Chapter 386

Translator: 549690339

Facing the enthusiastic Shangguan Jiao, Lin Zhen laughed and said, “Crown Prince, I am not an Earl yet. According to the Empire law, if you give me these beautiful guards, I will have to go to prison.”

“Ah, look at my memory! Come on, you’ll be an Empire Earl soon.”

Shangguan Jiao led Lin Zhen into the main hall of the prince’s mansion.

After entering the main hall, the laughter among the sons gradually quieted down.

Shangguan Jiao came to the center of the hall, where there was a metal table with a golden box on it. After opening the box, he took out a chip from it.

“According to the instructions of His Majesty Long Juetian, this Earl chip shall be given to you by me on behalf of the Crown Prince. Lin Zhen, from today onwards, you will be a member of the nobility of our Empire. I hope that you will abide by the rules of the nobility, uphold the interests of the nobility, prioritize the interests of the Empire, maintain its national stability….”

After his speech, Shangguan Jiao walked up to Lin Zhen and handed him the chip.

“After bleeding on it, this chip will replace your original chip, and your permissions will change. However, you can choose whether to keep your original AI life.”

“Oh, can the AI life be changed?”

“Yes, I suggest you try a new AI life because it is more compatible with this system, and this identity can accompany you for the rest of your life.”

Lin Zhen’s mind turned slightly, but he still did not want to replace the AI life.

Chris was named after An Ning’s original name and had already formed attachments. Besides, as far as he knew, AI lives also had emotions; if you treated them well, they would treat you better. The more humanized they were, the more they could evolve human emotions.

Moreover, the status of an Earl in the Tianhe Empire was definitely not Lin Zhen’s end goal. There was a much broader stage for him.

So, he planned to train Chris continually and have her accompany him throughout his journey.

“I think I’ll pass. I’m used to the one I started with.”

“Uh, well, it’s up to you.”

Lin Zhen picked up the chip and dropped a drop of blood onto it.

Soon, a burst of white light entered his mind.

Chris’s voice came through, “New identity chip detected, replacing the original chip system, Master’s identity has been promoted… New identity, Empire Earl….”

“Do you want to replace your AI life, Master?” Chris’s voice came, and despite its mechanical tone, Lin Zhen felt a trace of sadness inside.

“No, just keep you, Chris, you will be accompanying me all the time.”

“Ah!”

Chris actually let out a scream, and despite the fluctuation, she still sounded emotional, “Master, are you sure you want to keep Chris and not replace her with a new AI life? The new AI life is more suitable for this system.”

“I believe you can learn, Chris. Don’t AI lives have strong learning abilities? I’m sure you’ll be able to handle it soon enough.”

“Thank you, Master. I will study hard and become your best assistant!”

Chris’s tone obviously changed, and she started to display emotions.

Soon, Lin Zhen’s poor status disappeared.

In its place was his new identity, Empire Earl Lin Zhen. With the change in status, his information in the Dimensional Universe was also updated. Only people with a Marquis rank or higher could access his previous information; everyone else with a lower rank had no authority to do so.

Shangguan Jiao handed Lin Zhen a card, “There are one billion Tianhe Coins in this card as a reward from His Majesty. The password is 111222, you can now go to the bank and transfer them to your card.”

Lin Zhen nodded and immediately entered the Dimensional Universe. With Chris’s help, he arrived at the Jade Star branch of the First Cosmic Bank.

“Hello, sir, what service do you need?”

It seemed that the clerk still remembered Lin Zhen, the handsome guy, and smiled at him.

“Transfer all the money from this card to my account.”

Lin Zhen handed over both cards. This time it should be quick and easy since no counting was needed.

The clerk took the cards and processed the request. But then she let out a small surprise.

“Ah! I’m truly sorry, Count, I didn’t know you were a nobleman, so disrespectful.”

“It’s okay, I just got promoted recently.”

“Yes, thank you for your understanding. Your account balance has now exceeded one billion. According to the regulations, you can now be promoted to a Gold Member, and with your noble status, your account can be upgraded another level, to become a Platinum Member. Would you like to proceed with the upgrade right away?”

“What are the benefits?”

“Of course, being a Platinum Member means that you can enjoy a 10% discount everywhere within the Empire. Also, you can apply for loans without any interest, with credit equal to the balance of the card, which is 100 billion Tianhe Coins!”

Lin Zhen’s eyes lit up, “What’s the repayment period?”

“Ten years.”

“Upgrade my membership immediately.” Lin Zhen was overjoyed, a ten-year interest-free loan was like a pie falling from the sky.

The salesman immediately processed Lin Zhen’s card and handed it to him five minutes later. As Lin Zhen left, the salesman stood up and saluted him.

As Lin Zhen left the hall, all the attendants, including the lobby manager, stood up and saluted him. Both platinum members and imperial nobles could enjoy this treatment.

Lin Zhen enjoyed this kind of treatment for the first time in his past and present lives, and he had to admit that it felt different.

Once out of the Dimensional Universe, Lin Zhen returned to the Prince’s Mansion hall.

“Hahaha! Our Count has returned. Come on, I’ve prepared a lavish feast to welcome you today. Let’s drink until we’re drunk!”

Shangguan Jiao clapped his hands, and the cheongsam beauties started filing in, carrying various delicacies and fine wines.

Liquid metal solidified into tables and chairs on the floor. Shangguan Jiao pulled Lin Zhen to sit down, and the twenty or so young masters all took their seats.

“Come on, let’s toast to the Count with this Blue Bay Star Ice Spring Brew.”

“Come on, Lin Zhen. I’ve got you a noble title. You better drink and have a good time with me.”

“Me too, me too. Although I haven’t got my identity chip yet, I’ve hired you several times. You’ve just been too busy and full of time to fit me in.”

“And I, and I. This time Lin Zhen you must help me in a fight. As long as you defeat my older brother’s fighter, I’ll offer you 200 Citizen Identities at once. Just give me priority, I can’t stand him any longer!”

Facing these passionate imperial young masters, Lin Zhen responded with a smile and promised them what he could.

Those who had already made transactions handed their chips to Lin Zhen.

Some who had not made a deal even took the initiative to give Lin Zhen their chips as a deposit, showing that they trusted Lin Zhen’s strength.

Lin Zhen collected many chips, and in no time, he achieved his original goal – 1,000 Citizens and 100,000 Poor!

Feeling happy, Lin Zhen enjoyed drinking the Blue Bay Star Ice Spring Brew, socializing with the group.

Afterward, Lin Zhen wasn’t drunk at all and decided to enter the Dimensional Universe to vent his alcohol-energy, completing the tasks he’d just received in the arena.

It was not easy to encounter strong players like Mida. Lin Zhen defeated the opponents he encountered afterward without using time acceleration.

This series of victories made Lin Zhen’s reputation even more prominent. Currently, among the upper-class young people on Jade Star, Lin Zhen’s name was frequently mentioned in the Capital.

As for the Solar System, a name that never appeared in the Empire dictionary, it was also increasingly brought up.

“Little brother, are you sure you don’t want me to arrange a few beauties for you to serve in bed? Let me tell you, these girls are carefully selected by me and haven’t been touched by any man. You’re now an Empire Earl, how can you still be alone? You should have a hundred or eighty women to better show off your status.”

Seeing the somewhat excessive enthusiasm of Shangguan Jiao, Lin Zhen laughed heartily: “Crown Prince, please don’t tease me. I have a woman waiting for me on Earth. If I bring these women back, I might have trouble.”

“You can leave them here. You have money now and should have a residence on Jade Star. Tell me what you’re interested in, and I can help you choose.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Crown Prince, but I have too much to deal with on Earth. Let me finish that first.”

“Alright, it’s up to you. If you have any difficulties, come to me.”

“There’s nothing for now. I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

Shangguan Jiao and Lin Zhen talked for a while. They could always meet inside the Dimensional Universe. After chatting for a while, Shangguan Jiao left.

After Shangguan Jiao left, Chris spoke.

“Master, based on your current situation, I have made a plan for you. You should go out now.”

“Out? Where to?”

“Of course, it’s time to go shopping!”

Chris said matter-of-factly: “You have money in your hands now, but it has no value if you don’t spend it. You have to turn it into strength.”

“I’ve been thinking about it too, but where should I go? As you know, I don’t have much time. I have to go back tomorrow.”

“It’s simple. I’ve checked the Jade Star shopping mall already. First, you need a secret gun manual, the Sea Treading. This is a must-buy for you, which you can reserve in the Dimensional Universe.”

“Alright, I’ll take it. What else?”

“You need a bigger spaceship; otherwise, this small one won’t be enough for your return.”

“Why not? I’m the only one, and this spaceship is enough.”

“No, not nearly enough, because you need to buy a lot of slaves.”

Chris elaborated: “You are now an Empire Earl, and many things must conform to your status; otherwise, you will be ostracized by the empire’s high society. Slaves are essential for every noble. Even if you don’t need protection yourself, your family and hometown do. Buying a group of powerful slaves can help you solve many potential problems.”

“I see… Do we go now?”

“Of course, I have read the information, and the slave market has recently received many high-quality slaves. With my assistance, we might be able to find treasures there.”

Lin Zhen hadn’t used slaves in his previous life, but in his current situation, with Chris’s constant persuasion, he finally gave in.

“Let’s go shopping and spending!”