":98,"translations":99},1803436,"Tai Xianweng","太仙翁",[],{"id":101,"raw_term":102,"original_term":103,"translations":104},1803437,"Old Daoist Wu","吳老道",[],{"id":106,"raw_term":107,"original_term":108,"translations":109},1803438,"Sun Boxiu","孫伯修",[],{"id":111,"raw_term":112,"original_term":113,"translations":114},1803439,"Tianjiang Zi","天江子",[],{"id":116,"raw_term":117,"original_term":118,"translations":119},1803440,"Sun Fei","孫飛",[],{"id":121,"raw_term":122,"original_term":123,"translations":124},1803441,"You Nu","憂女",[],{"id":126,"raw_term":127,"original_term":128,"translations":129},1803442,"Bai You","白幽",[],{"id":131,"raw_term":132,"original_term":133,"translations":134},1803443,"Liu Ming","劉明",[],{"id":136,"raw_term":137,"original_term":138,"translations":139},1803444,"Yang Wei","楊偉",[],{"id":141,"raw_term":142,"original_term":143,"translations":144},1803445,"Ning Wu","寧舞",[],{"id":146,"raw_term":147,"original_term":148,"translations":149},1803446,"Haili","海力",[],{"id":151,"raw_term":152,"original_term":153,"translations":154},1803447,"Meiling","梅玲",[],{"id":156,"raw_term":157,"original_term":158,"translations":159},1803448,"Shan Yi","善翼",[],{"id":161,"raw_term":162,"original_term":163,"translations":164},1803449,"Golden Feather Demon King","金羽妖王",[],{"id":166,"raw_term":167,"original_term":168,"translations":169},1803450,"Wang Chengjun","王成軍",[],{"id":171,"raw_term":172,"original_term":173,"translations":174},1803451,"Li Weiguo","李衛國",[],{"id":176,"raw_term":177,"original_term":178,"translations":179},1803452,"Miao Huizi","妙慧子",[],{}]