Ancient Strengthening Technique - Chapter 13 — Third layer, Ghost Step

A child was born unable to cultivate Inner Strength. In order to gain his father's attention and regard, he resolutely chose the painful and difficult path of cultivating Outer Strength. As spring gave way to autumn, time flew by, and the child grew up... he became a young man. What truly changed his destiny was a mysterious Crystal Stone formed from a meteor—the Meteor Tear. This Meteor Tear, unbeknownst to the young man, merged into his body, and like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, the young man metamorphosed... And with that transformation, everything changed. And his father finally came to realize the astonishing strength of the son he had never truly invested his Heart Power in...

After laying down his life in a final act of sacrifice living in a world plagued by monsters, Zion expected only the embrace of death. Instead, he awakened in an unfamiliar world—reborn as the son of a formidable Duchess, heir to a lineage of wealth and influence. Yet, luxury and privilege were not what fate had in store for him.Marked by the Goddess who saved his soul from death’s grasp, Zion is tasked with a singular, harrowing purpose: to annihilate every God in his new world. These divine beings, revered and feared, now stand as his sworn enemies. But before he can challenge the heavens themselves, he must forge himself into a weapon of unparalleled might—one capable of shattering both mortal and immortal foes alike.To defy the divine is to invite wrath beyond reckoning. But Zion has already died once—what more does he have to fear?There are only a few 18+ Chapters within the first 60 chapters but will increase a lot after that.

“You are offering me a marriage of convenience, but princess… there's nothing convenient about me.”

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Izabelle had underestimated the fire she thought she was going to play with tonight. But how could she ever have foreseen that the man she had happened to come across with does not play with just a small fire, but a whole inferno?

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Excerpt:

“You going through this marriage with me might as well be like you digging your own grave. Because the moment you start to want more from me, I will divorce you. And the moment you break your promise and try to fight me… I will ruin you and break you apart completely. Mercilessly. You will regret ever meeting this devil tonight.” His threat was given in the same soft but cold voice.

But Elle did not even flinch. Her gaze never faltered either. This man was ruthless, and she knew that clearly. His eyes that moment promised nightmares and darkness without any promise of respite.

But no matter what he says now, it would still not change her decision. She truly had no other choice.

“I understand now…” she said quietly, steeling herself. “Since you don't trust that I will keep my word, how about we do this? You prepare the divorce documents beforehand now and I'll sign it. That way, once you decide to divorce me in the future, the papers would already have been signed and there would be no way I can trouble you about it. You would just need to send it to the lawyers and have it notarized.”

A heavy silence reigned before his quiet disbelieving laugh broke the silence.

“I'm at a loss for words, Princess Izabelle.” He looked wickedly amused. But then he started nodding in approval. “Fine, princess. I will marry you.”

On the day of her escape from prison, she had died unexpectedly and was reborn into the body of Madam Huo.