The Reticent Blade - Chapter 123 - Budding Growth

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.

Robin Burton is a young man who grow with everything anyone can hope for, immense talent for cultivation, sharp mind, a wealthy family that will stop at nothing to protect and nurture him

He had everything... except the willingness to take them.

“Why would I take the same route as my ancestors ?

why should I become stronger? to beat this and compete with that..?

At the end of this road what will happen? get a harem then die and be forgotten after a few years?

NO! That is not what I got my talent for... THAT IS NOT WHAT I WAS BORN FOR!

what I want is more... much more.

I refuse... I will not take anyone's route, I will make my own...

I do not want to be a legendary figure, I will be THE Legend..

I.. Robin.. will do it my way, or die trying.”

This is the story of a Researcher, a Warlord and... a God Emperor.

One night she gets drunk and mistakes the most well-known Mafia boss for a Host* and intends to sleep with him.

Three years into her marriage, she never felt loved.When she encountered a car accident in a torrential rain, her husband was celebrating another woman's birthday.When she came to a realization and decided to divorce, her husband disagreed. Only then did she discover that this loveless marriage had been his revenge against her.He had conspired with his ex-girlfriend to take revenge on her by trapping her in this marriage.When she and the ex-girlfriend were kidnapped together, he did not hesitate to choose to save his ex and abandon her. Her heart turned to ashes, and she turned away to jump into the sea.Later on, when she was gradually forgetting him day by day due to her health, he held her, crying and begging her over and over not to forget him.Eventually, when she became the music queen, and at the backstage of the award ceremony, he cornered her backstage, uttering a belated apology, “I'm sorry.”She smiled politely, “I'm sorry, but who are you?”