Gilded Ashes: When Shadows Reign - Chapter 38: House Rules

For as long as he could remember, life had always been cruel.A young man in his early twenties—his name now lost to the past—was dealt a life filled with misfortunes.A cold, empty apartment, a soul-crushing job, and, finally, a terminal diagnosis.With nothing left to live for, his only comfort had been escaping into the fictional world of Path of the Elemental Sage, a story of heroes, magic, and survival.But fate had other plans.When death finally came for him, he didn’t fade into nothingness.Instead, he awoke in the world he had only read about—a world of chaos and danger where death lurked around every corner.The air smelled of magic, the sky was filled with possibilities.{«[Status Window]»}[Name: Lyrium Blackwood][Age: 16][Rank: D-][Skills: None][Elements: None}At first, confusion filled his mind.Who was Lyrium Blackwood?Why was he here?And why did this body feel so different?But as his memories returned, so did the realization: this wasn’t some blessing or second chance.He wasn’t reincarnated as the protagonist.No destined savior.No cheat abilities.No grand fate.He was just another mob, a face in the crowd meant to exist and die without leaving a mark.But this young man—the one who had left his old name and life behind—wasn’t the kind of person to roll over and accept his fate.“This world is dangerous. The protagonist isn’t the only one fighting for survival here,”he muttered, his red eyes deep and sharp.Unlike the naïve characters in the story, he knew the stakes.He’d read the web novel.He’d seen the carnage, the betrayals, the disasters that wiped out entire cities.And if there was one thing he refused to be, it was a pawn in someone else’s game.“I don’t care about glory. I don’t care about saving the world. All I care about is surviving—no matter what it takes.”Lyrium Blackwood wasn’t planning to live quietly or avoid danger.The only way to survive in this brutal world was to rise to the top.To be strong enough to stand above both heroes and villains.Using his knowledge of the story’s events and his iron will, Lyrium sets out on a relentless path to surpass the protagonist.Whether through clever manipulation, brutal training, or sheer desperation, he’ll climb higher and higher, leaving nothing to chance.But the deeper he gets, the more he realizes that this isn’t just the story he once read.As fate pushes him closer to the heart of the narrative, Lyrium begins to suspect that his reincarnation wasn’t an accident—and the world itself might be watching him.“I don’t care who or what stands in my way. If the story wants to kill me, I’ll rewrite the ending myself.”----------------------------------I apologize for any mistakes in this story, as it’s my first attempt at writing a novel.

Lin Zhao, transmigrated as the framed son of Zhongliang and was sent by the emperor to a dilapidated temple.

‘Bind the temple management app and become an abbot!’

Clean up the broken futon and turn back to a pilgrim at the foot of the mountain.

Ding dong! Mission accomplished.

Get the bonus: watery Chinese cabbage x1.

Abducted pilgrim: The old man in the family has been sick all the time. When I went to the temple, the abbot gave me a cabbage with water and spirit. After eating it, my old mans health was healed!

Other listeners: What!? That broken temple is so spiritual, let’s go!

Lin Zhao: Don’t crowd, don’t crowd! The Palace of Heavenly Kings will be crushed!

——The emperor who has not yet consolidated his power sent a secret letter:

Aiqing, your life is going well, but I have a headache!

Recently, there have been found few illegitimate children, which is very troublesome.

I have arranged for someone to come to you, I hope you can share my worries for me!

Lin Zhao: …… Shave the prince’s head, it’s not tiring to say it directly.

1. There are magical tables, magical seeds, and magical fertilizers

2. There are many short stories in the unit

3. There will be a bridge to develop the surrounding economy in the back

4. The protagonist is an honest monk on the surface, and secretly attracts talents and transfers funds for the emperor.

5. The work is inspired by a game. (Because it involves propaganda, I can’t say the specific name)

- Description from Novelupdates

What do you mean by you only accept female disciples?Zhang Yuan glanced at the Emperor of a powerful Dynasty kneeling in front of him and his son, the prince is also kneeling beside him.“Master Yuan, please accept my son as your disciple. I am sure that under your care, my son will reach the pinnacle of the Heavens.”Pinnacle of the Heavens? Zhang Yuan turned his gaze to the so called Prince. Talentless, weak physique and sh!t cultivation technique.Tch, worthless.Zhang Yuan then turned his eyes to another Dynasty Emperor “Master Yuan, please accept my daughter as your disciple.”Seeing the gorgeous woman kneeling in front of him, Zhao Tian smiled faintly.Talentless? I will make you the most talented mortal entity this world has ever seen.Weak physique? I will give you a physique that will break even the limitations of the heavens and earth.Sh!t cultivation technique? Don't worry, choose the best divine technique you want.Sorry but I only accept female disciples!

Why did an incubus become the most coveted species among the most powerful and sought-after empresses, even by primordial goddesses?!

There is a famous legend on the ALZANIA planet. Who says that once every hundred thousand years, an incubus will be born, through a mystical ritual. He will possess mysterious powers that could allow any empress mage to reach divinity, any goddess to achieve supremacy!!....... But would the possessor of such power have the blessing of a peaceful life?!------

Follow the daily life of Alvine, who had just opened his eyes, who suddenly found himself in the body of a boy celebrating his 18th birthday.

[ Ding!! ....]

[The host has reached the age required for activation of the succubus gene ]

[The transformation process into an incubus will begin in 5 seconds... 5....4...3..2..1...]