Building The Ultimate Fantasy - Chapter 654 - Azure Star

The person who was locked away inside the thorn-covered tower was not a princess, but a witch who employed the powers of darkness.

A brave young hero came searching for the tower in order to kill the witch.

– Light would force the darkness to recede, and grant it eternal rest

The witch wished.

That things would end with, ‘and the hero lived happily ever after killing the witch,’ like in the fairy tales.

And so, she had devised everything to happen in accordance to her wishes.

But the boy, who had grown up in but no time at all, would make the unfamiliar face of man’s from time to time.

“You want me to kill you? ……Do you really think I’ll let you go?”

Reality was very different from the fairy tales.

“The people don’t know of the precious treasure locked away in the tower.

I won’t let anyone else have this god given treasure, this crown of god surrounded by thorns that no one else could recognize.”

The hero gave the witch a slow and deep kiss.

“I am the true victor, and no one else.”

In the world of cultivation, countless tales follow righteous protagonists, fated heroes blessed by destiny, or those chosen by heaven to walk the path of immortality.But what of those who stand in their way?What of the villains? The so-called obstacles to the hero’s journey—do they not bleed, dream, and struggle as well?Xiao Ning was never meant to succeed.From the very beginning, the Grand Dao wove him as a stepping stone—a necessary sacrifice to elevate another. His path, like that of all designated ‘villains,’ was doomed to failure by design.But what happens when that design is defied?After death, Xiao Ning awakens—not in the cycle of reincarnation, but in the cold silence beyond it. There, he is offered the Eternal Paradox Codex—a forbidden artifact containing the hidden truths of the Grand Dao System itself.Rules. Loopholes. Vulnerabilities.Knowledge not meant for those like him.With this power, Xiao Ning is granted a single, impossible choice: accept oblivion, or step outside the Grand Dao entirely—to abandon fate, sever karma, and cultivate a path unbound by heaven or law.It is Xiao Ning’s journey, from ashes to something beyond comprehension.Not to become an Immortal among men.But something even the heavens dare not bind.If fate is a chain…Then let him forge his own path in the void beyond.Welcome to this humble tale.The cultivation world is vast and unkind.Let us begin again—on our terms.

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

Five years ago, she left behind an egg and said, “This is the son I bore for you. When he comes of age, that will be the time of my return.” He thought she was joking, but months later, the son hatched out of the egg, looking like a normal baby but with two shiny, adorably cute little dragon horns on his head. However, she remained far away with no signs of returning.Later, she disappeared for five years, and he went mad for five years, until Little Dragon brought home a woman, and he instantly came to his senses... But Little Dragon said, “Daddy, even though you don't have a wife, you're about to get a daughter-in-law soon. She saved me, and I want to dedicate myself to her in return!”From then on, the father and son found themselves in an open and covert struggle for her affection.“Your Excellency, Miss Si's medical skills have amazed the entire globe, and all the bigshots are busting their heads to court her. Your heroic rescuing act is of no use...”Mo Yinhe suddenly collapsed to the ground, coughing violently, “Quick, go call her to save me!”“Your Excellency, the seven arch-rivals whom you beat until their livers exploded are all Miss Si's biological brothers. They want to take Miss Si back to inherit the throne...”Mo Yinhe immediately announced his abdication, pulling his son to roam the streets: “Sonny, from now on, Dad can only follow you to seek refuge with your wife-to-be.”Little Dragon shook the shiny, adorably cute little dragon horns on his head, “Daddy, I've already arranged a retirement home for you, guaranteed to secure your peaceful old age~”