Chapter 81

(PS: There’s another part that could also count as a chapter; it might go past 12 o’clock, sorry. But don’t worry, all updates are counted toward today—tomorrow’s update won’t be reduced.)

After the Firefeathers withdrew, Fang Shi finally exhaled a breath of relief.

This battle was the most severely injurious he had suffered since his rebirth.

Fang Shi hadn't been injured in a long time; previous battles were either overwhelming or life-or-death duels.

Or they were life-or-death duels, decided within two or three strikes.

But it was all worth it—the second effect of Berkner’s demonic longbow had been successfully activated.

“Effect Three: Demon Wolf — each day, you may cast Interdimensional Summoning three times, summoning giant wolves from the Howling Plains to fight for you.”

“The giant wolves’ level matches yours, capped at a maximum of Level 22. (Sealed)”

“You must sacrifice at least 200 Level 1 souls to unseal the Demon Wolf’s effect.”

“And you must sacrifice 20 Level 1 souls daily to maintain the Demon Wolf’s effect.”

Fang Shi glanced at the third effect and lost interest.

Was the effect strong?

It was strong—Fang Shi didn’t know how powerful the summoned giant wolves would be, but they were likely no weaklings.

After all, the cost to unseal it was so high.

Especially when, later on, you could summon three legendary giant wolves—it would be immensely powerful.

But the problem was that the summoning depended on the wielder’s level.

Fang Shi’s strength had already surpassed level restrictions.

No matter how strong the summoned wolves were, they were merely equivalent to three Gatu monsters.

For Fang Shi, they held little value, especially given the high cost.

“Forget it, I’ll unseal it later when the chance arises. Let’s see what the fourth effect is.”

“Today’s battle is essentially over. I’ll level up to Level 8 first.”

Fang Shi mused, opening his attribute panel and clicking to level up.

“Do you wish to consume 28,000 experience points to reach Level 8?”

“Yes.”

“Please select your promoted class.”

“Qi Refiner.”

“You have advanced to Level 3 Qi Refiner.”

“You gain 4 + Intelligence (14–10)/2 = 6 skill points.”

“Your health increases by 8 + Constitution (18–10)/2 + Sturdy 1 = 13 points.”

“Your magic power increases: 6 → 7.”

“You gain one free attribute point.”

“As a Level 3 Qi Refiner, you gain one personal feat.”

Fang Shi scanned the long list of feats, thought for a moment, then selected one.

“【Extra Magic I】: Your magic power increases by 2 points.”

“Your magic power increases: 7 → 9.”

At this point, Fang Shi lacked nothing in burst, defense, or speed.

The only thing he lacked was magic power—if his magic power were sufficient.

He wouldn’t have been injured in the previous battle; he could have easily resolved the crisis using Bai He Sword Art.

“Name: Fang Shi”

“Race: Human”

“Attributes: Strength 19 (+1), Agility 24 (+6), Constitution 18, Intelligence 14, Perception 21, Charisma 15”

“Class: Level 5 Martial Artist / Level 3 Qi Refiner”

“Rank: Qi Refining”

“Health: 37/101”

“Magic Power: 2/9”

“Experience: 1324/36000”

“Attribute Points: 4”

“Feat Points: 1”

“Survival Points: 5422.4”

“Race Feat: Versatile I”

“Life Skills: (omitted)”

“Class Skills: (omitted)”

“Personal Traits: Extraordinary Perception”

“Personal Feats: Iron Will II, Athletic I, Keen Memory I, Resilient I, True Dragon Armor III, Fang Family Breathing Method IV, Divine Step I, Lightning Reflex III, Weakness Insight I, Sturdy I, Primal Resistance I, Swordsmanship I, Extra Magic I”

“Class Feats: Gale Combo I, Unarmed Attack I, Steel Bones I, Shatter Punch I, Reflexive Evasion I, Improved Initiative I, Cannon Punch I, Leap Step I, Immunity to Illness I, Magic Control I, Magic Conversion I, Spiritual Energy Absorption I”

“Combat Feats: Sword Scripture (Perfected), Bai He Sword Art (Perfected), Multiple Force (Double Force)”

…

Four hours later.

Fang Shi wandered casually through thickets, alleys, and streets.

This was now the safest time since the apocalypse.

When the interdimensional creatures arrived via the orbs, they had one distinct trait.

They no longer emerged from spatial channels.

Instead, they were deployed once daily at dawn.

Of course, this time would later be called 8 a.m.

Like a monster siege, as long as humans eliminated the interdimensional creatures, the entire city became safe.

The downside was that the deployment of interdimensional creatures was incredibly precise.

Everyone had to face monsters.

No matter where you hid, you would be attacked.

Thus, you could no longer find a hidden corner, stockpile food, and calmly survive the apocalypse.

At this moment, the Firefeathers and Firewings had largely been eliminated by the people of Ancheng.

Ancheng had gained a rare moment of peace.

But this moment came at a heavy cost.

As Fang Shi walked, every residential building showed severe damage, some still smoldering with residual flames.

Survivors moved numbly, carrying corpses and dumping them into nearby thickets.

Some were Firefeathers and Firewings, but most were humans.

No one wept or wailed.

Because most people’s loved ones had already died when the apocalypse began.

Nearly everyone was alone.

In fact, the number of suicides after the apocalypse was not small.

Those still alive merely refused to die without a fight.

They wanted to struggle for survival.

But now, even these people were nearly broken.

The apocalypse brought not only survival issues, but severe psychological trauma.

Humans were sentient beings with rich emotional systems.

Empathy and sorrow for one’s kind were basic capacities.

In peacetime, these emotions reminded humans to cherish life and avoid death.

But in this cruel apocalypse, especially after today’s mass deaths,

the psychological aftermath was severe—those carrying corpses were already among the most mentally resilient.

Others sat like corpses inside buildings, doing nothing,

merely staring blankly at the busy others.

No joy, only numbness and vacancy.

It seemed surviving wasn’t even a cause for happiness.

Perhaps, at first rescue, there had been fleeting joy.

But as time passed, it turned to despair.

Especially since emotions were contagious—human to human, the despair multiplied.

Even some officials were filled with a deathly apathy.

They mechanically led people, letting those unwilling to work do as they pleased.

Fang Shi shook his head and quickened his pace, soon arriving before a hundred-meter-high tower.

The soldiers bustling at the entrance, seeing Fang Shi stride with martial bearing, immediately cleared a path for him.

The soldiers bustling before the gate parted a path for Fang Shi, who walked with the bearing of a dragon and a tiger.

“Good morning, Advisor Fang!”

One by one, they bowed to Fang Shi; some of them were among the earliest to follow Zhaowen Army.

Those who had seen Fang Shi’s face bowed, and those who hadn’t quickly followed suit, cleverly imitating their companions.

Through the spread by Luo Song and others, Fang Shi’s name once again echoed throughout Ancheng.

After this period of circulation,

Everyone knew that Fang Shi, the creator of the Breathing Method and humanity’s first strongest, had returned.

And he had returned with outstanding achievements.

He had saved the residents of two buildings.

Ancheng’s authorities showed no sign of stopping it.

On the contrary, they actively promoted it, hoping to establish him as a hero.

They wished to ignite hope in the people’s hearts.

“Mm.” Fang Shi nodded; he was quite accustomed to such behavior.

“Take me to Zhaowen Army.”

“Yes, Advisor Fang!” The soldier singled out by Fang Shi was overjoyed.

He unconsciously straightened his chest, as if granted great honor.

The other soldiers looked at him with envy.

As humanity’s first strongest,

Fang Shi could defeat an entire building’s alien creatures alone.

He was a being beyond anyone’s reach.

He was practically a hero of humanity.

Everyone took pride in being near him.

Moreover, he had created the Breathing Method, greatly enhancing humanity’s strength.

If Fang Shi were pleased and offered guidance on the Breathing Method, it would be a fortune.

Now, no one would underestimate the importance of strength.

…

“Master, you’ve come.” Zhaowen Army said, ashamed.

“Forgive your disciple for not coming to greet you personally.”

“And for not visiting you first.”

Fang Shi waved his hand indifferently: “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care for such formalities.”

“Especially now, with your work so busy—rebuilding after the disaster isn’t easy.”

Zhaowen Army still felt apologetic: “I’m glad you understand, Master.”

Fang Shi suddenly grew serious: “How do you assess the current state of humanity in Ancheng?”

Zhaowen Army’s expression froze, turning grim: “Not good at all. They’ve lost all fighting spirit.”

“Reconstruction is painfully slow. Most people suffer from post-disaster syndrome.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“Our current plan is to wait until tomorrow, when the priests regain their spell slots, and use spells like Calm Emotions to dispel negative feelings.”

“Previously, many civilians and soldiers with psychological issues were treated this way.”

“The results were excellent—far better than pre-apocalypse therapy or medication.”

Fang Shi shook his head: “You’re treating symptoms, not the root cause.”

“Moreover, your spell slots are certainly insufficient—especially tomorrow at the same time.”

“Alien creatures will descend again; you must reserve your spell slots for the enemy.”

Zhaowen Army was stunned: “What! Alien creatures will descend again?”

Having endured today’s battle, Zhaowen Army was already exhausted.

Had his responsibilities not been so heavy, he might have wanted to flee.

He never imagined alien creatures would descend again the next day.

“Correct. They will continue to descend—just like today, arriving via glowing spheres at fixed locations.”

“And they can freely enter and exit buildings, just as before.”

Zhaowen Army’s scalp prickled; he fidgeted in place: “Master, forgive my rudeness—I must inform everyone immediately. Humanity cannot endure such losses again.”

Fang Shi smiled: “Don’t rush. I haven’t finished speaking.”

“Actually, the arrival of alien creatures tomorrow isn’t a bad thing.”

“Haven’t you noticed? The deployment of alien creatures follows a pattern.”

“The more people, the more monsters.”

Zhaowen Army wasn’t foolish; his eyes flashed with insight: “Master, you mean we can set traps and ambushes in advance.”

“We could even shoot upward as they descend and destroy the glowing spheres.”

Fang Shi nodded: “Yes, that’s possible. But the glowing spheres are invincible—you don’t need to waste effort on them.”

“Just find a large, flat open area and arrange your positions.”

“When the alien creatures descend, form encirclements and annihilate them on the spot.”

“If executed well, you can kill them with virtually no losses.”

“And you’ll instill immense confidence in the people.”

“Thus establishing a goal of rebuilding their homes and shedding their inner shadows.”

“As long as the people see hope—see alien creatures easily slain—”

“And feel their own growing strength, they’ll find the will to survive.”

Zhaowen Army’s eyes grew brighter with every word: “Brilliant! Truly brilliant! No wonder you’re my Master.”

Fang Shi smiled; he had merely repeated what the former Chinese government had done before his rebirth.

He was simply proposing it earlier.

Fang Shi had also heard that other nations on Blue Star

Relied more on establishing churches to give their citizens psychological support.

Fang Shi continued: “I’ll remind you of one thing—the Trial Tower is operational again.”

“Of course, even without my saying so, you’d send people there daily.”

“But you must pay attention to one thing.”

“Alien creatures aren’t stupid. Beware of them breaking out and causing damage.”

“Especially, you must swiftly exterminate any that escape.”

“Otherwise, they’ll gather in greater numbers and eventually form an army to attack you.”

Zhaowen Army nodded. He didn’t ask how Fang Shi knew so much.

That was the advantage of great strength.

Fang Shi’s power was already common knowledge.

His reputation had grown even higher after his actions following the second impact.

Every word and deed carried immense authority.

Had Fang Shi not needed rest, and had Ancheng’s high command not been occupied with aftermath duties,

People would have queued for hours just to meet him after the war.

Of course, this also reflected Fang Shi’s personality.

Long ago, the Chinese government had simulated his personality based on his conduct in Ancheng.

They knew he preferred solitude, and everyone understood this.

For Fang Shi, unnecessary disturbances were avoided—lest he grow displeased.

lest any rift form.