The Desolate Era (Web Novel) - Book 36, Chapter 18 - Naked Extortion

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

In the age of Universal Awakening on the Azure Sphere, a myriad of races and gods coexist.

Devils, dark gods, and monsters descend upon the mortal realm, only to be met by the Awakened.

Howard, during his Awakening Ritual, discovers dual talents— F-rank Mana Recovery, and the supreme talent: Supreme Synthesis.

He keeps a low profile, hiding as a 'common magus.'

Through countless acts of synthesis, he forges supreme artifacts, supreme skills, and supreme classes!

Fireball synthesis... Ding! Synthesis successful, attaining D-rank skill— Fire Serpent!

Fire Serpent synthesis... Ding! Synthesis successful, attaining B-rank skill— Fire Python!

Fire Python synthesis... Ding! Synthesis successful, attaining S-rank skill— Dragonfire!

When devils invade and dark gods descend, they are left slack-jawed by the Azure Sphere before them.

“No, this is a trap... a trap disguised as a mere cupcake!”

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“What are you doing, Logan?”Jean’s voice was sharp, but her body betrayed her leaning into the warmth of his breath as his lips traced a sinful path down her neck.“You promised me a kiss every day, remember?” Logan murmured, his smirk curling against her skin.“Or should I read the contract to you again?”She should pull away. She knows this is wrong.But resisting Logan Kingsley?That was never in the plan.------------------------------------------------------Jean Adams has spent her entire life under the suffocating control of her powerful family, molded into the perfect daughter, the flawless businesswoman, and the untouchable heiress. But when her parents cross the final line, demanding she marry the very man who once shattered her, she refuses to be their pawn any longer. If they want a marriage, she’ll give them one. But on her terms.Logan Kingsley, her sworn enemy. A self-made billionaire with a reputation for winning, Logan has spent years battling Jean in boardrooms and beyond. They have never seen eye to eye, their hatred simmering since childhood. But when Jean offers him a deal, a contract marriage that benefits them both, he doesn’t hesitate.For Logan, marrying Jean is a strategic move. For Jean, it’s her ultimate revenge. Tying herself to Logan is the perfect way to break free from her family’s grip, humiliate them, and destroy the future they tried to force upon her. But as their fake marriage plays out under the public eye, their carefully crafted plan starts to unravel.Old wounds resurface. The line between pretense and reality blurs. And the one thing Jean swore she’d never risk, her heart, may become the biggest casualty of all.In a game of power, betrayal, and unexpected passion, Jean and Logan must decide: Is their marriage just a weapon for revenge, or has it become something far more dangerous?

As a house servant, Gu An accidentally shattered a jar of Spirit Flowers in his youth, and in his panic, he discovered that he had seized twelve years of life span!A path to immortality thus unfolded before Gu An's eyes!In order to cultivate in peace, Gu An chose to become a Servant Disciple of the Supreme Sect, planting medicinal herbs daily to cultivate by seizing the life span of these herbs.Through the evolution of life span, his Basic Skill constantly evolved, deducing from Basic Sorcery to reach Divine Skills that connected to heaven!Eras changed, constellations shifted, and the Mortal World transformed vastly.Gradually, legends of immortals emerged in the Mortal World.The immortal known as Gu An expended half of his life span, helping his Cultivation Level break through the limits of the Immortal Path and achieving the realm of a Saint, soaring above the heavenly laws.However, one day, a white-robed old man with a saintly presence came to visit Gu An.“I am Xuan Qing from the Heavenly Stars above, appointed by the Heavenly Emperor Tai Hao. Hearing of Daoist Friend's numerous benevolent deeds in the Mortal World and your countless rescues of the living beings here, the merits are immeasurable. Thus, I have been dispatched from the Lower Realm to invite Daoist Friend to join the ranks of the immortals, to take up an immortal office, the Divine Steed Celestial Official.”“May I ask what the duties of the Divine Steed Celestial Official are?”“In the Heavenly Court, there are divine steeds that can traverse earth and heaven and penetrate Yin Yang. The Divine Steed Celestial Official is responsible for looking after and feeding these divine steeds.”Huh? Taking care of horses? Groom?!