Cosmic Paragon - Chapter 7: A Crack in the seal

Chen Sha came to a world of immortal martial arts and was ordered to take charge of the world’s first sect.

Before his death, the previous chief told him:

“If you don’t become the best in the world for one day, you are not allowed to go down the mountain for one day.”

So he closed himself in painstakingly, crossed the heaven gate in his body, and faced off against the ancient and modern powerhouses…

…

Many years later, Chen Sha recalled the day he went down the mountain,

From the moment he descended the mountain, he was number one in the world.

In the next ten epochs, any gods and demons have returned, immortals and Buddhas have lived in the world, ancient powers and ancient gods have appeared one after another.

No matter how the times change, he has always been No. 1 in the world and has never changed.

- Description from novelbuddy

In the wake of the first wave of shadow creatures, the world was plunged into ruin, a desolate yet enchanted wasteland. Humanity, driven underground, clung to survival while desperately plotting to reclaim their shattered world.But from the abyss of darkness, something miraculous stirred—a mysterious tree, shimmering with ancient power, appeared overnight. It chose only the strongest of heart, those with unbreakable will, gifting them extraordinary abilities. With these powers, humanity rose from the depths, waging war against the shadows.Yet beneath the surface of their heroic deeds lay a hidden rot. Corruption seeped into their ranks, and arrogance clouded their judgment. As their powers grew, so did the whispers of betrayal. The true battle may not be against the creatures lurking in the shadows—but against the darkness festering within their own hearts.A question lingers: When heroes fall, who will rise to take their place?

This is a story about a legend, of one that can never be forgotten.
Summer, first time down the mountains in 16 years, after being raised by his 3 masters and Fairy sister.

‘Why won’t you follow the Rules of society?’ The rules are the tool made by the strong, so I follow my own rules.

‘Why won’t you just use your brain instead of your brawn?’ Idiot! Have you ever seen anyone use their brain, to get back at an ant that bites them!? No, they just casually step on it.

‘Oh, everyone says you’re a first-class beauty huh?’ well, I’m sorry but even you are not qualified to be my wife. Only a ‘Summer class beauty’ is worthy enough!

‘My enemy is sick?’ Oh, don’t worry, even if you’re on your last breath and I feel it’s beneath me to slap shot you dead. I’ll just fix you up and then beat you!

‘Who am I?’

“I am Summer in the spring, the autumn, and the winter, I’m the world’s first above the heavens!”

Follow me, Summer Day as I step by step become known as the world’s first master, the world’s first doctor, the world’s richest man…… a lot of other world’s number one, but most importantly, The worlds happiest man.

- Description from Novelupdates

What if being the protagonist was actually the WORST possible choice?Li Hanfeng thought he'd gotten the short end of the reincarnation stick—transmigrated into a cultivation world with “only” Upper Grade spiritual roots. Sure, he joined the prestigious Shushan Sect, but compared to those Heavenly Grade chosen ones? He was clearly destined to be a background character.Then his golden finger awakened.The Karma Detection System.Suddenly, Li Hanfeng could see the true cost of every “opportunity” before him. That mysterious cave everyone's excited about?[Great Karma: Ancient Tomb][Death Rate: 97%].The beautiful junior sister asking him on a “simple” mission?[Path of Destiny][Triggers: Sect Destruction, Heavenly Tribulation, Outer Domain Demons].Wait... being the protagonist means a 90% chance of horrible death?!NOPE.While other disciples fight over “destiny” and “fortune,” Li Hanfeng discovers something incredible: his system doesn't just detect karma—it “rewards him for avoiding it”. Refuse a death flag mission? Get premium cultivation pills! Skip the mysterious inheritance? Unlock rare techniques! Dodge the protagonist route entirely?His cultivation speed actually INCREASES.“Junior Sister, I'm busy that day.”“Senior Brother, that treasure isn't for me.”“Sorry everyone, I'll pass on saving the world.”[Karma Severed Successfully! Reward: Immortal-Grade Technique]But there's a problem: the more protagonist flags he dodges, the stronger he becomes. And the stronger he becomes, the more the world tries to drag him into main character scenarios.Ancient masters want him as a disciple. Mysterious beauties keep appearing. Evil sects mark him as a threat. Even his own karma system seems shocked by how overpowered his “background character” route is becoming.Li Hanfeng just wanted to cultivate peacefully and avoid death flags.Instead, he accidentally became the most terrifying existence in the cultivation world.The kind of person who's so strong that destiny itself has given up trying to make him the protagonist.