Rise of the Poor - Chapter 228: When Will the Imperial Examination Be Held

Ethan finds himself mysteriously transported to another world, where the strong reign and the weak perish.Welcomed by a kind farmer who decides to help him upon seeing his poor condition, Ethan begins to hope for a new life.However, his dream is shattered when an acquaintance deceives him, leading to his sale at the slave market. Desperate and confused, Ethan wonders what he has done to deserve all this.“Which deity have I offended to deserve all this?”Just when he thinks all is lost, fate has another surprise in store for him, once again changing the course of his destiny.

Jiang Yun died in his original world, and his spirit traveled to a cultivation world as the Holy Son of the Sacred Land of Mist. However, his new body was severely injured from being attacked by demonic cultivators and having his Sacred Bones stolen.As he was in despair, a voice from a System, known as the Villain System, sounded. Initially, he was shocked because of his experiences, which seemed like the destiny of a protagonist. However, when he discovered that his junior disciple was the true Son of Destiny and had stolen his Sacred Bones, hiding them, and was a spy for the Demonic Sect, Jiang Yun realized he was being framed. The junior disciple created false accusations against him, causing other disciples to dislike and reject him, including senior and junior disciples who shared the same master.Without hesitation, Jiang Yun decided to become the Villain. He planned for survival, gathered resources, amassed forces, and acquired subordinates. Eventually, his master decided to remove him from his position as Holy Son. He then chose to leave the Sacred Land. When he encountered an Emperor Spirit, he learned that the world was about to undergo a dramatic change in the near future. Thus, he established a Sacred Land for those who were despised and abandoned by heaven, or for those who shared his ideals.

Elias “Grim” Kingsley, a nine-year-old orphan with a hardened heart and sharp tongue, dies alone from pneumonia in an overcrowded orphanage. Known for his perpetual scowl and biting remarks, he's labeled a “problem child” by caretakers and “damaged goods” by potential adopters. Years of rejection have built thick armor around his young heart.In death, he encounters the God of Balance who offers him a second chance at life in a different world—this time as Grim Van Ambrose, son of a noble house. Balance explains that every soul deserves to know love and connection, something Elias was cruelly denied in his first life.Promised the family and belonging he never experienced, Grim begins his new life only to suffer an immediate tragedy: his mother dies moments after his birth. This cruel twist of fate reinforces his belief that loss is inevitable, leaving him with a distant father and the mysterious voice of a “Guidance Assistant” in his head.As Grim grows into his new identity, he struggles with his dual nature—the emotional scars of his past life bleeding into his present one. His difficult personality and sharp tongue remain, now paired with noble privilege and expectations. Despite his outward brashness, he carries the deep wounds of his first life and the fresh loss that welcomed him into his second.What begins as one orphan's second chance evolves into an epic journey through a world of ancient beasts, elemental magic, and deadly political intrigue. As Grim uncovers the truth about the Ambrose Clan's fall from grace and the conspiracy that framed them for treason, he faces increasingly dangerous adversaries—both human and monstrous. His quest for revenge against those who destroyed his family's legacy will challenge him to master forbidden techniques, forge unexpected alliances, and ultimately decide whether to rebuild the Ambrose Clan as it was, or transform it into something entirely new.In a realm where power determines survival and ancient secrets lurk beneath noble facades, Grim must learn that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with swords, but with the choices that define who we truly are.

Nile Santos lived a life of sacrifice — always stepping aside, always giving others the best gear, always following orders without question. In the end, none of it mattered. His comrades fell, his body was broken, and he died a meaningless death in the final battle against an unstoppable force.But fate isn’t finished with him.Offered a second chance by the very beings who led him to ruin, he’s thrust back in time with all his memories intact. This time, though, he’s not playing the role of a noble shield. No more selflessness. No more obedience. No more being a pawn.Armed with future knowledge and a will forged in failure, he vows to rewrite his story — to take everything for himself. Skills, loot, allies, power… all of it. It’s time for one man to climb to the top, no matter what it takes.Author's other storiesThe Unrivaled Holder: Rise of the Dragon Monarch - 3rd Season OngoingI Ascend Alone - Ongoing