[International Summary: The Ancient Bodhi Tree was stolen half a month ago. Legend has it that Buddha achieved enlightenment under this tree, and it is revered as a national treasure of India. The Indian authorities have taken the incident very seriously and have ordered the security department to form an investigation team.]
[World News: Another sighting of the Loch Ness Monster has been reported. A traveler released photos, initially estimating the creature to be at least a hundred meters long. However, after expert examination, all the photos showed clear signs of manipulation, and the individual involved has apologized.]
[Financial Weekly: Recently, a mysterious tycoon in Hu City has been selling off large quantities of stocks and real estate, cashing in nearly ten billion, and the sales continue. Financial experts say that the domestic economy is stable and improving in the short term, and this move could cause him to lose at least billions in the next six months.]
...
July 18, 2025.
Hu City, in a private harbor.
Lu Yuan scrolled through the news on his phone, his expression calm.
"It's about time."
Lu Yuan turned off his phone and took out a pair of binoculars to look ahead.
At this moment, a ferry slowly appeared on the distant horizon, carrying only one container. Upon closer inspection, the container was covered with seals, apparently holding something extremely valuable.
Half an hour later, the ferry docked, dropped anchor, and stabilized at the port.
Soon, dozens of people in black clothes and sunglasses disembarked.
The leader was a tall, muscular bald man with a black centipede tattoo extending from his neck to his face, his eyes exuding coldness, giving off a strong sense of oppression just standing there.
The bald man approached, took off his sunglasses, and said, "President Lu, this trip almost cost me a few brothers. When do you plan to pay the remaining balance?"
"In half an hour at most."
Lu Yuan smiled, his expression calm, and continued, "The Centipede Organization is renowned internationally; who would dare to default on payment?"
The bald man looked at the young man in front of him, clearly in his early twenties yet uncommonly composed, and nodded: "With President Lu's word, I'm at ease. In that case, why don't you come aboard with me to inspect the goods first, and if all is well, we'll unload the cargo."
"Alright."
Lu Yuan nodded.
Then the two boarded the ship, the seals on the container were torn open, and with the sound of metal scraping, the door opened.
Inside, lo and behold, was an ancient tree uprooted, at least ten meters long.
The roots, branches, and those green leaves seemed to have been unearthed just recently.
But at this moment, it was lying quietly inside the container.
The bald man sighed, "I really don't understand what you rich people are thinking, spending so much money for just a broken tree."
Hearing this, Lu Yuan gently shook his head, "This is not an ordinary tree. It's the Ancient Bodhi Tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment."
Indeed.
The theft of India's national treasure, the Ancient Bodhi Tree, was orchestrated by him!
The bald man beside Lu Yuan was the leader of one of the top three international thieving organizations, known as the Centipede Organization. It is said that as long as the price is right, there's nothing they can't get.
And for this trip, he spent nearly a hundred million altogether.
But as long as he got what he wanted.
To Lu Yuan, it was all worth it.
Because he was a Reincarnator.
In his memory, a little over a month later, on the night of September 1, 2025, global changes would occur.
Various mythical legends would descend on the earth, with creatures of all kinds emerging endlessly.
A new era was beginning!
By then, the world would no longer be ruled by money but by the law of the jungle, where the strong are respected.
Some would awaken, obtaining the Thunderbolt Body, mastering lightning, some would experience a bloodline regression with extraordinary talent, and some would grow wings and soar through the sky.
The Ancient Bodhi Tree would also transform at that moment, becoming a supreme Divine Artifact, which, once refined, immensely boosts one's talent billions of times over, turning a nobody into a genius. The benefits are unimaginable, and compared to it, a billion dollars would be like a pile of worthless paper!
In his previous life, Lu Yuan realized this too late, causing him to fall behind step by step.
Eventually unable to keep up with the new era, he was killed, staining the earth with his blood.
But in this life.
Lu Yuan was reincarnated three months before the changes, given another chance.
So he needed to plan for the future before the global changes!
This time, he would be ahead of everyone!
This time, he would reach the pinnacle!
"Who cares about the tree; money is what's most important."
The bald man didn't know what Lu Yuan was thinking and waved his hand dismissively, "Since President Lu has confirmed it, shall we unload the cargo now?"
"Yes."
Lu Yuan naturally didn't explain, smiled, and walked off the ferry.
Shortly after, the container holding the Ancient Bodhi Tree was unloaded and loaded onto a truck.
The truck was prepared by him beforehand, with no driver. He would drive it himself, and to prevent any incidents or being discovered, Lu Yuan had made many preparations in advance. For example, he bought this port not long ago, and all the cameras had been removed.
Knowing this item is unlike others, being a national treasure of India, carrying all sorts of mythical legends.
Even with Lu Yuan's current wealth, being discovered would be a big issue.
As for the bald man and his team.
They were already engaged in illegal activities, so naturally, they couldn't speak up.
"The remaining balance has been paid."
At this moment, the bald man looked at the balance displayed on his phone and grinned: "It's been a pleasure working with President Lu. If there's another opportunity, just let us know anytime."
Although the Ancient Bodhi Tree is a national treasure, the Indian authorities hadn't set up any security measures.
After all, who would have thought someone would target a tree?
So for the Centipede Organization.
This deal, although it seemed a bit odd, was pretty easy, and it paid well.
He would love for Lu Yuan to come up with a few more crazy ideas, and what he said earlier about almost losing a few brothers was just a joke.
"Certainly."
Lu Yuan smiled, shook hands with the bald man, and then climbed into the truck, starting it and driving out of the harbor.
The bald man and his Centipede Organization team didn't linger either and soon left.
Late at night.
In the northern part of Hu City lies a vast forest, rarely visited by people.
But in its center stands a three-story villa, brightly lit inside with luxurious decor. Outside is a tall, sturdy fence, several dozen meters high, enclosing the entire villa within. The lights inside can't be seen from outside, giving the area a mysterious aura.
At this moment, after a busy day, Lu Yuan dragged his weary body back to the first-floor hall.
Pouring himself a glass of red wine, he looked out towards the yard.
There, the Ancient Bodhi Tree transported from the port had been planted, with plenty of water poured in to keep the soil moist.
Although Lu Yuan knew that this tree could live for thousands of years and wouldn't have any issues without such care.
But adhering to a cautious mindset.
He didn't want anything to go wrong.
Ring, ring, ring.
At this moment, Lu Yuan's phone suddenly rang. When he picked it up, it turned out to be a foreign number.