[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-90":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},2280946,4462,"Chapter 90","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-90",90,"\u003Cp>90. Chapter 90: Test\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Yi, you're currently on leave, so you won't have any missions these days—do you have any plans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group walked along the training base path, chatting casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this mission, they had all faced life and death together, building a certain friendship and improving their relationship significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My training isn't finished yet—I want to keep going through Zone Three and Zone Four, then take a few days off to move house,\" Li Yi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Yi, at your current level, these trainings no longer benefit you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hao suddenly remembered: Li Yi had been pulled away by Wang Jian halfway through his training and never completed these basic exercises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi said, \"Learning more is always better—don't slack off. My strength is still weak, and I haven't unlocked spiritual perception yet, so I should use this time to accumulate more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That makes sense,\" Chen Hao nodded. \"I just wonder when the base’s odd meditation chamber will open—if possible, I’d like to use it to cultivate. Normal meditation is too slow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jian warned, \"Using that odd artifact carries risk—you must break through the illusion on your own first, or your consciousness will get lost inside. So far, only Li Yi has succeeded in breaking the illusion, meaning only he can use the artifact. Even Zhang Lei, the battalion commander, can't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precisely because the artifact is sinister and of low value, headquarters allowed it to remain in our investigation bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yi said, \"As long as the artifact is here, with enough time, I believe many will gradually break through the illusion. That illusion is a trial—it helps cultivate the mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True,\" Wang Jian agreed. \"Take it slowly—the illusion can always be broken. Here, it’s safe; no fear of attack. Even if you truly sink into the illusion, others can pull you out—no risk of being trapped.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hao asked again, \"So when will the meditation chamber be finished?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Construction has already started—it’ll be done in at most a week. This is urgent; the higher-ups are paying close attention,\" Wang Jian said. \"But there are only twenty slots—highly competitive. You’ll likely have to wait your turn to apply. With our status, one application might take two or three months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No problem—if you really need the chamber later, I can lend you one of my slots. With proper scheduling, one slot should be enough for our whole team to cultivate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi thought for a moment, then spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Yi, that won’t do,\" Wang Jian shook his head. \"Your slot is yours alone. We’re investigators—we must follow proper procedure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi said seriously, \"It’s fine. We’ll still go on missions together, facing life and death. If everyone’s strength improves, I’ll have a better chance of survival—and more profit. It’s a win-win. Besides, I have two slots; one’s more than enough for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he had knife coins and carried an odd artifact himself—he didn’t need even one slot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after this mission, he realized Wang Jian, Chen Hao, and even Zheng Gong were all trustworthy—they were willing to risk their lives, even sacrifice themselves for teammates. Such people would always be your allies in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re really generous, kid,\" Wang Jian laughed. \"Do you know how much a slot’s worth on the Tianchang market?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi shrugged. \"Money’s endless. I like money, but I won’t let it trap me—I won’t become its slave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve truly grown,\" Wang Jian couldn’t help but sigh. \"You’re nothing like the boy I first met in the ruins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Gong spoke up: \"Li Yi, no merit, no reward. You help us without expecting anything in return—we can’t just accept your kindness shamelessly. I can’t do much, but I can help with small things. Didn’t the investigation bureau reward you with a building? I know that building—it’s been vacant for years. To move in, you’ll need time and effort to renovate. I have a relative who’s a contractor—he’ll make sure you settle in comfortably.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Zheng Gong sent Li Yi a phone number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks, I’ll contact him right away,\" Li Yi replied gratefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, more people mean more paths. With a few reliable teammates, everything in Tianchang City becomes easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation isn’t just fighting—it’s also human relations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Yi, I can’t help much, but I still say this: if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask,\" Chen Hao said earnestly, hoping to repay Li Yi’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re teammates—no need for formality. But Chen Hao, don’t worry—I’ll definitely need your help someday. Just don’t get tired of me nagging,\" Li Yi smiled. \"I’m heading to training now. Wang Jian, notify me if there’s a mission—I’m ready anytime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the training ground ahead, he stopped chatting and immediately moved to join the next session.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Yi’s relentless effort, Chen Hao, the external operations officer, didn’t want to waste time either—he declared he’d go cultivate too, striving to break through and unlock spiritual perception before Li Yi, the newcomer, outpaced him entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone’s working hard—this is good,\" Wang Jian said, satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He loved this atmosphere. The future would surely belong to these young people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi arrived at Training Ground Three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training Ground Three focused on cold weapon techniques: knives, spears, swords, staffs, lances, and other common weapons, plus close-combat skills like daggers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yi didn’t stay long—he only learned basic cold weapon knowledge from the instructor, passed the qualification, then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I ever specialize in cold weapons, I’d be more interested in spears and lances,\" Li Yi touched the weapons. He found he had no interest in knives or swords—he preferred fists in close combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So longer weapons suited him better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, he could channel his fist power through spears and lances, creating tremendous lethality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he needed long-range attacks, why not use a sniper rifle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His marksmanship wasn’t great—but his rifle skills weren’t bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After wandering around, Li Yi arrived at Training Ground Four in the evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training Ground Four was indoors, filled with meditation chambers where instructors guided trainees to better enter meditative states and taught techniques to enhance energy guidance and absorption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were knowledge you couldn’t learn outside—they were extremely useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering Training Ground Four, Li Yi immediately saw a large electronic screen displaying many names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Lei, cultivation value: 190%.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pete, cultivation value: 180%.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu Yue, cultivation value: 100%.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi froze: \"No way—Battalion Commander Zhang Lei’s cultivation value is that high? 190%?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike his own use of the artifact, Zhang Lei achieved this purely through self-cultivation, without any external aid. If he mastered the White Bone Contemplation, wouldn’t his cultivation value hit 1000%?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the ranking of cultivation values from all trainees,\" a familiar voice said. \"Li Yi, I’m curious about yours—want to get tested?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi turned and saw Lu Yue—the man he’d trained with before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More accurately, he’d been beaten senseless by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yue had also been earning his qualification these past two days. Today was his last day at the base—he’d already passed Training Ground Four and would become an investigator tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My cultivation value?\" Li Yi fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now mastered the White Bone Contemplation—his cultivation value had soared. He’d estimated it that morning at around 400%, though his calculation might be inaccurate—it was only a rough guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard about your mission yesterday—you earned great merit. Honestly, I admire you, both in strength and ability,\" Lu Yue said sincerely. \"But capable people shouldn’t hide—they must show themselves. In this era, being low-key only makes you look weak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t try to provoke me,\" Li Yi remained calm, unaffected. \"Honestly, I don’t know much about my own cultivation value—I was planning to get tested today anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, I’ll call the instructor for you,\" Lu Yue, driven by curiosity, was even more eager than Li Yi—he ran off to fetch the instructor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instructors were busy, and initially refused when Lu Yue asked to test a trainee’s cultivation value—but when they heard it was for Li Yi, they instantly perked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, come on—where’s Li Yi? I’m coming now!\" The instructors competed in enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi had delivered a major achievement yesterday and recovered an artifact for the base—how could they not show him respect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, they all wanted to know just how high this unexpected newcomer’s cultivation value really was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News that Li Yi would undergo a cultivation value test spread through Training Ground Four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In no time, six instructors arrived, and many trainees gathered to watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re Li Yi? Your file says you’re only twenty—such achievements at your age are extraordinary,\" a woman approached, studying him curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was Fan Zhi, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, mature and beautiful, with a gentle personality—highly popular among trainees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t adore a beautiful instructor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Yi, hello,\" said a nearby man. \"I’m Zhou Gang, also an instructor. Thank you for bringing us an artifact—we’ll now have a chance to cultivate with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other instructors were equally courteous—they all held great fondness for Li Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fondness wasn’t just from the artifact—it came largely from Li Yi saving many investigators during the mission, and those investigators were friends and colleagues of the instructors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you all,\" Li Yi didn’t know how to respond to their warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Zhi noticed his discomfort—he was just a twenty-year-old boy. She smiled. \"You want to take the cultivation value test? Come with me to the testing room. This test will be conducted by me, Zhou Gang, and four other instructors—to ensure accuracy. Don’t be nervous—just treat it like normal meditation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, thank you, instructors,\" Li Yi replied.\u003C\u002Fp>",1598,"2026-06-20T01:26:56.586Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8733df0f3b577fd08506542de940b0c8fc61c0444efa3072578c58c243781093","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-91","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-89",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg"]