Brain storage.
China, South China Base, War God's Mansion.
A stretched Maybach slowly drove through the luxurious mansions and villas.
In the back seat of the car sat an 18-year-old youth wearing a Hua Nan Fourth High School uniform. Sunlight streamed through the car window, falling on his chiseled, rugged face. The interplay of light and shadow highlighted his prominent nose bridge and deep-set eyes.
“He’s so similar.”
The driver in the front, seeing this through the rearview mirror, couldn't help but think to himself.
Cheng Xing looked at the surrounding War God's Mansions, his eyes faintly tinged with anticipation.
This was a world where talent reigned supreme. Eight years ago, which was also when he first transmigrated, a crimson star streaked across the sky, the Apocalypse Game invaded, and the entire world underwent a catastrophic mutation, turning into Disaster Beasts that descended upon Blue Star, wantonly slaughtering humanity.
In a moment of crisis, all humans on Blue Star aged 18 and above awakened their talents, standing against the Disaster Beasts. After several years of counterattack and countless sacrifices, they finally reclaimed 20% of the territory from the Disaster Beasts.
In China, people rebuilt from the ruins, establishing five bases: North China, South China, West China, East China, and Central China.
As order was restored, those who awakened talents were called Awakeners.
The so-called War God was an honorary title for Level 50 Awakeners who had made distinguished contributions to human survival.
This War God's Mansion was a place specifically for War Gods to reside.
“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”
The driver’s words interrupted Cheng Xing’s thoughts. He then realized the car had already stopped in front of a mansion.
“Young Master?”
Suddenly being addressed like that, Cheng Xing felt an indescribable awkwardness. When he first transmigrated, he immediately encountered the doomsday invasion; he had no memories of the original owner whatsoever.
Afterward, relying on his experience from two lives, he hid and survived in the doomsday. Finally, luck carried him until order was restored. Because too many people died in the doomsday, there were too many orphans like him, and he was eventually taken in by the welfare institute in the base.
It was ironic that when he graduated from high school and everyone collectively awakened their talents, he discovered that he was actually the biological son of Cheng Zhengyang, one of the War Gods of the South China Base.
Thus, this scene unfolded.
However, as Cheng Xing got out of the car, the mansion’s gate remained tightly shut, as if they hadn’t noticed he had arrived.
“No one’s home?”
The War God’s long-lost true son returns, yet can’t even enter his own home. This familiar plot made Cheng Xing twitch the corner of his mouth. He had read many novels in his previous life.
“Then I’ll wait and see who outlasts whom.”
Cheng Xing directly went against the usual script. The doorbell was right by his hand, but he just wouldn’t press it.
“Strange, why is Uncle Xu taking so long to pick him up? I finally prepared my show of dominance…”
An hour passed, and it seemed the people inside grew impatient. Along with faint voices from behind the door, the mansion’s gate slowly opened.
A woman opened the door, preparing to check the situation outside.
“Ah!”
However, as soon as the door opened, she was so startled by the 1.9-meter-tall Cheng Xing standing at the entrance that she stumbled backward repeatedly.
Cheng Xing glanced indifferently at the woman, his peripheral vision quickly scanning the interior of the mansion.
The mansion's decor was a blend of Chinese and Western styles, both understated and luxurious. In the living room, a large cake was displayed, and people around it, holding ribbons, seemed to be preparing for someone's birthday celebration.
And on the staircase nearby, Cheng Xing saw a young man who bore some resemblance to himself.
However, with his sudden appearance, Cheng Xing clearly saw the young man's impatient expression instantly freeze.
Then, combining that with the name on the cake, which was not his own.
A scene of the true young master returning, only to have to knock to enter his home, then coming in to find everyone celebrating his return, only to discover it was actually a birthday celebration for the fake young master—such a drama immediately flashed through Cheng Xing's mind.
“Translate for me, what does ‘show of dominance’ mean?”
After a quick look around, Cheng Xing spoke indifferently.
“What show of dominance? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the woman stammered.
“Translate for me, what the hell is a ‘show of dominance’?”
Cheng Xing continued to press.
“What are you doing!”
Seeing this, the young man on the staircase quickly walked over, putting the woman behind him, and coldly shouted.
“You must be Cheng Xing, right? She’s your mother. Is this how you treat your mother?”
“I thought that being out there, you would at most face difficult living conditions, but I didn’t expect…”
Facing the young man’s counter-accusation, Cheng Xing gave him a cold glance and interrupted him before he could finish.
“Oh? How should I treat her?”
“No one to greet me upon my return, so I have to knock on the door myself?”
“Then let you all put on an act, making me think you’re here to welcome me, when in reality it’s for your birthday.”
“And then to show the status of you, this impostor who has usurped the magpie’s nest for so many years?”
At this point, Cheng Xing specifically looked at the cake, delivering the final blow.
“Hmm? You agree, don’t you, Cheng Yun?”
Hearing this, Cheng Yun and Liu Chun Yan’s eyes were filled with astonishment. How did Cheng Xing know their plan?
Seeing their reaction, a hint of disappointment flashed across Cheng Xing’s eyes.
“Enough!”
At this moment, a majestic voice came from behind.
A middle-aged man who bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Cheng Xing slowly descended the stairs. Before he even spoke further, there was an invisible pressure emanating from him.
“Is this what a Level 50 Awakener feels like?”
Seeing this, Cheng Xing naturally knew this person was his cheap father, Cheng Zhengyang.
“You are Cheng Xing?”
“What is your awakened talent?”
Cheng Zhengyang showed no intention of blaming Cheng Yun or the others. Instead, he spoke directly to Cheng Xing.
“F-rank talent, Drop Rate Increase.”
Hearing this, Cheng Zhengyang frowned. He naturally knew about the Drop Rate Increase talent; it was a common talent with different levels. The highest was only D-rank, which increased the drop rate by 1%, while F-rank seemed to only offer 0.1%.
“Your father is one of the War Gods of the China Base.”
“Cheng Yun awakened an A-rank talent, Sword Saint.”
“Aren’t you ashamed enough with your trash F-rank talent?”
In this current apocalypse where Disaster Beasts roam everywhere, the level of a talent is enough to define a person's future. Higher-level talents always advance faster than lower-level ones.
After being called out by Cheng Zhengyang, Cheng Yun immediately looked at Cheng Xing smugly. Upon learning that Cheng Xing had awakened merely an F-rank talent, he knew he was secure.
So what if he was the true young master of the Cheng Family? With Cheng Xing's talent, what could he possibly use to compete for the resources Cheng Zhengyang gave them?
“Apologize to your mother immediately. That’s your room.”
Cheng Zhengyang said impatiently, raising a hand to point outside.
If he weren’t a War God, needing to constantly be mindful of his influence on the base’s populace, he wouldn’t have given this useless biological son any chance at all.
Following the direction he pointed, Cheng Xing saw a small, independent room located in the corner of the mansion. The small room was filled with miscellaneous items, clearly a storage room.
“Yun’er, today is your birthday. Dad has prepared a gift for you.”
Cheng Zhengyang finished speaking, then instantly changed his expression as he turned his head, pulling out a long sword from somewhere and handing it to Cheng Yun.
Seeing this, Cheng Yun’s eyes lit up.
“Wow, a B-rank rare Spirit Cleansing Sword! I love you so much!”
Cheng Yun hugged the long sword, his eyes brimming with excitement. He then boastfully looked at Cheng Xing, as if to say, “See? So what if you’re the true young master? Do you get this kind of treatment?”
This preferential treatment, even for Cheng Xing, who had lived two lives, made him clench his fists. He was utterly disappointed with these so-called parents.
【Ding, detected transmigrator triggering True and False Young Master plotline. System loading...】
【System loading complete. Please make your choice to receive rewards.】
Just as Cheng Xing was about to make a move, an interface appeared in his vision.
“Hmm? This is a system?”
Cheng Xing had read many novels in his previous life, so he immediately reacted and started checking it out.
【Detecting current plot progression, please transmigrator make a choice.】
【Option One: The wise submit to circumstances—Apologize, kneel to gain father’s forgiveness, and from then on secretly contend with the fake young master, achieving the beauty of a family with three War Gods.】
【Reward: Hidden A-rank Talent—Peerless Sword Saint】
“Oh? A hidden A-rank talent?”
Cheng Xing’s eyes lit up at this, but after reading the option, he couldn't help but inwardly scoff.
“Three War Gods in one family, how disgusting. Not choosing that.”
As a transmigrator, having lived two lives and survived the apocalypse since he was 10, he certainly didn't need the support of these so-called War Gods.
【Option Two: Endure...】
As soon as Option Two appeared, Cheng Xing didn't even look at it. Endure my foot! He was already being ridden roughshod over, and he should still endure?
【Option Three: If Heaven had not birthed me, Cheng Xing, the path of verbal abuse would be like a long night—Roast him. If he thinks it’s shameful, then let’s cut ties forever and show him what a toxic player is.】
【Reward: Talent upgraded to SSS-rank—100% Drop Rate】
Upon seeing the last option, Cheng Xing chose it without hesitation. What true son of a War God? Whoever wants to be one can be one; he certainly wouldn't tolerate this nonsense.
He had transmigrated without the original body's memories anyway. If he hadn't wanted to see the so-called War God, he wouldn't have even come to the door.
【Choice successful】
【Talent: Drop Rate Increase (F-rank → SSS-rank)】
【Current Drop Rate: 100%】
Cheng Xing suddenly felt his hands itching, wanting to immediately go out to the Disaster Area and kill monsters.
However, before he could make any move, Cheng Zhengyang’s reprimand came.
“Useless! What are you still standing there for! Hurry and kneel to your mother and apologize!”
...
