MTL - The Stepmother is Unkind - Chapter 54

Shi Yuhan is the most heartless and evil human Song Qinghuan has ever met. He's arrogant, sharp-tongued, ruthless, and heartless towards her. Yet, he asks (read threaten) her to marry him and she has no choice but to agree. She needs to get into the Era Group to investigate her elder brother's whereabouts.Will her sacrifice be worth it? Will she be able to find the truth of her elder brother's disappearance? Will Shi Yuhan continue tormenting her? What's his motive?

In a world where power defines worth and survival is a privilege earned through strength, Ronan was just another broken soul—bullied, beaten, and forgotten.Until he snapped.[System Activated][You have acquired an S-Class Ability: Starflame][Extreme rage and deep-seated hatred detected][You have obtained the unique skill: Devil’s Covenant]Once a victim, Ronan begins to rise—with a system by his side that grants him power through every action.When he cooks:[Skill Acquired: Home Cook]When he reads:[Skill Acquired: Speed Reading]When he fights:[Skill Acquired: Vital Strike]And these skills?They evolve.[Skill Devil's Covenant has upgraded into Devil's Divine Judgement][Skill Speed Reading has upgraded into Hyper Comprehension][Skill Energy Slash has upgraded into Demonic Slash]Every moment, every breath, every choice brings him closer to power.A hero, or a villain?He stands among them.

A hundred years ago, Chen Qingyuan entered a forbidden zone called Sky Abyss, where his soul lamp extinguished, and everyone believed he had died. Today, although Chen Qingyuan has emerged alive from the forbidden zone, his cultivation has been completely crippled, and his spiritual roots are shattered. Faced with the remorse of lost love and the oppression of various sects, how should Chen Qingyuan proceed?“Chen Qingyuan, I'll give you two choices: one, marry me; two...”Inside Sky Abyss, there lives a girl in a red dress, with eyes like stars and a gentle voice.“I choose the second option.”Before the girl in the red dress could finish speaking, Chen Qingyuan decisively made his choice.(Main character with a dark belly + no system + humor + traditional fantasy + weak synopsis)

Immortal arts, magic weapons, magical powers*, and the boundless spiritual Qi between heaven and earth vanished into obscurity overnight, and all the exorcists became mere mortals.

300 years later, the Five Barbarians traversed the pass, a prelude to an era of great turmoil in China. They heralded the end of the world, where thousands of drought fiends stalked the night and the collapse of the Divine Land** was imminent.

Fortunately, within this long, dark night*** where silence had fallen on all magic, a lone star still glistened brightly on the horizon.

The Heart Lamp appeared, illuminating the vast expanse around it. A 16-year-old young man, who will end his life on his 20th birthday, embarked on a journey of reclaiming the spiritual Qi of the heavens and earth that had been sealed away — only four years remain.

The road ahead was filled with countless thistles and thorns, and it seemed improbable for him to succeed.

Chen Xing, “The important thing is that I’m the last exorcist in this world, yet the only magic I am capable of is emitting light. What can I do?”

Wait patiently then. When the Dinghai pearl reappears on earth, the uncertain trajectory of everyone’s fates will be completely disrupted before converging once more.

Chen Xing, “Could I be partnered with a more normal Protector martial god?”

Isn’t your Protector really skilled in fighting?

Chen Xing, “He is good at fighting, but when he loses it he’ll hit even me……”

There’s nothing that can be done about that, you can only blame yourself for losing yourself to lust.

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*: Buddhist term: Abhijñā, a mysterious force that surpasses the limits of mortals gained through meditation

**: old name for China

***: figurative meaning: long period of misery and oppression

- Description from Novelupdates