Lord of Earth

After losing his memory, the destitute Zong Lan inherited a psychiatric clinic. Every day, he carried a bucket of glue to post ads, hoping mentally ill patients would come on their own. And then the lab rats actually showed up. A Jack the Ripper patient with dissociative identity disorder, a painter whose brushstrokes spawned pollutants, a full-metal obsessive-compulsive combat machine, a perfectionist obsessed with explosive art, and an ex-boyfriend who spouted riddles while perpetually in heat—each one harder to treat than the last. Under Zong Lan’s patient deception, none of them discovered his quackery. Instead, they turned over a new leaf, reformed, and became better people. Jiangzhou Base City grew ever more peaceful. To commend the contributions of Zong’s Psychiatric Clinic, the Containment Center decided to award Boss Zong a Little Red Flower Medal. Standing on the podium, Zong Lan teared up. *“Oh, it’s nothing, I’m not that great. I only got this far with everyone’s support.”* *“Now that it’s come to this, I can’t keep hiding the truth any longer!”* His tone shifted abruptly, full of remorse: *“Actually, I’m the notorious, world’s most-wanted criminal. I only opened this shady clinic to make money—I just got my license yesterday—but somehow, I ended up becoming a life coach for all these patients. I don’t deserve this. My conscience won’t let me rest.”* *“So, uh… is it too late to turn myself in?”* Everyone: *“…”* Everyone: *“???”*

The destitute streamer Zong Qi one day received a text message: [Congratulations! You've been selected for the beta test of the Horror Director System. Sign promising actors and create works that reflect your aesthetic vision!] Zong Qi: ? Spam ad, deleted. That night, he was dragged onto a horror movie set and told he would die if he didn't finish the film. Fortunately, actors had to follow the script diligently, while the director only needed to stand back and watch. Since the payoff was just too good, Zong Qi switched careers in a heartbeat. Slipping into an alter ego, he became the notorious behind-the-scenes director, outsmarting and antagonizing actors at every turn. His on-set misdeeds included but weren’t limited to— Applying makeup for ghosts in person, teaching actors how to hijack the script with bold moves, and betraying them at critical moments… Normally, such arrogance leads to a brutal downfall. But instead of facing united revenge from the actors, Zong Qi found himself confronted by a certain big spender whose plans he’d ruined countless times. The man removed his glasses, his handsome face cold and indifferent. A paintbrush smeared with pigment traced along the youth's sharp jawline, a dangerous implication in the gesture. "You've dirtied my brush." He smiled softly, enunciating each word with deliberate calm. "As punishment... I’ll dirty you too."

The down-and-out magician Zong Jiu transmigrated into a book. He found himself in a horror survival show novel, becoming the cannon fodder pretty boy who died tragically in the first round. This survival show was intriguing—only a hundred could debut out of thousands of participants, and the center position would earn a universal wish ticket. For others, this would be terrifying. But Zong Jiu wasn’t afraid at all. Instead, he thrived, pulling off one bold stunt after another. He survived unscathed, but in doing so, he made an enemy of the novel’s ultimate villain. Back and forth they went—today you scheme against me, tomorrow I strike back—each exchange strangely enjoyable. But no matter how reckless he was, eventually his luck ran out. Pinned to the ground by his nemesis, Zong Jiu lazily raised his eyes. “Just kill me if you’re going to. Stop wasting time.” Despite being at a disadvantage, he showed no fear, even provoking further. The man’s cold fingers traced his ear before pausing abruptly at his pulse point. “Pity. I’ve changed my mind.” — Once, he would have gladly killed Zong Jiu himself. He once regretted not carving his flesh or snapping his neck with his own hands. But now that Zong Jiu was truly in his grasp, a different, fiercer craving surged wildly. More than victory, he longed to see him gasping, pleading, with reddened eyes… [Original Title: The Thrilling Contestant] [Published Title: The Morpheus Contract] [Audiobook: Available on Maoer FM] [Please refrain from mentioning other authors' works in the comments of my story, and avoid referencing my work under other authors' posts. Thank you for your respect and cooperation.] [The escape room format of the Mad Circus arc is not my original creation—this was clarified during serialization. Some other common elements in the story are also widely used. [Please respect all hardworking creators.] Do not use my work to police other authors' stories, as it causes distress. Thank you for your understanding.]

The Taiyan Sect's outer sect gained a remarkably talented servant disciple. With a face that captivated all, he was lazy and carefree, yet rose to fame in a single battle. Alas, this disciple was frail and weak; without the nourishment of rare treasures, his cultivation path would likely end. "Able to release sword energy before even reaching Foundation Establishment, born to wield the sword. Pity, pity." All who spoke thus shook their heads and sighed. Zong Ci didn't mind—his life was a borrowed one. Having died saving the world, he was thankful to have been reborn. He held no grudges, simply wishing to live well. His idleness was fine by him, but others wouldn't allow it. His former loathed love, his ruthless junior brother, his capricious master... all rushed to uncover his secrets, eyes alight with madness, each willing to lay their hearts bare before him. Zong Ci: ??? Considering his past poor relationships, he was overwhelmed. He always felt he had gained nothing in his previous life—betrayal from his sect, separation from comrades, death and the end of his path, a mere joke. He never imagined they would stand before his grave, plunge into the ghost realm, fall into the demon abyss, seemingly insane. He never expected one more, who set up a divination board and calculated through the night. The heavenly snow settled on Tianji Gate, only to await an empty coffin bearing half a severed finger.

Zong Yan sits in the classroom, always feeling like the extra one. His body is here, but his soul sneaks out through the window. He wants to do anything, be anyone, except himself. He possesses a cool superpower: he can pull different character cards from the void with his bare hands. As long as his SAN value is sufficient, Zong Yan can become different entities—a superhuman, an ancient deity, an Elder God, even... an Outer God. Soaring above the dome of the Demon City, he is the free-flying child of the wind. Strolling through the rainy fog of London, he is the enigmatic Night Watchman. Walking amidst the glitz and glamour of New York, he is the radiant Sun God. Diving into the geometric city of R'lyeh, he is the indescribable King. Traversing the kaleidoscopic Dreamlands, he is the primordial faith of the universe. Early to bed, early to rise, attending school diligently—overtime and saving the world by night. During the day, he's a high school senior at Qingyang High; at night, he's the honorary top student at Miskatonic University. During holidays, he travels the world investigating anomalies, outwitting evil deities, and dedicating himself to maintaining peace and saving the crumbling world. Zong Yan: Thanks for asking, just an ordinary high school boy's daily life.