Gu Ruilong deliberately emphasized the words "top-tier genius." Though he didn’t say it outright, Li Chang’an could still detect a veiled threat in his tone.
Instantly, Li Chang’an’s impression of the man plummeted.
But not wanting to make an enemy for no reason, Li Chang’an politely explained, "Young Master Gu, you flatter me. The offer you’ve made is naturally excellent, but I’ve grown up in Linjiang and am used to it here. I have no plans to move elsewhere to develop my career."
Hearing his reply, Gu Ruilong’s eyes narrowed.
He toyed with the Jade Ring on his finger, silent for a long moment, before suddenly standing up. "Very well. It seems I’ll be leaving empty-handed today. If you have a change of heart after a while, you can still give me a call. I’ve always had a soft spot for recruiting talented people and showing them respect."
After saying this, Gu Ruilong gave Li Chang’an a deep, meaningful look, then pushed the door open and walked straight out without lingering.
Once he had left, Su Ruobing put down the contract in her hand and said coolly, "Don’t be fooled by his polished appearance. He’s actually incredibly petty. He’s probably already started holding a grudge against you."
"I’m not one to hold grudges." Li Chang’an gave a wry smile and sighed. "Hearing you say that, I’m starting to wonder if I should just strike first."
He felt he had been perfectly discreet, yet he had still managed to offend Gu Ruilong.
It wasn’t that trouble left him alone just because he didn’t go looking for it. In fact, it was often the opposite: the more he tried to avoid trouble, the more it seemed to seek him out.
’You don’t hold grudges, you just get your revenge the same night, don’t you?’
She saw that not only was he not flustered, but he was also seriously considering how to strike first.
A hint of surprise appeared on Su Ruobing’s face.
’I never expected a boy who just became a Reincarnator to be so decisive and ruthless.’
’Then again, how else could he have earned an S-Level reincarnation score?’
While thinking this, Su Ruobing said aloud, "Let’s just drop it for now. Gu Ruilong is a scion of the Kyoto Gu Family, which has a very powerful background. Plus, he himself is a famous genius in Kyoto who became a Permanent Reincarnator at the young age of sixteen... His Evolution Level is probably already D-Level, or even C-Level. With your current strength, it’s far too reckless to make an enemy of him."
Her voice paused for a moment before she continued seriously, "This matter started because of me, and I’m truly sorry for getting you involved. In a couple of days, I’ll bring your family to the Reincarnator Association and have someone protect them. I’ll also give Gu Ruilong a heads-up. All you need to do is go to your territory and assume your post without any worries."
Su Ruobing was being tactful.
In reality, while the talent Li Chang’an had displayed was astonishing, he was currently nothing more than a Newcomer Reincarnator who had just gotten his start.
If he really were to clash with Gu Ruilong, to put it nicely, he would be overestimating himself. To put it bluntly, he would be courting death.
Therefore, after some consideration, she proactively proposed a series of solutions, preparing to use her own influence to protect Li Chang’an.
Hearing this, Li Chang’an smiled, his expression unreadable. "I grew up in an orphanage. I have no family, and therefore, no weaknesses. So, I think Gu Ruilong is the one who needs to think twice before offending me."
Su Ruobing was taken aback by his words and, for once, didn’t retort.
"Well then, Chairman Su, I’ll be heading back now." Seeing her silence, Li Chang’an waved his hand.
He stood up and walked to the door, then seemed to remember something and paused. "Oh, right. I also have a Martial Artist Evolution Path that I’ll be uploading to the cloud via my Rebirth Mark in a little while. If you’re interested, Chairman Su, you can take a look. And while you’re at it, could you help me get its value appraised quickly? Thanks."
After saying this, Li Chang’an left without a backward glance, leaving Su Ruobing standing there, stunned and speechless for a long moment.
...
Signing the contract officially marked Li Chang’an’s entry into the Linjiang Reincarnator Association. From the moment he walked out the door, he was a Permanent Reincarnator entitled to a high monthly salary.
All that was left was to pack his bags and report to his new territory within three days.
Moreover, according to the contract he signed with Su Ruobing, as a top-tier talent, Li Chang’an was assigned a relatively safe and prosperous territory.
He would barely have to worry about it and would still receive a large amount of tax revenue each month.
The S-Level reincarnation score from this assessment had completely changed his social standing.
This world had never been fair, but in a way, it was. Reincarnators enjoyed a superior social status, so naturally, they also had to bear corresponding social responsibilities.
The specific form this responsibility took was that after becoming a Permanent Reincarnator, the Human Alliance would assign a territory to every registered Reincarnator through the Reincarnator Association.
Reincarnators were responsible for fending off the Exotic Beast Tides that erupted periodically, protecting the lives and property of the ordinary people within their territory. In return, the people of the territory had to provide the Reincarnator with a certain amount of trade tax.
Simply put, the Human Alliance had effectively parceled out most of the land in the Main World to Reincarnators to govern. Under this system, the large-scale Reincarnator families were, in a sense, the feudal lords that Li Chang’an knew from his past life.
Reincarnators were governed by the "Imperial Court"—that is, the Human Alliance and the Reincarnator Association—but within their own territories, they held a status akin to that of a local emperor.
After leaving the Reincarnator registration center, Li Chang’an went straight out of the examination venue.
In the process, he was once again met with a wave of gazes filled with envy and jealousy from the other students. Several sharp-nosed reporters even swarmed him, hoping for an interview.
Li Chang’an, however, had no interest in any of that.
He ignored the reporters crowding him from both sides and headed straight back to his residence.
Before the age of twelve, he had grown up in an orphanage.
He couldn’t say whether those days were happy or unhappy, but what troubled him most was a persistent, lingering sense of loneliness that never faded.
After turning twelve, he had developed a degree of self-sufficiency, so he applied to the government for a subsidized apartment and moved out of the orphanage.
It was also during that time that he met the chubby kid who lived downstairs, Li Jianfei.
And because of that, he finally began to feel a sense of connection to this world.
Now, returning alone to the old, small apartment where he had lived for so many years, Li Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotions.
After briefly tidying up his personal belongings and cleaning the apartment until it was spotless, he locked the door and sat down cross-legged.
"Mark, enter the Rebirth Space!"
Because he had been in the middle of the assessment before, he hadn’t been able to stay in the Rebirth Space for long, leaving him with over a hundred thousand Rebirth Points he hadn’t had a chance to spend.
Now that things had finally settled down for the time being, it was time to spend them on a few things to increase his strength.
With a single thought, the sensation of the world spinning returned. When he came to his senses again, Li Chang’an was already inside the pure white Rebirth Space.
...