The Reticent Blade - Chapter 281 - Tales of Xiangxi

In the history of geology, more than 500 million years ago, there was a period of the Paleozoic Era known as the Cambrian Period. This period, being the first period of the Paleozoic Era, does not only have a significant meaning for geological research, but also is the most insane, splendid and mysterious period in paleontological history.

Before the Cambrian Period, the Earth’s species were relatively monotonous. When the Cambrian Period started, just after millions of years, which is a relatively short period of time in terms of geology, all kind of species on Earth suddenly evolved wildly. Countless of invertebrates, arthropods, mollusks, brachiopods, annelids etc. have appeared on the planet without any warning, greatly enriching the diversity of the Earth’s species. This million years period is known as the “Cambrian Explosion”. And after billions of evolutionary years, the Earth today blooms with diverse lives.

The cause of the Cambrian Explosion is a huge mystery and also the biggest paradox of Darwin’s theory of evolution.

What if… the Cambrian Period is coming back in this era when human civilization has already conquest the entire planet, and the global species will once again evolve wildly, what kind of challenge will this planet encounter? What kind of fate will humans, who are falling from the top of the food chain, face?

- Description from Novelupdates

Author's message to webnovel readers:Hello everyone, I am Morning Star LL, and I am delighted to meet you all in this way!To be honest, I never imagined that my work would have such a large readership outside China. I was absolutely astonished when my editor told me there were thousands of comments. Before this, my writings were primarily aimed at Chinese readers, and it never crossed my mind that my words would one day be translated into another language.I am both humbled and grateful.I am also extremely honored that my recent work, “This Game is Too Real,” has been given the opportunity to reach an international audience.Unlike my previous works, this book is probably the one into which I've invested the most time and effort. It is set in a fictional post-apocalyptic wasteland.The story mainly revolves around a once-thriving civilization that collapses overnight after a disaster. The MC from Earth uses a legacy system to disguise the entire world as a game, leading players on a quest to save civilization. It intertwines the fates of the struggling survivors in the wasteland with mutual redemption, while also uncovering the historical truths buried beneath the dust.This book contains several easter eggs with “Scholar's Advanced Technological System,” but mentioning them might spoil the story, so I'll leave it to the readers to discover!Moreover, the overall tone of the book remains cheerful and light-hearted. Despite the world being harsh and full of danger, I believe that even in the darkest moments, the warmth and resilience inherent in humanity will continue to shine brightly, emitting the power to dispel the darkness.It would be my greatest honor if my words resonate with you! And the word “resonate” is also a major clue within the story itself.Thank you!by Morning Star LL——————————————This game is too freaking realistic!Bricklaying, running errands, picking up trash, delivering parcels... At most, the company lets you experience the hardships of a 996 schedule, but here you can feel the extreme bonus of 007.Alright, enough chit-chat, the great Manager has called me to lay some bricks.That Manager said that as long as we work our livers off, he can get a brand-new set of power armor next month, and then he'll take us to explore a brand new map, picking up even more trash in the vast Wasteland!...After teleporting to the Waste World, Chu Guang discovered that he had unlocked the “shelter system” and could summon creatures called “players” from a parallel world.From that day on, nothing in the Waste World was normal anymore.

# scumtorturing # rebirthShe was a daughter of the general’s family and a gentle woman. She fell for Prince Ding and offered to be his wife. After supporting him for six years, she became his empress.After risking being a hostage in a foreign country, she returned five years later to find that she no longer had a place in his imperial harem. Lying in his arms, the new consort said with a sneer, “Sis, now that the country is stable, it’s time for you to die.”Her daughter died a tragic death and her son was removed as crown prince. The Shen family had been loyal, but they ended up being slaughtered.Shen Miao never thought that their marriage and mutual support all this while would end up being just an act Prince Ding put on! Prince Ding said, “On account that you’ve been with me for twenty years, I’ll allow you to die with your entire body intact. Now you may thank me and hang yourself to death.”Before she hung herself, Shen Miao made a resentful oath, “When I perish, I will haunt you day and night!”She was reborn as her fourteen year old self when the tragedies had yet to occur and her family was still intact. She was still the delicate and elegant daughter of a general’s family.Her relatives were evil, her cousin sisters were vicious and ruthless, and her aunties were eyeing her possessions. She had to protect her family, take revenge, and get back what belonged to her. In this life, she would be the last one standing!However, the Xie family’s young marquis, an unruly youth, pushed her up against the wall and said arrogantly, “Remember, the world belongs to you, and you belong to me!”The thirteen cities of You State… belong to you.The city of Dingyuan in Mobei… belongs to you.Yuzhou by the Yangtze River, the East Sea of Dingxi, the Green Lake of Lin’an, and Luoyang City… they all belong to you.If they all belong to me, what will you take, Xie Jingxing?Hmm… you.At first, he said impassively, “There has always been a clear distinction between the Shen and Xie family. For the Shen family’s daughter to suddenly show us goodwill, she must have ill intentions!”Then, he said calmly, “We're all on the same boat. Shen Miao, behave yourself. Who would have the audacity to force you into a marriage while I’m around?”After that, he said proudly, “Overthrowing an empire isn’t that hard. My dear, how shall we divide this great piece of land?”Finally, he waved his hand domineeringly. “Sweetheart, dividing them is too much work. Forget it! They’re all yours, and you are mine!”Shen Miao yelled, “Get out!”A domineering empress who was reborn and a young delinquent marquis. Both leads are righteous and they dote on each other.

# FATETang Li, a loner learned in the mystic arts, transmigrated into a book, becoming an overbearing CEO's wife who only ever thinks of running away and trying to kill him everyday, even cohaiting with a gigolo and ended up destroyed by the CEO.Tang Li was speechless, thinking to herself that the Host must be crazy to want a gigolo instead of a CEO who has money, looks, and size!Eventually, everyone noticed in surprise that she gave up on the gigolo and started competing for the family inheritance. Not only had she accepted one impressive disciple after another, she kept hovering over her husband as well."Darling, I think you're having indigestion, I made you warm soup.""Hold me, darling. I'm afraid of the thunder~"***Unable to hold it any longer, the overbearing CEO undid his belt while saying dangerously, "Tang Li, you made me fall for you, and I'll have you know how deep is my love right now!"Tang Li (I just wanted a husband): "..."Listen here, darling...