Crystal Core

Ryan lived his life on Earth trapped in his own body. The doctors couldn't explain what was happening to him, but slowly, his body was crystallizing. Then, a portal opened up on the ceiling of his hospital room. He'd seen that one in enough anime to recognize what was happening. It couldn't possibly be worse than the hell that was his life on Earth, not that he was given any choice. Now, those who summoned him expect some type of hero. That isn't Ryan. Ryan wants freedom. He wants to live his life his way. He'll do the right thing when confronted with it, but he isn't out to be anyone's savior. Of course, in a world under a brutal siege and surrounded by powerful cultivators, Ryan realizes the only path to freedom is becoming strong enough to make his own path. For once, the mysterious disease will work in his favor as he forms his Crystal Core. This story features slow-burn romantic interests, world-building, a cultivation system with LitRPG framework, making fun of cultivation tropes, powerful supporting characters who have their own motivations and backgrounds, and an MC who has potential but is still growing in power. Be warned, there is some mild cussing from some of the characters, and the MC undergoes a great deal of personal growth in this book so that he will be in the place he needs to be for the rest of the series.

Ryan is free... or is he? Incursions through the Divided Realms continue to pick up. Ryan seems to have escaped from those who summoned him, but could it be that they're just letting him out on a longer leash? Even if he can escape them, he can't escape the monsters who are spreading through the realms. Worse, his shadow is filled with all types of spidery things, and doesn't want to let him out of her sight. Crazy can be good right?

Ryan and his team have reached the capital. Fighting incursions is bad enough, but the many layers of political in-fighting just make him sick. Fortunately, his power is growing, and he's learning to forge his own path. To find the way forward though, he's going to have to learn the truth about his past. Join Ryan, Elu, Kumo, and Lian as they stand up to the heavens and the politics of men alike.

Ryan has learned that there is more at stake than just a single realm. The orc horde is still a deadly enemy, but it's the hands pulling the strings that have to be feared more. His team is growing larger as some of the new cultivators commit themselves to him, and he is making sure they all grow stronger. Now, he has to figure out how to combine the psionics of his bloodline, the cultivation of the human realm, and the magic of glyphs to be able to create the most powerful version of himself. Come join Ryan as he battles for a home to call his own in the Divided Realms. Narrated in duet style.

The final book of the main series... Ryan has been to hell and back, literally, and will do whatever it takes to protect his new home and family. That family is expanding in more ways than one, which provides even more motivation. It's finally time to put the political squabbles behind him as humanity unites behind the Hero to face off against an orc horde that is even larger than anticipated. But Ryan is ready for this challenge, and with his wives by his side, no one can stand against him. Narrated in duet style.