The Spider Queen - Chapter 18: First time on a starship

“Sarah, I promise to help you rise again, to bring back the light to your career and take down whoever shall stand in your way, but in exchange, be my wife” Mason whispered.“I... I appreciate your offer, Mason, but a contract marriage? Can we really keep it a secret?” Sarah returned reluctantly.In the aftermath of a heart-wrenching betrayal, Sarah Chen, the esteemed songstress of Wuhan, crosses paths with the Mason Liu. Heir to Asia's most influential dynasty, Mason, with promises of restoration and secrets, proposes a contract marriage to Sarah in exchange of helping her bounce back to her position as number one of Wuhan. As she hesitantly agrees, will Sarah find not only a path back to stardom but also an unexpected journey of love and self-discovery in Mason's perfect world?

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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“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]