[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-974":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},2281830,4462,"Chapter 974: Shadowing","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-974",974,"\u003Cp>“Have you offended the Rakshasa clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Li Yi had moved far away, Long Nü Yushang keenly sensed something amiss and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If so, be careful—the Rakshasa are infamous for holding grudges, petty and vengeful; being watched by them is a serious nuisance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi said: “They have no evidence, and I’m not an easy target—but this incident has warned me; I’ll keep watch from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached into the Five Elements Bracelet and retrieved a celestial warship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had no mount, the celestial warship could serve temporarily; yet in the Heavenly Realm, its utility was limited—best used to defend against heavenly soldiers, since a single Heavenly General could tear it apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least it could serve as a temporary refuge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi led Long Nü Yushang into the celestial warship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The AI Hong Ji activated and immediately projected before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hong Ji, keep watch around us. Wake me in five days.” Li Yi immediately gave the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Master.” Hong Ji took control of the warship and entered alert mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi turned to Long Nü: “I’ll be studying spells these days. You might as well rest—just left the Dragon Palace Treasury, I’m sure your condition isn’t optimal. In five days, I’ll board the Realm Boat to the Third Heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.” Yushang nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi then found a room and began studying the True Dragon Striking Heaven Art and the Five-Colored Divine Light Art. When he took out a treasure pearl and crushed it, a surge of magic power carrying a memory instantly flowed into his Primordial Spirit form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, a true dragon appeared in his mind—claws extended, writhing and circling, following the trajectory of some supreme cosmic principle, as if battling heaven itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This level of art transcended mere techniques—it was the evolution of Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once you comprehended its principle, you could manifest your own True Dragon Combat Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this alone couldn’t justify its price of three hundred thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside the True Dragon’s combat drills, Li Yi’s mind also uncovered the method to condense True Dragon Force—the reason every strike of the True Dragon carried boundless power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magic power, physical strength, Primordial Spirit energy, even life force and bloodline power—all these internal forces, when channeled and condensed in a certain way, become True Dragon Force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi sat motionless, meditating on the mystery of True Dragon Force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he contemplated, the more he sensed its profundity—seemingly simple, yet in truth, masterful in its simplicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bore similarities to the martial arts he had studied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The True Dragon itself was unique—its entire body contained only one tendon, one spine, its power naturally unified; even a simple True Dragon Claw strike was, in truth, the full force of its entire musculature and skeleton twisted into one explosive burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, if a True Dragon cultivated magic power, it would similarly augment this force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can only borrow the form of True Dragon Force to forge my own essence—I’m not of the True Dragon clan, so I can never perfect the True Dragon Striking Heaven Art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi felt a sudden insight: his body held bloodline power, magic power from one hundred and fifty acupoints, Primordial Spirit form energy, and immense physical strength—if he could condense all these into one, forming True Dragon Force, his combat power would surge dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After studying this art, he crushed another treasure pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five-Colored Divine Light Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an Emperor-level art, forging divine light from the Five Elements, capable of countering all things of the Five Elements—but its difficulty lay in the long time required to gather the Five Elements’ qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it suited Li Yi perfectly—he cultivated both Dao and martial arts, naturally possessing the Five Elements’ qi, thus bypassing the hardest step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that remained was to refine the Five Elements’ power into the Five-Colored Divine Light, capable of severing anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, just as I suspected—this art is inherently suited to me. With my current state, I can master the Five-Colored Divine Light swiftly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi decided to prioritize the Five-Colored Divine Light Art, securing a powerful protective spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, he began deep study and attempted cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The qi of the Five Elements within his body stirred, circulating in an arcane pattern and condensing a divine light through the interplay of generation and restraint among the Five Elements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Emperor-level arts were clearly not as easy to cultivate as imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his full complement of Five Elements’ power, Li Yi frequently failed, unable to solidify the Five-Colored Divine Light—but he wasn’t in a rush, cultivating slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During these days, Long Nü Yushang fully recovered within the celestial warship, regaining peak condition; she found the flying vessel fascinating and, through Hong Ji, learned many of its functions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at the same time, Yushang noticed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past two days, a powerful Rakshasa had been lingering near the celestial warship, even drawing the AI’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Nü Yushang realized: Tai Yi was being watched by the Rakshasa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the enemy had not moved yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps they feared the two Heavenly General-level combatants, or perhaps they hadn’t yet found a reason to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hong Ji, inform Tai Yi that a Rakshasa strongman is shadowing us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yushang didn’t act on her own—she viewed her bond with Tai Yi as shallow; any unauthorized move would backfire and breed suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ji made its own judgment; after analysis, it deemed the matter critical and chose to interrupt Li Yi’s meditation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rakshasa?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi, immersed in cultivating the Five-Colored Divine Light Art, suddenly opened his eyes and frowned at the news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still dogging me? Could they have uncovered traces of the Gui Xu Sea incident?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi wondered if he’d left any loose ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he quickly dismissed it—he had left no trace. Though the Heavenly General’s weapon, Blood God Sword, still rested inside his Five Elements Bracelet, he had never once drawn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only possibility: that group of Rakshasa had passed by earlier, sensed something faintly, and out of idle curiosity, began watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Yi and Long Nü Yushang were both Heavenly General-level, the Rakshasa clan wasn’t afraid to offend them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief thought, Li Yi made no reaction—he told Hong Ji to inform Yushang to remain calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy was merely shadowing, not acting; reacting now would be self-incrimination, and the Realm Boat hadn’t opened yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to pretend ignorance and wait one more day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a day later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several more Rakshasa appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Bei, how’s the surveillance? Any findings?” asked a Rakshasa Heavenly General.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rakshasa named Li Bei replied calmly: “Tell me your findings first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing conclusive. Heavenly General Chi Li and Princess Manluo seem to have suffered an unimaginable disaster—vanished completely, likely dead. But I’m certain this human Heavenly General also went to the Gui Xu Sea and then to the Dragon Palace Treasury, purchasing a dragon maiden. That’s not the kind of wealth a Heavenly General should possess,” said the other Rakshasa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bei sneered: “As I suspected. My instincts were right—this human cultivator has had contact with our Rakshasa clan. On this strange vessel of his, I caught a faint trace of a familiar scent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the Blood God Sword’s aura. Subtle, but unmistakable—I served under Heavenly General Chi Li, so I know it well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Blood God Sword’s scent?” Another Heavenly General’s eyes flickered, his demon-like face fixed on the celestial warship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The celestial warship had once shared space with the Heavenly General’s weapon, Blood God Sword, inside the Five Elements Bracelet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought—just that proximity was enough for the Rakshasa to detect it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could say their noses were too sharp—or that Li Yi had been careless, overlooking this detail, believing his actions flawless, leaving no trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he’s had contact with Heavenly General Chi Li, he must know something. Capture him and interrogate directly?” asked the Rakshasa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bei replied: “Are you mad? To act near the Realm Boat? The Emperor is present here, Heavenly Generals patrol—strike now and we’ll be crushed before we even land a blow, and he’ll board the Realm Boat and vanish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Best to pretend ignorance, board the Realm Boat with him, then strike when it stops. Move fast—capture him, then flee the boat immediately. Once the boat departs, the escort team will abandon pursuit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brilliant idea,” the other Rakshasa nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t alert him. Also, he has a dragon maiden as an ally—we need another Heavenly General-level fighter. I recall there are mercenary cultivators in the Land of Setting Sun—pay them, and they’ll do anything.” Li Bei added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rakshasa plotted briefly, then dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi knew none of their conversation—he only sensed the Rakshasa had seemingly abandoned surveillance and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re probably gone,” Li Yi thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was to board the Realm Boat in one day—he didn’t want any trouble before then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had ignored the Rakshasa’s presence deliberately, to avoid appearing guilty—after all, they were merely suspicious, not ready to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tai Yi, those Rakshasa have ill intent,” said Long Nü Yushang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know. But we’re leaving the Land of Setting Sun soon. As long as nothing happens before then, we’ll be fine. We’re heading to the Third Heaven—long, distant roads will shake them off.” Li Yi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, if they truly move, I’m not afraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended a finger—on its tip, a Five-Colored Divine Light coalesced, unyielding, radiating the power to annihilate all things, terrifyingly potent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After days of cultivation, leveraging his innate advantages, he had successfully formed the Five-Colored Divine Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And whether it was illusion or not, Li Yi felt that since being bathed in the purple blood of that being, learning spells had become easier—not nearly as difficult. In just four days, he had entered the realm of the Five-Colored Divine Light Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember, this was an Emperor-level art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had his comprehension improved? Or was it because his Primordial Spirit form’s Dao Flower had reached perfection?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it was no bad thing.\u003C\u002Fp>",1663,"2026-06-20T01:27:08.613Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4cdbb504ac58e97f98af3aa7dc0c0539b576446cb824f7816478e77bf857992d","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-975","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-973",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg"]