Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 554: A Parlay(3)

Chen Mu, a low-level officer, thought he could only live a cautious life, but unexpectedly he got a system panel that could accumulate experience, and he could master all the skills with just one practice.

[Blast Knife + Gale Knife + Wind Chasing Knife = Blast Artistic Concept]

[Jade skin grinding method + sand iron method + coarse salt method = skin of copper and steel]

A peerless martial saint with unparalleled swordsmanship, bronze skin and iron bones, and a body of pure gold was born step by step.

- Description from novelbuddy

Ye Qing transmigrated into a novel. She was only an unimportant character in the novel, and she was free to live a wonderful life by herself.

But, her happiness was short-lived. One day, an adorable girl that looked around three-year-old popped up and called out in a milky voice, “Mom.”

Ye Qing: ???

On another day, a cute and handsome twenty-something guy hugged her. With tears in his eyes, he said in a voice that was full of affection, “Mom!”

Ye Qing: ???

After Ye Qing had somehow inexplicably become the mother of two children, she discovered –

Neither of these children were human!

***

One day, a little girl pulled a certain big boss to the side to whisper, “Dad, mom was patting my head when she was telling me a bedtime story. I felt too comfortable, and I accidently swung my tail out. Mom seems to have seen my tail. What should I do? QAQ.”

- Description from Novelupdates

In a peaceful, utopian Earth, a young man is born cursed by the will of the heavens. One day, he awakens… and uncovers the hidden world of the High Humans—the most powerful beings on the planet. His superpower? A rare support ability with healing powers… or is it? From that moment on, a healer who devours lives to grow stronger, just like the worst demons, is born. *** This is a story about superpowers in a distant future, where Earth hides unimaginable secrets. It’s also a journey across universes, filled with battles and discoveries. The protagonist isn’t a genius or a trained warrior. He’s just an ordinary man who faced dark times and watched his life be consumed by the abyss. But now, he has a chance to change everything. Step by step, he will learn why to fight—and how to survive.

The most popular game worldwide is Ancient Arena Online, a high-octane PvP fantasy game where teams fight for supremacy in mythical arenas. Millions of fans watch livestreams, bet on matches, and follow their favorite players like celebrities. The game’s competitive scene is so fierce that professional teams are treated like esports royalty.At the heart of it all is Kai Ashford, one of the top players and captain of the pro team Phoenix Edge. With lightning-fast reflexes and strategic brilliance, Kai leads his team to countless victories. But success breeds jealousy. Sabotaged by a teammate he thought was loyal, Kai is not only kicked off his team, but also humiliated in front of millions of fans. With his reputation shattered and confidence at rock bottom, Kai retreats from the public eye.However, Kai's competitive spirit is not easily extinguished. He stumbles upon a group of amateur players—a ragtag bunch who show raw potential but lack the finesse needed to win at the highest levels. Their quirky personalities clash with his no-nonsense attitude, but something about their passion reminds him of why he started gaming in the first place. Deciding to put his past behind him, Kai agrees to train them into a professional team.Along the way, Kai builds unexpected connections with his new teammates, including romantic entanglements with a fiery mage, an eccentric hacker, and a mysterious assassin player, all while juggling his personal feelings and growing attraction for multiple women. As his new team rises through the ranks, they gain attention from fans and sponsors, putting them back on the radar of the professional scene.But Kai’s past doesn’t stay buried for long. His former teammates—now rivals—plot to sabotage him once again, while jealous contenders within the gaming world aim to tear him down. However, Kai's return to the spotlight will be on his terms this time. With a darker, more calculating approach, he plans to not only dominate the game but also to get sweet revenge on those who betrayed him.