[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete":3,"chapter-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-26":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting from the Apocalypse, I Alone Severed Eternity",{"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},2312408,4518,"Chapter 26: No Need to Search Far and Wide","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-26",26,"\u003Cp>“Whoosh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword lifted the corpse of the firewing bird, splitting it open from belly to chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi skillfully extracted its energy core, then began searching its digestive system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother, how’s it going? Found anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan limped over, hopeful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi shook his head. Even though this was a Level 4 firewing bird, granting him 120 experience, it had no key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Fang Shi’s actions, Zhai Yan’s face paled, his knees throbbing worse, as if he could no longer walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing his mood, Fang Shi casually tossed something toward Zhai Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan caught it hastily, opened his palm, and saw a ruby-like crystal, with a tiny flame flickering inside, emitting a faint glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a beautiful artifact from before the apocalypse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhai Yan, who had tasted primal energy, dared not underestimate this red crystal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every second, a trace of primal energy leaked from the crystal, nourishing his entire body—even the scrapes on his palms began healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The energy core of an alien creature. Wearing it regularly enhances physical ability. This is your reward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Fang Shi’s words, Zhai Yan gripped the energy core tightly, refusing to let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother, you gave the reward—does tonight end here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi said coolly, “No. It’s just beginning. This is an advance payment—I’m afraid you’ll be too sore to run later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan felt a flicker of shame, but pushed it aside and said sincerely, “Big brother, I’ll complete the mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, I know you will,” Fang Shi said, clapping Zhai Yan on the shoulder. “Good work. There’s more to come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Zhai Yan’s heavy breathing in the background, Fang Shi turned and walked into the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy core was valuable, yet not truly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weak were few, the strong many; individuals and small teams had surplus, but major factions were short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Fang Shi now, firewing bird energy cores were too plentiful—he couldn’t possibly use them all. Better to use them as rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human trade networks hadn’t been established yet; even if he held ten thousand energy cores, he couldn’t spend them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once trade networks were built, would he still care about a mere Level 3 energy core?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, even more expensive entry-tier cores would be readily available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thud!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another firewing bird crashed to the ground. Fang Shi rushed forward and swung his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But again, disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother, still going?” Zhai Yan, resigned, limped over with his bandaged knee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi pulled out a mechanical watch he’d picked up randomly from his pocket, then shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already 11:30. Half an hour remained until the first surge. There wasn’t enough time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight, he’d killed six firewing birds: four Level 3, two Level 4, earning him 480 experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d advanced further on his Level 4 path. The only regret: still no key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only sigh—he simply wasn’t destined for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his rebirth, Fang Shi had never obtained keys from monsters—always relied on others to take him into dungeons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He consoled himself: being reborn was already the greatest fortune. Don’t be greedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, good items weren’t exclusive to dungeons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t he just obtained a black iron chest tonight, and opened a pair of fine boots?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stride Boots”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Durability: 5”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Endurance: 10”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weight: 1060g”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Evaluation: A comfortable pair of boots.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Stride Boots looked like ordinary men’s leather shoes, with no standout features on the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did they possess any supernatural enhancements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But items from the system were never ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, they fit perfectly, molded exactly to Fang Shi’s foot shape, seamless—making his movement and sprinting slightly faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, they were extremely durable, with a durability rating of 5, proving they were as hard as steel, yet possessed steel’s lack of flexibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This eliminated any weakness in his feet—no more embarrassing situations where boots broke mid-combat, hindering movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, these were magical boots that pre-apocalypse Earth’s craftsmanship could never have produced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after the apocalypse, using the resilient hides of supernatural creatures, could they be made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi was very satisfied. After three days of intense combat, his old sneakers had worn out beyond recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, his combat style was unpredictable—sometimes leaping off the ground, sometimes scaling walls, occasionally snagging sharp protrusions—inflicting heavy damage on footwear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d long wanted new boots. He couldn’t fight barefoot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human feet had no scales. Barefoot combat would weaken his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother, is there a chance firewing birds might vomit things up?” Zhai Yan asked, leaning in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I kept birds before, I noticed they didn’t swallow things they couldn’t digest—they spat them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think about it: all those fabric scraps near the carcasses prove firewing birds don’t eat what they can’t digest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe the key is too small and heavier than cloth—so when they vomit, it flies far away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the apocalypse now. Corpses won’t pick things up. It should still be there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan’s words sparked an idea in Fang Shi. He said directly, “Then what are we waiting for? Go get your wife and search together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan’s face flushed red. He stammered, “Xiao Xi isn’t my wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi walked on, unimpressed. “It’s the apocalypse. Who’s issuing marriage certificates? And in the apocalypse, strength rules. If you’re stronger than Xiao Xi, she’s your wife tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhai Yan unconsciously touched the energy core in his chest and gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi said nothing more. Such creatures as lickspittles were incomprehensible—unless they figured it out themselves, they’d keep smashing their heads against walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the crime scene, Xiao Xi scoured the area, her face sour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More work, more work. Tonight was endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xiao Xi hadn’t been assigned to lure monsters, she’d spent hours chopping meat in the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to slack off, but dared not truly refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she took out her frustration on the firewing bird corpses, treating them like Fang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, Fang Shi and Zhai Yan returned and issued a new urgent task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Xi regretted it—she should’ve kept her mouth shut. Otherwise, she could’ve rested already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A leather sound echoed. Xiao Xi felt her shoe kick something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi turned. The night was silent, and his senses were fully extended—any rustle caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Xi wanted to explain, but suddenly remembered Fang Shi’s hateful face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words changed on her tongue: “Nothing. Just kicked a stone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi, hearing this, paid no further attention. Time was tight—they had only ten minutes left to search.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Fang Shi turn away, Xiao Xi raised her torch and searched in the direction she’d kicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, after walking only ten meters, she spotted a black object on the road, glaringly visible under the torchlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closer inspection—it was a key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recalled how Hong Yuankai’s team had been wiped out over a key, and how this key had forced her to work overtime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Xi’s heart stirred. Everyone treated the key as so important—was it truly something extraordinary?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she remembered Feng Ren’s confession before leaving, swearing he’d become her boyfriend once he returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All signs pointed to this key being far from ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why not keep it for herself and claim she found nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, that demon wasn’t even certain the key was still on the street. She could easily deceive him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Xiao Xi hurried forward to pick up the key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, like a thief, she stood up, glanced left and right—Fang Shi and Zhai Yan hadn’t noticed her. She exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Random Dungeon Key”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Durability: 100”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Endurance: 100”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quality: Black Iron”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weight: 5g”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Effect: Opens a random dungeon below Level 5 (actual level adapts, including Level 5). Dungeon location: (XXXX, XXXX, XXXX).”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During dungeon activation, entrants gain the proficiency: Common Tongue (Fluent).”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disappeared after leaving the secret realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Restriction: Players must be level 5 or below; maximum 20 participants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evaluation: You might unlock the nest of a young dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xiao Xi conceived the idea of learning about this key, a stream of data flashed across her attribute panel, and the key’s information instantly surfaced in her consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secret realm? What’s that? Some kind of treasure vault?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Xi remained deeply confused, so she used her spiritual sense to check the location where the secret realm opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, she understood—no wonder Hong Yuankai and his group suddenly appeared there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this crime scene was the very spot where the secret realm opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it seems useless to me—Hong Yuankai’s entire group suffered heavy losses; if I went, I’d just be walking to my death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, even if I don’t use it, I won’t let that demon have it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Xiao Xi shoved the black key straight beneath her collar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t believe Fang Shi could find it there, even if he searched her person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hand it over!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low voice sounded beside Xiao Xi’s ear, making her heart nearly leap from her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-Hand what…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Xi turned around stammering, and there stood Fang Shi like an iron mountain behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi’s face was grim: “You know what I mean. Don’t force me to act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His 19-point Perception wasn’t for show—Perception affected not only the five senses but also the sixth sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as there was no Perception suppression, Fang Shi always gained information favorable to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, after hearing Xiao Xi’s words, he’d vaguely sensed something off, though he couldn’t pinpoint why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he quietly observed her behavior; what Xiao Xi thought was unnoticed was merely her own illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three years in the apocalypse, Fang Shi had long learned to observe enemies with the corner of his eye—how could a greenhorn like Xiao Xi possibly detect it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noticed her actions but said nothing until she slipped the key beneath her collar, at which point he could no longer hold back and revealed himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at Fang Shi’s brooding face, Xiao Xi finally cracked under the pressure and handed over the key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi watched her every move without averting his gaze, only turning away once the key was in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan had stood by the whole time, wanting to speak but holding back; in the end, he pulled Xiao Xi back inside.\u003C\u002Fp>",1700,"2026-06-20T12:43:33.559Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a61b5b382b55fc2b144bca7d8950ce5a1b7cf59725c2129c25ab34540ecddd44","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-27","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-25",109,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-cover.jpg"]