[{"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-74":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},2312456,4518,"Chapter 74: Promotion to Level 2 Qi Refiner","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-74",74,"\u003Cp>“Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Song’s expression was stunned, still unable to believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation was like a stack of blocks collapsing, shattering in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Firefeathers were living beings, not blocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skin, muscle, organs, bones, and blood—these inflicted a tremendous psychological impact on humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the power and technique contained within, far beyond the imagination of current humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Song asked himself: even if a single Firefeather corpse lay before him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he could not decompose it instantly, let alone do so simultaneously to six Firefeathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not seen a human appear, Luo Song would have turned and fled immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared it might be some unknown monster—something no one could stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi asked, having rushed here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had finally found a building where humans had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Song steadied himself: “I am the commander of *** and the highest-ranking officer at Outpost S-56.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi casually glanced at the nearly thirty Firefeather corpses on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad. You’re nearly Level 6.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Song nodded: “Just two more monsters to reach Level 6.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Monsters? You mean Firefeathers. How’s the situation now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Song frowned: “I don’t know. Communication is limited; only spirit-mark methods work reliably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the fighting inside is intense, spiritual energy is chaotic—spirit marks are hard to sense clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi continued: “I’ve examined this building carefully. It has twenty-three floors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve stationed troops on the first five floors, sniping Firefeathers climbing upward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But above, the damage is scattered like blooming flowers—I saw over thirty breaches from outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And that’s only due to my viewing angle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Luo Song grew more anxious. He realized the Firefeathers weren’t fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They fully exploited their mobility, tying down human main forces\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>while sending greater numbers to strike from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And behind the humans were the residents on the upper floors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he’d held this position all day and felt the Firefeather assault wasn’t fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no overwhelming force aimed at crushing him outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if they were adding troops like fools, one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Luo Song thought again—he had no way to break this stalemate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Firefeathers’ strategy was an open, undeniable truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You defend below, they attack from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You defend above, they attack from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using their high mobility, they inflict maximum damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No! There is a way—if our forces are sufficient, if we match the strength above and below, we can hold it like a fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Luo Song fixed his gaze on Fang Shi: “I humbly beg you, sir, to lend your aid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi smiled: “I was planning to do exactly that. The Firefeathers outside are terrified of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They flee at the sight of me—I suspect they’ve got some communication method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I’d like to see where they run inside the building.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Luo Song was inwardly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet remembering the scene when Fang Shi appeared, he couldn’t help but believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, please act quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi shook his head: “No rush. First, evacuate the residents upstairs—keep them from getting in the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, withdraw your soldiers. Just hold the first floor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Song frowned: “That’s risky. What if those monsters climb back in through the walls?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi replied calmly: “With me here, they won’t dare. The remaining Firefeathers inside are isolated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, if you’re uneasy, you can leave some troops upstairs—it doesn’t matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi had long understood the nature of these otherworldly beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their actions had purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sought to kill as many humans as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to chew on hard rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t mean the Firefeathers would let Fang Shi slaughter them unchecked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stronger Firefeathers would arrive soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would target Fang Shi for assassination—that would be the most dangerous moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright,” Luo Song finally nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could doubt Fang Shi’s words, but not his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous scene had been too terrifyingly convincing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who accomplished that would carry undeniable authority in every word and deed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way—who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, Luo Song still wanted to ask—he was genuinely curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who exactly was this mysterious powerhouse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Fang Shi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi? Luo Song’s heart surged with shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That name was legendary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came from Ancheng, master of Zhao Wenjun, creator of the Breathing Method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the first to gather the survivors of Ancheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Trial Tower incident, his deeds spread widely through human society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still ranks first on the second-level stone tablet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone who enters the Trial Tower has admired his achievements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His legend is further amplified by his pact with a deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the last matter carries a high secrecy level,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as one of Ancheng’s top Qiangzhe , Luo Song knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even wished to meet Fang Shi in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Song, who had trained in Transmission Martial Arts and practiced the Breathing Method,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>understood deeply the martial essence it contained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemingly simple Breathing Method could only have been created by one who had mastered the pinnacle of Chinese martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the collapse, his martial skill must have reached unfathomable depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deserved the title of Grandmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—even Grandmaster was insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a technique that altered the very essence of life, truly pushing the human body to its limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had opened a new era for Chinese martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was truly a Great Grandmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true founder of a lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Luo Song even more curious: as a successor of Liuhe Quan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a well-known figure in the Transmission Martial Arts circle, how had he never heard of such a divine figure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once wondered if the world held hidden sects like those in novels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such a person could exist in the collapse only once—nowhere else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Trial Tower held no record of hidden sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if Fang Shi had appeared out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, on the day he reached the summit of the Trial Tower,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi vanished without a trace, even abandoning Jiang Xian as promised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left Luo Song deeply regretful—he had hoped to seek martial advice from this Great Grandmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet today, by chance, he met him—and as legend said, he was just as powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true Great Grandmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters, terrifying to ordinary people, were slain instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the situation not been so dire, Luo Song would have begged for instruction on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Luo Song bowed deeper, clasping his fists: “Thank you, Master Fang, for your aid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. Go quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Luo Song left, Fang Shi sat down on a random sofa in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really wanted to go out and kill monsters right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the conditions didn’t allow it—simple as that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi was tired; he needed rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even machines have fuel limits, let alone humans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi’s strength was too great; at first, overconfident Firefeathers came to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, no one knew how the news spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firefeathers fled at the sight of Fang Shi, refusing to fight him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forced to act, Fang Shi had to launch a pursuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This increased his physical exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when chasing multiple Firefeathers who split up and ran in different directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prevent experience points from escaping, Fang Shi repeatedly used Double Impact to accelerate, further draining his stamina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually, Fang Shi refused to continue like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began carefully pondering ways to boost his speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ruled out explosive techniques like Double Impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They consumed too much stamina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi needed a low-cost, sustained method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first thought of Wind spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind spiritual energy enhanced one’s speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was evident when practicing Bai He Sword Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principle was simple: it reduced air resistance during movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi now wanted to extract this technique from Bai He Sword Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turn it into a passive state—able to convert surrounding spiritual energy into Wind spiritual energy without activating Bai He Sword Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus accelerating himself—not just movement speed, but also sword-drawing speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result? Naturally, no result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai He Sword Art was too refined; how could Fang Shi, without his 30x Insight bonus, possibly dismantle it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it wasn’t entirely fruitless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of inspiration caused Fang Shi’s Bai He Sword Art to reach Perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“【Bai He Sword Art (Perfection)】: Your understanding of this sword art has reached Perfection. You may spend a minimum of 4 magic points to merge with the wind; during this time, all your actions gain a 200% bonus, lasting 6 seconds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merge with the wind?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, Fang Shi had to test it, to understand the technique’s effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, it was a technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sword Art” was also a cultivation method for Qi Refiners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did a technique look like?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the techniques recorded in “Sword Art” could only be activated once a sword art reached Perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, gradually learned during the process of reaching Perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This test caused the very strike he delivered upon entering the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi merged with the wind and instantly caught up to the fleeing Firefeathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then unleashed Burn the Zither, Boil the Crane, instantly killing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only regret: merging with the wind only boosted action speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It did not enhance neural reaction speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone with insufficient reaction speed could never fully utilize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Fang Shi was satisfied—he didn’t lack reaction speed, he lacked the physical skill to match it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many times, he could envision miraculous maneuvers but simply couldn’t execute them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short: his mind understood, but his body didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the cost was high—his magic points were now down to 1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This put him at a disadvantage for upcoming battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter; Fang Shi had killed enough on his way here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His experience was full; his second reason for staying in the hall was to level up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leveling up, his magic points would recover slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you wish to spend 21,000 experience points to reach Level 7?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Choose your promoted class.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qi Refiner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have advanced to Level 2 Qi Refiner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You gain 4 + Intelligence (14–10)\u002F2 = 6 skill points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your health increases by 8 + Constitution (18–10)\u002F2 + Robustness 1 = 13 points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your magic points increase: 5 → 6.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You gain the class feature 【Profound Intuition I】.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“【Profound Intuition I】: You are exceptionally sensitive to changes in spiritual energy and others’ actions. You gain a +2 bonus to Insight and Spell Identification checks. If you have 10 or higher ranks in these skills, the bonus increases to +4.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This feature improved Fang Shi’s ability to identify spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It allowed him to more easily recognize enemy spells as they were cast, enabling better countermeasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decent feature, indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Name: Fang Shi”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Race: Human”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Attributes: Strength 19 (+1), Agility 19 (+1), Constitution 18, Intelligence 14, Perception 21, Charisma 15”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class: Level 5 Martial Artist \u002F Level 2 Qi Refiner”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rank: Qi Refining”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Health: 88\u002F88”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magic Points: 2\u002F6”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Experience: 32\u002F28,000”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Attribute Points: 3”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feature Points: 1”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Survival Points: 3103.2”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Race Feature: Versatile Talent I”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Life Skills: (omitted)”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class Skills: (omitted)”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Personal Trait: Extraordinary Perception”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Personal Features: Iron Will II, Athletic I, Excellent Memory I, Resilience I, True Dragon Armor III, Fang’s Breathing Method IV, Divine Step I, Lightning Reflex III, Weakness Insight I, Robustness I, Primordial Resistance I, Sword Art I”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class Features: Gale Combo I, Unarmed Attack I, Iron Bones I, Shatter Fist I, Reflexive Evasion I, Improved Initiative I, Cannon Fist I, Leap Step I, Immunity to Illness I, Magic Control I, Magic Conversion I, Spiritual Power Absorption I, Profound Intuition I”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Combat Features: Sword Formula (Perfection), Bai He Sword Art (Perfection), Multiple Impact (Double Impact)”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he did not receive the reward for being first to reach Level 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Fang Shi had trained for so long at Tianjian Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone catching up was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi felt no regret, especially since the Bronze Chest from his last first-level-up reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had yielded little of value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Detect Scrying (Scroll)”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“School: Divination”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Caster: Mage”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spell Level: 6”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Components: Verbal, Somatic, Material”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Range: 25 meters”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Area of Effect: A 25-meter radius centered on the caster”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duration: 24 hours”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Saving Throw: None”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spell Resistance: Not applicable”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Effect: Omitted (too long, no filler text)”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This spell scroll was what Fang Shi obtained from opening the chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, it was utterly useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One is that the spell’s effect is unusable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two is that Fang Shi cannot use it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the scroll records a spell, not just anyone can use it at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either you already master the spell written on the scroll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or you possess the skill to use magical devices and have accumulated a number of spell levels equal to the scroll’s casting level plus one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi satisfies neither condition, so there is no question of him using it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although after advancing to Qi Refining, he does have a spell level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And each level gained in Qi Refining grants one spell level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, theoretically, Fang Shi could learn the spells of a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in practice, Qi Refiners and mages are two entirely different systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their fundamental theories are completely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One is based on the Eight Schools’ doctrines; the other on the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Studying across systems yields half the results for double the effort, and success is not guaranteed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps high-level mages and Qi Refiners could integrate the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this does not include Fang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than spending time studying these spells, he would be better off acquiring cultivation methods from a magic practitioner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least the spells recorded there, Fang Shi can understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Fang, Consultant? Mr. Fang, Consultant? The residents have all been evacuated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Song stood respectfully beside Fang Shi, calling softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi slowly opened his eyes and looked around the hall filled with residents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, I’m leaving now.”\u003C\u002Fp>",2301,"2026-06-20T12:43:33.559Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8a528a63dbd1c4c44b3ebd1048ef68e9a66145c5027f9ab147346e9aa83bbacf","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-75","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-73",109,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-cover.jpg"]