Crown of Thorns - Chapter 3

As part of the imperial family, every move by Chu Yuan in this game of chess is made with apprehension, fearing that with a moment of inattentiveness, the whole match will be lost in a single move.

Ascending to the throne at eighteen, not half a year passes before civil strife erupts in Yun Nan. Though the thoughts of the old guard at the imperial court are not exactly identical, they are all waiting to see how the new emperor will put an end to this.

Unexpectedly, before this side could make a move, a few thousand miles away, the King of Xi Nan, Duan Bai Yue, had already personally commanded troops to attack in all directions; not half a year had passed when peace was restored.

Sparse moonlight shines into the palace; Chu Yuan stamped the wax seal himself, and had a secret letter sent urgently to Yun Nan 800 miles away — this time, what must we(1) give in exchange?

Brush marks passed through the back of the paper; it almost can be seen, when writing this line, how angry the young emperor was.

Duan Bai Yue spread out a piece of paper unhurriedly, replying with only one word.

You.

Notes:
(1): Chu Yuan is using the royal ‘we’ here.

- Description from Novelupdates

One day, Luo Jian woke up from his sleep and found himself in a locked chamber where the door and window were all sealed. A note with a few lines written on it was tacked to the wall: “Escape from this room within an hour, otherwise, you will die.”

[Short Story] [Food Writing] [Sweet Little Cake] One day Ding Sha got transmigrated into a book, with a baby of unknown parentage in her belly.

Upon closer look, the baby turned out to be the male lead from a previous angsty novel she read.

A poor little thing unloved by his parents.

So impoverished that her stomach rumbled, but armed with superb cooking skills, she transformed herself from Ding Sha into the boxed lunch beauty at the construction site.

Kung pao chicken, garlic baby bok choy, spicy pork belly, tossed noodles – she cooked up a storm.

Before the construction workers could feel the stirrings of spring in their hearts, the baby’s father suddenly appeared.

Jun, carrying a travel bag stuffed full of cash, squatted outside the door gazing longingly at Ding Sha’s slightly bulging belly.

“Wife…I’m back…”

A 1v1 sweet doting story without abuse, a light and fluffy little sweet cake, safe for consumption.

[Chapters lock after 50,000+ words]Born into unimaginable wealth, Aiden Arclight was the heir of the most powerful clan on the Revonia Continent— Owners of an SS-Rank Mana Vein.The Arclight doctrine was absolute:Power builds legacy, Wealth sustains legacy, Family is optional.But Aiden never fit.Where others plotted, he showed mercy.Where others chased power, he chose compassion.To the Arclights, that made him worthless. Everything shattered during the Origin Awakening Ceremony.Before the entire clan, Aiden awakened the lowest result in history:(F-Rank Unique Ability and Origin Heart detected)(Minor Null Field)Causes minor disturbance in skill activation and mana flow.Laughter followed, then contempt, then silence.When Aiden needed them most, not a single family member stepped forward.By nightfall, he was cast out—stripped of his name, inheritance, and home. The golden heir became a homeless exile in one day.Yet even at rock bottom, Aiden refused to break.And when the world turned its back on him…something else answered.[Compatible host found][Origin Gacha System initializing…][Minimum Reward Guaranteed: S-Rank]A system that grants Bloodlines, Physiques, Skills, Treasures, and Summons—and more.From exile to emperor.From “trash” to a being feared by mortals and gods alike.Aiden will rise, he will build an empire that spans continents, worlds, and divine planes.But as power piles upon power… will Aiden remain himself—or become the very thing he once despised?Upload schedule – 1-2 Chapter/dayMilestone (Monday to Monday)50 Powerstones – 1 Bonus Chapter100 Powerstones – 3 Bonus ChapterWhat to expect —1. MultipleRaces (Elves, Demons, Beast-Folk, etc)2. Average paced3. MC will have romantic interest (2-4) all plot based4. Overpowered MC