The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent - Chapter 14

After years of exile, Marcus is coming back home. A powerful mage with few equals, Marcus lives in a world full of monsters and powerful adepts, many of which have bad histories with him. But he has not come back to pursue vengeance or start a fight. All Marcus wants to do is reconnect with old friends, build himself a house, and maybe train a successor or two.Alas, the world didn’t stop just because Marcus went into exile, and not everyone is content to let go of old grievances. Strange things are happening in the world at large, too, hinting at a looming disaster of unknown nature. Still, where there is a will, there is a way.If nothing else, Marcus has a lot of magical power to throw at problems.+++Zenith of Sorcery is set in its own original setting and isn’t related to Mother of Learning… beyond being written by the same person, of course. This is a more classical fantasy story than my previous one, with a lower level of technology and stuff like elves and dwarves, but it has a lot of worldbuilding effort put into it and its own complex magical system. The story has significant xianxia influences, but isn’t meant to be a xianxia story.For those of you not familiar with my previous work, I write relatively slowly. I intend to publish chapters at the rate of one chapter every three or four weeks, subject to further delays as life intervenes.

In the wake of the first wave of shadow creatures, the world was plunged into ruin, a desolate yet enchanted wasteland. Humanity, driven underground, clung to survival while desperately plotting to reclaim their shattered world.But from the abyss of darkness, something miraculous stirred—a mysterious tree, shimmering with ancient power, appeared overnight. It chose only the strongest of heart, those with unbreakable will, gifting them extraordinary abilities. With these powers, humanity rose from the depths, waging war against the shadows.Yet beneath the surface of their heroic deeds lay a hidden rot. Corruption seeped into their ranks, and arrogance clouded their judgment. As their powers grew, so did the whispers of betrayal. The true battle may not be against the creatures lurking in the shadows—but against the darkness festering within their own hearts.A question lingers: When heroes fall, who will rise to take their place?

After seeking pleasure in the nightclub and a night of romance, he discovered there’s a seed in his stomach;

Sienna Lawrence's world shatters when her beloved adoptive family perishes under mysterious circumstances, leaving her as the sole heir to their business empire. With the Lawrence legacy in her hands, she faces a daunting challenge: not only must she protect herself but also safeguard the family's assets from those who seek to exploit them.The catch? To claim her inheritance, Sienna must be married. With her boyfriend revealing sinister intentions and danger lurking around every corner, she embarks on a quest to find a husband.In a moment of desperation, Sienna turns to a stranger she meets by chance.“Mister, are you single?” she asks.“Huh?” The man looks at her, perplexed.“Are you married or in a relationship?” she clarifies.“No,” he replies.“How about a crush?”“None so far.”“Good. Where do you work?”“What?”“Forget it. It’s not important. Do you know how to cook?”“Yeah.”“Is your cooking good?”“I guess so,” the man answers, still puzzled by her questions.“Perfect. I’m single, you’re single. Do you want to marry me?” Sienna asks boldly.“I never expected to be proposed to by a stranger all of a sudden. I don’t…”“If you’re not willing, I’ll look for someone else. No pressure.”“Who said I’m not willing? I’m more than willing,” the man replies without hesitation.And so, Sienna ends up with a husband just like that.Things take a drastic turn when Sienna discovers her real parents, leading her to unravel a conspiracy that could potentially turn her world upside down. What connection does her husband and her real family have? Why is the man turning more mysterious as time passes?