The Villain's Story - Chapter 730: Alchemy.

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.

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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?

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Lin Fan awakens to a world where chaos reigns, stripped of family, status, and safety. But within the turmoil, he discovers a powerful secret—the Beast Abilities system in his mind.With every threat he eliminates, he earns vengeance points, enabling him to level up his physiques.From the humble Wild Rabbit’s ability—[Rabbit's Hearing], [Swift Foot], [Magnificent Leap]—to the ruthless strength of the Wolf—[Hunter Instincts], [Iron Claws], [Leader of the Pack]—and the Ape’s raw power—[Climb Trees], [Strong Arms], [Inhale Qi]—Lin Fan hones his skills with every battle.Years later, as the feared grand master of a prestigious sect, he looks back in wonder. Who would have believed that his rise to greatness began with the unassuming gifts of a wild rabbit.

“I WILL MAKE THEM ALL REGRET THE DAY THEY MET ME! I WILL MAKE THEM WISH THEY WERE NEVER BORN! AND I WILL MAKE THEM HATE THE DAY THEY THOUGHT OF BETRAYING ME!”“You will, Sweetie. And I'll help you with that...”Those were the last words Avery spoke and heard before passing out in her bloody red wedding gown, on the same day she was supposed to marry her boyfriend from senior high school.~~Avery McCallum, the sole heiress and president of the McCallum Group of Companies, had her whole family wiped out on her wedding day. Framed for her grandfather's murder and stripped of her position, Avery vows to take revenge on those who wronged her. But her powerless state seems to mock her determination.Enter Archibald Donovan. She used to hate the devilishly hot and narcissistic chairman of the A² Corp who also happened to be her older brother's best friend, but when consumed with the need to take revenge, she begged him to marry her in return for fulfilling a long list of conditions. Archie agrees, and a month later, Avery re-emerges as Ava Donovan, a rising actress and the wife of the most powerful man in the country.With her newfound status, Avery systematically destroys her adversaries, uncovering dark secrets and hidden agendas along the way. But as she navigates the treacherous landscape of her new life, she must confront the truth about her family's past and at the end of it all, come back to him.She owed him after all...EXCERPTArchie's eyes darkened when he saw her stumbling out of the wine cellar, a bottle of wine in one hand and her night robe, in the other. She was literally half naked.“Hey...” her greeting came out in a slur, and that was all he needed to know she was drunk. Very drunk, at that.“Why?” he asked simply, knowing she would interpret his question as she usually did.“I...I visited them today. The flowers on their stones were already wilted and...and...it broke me. I wanted to be happy and at the same time, I wanted to cry,” Avery replied, inhaling short wisps of air before she continued, “Then I found the cellar.”“Did it work?”She shook her head slowly in reply, lifting her head up in time to see a mischievous smirk curl on his lips.“Don't be sad, Baby girl. I happen to know a way to make you cry and keep you excited at the same time,” he said.“Really?”“Wanna try it, Mama?”Avery nodded, slowly but firmly as he closed the distance between them.As he promised, she did cry...in pleasure.

They had been together since high school. Together, they faced the cold faces of their parents and the satirical or disdainful eyes of others, started a business and experienced all kinds of ups and downs. When their company was on the right track, Zhishu He was asked to give up his career to stay at home, while Wenxu Jiang gradually changed and began to indulge in merry-making. However, Zhishu chose to forgive him. Zhishu got an incurable disease, while Wenxu Jiang was still indifferent. Zhishu still chose to forgive him. Love had become a kind of habit, which was equal to an incurable disease.

In a peaceful sunny day, Zhishu quietly left Wenxu Jiang and the house in which they had lived for a long time without an advance notice.

Soon he was gone. A man with pure spirit and deep love for Wenxu Jiang disappeared from this world forever…

Sometimes love cannot stand the test of time. Someone will not know how to cherish the love until he loses it…