Phoenix Phire - Chapter 5 - Fire Strands

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.

“Blue Star 4.0 will begin its maintenance-free update at 12:00 AM on April 1st. The main content and adjustments of this update are as follows.” “New monthly rule ’Active Talent’ added: All players must converse with others for a total of 1000 sentences every day...” When an abrupt notification sound echoed in the ears of all humans on Blue Star. The world faced its cleansing. In every monthly version update, a new rule would descend, which all players had to obey. ... Chen Yi, who had found a massive loophole before the third version update, looked at the six-figure Points Balance in his account and broke into a grin. “Tuberculosis Rabbit, this time we might just rise to the top.”

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~”

Alex used to be a person with an incomplete soul and died at the age of 20 without being able to cultivate.

Mysteriously, he once again woke up in a different world, in the body of a young man with the same name, facial features, and even soul.

Yes, the other half of Alex's soul was actually born as this young man but since this young man's soul was also incomplete, just like Alex, he also couldn't practice martial arts.

After both incomplete souls fused together, a System suddenly appeared and Alex could feel a kind of connection with this system as if he himself was the creator of this system.

The System grants him the ability to see everyone's attributes and duplicate them.

Follow Alex's journey to the peak of martial arts as he'll overturn both heaven and earth and will even try to Replicate the Heavens.