[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-67":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},2280923,4462,"Chapter 67: Sudden Mission","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-67",67,"\u003Cp>Li Yi spent over a dozen days at the training base and gained considerable benefits: he mastered the use of various firearms and largely refined his combat techniques, occasionally using rare artifacts to enter meditative states; though he had not yet reached the threshold of spiritual awakening, his physical condition had genuinely improved significantly, compensating for shortcomings caused by his earlier rapid cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this period of consolidation, Li Yi could clearly sense another notable leap in his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But considering he had already wasted too much time here, he had no choice but to bid farewell to Li Shudi and leave No. 2 Training Ground today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you’re leaving so soon?” Li Shudi expressed surprise at Li Yi’s sudden departure. “Your combat skills still need more practice—there might still be room for improvement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi said, “Though I’d gladly continue training under Instructor Li, there are many matters awaiting me outside. I can’t afford to linger here too long—I plan to complete the qualifying tests for the other two training zones as quickly as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he spoke these words aloud, he knew in his heart that if he stayed any longer at the training ground, he’d go broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had spent a sum of money training with firearms, and over these dozen days, he had consumed large quantities of nutrient solution—another expense. Though he still had some savings, sitting idle and draining them wasn’t sustainable. He needed to live, needed to move into a new home soon, and cultivation required ongoing investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, you’ve learned all you can here at No. 2 Training Ground. I’ve taught you everything I can. Your combat skills are impressive—staying here any longer would be a waste of time. Go out, gain real experience, take on a few missions—they’ll help you advance faster. Go ahead. I’ll issue your qualification certificate. Don’t worry.” Li Shudi nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Instructor Li, for your guidance these past days,” Li Yi said seriously. “Once I’ve fully perfected my combat techniques, I’ll ensure they’re widely recognized.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I’ll be waiting for that day,” Li Shudi smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi said no more. After bidding farewell to Li Shudi, he set off for No. 3 Training Ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. 3 Training Ground focused on cold weapons. Li Yi had no intention of wasting time—he planned to pass the qualification as quickly as possible and leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a voice called out from the training ground, stopping him as he walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi turned and saw a tall, muscular man striding toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi was surprised. He glanced over him and noticed Lu Yue’s injuries from their previous sparring had nearly fully healed. In just over a dozen days, he was back to full vigor—cultivators’ vitality was indeed formidable, their self-recovery unmatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Yue, what do you want?” he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yue stared at Li Yi. “I thought you’d already left the training base. I didn’t expect you’d still be here at No. 2. Li Yi, haven’t you forgotten something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure what you mean,” Li Yi thought for a moment, then shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last time we sparred, you beat me. But before we started, I said—if you won, I’d give you the two million I won from Chen Hao. I don’t have your contact info, and no one else here knows you well, so I’ve been waiting here for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi blinked. “For that? I’d already forgotten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You forgot, but I didn’t. What? Do you think I, Lu Yue, am the kind of man who can’t accept defeat?” Lu Yue growled. “Send me your bank account. I’ll transfer the money right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it,” Li Yi said casually. “I hit hard—I put you in the hospital for over a week. Consider this money compensation for your medical bills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yue immediately replied, “A deal’s a deal. I lost—I accept it. Li Yi, don’t be petty. Two million means nothing to me. I’ve earned far more during my sparring sessions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright then. Since you insist, I won’t refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi no longer argued. He pulled out his phone, added Lu Yue as a contact, and sent his bank account number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yue transferred the money instantly, then said, “Li Yi, I can’t beat you now, but once I learn a technique, I’ll come back to spar with you. Don’t you dare dodge me then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you’re confident you can beat me, come find me,” Li Yi laughed. “But judging by your progress, you won’t get that chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t boasting—he was using rare artifacts to cultivate. Lu Yue was just an ordinary cultivator; no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t keep up with Li Yi’s growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you’ve been training under Instructor Li lately, so your strength has improved. But don’t underestimate me. Your progress doesn’t mean I can’t improve,” Lu Yue said, then left with a fiery determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi watched him go without saying a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He arrived at No. 3 Training Ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of cultivators training here was also substantial. Upon arriving, Li Yi saw many practicing various cold weapon techniques. Compared to unarmed combat, cold weapons seemed more popular—after all, they greatly enhanced a cultivator’s close-quarters combat capability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tao Ge had said back then, cultivators might have superior physical conditioning, but they weren’t strong enough to withstand blades and swords directly—especially those forged from special steel, which were extremely sharp and posed a serious threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi watched for a while, then prepared to find an instructor for guidance—when suddenly, his phone rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He checked the screen. The caller was Wang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Wang Jian, it’s me, Li Yi,” he answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, how’s your training going? It’s been over a dozen days, and you haven’t reported anything to me,” Wang Jian said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi replied, “I’ve just entered No. 3 Training Ground. I spent some time training combat arts at No. 2. What’s up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a mission. I’m short on personnel. Your training is suspended. Come to the training base entrance—my vehicle’s arriving soon. I’ll pick you up,” Wang Jian said immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So sudden?” Li Yi exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t even finished training, yet Wang Jian needed him already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No choice. If this weren’t an emergency, I wouldn’t pull you out of training. But with your performance in Zone One and Two, you’re qualified enough. The remaining Zones Three and Four won’t significantly boost you. If you want to continue training, you can return anytime after the mission. That’s it. Get ready. We’ll discuss any issues when we meet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jian hung up without giving Li Yi a chance to ask questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi didn’t complain. Wang Jian was always busy and operated this way. After hanging up, he immediately turned and left No. 3 Training Ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the dormitory, he quickly showered, put on his Qiu Long leather armor again, drank a full dose of Golden Nutrient Solution, strapped on the incomplete knife coin, and headed straight for the base gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He checked the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only ten minutes had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi waited a few more minutes at the base gate before a specialized armored vehicle sped toward him and stopped abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jian’s voice came from inside: “Li Yi, get in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi didn’t hesitate—he stepped into the vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed. The engine roared. The armored vehicle accelerated forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside, Li Yi finally took in the occupants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver was a stranger. Wang Jian sat in the front passenger seat. He Xiong, who had lost an arm, sat beside him, gripping a familiar-looking sniper rifle. In the back seat sat another person. Li Yi glanced and immediately recognized him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Hao?” Li Yi was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Chen Hao was the cultivator who had lost to Lu Yue in sparring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yi, hello. Didn’t expect to be teamed up with you on this mission. I heard about what happened at the training ground—you knocked out Lu Yue with one punch, really put him in his place. I thought you’d already finished training and left. Didn’t expect you were still there. If I’d known, I’d have come to meet you earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hao nodded, his tone revealing clear admiration for Li Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been training under Instructor Li and rarely show up. It’s normal you didn’t know about me. How are you feeling? Are your injuries fully healed?” Li Yi replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All good. Fully recovered,” Chen Hao clenched his fist. “But Lu Yue really went hard—he nearly blinded me. Lucky you sent him to the hospital. Otherwise, who knows how many more colleagues would’ve gotten hurt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good to hear,” Li Yi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me introduce myself—I’m Zheng Gong, also an investigator, though still in my probationary period,” the young driver turned around, smiling and greeting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, I’m Li Yi, an external operations officer. What’s going on? Why the sudden operation?” Li Yi was puzzled—this vehicle was unlike the usual ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, Wang Jian used ordinary cars for missions. This time, it was an armored vehicle, and even the weapons looked unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some dangerous entities have breached the city limits. We need to handle them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jian murmured beside him, “This is sudden and unusual. Nearly every available investigator here has been mobilized. I didn’t want to pull you out, but since we were passing the training base and you’re strong, I figured it’d be better to bring you along.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, an extra pair of hands is always helpful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi frowned. “Will there be supernatural creatures? Why bring a sniper rifle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just being cautious,” He Xiong smiled. “Can’t go in without heavy firepower. What if something unexpected happens? Li Yi, you completed Zone One. How’s your shooting skill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine,” Li Yi said. “Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just asking. Need to assess personnel capabilities,” He Xiong replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi then asked, “By the way, Wang Jian—how much do we get paid for a mission like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One hundred thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it?” Li Yi was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jian said, “That’s just the base fee. If you kill a ferocious beast or a supernatural entity, there’s extra pay. Don’t worry—you won’t get shortchanged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good,” Li Yi finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>",1694,"2026-06-20T01:26:56.586Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","81b7042e85a33328f4abd2308a3615d1e85cc7c3e9f5602967b9bd8b3c4858c8","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-68","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-66",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg"]