Heart of Darkness - Chapter 242 The next morning

Some crowns are forged in blood. Others are drowned beneath it.In a city strangled by smoke and silence, where children are shackled to machines and shadows rule behind gilded masks, Keiran is just another forgotten soul—until the mark appears.Buried beneath the factory’s foundations lies a world long erased from history. Ancient oaths whisper through stone and water, and something older than memory begins to stir. As Keiran is drawn deeper into the abyss, he uncovers a legacy not meant for mortal hands—a crown shattered in defiance, a flood sealed by sacrifice, and a power that demands a price.Hunted by tyrants, haunted by echoes, and bound to secrets he never asked for, Keiran must choose: drown in the tide of what came before, or rise against the current and reclaim what the world was forced to forget.But the deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels…And beneath it all, something still breathes.

Born with a seed of immortality, he rose from the Han tribe at the end of the century, and embarked on the road of immortality, step by step, until he reached the other side of immortality.

Efforts will pay off. For cultivators, what better golden finger is there?

- Description from novelbuddy

In the heart of Earth, where the streets buzz with the energy of modern life, lies a secret that will shake the very foundation of existence. Earth, once thought to be a mere planet, reveals itself to be a living entity, its core evolving with untold power. From the depths of the Milky Way, constellations, guardians of cosmic balance, watch with keen interest as Earth's evolution unfolds.But their curiosity soon turns to desire as they see the potential for transcendence within Earth's core. To harness its power, they must overcome the planet's protective barrier, a formidable obstacle that threatens to thwart their ambitions. Desperate for a solution, the constellations turn to drastic measures, offering contracts to select humans in exchange for assistance in weakening Chatgpt's defenses.Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Marcus Sterling, a young university student with an intellect far beyond his years, delves into the mysteries of mana, the strange energy that permeates the planet. Unbeknownst to him, he becomes a pawn in the cosmic power struggle, as constellations vie for his allegiance and humanity's fate hangs in the balance.As Marcus grapples with his newfound abilities and the ethical implications of his choices, he discovers a deeper truth lurking beneath the surface—a truth that could reshape the destiny of Earth and all who inhabit it. With allies and adversaries alike converging on Earth, Marcus must navigate a treacherous path, where the line between good and evil blurs, and the fate of the universe hangs in the balance.