Garden Of The Abyss - Chapter 171 - Interlude: The Land Of History, Divinity, And Tranquility -- Jinyue (Act One) Pt.2

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.

One god, one faith, one world, one mage… I am the only mage in the world.

- Description from Ptwxz (translated)

Shocked, Peng Gengkun wakes up in the Thunder Continent, a world far from his life as a video game lover. Here, martial arts rule and mastering cultivation is key. As part of the Flying Cloud Sect in the bleak Bleakwind Barrens, Peng holds a respected but challenging role.Despite the focus on strength in this world, Peng struggles with cultivation.A past conflict, involving his secret love for Xi Yingzhu and rivalry with Wei Pengxing, hurt his Qi Sea, affecting his warrior abilities.Yet, when Peng finds the Leviathan-roc Devouring System, he sees a chance to gain power and grow.With a desire for revenge and more strength, he stands at a crossroads: What or who will he consume next to become even stronger?