Hehehe!

Some people die, but they don't exactly die...

After an endless period of darkness, Ning Chen suddenly rolled over and sat up in bed, gasping for fresh air.

Immediately after, a strange scene came into view.

Where is this?

Ning Chen then looked around, feeling even more bewildered.

The room was filled with an ancient air, featuring carved wooden windows, elegant screens, and dark wood furniture... The furnishings and layout here were, if not completely different from his own bedroom, at least light-years away from it.

Furthermore, his clothes had changed entirely; his familiar pajamas were gone, replaced by a black robe with a strange texture that felt slightly cool to the touch.

What the hell? Which film set did they drag me to? Is this even... Earth anymore?

Carrying his doubts, Ning Chen climbed out of bed and scanned the room once more, finally stopping at the bronze mirror on the wooden table.

The mirror reflected his current appearance.

A head of ink-black hair cascaded down his shoulders like a waterfall, and his features were extraordinarily handsome—handsome enough to make people want to commit a crime.

Aside from his hair being longer, nothing else had changed. Very good.

Ning Chen nodded in satisfaction. Unless someone was playing a malicious prank on him, there was only one answer!

I've transmigrated!

Just then, a steady, unhurried sound of footsteps approached from afar, and the tightly closed door was pushed open from the outside.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dark red embroidered robe with a solemn expression stepped in. He stood tall, his hands behind his back, his gaze as steady as a mountain.

"Sir, you are awake?" Seeing Ning Chen standing by the bed, the man spoke in a calm voice, devoid of much emotion.

"Uh... yes, just woke up."

Ning Chen suppressed the turmoil in his heart, trying his best to maintain a calm exterior while frantically complaining internally.

Damn it! The transmigration service is too unprofessional, isn't it? Where's the beginner's guide? Where's the identity memory pack? Bad review!

He cleared his throat and asked tentatively, "Forgive my intrusion, but... may I ask where this is? And who are you? Why am I here? I seem to have... lost a section of my memory."

"Ha." Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared on the man's face as he waved his hand.

"Sir, there is no need to be nervous. My Xiao Clan bears you no ill will."

He then turned to the side, gesturing toward the table and chairs in the room. "The reasons for this are a long story. Why don't we sit down and talk in detail?"

Ning Chen's eyes flickered. He nodded and walked to the table, sitting opposite the red-robed man.

The man lifted the purple clay teapot that was warming on the table, poured two cups of clear tea without haste, and pushed one toward Ning Chen. The tea fragrance curled upward, refreshing the heart and lungs.

"This is Wutan City, and I am the head of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Zhan," the man said slowly.

"As for you, sir, you suddenly appeared in the backyard of my Xiao Clan last night, unconscious. My Xiao Clan has always operated on the principle of harmony and kindness, so we decided to let you stay."

Hearing these words, Ning Chen was suddenly stunned.

Wutan City... Xiao Clan... Xiao Zhan...

Isn't this Battle Through the Heavens?!

"Let me ask one more thing," Ning Chen said, suppressing his wildly beating heart as he confirmed, "Do you have three sons? Is the third one named Xiao Yan?"

"Hm? How does sir know that?" Xiao Zhan asked suspiciously, a sudden sense of vigilance rising in his heart.

He appeared suddenly in the Xiao Clan, and he knows the details of the clan... Could this person be here with ill intent?!

It really is!

Ning Chen was now completely certain that he had transmigrated into the world of Battle Through the Heavens!

Since that's the case, where is my system?

Being transmigrated back to ancient times without a cheat is one thing, but in a fantasy world like this, not having one would be inexcusable, right?

Just as he was thinking this, a cold, neutral mechanical voice suddenly rang out in Ning Chen's mind.

[Ding! Detected host's strong desire, Everything 50-50 System binding successful! Welcome to use!]

Immediately after, a faint, glowing, translucent blue panel appeared before his eyes:

[Host: Ning Chen]

[Age: Eighteen]

[Cultivation: None]

[Techniques: None]

[Battle Skills: None]

[Items: None]

[Current Status: Indiscriminate 50-50 Field (Passive Effect)]

[Surprise Value: 0]

Just as Ning Chen was stunned by this sudden system, a complex stream of information flooded into his mind, clearly explaining the rules of this "Everything 50-50 System".

In short, no matter what he faces, he can force a fifty-fifty stalemate.

However, this only applies to people or things stronger than him; it does not trigger against those weaker than him, so he won't end up in a back-and-forth fight with a stray dog on the side of the road.

As for the final Surprise Points, it is easy to understand: as long as his actions cause surprise in others, he can earn Surprise Points to purchase items in the shop.

"Wha... What the hell?!"

After digesting this information, a monstrous wave surged in Ning Chen's heart, far more shocking than when he had just confirmed his transmigration!

This system... is simply heaven-defying!

What does this mean?

It means that he, an ordinary person with zero cultivation, theoretically possesses the qualifications to go toe-to-toe with the peak existences of this world, such as the future Hun Tiandi!

Below me, the hierarchy is strict. Above me, all beings are equal!

And the Surprise Points, which can exchange for anything, are destined to keep him on the path of showing off and slapping faces... oh, wait, on the path of maintaining world peace!

Ecstasy, absurdity, disbelief... various emotions intertwined in Ning Chen's heart, making him almost want to laugh toward the sky.

"Hehehe!"

Just then—

"Bang!"

The doors of the assembly hall were violently kicked open. A guard of the Xiao Clan rushed in with a panicked expression and said urgently, "Patriarch! It's bad! The patriarchs of the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Family have brought a large force and blocked the entrance to our market. They are slandering our Xiao Clan, claiming we used illicit means to snatch market share for herbs. They are currently joining forces to pressure us, demanding we immediately hand over fifty percent of our market profits, or they will completely tear off the mask of civility."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan's face turned as gloomy as water. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"Bastards! When they colluded to suppress prices and compete maliciously, why didn't they mention the word 'righteous'? Do they really think I, Xiao Zhan, am made of mud?!"

Amidst his angry roar, his vigorous cyan Dou Qi swept out uncontrollably. The tyrannical aura of a five-star Dou Shi surged forward, causing the doors and windows to creak and the candles in the hall to flicker violently.

However, this pressure, which would have been suffocating even for a Dou Shi-level expert, vanished silently like a spring breeze dissolving into rain when it touched Ning Chen, who was sitting calmly in his chair. It didn't even stir a single strand of his hair.

So, it has already taken effect?

Ning Chen realized in his heart. It seems this fifty-fifty split is conceptual; it doesn't grant him the cultivation to match the enemy, requiring him to fight it out himself.

Since that's the case, it's easy to handle...

Nearby, Xiao Zhan took in this scene, and his heart trembled violently!

Just now, in his rage, he had released his aura. Although it wasn't intentionally directed at Ning Chen, it was definitely not something an ordinary person without any Dou Qi could withstand so nonchalantly!

This boy... is truly hiding his depth! Could his strength actually be far above mine?!

[Surprise Points from Xiao Zhan: +200, +100, +49...]

Seeing the system prompt, Ning Chen raised an eyebrow.

Oh ho, that's already money in the bank? It gave quite a lot, though I wonder if the items in the shop are expensive...

Under the series of events, the atmosphere in the hall dropped to the freezing point.

In this oppressive silence, a calm voice rang out, breaking the stagnant air.

"Patriarch Xiao."

Ning Chen set down his teacup and slowly stood up. By now, the confusion and probing from before were gone from his face, replaced by complete composure, with a faint, imperceptible smile hanging at the corners of his mouth.

"It seems the Xiao Clan has encountered a bit of trouble?"

Ning Chen stepped forward and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Xiao Zhan, his tone relaxed and effortless.

"I am a newcomer here, and thanks to the Xiao Clan's hospitality, I owe you a favor."

He paused, met Xiao Zhan's puzzled gaze, and chuckled as he said, "As a reward, these noisy flies that have come knocking..."

"How about I help you get rid of them?"