Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Chapter 109: Chapter 92: Third Reincarnation, Activate

He flew out and smashed a huge hole…

Hearing this, Li Chang’an also looked up. Only then did he notice the massive hole in the roof of the City Lord’s Mansion. It was easy to imagine just how excited and agitated Hu Xiuyuan had been when he left.

“Find someone to patch up the hole. And next time, remember to remind people to use the main door,” Li Chang’an ordered.

Zhao Xi couldn’t help but stick out her tongue at his words.

Beyond her shock, she was overcome with intense curiosity.

’I wonder what our Lord City Lord said to Hu Xiuyuan and Su Ruobing. This is the first time in my life I’ve ever seen two big shots lose their composure like that!’

Seeing that Li Chang’an seemed to be in a good mood,

Zhao Xi thought for a moment before steeling herself and speaking up. “Lord City Lord, the Energy Particle Beam Cannons mounted on our city walls were manufactured thirty years ago. The artisan we hired said the model is long obsolete and not worth repairing. He suggested we replace them directly!”

Thanks to the previous City Lord’s stinginess, the weapons Cangxuan City used to defend against Exotic Beast Tides were all ancient relics.

Although the Human Alliance’s technological iteration had slowed compared to the boom period over a century ago, the efficiency of weapon research and upgrades was by no means low.

On average, the various weapons on the market were replaced with newer models every ten years.

In other words, Cangxuan City’s Cluster Particle Cannons were a full three versions behind the latest models on the market.

Fortunately, Cangxuan City hadn’t suffered a large-scale Exotic Beast Tide in recent years. Otherwise, with such meager firepower, their losses would have been catastrophic.

During his inspection earlier, Li Chang’an had also seen those few Cluster Particle Cannons, which could be considered as old as his father’s generation. They were indeed so ancient they were painful to look at.

Now that he had Zhao Xi’s report, he could no longer pretend he hadn’t seen them.

So, after a moment’s thought, he asked, “How many Rebirth Points would it take to purchase a new batch of Cluster Particle Cannons?”

Other people made money as Lords, but not him. He hadn’t seen a single cent, and now he had to fork over a hefty sum. It was mainly because the previous City Lord had left behind so many messes; otherwise, things wouldn’t be this troublesome.

You have to invest in the beginning to ensure stable returns later.

Seeing that his expression was still reasonably calm, Zhao Xi said, “A single Cluster Particle Cannon costs around two hundred thousand Rebirth Points. Cangxuan City has three main gates, so if we’re replacing them, we’ll need to purchase at least three to start.”

Each Cluster Particle Cannon was powerful enough to easily tear through the bodies of Tier Three and even Tier Four Exotic Beasts.

They were truly a city-defending superweapon.

When an Exotic Beast Tide arrives, no one knows what will happen. You might not need to use them, but you can’t be without them.

Li Chang’an rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Is there a discount for a Level 4 Citizen Lord?”

Hearing Li Chang’an’s question, Zhao Xi answered instinctively, “Of course there’s a discount if a Lord’s Citizen Level reaches Level 4. I think it’s twenty or thirty percent off…”

As she spoke, Zhao Xi seemed to realize something and froze. Her cherry-like mouth fell wide open. She stared at Li Chang’an up and down for a long moment before finally asking, “My lord, you… don’t tell me you’re already a Level 4 Citizen?”

Li Chang’an shook his head. “I’m still Level 3 at the moment, but I should reach Level 4 soon. Since the discount for a Level 4 Citizen is better, let’s hold off on the purchase for a while.”

He wasn’t short on Rebirth Points, but that didn’t mean he was a sucker.

Where you can save, you should save!

Seeing Li Chang’an nod in confirmation, Zhao Xi was dumbfounded.

’He’s about to become a Level 4 Citizen? For real?’

As a collateral descendant from a Reincarnator Family, Zhao Xi may not have become a Permanent Reincarnator, but she still had worldly knowledge.

Therefore, she knew exactly what being a Level 4 Citizen implied.

To put it this way, if Cangxuan City were attacked by a large-scale Exotic Beast hoard and Li Chang’an, as the City Lord, was unable to defend it, his privileges as a Level 4 Citizen would allow him to abandon the city and flee for his life without any punishment.

He could even request the Reincarnator Association to dispatch a special team to extract him if he couldn’t escape on his own.

These were the privileges a Level 4 Citizen enjoyed!

So, just what kind of massive contribution had her Lord made to the Human Alliance to raise his Citizen Level so much in just one short month?

Across all of Linjiang, probably only the vice president and president of the Reincarnator Association could definitively surpass Li Chang’an in Citizen Level, right?

But the problem was, her Lord was a newcomer who had graduated less than two months ago…

It was just too absurd!

Zhao Xi felt her imagination was coming up short.

Then, for some reason, her thoughts turned to the `Basic Martial Arts True Understanding 1.0 Version` Evolution Path that the Linjiang Reincarnator Association had been promoting everywhere recently. She couldn’t help but ask, “Lord City Lord, that rumored Evolution Path that allows ordinary people to cultivate the Martial Dao and become Transcendents… you didn’t upload that, did you?”

Hearing Zhao Xi’s question,

Li Chang’an didn’t hide it and nodded directly. “Yes. If you have time, you can give it a try. If you can become a Transcendent, I’ll give you a promotion and a raise!”

Because the Basic Martial Arts True Understanding 1.0 Version was still in limited circulation, not many outsiders knew about it yet. Therefore, Li Chang’an’s personal information as its uploader hadn’t been made public.

But as its promotion spread, he, the creator, would inevitably be brought into the light sooner or later.

Rather than be surrounded by gawkers then, it was better to be upfront with those around him from the start.

After hearing that it really was him,

Zhao Xi’s breathing quickened, and her eyes lit up. “It really was you, my lord!?”

“You’ve become famous in our local Linjiang circles recently! Some friends and classmates of mine are all discussing it. The `Basic Martial Arts True Understanding 1.0 Version` is a cross-generational miracle. It’s opened a door to the Extraordinary World for ordinary people like us!”

At this moment, she was like a fangirl who had just met her idol, radiating an aura of surprise and adoration.

After a moment of joyous celebration, Zhao Xi realized she was losing her composure. She quickly reined in her smile and asked timidly, “If this subordinate has any cultivation problems in the future… may I come to you for guidance, my lord?”

Li Chang’an smiled and said casually, “Of course. I not only like the Martial Dao, I also like learning English!”

Although Zhao Xi didn’t get the “English” joke, it didn’t stop her face from beaming with joy.

…

…

After inspecting various matters within Cangxuan City and seeing that Su Ruobing and Hu Xiuyuan had already left, Li Chang’an returned to the City Lord’s Mansion to begin a new round of secluded cultivation.

“Mark, begin Rebirth!”

He raised his arm, and the Rebirth Mark emitted a faint, hazy glow.

[Welcome to the Rebirth Space!]

[Official Reincarnator: Li Chang’an]

[Personal Reincarnation ID: 31402]

[Evolution Level: Tier Three]

[Citizen Rights: 3 (500/3000)]

[Exclusive Talent: Heaven-defying Comprehension (Unique)]

[Rebirth Points: 1,130,000]

[Initiate Consciousness Rebirth?]

A series of messages appeared on Li Chang’an’s retina.

During his secluded cultivation, Li Chang’an had successively purchased quite a few items through the Rebirth Mark and had also invested in the construction of his territory.

As a result, he now only had 1.13 million Rebirth Points left in his account.

After glancing at his personal information and confirming that his current status was good, Li Chang’an didn’t hesitate and selected “Confirm.”

The strange sensation of his soul being pulled from his body appeared once more.

By the time Li Chang’an regained his senses, he was surrounded by Chaos; he had clearly entered the Rebirth Space.

[Acquiring Rebirth information… Information acquired!]

[Loading Rebirth World… World loaded!]

[Matching character model… Character model matched successfully!]

[World Background / Predestined Fate: This is a world with extremely advanced technology. Major high-tech corporations have successfully overthrown national governments by developing cross-era technologies like ’Extraordinary Potions’ and ’Genetic Potions’, seizing actual control over the various cities!]

[Age 0: You are born into the Yunxiao Technology Company, one of the largest tech corporations in Night City. You are the first son of the founder of the Yunxiao Technology Company!]

[As the eldest son, you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth, destined to be the future monarch of Night City, possessing countless riches and immense power!]

[Age 1: Shortly after your birth, your father begins to groom you as his successor. You enjoy the best education in all of Night City and the latest, most cutting-edge technology!]

[Age 3: To help you awaken Extraordinary Power, your father begins injecting you with Genetic Potions that have been purified hundreds, even thousands of times, with almost negligible side effects.]

[Age 5: With a massive investment of resources, you successfully awaken an Extraordinary talent, solidifying your position as the sole heir of the Yunxiao Technology Group.]

[Age 8: You break through to the Extraordinary First Tier, becoming the youngest Tier One Transcendent in the entire Yunxiao Group. Your genius becomes known throughout Night City. At the same time, you develop an urge to see the outside world!]

[Soon, you find an opportunity and, surrounded by the company’s security department, you get your wish to see the outside world…]

[Under the extreme rule of the major high-tech corporations, order in Night City is in chaos. Human trafficking, organ trading, the flesh trade, and street shootouts are rampant. Filthy blood flows through the veins of Night City…]

[The bloody chaos of the outside world completely shocks you. You can’t understand why your life is filled with splendor and decadent luxury, while in the world outside, people kill, steal, and sell everything they have just for a piece of bread.]

[You share this confusion with your father. He doesn’t answer. Instead, he replaces all the bodyguards who took you out and forbids you from ever going outside again.]

[Age 10: Your father’s silence and restrictions don’t make you give up your search for answers. You maintain an extremely strong interest in the outside world. Your father notices this, and his attitude toward you gradually grows cold!]

[Age 12: You discover another child, about your age, behind your father. He replaces you, ruthlessly taking away everything that should have been yours…]

[Age 14: The company revokes all your privileges, and you become a piece of trash that no one cares about. You are depressed for a while but quickly pull yourself together. No longer under anyone’s watch, you can finally see the outside world again.]

[Age 15: You return to Night City. Not long after going out, you are caught in a gang war. You die!]

[Your life was pitiful and tragic!]

Looking at the long string of information that appeared on the Mark, Li Chang’an’s mouth twitched. He didn’t know whether to feel fortunate or just roast the whole thing.

The original owner was dealt a great hand but played it terribly.

If he had just laid low and played it safe, he would have soon gotten everything he wanted. Instead, he just had to ask the one fatal question he never should have asked.

In a normal family, if a child was ignorant, the family would just patiently teach them, and that would be the end of it.

But his mistake was being born into such a cold, unforgiving place. Here, any mistake could get you replaced at a moment’s notice.

After reading through the entire trajectory of his fate, Li Chang’an sneered. “I’d like to see who dares to have me replaced now that a new player has taken over this account…”

“Rebirth, activate!”

…