Toaru Majutsu no Index - Volume 7, Chapter 1: Academy City. Science_Worship.

【A new work from the author of 'Top Tier Providence, Secretly Cultivate for a Thousand Years'!】As a young servant, Gu An accidentally broke a pot containing a spiritual flower. While he was panicking, he discovered that he had absorbed twelve years of lifespan from it!Thus began Gu An’s journey to immortality.To cultivate safely, Gu An chose to become a servant disciple in the Taixuan Sect, where he planted medicinal herbs daily to consume their lifespan and enhance his own cultivation.He continuously evolved his basic skills with his evolution skill until they became divine abilities.Eras passed, stars shifted, and the world changed.Legends of immortals began to circulate.Gu An, now an immortal, spent half of his lifespan to push his cultivation beyond the limits of immortality and achieved the saint realm and stood above the heavenly Dao.However, one day, an old man in white robes, who looked like a true immortal, visited Gu An.“I am the Celestial Lord Xuanqing from the heavens. The Great Emperor Taihao has heard of your numerous good deeds in the mortal realm. You have repeatedly saved countless lives and have accrued great merits. He has specially dispatched me to invite you to join the ranks of immortals and assume the celestial position of Divine Steed Officer.”“Dare I ask, what the duties of the Divine Steed Officer arre?”“The Heavenly Court possesses divine horses capable of traversing heaven and earth and move between yin and yang. The Divine Steed Officer is responsible for overseeing and feeding these horses.”Hmm?

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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The Heavenly Voice was bestowed upon the world, and so the calendar of the Great Dao began. The world entered a new age of digitized cultivation. Humanity activated the immortal destiny seal to become cultivators.

Shi Ran encountered an accident and transmigrated into a novel. She became a small-time cannon fodder supporting character in the story and was also a fake daughter who was not as good as the female lead of the plot. It was probably easier to just stop trying so hard and let herself go. Anti-fans: “Our Feifei’s skills are killing it!”The next day, Shi Ran’s first drama was released, and her seven-second appearance in the clip became viral on the internet, overshadowing the female lead, Shi Wenfei. It was smooth sailing for Shi Ran after that, and she even won the best actress award in one fell swoop. Anti-fans: “Our Feifei can sing and even write her own songs. What can Shi Ran do?”Elite Emperor: I won the Best Golden Song Award this time, and it’s all thanks to my awesome composer

@ShiRan!Anti-fans: “!!!”One day, when a live stream was ongoing, anti-fans poured into the channel frantically, abusing the bullet comments and cursing in barrages. Anti-fans: “Our Feifei has gotten engaged with Young Master Zhou! Her fiance is tall, rich, and handsome! He pampers her, unlike you, who’s unwanted!” “Babe, where are my things?” A man’s deep, magnetic voice silenced the barrages of comments. In the next second, a man with an enchanting look appeared in front of the camera. Everyone was shocked! It was the Chu family’s future head, Chu Jinchen! The man’s black eyes swept across the barrage of comments flying on the page. Pretending to be puzzled, he said, “The Zhou family? Who’re they?”Shi Ran looked at him, who was obviously humblebragging, and said, “I’m live streaming now.” “Why don’t you live stream something more interesting?” Saying that, the man leaned closer and behaved intimately.

Everyone watching broke out into indulgent smiles. Then the camera went black, and the live stream ended. Everyone slammed their keyboards frantically. No! Continue the live stream! Come on! The next day…#Actress goes public with her relationship# was on the hot search. Chu Jinchen: “You’re finally willing to go public with me, Baby!”Shi Ran: “…Are you sure you didn’t pay to put that headline in the hot search?”