Zither Emperor - Volume 1 Chapter 6.3

The world is a place full of mystery, and many ordinary people live their entire lives without ever glimpsing even one percent of its truth.The fate of one family was destined to be average until one rainy night, when a family member arrived at the newly married couple's door with a child born out of wedlock.Terra was about to undergo an upheaval because... the strongest was born!---------------------This is the story of Kaizer Lunin, a young man born with a special ability that causes him to suffer from mild antisocial personality disorder.A brush with life and death awakens this power fully, turning him into one of the strongest Espers in the world!However, this also thrusts him into the hidden parts of the world, where secret societies, powerful factions, and the government clash in their bid to claim the empty title of 'strongest Esper'—a void left by a certain someone.And maybe, if he doesn’t die prematurely, Kaizer has a shot at that title himself!

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.

=========================================

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?

……………………………………………………………

Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

"There is a thin line between poison and medicine, and I shall make you dance on it!"

This book is also known as ’Because I Spoiled My Wife Too Much, I Was Forced to Become an Invincible Antagonist.’ Gu Lan transcended into a fantasy novel as a supporting scholar. He even gained a beautiful and delicate wife. He had initially planned to live quietly, avoiding all kinds of trouble based on the original plot, and spending his life peacefully with his beloved wife. But he happened to acquire the ’Read and Copy Books System’! As long as he read and copied books, he could extract cultivation, becoming a saint and even a deity! Due to being overly invincible, Gu Lan casually crushed major antagonists when he ventured outside. Sons and daughters of fortune were eager to acknowledge him! As his strength skyrocketed, his career went surprisingly smoothly as well. One day, Gu Lan, the top scholar from the high school examination, entered the palace and saw a stunning empress behind the curtain, who looked very familiar! “Babe?” “Darling, don’t you not recognize me when I put on the dragon robe?” “...” From that day on, the whole world knew about this extraordinary couple. The original male protagonist: “He’s already a Heavenly Emperor, and I’m just at the third stage of martial power. How am I going to compete?”