A Villain's POV - Chapter 9: Jade

I was sixteen when the gods abandoned me.The Blessing Ritual was supposed to grant me power, a divine gift to carve my future. Instead, I received nothing. No abilities. No hope. Just another nameless soul left to rot in a world ruled by strength.Fine. If the gods wouldn’t bless me, I’d make my own power.For ten years, I clawed my way forward, experimenting with forces no human should touch. I pushed too far—and it killed me.Then I woke up.Sixteen again. Back at the Ritual. But this time, something changed.Time bends at my will. Blood moves when I command it.The gods still won’t acknowledge me, but it doesn’t matter. This world isn’t fair, and I’ve stopped playing by its rules. Faith and Chaos clash in my veins, and I will use them both.They wanted a Chosen Hero, someone to dance to their tune.Well, too bad for them—I’ll carve my own fate.

“Alas, this life is a failure; let’s see what the next life holds.” ... “The second life has ended, calculating results... Final rating: C+. Rewards based on rating: You may choose to inherit one item from Constitution, Skill, or Talent. Please select?” “Hmm, I choose to inherit the Talent ’Dynamic Vision’.” “Talent inherited... Congratulations on achieving the following lifetime achievements: Innate Grandmaster; Blessing of Many Offspring (10/10)” Achievement rewards: Two random rewards. You may draw from Constitution, Skill, or Talent, or choose to upgrade Talent level. Please select? ... A reborn individual, in possession of the treasure ’Hundred Lifetimes book’, reincarnates within the Cultivation World, undergoing endless cycles of rebirth without the bloodline ending or the soul perishing! The family he established ten thousand years ago has now grown into a massive entity that spans the heavens. The disciple taken in casually eight thousand years ago ultimately became the founder of a Great Sect in the Immortal Realm. The pet raised three thousand years ago has evolved into an unparalleled Demon Saint of the Otherworld. ... I am Zhao Sheng, and I shall cultivate life after life until Ascension!

Humanity’s home is no longer Earth. Intersellar travel is now a common occurence, and technology has replaced blood and flesh.Luka, who grew up in the slums, has turned fifteen and taken the selection exams. His aptitude is of the “Imperial Guard.”