Starting as a Snake: Defying Heaven with Invincibility - Chapter 18 – Xiao Long’s Misguided Ideas

Lucas Graves was an ordinary young man from a futuristic world—until a tragic accident took his life. Now, he awakens as Xavier Alden, the son of a noble in an ancient era where cultivation reigns supreme. But Xavier was weak, betrayed, and left for dead. With no memories of Xavier's past life, Lucas must conceal his true identity while uncovering the truth behind his predecessor’s downfall.Determined to grow stronger, he begins practicing the forbidden Dual Cultivation Technique, a path long shunned for its overwhelming power and dangerous consequences. But to fully unlock its potential, he must conquer the world’s most extraordinary beauties, forging bonds that will elevate his strength to unimaginable heights.As shocking secrets unravel and war brews in the shadows, Lucas is thrust into the turmoil of a world on the brink of chaos. To survive, he must defy fate, master the lost art of cultivation, and carve his own destiny—before the past catches up with him.NB: The novel may start at a slower pace, allowing for deep world-building and character development, but I assure you, the story will become increasingly engaging as it unfolds.

The figure of the Armada seems to be still riding the wind and waves in the Atlantic Ocean, and the gold of South America still seems to flow in continuously. As Alfonso from the Bourbon family returns to the Royal Palace of Madrid where he was born, the story begins here…

- Description from novelbuddy

For as long as he could remember, life had always been cruel.A young man in his early twenties—his name now lost to the past—was dealt a life filled with misfortunes.A cold, empty apartment, a soul-crushing job, and, finally, a terminal diagnosis.With nothing left to live for, his only comfort had been escaping into the fictional world of Path of the Elemental Sage, a story of heroes, magic, and survival.But fate had other plans.When death finally came for him, he didn’t fade into nothingness.Instead, he awoke in the world he had only read about—a world of chaos and danger where death lurked around every corner.The air smelled of magic, the sky was filled with possibilities.{«[Status Window]»}[Name: Lyrium Blackwood][Age: 16][Rank: D-][Skills: None][Elements: None}At first, confusion filled his mind.Who was Lyrium Blackwood?Why was he here?And why did this body feel so different?But as his memories returned, so did the realization: this wasn’t some blessing or second chance.He wasn’t reincarnated as the protagonist.No destined savior.No cheat abilities.No grand fate.He was just another mob, a face in the crowd meant to exist and die without leaving a mark.But this young man—the one who had left his old name and life behind—wasn’t the kind of person to roll over and accept his fate.“This world is dangerous. The protagonist isn’t the only one fighting for survival here,”he muttered, his red eyes deep and sharp.Unlike the naïve characters in the story, he knew the stakes.He’d read the web novel.He’d seen the carnage, the betrayals, the disasters that wiped out entire cities.And if there was one thing he refused to be, it was a pawn in someone else’s game.“I don’t care about glory. I don’t care about saving the world. All I care about is surviving—no matter what it takes.”Lyrium Blackwood wasn’t planning to live quietly or avoid danger.The only way to survive in this brutal world was to rise to the top.To be strong enough to stand above both heroes and villains.Using his knowledge of the story’s events and his iron will, Lyrium sets out on a relentless path to surpass the protagonist.Whether through clever manipulation, brutal training, or sheer desperation, he’ll climb higher and higher, leaving nothing to chance.But the deeper he gets, the more he realizes that this isn’t just the story he once read.As fate pushes him closer to the heart of the narrative, Lyrium begins to suspect that his reincarnation wasn’t an accident—and the world itself might be watching him.“I don’t care who or what stands in my way. If the story wants to kill me, I’ll rewrite the ending myself.”----------------------------------I apologize for any mistakes in this story, as it’s my first attempt at writing a novel.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING ⚠️This story is targeted towards young adults and it contains Mature Content such as:- Vulgar Language- Graphic Depictions of Violence and Gore- Graphic Depictions of Sex and Nudity- Potentially Offensive Religious ThemesYou must be at least 18 years or older in order to read this story, and by reading it, you do so at your own risk. Reader's discretion is advised.