Chapter Seventy-Nine: Importance

“Brother, I’ve finished eating. I’ll be on my way now.”
“No, no, really, there’s no need… honestly! I truly have more than enough to eat now!”
“Here’s my number. If you run into any trouble in the future, just give me a call. If I can help, I certainly will. Haha, who knows, maybe you’ll see me on TV in a few days.”
Lan Yi declined the bald proprietor’s generous offer, left his phone number, then turned and strode purposefully toward the black luxury car parked by the roadside.

Yet the moment he turned away, the warmth in Lan Yi’s smile vanished, replaced instantly by a cold detachment.

Vengeance for every slight.

It was one of the reasons Old Demon Lan had spent so many years on the most-wanted list.

If you show me kindness, even a single meal, or a word of concern—I’ll repay you with good fortune. But if you approach me with malice, twist the truth, or make trouble for no reason—pray your family is large enough, for if not, your death will come swiftly.

Knock, knock.

As Ji Ning and Zhang Shouzheng looked on with a sense of unreality, Lan Yi courteously tapped on the car window.

After a brief pause, Ji Ning, having quickly composed himself, opened the door with a smile, reached out, and firmly grasped Lan Yi’s hand, shaking it energetically.

“Mr. Lan, your recent performance quite startled me. Please forgive my lapse in composure. Truly, I hope you won’t mind. As for our partnership, we hold it in the highest esteem and are absolutely sincere.”

Lan Yi’s eyes, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, swept over the two men.

He understood instantly.

Ji Ning specialized in martial arts; Zhang Shouzheng in Daoist techniques.

In terms of cultivation, neither of them was much inferior to Lan Yi. Both had mastered the Spirit Reactor, making full use of the resources from the first artificial divine realm to strengthen themselves—progressing even faster than in their previous lives, seizing upon fortuitous opportunities. In terms of combat power, they were probably between the fourth and fifth energy level.

Among the reborn, they belonged to the first echelon.

The second echelon consisted of those who had not mastered the crucial Spirit Reactor, but had unique abilities.

The third echelon had gained something, but the opportunities in the artificial divine realm were too hard to grasp, or they simply lacked any resources worth obtaining.

As for Lan Yi himself—

Perhaps the whole world could besiege him and seriously injure him.

But killing him? Impossible.

Whether he fled to the artificial divine realm or the moon, no one could catch him.

While Lan Yi scrutinized them, he was also being observed at close range. In Zhang Shouzheng’s spirit-vision, Lan Yi appeared as an ordinary man, showing not the slightest trace of innate energy or spiritual power.

Did Old Demon Lan gain nothing from the artificial divine realm?

Of course not. As fellow reborn, they both noticed the bracelet on Lan Yi’s left wrist and recognized it for what it was.

“You two seem rather down on your luck. The first time we met, you cordoned off the whole block, had a team at your back, evacuated the area, mobilized nuclear arms—one bold move after another. Now it’s just the two of you here. If you were killed, perhaps no one would even notice for a while,” Lan Yi joked.

But his jest, to others, was nothing short of chilling.

“What can we do? You know how it is, Mr. Lan. We’re short-handed. Every able person is needed for disaster relief and emergencies. The people we’ve hastily trained barely grasp martial arts or Daoist techniques, yet they’ve all been dispatched for protection or investigation,” Ji Ning replied, lowering himself a notch and complaining with humility.

Zhang Shouzheng remained silent; he was not fond of words.

Behind his silence was deep helplessness. The “White Words” technique no longer worked on Lan Yi. As a fellow practitioner of spiritual energy, Lan Yi guarded himself tightly. For “White Words” to have any effect, he would need to take a dangerous and forceful approach.

“Priorities can shift—I understand,” Lan Yi nodded.

Hm? Since when was Old Demon Lan so understanding?

Ji Ning nodded instinctively, then immediately sensed something was amiss.

What the hell? When did this lunatic Lan Yi become so easy to talk to?

“In that case, regarding the temporary passage to the artificial divine realm, perhaps I should discuss it with someone else,” Lan Yi said lightly.

It was like a thunderclap exploding in Ji Ning and Zhang Shouzheng’s minds!

He actually secured such a strategic resource on his very first venture into the artificial divine realm?!

“He’s telling the truth,” Zhang Shouzheng caught the deliberate flicker of emotion Lan Yi let slip.

“Mr. Lan! Your affairs have always been our top priority! Haven’t we already established a strong foundation for negotiation? There’s no need to trouble anyone else. Right away—let me show you our sincerity and commitment!” Ji Ning’s hand eagerly clasped Lan Yi’s again, his eyes fixed intently upon him, adapting with the nimbleness of a chameleon.

He felt no shame at all.

After all, this was an artificial divine realm.

In these chaotic times, the possibilities with such a resource were endless!

Ji Ning turned and dove into the car.

He dialed a number.

This line connected directly to the highest levels.

Moments later, with barely a sound except for a faint quiver in his throat, Ji Ning finished his conversation with the other end and emerged with a satisfied smile. His maneuver had succeeded; his rivals on the other side—though not ruined—would find their available resources drastically reduced.

Three minutes later—

Six fighter jets swept over the city, circling above.

Five minutes later—

The first batch of hastily assembled, differently marked convoys began sealing off the street, erecting barriers and keeping onlookers at bay.

Eight minutes later—

More armed personnel, issued urgent orders, arrived to strengthen control, pushing everyone further back and forcibly relocating them.

Eleven minutes later—

A roar approached from the distance, and on this now-deserted road, two helicopters descended, braving the risks to land.

Fifteen minutes later—

Ji Ning, his tone earnest, spoke again.

“Mr. Lan, unfortunately, this road can’t accommodate a transport plane. Flight clearance has already been arranged for you. Would you prefer to honor us by taking a helicopter, or shall we relocate to the nearest expressway? If it’s the highway, we’ll dismantle whatever’s necessary at once to ensure the transport plane can land.”

This went far beyond mere respect.

It was utter, unabashed flattery.

Just to make their attitude clear, at a time when every available hand was needed elsewhere, they had mobilized so many people—the coordination and attention behind it was unprecedented.

If not for fear of displeasing Lan Yi, they would have shut down the local network, confiscated phones, wiped all data, and turned this into a new urban legend—delighting Old Demon Lan beyond measure!

Photograph? Film? Livestream? Go ahead!

No censorship! No suppression of trending topics!

From being publicly vilified to being a guest of national honor—such a dramatic transformation of status, such forceful support, made their sycophancy as refreshing as a spring breeze, making Lan Yi feel truly at home.

“So quickly—you’ve already evacuated everyone?” Lan Yi was indeed satisfied.

“They haven’t been moved far. Your ‘friends’—particularly ex-girlfriends and former colleagues—are irreplaceable strategic assets. We’ve only increased their protection measures, nothing more,” Ji Ning replied, not even needing to exchange a glance with Zhang Shouzheng to sense Lan Yi’s satisfaction.

Before his rebirth, at this very moment, he had been like a stray dog with no home to return to, forced to use fists and blades to seize a shred of justice.

After rebirth, he received the fair treatment he deserved.

Amid the gaze of countless onlookers, Lan Yi strode openly and rightfully toward the roaring helicopters. All could see it—the phantom of a dragon-sparrow, wreathed in thunder and lightning, spreading its wings and crying to the heavens.