Chapter 97
Chapter 97: Return to the Imperial Capital
Imperial Capital, Zhou Family Residence.
“Zhou Nan, you’re just an illegitimate child. What makes you think you belong in the Combat Simulation Arena?”
Several Zhou family heirs sneered as they taunted Zhou Nan. The Combat Simulation Arena was a specially created space capable of simulating various enemies and creatures, allowing its users to hone their battle techniques.
While it didn’t provide experience points, it was a rare resource, built at great expense within the Zhou family’s domain. Due to the high costs associated with each session, only direct descendants were permitted to use it.
Today, however, Zhou Nan showed up at the Combat Simulation Arena, drawing immediate disdain from several Zhou family members.
Although Zhou Nan was technically the son of the Zhou family head, Zhou Xingkong, his return to the family was met with indifference. To make matters worse, the family matriarch despised him. Consequently, the family’s legitimate heirs treated him with nothing but contempt.
Standing in the lobby of the Combat Simulation Arena, Zhou Nan’s fists clenched as the insults of his family rang out around him. Young and full of spirit, it took all his self-control to restrain his anger. But he knew it wasn’t time to openly confront the Zhou family just yet.
Though he had copied several skills, it still wasn’t enough to ensure victory against everyone in the family.
Just then, a beautiful young woman entered the arena, her bearing noble and proud. The other Zhou family heirs greeted her with smiles and admiration.
“Zhiqing! You’ve broken the arena record again!”
“No one represents our family’s pride better than you, Lady Zhiqing!”
This beautiful girl, Zhou Zhiqing, was the direct descendant of the Zhou family head and the matriarch. She was extraordinarily gifted, an SS-ranked Bloodline Apostle, and highly regarded by Zhou Xingkong.
In name, she was Zhou Nan’s half-sister. But Zhou Zhiqing treated Zhou Nan with disdain, even openly expressing her disgust upon seeing him in the corner.
“I guess they’ll let any random stray in here now,” she scoffed.
Fury welled up in Zhou Nan, but he held it back, coldly glancing at this supposed sister. One day, he vowed, he would reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to him. He’d become the master of the Zhou family and teach her a lesson she wouldn’t forget.
Looking around, Zhou Nan took stock of his relatives and sighed. He had already copied nearly every rare or divine skill they possessed, becoming a versatile powerhouse in the process.
However, his hunger for more was growing, and the Zhou family’s skills no longer satisfied his ambitions.
He leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes as though indifferent to their jeers. Seeing him ignore their taunts only made the other Zhou heirs smirk. Although they couldn’t physically attack him, they were more than content to pretend he didn’t exist.
A few other Zhou family members who had just left the simulation began discussing the topic that had captured the Empire’s attention lately: Qin Xian. News of his feats in the Broken Heaven instance—claiming the lives of tens of thousands, slaying the final boss, and setting a new record—had spread across the Empire.
As descendants of aristocratic families, many of them admired Qin Xian deeply.
“Yes, Qin Xian should have returned to the capital by now. He’s only 19, and he’s already level 35! Isn’t that another new record?”
“Soon the Divine Revelation Auction will open. Qin Xian will certainly attend, and maybe we’ll get the chance to meet him!”
Zhou Zhiqing’s face lit up at the mention of Qin Xian. She had met him a few times; his striking looks and noble bearing had left a lasting impression on her.
Meanwhile, Zhou Nan’s eyes gleamed with interest. Qin Xian is back? As humanity’s top prodigy, possessing the mythical SSS-class Oracle Knight class, if Zhou Nan could somehow copy Qin Xian’s skills… his potential would skyrocket!
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Imperial Capital, Teleportation Array.
The capital was enormous, divided into 18 districts, each comparable in size to a provincial capital. To accommodate the traffic, over 20 teleportation arrays were scattered throughout the city.
In District 17’s teleportation array, a flash of white light announced the arrival of Qin Xian and his entourage. Surveying the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, a faint smile touched Qin Xian’s lips. This was home—one of many, at least.
Outside the teleportation array, a convoy awaited. Qin Xian and Qin Li entered a luxurious sedan, and the motorcade sped off, led by two police escorts clearing the way. Curious onlookers speculated about which VIP was behind the spectacle.
After a long journey through the capital, the motorcade finally stopped before a grand and imposing compound, where powerful guards patrolled the entrance.
This was the Qin family’s residence, their dominion in the Imperial Capital.