Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors - Chapter 497 - 265: Counter-Encirclement_4

Ethen Cole travels to an era where everyone battles with pets. In a world revived by spiritual energy, danger and madness run rampant. Humanity relies on battle pet masters to establish bases and unite for survival.Before the college entrance examination, Ethen Cole is framed and expelled from school, losing his chance to study at the Battle Pet Academy. Just as he feels despair, the Battle Pet System for battle pets activates.“Ding! The Blue Riolux has evolved into a Emerald eyed Riolux!”From then on, Ethen Cole begins his legendary career as a battle pet master.

Twelve zodiac animals represented the months of the Lunar calendar. No one was aware,however, that these twelve representations were Guardian Gods. These twelve positions were passed down the twelve patron bloodlines. They possessed the ability of the zodiac guardians and silently protected the East.

In the East, the auspicious Qilin, possessing royal blood, descended, reigning over the Twelve Zodiac Guardian Gods, who devote all of their power into protecting the East.

A ruffian Qilin, an Earth that transcends all expectations, a legendary city, and the patronage of the Zodiac animals together create an unforgettable novel.

(Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram/Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig)

- Description from Novelupdates

Li Yanchu transmigrated into a strange world of martial arts, Daoist spells, ghosts, and monsters, only to land in the body of a young Daoist at the rundown Qingyun Temple. Just across the street? A rowdy inn run by a stunningly seductive innkeeper. Life could be worse.Gifted with the mysterious Decree of Bestowal, Li Yanchu can transform ordinary herbs into century-old divine medicine, giving him an unparalleled advantage in cultivation. With this cheat-like ability, he advances rapidly in cultivation, despite being told he had no talent for it.But cultivation isn’t his only path forward.After slaying a ghost and earning merit points, he realizes there’s more to this world than martial arts. Hidden behind the scenes is a karma-based system, one that rewards righteous deeds.As his saber technique grows sharper by the day, Li Yanchu finds himself entangled in eerie mysteries, deadly encounters, and strange happenings in Wei City…Now, with the authorities pounding on his doors, Li Yanchu’s peaceful days of tea and training might just be over.Ghosts. Bandits. Cultivation. A cheat system tied to karma. When the mortal world and the supernatural collide, only one Daoist stands between chaos and order.

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