Chapter 1 Diary

On May 15th, torrential rain poured down from the sky, causing widespread disasters in many parts of China. The epidemic was on the verge of breaking out.

On May 23rd, a severe drought struck, with scorching sun and an average temperature of 43 degrees Celsius nationwide. Crops were extensively damaged, and countless livestock perished.

On May 26th, a sudden snowstorm hit, accompanied by biting cold winds and a drastic drop in temperature, particularly in the northern regions.

On May 27th, it was clear...

Chen Feng closed his notebook and looked out the window expressionlessly.

Today was the 27th, unlike the capricious and unpredictable weather of the past few days, today was remarkably calm and sunny, exuding a sense of post-disaster normalcy everywhere.

After all, in the past few days, the country had experienced large-scale disasters, impacting agriculture, animal husbandry, and human life.

No!

It wasn't just in China. Over the past few days, disasters had been occurring continuously worldwide—tsunamis, tornadoes, volcanoes, hurricanes. This planet, which nurtured billions of humans, seemed like a petulant child, revealing its demonic nature.

By conservative estimates, in just a few days, millions of people had died worldwide, and the number of missing persons was countless. This was an unforeseeable crisis, the largest upheaval in recorded history.

Fortunately, the day of upheaval had finally come to a peaceful end today, with clear skies and a sense of relief. The disasters that had troubled humanity had all disappeared in a single day.

In the face of nature, humanity, once arrogant and domineering, now cowered like frightened mice in their rooms, with no recourse other than to beg. Today, as the weather cleared, everyone emerged from their homes to savor this rare day.

The dead were gone, but the living still needed to carry on.

Looking out the window, Chen Feng watched the smiling faces on the street, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. However, this smile was tinged with loneliness, gloom, and resignation, lacking any sense of ease or contentment.

Only he knew best what would happen today. The so-called disasters were just appetizers. Humanity, the self-proclaimed most intelligent species on the planet, enjoyed trampling on all other life forms, even resorting to extermination for the sake of profit. Today, they would experience true terror.

In less than three hours, an energy storm would appear, causing widespread paralysis of electrical equipment. During this time, humanity would not only face loneliness and darkness but also—death.

The apocalypse was coming.

It would open up spatial rifts, bringing countless unprecedented monsters to this planet.

Ferocious insectoids, savage zombies, brutal dragons, voracious ogres, and some strange, unfamiliar life forms—suddenly, the entire planet became a vast slaughterhouse, and humanity became the prey of these predators.

That was not all.

Those who had died in the disasters and the bodies buried in the earth would rise again, dragging their tireless bodies forward, devouring all life they encountered.

Timid ants, cockroaches, and locusts, which could be crushed by a single foot, underwent mutations, their bodies expanding. Tiny mosquitoes could grow to the size of an adult's arm, and with a simple bloodsucking, humans would become lifeless husks.

Animals that had been confined by force, deprived of their freedom, and kept as pets in zoos, underwent atavism. Aged elephants' fur surged, their tusks sharpened. Snakes, whose venomous fangs had been removed, shed their skins and were reborn as ten-meter-long pythons. Bears and tigers, once subjected to human domination, mutated into beasts that could withstand bullets and shells with their flesh alone.

Overnight, the genetic chains of all species were reset, and humanity was no longer the master of this planet. In this new era, they had become cannon fodder and food.

For some, this was the worst of times. The world collapsed, the economy paralyzed. Perhaps the once-dominant tycoons and rulers had become nothing but refuse, mere prey for the "predators." The once lofty and invincible stars and socialites, without the support of their elders and backers, had become timid slaves.

For others, this was the best of times. With the genetic reset, it wasn't just insects and beasts that benefited. Some lucky individuals underwent mutations, gaining abilities such as invisibility, flight, fire control, water control, and even the ability to control beasts. Before the apocalypse, they were likely to be failed students, employees who had faced setbacks in their careers, or scavengers in the garbage dump.

Before the apocalypse, they were the lowest of the low, looked down upon with mocking eyes, discriminated against, and reviled. But with the arrival of the apocalypse, they transformed into "evolvers." Compared to ordinary people, they found it easier to obtain life and food. Even the goddesses who had only existed in their fantasies, whether in the virtual world or in their minds, had become their humble slaves.

In a single day, the rules of the world were completely reshuffled.

Some people were alive but living worse than dead.

Some people had died, but...

"What a strange experience," Chen Feng said, spreading his hands and looking at his unscarred arms, a ripple of emotion appearing in his eyes.

Rebirth?

Surviving the post-apocalyptic world for over a decade, even though he was also one of the lucky ones who had gained some special abilities, this dark era had still left him scarred.

The world had collapsed, and human hearts had scattered.

The age of technology has arrived, and humanity, bound by books and laws, has become civilized people dressed in fine clothes, adhering to filial piety, friendship, and love.

But when doomsday comes, the civilized facade is destroyed, and unrestrained humanity becomes less friendly and kind. Instead, in order to survive, spouses harm each other, and even family members turn against one another.

For a piece of moldy steamed bun, once loving couples are likely to turn against each other, and a self-defense weapon may lead to sibling rivalry. Selfishness, survival of the fittest, and the rule of the strong become the fundamentals of surviving in this world.

But Chen Feng realized this too late.

The process of becoming corrupted takes time. Even those shocking murderers and dictators were once adorable little human beings in their infancy.

In the early days of doomsday, although Chen Feng had the ability, his conscience was fading. He would rescue the weak and help refugees, but in the end, it was difficult to be a good person.

This is a world where people eat people.

After experiencing blame, betrayal, persecution, and severe injuries, Chen Feng finally understood the true essence of this world. But by then, it was too late.

Having missed too many opportunities and suffered too many injuries, even though he had gained insight, his strength had long since plateaued. His final fate was to be buried in the stone forest, devoured by savage insects and beasts.

But the world is unpredictable.

Who would have thought that he would be reborn, returning to the eve of the doomsday outbreak.

Feeling the chaotic memories in his mind, Chen Feng closed his eyes. In this new life, his greatest gain was not the so-called combat skills, insight into the weaknesses of insects and fierce beasts, or those so-called precious locations.

It was his understanding of this world.

Compared to others who needed to familiarize themselves with this new era, Chen Feng—

Corruption does not require a process.