[{"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-92":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},2312474,4518,"Chapter 92","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-92",92,"\u003Cp>Etched upon the Dao?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Fang Shi recall the edicts within the primal force ocean of his home world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The edict that had halted the gods from stepping onto his home world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the method of forging a spiritual root, it too is a law inscribed upon the Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The primal force ocean of his home world is part of the Dao in the Qi Refining worldview.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The part that governs energy and laws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Qi Refining worldview, even the Fate River summoned by the Lady of Luck is part of the Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dao is the supreme, inconceivable, unfathomable, unpredictable, immeasurable entity that governs all time and space, all existence, all power, all cause and effect, all laws, all fate, all worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what the Dao is?” Fang Shi asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng replied: “The birth of heaven and earth, the movement of sun and moon, the nourishment of all things—these are all the Dao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi sighed: “The sages speak of the method of forging a spiritual root, inscribed upon the Dao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is like adding a new law to nature, just as the sun and moon rise in the east, and flowers bloom and fall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It becomes a phenomenon of life—what an extraordinary achievement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did your master ever say what realm the sages reached?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng shook his head: “I asked my master that too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My master said, sages are sages—there is no realm division.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Realms are merely divisions created by mortals to mark cultivation progress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the level of a sage, one is one with the Dao—no realm can describe it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi said nothing; no realm was itself a realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably Zhang Cheng’s master was too lowly to know the sage’s realm, and just used empty, grandiose words to deceive him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough about sages. What realm comes after forging a spiritual root?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng said: “After forging a spiritual root, one can commune with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, condensing magic power into the body—this is the first realm of Qi Refining.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After Qi Refining comes the second realm, Foundation Establishment. The body is like a dwelling; Foundation Establishment uses magic power to forge an excellent physical vessel in preparation for awakening spiritual sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thus the third realm is named Spiritual Sense. Once awakened, it reveals every minute detail of all things—this is the realm my master occupies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this level, one is a formidable presence across Shenzhou, invited as an honored guest by every provincial inspector.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Zhang Cheng emphasized heavily, as if fearing Fang Shi might do something reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi smiled; he was a good man, after all—why would he do anything bad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what is the fourth realm? And how many in Shenzhou can reach it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng said: “The fourth realm is not attainable by just anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know why, but my master calls it Earth Immortal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One who lives forever in the mortal world without dying, wandering the mountains and rivers—hard to find, hard to trace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is said that Master Wu Jiao and Zi Xu Shangren reached this realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is Jin Dan called Earth Immortal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi was puzzled; the first three realms matched perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the fourth realm was different—the Sword Art clearly recorded that after Jin Dan came Nascent Soul, and after Nascent Soul came Soul Manifestation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of those were immortals yet—why was Jin Dan called Earth Immortal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment, guessing it was because the worlds differed, and thus the names differed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the ancient Chinese titles Gong, Hou, Bo, Zi, Nan—were they the same as Western ones?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely different things, yet past translators rendered them according to Chinese culture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This caused most people to confuse the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you tell me how to break the limit? I’m very interested in this method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m wondering—if someone born with celestial bone also forges a spiritual root, would their cultivation talent improve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui and Zhang Cheng looked at Fang Shi in astonishment, as if he were mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui said: “Your idea is sound—those born with celestial bone can indeed forge a spiritual root.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But forging a spiritual root shortens your lifespan—each limit break drains thirty years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mortals live at most one hundred and fifty years; even with cultivation, they have at most four chances to break the limit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A once-broken spiritual root is the worst celestial bone; twice equals inferior celestial bone; thrice equals middle-grade; four times equals superior celestial bone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were born with middle-grade celestial bone—no need to use a method that drains your lifespan to improve your talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if you broke the limit twice and forged a middle-grade spiritual root, the gain would be negligible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ninety years of lifespan you sacrifice for this improvement is slower than your natural cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation is for longevity—without becoming an Earth Immortal, you live at most two hundred years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those ninety years are not worth it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui warned Fang Shi—history had seen others think exactly as he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And some had actually tried it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man had exceptional talent, born with superior celestial bone, hailed as an Earth Immortal seed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was not satisfied—he declared he would become the greatest immortal in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he spent one hundred and twenty years of his lifespan forging a superior spiritual root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he wasted too much time and never broke through to Earth Immortal before his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, cultivation is like rolling a snowball—it grows faster over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher the realm, the more spiritual energy one absorbs in a single day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amount absorbed in ten years early on equals that of one month later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, time is an extremely precious resource.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui feared Fang Shi would stray down the wrong path and cause the Zhang family to lose a promising cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi smiled: “I was just curious. Now that you’ve explained, I’ve lost the idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, Zhang Cheng said limit breaking breaks the human limit—how much does each break improve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui wanted to say more, but the gap in their cultivation was too great—she feared Fang Shi would grow angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she said nothing; she believed any sane person valued their lifespan and wouldn’t do anything irrational.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each limit break improves roughly twenty percent,” Zhang Cheng thought and said: “In truth, those with spiritual roots do have stronger physiques than those with celestial bone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But having a spiritual root is merely the foundation of cultivation—cultivation also requires comprehension.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without comprehension, one cannot enter the Dao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thus, many limit breakers choose not to forge spiritual roots, and instead become fierce generals on the battlefield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu—a famous thrice-broken limit breaker.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was chosen by the Xiang family as a cultivator, but could never enter the Dao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So he spent his life in mortal glory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Due to his three limit breaks, his lifespan was short—he acted recklessly, and ultimately lost the battle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His final suicide at the Wu River stemmed not only from despair, but also from his dwindling lifespan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Few mortals live to their theoretical lifespan limit of one hundred and fifty—it’s merely an estimate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In truth, a once-broken limit breaker with no illness or injury lives at most a hundred years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only through cultivation, drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, can one reach the theoretical lifespan limit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng spoke with a sigh—he too had taken the limit-breaking path, his lifespan naturally shorter than those born with celestial bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet who would willingly abandon cultivation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Longevity has been humanity’s ancient dream—did not even Qin Shi Huang seek the elixir of immortality in his old age?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strength of spiritual roots and celestial bone only affects the lower bound of achievement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the path of cultivation, comprehension and fortune matter too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, there have been those with inferior celestial bone or spiritual roots who became Earth Immortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, there have also been those with inferior immortal bones and spiritual roots who achieved Earth Immortality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi pondered: earlier, Diao Kan’s joke about Zhang Cheng losing to a Zhang family retainer was just a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he had already noticed that Li Xiang and Zhang Cheng had both reached the human limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, all three attributes—strength, body, agility—at 18 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each limit break increases by twenty percent—equivalent to one attribute point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four breaks equal four points—this intrigued Fang Shi greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his strength, body, and agility could each rise by four points, his power would leap qualitatively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for lifespan, Fang Shi didn’t care at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the apocalypse, there’s no such thing as peace—if he didn’t increase his power quickly, he’d eventually perish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t assume that because Fang Shi is trapped here now, he can simply wait out the apocalypse safely if no other dangers appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the next impact arrives, Fang Shi will inevitably return to his home world due to some accident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is an absolute certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long before his rebirth, people had proposed relocating to another world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That happened during the late stage of the fourth impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That happened at the end of the fourth surge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By that time, there were legendary mages among humans who naturally mastered interdimensional teleportation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, a group of human elites was assembled and relocated ahead of time to another world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their reasoning was simple: if Blue Star could no longer be held, why cling to this place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The multiverse is vast—where isn’t home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With human strength, they could secure a place among many races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing a continent or even a planet was entirely feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even gained great fortune, obtained divine artifacts, broke through the atmosphere, and wandered beyond the cosmos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, they all came back—no one escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the fifth impact arrived, every person returned to Blue Star due to various factors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether by accidental spell failure, encountering a powerful foe, or stumbling into a teleportation array by chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you did nothing, meteorites would fall from the sky, smashing open a teleportation channel and sucking you in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the randomness of the teleportation arrays, these escapees were scattered across the globe, isolated and without aid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They suffered gruesome deaths at the hands of alien creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi knew so much because he met a dying escapee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father was a legendary powerhouse and naturally qualified for relocation to another world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This escapee told Fang Shi many things—mostly secrets circulating among human high command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soon died from his fatal injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi, also fleeing, did not react with excessive emotion to these revelations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi could understand the thinking of human high command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collective interdimensional teleportation array consumed too many resources—it could not be afforded by everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resources would inevitably be funneled to specific groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his rebirth, Fang Shi was an obscure figure in Ancheng Gathering, so it was perfectly normal he received no such privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, most of those chosen ultimately paid with their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some among them were true elites of humanity—the most precious treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing them dealt another crushing blow to human civilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, no matter what, one’s own strength is the most critical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if this strange world held no danger whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi must strive to elevate his cultivation base—otherwise, he might remain trapped until the third impact, only emerging by accident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was teleported into the wilderness and beaten to death by a mob of alien creatures, there would be no one to appeal to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, at that time he would face celestial upheaval—if he couldn’t withstand it, he’d die instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, can you explain the method of breaking the limit? It’s not about forging a spiritual root.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just an ordinary mortal technique—nothing special.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui tugged at Zhang Cheng’s sleeve and glared at him discontentedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng sighed helplessly—he understood Zhang Zihui’s thoughts: she saw Fang Shi’s immense potential and didn’t want him to go astray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internal struggles within the Zhang Clan were fierce now; every potential ally counted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But have you considered whether Fang Shi would even accept?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s now a formidable force—if you provoke him, your life is in danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if my Master avenges me later, I’ll already be in the Underworld reincarnating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, for those who cultivate the Dao, such life-shortening methods are not precious at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you the method of breaking the limit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Fang Shi asked many questions about the Zhang Clan and the powerful families in surrounding counties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui and Zhang Cheng both realized how utterly ignorant Fang Shi was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was like an uneducated commoner with no exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This confirmed their belief: Fang Shi was truly a wild-born Immortal Bone awakener.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a scene was poignant—whether one had an Immortal Bone truly depended on fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this vast world, among countless beings, a beggar on the roadside might suddenly awaken an Immortal Bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And ascend in one step to become a cultivator who rides clouds and flies through the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet something seemed odd—Fang Shi appeared to understand certain things exceptionally well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, his grasp of Daoist cultivation and martial arts—he could speak intelligently even of the Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when Zhang Cheng described the method of breaking the limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi always pinpointed the key points, forcing Zhang Cheng, who had intended to speak casually, to elaborate further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you both for your guidance. The hour is late—I must continue my journey. Farewell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui wanted to say more, but Zhang Cheng’s gaze stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could only watch helplessly as Fang Shi vanished like a galloping horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hui’er, we need not force things. After we pass this trial, the road ahead will be smooth—whether Fang True Person is with us or not doesn’t matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng, seeing Zhang Zihui’s gloom, comforted her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui muttered, “I know all that—but I still can’t relax.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it weren’t for Fang True Person this time, I’d be fine—but you’d be dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng smiled: “This is merely a trial on the path to becoming a cultivator. If you fail, it means you were never destined to become one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui quickly covered Zhang Cheng’s mouth: “Don’t speak such nonsense—you will become a cultivator.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng nodded firmly: “Yes, I will become a cultivator. When that day comes, I will marry you properly and openly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zihui’s cheeks flushed red as she muttered, “Don’t talk nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>",2400,"2026-06-20T12:43:33.559Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","77c6afc39f40e56cf7d8b182aa5b477bc8fcc44150500c488fc7777cf7868a95","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-93","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-91",109,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-cover.jpg"]