MTL - Blackstone Code - Chapter 245 Self-discipline, weakness and past

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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Bai Xiao descended, lifting his head to not only see the bizarre and magnificent world but also the professional modifier he had downloaded before crossing over.“Drain all experience from my sub-occupations, 'Biological Mecha Master', 'Mystic Explorer', 'Special Hypnotist', transforming it into one million potential points, all enhancing my main occupation, 'Fighter'!”“I... have obtained the golden ultimate occupation, 'God of Martial Combat'!”The largest urban agglomeration in the world, a night of torrential rain.On the ground, countless Killing Ghosts and Fighters fought to the death, while hordes of metal Mechas and Biological Armors exploded and self-destructed. Blood and flame intertwined, plunging everything into primordial violence and chaos.Atop a high tower, Bai Xiao stood silently amidst the rainy darkness, like a stiff and terrifying statue. His crimson eyes looked down below, restrained yet bloody, cold yet hiding madness.He leaped down with his trench coat wildly dancing.The God of Martial Combat descended upon the final battleground!A cold voice echoed across the city skyline.“Next, I will kill everyone present! If you have the ability, try to stop me...”A modern city of extravagant luxury, an era of entertainment and consumption supreme.Beneath seventy years of peaceful façade, lied another mad and bloody Inner World.Fighters, masters of their martial traditions, and Killing Ghosts, controlled by combat modes, engaged in a frightful, relentless slaughter.Metal Mechas with terrifying energy and Biological Armors extracted from monstrous cells commenced a brutal struggle between old and new technologies.In this era infested with machinery and altered by external entities, to proclaim the power unique to humans might be an unimaginable romance...

[Beast Mastery][Summoning][Pets][Evolution][Development]Demon, Savage, Nether, Damnation, Mechanism, Soldier, Medicine, Abnormal, Witch, Immortal, Ferocious...This world is a world of monsters, filled with countless diverse “Fond Spirits”.But in this world, humans also wield the power of “occupation classes”. Once awakened, they can have Contract Imprints, allowing them to form contracts with the monsters, creating entirely new bonds.[For Instance]♦F-level Occupation Class “Manicurist”- helps the Fond Spirits trim their claws, making them beautiful, or sharper.♦E-level Occupation Class “Hunter”- marks and chases, closely collaborating with the Fond Spirits, the most classic hunting occupation class.♦C-level Occupation Class “Puppeteer”- manipulates Fond Spirits at crucial moments, making their strikes more precise and powerful.♦B-level Occupation Class “Midwife”- assists pregnant Fond Spirits with health checkups, giving random blessing effects to the newborns.♦B-level Occupation Class “Mechanic”- under the right conditions, modifies the Fond Spirits, turning them into semi-mechanical beings.♦A-level Occupation Class “Dragon Knight”- rides dragon-type Fond Spirits into battle. Man and dragon unite, becoming invincible.♦S-level Occupation Class “Arch Warlock”- intensifies the elemental properties of Contracted Fond Spirits and seals their skills in advance to execute forbidden spells for the second time....♦C-level Occupation Class “Fitness Trainer”...♦D-level Occupation Class “Flame Thief”...♦A-level Occupation Class “Mysterious Merchant”...♦B-level Occupation Class “Gourmet”...♦Special Occupation Class “Brave”......(I already have a completed work of 3 million characters titled “Master of Pets”. “The Rising of the Fond Spirits” is my second work, a Beast Mastery tale with entirely original settings, you're welcome to try it out!)

When we met for the first time in our first year of high school, he saw my contempt, but silently continued to clean;