Rising Phoenix - Chapter 301

There exists eight hardships of human life- living, aging, being sick, dying, resenting, parting with loved ones, being unable to let go, and being unable obtain something.

In each life, each person will experience their own hardship. Once they obtain happiness, they are furthermore unable to let go. Whether it would be heartfelt love or resenting someone down to the bone, would it matter? As long as that person’s bone has my name, it would be good.

- Description from Novelupdates

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.

=========================================

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?

……………………………………………………………

Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

Sheng Yi can’t believe her high school classmate Jiang Lianzhou would become tremendously popular now;

What’s even more unbelievable is that she, a non-celebrity, would have to record a variety show with this top star;

But the most unbelievable thing is, the CP between her and Jiang Lianzhou had unexpectedly gone viral overnight.

One huge CP fan posted a Weibo to the circle:

“It’s been years since Jiang Lianzhou rose to stardom, yet he has never been involved in any scandal. I thought it was impossible for him to like other people.

But nowadays I discovered that, as it turned out, a top star could also be secretly in love with someone for so many years. He treasures the old notes she wrote, remembers all her preferences, and was overflowing with happiness when reunited with her after long separation.

Please let my CP be together and make his secret love wish come true.”

Sheng Yi stared at this Weibo post, then glanced at the thick variety show script in her hand, then looked towards the TV..

Inside the screen, the top star is currently acting incredibly affectionate, proceeding according to the script,”Have I ever confessed to my secret love? Yes, I have. I confessed through QQ, I told her ‘I want to be together with you’.”

Sheng Yi: “…”

He sure can act out this exceptionally fake script quite naturally, huh.

———

Sheng Yi cooperated with Jiang Lianzhou and meticulously played her role as his crush to boost their CP. Following the variety show that is coming to an end, the CP is on the verge of dissolvement.

That day, Jiang Lianzhou QQ account was suddenly leaked out. Despite his studio’s immediate denial, it still stirred up an uproar.

When a friend came looking for Sheng Yi to seek the truth, she sneered,”You can tell it’s fake with one look, I have his real QQ account during highschool.”

She casually copied the username circulated online into the search bar, only to find that it was actually in her close friends list.

Moreover, the note she added for him is——

FoolishStrangerX

And the chat history stopped at 6.9 on their senior year.

“I want to be together with you.”

- Description from Novelupdates

Summary Version 1:

The mysterious boy Ling Chen is saved by a little girl as he lay on the street dying. Years later, he strikes a deal to save this savior-turned sister and enters the virtual world. In a future Earth where advanced warfare has forced nations to settle issues virtually or else suffer the consequences, Ling Chen bursts into the scene and goes from unknown to legend. Yet all is not as it seems, for Ling Chen has a dark past, and there is a greater mystery at hand behind this virtual world.

Summary Version 2:

To save his terminally ill little sister, Ling Chen enters the newly released virtual game world and joins a small gaming studio comprising entirely of women. From now on walking upon his path towards the pinnacle. An ancient, evil item almost forgotten by history, the “Lunar Scourge” helps forge his unsurpassable legend, and causes him to unknowingly step upon a path that is destined to be punished by the heavens, the way of the shura.