《Ashes of Heaven》22- I'll Pass On This Dao
Advertisement
Other than the sound of a pen scratching against paper, Xuhan's hut was as silent as it could be. He sat on the bedside, hovering over the small table where a pile of organized sheets lay in front of him. For the last ten days, he had been busy filling up these sheets.
At the moment, he had just finished writing a passable manuscript for his book and was currently busy editing it thoroughly.
In his previous life, he had read a huge number of novels with the harem tag attached, not to mention all those shounen animes full of harem tropes and dense protagonists.
What had he not seen or read in those days?
Using all those experiences, he wrote tirelessly, dissecting tropes after tropes and filling the gaps in logic with vague criticism, erudite sounding words that were too advanced for this world, explanation of human nature through psychological theories no one had ever heard of, references to unknown ancient gods like Yun Che, Ji Ning, Nie Li, Han Lin, Rito Yuuki, Shido and Yuu Illhan...
The humongous amount of useless information inside his head were finally being used to their full potential. He presented arguments based on false premises and countered it with set up logic that would confuse any gullible reader.
He fashioned the book in such a way that no one would be able to find any flaws to the advice and guidelines he had written, mainly because they had no idea such tropes existed.
He even carefully designed his words to make his source of information mysterious, just in case another transmigrator or reincarnator read the book and learned his secret. After all, it would be idiotic to presume every transmigrator and reincarnator would be a good person. Han Xuhan didn't want to be targeted by anyone right now.
He used a lot of advice to improve personal lifestyle that he had learned from the internet, something that would definitely increase the credibility of his book when applied in real life. He also applied some indirect hints to make the readers feel that sucking up to one's own sect and getting closer to their own masters was a part of the overall process of becoming a harem king, something that was bound to be approved by the sect's authorities since it would strengthen their hold over the disciples.
Advertisement
After all, which sect didn't want their disciple to have better characters and be more dependent on their sect?
All the advice and guidelines he wrote in there pointed towards cultivating a decent character, a praiseworthy set of morals, better behaviour in daily life and many psychological issues that dealt with the problematic attitudes of traditional cultivators, altogether leading the readers into becoming a better person.
And if one becomes a better person compared to their peers and stand out in a crowd due to his better nature, obviously, he would receive more admiration and adoration from the opposite gender. In the world of cultivation, looks could be made better easily with minor techniques, so character was more important!
Alongside such indirect and "profound" words, Xuhan dropped the multitude of harem tropes and their detailed explanations. Then he mixed it up with every cheesy flirty lines he could remeber from his previous life that served only to confuse and arouse the passionate hearts of young readers...
There were dozens of discussion regarding dual cultivation, yin-yang integration and similarly familiar yet vague terms that gave off "realistic" impression. Countless high level cultivation techniques and dual cultivation methods stolen from junk novels were invloved between the lines. All in all, anyone could guess that this book wasn't written on a whim to fool others. How could a mortal author imagine that much detailed information regarding high level cultivation systems?
Who was going to challenge such flawless logic when such new possibilities opened up ahead of them all of a sudden?
Inwardly, Xuhan finally realized why all the scheming villains in novels and movies laughed so dementedly everytime their schemes worked, the allure was irresistible!
With this book, who can stop me from sweeping this sect clean?
Chuckling creepily, Xuhan set the pen aside, gathered a neat pile of papers from his table and walked out of his hut, his destination being the treasury of the sect.
After asking around, he had learned that the treasury was in charge of managing the auctions. Since Xuhan wanted to get the sect's recognition for his book, the auction was the best bet for him at the moment.
The elder in charge, upon seeing Xuhan again, flared up. He remembered this spendthrift disciple from before who had bought precious treasures and resources with loaned money given by the sect. Just as he was about to start yelling at him again for returning so soon-
Advertisement
"Elder, I'm not here to buy but sell!"
"-Huh?"
The elder was dumbfounded. Sell? What could a mortal sell to the treasury of a sect?
While the elder's thoughts had slammed into a block in their path, Xuhan pulled out his manuscript and handed it to the elder.
"Elder Shen, this is the copy of an ancient scripture I found in an old cave many years ago. I modified some parts and made it into this book that I believe would be treasured by any hot blooded male!"
The elder looked at the manuscript that has been thrust into his arms in a daze. The title of the book was...very eye-catching.
His heart lurching, the elder opened the book and started reading the book right then and there.
As a powerful cultivator, his reading speed was quite extraordinary. Within half an hour, he carefully finished reading the whole manuscript expressionlessly.
Xuhan calmly stood before him and watched as the elder finally looked up at him after completely reading the manuscript.
"Young man, what is your name?"
"This humble disciple is named Han Xuhan."
"Little Xuhan, are you interested in joining my pavilion and pursuing the great dao of the Crimson Star mountain peak? You have great potential, young man!"
"Eh? Pursuing dao? May I know which dao elder Shen pursues?"
Xuhan's heart was beating so fast. This was just like those fortunate encounters that happened to protagonists! Was his luck finally about to change? Could this elder be one of those legendary cheat "grandpa" ?
"The great dao of deceit and treachery, of course! Was that even a proper question? Couldn't you have guessed the answer already? Obviously, your potential in this dao is extraordinary!
So tell me, are you interested in becoming my personal disciple and create the legend of the greatest scammer in the world of cultivation?"
"...Erm, no. I'll pass on that."
The elder's answer put out the fire in his heart cruelly. Even if it was an alluring offer, Han Xuhan didnt want to become an infamous scammer. Moreover, what if the elder was making that offer just in order to scam him? He was pursuing that dao after all...why did he get his hopes up anyway? He wasn't the protagonist to begin with. Those fabled fated encounters wouldn't happen to him.
The enthusiastic elder didn't mind in the slightest. With the smell of spirit stones so close, who cared about some disciple even if he had potential? If necessary, they would collaborate again!
This book was the very epitome of what a scammer can reach using sheer wit and literary skills! On one side, its exterior had the allure to attract countless young men with its promise and seemingly legitimate information that was extremely hard to fake. On the other side, it was written so finely that even if anyone actually understood the scam, they couldn't find a way to refute it without using great influence. There were technically no lies in the book, but the premise was totally misleading! Anyone who complained against the author would find themselves in a tight position because this book vehemently supported the hierarchy and system of the sect's authority and advised the readers to love and protect their sect since filial piety to masters was a great virtue!
This was nothing but a money making scheme to trap gullible young men!
Of course, the great number of dating advise wasn't being overlooked here, but the aged elder didn't care about them with profit so close...
"Hahaha, disciple Xuhan, you brought it here to get the sect's endorsement so that it can recieve more attention from the start right?"
Xuhan nodded emphatically at the elder's question.
"It's decided then. We shall reveal this book after the auction ends tomorrow and encourage the disciples to buy this, hahaha...."
Xuhan managed to work out a fifty-fifty deal with the elder. Papers were not cheap in this world. The production cost set aside, Xuhan was intelligent enough to swallow a few disadvantages during the bartering for profit management and give a few shares to the elder as a "gift ".
Looking at his back as he returned to his own mountain peak, the elder chortled happily and clutched the manuscript in his hands with his eyes burning passionately.
Tomorrow, the auction would be held, and he was going to strike it rich!
Advertisement
- In Serial44 Chapters
Ancestor, Wake Up! (Xianxia novel)
The thirty-year war against the two world superpowers had ended. The Dragon Mountain continent had won. After sacrificing so much for the continent, winning the war for his people, The Leader who United the Continent, An Shan, had to go into deep sleep. In a blink of his eyes, times had gone by. Finally waking up in the world he left for many years, An Shan began his new life with new people, new culture, new things to see. With the population booming, there were ten times more people than he could remember, yet also with ten times more problems. He slowly unraveled the problems gripping his new generations, thus decided to go out, fixing them without the two superpowers knowing. Slowly. It was supposed to be a walk in a park for this super senior, albeit with one little problem. The old man’s sleepy. Damn sleepy. Ah, this tranquility… so peaceful. Huhu… what a bliss… Wish this could last forever… Ahh~~ … ... “…Ancestor, wake up!!!” 'My ears!' --------------------------------------------------------------- 21st May 2022, Author's Note: I have gone into hiatus for too long. This is like a curse...
8 170 - In Serial14 Chapters
A Ditto's Tale
Dead Then Alive? Reborn into the world of pokemon, our "Hero" sets on an adventure to become stronger, smarter and pervier. To beat them all. Open for interpretation. To see them all. Also open for interpretation. But also, to catch them all. A fanfiction brought to you by the Author of original stories such as; The Dragon Within Beyond The Game Our Chaoz ; Our Reality
8 170 - In Serial24 Chapters
The Quest To Devour All
"There is always destruction when there is beginning, we cannot escape destruction for destruction is in us" "It only matters how much destruction is in us. but him...his only will is destruction..and that will cannot be broken" Tremis I. Stuarts is what people identify as a Maniac, a person who they think does not deserve to live. But when that person is murdered and transmigrated in a Fantasy world with the title of {God of Devour} where he decided who lives or dies does any life stand a chance? Because in his eyes NOONE needs life, only death. [Official Discord: https://discord.gg/qQ6ANDT]
8 262 - In Serial17 Chapters
Analyst Advancement! (A LitRPG Adventure)
After 50 long years and a losing struggle against cancer, Gabriel the librarian returns to video games for the last time. He has his mind downloaded to Ancient Realms MMO, arguably the greatest VRMMORPG of all time. But with his class being a unique yet non-combat "analyst", how will he survive the roguelike labyrinth of a tutorial he must pass to succeed in the path of Champions? And how can he prosper once he reaches the main game? Find out with me, as we watch our adventurers grow: A shy shadowmancer, an edgy gunslinger, a spacial mage who specializes in dropping boulders on enemies, and an annoyingly observant Librarian. I took a rather long break from writing, but I have returned! Expect regular weekly updates from now on.
8 78 - In Serial15 Chapters
A Tragedy for a Demon Lord
In a world created from the love of two goddesses exists endless possibilities. The children of the two goddesses were given the gift of mana, a tool that can weave miracles through thoughts. Yet, with unlimited possibilities, prosperity was the first that disappeared in the world.While there was no difference between the two faction except for the fact that they were born from different mothers, conflict eventually arose out of that single disparity. The children of light saw the foreboding darkness within the heart of their enemies, yet they, who were born in the light, did not realize that they had stepped into the darkness. Because of the desire to eliminate the proclaimed heretics, the world was plunged into chaos and war.Those born to lead the children of the darkness were originally kind hearted souls. Their sole desire was to live in order to worship their mother and goddess. When the thought of war arose, they were the first to reject it. Even though they were born from darkness, they understood how beautiful the light, and the gift of life they received, was. However, after losing everyone and everything, their heart were eventually plunged into darkness. Without anything to live for, without anything to hold them back, they allowed themselves to be consumed by hatred. Cursing the Goddess of Light for the death of their family, those born from the darkness turned away from the light. From the chaos, the demon lords were born, and the cycle of chaos began. Long into the future, where those gifted with the ability to manipulate mana existed in few numbers, a child, fated to be consumed by chaos, was born. The child, born on the horizon that separates darkness and light, was given the blessing of both the Goddess of Darkness and the Goddess of Light. Because he did not exist within either side of the horizon, he was alone. Kept hidden within the castle of his father, he saw little of the world. But, he was content with the life he was given. He had loved his mother and father far more than he loved the world. As long as they were beside him, he did not feel alone. But, when the fated day arrived, his life was shattered. Broken and in despair, a child, born from the love of a demon lord and a human, sought for revenge- the sole reason he continues to live within a cold and merciless world that would never accept him.
8 177 - In Serial10 Chapters
Another Time, Another Universe
A new object called Yogurt Cup has arrived in a strange new place called Goiky through mysterious circumstances, with no memory of how or why she got there.By uncovering grim and disturbing memories from thought-triggering interactions with the original object contestants of BFDI, she makes friends and enemies and embarks on a complex journey of self-discovery to uncover her dark past and find the answers once and for all.(This is my first-ever story. The cover art was created by me, and neither it nor the story itself can be used by anyone without my permission. All the BFDI characters belong to jacknjellify, so credit and rights for those characters go to them. Also, Yogurt Cup is my objectsona, so she belongs to me.)
8 188

