Rise (Web Novel CN) - Chapter 389: Climbing & Pulling Back the Veil

Lan Chang’an has gone through two lifetimes of reincarnations, and in the third life, he aimed for stability until reaching the Nascent Soul Realm in hopes of unraveling the mysteries of the Nine Seal Stele. Consequently, he cultivated the Ancient Trees Evergreen Technique, which wielded modest power in return for greater lifespan.

His approach is not one of fearlessly engaging in battles, but of navigating with steady precision and forging meaningful bonds with others.

Throughout his long cultivation journey, he encountered individuals at various stages of their cultivation, including a Decent Faction Head, a Prodigious Beauty, a Giant Demon Lord, an Evil Cultivator, a Thousand-Year Old Demon, and a Puppet Master Pulling Strings From Behind The Scene.

Observing the ebb and flow of the world, witnessing its ups and downs, he unknowingly became a living fossil in the realm of cultivation, akin to an evergreen tree spanning through eternity.

In the world of mortals, the flow of life is steady, shrouded in the illusion of longevity, yet decisions are made decisively, with a clear sense of morality.

Changqing has always felt that she’s incomparable to Guan Ying in every aspect. Even though she is pretty and has a good family background, this world is nothing more than a world where Princes are more attracted to Cinderellas.

Her first love that she dearly remembers in her heart for years eventually becomes Guan Ying’s current boyfriend and her fiancé is Guan Ying’s ex. He has yet to forget Guan Ying.

A business marriage brings Changqing and Song Chuyi together despite the absence of love.
In public, he is her friend’s ex and in private he is her husband who cannot be publicly–known.
At the hospital, her good friend enjoys her husband’s embrace while she can only act as though he’s a stranger.
At a gala dinner, her good friend hooks her arm around her first love’s arm shyly and she can only smile and give them her blessings.

…

In this marriage, Changqing thinks that all is well other than the fact that Song Chuyi doesn’t love her.
First, her husband is a doctor and he can treat all her illnesses while saving up on medical expenses.
Second, doctors love cleanliness and her husband would always ensure the cleanliness of the house.
Third, at the end of every month, her thin wallet would grow thick with cash that her husband stuffs in secretly.
Fourth, as a person who doesn’t like to exercise, she always get dragged around by her husband day and night to do some pleasurable exercise that is beneficial for the body and mind.
Fifth, she would never have to worry that she would be out of money.
There are always so many uncountable advantages that Changqing enjoys.

…

After the marriage, on a certain night, Changqing looks at Dr. Song gloomily. “Hubby, why are you so nice to me when you don’t even love me?”
Dr. Song continues reading his medical books and ignores her. It’s sometimes quite a headache when your wife is too stupid and daft.
Until one day, Changqing realises that there’s really no free lunch in this world…

- Description from Novelupdates

Okay, so let me get this straight. I wake up and BAM, I'm inside the body of Valerian Thorne—a third-rate villain. I mean, come on? Out of all the characters I might have been reincarnated as, it had to be him? This man was literally a stepping stone for the actual hero. So why him? Why not someone with a little more. potential?Now that I have a system that can unleash Valerian's hidden potential, who knows? Perhaps this third-rate villain will get a second chance, alter his destiny, and prove the world what he is truly capable of. And if I happen to get to keep the gorgeous fiancée in the process. well, I'm not complaining.

“Elysia, why are you always subtly asking about how Michael's doing?”“Oh? Do I? Maybe it's because he was the only Herrscher in our era who fought for humanity! He was both the First Herrscher and a human named Michael. Yes! That's definitely it!” Facing Mei's question, Ellie just offered a faint smile.“What about Mobius?”“Tch!” The green-haired little girl snorted dismissively, turning her head away.“Who else?” Mei covered her face.“Pardo?”“W-w-what! Kalpas is clearly very concerned about Boss Michael too!”“Get lost!”“Kevin?”“It's not entirely what you think. He has a much more important meaning to us—a family member we promised to walk towards the future with.”-----True Love Warrior Protagonist, Not very Mental stable Protagonist, Pessimistic Protagonist, Anti-Hero Protagonist, Crybaby Protagonist, Michael x Elysia. Oh, Michael... Don't come here; I'm just writing nonsense.