Chapter 41: First Clear of the Mystical Realm, Level 4 Martial Artist

During the Mystical Realm expedition, Fang Shi did not receive the reward for the first kill of a level 5 monster.

Nor did he receive the reward for a first kill two levels above his own.

Fang Shi did not feel strange about it either.

To put it bluntly, if Fang Shi had claimed all these rewards, humanity on Blue Star would be beyond saving.

There are so many people globally, and so many elites who have survived.

Someone will surely figure out a way to kill high-level monsters.

These monsters do not possess invincible golden bodies; some mechanisms, sharp weapons, or traps can kill them.

Not to mention explosions; although the laws of the universe rendered all explosives on Blue Star useless.

But explosions are not limited to gunpowder; dust and gas in certain environments can be immensely powerful.

Forget level 5 monsters; with a slightly larger explosion, even a level 6 tier-1 monster might die.

Fang Shi had long maintained a calm mindset: if I get it, it is my fortune; if I lose it, it is my fate.

Do not force it, but if you can get it, never let it go.

"Mystical Realm exploration time has ended."

"Exploration rate: 110%."

"You have cleared this Mystical Realm."

"Mystical Realm Key (Iron) has been consumed."

"You have received experience reward 4870 (Mystical Realm harvest) × 110% (exploration rate) = 5357 experience points."

"You have received survival point reward 4870 (Mystical Realm harvest) × 11% (exploration rate) = 535.7 survival points."

"As the first player to clear a Mystical Realm."

"You have received a Silver Chest."

"As the first player to clear a Mystical Realm (Iron)."

"You have received a random Specialization Point."

Specialization Point!

Fang Shi's eyes revealed a terrifying glint.

Specialization Points are points that can increase the level of a Specialization.

Most importantly, the level does not matter.

Whether it is a level 1 skill or a level 10 skill, it only consumes one Specialization Point.

This is something as precious as Attribute Points.

More importantly, Specialization Points can only be obtained by clearing the Trial Tower.

They are absolutely extremely rare points.

Of course, the Silver Chest is also of high value.

There is a high probability of drawing a tier-1 Strange Item, a low probability of a tier-2 Strange Item, and an extremely low probability of a tier-3 Strange Item.

The so-called Strange Items are objects possessing supernatural powers, including equipment, jewelry, miscellaneous items, and so on.

However, this depends heavily on luck; sometimes the drawn Strange Item may not suit you.

You might be unable to use it at all, and some might even have side effects.

Compared to that, Fang Shi preferred the Specialization Point; at least it is a stable improvement.

Even if it is random, Fang Shi is very satisfied.

Although Specializations can be understood and improved through long-term training and realization, time is the most scarce resource in the apocalypse.

If you do not improve yourself quickly, you might not even have a life left.

As long as there is improvement, Fang Shi is content.

"May Tymora bless me, may the Weaver of History bless me, please randomize the Shi Breathing Method."

Fang Shi prayed silently, but such prayers are no different from asking Buddha or God for help when in trouble and ignoring them when things are fine.

"Random Specialization Point allocation in progress..."

"Random Specialization Point allocation complete."

"Your Lightning Reflexes I → Lightning Reflexes II."

Well, Fang Shi, a pseudo-believer who doesn't even count as a shallow believer.

Naturally, he would not receive divine favor.

He even believed deep down that the gods were not supreme.

They were merely pioneers on the path to the extraordinary.

However, the improvement to Lightning Reflexes was also quite good.

"Whoosh!"

Fang Shi thrust his sword to the left.

"Pierce Attack activated."

"Target received fatal damage."

"You dealt 24.5 points of damage to the target."

"

"Target dead."

"Extracting target soul energy; you received 30 experience points and 3 survival points."

Fang Shi slightly sidestepped the Fire-winged Bird's body.

A Fire-winged Bird descending from above was thus killed.

Throughout the entire process, he didn't use Second Layer Strength, relying purely on the boost from Lightning Reflex II to complete the kill.

This is why he thought upgrading Lightning Reflex was also good, because it fit perfectly.

"【Lightning Reflex II】: Your reaction speed is faster than an ordinary person's. (Reaction Speed +3)"

The level 1 upgrade added 2 points of reaction speed.

This meant Fang Shi's reaction speed was already equivalent to 23 points of Agility bonus.

What kind of concept was 23 points of Agility? A single glance from Fang Shi, and within 0.03 seconds he could react.

If a Fire-Wing Bird dove at 100 meters per second, by the time Fang Shi judged its movement trajectory, the Fire-Wing Bird had only moved forward a little over three meters.

This time was enough for Fang Shi to place a sword in its path, while the Fire-Wing Bird's own 17 points of Agility made it completely unable to react.

So much so that it couldn't change direction, and then the longsword stabbed straight in through its eyeball, shattering its brain and killing it.

This was the entire process of this Fire-Wing Bird's death.

All Fang Shi needed to do was sense it, judge it, move his hand, grip steady, and dodge.

He killed a Fire-Wing Bird with complete ease.

The remaining Fire-Wing Birds that had swooped in were shocked, and for a moment actually stopped attacking.

This was the human with the densest Law Power they had seen since arriving on Blue Star.

And also the strongest human.

In their eyes, this sword's speed was only 30 meters per second.

Far slower than the 100 meters per second diving speed.

But this sword was only thrust out when the Fire-Wing Bird was the last 5 meters from Fang Shi.

In the dead Fire-Wing Bird's mind, this sword was still held perpendicular to the ground in Fang Shi's hand.

The entire process was Fang Shi drawing his sword, the Fire-Wing Bird crashing into it, killing itself.

How could this not horrify the Fire-Wing Birds.

Fang Shi couldn't be bothered to deal with these Fire-Wing Birds, because he had more important things to do.

That was leveling up. Fang Shi's experience pool had already overflowed, and he couldn't wait to level up.

The main reason was that this level up would grant him a free attribute point.

As long as Fang Shi added this attribute point to Perception, he would have Extraordinary Perception.

This was an extraordinary attribute, one that transcended mortals, a different attribute, an exceptional attribute.

To avoid any accidents during the transformation.

Fang Shi decided to hide well when leveling up, otherwise like last time, after gaining a new feat, the pain would be unbearable and his combat power would plummet.

The remaining Fire-Wing Birds could consider themselves lucky, living a bit longer—he'd kill them after the level up was done.

During the Fire-Wing Birds' hesitation, Fang Shi flashed a few times and returned inside the building.

……

On the fifth floor, the bespectacled youth Xiao Qian, who had been watching the situation outside, had his pupils contract.

Outside this building, a person had suddenly appeared out of thin air.

Xiao Qian rubbed his eyes, thinking it was just too late at night and he was seeing things.

But under the Fire-Wing Birds' firelight, there really was a person there.

This was simply unscientific, but very fitting for the apocalypse.

Just as Xiao Qian was about to notify Brother Zhao.

A Fire-Wing Bird descended from the sky, so fast that Xiao Qian couldn't even see it clearly.

A thought flashed through his mind: this person was done for.

But two or three seconds later, that person was still standing, while the Fire-Wing Bird had already fallen to the ground.

As for what happened, forgive Xiao Qian—his Agility was too low, plus it was too dark, he simply couldn't see clearly.

Xiao Qian was extremely shocked in his heart. This was a Fire-Wing Bird.

A Fire-Wing Bird that had easily killed five members of their team.

Brother Zhao had even planned to bring people to set up traps and design a series of plans before hunting it.

Yet now someone could already solo kill it, and so easily at that.

Wait!

Someone could solo kill last night—could this person be the one Xiao Xi and the others had mentioned?

"Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao, big trouble, that person is back!"

Brother Zhao, who was training, said discontentedly: "What's the panic? Speak clearly, which person?"

Xiao Qian stammered a bit: "It's... th... at... so... lo... Fi... re-Wi... ng... Bir... d... kill... er."

"What!" Brother Zhao was shocked in his heart. "If he's back, he's back, what's the panic."

"No, Brother Zhao, we took his prey, won't he cause us trouble?"

"Cause trouble my ass. Think about it, with strength like his, would he care about these things? If he wants them, they're everywhere."

Xiao Qian hesitated: "But, we did touch his people. If he gets angry..."

Brother Zhao laughed heartily: "You're overthinking it. I saw at a glance that Xiao Xi and the other guy were just workers, working for the expert bro."

"We just need to replace Xiao Xi and the other guy, and do a good job. He won't care, and there might even be benefits."

Then Brother Zhao gave another round of analysis, explaining the reasons for his above judgment.

Because this team was led by Brother Zhao, his authority was solid, and soon Xiao Qian and the others believed Brother Zhao's judgment.

Brother Zhao added: "Since that's the case, now that the expert bro is back, we should hurry to welcome him. That's polite."

"Right, right, hurry up and go."

……

Fang Shi felt something was off the moment he entered the building.

Based on his experience, he instantly recognized that new people had entered this building.

More than one.

Of course, Fang Shi wasn't afraid of these people.

Before obtaining the True Dragon Armor, Fang Shi was strong, but he couldn't claim to be the strongest in the world.

But now, with the True Dragon Armor, few in the world could match him.

He didn't dare claim absolute supremacy because opportunities were unpredictable.

Someone might have gained a heavenly-level opportunity.

But Fang Shi was certain no such person existed in this city.

After all, he had lived here too long before his rebirth.

"Tap-tap-tap."

A series of footsteps descended the stairs, accompanied by a beam of light; Bald Han Zhao Ge appeared before Fang Shi with a broad smile, followed by about ten others.

"Welcome, Master Fang! I'm Zhao Wenjun—welcome home, Master Fang."

After speaking, Zhao Wenjun glanced behind him: "What are you all standing there for? Quickly welcome Master Fang."

"Hello, Master Fang."

"Welcome, Master Fang."

"Master Fang, you've worked hard."

…

Fang Shi stared at this scene, stunned—the leader was someone he recognized.

Before his rebirth, he had followed Zhao Wenjun.

This man was exceptionally bold, daring to fight and strike.

While others still feared Corpse Walkers and Firewing Birds, Zhao Wenjun was the first to step forward and actively hunt.

Under his leadership, the survivors of Ancheng formed a massive human settlement.

And they survived the second and third waves.

Unfortunately, the fourth wave arrived.

The human settlement was utterly crushed, and it was then that Fang Shi began his solitary survival.

If not for the complete disappearance of the Law Force at that time,

He might not have lasted three years.

He would have died the moment he fled the settlement.

But in his past life, Fang Shi never met Zhao Wenjun like this.

And Zhao Wenjun would never have come to this old residential complex.

Could it be that his rebirth's butterfly wings were too large—already on the fourth day, history had been diverted?

"What are you doing here?"

Fang Shi said coolly—no matter what achievements Zhao Wenjun had in his past life, right now he was just a junior in front of him.

Zhao Wenjun didn't mind Fang Shi being younger; he grinned and said, "Master Fang, the commotion you caused last night was huge—I've come to join you."

"Oh? Then how did you get here? There are so many Firewing Birds outside—you're quite capable."

"We can't compare to Master Fang. We came under cover of night, when all the Firewing Birds around were wiped out by you."

So that was it—Zhao Wenjun was as bold as ever, just like in his past life.

"I already know your purpose. Go upstairs and deal with my Firewing Birds."

"Here," Fang Shi tossed out a Firewing Bird's energy core, "this is your payment. Do well, and there'll be more."

Zhao Wenjun took the energy core, originally planning to ask what it was.

But as soon as he felt the nourishment of Primordial Force, his heart instantly burned with excitement.

He quickly replied to Fang Shi's order: "Master Fang, rest assured—we'll handle it for you."

Saying that, he hurriedly led his men upstairs.

"There'll be more?" How could Zhao Wenjun not be thrilled.

He was bold, yes—but only out of necessity. Who wouldn't prefer benefits without risking their life?

As for Xiao Xi and the other, Fang Shi didn't ask.

Zhao Wenjun wasn't cruel or murderous; by his nature, those two were probably just working.

That was Zhao Wenjun's guiding principle for leading the settlement—no idle mouths in the settlement.

Fang Shi occasionally borrowed this idea.

……

In the dark room, doors and windows were sealed, curtains drawn tight.

On the floor lay a headless Corpse Walker, oozing foul fluid.

Fang Shi sat cross-legged on the bed, preparing for his upgrade.

He had long awaited this moment and didn't want any more interruptions.

"Do you wish to consume 6,000 experience points to advance to Level 4?"

"Yes."

"You have advanced to Level 4 Martial Master."

"You gain 4 + Intelligence (14-10)/2 = 6 skill points."

"Your HP increases by 8 + Constitution (15-10)/2 = 10 points."

"You gain the class trait Cannon Fist I."

"【Cannon Fist I】: The opening and closing of a single Qi; its nature is most fierce, its form most violent. Within the abdomen, it belongs to the Heart; in the fist, it is the Cannon. (Power check +2 when using Cannon Fist)"

"You gain the class trait Leaping Step I."

"【Leaping Step I】: Body light as a gibbon, resembling a flying bird; the movement of both feet, either high or far, flies parallel. (Movement speed +1)"

"You gain one free attribute point."

"You are the first player to advance to a Level 4 class."

"You gain an Iron Chest."

"Do you wish to add the free attribute point to Perception?"

"Yes."

"Your Perception increases: 19 → 20."

Boom!

Fang Shi's five senses fell into silence; within his perception, there was no light, no color.

No black or white, as if in chaos.

Especially the pineal gland between his eyebrows began to throb violently.

It seemed ready to leap up and escape the body's constraints.

He did not know how much time passed.

Light!

Light from an unknown source; Fang Shi regained the sensation of color.

Thus, his consciousness leaped out along this beam of light.

He saw the dim room, the walking corpses on the floor, and the body sitting upright on the bed.

"Is this astral projection?"

Fang Shi was greatly alarmed; before he could ponder carefully, a suction force arose from his body.

In an instant, it sucked his consciousness back into his physical form.

"Your Perception has reached 20."

"You gain the personal trait 【Transcendent Perception】."

"You are the first player to break through a single attribute to Transcendent."

"You gain one free attribute point."

"You are the first player to break through the Perception attribute to Transcendent."

"Your Perception increases: 20 → 21."