A quaint gate plaque.
On it, a single character was clearly engraved.
Chen!
This character "Chen" was evidently written by a master, exuding an indescribable aura.
The Ancient Martial Arts Chen Family.
In Dragon Country, they were considered a second-tier Ancient Martial Arts family. Only those with a grandmaster-level expert could ascend to the ranks of the first-tier families.
Chen Hao, once a prodigy, made a name for himself at a young age. He reached the Dark Force stage at the age of 9 and attained the mid-level Dark Force by 11, earning the Chen Family's boundless expectations.
"Our Chen Hao has the potential to become a grandmaster!"
But fate played a cruel trick. Chen Hao's cultivation stagnated, and the once-revered genius fell from grace, becoming a mere shadow of his former self.
Instead, his younger sister rose to prominence, replacing him as the family's shining star.
"This Chen Hao, he's getting worse and worse? How come every time he goes out... he keeps causing trouble?"
A bearded old man grumbled angrily.
"Ha... I heard he got into a fight with some street thugs? A disciple of an Ancient Martial Arts family, mingling with hooligans in the secular world? It's utterly ridiculous!"
"Not just that! After entering the secular world, Chen Hao even took a job as a security guard? A Dark Force practitioner working as a guard? It's laughable!"
Clearly, many within the Chen Family were dissatisfied with Chen Hao. If he weren't the son of the previous family head, given his recent behavior... he would have been beaten to death long ago!
Now, the family head had entered seclusion in an attempt to break through to the grandmaster level, and it was uncertain whether he would even survive the ordeal.
Just as the murmurs continued, a young woman in white training attire stepped forward.
Tall and slender, with a neat ponytail and a frosty expression, she was the epitome of a cold beauty.
Chen Ningshuang!
Chen Hao's younger sister, a prodigy who reached the Transform Force stage at the age of 18. Her position within the Ancient Martial Arts Chen Family was unshakable.
"Uncle, do you think our family's lineage is weakening? Is that why you're plotting to take over?"
Chen Ningshuang carried a Tai Chi sword on her back, her presence blending seamlessly with her surroundings.
The Chen Family had no shortage of Transform Force experts—there were at least five or six—but Chen Ningshuang, even at the early Transform Force stage, demanded their respect.
Moreover, she was only 18 years old. Barring any unforeseen accidents like Chen Hao's, she was certain to become a grandmaster within a decade!
If Chen Ningshuang were a man, they wouldn't dare entertain such thoughts.
But she was a woman, and the position of family head could never be held by a woman.
"Ningshuang, Chen Hao is no longer the prodigy he once was. Moreover, the old family head is plagued by hidden injuries, and his chances of breaking through to the grandmaster level are less than 20%. It's time to make a decision regarding the family headship."
Chen Daoguan, one of the Chen Family's key figures, stood his ground, meeting Chen Ningshuang's gaze head-on.
A bead of sweat formed on Chen Daoguan's forehead. He was also at the early Transform Force stage, yet facing this 18-year-old girl, he felt a sense of fear.
Had Chen Ningshuang's strength improved again?
In the end, Chen Ningshuang reined in her aura and turned to leave.
"Please bear with my brother a little longer, Uncle. I believe he... will make a triumphant return."
The young woman lowered her gaze, the weight of her responsibilities pressing heavily on her. Unless she broke through to the advanced Transform Force stage and became a grandmaster immediately, she could only buy time...
"Brother... I believe in you!"
She remembered the days when her brother was still a prodigy, full of vigor and ambition. But now, he had become a shadow of his former self.
Yet, she still believed... that her brother would not remain in obscurity forever. One day, he would rise again.
"Brother, once I reach the mid-level Transform Force stage, I will come to the secular world to help you."
A gentle breeze swept by, lifting strands of her hair as a leaf fluttered before her.
With two slender, jade-like fingers, she plucked the leaf from the air and flicked it with a sharp motion.
"Whoosh!"
The leaf shot toward a tree trunk over ten meters away. Despite its softness, it pierced straight through the thick trunk, leaving a chilling aura in its wake.
......
After being released from the police station, Chen Hao was fired from Shilan School.
Shilan School couldn't employ someone with a criminal record as a security guard.
And so... Chen Hao found himself unemployed once again.
"That damn Jiang Che, I swear I'll kill you one day!"
Chen Hao blamed all his misfortunes on Jiang Che.
And truth be told, he wasn't entirely wrong.
"Qin Qiaoqiao... once I reach the Transform Force stage and regain control of the Chen Family, I will come back for you."
Chen Hao clenched his fists tightly.
Just then, he noticed a job advertisement.
["Overseas company 'LingChe Group' is returning to Dragon Country and establishing a branch in Hangcheng. We are currently hiring temporary security guards..."]
Security guard?
Chen Hao's eyes locked onto the keyword, as if an unseen force was compelling him.
Security guard! He had to become a security guard!
If he couldn't work as a school guard, then joining a multinational corporation as a security guard would do just fine!
......
In the hospital.
Lin Yu, Chen Hao's companion in misfortune, was also going through a tough time.
He had completely lost contact with his "little brother."
"Why? I'm a descendant of the Ghost Doctor! Why can't even my Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles work?"
He had tried many methods, but it seemed he was truly... impotent.
"Mr. Lin, your epididymis is also atrophying. It's possible that in the near future, you will no longer produce sperm. We recommend that you visit a sperm bank to preserve your sperm. It only costs a few thousand dollars per year."
"The preservation process is very effective. Your sperm can remain viable for at least seven or eight years."
The doctor's words were another heavy blow to Lin Yu.
Not only was he impotent... he was also facing the risk of infertility!
Are you kidding me?
He was supposed to build a harem! He was supposed to marry a wealthy heiress!
He was a master who had descended from the mountains to play the field, and in just over two months, he had become a eunuch? Infertile?
"No way! Why isn't my acupuncture working?"
"My master deceived me! He said the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles could cure any ailment!"
The doctor sighed as he watched Lin Yu's despair. The young man was clearly delusional.
"Mr. Lin, your reproductive system's functionality has completely deteriorated. Neither traditional Chinese medicine nor Western medicine can help you now. You need to come to terms with this."
"Why don't you come to terms with it? I'm only 20 years old!!!"
Lin Yu was on the verge of a mental breakdown. He was only 20! All he wanted was to flirt with girls—what was so wrong about that?
"Mr. Lin, please calm down. You can still visit a sperm bank... If your other epididymis atrophies, it will be too late."
Lin Yu fell silent. Despite his anger, he knew he had to seriously consider this option.
"Fine!"
ial death, also known as "shè sǐ" in Chinese, generally refers to... well, never mind, it's not important. My name is Ye Cheng, and I'm about to experience social death firsthand. ... 【Host, your mission is to confess your love to the young lady of the Dongfang family, the current student council president, in a way that will be unforgettable for everyone at the freshman ceremony!】 【Host, assist the girl with a sprained ankle in front of you to reach the infirmary, and fulfill the wicked thoughts in your heart!】 【Host, act on your desires and punish the arrogant young lady before you mercilessly!】 【Host, follow your instincts—abandon shameful surrender, begging, or groveling, and ruthlessly criticize the domineering, ill-mannered young lady in front of you!】 【Host...】 Ye Cheng: "Here, here, you take this host role—I quit!" Wait, why is the girl with a sprained ankle the daughter of a mafia boss? And what kind of punishment method is this for the arrogant young lady? Also, who the heck said anything about wicked thoughts in my heart? Come out here, let’s settle this one-on-one!!! ... The haughty student council president, the scheming mafia princess, the fragile yandere young lady, the airheaded maid-in-waiting, the mixed-blood loli/...
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
Resolve] Gu Yang was once a true disciple of the Falling Cloud Sect, but after failing to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, his cultivation regressed, his foundation was damaged, his lifespan was nearing its end, and he was about to be demoted to a menial servant. At his moment of despair, he awakened the [Daily Intelligence System]. By refreshing it daily, he could learn about countless hidden opportunities and secrets within the cultivation world! [Today's intelligence has been refreshed] [White Intelligence: One month ago, the Foundation Establishment spiritual item "Profound Ice Spirit Marrow" used by the host to attempt his breakthrough contained a trace of the poison "Bone-Corrobing Spirit-Dissolving Powder".] [Purple Intelligence: Tonight during the Yin hour (3-5 AM), a wisp of "Golden Crow Primordial Flame" will overflow... If this flame is devoured, it can recast the shattered cultivation foundation, fully restore cultivation, and awaken the one-in-ten-thousand—Primordial Supreme Yang Body. [Click to view coordinates]] [Golden Intelligence: Shen Qingyue, a Golden Core elder of the Falling Cloud Sect who possesses the Nine Yin Body, suffers from backlash of cold energy every full moon night, causing her strength to plummet and excruciating pain. Grand Elder Zhao Wuji has secretly bribed Shen Qingyue's personal maid, Hongxiu, and learned the rear gate array node of the protective formation "Clouds and Mist Veiling the Sun Array". Tomorrow late at night, he intends to take advantage of Shen Qingyue's flare-up of the cold poison, when she is weak and unable to resist, to use a secret technique to refine her into a cauldron and force her into a Daoist partnership. [Click to view coordinates]] The cultivation world is a jungle where the strong prey on the weak, and human hearts are as treacherous as ghosts? Sorry, but I can read the script! From then on, relying on his informational advantage, Gu Yang proceeded step by step with careful planning. Seizing opportunities, plundering fortunes. Selling intelligence. Playing rivals against each other. Step by step, he ultimately became the Immortal Emperor!
