Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon - Volume 8A, Chapter 14: Emissary from the Darkness

At dawn.The light of dawn lingered, hesitant to arrive, while the remnants of the setting sun had long faded into darkness. Within the city shrouded in thin mist, the hidden churches in the shadows, veins clinging to the cracks in walls, the gnawing sounds echoing from the sewers, and the murmuring shadows...A lantern bearer strolled forward.

A calculating merchant of noble birth lives a comfortable life managing his guild's business at the Imperial Academy—until lightning strikes him, leaving him with prophetic visions of a disastrous future. In these visions, he's expelled from his family, branded a traitor who aids demons, and worst of all, becomes a penniless beggar. When the supposed “protagonist” of these prophecies enrolls at the academy, he realizes his countdown to ruin has begun. Now he must use his foresight to rewrite a story where he's cast as a third-rate villain, all while navigating ancient dungeons, demonic threats, and the troublesome “hero” who might be the key to changing his fate.#MoneyIsEverything

Just as nuclear weapons are merely a by-product of science, immortality is but a small gift in the pursuit of the Dao.The patriarch of the new method, the great sage and virtuous teacher, Zhen Fa Zhenren, the strongest cultivator in ten thousand years, is recruiting personal disciples. The reference books are as follows:“Topology in Talismans—Starting with the Little Rain Talisman”“Artificial Intelligence Research in Magical Artifacts: A Preliminary Exploration of Artifact Spirits”“Elemental Decomposition of the Nine-turn Golden Elixir”“Basics of Formation Pathways”Note: Preference will be given to those who have published papers in the Journal of Immortal Dao.

Lucas Graves was an ordinary young man from a futuristic world—until a tragic accident took his life. Now, he awakens as Xavier Alden, the son of a noble in an ancient era where cultivation reigns supreme. But Xavier was weak, betrayed, and left for dead. With no memories of Xavier's past life, Lucas must conceal his true identity while uncovering the truth behind his predecessor’s downfall.Determined to grow stronger, he begins practicing the forbidden Dual Cultivation Technique, a path long shunned for its overwhelming power and dangerous consequences. But to fully unlock its potential, he must conquer the world’s most extraordinary beauties, forging bonds that will elevate his strength to unimaginable heights.As shocking secrets unravel and war brews in the shadows, Lucas is thrust into the turmoil of a world on the brink of chaos. To survive, he must defy fate, master the lost art of cultivation, and carve his own destiny—before the past catches up with him.NB: The novel may start at a slower pace, allowing for deep world-building and character development, but I assure you, the story will become increasingly engaging as it unfolds.