MTL - A Mouthful of Sky-high Fried Rice, Lao Tang Apprenticed on the Spot - Chapter 43 Forty thousand questions

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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Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

[Congratulations, Host! You have transmigrated to a magical world.]Good![Congratulations, Host! You have received a transmigration gift: SSS-tier identity—Prince of Ilan!]Very Good![Congratulations, Host! You have received a transmigration gift: SSS-tier Gift—Marty Bloodline!][Level-up Speed ×10, All Spell Power ×10]Very Very Good![Generating Bloodline…][0%... 5%... 35%... 42%...]Can’t wait any longer~~~[Warning! Warning! Warning!][World backlash detected! System is about to collapse!][Host, please evade! Host, please evade!]Wait, are you kidding me???[Bang!]And just like that, you transmigrated into a magical world.With the system gone, despite your extraordinary talent, you chose to lay low and survive.The world is vast, but staying alive is the top priority.Years later, a rumor began to spread around you:“Wait… you're telling me that useless prince… has been god rank all along???”

On one spring evening when I was eight years old, I, Erica, Duke of Aurelia’s daughter, realized something.

Huh, I have reincarnated into a fantasy world, haven’t I?

Moreover, it was the romance-fantasy girl game that had the reputation of being bloody, 『Liber Monstrorum ~Phantom Beasts and the Winter Princess~』

The face reflected in the mirror was that of the villainess character of that game.

After repeatedly harassing many characters, including the heroine, she would die without exception, signaling the beginning of an event called the bizarre incident. She was a villain who deserved to get the consequences!

—I absolutely don’t want a destiny like that, though?

No, for me who has remembered the memory of my previous life, there would be no such thing.

In my previous life, I was harassed immensely by an irrationally angry yandere man who proclaimed ‘She is absolutely in love with me.’

My cause of death, too, was from being stabbed by another yandere man who I only had talked with a few times……

Now that I have become the haughty villainess Erica, I shouldn’t encounter more misunderstandings like with the previous life’s yandere men anymore, right……?

In that case, it will be fine as long as I deal with the death flags that I may have raised myself.

All right! First of all, before the bizarre incident begins at the Magic Academy, I will strike down the death flags accordingly!!

—Or so I thought, but it seems that I am about to die.

Eeh, how did this happen—!?

“The universe is vast and boundless; the Dao is unpredictable.”Lin Beichen was reborn into a parallel world, and a mysterious and profound voice echoed in his mind. Though he didn't have a system, he unexpectedly discovered his Heaven-Defying Comprehension and could perceive everything at a glance.“How should I utilize my Heaven-Defying Comprehension?”Until one rainy day. The deluge poured down, Electric Flash intertwined with Lei Ming, and Lin Beichen gazed out the window in a daze. In that moment, inspiration struck, and his heart resonated with a profound sensation.He slowly stretched out his hand, opened his palm, and looked toward the thunderous sky. He began to clasp one finger toward the heavens and the earth.“In this world, there was no Cultivation Method. But since I am here, one should naturally appear!”“Palm Thunder!”[ps: A unique protagonist-centered cultivation genre]