Books That Make You Smarter After You Finish Them 读完之后脑子会变快的书

1. 351 大EN The Tang Dynasty's Pearl-Dispelling Record (Original Novel of the TV Adaptation Starring Tian Xiwei and Song Weilong) 大唐辟珠记（田曦薇、宋威龙主演同名影视原著） Meal Card饭卡Martial Arts810k WordsCompleted [All-New Bonus Edition] [A Screen Adaptation with the Same Title Has Been Officially Announced, Starring Tian Xiwei and Song Weilong] [Beloved Princess Reborn: Looks Like a Delicate Crybaby, Actually a Well-Rounded Warrior] ✖ [Defiant, Doomed, Devoted, Pure-Hearted Top Jianghu Big Shot] [Their Romance Is So Sweet It Makes You Cry] Princess Wanshou, blessed with the Tang emperor's favor and love, died of an illness at just seventeen. A thief secretly opened the eerie underground palace, only to d 203.8kReads9.7Score25.2k14d adds
2. 352 弈 The Eternal Wisdom of Weiqi 弈旨千秋 Luo Dingxun洛丁巡Sports175k WordsCompleted Core theme: Using the four realms of Go as its framework, the story explores Go's philosophical depth as a microcosm of Chinese culture through a journey of Go practice across time and space. It echoes Ban Gu's Treatise on Go: “Go above contains images of heaven and earth; next, the rule of emperors; in the middle, the power of the Five Hegemons; and below, the affairs of the Warring States.” In the first 17 chapters, the protagonist transmigrates through time and space to grasp the philosophica 37Reads—Score—14d adds

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   The wisdom of Go transcends millennia, encompassing four realms: the affairs of the Warring States period, the power of the Five Hegemons, the rule of emperors, and the phenomena of heaven and earth. Read this, and you'll gain a deeper understanding of the world, potentially breaking through existing limitations.

3. 353 魂 My Soul Travels Back to 1972, Where I Raise Beauties and Ride the Tide of the Times 魂穿七二，培养美人横扫时代浪潮 Stars Can Set the Prairie Ablaze星星可以燎原Historical1.7M WordsCompleted [Period] [Sign-In] [Divine Doctor] [Space] [Farming] [Sweet Romance] A real estate tycoon transmigrates into 1972 and binds to the Red Dust Karma System from the start! Ling Feng uses supplies and skills to establish absolute authority, winning hearts through “feeding” and “protection.” Ling Feng has a portable space, peerless medical skills, and deadly combat abilities. He knows that in these unusual times, supplies give you face, personal connections are the substance, and your fists are your 13.9kReads7.5Score1.6k14d adds

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   It's beautiful, meticulous, and well-organized. Come and get it, it's addictive!

4. 354 认 Cognitive Shock: 50 Masterpieces That Turn Fate Around 认知暴击50本神作的逆天改命书 Time Read 8时阅8777k WordsCompleted As the author of Cognitive Shock: Books That Change Your Fate, Inspired by 50 Masterpieces, I’d like to share some thoughts with you. Have you ever felt that you’ve read countless books, yet your life stays exactly the same? It’s not that knowledge is useless. Most of us simply read at a basic level, passively taking in information. This book is a record of my journey out of that rut. I used to believe that any reading was beneficial, until reality gave me a harsh lesson. I’d read shelf after s 93Reads6.6Score—14d adds

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   This should be alright, right?

5. 355 三 Three Kingdoms: Liu Feng's Comeback from Cannon Fodder 三国：炮灰刘封逆袭之路 Pineapples Everywhere满地是菠萝Historical1.2M WordsCompleted [This book is being published. Stay tuned.] (Conquest, strategy, iron-blooded heroics, beauties, System) After transmigrating as Liu Feng, Liu Bei's adopted son, he knew the fate that awaited him: losing favor, being marginalized, becoming a pawn to be discarded, and ultimately falling into a deadly trap. In this life, he chose to endure and bide his time, then turn the tables when all seemed lost! From the start, he risked his life to save Liu Shan at Changban Slope, earning a reputation across 73.1kReads9.6Score7.3k14d adds

   Reader note

   His head looks alright.

6. 356 第 The Ninth Special Zone 第九特区 Wei Jie伪戒Urban6.1M WordsCompleted After the catastrophe, the land was scarred beyond recognition. Food was scarce, resources were in short supply, and the situation was chaotic... A young man who had fought his way out of an undeveloped zone, with endless yellow sand at his back, came alone to District Nine to make a living. Yet he never expected to meet a few good friends by chance, rise to prominence in the chaotic era over a single thought, and embark on a legendary journey... 210.7kReads9.6Score22.6k14d adds
7. 357 大 Disaster! The White Lotus Is Trying to Seduce the Aloof Immortal Lord 大事不好，白莲花要引诱清冷仙君 Peaceful Years年安岁Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted Bai Xiruo never expected to end up in the male-oriented novel Sword Saint Supreme. The male lead is the chosen one blessed by the Heavenly Dao, destined to ascend to immortality. One swing of his sword can slay ten thousand demons; one step can take him across three continents. In everyone's eyes, he is the untouchable moon in the sky, a flower blooming on a snow-capped peak. She has no spiritual roots and nothing going for her but her beauty. To stay alive as long as possible and eventually hav 8.7kReads8.9Score1k14d adds

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   🍄Want to make your brain work at the speed of light? These books will take you into a world full of possibilities. This book is not just a guide, but a key to unlocking your mental potential.

8. 358 分 After We Broke Up, My Ex's Uncle Kept Kissing Me and Spoiling Me 分手后，被前任小叔缠吻肆意宠 Cuihua Braised with Pickled Cabbage酸菜炖翠花Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Bewitchingly beautiful siren vs. aloof, abstinent heartthrob; one-on-one romance, both pure and devoted] One does the flirting, the other does the pampering. They fall for each other, save each other, and are so sweet it’ll blow your mind The author is hopeless at writing introductions. In one word, it’s sweet. High-octane sweetness from start to finish: sweet enough to make you roll around, pound the wall, and scream your lungs out to the heavens and earth. You can’t lose by investing, my d 13.3kReads9.4Score2.1k14d adds

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   Everyone, look at this!!! This book is so exciting and mind-bending, hahaha! [Shy]

9. 359 救 Help! This Lousy System Is Making Me Found a Sect! 救命！这破系统让我开宗立派！ The Crying of Xiao Xiao萧萧之鸣Eastern Fantasy2.3M WordsCompleted After transmigrating to another world as a sickly man, the male lead triggers a System: if he fails to save twenty people within three years, he’ll die of his illness. He sets off on a journey to save people, meeting one lovely confidante after another along the way. In the end, he’s forced to found a sect and finds his happy ending. (This is not a cultivation novel.) The premise is fairly fresh, leaving behind the traditional level-up-and-fight-monsters formula. The protagonist is frail at firs 37.3kReads9.2Score3.6k14d adds

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   After reading it, you will have a lot more rational thinking.

10. 360 快 Quick Transmigration: The Dark Moonlight Is Hounded by a Yandere Again 快穿黑月光：她又被病娇缠上了 Ou Shaoshao偶邵邵Ancient Romance328k WordsCompleted Apocalypse Novel’s Dark Moonlight. [Vicious Dark Moonlight x Sweet-on-the-Outside, Dark-on-the-Inside Yandere Male Lead] You transmigrate into the dark moonlight who shoved the male lead into a horde of zombies. He had treated her to the best food and drink in the apocalypse, only for her to repay him like this. The original woman later died a truly horrific death. By the time you arrive in this world, the male lead has already been reborn. With refined, gentle features, he bustles about in the 34Reads5.9Score—14d adds
11. 361 超 Superpowered Spycraft: An Agent's Blissful Path to Immortality 超神谍武，特工修仙爽歪歪 Chu Yuxiang褚豫翔Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.6M WordsOngoing Truth and illusion are hard to tell apart, And love, hatred, and old grudges stretch beyond count! Greed, anger, delusion, sorrow, joy, and resentment, Who among us hasn’t tasted them all? Spy wars, schemes within schemes, a world of temptation, Half-drunk, half-sated, still unable to enjoy the night. I can change a thousand ways, And unleash every supernatural power. Why should I fear their schemes and plots, Their sharp tongues and cutting words? I roam the sea of stars to settle old scores, W 4.9kReads9.5Score37514d adds

    Reader note

    Cultivating immortality through technology, an unparalleled and exhilarating experience!

12. 362 笑 History That'll Make You Laugh 笑翻文史 Expanding Knowledge Capacity宏量扩识342k WordsCompleted A one-of-a-kind approach to telling stories about history and literature, a “Swiss Army knife” for broadening your knowledge and enriching your inner life. History itself is a master storyteller. Come on, let's listen to five thousand years of stories! 6Reads6.7Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Try this book

13. 363 弥 The Messiah Game 弥撒亚游戏 Qingqiu Hou青丘候Mystery3.6M WordsOngoing [No Female Lead · No System · No Golden Finger · A Genuine Triple-No Story] [Anti-Trope · Infinite Flow · Everyone’s Gone Crazy · A Doomsday Gods’ Gamble] Losing your job is bad enough, but when you’re down on your luck, who’d have thought a game would show up before a six-yuan meal deal? Hu Li stared at the madman in black holding a two-meter-long watermelon knife and forcing him to choose between joining the game or getting hacked to death on the spot. He fell silent. “So you’re saying that 13.9kReads8.9Score2.3k14d adds

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    Na na na, that's it.

14. 364 规 Rule Horror: I Am the Horror Story 规则怪谈：我即怪谈 Wish You Happiness祝你快乐呀Mystery1.8M WordsOngoing In 2017, supernatural tales descended upon Earth. Conventional weapons couldn't harm them, and humanity struggled to survive. Rule-based supernatural tales became humanity's last lifeline. Tens of thousands of chosen ones around the world were selected. If they won, the supernatural tales would vanish from reality. If they lost, the rule-based tales would descend upon the world. This was a war between humanity and the supernatural. Chen Shao, a patient suffering from bone cancer, became one of t 144kReads9.6Score19.1k14d adds
15. 365 晨 Dawn Era 2045 晨曦纪元2045 Dudu Yue嘟督越9k WordsCompleted Dawn Era 2045 2Reads—Score—14d adds

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    AI Changes Lives (Novel)

16. 366 晨 Dawn Era 2045 Sequel: A Gift from the New World 晨曦纪元2045续：新世界的礼物 Dudu Yue嘟督越19k WordsCompleted Dawn Era 2045: Sequel: A Gift for the New World 1Reads—Score—14d adds
17. 367 我EN Learning to Slay Gods in the Psychiatric Hospital 我在精神病院学斩神 Three Nine Sound Domain三九音域Urban4.3M WordsCompleted A must-read hit on Tomato Novel | Original novel of the hit anime Slay the Gods | IP influence on the China Online Literature Influence List | 2023 China Good Novel Have you ever wondered whether monsters from ancient myths lurk beneath the neon-lit city? Have you ever wondered whether gods stand watch over humanity atop the moon hanging high above us? Have you ever wondered whether extraordinary people walk among us in our bustling modern cities, acting in the gods’ stead? In the society ruled 992.2kReads9.9Score158.5k14d adds

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    As a new reader, I highly recommend "Slaying Gods." It features numerous gods and Lin Qiye's indomitable will, making it increasingly addictive as you read. [Sending heart]

18. 368 晨 Dawn Era 2045 Sequels 2 and 3 晨曦纪元2045续2续3 Dudu Yue嘟督越31k WordsCompleted Dawn Era 2045: Sequel 2 and Sequel 3 1Reads—Score—14d adds
19. 369 社 The More Embarrassed I Get, the Stronger I Become: The Attention Seeker of the VR Immortal Realm 社死就变强：VR仙界当显眼包 Dudu Yue嘟督越Urban544k WordsCompleted Worldbuilding: Earth is not as simple as it appears. At its core lies a supercomputer matrix made of crystal, known as Hongmeng. It runs an unimaginably vast virtual reality world called the “Taixu Realm.” This realm simulates the legendary Immortal Realm, Demon Domain, Mortal World, and other planes. The essence of cultivation: It is not about cultivating to become an immortal in the traditional sense. Instead, through special technologies such as soul resonance, deep brainwave connection, or u 2Reads—Score—14d adds
20. 370 直 Live-Streaming Cultivation: I Bound the Myriad Worlds Live-Streaming System 直播修仙我绑定了万界直播系统 Dudu Yue嘟督越Eastern Fantasy1.0M WordsOngoing After transmigrating to the cultivation world, I bound myself to the “Myriad Worlds Livestream System.” While others toil away at cultivation, I livestream sales of Essence-Nourishing Pills. During the sect tournament, I switch on paid viewing. My fellow disciples accuse me of sullying the sect’s sanctity. Then, when the demonic cultivators lay siege, I set up my livestream gear: “Chat, send me a rocket and I’ll land a blow on the Demon Lord!” “Thanks to ‘The Richest Lady in the Cultivation 185Reads—Score—14d adds
21. 371 元 Ascension Through the Elements: A Middle Schooler's Cultivation Journal 元素飞升：初中生的修仙笔记 Dudu Yue嘟督越Eastern Fantasy385k WordsOngoing My new work is out! Head over to Tomato Novel to read it. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! —Reads—Score—14d adds
22. 372 三 Three-Line Cycle: Reversing Course Westward 三线轮回：逆骨西行 Wolf's-Tail Fern狼尾蕨Mystery175k WordsCompleted A mysterious letter drags me into a deadly game spanning centuries! In the modern-day snowfields, I face evil spirits. Amid the flames of war in the Republic of China era, I save our ancestors. In the hidden palace chambers of the Ming dynasty, I uncover the secrets of the Jianwen Emperor... Piao Zhixuan and I battle across time, unlock the bronze mirror’s seal, and fight an evil spirit a thousand years old. Family destiny, duty to our country, and bonds forged through life and death knot togeth 137Reads8.3Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Xikang is here! Does anyone still like supernatural, suspenseful, and adventure novels? If you like Tomb Raider Chronicles and Ghost Blows Out the Light, you absolutely must read this ensemble piece—it's fantastic! Every character is fleshed out! The bonds of friendship are incredibly touching! It's not the typical mindless, overpowered plot twists that make you want to use your brain.

23. 373 后 A Popular History of the Later Han 后汉通俗演义 Cai Dongfan蔡东藩Historical582k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance Grounded in the Official Record, The Complete History of the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms, An Easy Introduction to Official History] A Popular History of the Later Han is a classic historical novel in episodic form and a continuation of A Popular History of the Former Han. Across one hundred chapters, it follows the full historical arc from Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han and Emperor Guangwu's restoration, through the decline of the Eastern Han, to the division of the rea 95Reads8.6Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    I believe that reading more history and philosophy can make you smarter, or at least more insightful.

24. 374 幽 Crossing the Netherworld 幽司渡 The World's Most Stubborn Mouth天下嘴硬Mystery247k WordsCompleted Protagonist Name: Zi Mo Lineage: A descendant of the Yin-Shang royal house, a distant kinsman of Zi Shou, King Zhou Identity: You Si (not an official position, but an identity defined by a mission) Appearance: Around twenty-five or twenty-six, lean and reserved, with a faint old scar at the corner of his left eye Personality: Quiet and taciturn. He has seen death countless times but has not grown numb to it. He feels compassion for the dead and keeps a cautious distance from the workings of Heav 4Reads—Score—14d adds

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    If the tide recedes, your heart will also leave; if the tide comes in, and you still won't come.

25. 375 爷 Grandpa's Trillion-Yuan Spoiled Granddaughter 爷爷千亿宠孙女 The World's Most Stubborn Mouth天下嘴硬64k WordsCompleted Grandpa's Trillion-Yuan Love for His Granddaughter 4Reads—Score—14d adds
26. 376 刘 Liu Xiu: An Army in One Hand, a Meteor in the Other! 刘秀：左手雄兵，右手流星！ Heart-Melting Flower Fragrance花语酥心Historical652k WordsCompleted This work is complete. At the end of the Western Han dynasty, Wang Mang usurped the throne, plunging the realm into chaos and bringing disaster upon the people. The Liu brothers, now fallen into humble circumstances, raised an army amid the turmoil. They successively defeated Wang Mang's 200,000 troops, then crushed his main force of 430,000 at Kunyang, sounding the death knell for his regime. But just as everything seemed to be going well, upheaval suddenly erupted within the Han army. Liu Xiu' 10.4kReads8.3Score74314d adds
27. 377 闺 Best Friends Reborn Together: Marrying Princes, Then Faking Their Deaths 闺蜜同穿，嫁皇子，双双死遁 Jing Mo Yi京墨一Ancient Romance371k WordsCompleted [Best-friend fiction + transmigration + System + faked death + travel between ancient and modern worlds + princes chase their wives in the modern world] Wen Yuan, eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor’s household, and Ji Xingyao, youngest daughter of the great general who guards the border, are married on the same day: Wen Yuan to Crown Prince Li Zhao, and Ji Xingyao to Fifth Prince Li Heng. Both weddings are kept simple, with fewer than ten guests. That is because the maternal clan of the princes’ 2.4kReads7.3Score13714d adds

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    Wen Wan and Ji Xingyao married the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince respectively on the same day, their weddings being extremely simple. This story unexpectedly involves time travel between ancient and modern times, a system element, and even a plot involving a fake death. The princes in the modern world embark on a desperate pursuit of their wives, a clash between ancient entanglements and modern conflicts—what kind of love, hate, and revenge will unfold? Witness this love and redemption that transcends time and space.

28. 378 荒 The Wilderness Hunting King 荒年猎王 The Moon Crosses the Star River月渡星川Historical702k WordsCompleted A new work is out! You can read my stories on Tomato Novel. I hope you’ll enjoy them. Your support is what keeps me writing, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 1.7kReads8.1Score12914d adds

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    Two new books, one completed.

29. 379 苍 Beneath the Boundless Skies 苍茫之下 The Moon Crosses the Star River月渡星川Urban722k WordsOngoing Under the Vast Sky is a long-form realist novel depicting life in local government and how ordinary people survive in the game of power struggles. Beneath the vast sky, everyone is a low-ranking official. Caught in the middle, they face pressure from above, turmoil below, and entanglements of human relationships on every side. With no powerful patron to rely on and no shortcuts to take, they can only endure to make their way and act cautiously to protect themselves. They struggle to survive in t 452Reads8.1Score—14d adds
30. 380 都 Reborn in Another World: A Carefree Urban Legend 都市异界重生之逍遥传奇 The Moon Crosses the Star River月渡星川Urban530k WordsCompleted Lin Yu, a young man from a modern city, was caught up in a mysterious experiment by accident. His soul transmigrated to another world that blended urban life with fantasy. In this world, technology and magic coexist, powerful clans control vast resources and political influence, and mysterious organizations and hidden dangers abound. 49Reads—Score—14d adds
31. 381 一 Tenfold Growth in a Year: Mastering the I Ching's Winning Mindset 一年十倍，悟透易经里的不败心法 Prince and Princess, Please Get Rich王子公主请发财234k WordsCompleted Tenfold growth in a year, not through luck, and not through insider tips, but by seeing through the stock market’s most fundamental rules: Your gains and losses are your own; you reap what you sow. Through bull and bear markets alike, forge a trading path that truly never fails. 5.7kReads7.5Score67914d adds

    Reader note

    Let's see how the experts trade stocks.

32. 382 穿 I Transmigrated to the 1970s to Help My Sister Woo an Officer, but He Set His Sights on Me 穿越七零，帮姐撩军官他却盯上我 The Salted Fish Flails in My Dreams梦里咸鱼在扑腾Modern Romance339k WordsCompleted Bai Shao transmigrates and sets out to help her sister get rid of a two-timing scumbag. But the unfaithful man refuses to take the hint, so she grabs a branch and chases after him, yelling that he’s a pervert. He gets so scared that he runs whenever he sees the sisters. Regiment Commander Zhang seems like a good catch: handsome and a guaranteed long-term meal ticket. After they marry, Bai Shao will follow him to his posting. She can use him to keep her awful grandmother and third uncle in check. 258Reads6.7Score10314d adds

    Reader note

    Highly recommend this article; it's full of political intrigue, requires shrewdness, and is perfect for those with a romantic mindset.

33. 383 盛 Doted on Beyond Measure: Mr. Zhou, Take It Easy 盛宠难却：周总轻点撩 A Leap一跃Modern Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Reborn + sweet romance + love grows over time + satisfying slow-burn story] [Quick-witted money-minded girl vs. cunning, arrogant young master] In her previous life, Mu Wanqing was spectacularly unlucky. Her mother worked herself to death, worn down by exhaustion and depression, while raising Mu Wanqing and her younger sister and paying off the enormous debts left by her husband, who had faked his death. Afterward, Mu Wanqing and her sister endured constant abuse from their stepmother. As if th 20Reads—Score—14d adds
34. 384 G The G-Headed Strange Tales G字头奇谭 Wooden Melody木韵清Modern Romance213k WordsCompleted Every day, thousands of high-speed trains race across this land. But the G2027 is different. The person sitting next to you might not be human. Shen Du, the train's conductor, is 42 and has worked in the industry for twenty years. He can see what others can't: people's fortunes, the obsessions clinging to them, and abnormalities about to occur. The scar on his right hand came from being clawed by “something” twenty years ago. That time, he saved everyone aboard the train. The price was that 1Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    This is a series of episodic dramas, with each volume telling a different story; it will definitely sharpen your mind.

35. 385 别 Stop Hustling! The Immortal Venerable Takes Paid Leave in a Post-Apocalyptic Game 别卷了！仙尊在末世游戏带薪休假 The Scenery in That Glance那一眼的风景Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.7M WordsCompleted Lu Xian, the cultivation world's most dedicated overachiever and the “Grand Void Immortal Venerable” with a hundred thousand years of cultivation, successfully ascends and enters the realm of eternal immortality. Three seconds later, a pop-up window forcibly binds him to an invitation for the closed beta of Apocalypse 2077. The System announces: “Congratulations, you have been selected as Player No. 9. Survive for 30 days in this zombie apocalypse. Complete the basic missions to qualify for ‘pai —Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    It's like witnessing a real life unfold! ☞ The characters and stories within have a lingering, captivating quality. 🎞️

36. 386 国 National Fate Fraud? I Livestream Real History and Set the World Ablaze 国运欺诈？我直播真历史引爆全球 The Scenery in That Glance那一眼的风景Urban864k WordsCompleted The National Destiny Arena descends, binding historical figures from around the world as dungeon bosses. While other countries take on heroic epics, the Dragon Kingdom faces a distorted “tyrant Qin Shi Huang,” “treacherous Cao Cao,” and “foolish Emperor Yang of Sui”... The entire nation despairs. Lin Xiao, an overworked office drone, awakens the [Civilization Truth] System in the midst of this desperate situation. When the Dragon Kingdom’s representative denounces the “demonized Qin Shi Huang” o 11Reads—Score—14d adds
37. 387 恒 The Constant Register of Parables 恒籍寓鉴 Xuanyuan Badao轩辕霸道Modern Romance1.2M WordsOngoing Synopsis of The Book of Constant Records: Tales to Awaken the Mind and Discern the Truth With “drawing wisdom from the classics to illuminate the questions of today” as its guiding principle, this book selects over a hundred classic fables and anecdotes from the various schools of philosophy, historical biographies and notes, and folk tradition. These include “The Frog at the Bottom of the Well” from Zhuangzi, “Making Up the Numbers” from Han Feizi, and “The Man from Qi Who Worried the Sky Would 10Reads—Score614d adds

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    The Hidden Edge Chronicle: The Blunt Sword Breaks the Edge In the late Spring and Autumn Period, on the border of Wu and Yue, there was a mountain called Tianmu, where two sword-making families lived in seclusion—the Ou family of the South Mountain and the Ba family of the North Mountain. The Ou family was renowned for their "sharp edges," forging longswords with a chilling gleam, capable of cutting a hair with a single blow. When wielded, their sharpness was fully revealed; the sword's shadow could be seen cutting through the wind from ten miles away. People in the martial world said, "Ou's sword is invincible." The Ba family, however, chose the path of "blunt edges," forging swords without sharp corners. Their blades were thick and dark, heavy in the hand, showing no sharpness whatsoever. The world often scoffed, calling them "a piece of rotten iron, utterly useless." Even the Ba family's descendants often felt inferior because their swords were not as sharp as the Ou family's. Ba Shi, the thirteenth generation descendant of the Ba family, learned sword-making from his grandfather from a young age. Grandfather Barber spent his days tending the red-hot furnace, repeatedly hammering a piece of black iron. Three years had passed, yet the iron remained dull and lifeless; its blade had been sharpened a hundred times, but it showed no sign of becoming sharp. Ba Shi watched as the neighboring Ou family's sword-making workshop bustled with activity, people thronging to buy swords, while his own workshop was deserted, with only a few sparrows pecking at iron filings. Filled with resentment, he couldn't help but ask his grandfather, "Grandfather, the Ou family forges swords in three days, each blade capable of severing a horse's leg and piercing armor. We, on the other hand, spend three years sharpening a single sword, and it remains so dull, its sharpness hidden. Isn't this a complete waste of effort? Everyone loves a sharp edge, but we insist on concealing our true nature. When will the Ba family regain its former glory?" Barber put down his hammer, stroking the unfinished, blunt sword with his calloused hands. Looking towards the distant mountains, he slowly said, "A sharp edge, though potent, is easily broken; a formidable edge, though dazzling, is easily exposed. Concealing the edge is not about having no edge, nor is hiding the weapon; it's about concealing the sharpness within a solid foundation, hiding one's trump card in silence. Look at the pine trees in the mountains; when the wind blows, those with outstretched branches are the first to break. Only those with deep roots and concealed branches can withstand the storm. Look at the stones in the stream; those with sharp edges are often worn away by the flowing water. Only those with smooth, rounded edges can endure for millennia. Forging a sword is like being a person; being too proud and flamboyant, revealing one's sharpness, will only expose one's weaknesses, making one a target for others. Only by concealing the edge and hiding the weapon, observing attentively, can one find the right opportunity and strike decisively." Ba Shi seemed to understand, but remained unconvinced. He always felt his grandfather was too conservative. If they didn't show their skills, how would the world know the power of the Ba family swords? This secrecy would only lead to the decline of the Ba family. The following year, King Fuchai of Wu wanted to choose the "Number One Sword Under Heaven" and summoned all the sword-making families of Wu and Yue to gather at Gusu Terrace for a swordsmanship contest. The winner would not only receive the title of "Number One Swordsmith Under Heaven" but also take charge of the Wu Kingdom's Armory, overseeing all the sword-making workshops in the country. When the news arrived, Ou Ye, a descendant of the Ou family, immediately took out the sharpest sword in his family, the "Lingxiao Sword." The sword was about twelve feet long, with a scabbard inlaid with gemstones. When it was drawn, its cold light was dazzling, and its sound was deafening. Ou Ye practiced with the Lingxiao Sword in front of his family's sword-making workshop. With one stroke, he cut through a hundred-year-old dead tree, and with another, he cleaved through a blue stone. The onlookers cheered, all saying that Ou Ye would surely win the contest. Seeing Ou Ye's ostentatious display, Ba Shi became even more eager and pulled his grandfather to forge a sharp longsword to compete with Ou Ye. Barber shook his head, still gripping the blunt sword, and continued hammering it: "A contest isn't about sharpness, it's about mindset; winning a sword isn't about arrogance, it's about composure. Ou Ye's sharpness is too overwhelming; though the sword is sharp, it has already revealed its weaknesses. If you try to compete with him, you'll only be restrained by his brilliance and lose completely. You should follow me, finish forging this blunt sword, conceal its sharpness, observe carefully, and there will be a chance to break the deadlock." Helpless, Ba Shi could only continue forging the sword with his grandfather. Every day, he watched as the Ou family's sword-making workshop bustled with activity, a constant stream of people seeking swords. Ou Ye, in particular, boasted daily about his swordsmanship, extolling the might of his swords, revealing everything from sword techniques to the materials used, as if afraid others wouldn't know how sharp his Lingxiao sword was. Meanwhile, the Ba family's sword-making workshop remained deserted. Ba Bo never discussed sword-making methods with anyone. If someone asked about the merits of Ba family swords, he would only say indifferently, "A clumsy sword, unfit for great use," and say nothing more. Ba Shi, following his grandfather's example, silently hammered away at the black iron, uttering no words about sword-making, nor revealing any of his swordsmanship skills. On the day of the competition at Gusu Terrace, swordsmiths from the Wu and Yue regions gathered together. King Fuchai of Wu and his civil and military officials sat below the stage, creating a grand spectacle. The competition consisted of three rounds: the first round was "armor-slaying," the second round was "formation-breaking," and the final round was "duel." The winner of all three rounds would be the champion. In the first round of armor-slaying, Ou Ye was the first to step onto the stage. Wielding the Lingxiao Sword, he roared and cleaved the hundred-refined armor bestowed upon him by the King of Wu. The armor shattered instantly, scattering fragments across the ground, eliciting thunderous cheers from the audience. Ou Ye, beaming with pride, bowed to the crowd and proclaimed, "My Ou family's Lingxiao Sword is made from the black iron of Kunwu Mountain, tempered in a furnace for forty-nine days. Its blade is incomparably sharp; not to mention hundred-refined armor, it can cleave even metal and stone with a single strike!" He then drew his sword and struck a nearby bronze cauldron, instantly creating a deep crack in its surface, drawing even more astonishment from the crowd. When it was Ba Shi's turn, he slowly walked onto the stage, holding his dull, dark sword. The crowd below, seeing the blunt, unsharp sword in his hand, scoffed, "Such a dull sword, let alone armor, it probably can't even cut through cloth! The Ba family truly forges swords from rotten iron!" Ou Ye, arms crossed, looked at Ba Shi with disdain, "Junior Brother Ba, your sword is even worse than dull iron. You'd better admit defeat now to avoid embarrassing yourself in front of King Wu." Ba Shi didn't speak, but gripped the blunt sword tightly, lowered his waist, and slowly slashed down at the hundred-refined armor. Everyone thought the armor would remain unmoved, but to their surprise, the moment the blunt sword struck, a clean crack appeared in the middle of the armor, more solid and powerful than the crack Ou Ye had created, without a trace of breaking. The cheers from below abruptly ceased, everyone's faces filled with shock. Even King Fuchai of Wu sat up straight, a look of astonishment in his eyes. Ou Ye's heart tightened, but he remained defiant: "It's just good luck. In the second round of breaking the formation, your blunt sword is not agile enough; you'll definitely lose!" The rules for the second round of breaking the formation were that the swordsmith, wielding his own longsword, would break through a sword formation composed of twenty guards. The one who could break through the formation within an incense stick's time without being injured by the guards' weapons would win. Ou Ye once again went first. He wielded the Lingxiao Sword, his movements agile, the sword flashing, each strike aimed directly at the guards' weaknesses, its sharpness fully revealed. At first, the guards were intimidated by his sharpness and retreated repeatedly. However, it didn't take long for them to figure out his swordsmanship. Ou Ye's sword relied too much on sharpness, pursuing "speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness" in every move. His swordplay was flamboyant and full of flaws. The guards deliberately created openings to lure him into striking, and as his blade fell, they immediately parried with their weapons. Although the Lingxiao Sword was sharp, its thin blade developed tiny chips after several collisions. By the time an incense stick was almost finished burning, Ou Ye had barely broken through the sword formation, but he was already panting heavily. The edge of the Lingxiao Sword had chipped in several places and was no longer as sharp as before. He stood outside the formation, his face flushed, but he still refused to admit his shortcomings, roaring at the guards, "You deliberately made things difficult for me, otherwise how could I be in such a sorry state!" When it was Ba Shi's turn, he still held that blunt sword and slowly walked into the sword formation. Seeing his sword was dull, the guards launched their attacks, thrusting their weapons at his vital points. But Ba Shi remained calm and composed, his steps steady. His blunt sword, though not sharp, was heavy and sturdy; the guards' weapons deflected it, unable to harm him in the slightest. He didn't actively draw his sword, but silently observed the guards' moves, memorizing each person's swordsmanship habits and weaknesses. Only when the guards had exhausted their techniques and were worn down did he slowly raise his hand, his blunt sword gently flicking out the weapon from one guard's hand. With a further deft movement, he forced back two more guards. Throughout, he was unhurried and silent, yet every move was precise and hit the vital points, without a single superfluous action. Just as an incense stick's time passed, Ba Shi stood firmly outside the formation, unscathed, his blunt sword still dull and heavy, showing no signs of damage. The crowd below dared not scoff any longer, bowing their heads and whispering amongst themselves: "So the blunt sword of the Ba family actually possesses such power!" "Ba Shi remained silent throughout, observing quietly, finding the opening before striking—far more impressive than Ou Ye's flamboyant style!" King Fuchai of Wu clapped his hands and laughed: "What a masterful concealment of power! Such composure, truly the demeanor of a great master!" Ou Ye, watching Ba Shi's composed demeanor, felt both anxious and furious. He knew that if he lost the final round, the title of "Number One Swordsmith Under Heaven" would fall into Ba Shi's hands, and the century-old reputation of the Ou family would be ruined. He gritted his teeth, a plan forming in his mind—he had boasted daily about the weaknesses of the Lingxiao Sword, claiming its thinness and vulnerability to direct impact, but he harbored a trump card: a poisoned needle was hidden within the hilt of the Lingxiao Sword. If he were truly outmatched, he could trigger the needle, striking unexpectedly. He had never revealed this trump card to anyone, not even his closest disciples. In the final duel, Ou Ye, wielding his damaged Lingxiao Sword, struck first. His sword flashed like lightning as he thrust towards Ba Shi, shouting, "Ba Shi, today I'll show you that sharpness is king! Your blunt sword is nothing but rotten iron!" He attacked while observing Ba Shi's movements, trying to find an opening. But Ba Shi remained focused, his blunt sword steadily parrying, neither launching an attack nor showing any sign of panic. He silently observed Ou Ye's moves, memorizing every flaw. Ou Ye attacked for half an hour, still unable to harm Ba Shi in the slightest. The edge of his Lingxiao Sword was chipped even more severely, and his stamina was waning. His impatience grew stronger, and he roared at Ba Shi, "You only know how to dodge? If you have the guts, strike first!" Ba Shi remained silent, only tightening his grip on his blunt sword. He had long seen through Ou Ye's impatience and figured out all the weaknesses of the Lingxiao Sword. He also noticed that Ou Ye's hand, gripping the hilt, always unconsciously pressed towards the bottom of the hilt—the place where his trump card was hidden. Previously, Ou Ye had been showing off his swordsmanship daily, exposing the sword's weaknesses, but he had kept the hilt's secret hidden. This deliberate concealment, however, became the most obvious flaw. Ba Shi remained silent, quietly waiting for the right moment. He knew that the more impatient Ou Ye was, the more likely he was to reveal his trump card, and once it was exposed, it would be Ou Ye's defeat. After a moment, Ou Ye could no longer restrain himself. He suddenly thrust the sword towards Ba Shi's chest, simultaneously pressing his fingers down on the bottom of the hilt. A tiny, gleaming poisoned needle shot towards Ba Shi's face. This move was swift and ruthless, causing the crowd below to gasp in surprise. Even King Fuchai of Wu couldn't help but stand up, looking at Ba Shi with concern. But just as the poisoned needle was about to strike Ba Shi, Ba Shi suddenly moved. He abruptly dodged the poisoned needle, his blunt sword flashing out as he swung it. The heavy blade struck Ou Ye's sword hilt with deadly precision, and with a snap, the hilt of the Lingxiao sword broke, the poisoned needle falling to the ground. Ou Ye's sword instantly lost its power. Before Ou Ye could react, Ba Shi's blunt sword was already pressed against his throat. Though blunt, the blade carried immense force, rendering Ou Ye unable to move. The entire arena fell silent. After a moment, thunderous cheers erupted from below. King Fuchai of Wu clapped his hands in praise: "What a brilliant concealment of power! Silent until it roars, then it astounds! Ba Shi, your blunt sword conceals its sharpness and wisdom. It is more worthy of the title 'Number One Sword Under Heaven' than Ou Ye's sharp sword!" Ou Ye slumped to the ground, staring at the broken Lingxiao sword and the fallen poisoned needle, his eyes filled with resentment and shame. He finally understood that he had not lost the sword, but his mind; he had not failed due to a lack of sharpness, but because he had been too arrogant. He showed off his swordsmanship every day, exposing the sword's weaknesses and revealing his impatience, laying all his flaws bare before Ba Shi; while Ba Shi always concealed his strength and observed silently, seeing through all his weaknesses and recognizing his trump card, ultimately winning the contest effortlessly. Ba Shi helped Ou Ye up, sheathed his blunt sword, and slowly said, "Brother Ou, a sharp edge, though potent, easily reveals its weaknesses; a blunt sword, though without a sharp edge, holds immense power. Concealing one's edge is not cowardice, but composure after understanding the situation; hiding one's strength is not incompetence, but calmness after guarding one's trump cards. The more you talk, the more flaws you expose; the stronger your desires, the easier it is for others to manipulate you. Only by observing without speaking, concealing one's trump cards, and observing weaknesses, can one know oneself and one's enemy, and be invincible in every battle. A true master is never one who flaunts their strength or is arrogant, but one who conceals their strength within, calmly accumulates power, and when the time is ripe, strikes decisively and astonishes everyone." After listening, Ou Ye lowered his head in shame and bowed to Ba Shi, saying, "Brother Ba is absolutely right. I was too flamboyant, revealing all my strength, and ended up losing completely. Only today do I understand the wisdom of concealing one's edge and hiding one's strength. I have learned a great deal." Later, when Ba Shi took charge of the Wu Kingdom's weapons bureau, he continued to forge blunt swords. The swords he forged remained dark and heavy, without sharp edges or gleaming points, yet they could withstand powerful enemies on the battlefield and protect the country. Ou Shi also put away his former arrogance and followed Ba Shi to learn the art of concealing sharpness. When forging swords, he no longer pursued quick and sharp edges, but instead focused on meticulous crafting, hiding the sharpness within the weight and solidity. Ou Shi's swords gradually acquired a new charm, no longer being fragile sharp edges, but rather steady and powerful weapons. Years later, Ba Shi, in his old age, returned to the mountains and passed on the Ba family's sword-making techniques to his disciples. Before his death, he left behind a final saying: "A dull sword has no edge, its sharpness is hidden within; a gentleman conceals his weapon, remaining silent until it is ready to strike. Those who expose their sharpness break easily, those who conceal it endure; those who talk too much reveal their weakness, those who remain silent conceal their wisdom. Guard your trump cards, see through weaknesses, calmly accumulate strength, only then can you break through and move forward steadily and far." This last saying, along with the Ba family's sword-making techniques, has been passed down, gradually transcending the art of sword-making and becoming a wise maxim for life. People finally understand that concealing one's sharpness and concealing one's weapon is not cowardice or retreat, but a clear-headed understanding, a composed wisdom. Too much ostentation only makes one a target for attack; too much talk only exposes one's flaws and needs, becoming a bargaining chip for others. Only by concealing one's sharpness, guarding one's trump cards, speaking little and observing much, can one see the situation clearly, find the weakness, and strike decisively at the crucial moment, achieving a legendary feat of remaining silent until the moment of triumph. Like the pines and cypresses of Tianmu Mountain, concealing the sharpness of their branches and taking deep root in the soil, they can withstand fierce winds and rains; like the stubborn rocks in the stream, smoothing their edges and undergoing polishing, they can endure for thousands of years without being damaged; like the blunt sword in Ba Shi's hand, hiding the sharpness of its blade, being heavy and steady, it can break through sharp edges and become the true number one sword in the world. Life is also like this. Concealing one's sharpness is not about having no sharpness, nor is hiding one's weapon about having no weapon. It is about hiding wisdom in silence, hiding strength in composure, quietly accumulating strength when no one knows, and amazing the world when the time is ripe. This is the supreme wisdom of concealing one's sharpness and hiding one's weapon, and it is also the ultimate way of life for a master.

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