Chapter 1: Rebirth and Return, the Ancient Bodhi Tree

[International Brief: The ancient Bodhi tree was stolen half a month ago. Legend has it that Shakyamuni attained enlightenment beneath this tree, and it is revered as a national treasure of the Kingdom of Tianzhu. The authorities there have attached great importance to the matter, already ordering the security forces to set up a special investigation team.]

[World Oddities: The Loch Ness Monster has been spotted again, with backpackers posting photos suggesting the creature is at least a hundred meters long. However, after expert analysis, all the photos were found to have obvious signs of digital manipulation; those involved have since apologized.]

[Financial Weekly: Recently, a mysterious tycoon in Hu City has been dumping large quantities of stocks and real estate, cashing out nearly ten billion, and the sell-off continues. Financial experts say the domestic economy remains stable in the short term and predict this move will cost him at least several hundred million in the coming half year.]

...

July 18, 2025.

Hu City, at a private harbor.

Lu Yuan scrolled through the stream of news on his phone, his expression calm.

“It’s about time.”

He shut off his phone, then took out a pair of binoculars and gazed outward.

At that moment, a ferry was slowly appearing on the distant horizon, carrying a single shipping container. A closer look revealed that the container was sealed with numerous stickers, as if it held something of extraordinary value.

Half an hour later, the ferry docked, dropping anchor and settling steadily at the port.

Soon, dozens of men in black suits and sunglasses disembarked.

The leader was a tall, bald man with bulging muscles and a black centipede tattoo winding from his neck up onto his face. His eyes were cold and intimidating—a presence that exuded overwhelming force.

Approaching, the bald man took off his sunglasses and said, “Mr. Lu, this trip nearly cost a few of my brothers their lives. When can we expect the final payment?”

“In at most half an hour,” Lu Yuan replied, smiling placidly. “The Centipede Syndicate’s reputation is world-renowned—who would dare default on payment?”

The bald man studied the youth before him, barely in his early twenties, and nodded. “With your word, I’m at ease. In that case, Mr. Lu, come aboard and inspect the goods. If all’s well, we’ll unload.”

“Very well,” Lu Yuan nodded.

The two boarded the ferry. The seals on the container were torn away. With a metallic screech, the doors swung open.

Inside was a massive ancient tree, uprooted in its entirety, stretching more than ten meters long. Its roots, branches, and lush green leaves looked as if they had only just been unearthed.

For now, it lay quietly in the container.

The bald man sighed. “I really can’t fathom you rich folks. Spending a fortune, all for a tree.”

Lu Yuan only shook his head gently. “This isn’t just any tree. It’s the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha, Shakyamuni, attained enlightenment.”

That’s right.

The theft of the Kingdom of Tianzhu’s national treasure—the Bodhi tree—was his doing!

The bald man at Lu Yuan’s side was the infamous leader of one of the world’s top three criminal organizations, known as the Thousand-Legged Centipede. Rumor had it that given enough money, there was nothing he couldn’t acquire.

Lu Yuan had spent nearly a hundred million on this operation.

But as long as he got what he wanted, he considered it worth every cent.

Because he was someone who had lived before.

In his memory, in just over two months—on the night of September 1, 2025—the entire world would undergo a drastic transformation.

Legends and myths would descend upon the earth. Beasts, spirits, and all manner of strange phenomena would emerge, ushering in a new era.

From then on, the world would no longer worship wealth, but strength; the law of the jungle would prevail, and only the strong would rule.

Some people would awaken, inheriting bodies of thunder and wielding lightning; some would revert to ancient bloodlines, gaining prodigious talents; others would sprout wings and soar across the sky.

At that moment, the Bodhi tree would also transform, becoming a supreme divine object. Refining it would multiply a person’s innate talent ten thousandfold—turning the mediocre into geniuses. Its benefits were unimaginable. In comparison, a hundred million was worth less than a pile of scrap paper.

In his previous life, Lu Yuan had learned of these things too late. Step by step, he had fallen behind, unable to keep pace with the new era—until he was finally killed, his blood staining the earth.

Now, reborn three months before the change, he had another chance.

This time, he would lay his plans before the world changed.

This time, he would be the first!

This time, he would stand supreme!

“Whatever kind of tree it is, money’s all that matters,” the bald man muttered, having no idea what Lu Yuan was truly thinking. “So, if Mr. Lu’s confirmed everything, can we unload now?”

“Go ahead,” Lu Yuan said, smiling as he stepped off the ferry.

Soon, the container bearing the Bodhi tree was offloaded and loaded onto a truck.

Lu Yuan had prepared everything in advance. The truck had no driver; he intended to drive it himself. To prevent mishaps or discovery, he had made ample preparations—he had even purchased the harbor itself a short while ago, and had personally removed all surveillance cameras.

After all, this was no ordinary item. It was a national treasure of Tianzhu, steeped in myth and legend.

Even with all his wealth, if discovered, Lu Yuan would be in serious trouble.

As for the bald man and his crew, their livelihood was crime—they would never breathe a word.

“The final payment’s arrived.” The bald man glanced at the balance on his phone and broke into a broad grin. “Always a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Lu. If you ever need us again, just call.”

Though the Bodhi tree was a national treasure, the Tianzhu authorities had assigned little security to it. Who would ever suspect someone would target a tree?

For the Centipede Syndicate, this job, though unusual, was easy money.

He wished Lu Yuan would have more such whims. As for his earlier comment about nearly losing men, it was just a joke.

“Certainly,” Lu Yuan replied with a smile. After a handshake, he climbed into the truck and drove out of the harbor.

The bald man and his crew didn’t linger, leaving soon after.

Late that night.

In the northern outskirts of Hu City, deep in a vast and little-trodden forest, stood a three-story villa. Its interior was brilliantly lit, opulently furnished, and encircled by a towering, solid wall that stretched for dozens of meters, effectively sealing the house off and letting no light escape. The place exuded an air of mystery.

Having labored the whole day, Lu Yuan finally sank into an armchair in the first-floor hall, exhaustion heavy in his limbs.

He poured himself a glass of red wine, then gazed through the window into the yard.

There, the Bodhi tree he had brought from the harbor was already planted, soaked with water to keep the soil moist.

In truth, Lu Yuan knew this tree could live for thousands of years and would suffer no harm even without such care.

But he preferred to be cautious in all things.

He could not afford any mistakes.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen. To his surprise, it was an international number.