Beastmaster of the Ages - Chapter 554: Realm of Despair

In Zhenhai City, the Chu Family receives an imperial decree that revives the hope of reclaiming their ancestral title, but only if a descendant places in the top three of the Martial Examination. For young Chu Yangxiang, who unexpectedly discovers he has Grade 1 Martial Dao Talent, this honor seems within reach. Yet, as he rises, envy and family rivalries emerge, with the privileged Chu Xiaoxiang demanding loyalty—or threatening to ruin him. Determined and battered, Chu Yangxiang faces a brutal choice: submit or fight for his family’s legacy. Will he overcome these powerful?

Varian only wanted to end the war with the Abyssals and bring peace so that no one would lose their dad like he did.

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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The abyss descended, the world fell and dreadful horrors roamed the shadows of that that remained.Akaris found himself trapped on the other side in a city now overran and ruled by eldritch horrors of the abyss, he alone with his bow stood tall against creatures only told in nightmares and stories.He became the hunter of those who thought him prey, he became the nightmare of creatures that ruled the darkness.A ruthless killer who knew not mercy, who feared neither demon nor God, the lonely hunter who rules time.Until he was alone no more, he found others who were lost and abandoned like him, together they sought to shatter the chains that bound them and destroy the source of the apocalypse.Forced to dive into the endless abyss and compete with other races for dominance and the chance for survival. Akaris was forced to fight with all he had even if it meant leaving a trail of red in his wake.