Doggone Academy - Chapter 72 The Blood-stained Entrance Ceremony (7)

Many islands dotted the vast oceans of this world. However, some of the islands were a lot more sinister than the rest. Those islands, known as Nightmare Islands, were true nightmares to all but the strongest and most fortunate. Children were kidnapped and thrown on these isolated islands by the Nightmare Palace, forced to sign soul pacts with evil soul pets: Nightmares. These devils slowly devoured the souls of their trainers to grow stronger. If the children did not cultivate fast enough, their souls will be devoured whole, leaving only an empty husk behind.

Chu Mu, the protagonist, was an heir to the Chu Clan, but due to a plotted murder, he was thrown on the island, sentencing him to almost certain death. Dancing on the edge of life and death, he struggled to survive with a small Moonlight Fox he captured. When he finally escaped the devilish foremen on his island, he couldn’t help but let a breath out. But little does he know, the experience was only a beginning to a fated journey with his little Moonlight Fox…

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.

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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?

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An ordinary sect cultivator, with the help of the immortal mansion, gradually grew up in the cruel world of immortality, and his mind and body transformed together.

Mortal flow, partial dark wind.

- Description from novelbuddy

[Detecting the birth of a new god... Data traction in progress][Alert! Intrusion detected: %*#... Data traction interrupted][Divine Revelation Protocol activated. Initiating emergency replication. The Legion of Judges has been dispatched...][1%... 5%... 33%... 99%][Replication complete!][Rebooting and reconstructing the world...]…Becoming a god feels like a grand deception.Instead of ascending to the heavens, you awaken inside a mere clay idol.You have become a god—yet only the weakest, most nameless one.You don't even have a body of your own.[Detecting host awakening... Binding process initiated][Binding complete. Initial gift pack activated. Congratulations, host! You have obtained the talent: Tribute Hundredfold Amplification!][A believer offers you a pebble. You receive a Holy Crystal!][A believer offers you a wooden stick. You receive the Spear of Longinus!][A believer offers you a harmonica. You receive the Archangel’s Trumpet!]Good.”From this moment forth, the gods shall heed my command. Who stands with me, and who dares oppose?“Seated deep within the sacred temple, you gaze upon the vast cosmos at your feet, looking over the myriad realms with serene indifference.