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TDG: Demon Master of Karma
Chapter 1: Fortune's Transmigration and the Heaven-Shattering Seal

Chapter 1: Fortune's Transmigration and the Heaven-Shattering Seal

When fickle Fortune's hand doth pluck from life a soul, and cast it 'pon the shores of destiny anew, behold! A mortal born beneath Heaven's gaze, his fate now bound to treasures rare and grand. A seal unbroken, forged in celestial fires, awakens might untold, and with it, shatters Heaven's laws. Transmigration's gift, Fortune's mark, and the heavens tremble at the birth of power unrestrained.

[You have transmigrated into the body of Naraku, a low-level young master who is antagonistic towards the original main character, Nie Li. You may pursue any course of action you desire. However, be aware that if you choose to oppose Nie Li, he will become your enemy.]

[You have the option to scheme against Nie Li, turning the tables on him and casting him as the villain in this story.]

[To expose him as an incompetent fool; reveal his hypocrisy, selfishness, deceit, and foolishness.]

[Prove to the world that he is a fraud, unworthy of his claimed status as a centuries-old reincarnated supreme cultivation expert.]

[Manipulate the events and perceptions surrounding him to become the true hero that Nie Li can never be.]

[Save or destroy Glory City as you see fit, and transform Nie Li into a despised enemy.]

[To assist you in your mission, you have received the Demon God’s inheritance: the Karma template.]

[You have unlocked the first function of the template: Karma accumulation. You gain Karma from heroic deeds, which enhances your Soul Realm cultivation. Engaging in events involving multiple characters and higher stakes will yield greater Karma; a fundamental cosmic principle representing the cumulative result of one's actions, intentions, and behaviors. It acts as a form of energetic currency that influences the natural balance of the world. It is tied to cause and effect: positive actions generate positive Karma, leading to favorable outcomes, while negative actions produce negative Karma, resulting in adverse effects.]

[Your current Karma: +4]

[Karma can be accumulated through various actions and achievements. Each positive interaction with the world and its inhabitants will contribute to your total Karma.]

[Note: Karma can be used to unlock additional features and enhance your abilities. The more Karma you accumulate, the more powerful you become.]

[To maximize your Karma gain, focus on events that involve significant conflict, challenge, and opportunity for manipulation. Engage with key figures and shape their perceptions to your advantage.]

[Your next objective is to increase your Karma by undermining Nie Li’s credibility and stirring discontent among his supporters. The more you succeed in these endeavors, the faster your power will grow.]

With these guidelines, Naraku found himself thrust into the world of Tales of Demons and Gods. Originally one of the background characters, Naraku is a young master that now has the chance to redefine his destiny.

His immediate plan was clear: to publicly rebuke Nie Li, challenging his claims and undermining his reputation. This "task" would not only serve to elevate Naraku but also test his resolve and cunning in the intricate web of power and perception.

After receiving the godly inheritance, Naraku was granted a single day as a head start.

He used this brief period to familiarize himself with his situation and to stabilize his cultivation foundation before Nie Li’s return from the future.

---

One day after Naraku's transmigration.

On the towering St. Ancestral Mountain range, golden rays of sunlight filtered through the jagged peaks, casting long shadows into the deep, rugged canyons below.

Despite the early arrival of summer, patches of snow clung stubbornly to the hillsides. The cold in this region seemed endless. Occasionally, the distant roars of beasts echoed from the mountains.

Nestled on the valley’s floor, a sprawling, magnificent city stood in contrast to the untamed wilderness around it. Its walls were imposing, weathered by time yet resolute against the passage of the seasons.

This was Glory City, the last bastion of human civilization in this perilous land.

Amidst the city’s towering structures, there was an academy. The walls and grand buildings around it marked it as a place of prestige and learning—a sanctuary for those who sought to master the arts of combat and cultivation.

Holy Orchid Institute of Glory City, Fighter Apprentice Class

The Fighter Apprentice Class was designed for commoners and aristocratic teenagers with moderate talent in physical combat or sufficient funds to afford the enrollment fee.

This class provided general education and was often their sole opportunity to become a demon spiritualist, despite most students lacking both the funds for private tutors and a strong enthusiasm for Soul Force cultivation.

Overhead, the sun broke through the cloud cover, casting a fleeting warmth over the academy’s grounds, yet the cold grip of the St. Ancestral Mountains was still felt by all the students.

As the end of the school year approached, two remarkable students with exceptional backgrounds joined the class: Ye Ziyun and Naraku. Both less enthusiastic about attending compared to their peers.

Coincidentally, this period also marked the resignation of the previous teacher, and Shen Xiu, a new temporary lecturer, took over the position.

The classroom was bathed in sunlight, the rays streaming through the windows and illuminating the students.

Naraku, sitting in the back of the classroom, was still adjusting to his new life.

Just a day ago, he had woken up in this world. Previously a scientist from a modern era, he found himself in a strange new reality filled with cultivation and demonic beasts.

His initial surprise was quickly replaced by concern. Despite his extensive knowledge of martial arts and science from his previous life, he had only ever fought ordinary people. The prospect of facing beings of such high power and supernatural abilities was daunting.

In his previous world, he had studied various martial arts and self-defense techniques, but those skills felt inadequate compared to the supernatural arts practiced by the cultivators here.

It was akin to discovering that the comic book heroes he admired were real and that he was now a part of their world.

Luckily for Naraku, his transmigration came with an invaluable gift: a secret inheritance cheat that made him feel more at ease in this unfamiliar world. Although he wasn’t certain of its origin, it seemed tailor-made for his challenging situation.

Inside his body, there was a mysterious white space—distinct from his Soul Realm. Currently, this space contains only a floating platform. Despite not fully understanding its purpose, Naraku quickly grasped the main ability he had acquired.

While walking through the streets, he encountered a young girl who had fallen. He kindly helped her to her feet, and as he did, a blue screen appeared before him, displaying a karmic value and indicating that he had earned one Karma point.

With this increase in Karma, Naraku also felt a slight boost in his soul power.

In this world, cultivation focused on enhancing one's soul force, which in turn increased their realm, power level, and longevity.

As cultivators aged, growth became increasingly difficult, making early cultivation essential to avoid wasting future potential.

Naraku realized that Karma was intricately connected to everything and everyone. By utilizing the Karma template, he could absorb Karma from the world and others.

Understanding this, Naraku set out to test his new ability. Over the course of the day, he actively sought to assist as many people as possible. He helped shop owners with their businesses, cleaned the streets of trash, and performed other small acts of kindness.

When asked about his motivations, Naraku simply stated that he was looking out for the city and its people, returning the kindness he had received.

His efforts were met with praise, and he was offered food from those who learned he had no family. He gratefully accepted their generosity, filling his fridge with bread, milk, and sausages.

Through his testing, Naraku discovered that Karma was not solely gained through good deeds but also through gaining others' approval and being perceived as noble.

Speaking righteous, kind, and heroic words that resonated with others or pleased them resulted in higher Karma gains compared to merely performing charitable tasks.

This realization led Naraku to conclude that acquiring Karma through emotional responses was more efficient.

It required less time to speak impactful words than to spend the entire day performing charity work. This insight motivated him to explore more effective ways to accumulate Karma without sacrificing his cultivation time.

---

Naraku sat at his desk with a plain expression, his black hair and black eyes betraying no emotion.

Next to him sat a girl with striking purple hair—Ye Ziyun, the daughter of the City Lord.

As the lesson was about to begin, the students engaged in quiet, excited discussions among themselves.

"I heard we have a new teacher today," one student said eagerly.

"Yes, and she's a 3-star Gold rank Demon Spiritualist from the Sacred Family. Her name is Shen Xiu!" another student added.

"And look, there are two new students. Do you know who that purple-haired girl is?"

"The new boy is quite handsome," one of the girls commented, her gaze lingering on Naraku.

At that moment, a woman entered the room and took her place at the podium. The room fell silent as all eyes turned toward her.

Shen Xiu was an imposing figure with a tall, attractive build and fiery red hair. Her lavender dress hugged her form, accentuating her perky chest, and her exquisite makeup highlighted her elegance. Her demeanor was one of pride, arrogance, and indifference.

As a 3-star Gold rank Demon Spiritualist of noble birth, Shen Xiu considered herself above the students. She had only agreed to teach this beginner Fighter Class due to familial obligations and aspirations, with the Elder of the Sacred Family ordering her to.

Her primary motivation was to support Naraku, who was also a member of the Sacred Family, in winning the favor of the City Lord's daughter. Success in this endeavor could elevate her own family's status within Glory City.

With a wave of her hand, Shen Xiu ensured that the students were quiet and attentive before beginning the lesson.

"Demon Spiritualists and Fighters are categorized into five ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Black Gold, and Legend. Each rank is further divided into five levels, from 1-star to 5-star."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"You may choose to become either a Demon Spiritualist or a Fighter, but a Demon Spiritualist is always superior to a Martial Warrior.

"Demon Spiritualists are of noble existence. They cultivate their soul force within their Soul Realms. However, becoming one is difficult, requiring both talent and persistence."

As Shen Xiu’s lecture continued, the clouds outside parted, allowing a ray of sunlight to shine dramatically through the classroom window.

The light fell upon one of the students in the back row, as if bestowing a blessing upon him.

The sunlight struck the boy, and as he felt its warmth, his gaze became clearer, and his eyes widened in shock.

The boy in question was Nie Li—an ordinary student who happened to be the most significant figure in the room.

Nie Li was a regressor from the future timeline, a self-proclaimed supreme expert who had been killed by the formidable Sage Emperor, an evil overlord of the heavens.

Just before his death, Nie Li used his Temporal Demon Spirit Book, a cheat item, which allowed his soul to return to the past, back to his school days.

In Nie Li's previous life, Glory City was ravaged by countless assaults from demon beasts.

Its once-unshakable protector, the Legendary Demon Spiritualist Ye Mo, perished in the city’s final defense.

With his death, the city fell, and only a few thousand survivors managed to escape, fleeing toward the endless desert to the east of the St. Ancestral Mountains.

Before Glory City’s destruction, Nie Li had been painfully weak.

Despite his best efforts, he had remained stuck at the 3-star Bronze rank, unable to advance any further in his cultivation.

His lack of progress made him invisible in the eyes of both the institute and his own family. Treated as if he were insignificant, mere dust beneath the notice of those more powerful than him.

Back then, Nie Li had been nothing special—just another struggling student with no exceptional talent. If it weren’t for the reckless moment when he had thrown his life on the line to save Ye Ziyun, he likely never would have captured the attention of the goddess he had admired.

At the time, Ye Ziyun had already achieved the level of a 1-star Gold rank Demon Spiritualist, her cultivation was far beyond his. She was a radiant star in the sky, while he remained earthbound, unable to even dream of standing beside her.

However, after the destruction of Glory city, and under the constant threat of death, Nie Li and Ye Ziyun, grew close. But their bond was tragically cut short. In the end, Nie Li wasn’t even qualified to fight alongside Ye Ziyun. During the final battle, all he could do was watch as she fought against a horde of beasts that tore her apart.

Yet by some miracle—perhaps sheer luck—Nie Li had survived. He wandered out of the Endless Desert, his body weakened, but his will remained unbroken.

After emerging from the seemingly endless desert, Nie Li wandered across the Divine Continent. Along his journey, he encountered remnants of humanity, and stumbled upon many mysterious encounters that expanded his understanding of cultivation and power.

It was also during these journeys that Nie Li uncovered the secrets of the Temporal Demon Spirit Book—a mysterious book with the power to manipulate time and destiny.

Nie Li used the ancient and esoteric knowledge contained within the book, combined with the centuries of experience he gained during his travels, to breakthrough the barrier of Legend Rank, and ascend to even higher levels of cultivation.

When Glory City fell, Nie Li had been too weak to stop it. And when Nie Li himself was finally struck down by the Sage Emperor, his only wish as he lay dying was to return to the days when Ye Ziyun was still by his side. If only the heavens would grant him a second chance.

But now, Nie Li had been reborn.

In this life, the obstacles that once seemed insurmountable no longer posed a problem. While his talent in this timeline was still considered poor, with the knowledge he had gained from his previous life, elevating his talent would be a trivial matter.

In his previous life he learned that the concept of soul force talent, which had once seemed like an immutable trait, was not set in stone.

Talent could be upgraded, honed, and perfected through the right knowledge and cultivation techniques.

With the sunlight casting its symbolic blessing upon him, Nie Li's shock and realization marked the beginning of his quest to alter his fate and the fate of those around him.

"Where is this place? Ah," Nie Li murmured, looking bewildered. The last thing he remembered was dying, but thanks to his Temporal Demon Spirit Book, he had been sent back to the past.

"I'm at the Holy Orchid Academy?" He glanced around at the students, a manic smile creeping across his face.

"Aha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Glory City, I'm back!" Nie Li's laughed inwardly with a mix of disbelief and joy.

That mysterious Temporal Demon Spirit Book, actually brought him back through time!

“Since I’m back, the heavens have given me another chance. I will not let the destruction of Glory City happen again!” Nie Li thought, firmly making his decision.

His mind was consumed with thoughts of his past—his good friends Du Ze and Lu Piao, who had died heroically while protecting the civilians of Glory City. The memories of their sacrifice weighed heavily on him.

Meanwhile, Shen Xiu continued her lecture undeterred by Nie Li's outburst.

"Glory City endured a long, dark age," she began, her voice echoing with authority. "It was saved through the fierce defense of Demon Spiritualists."

"In the past, a legendary Demon Spiritualist emerged and conquered the great empires across the continent. Our goal is to propel human history to greatness. But now, the world beyond the mountains is divided and occupied by demonic monsters. Glory City remains the last bastion of mankind, led by the legendary Demon Spiritualist of the city, Lord Ye Zong."

After finishing the introduction to the basics of cultivation and the history of Glory City, Shen Xiu moved on.

"Demon Spiritualists possess the ability to integrate a captured demon spirit into their Soul Realm. This allows them to merge with the demon spirit in combat, granting them unmatched strength that far surpasses that of Fighters."

"Just like me," Shen Xiu said with a haughty lift of her chin, "my integrated demon spirit is the Scarlet Flame Fox."

Her voice grew more boastful as she continued, “After merging, I can wield the fox’s strength and harness its fire abilities, allowing me to manipulate flames at will.”

Her eyes glittered as she announced, “The Scarlet Flame Fox is a Gold Rank beast. This means the highest rank I can achieve as a Demon Spiritualist is Gold Rank!”

“Of course, once I reach that peak, I can replace it with an even more powerful demon spirit, should I choose. But for now,” she smirked, “there are few who can rival me.”

To demonstrate, Shen Xiu merged with her demon spirit. Her form was enveloped in flames, and she floated slightly above the ground, reminiscent of a divine figure.

"Woah!"

"Awesome!"

"Worthy of being a Gold-ranked Demon Spiritualist!"

The students' reactions ranged from awe to admiration; Shen Xiu's demonstration had clearly impressed them.

Naraku, observing this, thought to himself. "A Demon Spiritualist can fuse with a demon spirit to increase their power, but without sufficient resources, it's nearly impossible. Many in this class, being civilians, won't have access to high-ranked spirits. Even if they do, once fused, the spirit cannot be unfused easily."

As Nie Li looked around the classroom, his eyes eventually settled on Ye Ziyun, and his heart skipped a beat. 'She’s alive! She’s not dead!' The realization hit him with such force that Nie Li nearly choked on his breath.

In his past life, Nie Li had obsessed over Ye Ziyun, the girl of his dreams. After the destruction of Glory City, he managed to have special 'moments' with her, which brought him fleeting satisfaction. However, her eventual death plunged him into a prolonged state of depression and redemption. Even after her tragic end, he thought of her for centuries.

Now, seeing her sitting just a few rows away, he could scarcely believe his eyes. I actually went back in time. Is this real? Not a dream?

Suddenly, a spark of realization flickered in his mind. The Temporal Demon Spirit Book. It must’ve been the Temporal Demon Spirit Book!

Nie Li quickly lowered his head, frantically searching his body, but no matter how thoroughly he checked, the mysterious book was nowhere to be found. How could it be gone? The origins and power of that book had always been shrouded in mystery.

Nie Li could vividly recall his final confrontation with the Sage Emperor.

The setting was a desolate, apocalyptic landscape. The sky above roiled with stormy dark clouds, crackling with arcs of violent lightning that briefly illuminated the chaotic devastation below. The earth trembled, splitting open to spew molten lava and towering flames. Fire tornadoes spiraled upward, forming a hellish vortex that heralded the world's inevitable end.

In his aged form, Nie Li desperately fought against the Sage Emperor and his Demon Beast Generals. But after the fierce battle, he was utterly defeated, left bloodied and battered in the aftermath. When his blood splattered onto the Temporal Demon Spirit Book, a majestic spatial array was triggered. Space itself warped as the array closed, transporting him away.

The next moment, he awoke in a classroom—as his thirteen-year-old self. The battle, the destruction, the overwhelming power—all had become mere memories.

"Hm?" Sensing the impending simping, Naraku, deep in thought, glanced back, and saw Nie Li, the orange-haired boy in Naruto-like clothes, grinning maniacally while casting infatuated glances toward Ye Ziyun.

"Hey, Nie Li. What's wrong with you?" Lu Piao's voice broke through the confusion. "Hey, there's no beauty out there. What are you looking at?"

Naraku observed the commotion at the back of the classroom and frowned slightly, noticing the strange behavior of Nie Li. There was something off about him—an aura that hinted he might be more than just an ordinary student.

'Calm down,' Naraku reminded himself. Acting rashly would not serve him well in the long run. It would be better to bide his time, wait for Nie Li to make a move, and deal with him then.

Nie Li's actions and behavior suggested that Nie Li could be a regressor or a transmigrator, just like Naraku himself, and if that were true, it would be wise for Naraku to keep a low profile for now, while being under the guise of a typical young master of the Sacred Family.

At that moment, Nie Li noticed Naraku's gaze and made a mocking face, glaring back at him. Naraku sensed that Nie Li had already taken a disliking to him, though it was not yet strong enough to be called hatred.

"Let go! Let go!" Lu Piao protested as Nie Li grabbed him.

"I'm just happy! Good brother, it's great seeing you!" Nie Li exclaimed.

"Oi, Nie Li! Who’s your good brother?

You gaylord!? Let go of me!" Lu Piao's voice was muffled by Nie Li's grip as he struggled to free himself.

They’ve just started school not long ago, and were only acquainted for only a few days. They were not close enough for this level of intimacy.

Nie Li's grin widened as he tightened his hold. "No matter what you're thinking, in my heart, you're always my good brother," he said.

Shen Xiu, having noticed the commotion, turned her attention to the back of the classroom. Her superior hearing and sharp perception meant it was impossible for her to miss the disruption. Initially, she had chosen to overlook it, but her patience was wearing thin.

"You two at the back! Quiet down!" Shen Xiu's voice cut through the classroom, reprimanding the misbehaving students with a harsh edge.

The other students turned their attention toward Nie Li and Lu Piao, their faces reflecting a mix of curiosity and disapproval.

Nie Li met Shen Xiu's gaze with a cold stare. His past experiences had left him with a deep-seated resentment toward her.

Her arrogance and harshness in his previous life had demotivated him from training hard for a significant period.

In his earlier life, he would have cowered in fear and apologized. But now, with his vast experience and power, having fought many powerful figures and even the Sage Emperor, Shen Xiu seemed insignificant in his eyes.

He slowly released Lu Piao while maintaining a frosty gaze at Shen Xiu.

Shen Xiu huffed disdainfully before resuming her lecture, and the students, including Naraku, gradually returned their focus to her.

Meanwhile, Nie Li continued to glare at Shen Xiu, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

In his past life, the Sacred Family's betrayal during the invasion of demonic beasts had left a deep scar on him. They had been the first to abandon the city, leaving the rest to fend for themselves.

The bitter memories fueled his desire for revenge, and vowed to ensure that those who had wronged him would never find peace.

Naraku's presence in the classroom, sitting so casually with Ye Ziyun, only added to Nie Li’s irritation. Though he didn’t see Naraku as a serious competitor, the fact that someone from the Sacred Family was so close to her was unsettling. He clenched his fist under the table, trying to keep his emotions in check.

At that moment, Naraku received a sudden template notification:

[+1 Karma]

Naraku was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t done anything directly to Nie Li or anyone else, yet the template had rewarded him. It didn’t take long for him to realize that Nie Li’s resentment toward him had generated this Karma.

So, negative emotions from others could contribute to my Karma accumulation? He hadn’t been entirely sure how the system worked before, but now he understood that it wasn’t just positive or direct actions that fueled his growth. Various forms of emotions—whether anger, jealousy, or hate—could contribute.

A small, knowing smile crept across Naraku’s face as he absorbed this new insight. If emotions like Nie Li's could bolster his Karma, then provoking others might be more beneficial than he initially thought.

He silently mused over the possibilities, considering how he might manipulate future situations to feed off others' negative emotions.

Meanwhile, Nie Li's eyes were once again fixed on Ye Ziyun. Lu Piao, noticing Nie Li’s distracted gaze, leaned closer and whispered, “Hey, Nie Li, I know you’re from one of the noble families in Glory City, but let me warn you: don’t get any ideas about that girl. Her background seems extremely mysterious. I heard the principal personally arranged her to be here when she joined the institute.”

Nie Li’s grin widened slightly. Lu Piao was still unaware of Ye Ziyun’s true identity, which Nie Li knew all too well.

She’s destined to be mine! Nie Li thought, his gaze lingering on the beautiful girl with long hair sitting not far away. The memories of their passionate night together filled him with a hot, determined resolve.

In Glory City, there were three Major families: the Divine Family, the Sacred Family, and the Snow Wind Family. These families represented the pinnacle of power and were often the source of the City Lord.

Following the Major families were the seven Noble families, and below them, the twenty Aristocratic families. Nie Li belonged to the Heavenly Marks Family, which was at the bottom of the Aristocratic hierarchy.

Despite the status of his family, being with Ye Ziyun had once seemed impossible. But with his rebirth, Nie Li saw this as a chance to change his fate. His poor foundation was overshadowed by the vast knowledge from his past life, promising a future of incredible achievements.

"This world is vast, and we are all insignificant characters... but I will work hard! I will rise to the top, become the greatest demon spiritualist and fighter, and claim the woman I desire,” Nie Li vowed to himself. Anyone who dared to obstruct his path would face a grim end.

He suddenly remembered, 'We’re both young now! Ziyun, when will you become that beautiful and enchanting woman I’ve always dreamed of? I shall protect you, and we will grow to be together.'

Not far away, Ye Ziyun seemed to sense something. She turned her head and looked toward Nie Li, her brows slightly furrowed. She thought that Nie Li must be a frivolous noble, given his incessant glances and behavior since the start of class.

Naraku, observing Ye Ziyun’s reaction, glanced back at Nie Li indifferently.

Ye Ziyun was no ordinary student. As the daughter of the City Lord and granddaughter of the rumored Legend rank Demon Spiritualist Ye Mo, her status was exceptionally high. With her rare Cyan soul realm and exceptional talent, she was a standout presence. The thought of a lowly commoner harboring thoughts about courting Ye Ziyun was laughable.

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