Bound To The Ice Dragon King - Chapter 14: Good at pretending

In a world transformed by spiritual energy, Kent, an underdog with an F-rank physique, gains the mysterious SSS-Rank Cultivation System. With the ability to copy and combine powers, he begins his journey to rise from the bottom.By his side is Nima, his sharp-witted younger sister with a rare Soulbinding ability, making her a prodigy. Together, they navigate a world filled with evolving beasts, ancient ruins, and hidden dangers.As they uncover the mysteries of the Emerald Vein and face powerful factions like Nexus, Kent must master his fire-based abilities to protect his sister and rise to power.Can they survive the chaos and claim their destiny? Find out in *Infinite Ascension: My SSS-Rank Cultivation System Made Me Too OP in Modern World!*WSA 2025 Contest.

Son of a bitch! I just finished this godawful fantasy novel, and now I'm knee-deep in it – as David, the disgraced son of the Solarian Empire's top general! Talk about some twisted cosmic joke. But hold on a damn minute... maybe this isn't all bad. Armed with the knowledge of that trashy plot, I can become the ultimate shadow player, an overlord perhaps. Screw the damsel-in-distress harem too – it's time to pull the strings and become the real power behind the throne. This isekai might be a steaming pile, but I'm rewriting the ending with a little more... Debauchery (wink wink).

“Look at him,” someone snickered from a few rows over. “Smells like he sleeps in a dumpster.”“Probably does,” another voice added, louder this time. Nox just stared at his textbook, the words blurring. He had heard it all before.Then, Mark, one of the main reasons his life was a living hell, swaggered past his desk. Mark always had a smirk on his face. “Oops,” he said, not even trying to sound accidental, as a full cup of bright orange juice tipped over, splashing all down the front of Nox's already ruined shirt. The cold liquid soaked through instantly. Laughter erupted around the room. It was loud, clear, and mocking. Nox slowly looked up. His eyes landed on Ms. Joy, who was watching the whole thing. She had seen Mark deliberately pour the juice on him. He raised his hand, a small, tired gesture. “Ms. Joy,” he said, his voice flat. “He just poured juice on me. Are you just going to ignore it? Again?.” Ms. Joy looked at him, then at Mark, who was now theatrically wiping his hands. A small smile played on her lips. Then she chuckled. Just a little airy laugh.“Oh, Nox, don't be so dramatic. Boys will be boys, right Mark?” Mark puffed out his chest. “Yeah, Ms. Joy. He's just sensitive.” The class laughed even harder at that. Ms. Joy joined in, her laughter ringing out with theirs. Hearing them all, hearing her laugh, something in him finally snapped. It wasn't a loud break, more like a quiet, final click. He realized it then, with a cold, hard clarity. No one was coming to save him. No teachers, no police, no parents he never had. No one cared. If he wanted this to stop, he would have to be the one to stop it. He was the only one who could.His face remained blank, but his mind was suddenly very clear. He reached down slowly, his hand going into his worn-out school bag. The laughter died down a little as a few students noticed his deliberate movement, a strange stillness about him. He pulled out a gun.The classroom went silent. Utterly, completely silent. Mark's smirk vanished, replaced by wide, terrified eyes. Even Ms. Joy stopped laughing, her face paling. “What… Nox, what are you doing?” she stammered, her voice suddenly shaky. He didn't answer. He looked around at their faces, one by one. Fear. He saw fear now. Good. He was ready. He was going to make them all pay. He was going to end it, all of it.Just as he was about to raise the gun properly, a bright blue screen appeared right in front of his face. It was translucent, and only he seemed to see it. [Congratulations! You have met the requirements!] [1st Player Chosen!] [You have won the System!]

[Mind Reading + Pet of the Group + Transmigration into a Book + System + Pretending to be Weak to Strike Powerful Enemies + Cannon Fodder’s Counterattack]

Xiao Chuchu transmigrated with a palace scheming system and foreknowledge about the future into the early-passing cannon fodder princess in the book.

Her Father Emperor would be poisoned to death, her Mother Consort forced to die in burial with Father Emperor, her elder brother and entire maternal family – loyal officials – would meet cruel fates!

The Xiao Dynasty would soon be destroyed under the new Emperor’s hand.

[Mother Consort ah, you did not fight or snatch, yet still incurred the jealousy of the Imperial Noble Consort, who issued an order for you to be buried alive with Father Emperor!] [Elder brother ah, accomplished in both civil and military affairs, yet still viewed with suspicion by the new Emperor after Father Emperor’s death, plotted against and killed at the border pass.] [Maternal grandfather ah, clean and honest your whole life yet still falsely charged by the new Emperor with six major crimes, your whole family exiled and killed!] [Father Emperor ah, you were poison-swapped and killed while concocting elixirs and seeking the Dao by the Imperial Consort. After your death, the new Emperor abolished old laws, killed hundreds of loyal officials, imprisoned top generals, borders lost, people struggling to survive! Our ancestors’ legacy destroyed in less than two years!]

As Xiao Chuchu suckled milk, her Father Emperor, Mother Consort, elder brother, and maternal grandfather were all dumbstruck.

[Oh no, it’s over.]

Xiao Chuchu lamented that she was but a baby, able to do nothing.

But very quickly she noticed something amiss –

Her Mother Consort, rising higher and higher in rank, Noble Lady, Concubine, Consort, Noble Consort…much favored among the six palaces.

Her elder brother, originally unrelated to the throne, was established as Crown Prince.

Her maternal grandfather’s family, quite valued and relied upon…

Her Emperor Father still hadn’t died!

On the contrary, the treacherous Empress, Consorts, and new Emperor met their ends prematurely…?

How could things turn out this way?

Xiao Chuchu didn’t understand.

Soon her Father unified six nations ahead of time, opened maritime prohibitions, started mutual markets, took the Silk Road…the Xiao Dynasty rose to great power!