[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-worlds-apocalypse-online":3,"chapter-worlds-apocalypse-online-worlds-apocalypse-online-chapter-402":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Worlds' Apocalypse Online",{"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},1791148,2388,"Chapter 400 - Smell the roses","worlds-apocalypse-online-chapter-402",402,"\u003Cp>Chapter 400: Smell the roses\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The human realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Confederate capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Numerous black caskets filled the airspace above the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These caskets floated in the air like they were in water, pushing and forcing against each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they were all heading towards the outskirts of the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountaintop mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monarch Varona and the president were both sitting in the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Gu Qing Shan headed to Huang Quan, Impartial Goddess had contacted the two most influential leaders in the world following his request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fuxi Empire and the Freedom Confederate had agreed on and signed a treaty in record time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fight against the army of hell that’s already approaching, the machine armies of both countries has been given shared control by Impartial Goddess and Iron Shroud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Gu Qing Shan as if he was only asleep, Monarch Varona commented: “How miraculous, he really were able to go to Huang Quan”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The president on the other hand, seemed worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked the Martial Saint standing next to him: “How’s the situation outside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial Saint Zhang Zong Yang answered: “All four of the hells are quickly approaching this place, I’m guessing that Gu Qing Shan is currently doing something grand in Huang Quan”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter, Impartial Goddess said that there aren’t that many enemies coming here, as if the dead is being held back by something” Ye Fei Li spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impartial Goddess’ voice suddenly came: [Emergency report. A squad of Fiendkind are approaching the Confederate, the intercepting squad of Interstellar Warships have been destroyed]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zong Yang stood up: “I’ll go”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ying Hao looked at him and asked worriedly: “Old man, you sure? What realm are you at now that you’re so confident?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zong Yang disappeared from the room, leaving only two words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Golden Core”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ying Hao and Ye Fei Li exchanged looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible, just what kind of secret scripture did Gu Qing Shan give him, he doesn’t even have pills to use” Zhang Ying Hao was extremely puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, in a world where the cultivation is almost nil like this one, being able to reach Martial Saint on their own signify unimaginable talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zong Yang was already an unrivalled genius, his only shortcoming was that he has never heard or known of the mysterious power called spirit energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now that Gu Qing Shan had led him on the path, his strength is currently in the process of skyrocketing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zhang Zong Yang left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence was quickly broken again by Impartial Goddess’ voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Attention please, thousands of giants are currently moving in this direction from the desert]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Fei Li stood up, then sat down again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t, I have to stay here to watch him” Ye Fei Li mumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright then, I’ll do it” Zhang Ying Hao stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varona looked at Zhang Ying Hao and spoke: “Impartial Goddess, I give Zhang Ying Hao authorization to lead all Professionists of the Fuxi Empire”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Understood, Your Majesty] Impartial Goddess answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ying Hao froze and hesitantly spoke: “Monarch, this is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varona patted Zhang Ying Hao’s shoulder: “Go, you’re a good conductor ——the best one I know when it comes to killing”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ying Hao breathed in deeply and answered: “Understood, and thank you”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few moments later, Impartial Goddess’ voice came again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Warning!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The caskets above the capital’s sky have begun to speed up!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Estimated time of arrival is 17 minutes!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Situation report completed, requesting input from the supreme commander!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The president immediately: “Dispatch the police force to intercept, authorize them to fire at will, have the other sectors gather troops and prepare to reinforce them”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impartial Goddess instantly answered: [Roger!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The first, second and third SWAT teams have begun to move out!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she said so, the tables and chairs in the mountaintop mansion shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of a cannon barrage rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom —boom —boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bright flashes of light came through the window, lighting up the room inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Interstellar fleet as well as large-scale Mech army have both been dispatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital have already been evacuated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This metal has now turned into the main battlefield between humanity and hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Report, numerous monsters came out of the wooden caskets and are currently attacking our defensive positions!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[According to intelligence analysis, the optimal strategy will be to engage in close combat]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, dispatch the full Mobile Mech forces!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Roger!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Constant explosions and gunfire filled the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not too long after, Impartial Goddess reported again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The battle had entered a stalemate. The artillery fire had stopped. The No.1, No.2 and No.7 Mobile Mech squads have gathered 15km away from the battlefield, preparing to reinforce our numbers]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impartial Goddess, report the amount of casualties just now to me” the President ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Understood, sir]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A list of numbers appeared on the President’s Holo-Brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading through them, the President closed his eyes in pain and sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing Shan, can you really succeed?” he muttered\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell into dead silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door was suddenly kicked open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Fei Li’s expression changed, immediately jumping forward to protect Gu Qing Shan behind himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they heard an angry female voice shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Xue Er! Get out here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a burning fire, as soon as she stepped in the room temperature went up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? Anna! You’re back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Fei Li sighed from relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He retracted the blood glow around his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes, I did not stop, or dare to attempt to stop lady Anna] Impartial Goddess’ voice reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna quickly stormed into the room, leading a black dog behind herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She first saw Gu Qing Shan, then noticed the President and Monarch Varona.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aunty, why are you here? Where is Xu Xue Er?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she asked that, she noticed the atmosphere of the room wasn’t quite right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It feels heavy and sorrowful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she looked back at Gu Qing Shan to see him sitting there absolutely still with his eyes closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be ——-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna hurriedly went forward and grabbed Gu Qing Shan’s wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold, no pulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna’s face paled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tears couldn’t help but flowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping her tears away, endlessly black flames began to boil around her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her crimson red hair began to flutter without any wind, then started to turn jet black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air itself was shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flower vase by the window floated by itself, hovering in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who killed him! I will make sure that person doesn’t die in one piece!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna howled in absolute fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Calm down, he’s not dead” the black dog spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slowly walked over to Gu Qing Shan and sniffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm, that is indeed not the smell of death”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black dog was intrigued, circling around Gu Qing Shan once or twice: “He looks like he’s dead, but it’s actually his life force being fully retracted into his body, allowing his soul to sense Huang Quan”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How intricately done” the black dog praised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Fei Li stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying pair of skeletal wings sprouted from his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anna, you’re just in time. Please protect Gu Qing Shan’s body, I’m going to deal with the enemy”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jumping out the window, he jetted through the sky headed for the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna had calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the looks of it, Gu Qing Shan hasn’t died yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black flames on her body extinguished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her jet black hair fluttered down, returning to their original crimson red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hovering flower vase also dropped down but luckily it didn’t break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna looked at Monarch Varona and hurriedly asked: “Aunty, what exactly happened here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, why are all of you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, also! Where’s Xu Xue Er!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varona lightly rubbed her forehead, sighing: “Anna dear, you’re the head of the Medici clan, as well as the upcoming Empress of the Holy Empire, why can’t you act a little bit calmer”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varona then started to tell her of what happened recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna’s eyes lit up, then muttered to herself: “He actually fulfilled his promise to me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then began to unconsciously twirl the tip of her crimson red hair with her finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Promise? What promise?” Varona asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing” Anna’s face started to flush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire mansion shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna’s face changed, saying: “I’ll go take a look!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body moved and jumped out of the window, flying into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Fei Li had just crashed into the mountain, forming a small crater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because he crashed into it that the mountain shook just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a wide meadow not too far away, numerous towering giants were slowly moving towards this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re close, it’s here!” one of the giants roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the mountain, a cluster bloody light took to the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Fei Li spat out some blood and said: “Cheh, I was careless just now”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared as he turned into a streak of light, charging towards the group of giants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna looked at where the giants were heading, then at the wooden caskets floating here from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked down to see Gu Qing Shan was still sleeping in the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems these hellish creatures’ real target is Gu Qing Shan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gorgeous crimson hair fluttered as Anna begun to squint her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whisper came from the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the man I chose and you dare to think of harming him”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mysterious black rune appeared from Anna’s palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Death is Eternal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clenched her fist tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pillar of black flame that reached all the way to the sky appeared outside the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames then started to spread, covering up the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then even the clouds above were covered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain, then the whole Confederate capital was plunged into thick black darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A towering figure that eclipses the sky appeared in front of the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those caskets floating in the sky were below its gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towards the unimaginably large figure, Anna muttered: “O’ great Black Hound, they are your lunch today”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「 Let me see, hm, villainous souls of hell, very well-suited to my tastes 」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the figure’s voice was casual and calm, its voice rang far and trembled even space itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A body made completely from black flames that was several times larger than the skyscraper-like giants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god-like giant dog bared its fangs, observing its food for today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「 Little Anna, prepare today’s liquor 」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「 Then, I shall partake 」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black flames that eclipsed the sky began to slowly crashed down towards the meadow below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vast meadow was completely under its shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Professionists and Mobile Mechs were intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all the giants were swallowed by the flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the giants roared, trying to resist the black flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was useless, as the giant’s body was slowly but surely being burned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant gave up struggling and roared furiously: “Just wait until I wake up again ——–”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pitying voice came from the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「 Wake up? Pitiful ant, what awaits you is nothingness, but your soul will became part of my power 」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Dog deity’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames gathered again and reformed Black Hound’s figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「 You are ants, but your souls are still as delectable as ever… 」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Hound declared satisfyingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its eyes then peered towards the sky, where the wooden caskets float.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divinity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a Divinity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Run, if we get eaten by it we won’t be able to revive from slumber again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless frightened voices came from the floating caskets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They scrambled to run away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「 Still pathetically weak in the face of death 」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Black Hound spoke, its low voice rang across the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clouds of black flame escaped from its body, chasing after the scattered caskets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the mountaintop mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varona and the President stood in front of the window, silently watching this world-shattering sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think, sir?” the Monarch asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The world is already not the world from before” the President sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true, but what about the Freedom Confederate? Towards what path will you have your subjects go down?” she asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The President reached his hand out, the vase that fell down before silently stood up by itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rose came out from the vase and into his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What stage of Qi training?” the Monarch smiled and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“3rd stage, about to breakthrough to 4th”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smelling the rose, the President whispered: “From what I heard Gu Qing Shan said, as their cultivation increases, humanity will gain unimaginable power to go against any and all demons”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can understand that” the Monarch nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TN: the title comes from a line of the famous poem “In me, Past Present, Future”, particularly the phrase “In me the tiger smells the roses”. It implies that even a fierce tiger have moments where they’re soft, and humans should be able to cope with both fierce and mild methods.\u003C\u002Fp>",2159,"2026-06-09T03:05:01.244Z",1,"novelbin.me","e3a7dac15aec781d83076d2bec1471ea614acf094e0e8cf69d153a542b72156e","worlds-apocalypse-online-chapter-403","worlds-apocalypse-online-chapter-401",1850,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fworlds-apocalypse-online-cover.jpg"]