SPELLBOUND - Chapter 41 - Candidates

Deep below the earth's surface, a mystifying subterranean seascape lurks, an archipelago bathed in inky blackness where suspense and horror hold court. Here lie strange islands and even stranger monsters, far beyond the realms of human imagination. In this domain, mankind is far from dominant; instead, madness and death rule supreme.

Pleading for mercy from the unknown creatures of the deep only leads to a slow, tortured existence. The trapped survivors gradually distort, losing what made them human, both physically and mentally, to the gloom as they remain trapped in this eternal obscurity. Their only hope? A perilous expedition into uncharted sea territories.

Fueled by determination, Charles embark on this daunting voyage aboard his steamship, aiming to reclaim humanity's past glory. Together with his crew, they sought a way out of this hidden sea world, a path back to the sunlit world above, where humans once stood tall.

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I read a few comments from Chinese readers that compared this novel with Lord of Mysteries because of similar elements: Lovecraftian, western fantasy, first industrial revolution, and steampunk. However, I have yet to finish reading Lord of Mysteries to do any actual comparison, but I do think those who have enjoyed that novel would enjoy this as well. Also, the author of LotM, Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, also did a shout-out for this novel, so I guess he approves of it too?

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Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

In his previous life, the genius angler Zhang Yang was seen as a heartless spendthrift by his family and friends.Due to a momentary mistake, he made a grave error, and the death of his father became his lifelong regret.In this life, fate has given him a chance to start over. Zhang Yang decides to rely on his skills and knowledge to make something of himself!This is the story of a genius angler going back nine years, using his exceptional skills and foresight to reach the pinnacle of the professional fishing sport.

When Xiao Fei was three years old, he was caught by a man with a sharp-nosed monkey and taught him to cultivate. The old man is Sun Wukong. In the past ten years, he has taught him the eyes of the fire, the copper and the iron bones, and the great product of the immortality… After the learning, Xiao Fei went down the mountain and accidentally entered a noble school. Pure school flowers, the best Lori, Miss Qianjin, beautiful maid… I like to sleep with him. Oh no, it’s a friend.

- Description from Biquge.com.cn (translated)

Returning to the Mysterious Era features a boy who can time-travel back to the past using old relics. The twist? He’s stuck in the body of the relic’s owner.After a near-death experience, Cassius unlocks his ability to travel to the past in the body of Li Wei, a member of the Wind Elephant Sect. Li Wei was a coward who lived a life of regrets up until the day the entire Wind Elephant Sect was mu*dered. As Cassius relives Li Wei’s past, he makes different decisions to show Li Wei a different kind of future.By living out the ups and downs of Li Wei’s life, Cassius is introduced to the world of Covert Martial Arts, ties that run closer than blood, and supernatural forces. Crossing the line between the ordinary and supernatural, he realizes there’s no way back. New friends and enemies slowly integrate into his reality.Now, he must uncover the secrets of Covert Martial Arts and get stronger to survive.