Chapter 2: The Complete "Tao Te Ching," Laying Out the Future

"Hello."
Lu Yuan picked up his phone and answered.

"Is this Mr. Lu?"
A deep voice came from the receiver. "I've just landed. All the procedures are done."

"Yes, the pass for Christie's has already been arranged. The hotel is booked, and the card has enough funds. Remember, no matter what, you must get the item. If any issues arise, contact me immediately."
Lu Yuan spoke calmly, issuing a string of instructions.

Christie's—one of the most renowned auction houses in the world.
Its lots gather rare and precious works of art from across the globe.
And this time, among the auctioned items was exactly what Lu Yuan needed.

So he hired a specialist, sending them overseas to secure it.

"Understood, Mr. Lu."
The person replied, asked a few more questions, and hung up.

Lu Yuan took a sip of red wine, unlocked his phone, and browsed through his photo album.

The pictures showed an ancient, yellowed book from China. But the script was not ordinary Chinese characters; it was oracle bone script from antiquity. Foreign experts had examined it, and it was suspected to be connected to Laozi's Dao De Jing, dating back at least two thousand years.

It had been unearthed in China a century ago, but amid chaos, it was lost overseas, changing hands several times before Christie's acquired it.
Recently, word spread that it would be offered in the upcoming auction.

Ordinarily, such an item would spark heated debate within China.
But the experts believed it was likely a forgery by ancient hands, as the script and chapters differed greatly from the familiar Dao De Jing; aside from its age, its research value was limited.

Only Lu Yuan knew that the book at Christie's was the complete Dao De Jing.

The world believed the text consisted of eighty-one chapters, but in reality there were one hundred and eight.
The version handed down in China was but a fragment, missing the most vital portion.

In his previous life, after the global mutation, Lu Yuan—once just a minor figure—had heard that some mighty being had comprehended the complete Dao De Jing, refining body and spirit to perfection. With strength to shake the stars and a soul that could reach the divine, they wandered the star domains. It was truly an unparalleled scripture, its value no less than India's ancient Bodhi tree.

Since he had resolved to correct his regrets this time and strive for supremacy, the full Dao De Jing was absolutely indispensable.

"The Bodhi tree cost nearly a hundred million; this trip to Christie's will be at least tens of millions. An ordinary person couldn't bear it," Lu Yuan sighed, shutting off his phone.

Just as before his rebirth, he was still a second-generation rich.

His parents had died in a car accident a year ago, leaving behind a fortune worth billions.

The difference was, in his previous life, after inheriting the business, he only knew how to squander, never considering the future.
Though the wealth could support his extravagance for a lifetime, when the global mutation occurred, strength became everything. The weak were prey, and all the money in the world turned worthless, mere scraps of paper.

In that life, Lu Yuan went from carefree heir to insignificant pawn.

He had some opportunities, but nothing that could truly change his fate.

After enduring those times when the weak were trampled and dignity was crushed, he understood perfectly the importance of power. Without strength, one was at the mercy of others.

Thus, upon returning to life, Lu Yuan immediately began to plan for the future, liquidating assets, cashing out in a frenzy, even selling at a loss. The mysterious tycoon in Shanghai who dumped stocks and real estate on the news was none other than himself.

To outsiders, it seemed an act of utter foolishness, since his parents had left only high-quality assets. Selling meant losing millions each day.

But Lu Yuan didn’t care.

In just over a month, the global mutation would render all wealth useless.

The new era would not be a contest of money, but of self.

Even the villa he now lived in was part of his inheritance, originally bought for peace and quiet.
After his rebirth, he remodeled it, making it a secret base for preparation in the coming days.

"Now that the Bodhi tree is in hand, and the full Dao De Jing is likely secure, next comes the other divine items after the mutation."
Lu Yuan calmed his mind, thoughts racing as plan after plan emerged.

Indeed, these two objects alone were not enough.

He had to collect every supreme artifact he knew of before the mutation, so that when the new era arrived, he could face any crisis.

First step ahead, step by step, walking ahead of everyone!

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

Just then, his phone vibrated, breaking his train of thought.

He glanced at the screen—it was his college class group chat.

Li Sisi: It's almost the first anniversary of our graduation. It's been so long since our class has gathered.

Wang Zibo: Right! @Li Han Sheng, class president, any plans?

Li Han Sheng: Of course. I've booked rooms at Yunzhong Grand Hotel—food, fun, everything. Don't forget to come!

Li Sisi: Wow, isn't that the best five-star hotel in Shanghai? It costs tens of thousands a day. You're really splurging, class president.

Chen Song: @Li Han Sheng, so do we need to chip in for the event?

Li Han Sheng: No need. Zhou Yunqiong will be joining us too. Yunzhong Grand Hotel is her family's business—she's already arranged everything. Just enjoy yourselves.

Wang Zibo: Wait, wait, goddess Zhou Yunqiong is coming? I definitely won’t miss it.

Chen Song: Me too. Haven’t seen Zhou in ages.

Zhang Wei: I’ll be there!

Zhao Pengfei: +1.

Qian Gang: +1.

A host of male classmates: +1.

Li Sisi: See, as soon as Yunqiong’s name comes up, you all appear. Typical guys.

Li Han Sheng: Li Sisi, what are you saying? The happiest one shouldn’t be us—it should be someone else.

Wang Zibo: @Lu Yuan.

A chorus of classmates: @Lu Yuan...

Li Sisi: Right, Lu has liked Yunqiong for four years. He must be thrilled now.

Li Han Sheng: @Lu Yuan, stop lurking. Whether you’re coming or not, say something!

Looking at the flood of messages, Lu Yuan shook his head and tossed his phone aside.

In his previous life, he would have been interested, responding enthusiastically. Now, it meant nothing to him. With time so precious, class reunions held no significance.

As for the girl he liked, after experiencing the global mutation and countless bloody battles, such emotions had long ceased to matter to him.

There was no need to reply.

But soon, just as he was about to get up and leave, his eyes flickered.

He picked up his phone again, opened the chat app, and typed a single word: "I'll go."

His change of heart was simple—he remembered something he needed was connected to this class reunion, so he had to attend.

With that done, Lu Yuan stopped thinking about it.

He turned and walked straight into the villa’s fitness area and began training.

With just over a month until the global mutation, there was much to do.

Some divine items couldn’t be bought from home, but required personal journeys—some places were even dangerous.
Lu Yuan had to forge a powerful physique to face them.