Chapter 82: (2)

(PS: I finished today's 7,500 words between twelve and two-thirty, and I've been revising the whole time. My writing skill is limited, so it'll have to do. Because I sped up the plot, a lot of content is shown through dialogue. What comes next is the protagonist's personal adventure. I updated eleven thousand today—I didn't go back on my word.)

After Zhao Wenjun had arranged for the relevant personnel to report their work.

Fang Shi went on to say: "Since you've already reached First Tier."

"Let me test your current strength."

"Just throw punches at me like before—remember to Use Second Layer."

"Yes, Master."

Zhao Wenjun said respectfully; at this moment he was very confident in his own strength.

The sublimation of First Tier, the mastery of Second Layer—even though Fang Shi's strength far surpassed his own.

At the very least, he'd be made to move a little.

Boom!

Fang Shi faced Zhao Wenjun's punch, his expression unchanged.

His look calm, he extended his right hand, and the same multiple-layered force erupted.

Veins bulged on his right arm, muscles knotted, and tremendous power surged forth from within.

He caught Zhao Wenjun's attack with the greatest of ease.

Caught it steady and firm—let alone his footsteps shifting, not even his figure swayed in the slightest.

The reason was simple: the multiple-layered force Fang Shi used was not Second Layer.

It was Third Layer!

When Fang Shi entered First Tier at Heavenly Sword Gate, he very smoothly mastered the complete Version of Second Layer.

And during the idle moments of sword practice, he also began pondering Third Layer.

Third Layer!

This was a technique Fang Shi had never managed to master even in his previous life.

The difficulty of cultivating it was nothing Second Layer could compare to.

Fang Shi had tried hard for a long time in his previous life and still never learned it.

That included after the fifth surge, when the Ancheng gathering place collapsed.

During a year-long life-and-death flight, fighting day after day without rest.

One could well imagine how difficult this technique was.

The main difficulty lay in the fact that the three forces had to be unleashed nearly simultaneously.

Only then could they coalesce into a single force, rather than three scattered forces.

Otherwise, even if one could unleash some exquisite moves.

The difference in power would be worlds apart.

Just as a child throwing three punches is still no match for an adult throwing one.

Only when three forces erupt within roughly the same span of time can they merge into one.

Gaining a bonus equivalent to 7.5 points of strength.

With this terrifying force-unleashing technique, even if Lu Xiusi were still alive, Fang Shi could take him head-on.

Fang Shi also relied on Heavenly Sword Gate's comprehension bonus.

And only after unlocking all cultivation categories was he able to cultivate Third Layer to the threshold of mastery.

After experiencing today's battle, Fang Shi spent his rest period making a summary.

And finally comprehended this technique completely.

"【Multiple-Layered Force (Third Layer)】: This is a combat technique obtained from an unknown place. Using it consumes extra stamina, and one's own Strength attribute gains a +7.5 bonus."

"Master, you are still as powerful as ever."

Zhao Wenjun looked at Fang Shi, who hadn't moved a hair, and felt a touch of regret—yet also a touch of inevitability.

"Did you sense it? This is the advanced form of Second Layer—Third Layer."

Zhao Wenjun said: "I sensed it, but Master, this is so hard."

"The way of unleashing force is extremely awkward, and it easily causes muscle strains. I normally don't dare practice it much."

"Last time I cultivated it, I actually suffered muscle dissolution."

"If it weren't for the priest, I don't know how many days I'd have needed to recuperate before recovering."

Fang Shi said: "Of course it's very difficult. Your master also only cultivated Third Layer after long practice."

"First of all, this technique demands very high Perception. I estimate 20 points is the bare minimum."

"Your Perception is only 15 points—you're still far off."

"However, don't give up practicing it in daily life.

That way, once your Perception meets the standard,"

"the time needed to learn it can be shortened further."

Zhao Wenjun nodded: "Understood, Master."

"Your Second Layer isn't perfect enough. I'll continue guiding you in deeper methods of use."

Just as Fang Shi was lecturing Zhao Wenjun, a soldier's shout came from outside the door.

"Report!"

Zhao Wenjun naturally felt a bit displeased. Receiving Fang Shi's guidance was a rare chance, and he treasured it greatly.

He was very annoyed that his subordinate had interrupted him.

But Zhao Wenjun also understood that his subordinate wouldn't be so tactless.

He had already given instructions that, unless there was something urgent, everything was to wait until after Fang Shi left before being brought up.

This time he actually came to report, so something major must have happened.

Fang Shi said, "You go handle it."

"Yes, Master. Come in!"

The soldier pushed the door open and entered, first respectfully saluting the two of them.

"Reporting, Officer Zhao, Advisor Fang."

"Good news from the Engineering Department — the newly developed gunpowder is ready for use."

Joy lit the soldier's face, his smile nearly spilling over.

"What!" Zhao Wenjun exclaimed excitedly.

Why had humanity suffered such heavy losses in the apocalypse?

The most important reason was that firearms and other high-powered weapons had all been scrapped.

In a single night, humanity was thrown back to primitive times.

If those powerful weapons could still be used, who cared whether you were a Tier-1 or Tier-2 creature?

One cannon blast — how could flesh and blood withstand it?

These weren't the round, heavy, clumsy solid shot of the Age of Exploration.

These were armor-piercing rounds with a muzzle velocity exceeding that of a sniper rifle bullet.

An attack at six times the speed of sound — few monsters could react in time.

Not to mention vacuum bombs and napalm — weapons of tremendous destructive power.

Especially nuclear bombs; even a weaker Legendary creature would die taking one head-on.

"How powerful is the gunpowder?"

"Only on par with the earliest flintlock muskets."

Disappointment flickered across Zhao Wenjun's face, but he quickly steadied himself.

It was enough — even flintlocks could inflict effective kills on Fire-Feathered Ones.

"Good! Good! Good! Who invented this?"

"Wang Jinghuan from the Engineering Department. Rumor has it he even swindled the funding for his research out of the Logistics Department."

Zhao Wenjun burst out laughing; the gloom lurking in his heart finally lifted a little.

Coupled with the apocalypse rules Fang Shi had told him—

If they designed a proper ambush, once the otherworldly creatures descended—

They'd make sure none of them returned. No matter how many came, that many would die.

Especially since firearms were simple to use — any ordinary civilian could operate one after a little training.

This way, humanity's average level would skyrocket.

After all, with the experience penalty in place, those high-level professionals gained very little from killing Fire-Feathered Ones.

And the later it got, the smaller the gain, until there was none at all.

Without firearms, one could expect enormous waste going forward.

The apocalypse was far from safe; letting people die was irresponsible to both oneself and others.

Moreover, Zhao Wenjun and his people knew that the apocalypse had something called Achievement Rewards.

This wasn't something Fang Shi told them — it was something someone within Hua Nation had obtained, and it spread from there.

If a Tier-1 professional killed a Tier-6 Fire-Feathered One — even a Tier-8 or Tier-9—

What bountiful rewards would that bring?

Beside him, a trace of surprise flickered in Fang Shi's heart — gunpowder this early?

He clearly remembered that in his previous life, gunpowder wasn't invented until just before the Third Wave struck.

And back then it was only on par with flintlock muskets, just like now.

As a result, in the later stages of the Second Wave, humanity had slaughtered otherworldly creatures en masse.

Their strength had swelled to an unprecedented degree.

They had weathered the Third Wave with ease.

If only Tier-2 creatures hadn't been so ferocious — flintlocks were utterly insufficient against them.

Humanity's Third Wave would have been a zero-casualty affair.

It seemed his rebirth had changed everything.

Fang Shi no longer cared — ever since the Second Wave had become unrecognizable.

The trajectory of this world had already diverged from his previous life.

He could no longer view this new world through old eyes.

If habitual thinking got him killed one day, there'd be nowhere to lodge a complaint.

"Wenjun, since your strength has grown so much, I should be going too."

Zhao Wenjun said in surprise, "Master, you're leaving again? Wouldn't it be better to stay?"

"Last time you vanished for nearly a month — I was worried sick."

Fang Shi shook his head: "No, I must leave. My level has already reached Tier 8."

"If I stay any longer, the efficiency of gaining experience drops sharply."

"I can't stand it. I have to leave."

Zhao Wenjun clenched his teeth: "Master, can you tell me where you're going this time?"

"Don't keep your disciple worrying. My family is probably already gone."

"Now, you are the person closest to me."

A trace of emotion stirred in Fang Shi's heart: "There's nothing wrong with saying it."

"The place I'm going this time is outside the city."

Zhao Wenjun was greatly shocked: "Outside the city? Isn't that swarming with otherworld creatures?"

"I sent people there before. It was as if that place and the inside of the city were two different worlds."

"The moment you cross the boundary, dense swarms of otherworld creatures come pouring in."

"Even more than the Fire-Wing Birds in the city."

"The creatures come in all shapes and sizes, with all kinds of attack patterns—virtually impossible to withstand."

"Professor Wang analyzed it: the wild otherworld creatures have already settled on Blue Star, rebuilding a food chain—essentially a brand-new otherworld."

"But for some unknown reason, us humans aren't welcome to otherworld creatures at all. The moment you leave the city, they attack like mad."

Fang Shi said: "That's because of the Law Force."

"Law Force? What's that?"

"Simple. Don't you think the ability to level up just by killing is totally BUG?"

"Wasn't it bestowed by some great power?"

After the apocalypse, the human side had discussed these questions.

Naturally, there were no results.

Still, most people reached a consensus: no matter what, they had to make good use of the Attribute Panel.

Purposes and the like—only those who survived had the right to consider them.

"The essence of the Attribute Panel is Law Force—the force of evolutionary law."

"And Law Force is something only legendary powerhouses can touch."

"The reason those brainless otherworld creatures attack humans—"

"Is because they covet the Law Force on humans, wanting to seize it and achieve their own evolution."

"As for the intelligent ones, like the Fire-Feather People, I don't really understand them."

Fang Shi paused, then continued: "Do you know what the Bai Guang that rose over the horizon after the second Impact meant?"

"It meant day and night shared the same track—no more time zones across the globe—and it also meant the weakening of Law Force."

"It will never again attract the covetous gaze of monsters."

Zhao Wenjun keenly caught the point, his heart jolting: "The weakening of Law Force? Does that mean humans won't be able to kill monsters and level up anymore?"

Fang Shi gave a faint smile: "No, you can still kill monsters and level up, but advancing above Tier 2 requires conditions."

"It's no longer like before, where you just needed enough experience to advance."

Zhao Wenjun breathed a sigh of relief: "Good, good. As long as there's a way."

"I was just afraid humans couldn't level up—how would we face stronger monsters in the future?"

Fang Shi gave a cold laugh: "How do you know Law Force won't disappear entirely in the future?"

"Humans must find their own path of evolution as quickly as possible, and not be limited by Law Force."

"As for your master, I do have a way out, but it came from a single stroke of fortune—I can't pass it on to you."

Zhao Wenjun hurriedly asked: "Master, what good ideas do you have?"

Fang Shi said: "You can try working on the Breathing Method."

"Don't assume your master's Breathing Method is so amazing. Those who come after may not be weaker than those before."

"Locking away the achievements of predecessors and treating them as gospel leaves no hope at all."

"You must dare to innovate and open a new era."

Zhao Wenjun nodded firmly. Once he went out, he would tell everyone these things.

Pool everyone's strength and work together.

Fang Shi, however, knew that the Hua Nation side would surely be able to do it.

The Breathing Method he had obtained was no great treasure.

In his past life, the Breathing Method Zhao Wenjun cultivated was far better than his.

"Master, I thought of something. Humans no longer carry the lure of Law Force."

"Could we relocate to the wilds and avoid the pursuit of the Fire-Feather People?"

"Why should we fight them to the death? Better to make a strategic shift."

"No!" Fang Shi shook his head without hesitation.

"Do you know? In the first two Impacts, the biggest change wasn't humans, and it wasn't otherworld creatures."

"It was Blue Star itself. You can see it just by observing the stars."

"No one knows how many times Blue Star's volume has expanded."

"If you hide out in the wilds, when the third Impact arrives—"

"The violent changes in heaven and earth will kill the vast majority of people."

"Only in humanity's original gathering places, sheltered by Law Force, can you pass through safely."

"And the number of otherworld creatures deployed changes according to the human population."

"Even if you compress your territory and flee to the countryside, the number of monsters won't decrease."

"On the contrary, shrinking territory reduces strategic space."

"As for the wilds, I can only tell you: the farther from human habitation, the stronger the monsters."

"Tier 2 and Tier 3 monsters will even appear."

Zhao Wenjun asked in confusion: "Then how do they avoid the great upheavals of heaven and earth?"

Fang Shi said strangely: "Why would they need to avoid it? They die, and that's that."

"After all, the Otherworld is boundless, and its creatures are endless."

"No matter how many die, they will keep pouring in from the Otherworld."

Zhao Wenjun was still a bit worried: "Since the wilds are so dangerous, shouldn't you consider your actions?"

Fang Shi declared decisively, "If it's not dangerous, how do we level up? If it's not dangerous, how do we grow stronger?"

"There is no safe place in the Apocalypse."

Zhao Wenjun fell silent; the Apocalypse was indeed like that.

If everyone possessed Fang Shi's strength, how could there be so many casualties?

"Then I wish Master a smooth journey."

"Mm."