The Villainess is a Marionette - Chapter 55: Scene 10. A Strange Hostage

The most important duty of a Taoist priest is getting rid of monsters and exorcising ghosts, raising his temple’s reputation! Though, well, Xie Lingya is not a Taoist priest, he just has the Immortal Roots…

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Some people can learn in a day what takes others ten years of hard work. Xie Lingya is like this – other people have to cleanse themselves and meditate to draw talismans, he can do it as easy as drinking a glass of water. Unfortunately, in this era, graduating from a renowned university is much more valuable than the talent for cultivation. He who has the Immortal Roots finally chose to study finance.

However, the world is unpredictable. His uncle, a Taoist priest, died unexpectedly, leaving his temple to Xie Lingya. His last wish was for his nephew to find the right person to inherit his sect’s teachings.

So Xie Lingya, who had no intentions to become a Taoist, ended up as… the owner of a Taoist temple. He began to earnestly manage the deserted little place, striving to gain believers. He also struggled to recruit priests, in hope of finding a suitable successor for his uncle. After a chance encounter, his target became Shi Changxuan, who came from an influential Taoist family and had outstanding skills. Not scared off by the man’s aloof personality, he struck up a conversation and tried to get his phone number. He didn’t realize this move could be easily misunderstood…

- Description from Novelupdates

She was a mere human who only wanted to live a peaceful life in the countryside when she found her mate.He was the workaholic Alpha who never indulged himself in worldly pleasures, instead, he derived joy from being powerful.Their destiny intertwined when they both possessed what they yearned for, peace and love.__________________Before turning the age of 18 years, Alpha Lucas of the Clown Lovers pack claimed to be Aurora's mate and wanted to make her his Luna.Unfortunately, she was accused of infidelity on her wedding day and was rejected by the man who claimed to be her mate and loved her. She had to witness her parents' death and her inheritance snatched away from her.“I, Dominion Lucas, reject you, Madison Aurora as my mate.”………………………………………..After being sold as a slave, she was bought to be a breeder for the Alpha of the Crescent Red pack, the most influential and greatest pack in the country.Damien, who was the Alpha of the Crescent moon pack, didn't spare Aurora a glance, and she was thrown into the deepest part of the mansion to work with the omegas.Five years later, she had meticulously planned her parent's death, ready to set it in motion.Unfortunately, Alpha Damien, who neglected her for years, suddenly got his interest piqued and won't let her out of his sight.Aurora, who never believed she could be blessed with another mate, decided not to fall in love again. Seeing how the Alpha favored her, she decided to take advantage of his help and avenge her parent's death.The tables turned when she discovered he was her mate, another mate?…………………………………………“Mate? I have no such thing,” she said, denying the spark she felt between her and Damien, even though it was glaring. Her heart warmed at his voice, her face warmed at his touch. He already shattered her resolve, but she vowed not to be weak again.Yet, how could she deny not feeling anything for him when he had such effects on her? But she was afraid, terrified of being betrayed by her mate again!There were rare cases of having two mates, why did the moon goddess bestow such a fate upon her?“You can't deny it forever, and I have no intention of letting you go,” he said, his eyes filled with anger, seeing how she was so disgusted about the idea of having him as her mate.“I have nothing to offer you.” She tried convincing him to snap him out of the trance he was in. Only if she knew he was in his right mind.“I only need my mate,” saying that he took heavy strides toward the door and slammed it shut after him.After finding the strength to release her painful past, Aurora is confronted by her first mate, Alpha Lucas, who seeks to reclaim her.Faced with a choice, will she return to the one who betrayed her, or remain with Alpha Damien, who offered her nothing but peace?

In this captivating fantasy novel, Luo Mu has spent fifteen years in a mystical world, feeling disheartened by the belief that hard work yields little reward. Just as he begins to lose hope, a miraculous system activates in his life—the Heavenly Path Rewards Diligence System.With this newfound power, every effort he makes leads to astonishing gains, governed by a unique critical hit mechanic that can amplify his rewards by up to ten thousand times. As he diligently practices his cultivation techniques, immerses himself in ancient texts, and rigorously trains in powerful martial arts, he experiences unprecedented successes: gaining rewards that skyrocket from hundreds to thousands, and even ten thousand times his initial effort.Years later, as Luo Mu stands at the zenith of strength and ability, he becomes a figure of admiration and inquiry. When asked how to achieve such greatness, he simply smiles and states, “The Heavenly Path rewards diligence; it’s all about hard work.”This tale explores themes of perseverance, the value of effort, and the extraordinary possibilities that come from dedication and hard work in a richly woven fantasy world.

Lucas was the last human in the universe.A cosmic-scale war had consumed humanity in massive destruction. As collateral damage, there were no longer any habitable planets. Lucas Alhamera, a scientist, attempted to terraform a planet resembling Earth called Antroseda but continuously failed.Overwhelmed by despair and the crushing weight of loneliness, Lucas attempted to end his own life using a euthanasia capsule. However, just before his life could be taken, he was abruptly awakened by a notification.[As the last of the dominant species, you have been chosen as the new Overseer of this universe.][The cycle of life must continue to preserve balance.][Select planet as the birthplace of the new species (default)][Select another planet...]With the Overseer System he had obtained, Lucas began what he had failed to do for hundreds of years: reviving a dead planet and creating a new race to succeed humanity.