The Arcane Emperor - Chapter 12 The First Step

[You Have Been Chosen.]When the world crumbled, I was nothing more than a jobless loser, left to rot on the streets as the dead devoured the living.Until I heard that voice...[The Ruler System has activated.][Rank 1: Loser][Followers: 0/1]A system that lets me recruit followers, copy their skills, and grow stronger through their actions.My first subject?Mu Qinglan.The ruthless Ice Queen CEO I once called “Boss.” Cold, untouchable... and now infected.As her bloodthirsty jaws closed around my neck, I barely saved her with the system’s makeshift cure.[You Have Recruited Mu Qinglan (S-Tier)][You have copied Mu Qinglan's [Leadership] skill][Please Choose the second skill to copy][+100 Ruler EXP]Every follower I command strengthens me.Every kill feeds my dominion.In this world of death and chaos...I will build an empire of S-Tier Beauties and ascend as the Apocalypse King.For my name is John Wang!

Amidst much anticipation, the virtual reality game Dark Land, a decade in the making, has finally launched. However, its steep price has caused many long-time fans to hesitate. Meanwhile, an obscure game has gained massive attention, cleverly capitalizing on Dark Land's popularity.Qi Sheng: ”I've got a link to a cracked version of Dark Land! Free and legit!“

Reborn into her younger years, she's determined to rewrite her fate.This time, she'll earn her own fortune, buy that dream villa, outsmart every scheming character, and never hesitate to protect herself—even if it means hardening her heart.Her (blinking in disbelief):“Wait… does this mean I'm now on the same level as a rich tycoon?”Him (smirking):“Not quite. You're already standing on the tycoon's foot.”

Some say he is the bad apple in a basket, that he’s rotting everything around him with disgrace and corruption.

Some say he is the biggest scum of the South Zhanbu Continent, that he’s colluding with the dark sects to cheat, steal, and commit all manner of atrocities.

Some say he is the most wanted playboy. “Lock your daughters at home to keep Fang Xing away!”

To all of those people, “That’s right, I am that big rotten apple. Any problem with that?”

This brand of anti-hero is a young orphan with poor prospects and nothing more than the keepsakes of his uncles. He plots, schemes, and orchestrates all manner of villainy in his quest for power and revenge, unafraid to live precariously and make enemies out of those he really should not.

- Description from Novelupdates