While Moria and Yasuo were busy recruiting guild members, Moria and Xiang Yu were not idle either.

The desolate Old City District by Clear Water Lake, although previously scoured by Li Qiu, eliminating a large number of Strange Beast and BOSSes, was soon flooded with more Strange Beast.

This became the perfect leveling ground for Moria and Xiang Yu. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Moria, in his Night Demon state, transformed into a monarch of the night, mercilessly slaughtering in the Old City District.

Xiang Yu, on the other hand, became the most dedicated vanguard.

Wielding a massive shield, he was like a mobile war fortress, storming through the Old City District.

Any Strange Beast that dared to stand in his way would be directly flattened into a pulp by his door-panel-like giant shield.

During this time, Moria would also make time to return to the suburban villa to continue feeding Devilish Qi to the little Devil Dragon.

The little Devil Dragon's appetite was no longer as exaggerated as it once was.

Now, it only needed two or three hundred strands of pure Devilish Qi each day to fall contentedly into slumber.

Its life aura grew stronger day by day, and the Dragon roars emanating from the eggshell became increasingly high-pitched and clear.

If not for the secluded location around the villa, Zhou Huai would probably have considered finding a more hidden nest for this little fellow.

Time flew by rapidly amidst the tireless slaughter and growth of the Clones.

In a blink of an eye, it was Ye Xi's birthday.

In the evening, Butler Fu pushed Zhou Huai to the dressing mirror.

The young man in the mirror had neatly trimmed black hair, and a well-tailored black suit outlined his shoulders, which, though slightly slender from prolonged wheelchair use, remained upright.

His deep eyes no longer held the gloom of the past, only tranquility and indifference.

Zhou Huai looked at himself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

He had made thorough preparations for the safety of the night.

Xiang Yu had been summoned back from the Old City District.

The two-meter-tall giant was now also dressed in a dark suit.

The taut fabric was almost torn by his bulging muscles.

Coupled with a pair of black sunglasses that covered most of his face, he exuded an oppressive aura that warned others to keep their distance.

Not only that, but Moria's figure had already stealthily lurked in the shadows beneath Zhou Huai.

One in the open, one in the dark, a double safeguard.

After all this was done, Xiang Yu stepped forward and pushed Zhou Huai's wheelchair, preparing to leave.

Butler Fu stood at the door, his aged face filled with worry.

“Young Master, do you really not need this old servant to accompany you?”

Zhou Huai turned back, a gentle smile on his face.

“Butler Fu, you should rest early.”

“Don’t worry, I will return safely.”

Xiang Yu walked to the car, bent down, and with a gentle movement completely contrary to his burly physique, lifted Zhou Huai into the passenger seat.

Then, he sat in the driver's seat.

Under the control of the Smart Core AI, Xiang Yu could easily drive, even without having learned how.

The car smoothly drove out of the villa and merged into the city's traffic.

Outside the window, the city's neon lights receded like flowing light.

The brilliant lights outlined the silhouette of this steel jungle.

Zhou Huai looked at his reflection in the car window, feeling a sense of emotion.

He had never thought before that the night view of Donghai City could be so beautiful.

Soon, the vehicle smoothly drove into a vast and luxurious estate.

This was the Ye Family's territory.

Tonight, the Ye Family Manor was brightly lit, with luxury cars abundant.

On the lawn, fountains changed colors under the illumination of lights.

Melodious music drifted from the castle-like villa.

Ye Zhentian, the patriarch of the Ye Family, over fifty years old, stood at the entrance of the villa, smiling as he greeted a steady stream of guests.

“Uncle Ye, congratulations!”

“Indeed, time flies so fast; in a blink of an eye, Ye Xi has grown into a young lady.”

“I heard she even participated in the National Examination and won the championship for our Dongning Province!”

“If my good-for-nothing brat could be half as sensible as Ye Xi, I'd be burning high incense.”

Ye Zhentian listened to the compliments, a polite smile on his face, and responded courteously to each one.

Just then, an SUV stopped nearby.

Xiang Yu pushed Zhou Huai, slowly walking over.

“Uncle Ye, good evening,” Zhou Huai's voice was calm and gentle.

Ye Zhentian was first stunned when he saw Zhou Huai, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He quickly regained his composure, and the smile on his face returned to normal.

“Isn’t this Zhou Huai? It’s been a long time.”

He looked Zhou Huai up and down.

“You look well, and your body... seems to have improved?”

Zhou Huai smiled and nodded.

“Thanks to your good fortune, I have indeed recovered some.”

“That’s good, that’s good.”

Ye Zhentian nodded politely, then stepped aside.

“Please come in quickly, the dinner party is about to begin.”

Xiang Yu pushed Zhou Huai through the crowd and into the villa's banquet hall.

Inside the hall, crystal chandeliers sparkled, reflecting light brilliantly.

Well-dressed men and women held wine glasses, gathered in small groups, conversing in low voices.

This place gathered almost all the prominent figures of Donghai City.

The appearance of Zhou Huai and Xiang Yu immediately attracted many people's attention.

There was no avoiding it.

Xiang Yu's height of over two meters, his mountain-like physique, and his cool sunglasses—it was hard not to be conspicuous.

When people's gazes fell upon the young man in the wheelchair he was pushing, expressions of surprise began to spread through the crowd.

Whispers surged like a tide.

“Who is that person in the wheelchair?”

“He’s quite handsome...”

“You don’t know? That’s Zhou Huai, the eldest son of Zhou Feng from the Zhou Family.”

“Oh, the one who went from Genius to cripple?”

“Precisely. He once had a bright future, but now he’s paralyzed.”

“I heard his stepmother isn't an easy person; she ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) directly kicked him out of the house a while ago.”

“So pitiful, but it's also his own fault for not living up to expectations. During the Awakening Ceremony, he only Awakened an E-Grade Class. If it were me, I'd kick him out too.”

“Shh, keep your voice down, don’t let him hear.”

The voices were not loud, but they were like invisible needles, piercing Zhou Huai.

Zhou Huai's face showed no change in expression, as if the discussions had nothing to do with him.

Xiang Yu pushed him, silently walking to an inconspicuous corner of the banquet hall.

Zhou Huai picked up a glass of juice, quietly watching the dancing figures in the center of the ballroom.

Today was Ye Xi's birthday party, and he didn't want to cause trouble.

However, trouble is sometimes like that: the more you try to avoid it, the more it seems to actively seek you out.

Several figures, holding wine glasses, swayed as they approached.

The leading young man had an undisguised look of mockery on his face.

He walked up to Zhou Huai, looking down at him, his voice drawn out.

“Oh, isn’t this our Young Master of the Zhou Family, Zhou Huai?”

“It’s truly been a long time.”

The young man swirled the wine glass in his hand, the curve of his lips becoming even more sarcastic.

“I thought you’d be cooped up in that bed for the rest of your life, lying there until you died.”