Level 1 to Apex: My Monster Templates Defy Reality! - Chapter 68: The storm brewing

In this world, orphans or just anyone without any hope for this world can apply to become a “walking target”. Their sole purpose is to be a practicing dummy for the students of the sect who train to become “Demon Hunters”. These students need “walking targets” to test their training on living, walking beings of flesh and blood.
In exchange, they will be provided with food & shelter.
Their existence value is lower than a slave, but if they manage to survive a few years they can receive a life long pension.

Xiao Han is such a “walking target”. One time he witnessed a powerful Demon Hunter disposing a demon. When the demon died, a fragment of the demon that managed to escape entered Xiao Han’s heart. No one saw that, and even Xiao Han himself only felt some discomfort for an instant.

But that thing in his heart soon gave Xiao Han visions, and the first one is of a cultivation method which allows Xiao Han to absorb damage to enhance his body. A perfect cultivation method for a “walking target”.

- Description from Novelupdates

After a mishap, he accidentally became the protagonist. Unexpectedly, he and the villain cultivated together and they actually became dao companions.

“If you want to be with me forever, there is only the supreme road of achievement. Are you willing to travel with me?”

“Of course I’m willing.”

……

In Li JinZhi’s view, the protagonist and villain’s coexistence should be like swords and spears facing each other, a feud.

But when he crossed into the novel and became the protagonist; when he placed all his trust in the man who was supposed to be the villain; when the other side revealed some unusual feelings to him; when he held Ye Yu’s hand to the altar, he discovered that the relationship between the protagonist and villain isn’t as dull as he imagined.

When the monotonous pattern is broken, the feelings of resentment turns into sharing a common destiny.

- Description from Novelupdates

Riku Aoyama was just a broke, unlucky and starving college dropout waiting for his time and scraping by on instant noodles, and ended up as part-time buddy—until a mysterious vending machine offered him a deal: a system that lets him buy anything.Want a skills? Check.Looking for knowledge? Instantly downloaded.Legendary weapons? Delivered to his door.Authority, time, fate, even the affection of others? All up for sale—if he can pay the price.With the Infinite Wallet System, Riku’s once-pathetic life turns into a wild ride of action, opportunity, and temptation. From unlocking forbidden martial arts to building a harem of powerful women drawn to his rising charisma, Riku is determined to forge an empire, one purchase at a time.But every system has its cost. As he gains power, hidden forces begin to notice his ascent. Gods, demons, and beings beyond reality have started watching—and some want to claim the system for themselves.Action-packed, hilarious, and mature, this is the story of a man who can buy everything—except his own peace of mind.

At the age of ten, Jiang Qi had black hair, shallow pupils, and a pale, delicate appearance. He often got injured, with blood flowing from his head. He was the son of a ‘notorious’ mu*derer in Chen Kong Alley, and people cursed him, saying that he had vile blood running in his veins. Except for Zhi Qi, no one paid him any attention.Zhi Qi often cried while bandaging his wounds, her voice soft as she asked, “Why do you always get hurt? Does it hurt a lot?”Jiang Qi smiled, the cold and rebellious boy appearing particularly obedient in front of her: “If you comfort me, it won’t hurt anymore.”By the time he reached high school, he had become the most famous madman, cold and ruthless in all Lin Lan. Zhi Qi remembered Jiang Qi once saying that most of his life was lived like a dog. He would rather have everyone fear him than let anyone bully him.Even though everyone feared him, Zhi Qi was not afraid.Unfortunate people spend their entire lives healing from childhood, and Zhi Qi wanted to heal Jiang Qi with her own efforts. She would make a promise to him on the rooftop of the school, where he brought her to the top: “Jiang Qi, take care. When I reach the legal age, I can marry you.”The boy’s response was a faint smile, his gaze clear and clean like the stars in the sky, filled with rare yearning for the future.Zhi Qi didn’t know that a simple promise saved Jiang Qi’s life, pulling him out of hell.Unfortunately, ‘redemption’ has an expiration date. When the clock strikes twelve for Cinderella, he remains the sick dog with nothing.A crazy boy, and all the sweet names in his obscure life are called ‘Zhi Qi’.