The Embers Still Burn, and Flowers Bloom in Splendor

[Anti-Trope Cultivation Novel] [Slight Lovecraftian Horror] (Volume One)

[Ensemble Cast]

On the Star River Continent, where humans and demons coexist, the so-called "human-demon order" is no heavenly law upholding balance!

Are the gods real or false? Is ascension a lie?

If immortality is an illusion and those who love can hardly find happiness together, what is the point of cultivation?

And yet, there are always a few glimmers of light trying to pierce this eternal darkness.

"This order devours all life."

"Today, I shall be the new heavenly law."

"With my blood... I call upon my lord..."

He bit the tip of his tongue and spat blood before the gilded Buddha statue. Beads of blood slid down the steps like tears of blood.

"Tap."

A gilded Buddha foot stepped out of the pool of blood.

The Buddha, who should have been merciful, now wore a smile twisted into an impossible shape. Its glassy eyes rolled around with a "gloop" and fixed on the kneeling man.

The statue's voice sounded like hundreds of children's voices layered together, bright yet sickeningly sticky, sending a chill down the spine.

"I recall... you swore a vicious oath to kill your wife and prove your Dao, didn't you?"

"My lord, hear me out... Your subordinate truly did intend to..."

"Oh?"

The statue suddenly bent forward, its face, with peeling gold paint, nearly touching his.

"Then explain this to me..."

The Buddha's hand clamped around the man's throat and hoisted him into the air.

"Why are you looking for someone who resembles her?!"