MTL - The Sacred Ruins - Chapter 4 Odd tree and beast

A Deadly Secret, also translated as Requiem of Ling Sing and Secret of the Linked Cities, is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It was first published in the magazine Southeast Asia Weekly (東南亞周刊) and the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao in 1963. Its original Chinese title was Su Xin Jian before Jin Yong changed it to Lian Cheng Jue. The story revolves around the adventures of the protagonist Di Yun, an ordinary young peasant, who is imprisoned after being framed. In his quest for vengeance, he accidentally acquires the Liancheng Swordplay manual (連城劍谱), an ancient artifact not only prized for the skills detailed inside, but also for containing a secret leading to a treasure.

A question I often ask myself, is the human desire for self-destruction never going away?

Travel through the endless apocalypse world, and find the answer behind every kind of demise!

- Description from novelbuddy

You have unlocked the skill Money is Power (MAX)In an unknown land, where towering beasts, malevolent demons, and capricious gods reign supreme, a young man awakens in chains, his past erased from memory. He somehow knows that his name is Raiden, and he finds himself a slave for a ruthless group of bandits that buy war orphans.Raiden's days blur into a haze of toil and torment, his mind a void looking for answers. But beneath his exterior lies a dormant power, a skill that, when unlocked, promises to reshape his fate: Money is Power (MAX). This unique ability allows him to manipulate wealth in many ways, transforming it into strength, influence, and even magical prowess.As Raiden navigates the dangerous world, he discovers the true extent of his power. Gold becomes his sword and shield, enabling him to do pretty much everything he wants. With every coin he acquires, his influence grows, challenging the gods themselves and unsettling the very fabric of the world.

Entering the world of cultivation, Brandon Jiang thought he was stepping onto the path of immortality, but little did he know, he was actually walking a path of death!An immortal once said, “If you are not at the dining table, then you are inevitably on the dining table.”Humans are the spirits of all living things, endowed with natural dao embryos and the great medicine of heaven and earth.In this world of cultivation, only by absorbing others' abilities and fortunes can one cultivate!Therefore, mortals are raised as Sacrificial Furnaces.If you don't absorb others, others will absorb you.Brandon Jiang is unwilling to become a Sacrificial Furnace, nor does he want to commit heinous acts.Until the fairy who loved him died in his arms, Brandon Jiang was driven completely mad.Many years later, when Brandon Jiang looked back, he realized that he had become the most ruthless demon in the world.