I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

Kuang Quanbing was imprisoned in the deepest part of the dungeon, with no chance for any visits. As the deputy city lord and a powerful Great Ascension Demon Emperor, Kuang Polou was not to be obstructed by the guards, who could only report to Dan Yu for instructions. They learned that as long as Kuang Quanbing remained locked up, everything would be at Kuang Polou’s discretion.

Thus, the guards opened the heavy restrictions, and Kuang Polou finally saw his son.

Once spirited and adorned with glory, Kuang Quanbing now wore tattered clothes, locked up like a beggar on the street. Listening intently, a pair of venomous eyes shot through his disheveled hair. Upon seeing his father, his gaze softened instantly, as if he had seen a savior. Kuang Quanbing hoarsely called out, “Father, you finally came!”

“Quanbing… you’ve suffered.” Even Kuang Polou couldn’t help but feel his eyes moisten at this moment. Two sons—his younger son was lost to the void, and now his elder son was in such dire straits.

“Since you’re here, you must know what has happened. Eight days, a full eight days—do you know how I’ve endured?” Kuang Quanbing struggled to rise, the heavy iron chains clanking with a dull sound. “I think of nothing

“Don’t kill Long Tian just yet, Father. Leave him half a breath, bring him out so I can complete the final step.”

“Hmm.” The father and son exchanged a few more words before Kuang Po Lou left to gather ‘evidence.’

“Long Tian, in the end, you will still fall into my hands!” Kuang Quan Bing chuckled ominously.

————Lord’s Mansion Study

Jin Hong Lian also summoned Long Tian and explained the situation.

“I am truly grateful for what you and Lord Dan Yu have done for me.” Long Tian expressed his heartfelt thanks, fully aware that Dan Yu had no reason to act against Kuang Po Lou. Kuang Po Lou had not only participated in the betrayal but was also the deputy lord, having accumulated considerable reputation over the years. It was impossible for someone like him to be brought down by a minor character like Long Tian.

As for letting Kuang Po Lou search for the so-called ‘evidence,’ it was not only to keep him from acting out of desperation but also provided Long Tian with a chance to survive.

After all, with Kuang Po Lou’s cultivation level, if he truly wanted to kill Long Tian, there would be no way for Long Tian to escape. However, finding ‘evidence’ could give the Kuang family a chance to redeem their reputation, framing everything as a plot orchestrated by Long Tian in collusion with external forces, while Kuang Quan Bing would be the victim. As long as there was this glimmer of hope, Kuang Po Lou would temporarily refrain from reckless actions, meaning Long Tian was safe for now.

“No need to thank me; ultimately, it’s still because I’m not strong enough.” Jin Hong Lian took out a life-saving artifact. “This is what Lord Dan Yu asked me to pass on to you. It can instantly transport you to the Southern Xuan Continent, with activation time being negligible. In case of a crisis, use this to escape, and you’ll be safe in the Kunlun Realm. Kuang Po Lou won’t be able to interfere there.”

“Please thank Lord Dan Yu for me.” Long Tian accepted the artifact, and Jin Hong Lian bowed slightly before turning to leave.

With this artifact, along with the information he had gathered from Jin Hong Lian, Long Tian’s chances of avenging Yi Shi had increased significantly.

————West City District

“Is that so?” Ye Yong learned from Dan Han and Dan Rong about the events that transpired in the council hall. He secretly thought that his guess was correct; the world consciousness had laid a trap in the Crazy Breaking Tower, intending to use this Great Ascension Demon Emperor as a mid-term experience for the protagonist. Yet, he, Ye, remained cautious and kept a watchful eye.

Although the Crazy Breaking Tower belonged to an extra side quest and was unrelated to the main plot, thus unable to yield a reversal point, Ye Yong felt a twinge of regret. However, the thought of being able to hinder the protagonist’s development made it all seem worthwhile.

Seeing the protagonist grow was far more painful than his own regression in cultivation.

“Ye Youngzi…” Dan Han and Dan Rong knew that Ye Yong stayed in Lion Forest City for the matter of the foreign demon seed. Now that the dust had settled and the demon seed had been eliminated, it was time for him to return to the Kunlun Realm. The two fox beauties felt a myriad of reluctance: “Can’t you stay a little longer?”

Ye Yong shook his head. According to rumors, Long Tian had offered a secret realm token to obtain resources, splitting the profits with Guandongzi fifty-fifty. Even if it was only half, it was still a considerable amount, enough for Long Tian to use for a long time. Unfortunately, his new companion, Yi Shi, had sacrificed himself to save him, so he could only secretly send most of the resources to Yi’s family as compensation.

This was a common trope in the original plot, highlighting Long Tian’s loyalty while restricting the protagonist’s development. It forced him to return to the Kunlun Realm, following the original storyline, venturing into the secret realm for opportunities, clashing with the antagonist, and ultimately achieving a dramatic reversal, flaunting his strength and gaining experience.

The protagonist’s path to acquiring resources was never easy; it was impossible for it to be as effortless as Ye Yong’s, who had bags and bags of resources that he couldn’t even use up. Whenever the protagonist’s resources exceeded a certain limit, it would trigger events similar to this, leading to various losses and compensations for his companions.

In simple terms, the protagonist’s opportunities were just enough to use, and any excess had to be given away. Otherwise, an overabundance of resources would mean the protagonist wouldn’t need to venture out, and not venturing out meant he couldn’t confront the antagonist, thus missing out on the chance to flaunt his abilities and absorb experience.

“Practice diligently. Once you break through to the Demon Emperor and Master Dan Yu reaches the Half-Saint realm, the Kunlun Realm will pose no threat to you.” Ye Yong planned to have the Heavenly Dao of the Xuan De Realm periodically supply them with holy energy, allowing them to accelerate their cultivation, so they could come to the Kunlun Realm sooner and cling to him for support.

“Then, Ye Youngzi, can we serve you for one night?” Dan Han and Dan Rong, one on each side, gazed at him with sparkling eyes, filled with affection, their red lips slightly parted, speaking sweetly.

“That’s not appropriate.” Ye Yong had already decided that before pushing the female lead, he couldn’t casually make advances on the supporting characters. After all, he had known the female lead first and needed to consider their feelings.