Martial Universe - Ice Spirit Tribe Side Story 4

In the not-so-distant future, a group of Earthlings find themselves mysteriously transported to the Nexus Realm, a fantastical world besieged by monstrous creatures.With no way out of the craziness, they reluctantly joined forces with the realm's inhabitants to combat the constant threat of these otherworldly beasts.To defend the Nexus or Nexaria, powers were bestowed upon them with the promise of returning home after successfully repelling the monsters dangling before them like a carrot.Years passed, and the initial camaraderie between the heroes slowly began to crumble. Still, the Protagonist, Adrian Fenrir, with his power known as Analysis, played a crucial role in understanding the monsters' patterns and weaknesses. However, as the group became more adept at handling the threats, they grew increasingly independent and, perhaps, arrogant.One day, due to a series of mishaps, Adrian found himself surrounded by assassins. He tried his best to drive them off but failed and met a bitter end. It didn't take long for the assassins to do their work, and as per the contractor's request, they decided to dispose of Adrian's corpse by selling it to a mad scientist known for his experiments with creatures from the Nexaria.In need of a fresh subject for his latest project, the scientist transformed Adrian into a chimaera, a fusion of humans and monsters to be sold as a weapon for war.However, the scientist's plan backfired when Adrian, against all odds, regained consciousness within his chimaera body. Fueled by rage and the memories of his betrayal, Adrian seized control over his new body. Now reborn as a chimaera with the ability to absorb organs and gain the powers of other creatures, Adrian vows vengeance upon the mysterious contractor who sent the assassins for him.Once a battleground against monsters, the Nexaria now witnessed a different kind of conflict—one driven by betrayal, revenge, and the extraordinary powers of a vengeful chimaera.

# mastermind

Tang Wen was transmigrated to the Da Chu dynasty and became a deadbeat noble and the lord of an abandoned island.

Fortunately, he had the Landlord System and was able to return to the modern era. After making his first pot of gold, he returned to the dynasty to make even more money.

He built waterways, expanded farms to plant herbs, and raised tigers and red-crowned cranes.

“I have to build roads as well… I can keep coming back and forth between two different times to make money, but I need more people to work for me…”

“Come and work for me. I can provide food and shelter. I even have pills for you to get stronger and I can even help you find the love of your life. Become my slave.”

Just like that, millions of people started to work for Tang Wen.

“Sir, don’t you know? Almost 80% of Linghai County now belongs to Tang Wen.”

“My liege! Tang Wen has taken almost all of our land…”

As Tang Wen’s influence started to spread even further, he said, “I don’t know how big my land is. All I know is that I have a new title, the Landlord.”

Deep below the earth's surface, a mystifying subterranean seascape lurks, an archipelago bathed in inky blackness where suspense and horror hold court. Here lie strange islands and even stranger monsters, far beyond the realms of human imagination. In this domain, mankind is far from dominant; instead, madness and death rule supreme.

Pleading for mercy from the unknown creatures of the deep only leads to a slow, tortured existence. The trapped survivors gradually distort, losing what made them human, both physically and mentally, to the gloom as they remain trapped in this eternal obscurity. Their only hope? A perilous expedition into uncharted sea territories.

Fueled by determination, Charles embark on this daunting voyage aboard his steamship, aiming to reclaim humanity's past glory. Together with his crew, they sought a way out of this hidden sea world, a path back to the sunlit world above, where humans once stood tall.

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I read a few comments from Chinese readers that compared this novel with Lord of Mysteries because of similar elements: Lovecraftian, western fantasy, first industrial revolution, and steampunk. However, I have yet to finish reading Lord of Mysteries to do any actual comparison, but I do think those who have enjoyed that novel would enjoy this as well. Also, the author of LotM, Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, also did a shout-out for this novel, so I guess he approves of it too?

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She was the genius daughter of an Ancient Martial Family, shining brightly, and known as one of the fearsome “Dark Twins”. Due to her sister's betrayal, she and her partner both perished.She was Ajiu of Qifeng City, the so-called waste that everyone laughed at. Although she was a daughter of a cultivating family, she had no Phantom Power Source and couldn't cultivate Phantom Power. She was banished to a remote small town and eventually beaten to death by her cousin in a dilapidated courtyard.When the genius daughter, who gained the treasure of cultivation in the Endless Void, transmigrated into the body of the waste daughter, the gears of fate began to turn again. The waste would set foot on the path of cultivation! Contracting Divine Beasts, practicing Alchemy, refining artifacts, carrying on the legacy of ancient Divine Artifacts, seeking her kin, exterminating evil spirits, let's see how she stirs the heavens and earth!He was the most noble man between heaven and earth, of supreme status, with a bewitching appearance. Due to a game started out of boredom, he encountered her, and from then on, through heaven and earth, he would never leave her side!Snippet One:Dugu Qianye sat in the way she used to practice in her previous life, beginning to examine her current body. The blocked meridians, the weak energy channels, this body was truly terrible. As she continued downward, she arrived at the Dantian, “Eh? What is this?”What should have been an empty Dantian was floating with a... uh, an egg?“Why is it an egg? Could my body have turned into a hen? Does it have to be this fantastical!”“I am not an egg, you're the egg! Your whole family are eggs!” Just as Dugu Qianye was conflicted between the egg and the hen, a childish voice arose in her mind.“Eh? The egg can talk?” Dugu Qianye was astonished.“Damn it, I've already told you, I am not an egg!” the egg fumed.Snippet Two:Watching Dan Jingtian eating and exhaling from being burned at the same time, Dugu Qianye suddenly felt like teasing him. After thinking, she said, “I am a child from the mud pill family on Dot Street in Wuyou Town, next to Zixu City.”Dan Jingtian rubbed the back of his head and said, “Zixu City, Wuyou Town, why haven't I heard of any of them? Also, what’s a mud pill?”“Stupid!” Mo Ziqing tapped Dan Jingtian's head, “Remove the city and town and read it again.”“Zixu, Wuyou, Dot, Mud Pill, ugh, it's all nonsense to trick you! No way, brother, are you playing me?”Snippet Three:“Hey, that woman punched a hole in the sky.” Ci Hun appeared in front of Zi Xiao and said wickedly.“Oh?” Zi Xiao looked up at him indifferently and said, “Just a hole in the sky. Go, find someone to fix that hole.”“That woman also ripped a hole in that man’s pants, right on the butt.” Ci Hun continued.“What?” The man, who had been casual just a moment ago, jumped to his feet, his bewitching face filled with rage, “A hole in the butt? Dare to show his butt in front of my woman, come, let's go chop his butt off!”Ci Hun was speechless, saying, “That was done by the woman.”“Still, chop it off! Can't even protect his own butt, might as well chop it off.”Snippet Four:Dugu Qianye looked at the person tied up like a rice dumpling in front of her, stroked her chin, and said, “I've decided, I'm going to rob. Hand over everything valuable you have on you!”“I don't have any money” Mang Qianjun said indignantly, looking at Dugu Qianye.“What? No money? Then what's the point of keeping you around! Xiaohuo, light a fire,” Dugu Qianye said somberly.“Wait, wait, I haven't finished yet,” Mang Qianjun shouted, “I don't have money, but I have the entire Endless Hell. You can rob it!”