Calculating Cultivation - Chapter 34: Escaping The Depths, Ensnared By The Heights

Long ago a great calamity struck the earth, destroying much of it and merging what remained with pieces of other worlds.

With these worlds came Aether, a new form of energy that can allow one to transcend the bounds of normal mortality and human limitations.

In a world where humans absorb the essence of aether beasts to gain power, Aiden Hawke joins the class of humans known as arcanists, people who defeat aether beasts and absorb their essence into cores they forge within themselves, and who infuse themselves with the aether that permeates the world around them to increase the power of their body and mind.

However, unlike most, Aiden will find that he holds a unique gift and that his journey as an arcanist will not be so simple.

Lieutenant Jack Fritz is a self centered American man of German descent. He like many joined the United States Navy in hopes of getting an easy life and easy money. In fact getting money and taking it easy is all he has ever really wished for in life.However life seems to have other plans in-store for Jack as he suddenly finds himself at the beginning of World War 3. Though his fight does not last for long as he is suddenly blown to bits by a missile and sent into the afterlife, but instead of going to heaven Jack is dragged to another place where he is given another chance at life by some fiery demon for a price.Having been given no other chance Jack does as the demon says and earns himself life again. Though he doesn't return to his original world, but a medieval one. With no guidance and no higher purpose given to him he simply decides to do the best that he can within this new world of his. This time he will for sure earn that perfect life of his and possibly a lot more.But little does Jack know his fate is not his own and there are many sinister things in-store for him. Also the world he finds himself in is not a safe or simple medieval world, but one beset by dangers from all sides that are already little by little driving humanity towards its extinction.

Su Li, an ordinary person who lived for 30 years, surviving on social welfare as a laid-back slacker.Occasional pointless complaining and self-defeating philosophical platitudes didn’t bring any meaning to his 30 years.Until he was transported to another world…Su Li, who had no elemental talent, Su Li, who was labeled as useless, lived an unremarkable life.One day, Su Li picked up a person in distress and told them: “The reason you think light is important is only because darkness pervades the world. When light fills the world, darkness will become important.”The Son of Light Saint who was betrayed by the Bishop of Light— He’s right!He is the sage who guides people forward, the signpost standing before the people, my faith, my everything!He is not a god, yet he far transcends gods.Su Li saved an injured mute bird. As birds sang outside the window, he told the bird: “The reason people like things that make beautiful sounds is only because they happen to understand that sound. Because of ignorance, there is no sin.”The Level 9 demon beast Raven, severely injured by the Mercenary Association:— All people are ignorant and foolish, thinking that ravens represent evil, even labeling me as a natural disaster. I hate humans the most, but he is the exception.If the world is what he wants, I too will aspire towards it.Su Li told his young friend who wanted to go to the big city to strive for success: “Moving upward is human instinct. If one day you fall due to reality, please don’t hate yourself.”The friend who eventually amassed enough gold coins to fill a city:I once thought that a child from a remote countryside would never understand everything I pursued. However, heaven blessed me, allowing me to witness true great wisdom…

Gu Chaoyan is the eldest daughter of the Gu Family, yet the least favorite one. She is mostly despised and belittled by everyone around, only because she isn’t pretty.