Longevity by Grinding Skills - Chapter 39: Losing Sleep and Appetite

Bad news: Xu Yanmiao traveled back to ancient times, but he himself is lazy and uninterested in anything but internet cybersecurity, which is useless in ancient times.Good news: He’s bound to a system.Bad news: The system is called the Gossip System, not the fortune-telling kind, but the kind that contains other people’s private information and scandals. Utterly useless.More bad news: This system is also glitchy, and the extent of the bugs is unknown.Even more bad news: This body is that of a minor official who can attend court meetings, while Xu, the time traveler… doesn’t understand the classics, can’t write with a brush, and is at risk of being exposed for cheating in the imperial exams.Xu Yanmiao: “…”Forget it, just lie low, wait to die, maybe dying quickly could lead to another time travel.…In the court, the emperor was furious about state affairs, and the courtiers trembled in fear.Xu Yanmiao pretended to listen attentively but was actually focused on browsing the Gossip System.[Wow, the emperor just took in a 16-year-old noblewoman yesterday! A beautiful addition! He’s getting stronger with age! And he was tossing and turning in bed all night but still has such a powerful voice now! Amazing!] [This noblewoman used to be the crown prince’s concubine! And the crown prince even knows how to write passionate love letters!] [Wow wow wow! The crown prince sneaked into the grandpa’s harem… hiss—got intimate while the old emperor was attending court! Do it quickly! Why isn’t there any video…] [Huh? Why is there no sound?]Xu Yanmiao cautiously raised his head and glanced around.[What happened? Why is everyone kneeling? Where’s the emperor?]—The emperor went to catch adultery in the harem.The “imperial exam cheating” bomb finally exploded.Xu Yanmiao couldn’t explain why his handwriting on the exam paper didn’t match his usual handwriting, nor could he answer why he didn’t understand the classics.The evidence prepared by the ousted crown prince of the emperor hit the nail on the head, and his personal bodyguard was ready to drag Xu Yanmiao away to the prison, awaiting execution in the autumn.Xu Yanmiao held onto the gossip that proved his innocence but was in a quandary:How do I explain the source of my information…[Say that I secretly met with the Chief Examiner, the Minister of Rites, three nights before the exam? Impossible, that night, the Minister of Rites was dressed as a woman, spent the night at the General’s Mansion, with the general…]The general’s body shook, and he interjected: “Your Majesty!!!!”“Although the evidence of exam cheating is solid, I believe there’s still something fishy about this. It should be re-investigated! Especially Xu… Xu… Xu Yanmiao’s attire is neat and tidy! Someone who cares so much about their appearance, how could they tarnish their reputation!”The crown prince, who couldn’t hear his thoughts: ??[Also, what’s with saying that the examiner faking yawning and tiredness was intentionally leaving me a gap for cheating? He spent the night before the exam in the pigsty without sleeping, how could he not be tired the next day? But, surprisingly, the Imperial Academy lecturer actually believed in pig’s milk…]The Imperial Academy lecturer’s face went pale, and he burst out: “Your Majesty!!!!”“I… I agree with the General’s words! How could Xu Lang cheat in the exam! He… he… he deliberately drank a glass of pure water before the exam, believing that only good-hearted people can use pure things, such a kind-hearted person, how could he cheat in the exam!”Thinking he had everything under control, the crown prince: ??Xu Yanmiao was deeply moved.[They’re all good people, even if their brains don’t work well, they’re trying their best to find reasons and excuses for me.] [But I really have no way to turn the tables, alas, it’s a pity that I haven’t finished watching the TV series I’ve been following. The old emperor angered the empress last night and got kicked out of the bedchamber, and now I’m going to die before seeing the ending. He seems to be planning to paint his face with ink and pretend to be a cat to cheer up the empress…]“Bang—”The old emperor slammed the table, forcibly interrupting the continuous stream of thoughts: “I believe Xu Yanmiao did not cheat in the exam! Release him, innocent!”The civil and military officials couldn’t wait to echo, fearing that if they were too slow, Xu Yanmiao might spill more gossip.“Yes yes yes! Release him innocent!”“Long live Your Majesty!”“Your Majesty, please end the court session! Let Xu Lang go home and rest! You’ve tired him out by making him stand for so long!”The crown prince: ??Did Xu Yanmiao drug them with hallucinogens or something?

When Skye Moonstone’s wedding is interrupted by her former, supposedly deceased betrothed: her life becomes a series of complications, mystery, and excitement.

Knowing only of the boy that he used to be, Skye finds herself drawn to the man that Prince Tidas has become. Intelligent, strong, and charismatic; he had decided long ago to do whatever it takes to protect the love of his life. No matter the risk to his body or soul..

Throughout her many trials, Skye will learn that her home, family, and even personal history are all stories meant to keep her safe. That her true purpose is not just to save her love, but her entire world. The fates of both Humans and Fae alike will rest upon her shoulders..

Intrigue, legends, and her place in it all will lead Skye down a path that she knows she may not come back from. But to save the lives of her loved ones, she’ll risk her very existence..

Whatever it takes to save them.

Magic, Fae, War, Fate; they all reside within this epic love tale of fantasy. All can be found within the Dawning Skye.. One simply needs to look.

“Dragons rule the skies, the land, and the seas... humanity survives in the cracks, dreaming of a comeback.”_______Power comes from the beast you tame in this world, and you need to do it at the tender age of ten.Wolves, hawks, snakes, spiders, the stronger your summon, the brighter your future.Too bad for our protagonist.When everyone else summoned salamanders, eagles, or tigers, he got… Well, let’s just say the only thing lower on the food chain is dirt.Laughed at, bullied, and living as the butt of every joke, he’s not exactly winning. But giving up isn’t an option, his aging parents sold everything for his chance, and he won’t let it be for nothing.But hey, this is his story. The weakest beast tamer?Here’s the thing about being at the bottom: it teaches you how to climb. And dragons? The apex predators? Turns out they start small too, so...He’s going to tame everything, every evolutionary line.How?Turns out, his summon isn’t useless after all.Step one: survive long enough to unlock his gift.Step two: tame creatures nobody else dares to touch.Step three: become the strongest tamer the world has ever seen and laugh in the face of those who doubted him.As kingdoms crumble under greed and external threats, the weakest tamer begins his rise.Because in this world, strength isn’t just about the creature you summon; it’s about the bond you forge, the risks you take, and the will to rise when the world drags you down.Follow his path as he unlocks a potential so rare, so terrifying, it leads to dragons… Even better, every evolutionary line leads to the strongest ‘SSS Dragons’._______Warning: Contains world-ending dragons, questionable life choices, ridicule-fueled underdog revenge, dragon-scaled protagonist, morally questionable nobles, insane creature evolutions, over-the-top power fantasy, and enough twists to make you wonder if weakest really means luckiest.A MC who’s out to prove everyone wrong… even if it kills him.Spoiler alert: It won’t.For those who love an underdog, an over-the-top power fantasy, and a whole lot of fun, this one’s for you.If you’re looking for a more serious or a bit grim-dark story, look somewhere else (Maybe Utopian System (;)This one’s about having fun, taming dragons and expectations._______If you want to know more about the cover:Yep, that's Luna lounging like it's a casual afternoon… on two dragons, no less.The white side looks regal, the dark side (dark blue one) radiates menace, and Luna? She’s caught somewhere in between, with her skin and clothes morphing into shimmering scales from their power.Oh, and don’t miss the tiny horns.It’s not just fashion; it’s fusion. High-level beasts tend to leave their mark, and Luna wears it like a boss. Sitting on dragons, half-transformed, and pulling off the ultimate power move.If they can put one dragon in their covers… I may as well put 2!We will use the same Discord from Utopian, come join! https://discord.gg/W3CjfC2cw4_______Silly tags that seem to matter a lot to some readers: No Yaoi, No Yuri, Possibly Harem (Vote! I can write either, and in any case, there will be multiple girls. The only difference is whether he chooses one in the end or goes the “liberal” route.... democracy is yours!), No NTR.

(R-18 and dark themes, you have been warned.)In this post-apocalyptic world, Faes are hunted and killed mercilessly because they are blamed for the apocalypse that befell and destroyed half of the population.At 20, Amaia Zhāng is a Fae and is the last of her kind, or so she thinks. Her family and her whole village were massacred by the Dread Army in the name of keeping peace. She is the sole survivor and keeps her appearance cloaked to hide.But she makes it her mission to train every day and one day become strong enough to avenge her kind.During a battle with a monster, her mate abandons and rejects her to save his life. Heartbroken, Amaia is left with no choice but to join Orion Academy. It is home to the greatest hunters and enforcers of her continent. It's a world where hunters and enforcers are treated like celebrities.She knows the training will help her fulfil her revenge plans and become a renowned hunter. And maybe along the way she will find another mate.But the twist of fate, deception and seduction from the man who is supposed to refer her to the Orion Academy leaves her with a curse and a tainted reputation. A curse which prevents her mate/mates from recognising her and prevents Amaia from informing them of who she is to them.As it turns out, Amaia is mated to hybrid Alphas of Orion, but none of them can feel the mate bond, and they believe she wants to seduce them.“Have some dignity, Amaia. You abandoned your mate and are now trying your seduction techniques on me. I have a fiancée.” Glares Alnilam, her first mate.“Don't look at me like that, lassie. I am saving myself for my mate.” Winks Alnitak, her second mate.“Stay away from me. You are not my mate,” scolds Mintaka, her third mate.“I will bring a garland constructed from your ex-mate's bones. How dare he hurt you?” Determination flashes in the eyes of Rigel, her fourth mate.Every time they turn her down and choose to be intimate with their chosen females, she feels every ounce of pain and hurt.Amidst the chaos and heartache, can Amaia break this curse and have her mates recognise her as theirs?Does she have four mates or is there another twist hidden?Will she become a successful hunter and keep her identity hidden from the world and at the same time carry out her revenge?Read on to find out.A special thanks to @TheSlumbingCat for creating this beautiful cover for me.If you want to chat, find me on Discord, Facebook and Instagram with the same name.