Chapter 48: Attribute Breakthrough: Tier 1 Battle

Pop!

As if piercing a thin membrane, the world shifted, and Fang Shi had arrived in another world.

“Is this the other world?”

Fang Shi felt the abundant primal energy, utterly invigorated.

Simply breathing in once was equivalent to training with a Level 5 energy core.

He had enjoyed such treatment for less than a day.

That had still been from the energy core contributed by the goblin shaman.

Of course, this didn’t mean the Level 5 energy core contained little energy.

Rather, most of its energy belonged to other types of supernatural forces.

The proportion of primal energy capable of comprehensively strengthening the body was far too small.

If one were to compare the primal energy of this world.

Earth was 1, the goblin realm was 10, this world was 100.

“No wonder some call this world the Shanhai Realm.”

“Only such abundant primal energy could sustain powerful lifeforms.”

“Especially higher-level beings—through trophic concentration, their daily intake of primal energy grows geometrically.”

“Thus, their rate of evolution is astonishingly rapid.”

“Thinking of it this way, the Firewing Bird’s evolutionary potential is pitiful—such abundant primal energy, yet it’s only a Level 3 creature. Pathetic.”

“You can’t say that—there are still evolved beings among the Firewing Birds.”

“The king among Firewing Birds is a Level 8 creature.”

At this moment, Fang Shi was already fully activating his breathing technique, cultivating with every second.

This was also Fang Shi’s primary reason for coming to this world.

He intended to use this environment to break through his breathing technique.

Even knowing danger might lurk, he had to come.

Don’t be fooled by how invincible Fang Shi seems on Blue Star now.

Whether it’s a Level 3, 4, or 5 Firewing Bird, he could effortlessly slay them all.

And the Second Impact won’t arrive for nearly another month.

During this time, he would be perfectly safe.

But in reality, it wasn’t like that.

Until the Second Impact arrives, no Tier 1 monsters will appear in human settlements.

Without Tier 1 monsters, no player can ascend.

What does that mean? It means that if he doesn’t act now, he absolutely won’t reach Tier 1 before the Second Impact.

After this false period of safety passes.

Tier 1 alien creatures will descend in waves—even if you were once invincible against Level 5 foes, you’ll die in regret.

This isn’t without precedent.

Fang Shi had heard that in other settlements, some lucky individuals reached Level 5 very early due to fortune.

But due to various factors, they weren’t in a hurry to ascend.

One major reason was that humans thought they were back in control.

The apocalypse couldn’t possibly last forever.

Steady progress, reclaiming old lands, invading the other world—humanity wouldn’t just restore the glory of the old era.

It could go further, stepping into the stars.

Some even proclaimed this era the greatest in human history.

Some even began calling it the Great Evolution Era.

And under such conditions, they quietly passed a month.

Then the Second Impact came—and countless died.

Those who had boasted fell silent, and no one knew if they were even alive.

Only after the Second Impact did humanity finally awaken.

The unseen force would never spare humanity.

Only through relentless self-strengthening and relentless evolution could humanity secure its future.

From then on, the first alien invasion was named the First Impact.

And so on, in sequence.

Fang Shi, reborn, would not repeat the same mistakes.

Never mind that on the fifth day he was already Level 4.

He wished he could leap straight to Legend.

He wanted to scour Blue Star right now.

And when he thought of the ancient evils deep within the other world.

Even Legend felt inadequate.

“You have completed your attributes through cultivating the Fang Family Breathing Technique III.”

“Your Strength has permanently increased: 15 → 16.”

“Your Agility has permanently increased: 15 → 16.”

“Your Constitution has permanently increased: 15 → 16.”

Within just a few minutes, Fang Shi’s breathing technique had successfully broken through.

Since this breakthrough was gradual, the changes weren’t as violent.

The transformation within his body was quickly complete.

Boom!

Fang Shi retracted his punch aimed at the sky, satisfied with his 16 points of Strength.

A 20% increase in strength elevated his combat power to a new tier.

Not to mention his faster reaction speed and greater endurance.

“Come out. You’ve been watching for ages—why not ambush me?”

Fang Shi turned, speaking in a strange accent.

This was the common tongue of the other world.

The other world had natives, and high-level beings could communicate.

“Why would I ambush you?”

A two-meter-tall humanoid stepped out from the bushes.

He was bare-chested, tall and slender, with a massive curved blade strapped to his back.

His head was covered in golden and red feathers extending all the way to his tailbone.

The backs of his hands and legs were similarly covered in these feathers.

The feather pattern was nearly identical to that of the Firewing Bird.

“The pride of the Firefeather forbids me from ambushing enemies.”

Fang Shi coldly said: “Even when you sensed the death aura of your kin, you remained unmoved?”

“I’ve killed your kind. Many, many of them.”

Fang Shi held up five fingers and waved them before the Firefeather.

“Even if I multiplied these fingers tenfold, I couldn’t count them all.”

The Firefeather’s eyes revealed sorrow: “They were merely beasts without awareness, unable to resist the lure of their bloodline.”

“I know this isn’t your fault—it’s what they brought upon themselves.”

Fang Shi said coolly: “So you mean you won’t seek revenge?”

The Firefeather’s sorrow deepened: “No—you still must die. It is the will of the gods.”

Hearing this, Fang Shi sneered: “Honestly, I hate you hypocrites.”

“Always talking about the gods’ will, yet wearing faces of mercy.”

“Yet when you strike, you leave no room for mercy.”

“If the gods commanded you all to kill yourselves, would you really do it?”

The Firefeather drew his curved blade from his back.

“Yes. If the gods command death, we die.”

“Today, I shall carry out the gods’ will and slay you here.”

With that, he spat a torrent of flame—more ferocious than any Firewing Bird Fang Shi had seen.

Naturally—Firefeathers were at least Level 6.

They were Tier 1 beings.

If its flame was weaker than a Firewing Bird’s, it might as well die.

Fang Shi’s Perception of 21 wasn’t for show.

He had sensed the Firefeather’s approach long ago.

Though cultivating, he could halt instantly and deliver a thunderous strike.

Who would have thought the Firefeathers were still as stubborn as before their rebirth?

Clinging to the so-called pride of the Phoenix, they refused to launch a surprise attack.

The thought made Fang Shi smile.

If they truly had Phoenix pride, why invade Blue Star? Why attack humanity?

It’s just wanting to be a brute and still hang up a moral banner.

Of course, that didn’t stop Fang Shi from exploiting this trait—level up first, worry later.

His earlier taunts were meant to find even a single opening.

Too bad, this Firefeather warrior was seasoned and unaffected by such words.

BOOM!

Smoke and dust filled the air, but no figure could be seen.

The Firefeather felt no surprise at Fang Shi’s evasion.

Anyone who slaughtered so many Firewing Birds couldn’t possibly be weak—his agility must be high.

Even though he sensed no rank aura emanating from him.

The Firefeather still didn’t underestimate him, already spewing flame.

And swinging his curved greatsword at Fang Shi.

This was a strike beyond human limits.

With 19 points of strength, amplified by his specialized skill, all force was condensed into a single point.

Combined with an agility equivalent to 21 points and the flame burning along the blade’s edge.

The power was immense, slicing through the air, about to strike Fang Shi.

CRASH!

Flames sprayed outward as the steel sword met the blade—unmoved, unshaken.

The Firefeather’s pupils shrank. How was this possible?

This human had not entered any rank, and his frame was not bulky.

He emitted no magical aura—how could he block this blow?

And yet, aside from his feet slightly sinking into the earth, he didn’t budge an inch.

“Is that all?” Fang Shi sneered.

You really think I can’t beat a Rank One creature?

Ever since I obtained the True Dragon Armor, my strength doubled.

The key reason? Multi-Force.

As long as I can activate it successfully.

Even the lowest level, Double-Force, doubles strength—equivalent to gaining five extra strength points.

The Firefeather may be strong, but against Fang Shi’s near-21-point strength, it’s nothing.

Such a powerful skill couldn’t have an ordinary origin.

It came from the same source as Fang Shi’s high perception.

In his past life, Fang Shi’s stats were pathetic, his skills scarce, and after the Fifth Impact, monsters grew too fierce.

He could never unleash the true power of this skill.

He couldn’t use it to slaughter enemies left and right.

But this life is different—stats are high, skills are overpowered.

Especially with the True Dragon Armor’s enhancement.

Using Double-Force before entering a rank causes little bodily damage.

The only drawback? It drains stamina.

But a battle is decided in an instant.

It won’t drag on forever.

In a single moment, life and death are decided.

SHHH!

Fang Shi struck.

The sword’s flash was swift as lightning, yet heavy and forceful.

The Firefeather could neither block nor dodge.

BOOM!

Flame spilled from his lips, surging outward.

An explosion erupted between them.

The Firefeather used the moment to retreat beyond Fang Shi’s attack range.

“This is why I hate supernatural powers.”

“You’re weaker in strength and reaction, yet you still retreat calmly.”

“Too bad I don’t have your magical resistance.”

“Otherwise, if I’d taken that blow head-on, you’d be dead.”

Fang Shi stood, sword in hand, speaking calmly.

Just now, during the explosion, his exceptional reflexes let him evade it.

Aside from his chest garment slightly charred, he was unharmed.

The Firefeather’s flame attack dealt 6d4 damage.

The True Dragon Armor couldn’t resist such magical damage.

If Fang Shi hadn’t dodged, he’d have lost half his life.

“You are truly an admirable warrior—unranked, yet possessing such strength.”

“To show my respect, when my tribe arrives, multiple warriors will fight you.”

The Firefeather spoke with admiration, yet his words were utterly shameless.

Fang Shi sneered: “You think I’d let you run.”

“You certainly don’t want me to run—but you know I can’t catch you. Even with your strength, your flame forces you to slow down.”

“How many times can you use your flame?”

“Two more times—enough. My tribe arrives soon.”

“Then they haven’t arrived yet!”

CRASH!

Fang Shi stomped the ground, leaving a deep crater.

He shot toward the Firefeather like a flying bird.

The Firefeather didn’t hesitate—he turned and fled.

Just as Fang Shi neared him.

He spun around, mouth spewing flame in a torrent.

A blazing line of fire surged forward, scorching the tropical jungle.

Leaving a ten-meter trail of blackened earth.

Huh? Where did he go?

The Firefeather glanced back while running—Fang Shi was gone.

Could he have been burned to ash?

That’s impossible.

Hm!

The Firefeather looked up.

A sharp blade descended from above—the wielder was Fang Shi.

SHHH!

“Piercing Strike activated.”

“Target suffers fatal damage.”

“You dealt 36 damage to the target.”

“Piercing Strike activated.”

“Target suffers fatal damage.”

“You dealt 36 damage to the target.”

“Target dead.”

“Soul energy extracted from target. You gain 210 × [1 (base) + 0.2 (rank-overcome) × 2 + 1 (class-overcome)] = 504 experience points, 50.4 survival points.”

“You are the first player to kill a Level 6 creature.”

“You received a Bronze Chest.”

“You are the first player to kill a creature across a class boundary.”

“You gained one free attribute point.”

SWISH!

Fang Shi instantly flung the dead Firefeather’s corpse away.

BOOM!

A violent explosion erupted high ahead.

Blinding flames lit up the dim forest.

Branches and leaves rained down around him.

Countless vines and tree trunks had been charred.

This was the disgusting thing about Firefeathers.

They exploded upon death.

The power was immense—ten d6 of flame force.

If Fang Shi hadn’t known this and just tossed it out,

he might have been blown to pieces by the blast.

And after exploding, they left behind an egg.

Hatched from the egg was a Firewing Bird.

That’s why Fang Shi had said Firewing Birds were kin to Firefeathers.

SNAP.

Fang Shi kicked the pitch-black egg apart with one foot.

“As disgusting as cockroaches—leaving eggs behind after death.”

Even in death, the Firefeather could not understand how Fang Shi had appeared midair.

Jumping requires motion—during the chase just now.

Fang Shi’s foot had clearly stepped back, pushing backward; how could he have jumped without his rear foot touching ground again?

Too bad he would never get an answer in his lifetime.

And even if he were still alive, Fang Shi would never tell an enemy.

In truth, this was just a small trick to Fang Shi.

Having mastered Double Force, Fang Shi could release two opposing forces—one forward, one backward.

When he saw the Firefeather spew flame,

Fang Shi unleashed two forces from his feet—one forward, one downward.

He used the recoil to leap straight up.

He dodged the Firefeather’s flame and descended from above to kill it.

If not for the severe muscle damage caused by Double Force—and the time needed to prepare it—

Fang Shi would have turned and killed the Firefeather the instant it swung its first blade.

“Worth it.”

Fang Shi rubbed his agonizing right leg, knowing his foot would need rest for some time.

For ordinary movement, his willpower could still force it to function.

But Double Force must not be used again—otherwise his right leg would be permanently crippled.

Had he not feared the Firefeather might escape and he’d lose this easy reward,

Fang Shi would never have used such a damaging technique.

SWISH-SWISH!

Movement came from the distant forest.

Fang Shi’s eyes sharpened; with a few leaps, he vanished into the spatial passage.