MTL - The Twelve Zodiac Guardian Gods - Chapter 325 9 Yunbawanglong (below)

A young orphaned boy named Mu Yi is saved by an old travelling Taoist Priest. They travel the world ‘scamming’ people by ‘exorcising ghosts’ and ‘slaying demons’, that is until the old Taoist Priest dies and Mu Yi is forced to realise that all is not as it seems. He was told stories of armies of ghosts, hordes of zombies, horrifying demons, and worst of all, the cultivators who controlled them.

Mu Yi takes his first steps towards rising to the top of this dark and cruel new world.

- Description from Novelupdates

In a world where strength determines one’s future, William, an orphan with no extraordinary talents, faces a grim destiny—until a brutal attack leaves him clinging to life. Instead of death, he awakens to a mysterious and powerful entity lurking within his mind: the Shadow System, a game-like interface that promises him unimaginable power. But this power comes with dark secrets, and refusing it would mean his death. Forced into a pact with a voice that can hear his every thought, William must navigate a dangerous new reality where shadow abilities and celestial power collide. As he enters the prestigious military academy, his newfound abilities draw both allies and enemies, all while a deadly conspiracy brews in the shadows. With the odds stacked against him, William must unravel the mystery of the Shadow System and decide whether to embrace the darkness within—or be consumed by it. His journey from a bullied outcast to a potential god will challenge not just his survival, but his very humanity. Power always comes at a cost—will William be able to pay the price? “What am I?” William asked the system. The system’s voice echoed in his head, cold and indifferent. “You are nothing.”

“Doctor, there seems to be something wrong with my mood.”

“There is a clown in the West Side Circus, he can make everyone laugh, I think he can help you.”

“But, doctor… I’m the clown.”

“…”

This is a fantasy world after the cataclysm, where countless underground cities left over from ancient times are buried under the misty land.

There are traps, monsters, and different-dimensional spaces in the dungeon, as well as taboos of ancient gods and legends of countless treasures left over from the past.

Calamity, steam, curse patterns, ancient relics, playing card sequences with extraordinary magic power.

Remnants of the Old World, Relic Asylum, Poker Brothers, Coven, Fire Pirates, Walls of the World…

In the shadowy corners of the world, a treasure hunter wearing a clown mask walks alone in the dark.

He is Joker Ji Xun, the King of Disaster Cards!

PS. For those who are short of books, you can read the 300W+ Wanding old book “Mechanical Alchemist”.

- Description from novelbuddy

“Your Highness, there’s something I’d really like for my birthday.”

“What is it?”

“Will you promise to listen?”

Then the man blatantly laughed.

But who would point out his arrogance – a young Northern Duke who’s not even afraid of the Emperor? He could even get a throne if he wished for it.

But it was just a sweet lover’s birthday wish.

“Alright. I swear.”

So, Juliet spoke lightly,

“Please break up with me. I don’t love you anymore.”

A fiance just for show. A succession of meaningless nights.

Now is the time to end seven years of unrequited love.