Kindness.

In the Steel Jungle, Li Ang, bound and locked by Sky Lock and Rouge Red Lotus, gazed indifferently at the billboard projecting a desolate landscape below.

The scene fell into an eerie silence, leaving only the whimpering wind weaving through the skyscrapers.

In the distance, Francis and other representatives from European Heavy Industry Group, seemed to have realized something, slowly retracting the schadenfreude and teasing expressions from their faces.

Li Ang asked lightly, "Which level of meaning is this from the Special Affairs Bureau?"

"..."

Jien Rushuang took a deep breath, speaking with difficulty, "Currently... it's still up to me to lead the negotiations."

"Rushuang?!"

Below on the street, Xing Hechou clenched the bronze Shield with a crack, eyes wide open, as if he couldn't believe what he heard.

"You?"

Li Ang shook his head calmly, "In this matter, you're not the one in charge, merely the scapegoat."

He looked down at the wrecked street scenery and sighed, "If you hadn't disturbed me, I could have remained Li Rising, maintaining my peaceful life."

"Ahem, if I'm not mistaken, Mr. Li is being made an example by the Special Affairs Bureau."

In the distance, Francis's eyes sparkled as he spoke, "The Special Affairs Bureau wants to use Mr. Li's case to decide future direction, lay the foundation, as a cornerstone.

Four months of virtual detention, neither long nor short,

according to the Special Affairs Bureau's style, they are very likely to bow down again after the virtual detention, privately comforting Mr. Li under the guise of their agents, offering substantial compensation.

In Eastern terms, this is both face and substance."

Francis paused, and seeing Li Ang silent, continued, "If in the beginning, they sent familiar friends to comfort and talk, proposed the four-month virtual detention as a condition, just as an explanation to everyone,

then given Mr. Li's orderly style, there's a certain chance of agreement—after all, four months of virtual detention is merely a second in reality, Mr. Li could regard this as vacation and travel.

But unfortunately, they missed the opportunity."

Li Ang slowly turned his head, looking at Francis, "What are you trying to say?"

"What I mean is, the Special Affairs Bureau has not recognized, or deliberately numbed itself to ignore the most crucial issue, that is,

the future ultimately belongs to Transcendents."

Francis's lips curved into a smile, "Era changes won't shift due to individual will,

anyone trying to resist the tide of the era will be eliminated and left behind.

The Special Affairs Bureau deliberately avoids seeing this point,

whereas our European Heavy Industry Group understands more thoroughly."

He clapped his hands, as if a Wall Street professional manager, eloquently saying, "The approach of European Heavy Industry Group is to conform to the era waves,

since nothing could be done, simply let it be,

providing Transcendents the resources and social status they desire and deserve.

The strong should inherently gain more,

there's no reason to cut off the strong's legs for them to stand equal to the weak.

Fairness, isn't it?

Even from a more macro perspective,

for better future survival amidst inevitable large-scale calamities,

cultivating enough, sufficiently strong Transcendents,

is also beneficial for all humanity."

Francis rubbed his hands together, laughing, "Mr. Li may have lived in the East for quite a long time,

having some preconceived notions about us.

In the intentional or unintentional propaganda by the Special Affairs Bureau,

our European Heavy Industry Group seems to serve only money,

we facilitate those from the old order's Pyramid apex to smoothly transition into the new order system—as long as there's money, the chance to become a Transcendent can be bought, mastering Transcendent power,

leading the entire family to ascend into the transcendent ranks.

And ordinary people without money, talent, unwilling to strive diligently, and lacking luck...

Either pray to gods, hoping the kill field game graciously grants player eligibility;

or labor desperately for big companies, earning Contribution Points, hoping to turn the tables and become players, taking friends and family along the rise;

or simply resign themselves, acknowledging their mediocre aptitude, staying cool in the shade, even if accidentally injured or killed by Transcendents in battles, only to accept misfortune and settle with hefty compensation.

Transcendents working for large organizations like European Heavy Industry Group can afford the best legal teams, their agents have ample time and energy to handle compensation lawsuits."

Francis shrugged, "I don't deny the occurrence of the above phenomena,

but a genuine villain is always better than a fake gentleman,

at least we openly list prices, selling tickets to board Noah's Ark, rather than concealing and being fickle like the Special Affairs Bureau."

He glanced at Li Ang with a smile, speaking, "People are equal, but Transcendents are meant to be more equal.

Our European Heavy Industry Group thinks this way and acts accordingly.

As for the future, whether the Transcendent group will advance further, seizing all authority...

I can only say our founders have willingly embraced Transcendent power, ascending to the transcendent rank.

Mr. Li, if you agree to join us, European Heavy Industry Group's highest-tier Council of Thirteen can immediately open up the fourteenth seat for you.

Vast resources could be at your disposal, the secular world would also bow before you.

This point has already been confirmed and agreed upon by my superiors."

Francis blinked, tapped the Bluetooth earpiece he wore.

"..."

Li Ang's indifferent gaze shifted from Francis to the advertising screen featuring Jien Rushuang, "I want to know, what kind of conditions can the Special Affairs Bureau offer me?

"Persuasion, temptation, or coercion."

Jien Rushuang took a deep breath, "This event has nothing to do with others, and we certainly won't threaten with hostages.

We just hope that both sides can prioritize the bigger picture."

"So, you hope that I can consider the big picture, keep reasoning, act nobly, and surrender willingly."

Li Ang slowly shook his head, whispering, "Reasoning is a virtue.

It's just,

I'm a bit tired of it."

Thump!

His heart thudded heavily, generating an invisible shockwave that shattered the glass walls of the surrounding skyscrapers.

The square-shaped space of the Sky Lock trembled violently,

Zhongli Mieming's face changed abruptly, and he clapped his palms heavily, drawing more chains from the void to reinforce the bindings.

"Red Lotus!!!"

Wang Bu Liuxing's face twisted wildly, the Bi'an Armor on his arms released thousands of thread-like red glows, which poured into the Rouge Red Lotus.

Bi'an, the seventh son of the dragon, discerned right from wrong and judged impartially, often adorned in official halls and prison gates, serving as a beast of judgment.

The power integrated into Rouge Red Lotus did not originate from Wang Bu Liuxing himself,

but from Bi'an exercising its authority as a mythical creature that judges for all beings, gathering the primordial force of humanity, impossible for ordinary entities to sustain.

Bang!

The budding Rouge Red Lotus suddenly bloomed,

sweeping sweet fragrance, heavenly music played, red mist surged upwards,

within the mist, fleeting images of bustling life among humanity flashed.

Tear——

Blood-like red lotus extended a multitude of transparent thorns, firmly binding Li Ang,

each move he made pierced the Mirage Dragon Red Mane, embedding into his skin,

causing endless visions of humanity to flicker in his eyes.

He was the wronged farmer's wife who died by suicide;

He was the deceived and exploited worker who toiled for years without fair compensation;

He was the middle-aged white-collar worker fired by the company after being drained of worth;

He was the ordinary student bullied at school;

Illusory images swept through his eyes like dreams,

momentarily blurring who was Li Ang, and who Li Ang was.

"Don't move! If you keep moving, you'll be cleansed of your true self by the Red Lotus!!!!"

Wang Bu Liuxing gritted his teeth and shouted loudly,

yet Li Ang seemed oblivious, raising his powerful arms to firmly grasp the red lotus thorns.

Justice.

Justice.

Justice.

Righteousness.

Righteousness.

Righteousness.

The chaotic shouts of humanity and the solemn roar of Bi'an echoed in Li Ang's ears,

everyone told him this was for justice.

"You all tell me to consider the big picture, to prioritize the big picture,"

Li Ang sneered, disregarding his bloody hands, unleashing all his divine power, tearing the red lotus thorns apart,

"I am the big picture!"

His body suddenly expanded, countless verdant plant vines extended from his body and limbs, instantly bursting the surrounding Sky Lock, obliterating the petty red lotus.

Boom boom!

Zhongli Mieming and Wang Bu Liuxing were both sent flying, crashing into the skyscraper surface, forming human-shaped dents.

Boom boom boom boom!!!

The earth trembled, skyscrapers swayed,

from beneath the ground, countless towering trees grew rapidly, effortlessly piercing through the layers of steel and concrete of surrounding skyscrapers, sprawling and extending wildly,

branches breaking through the glass, red flowers and green leaves swaying in the wind,

moss and bushes rapidly spread across the desolate urban ground like wildfire.

The Mobile Detachment below watched all this unfold in disbelief,

from the skyscrapers above, millions of banyan tree branches hung down, interlinking with the ground, instantly trapping them like birds in a cage.

The Steel Jungle transformed into an endless forest sea. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Numerous towering trees occupied the skyscrapers, merging crosswise,

forming a massive Wood Giant with Li Ang's visage visible.

"Now,"

A resolute and sonorous voice echoed through the realm,

Li Ang kneeled on one knee, lowering his head, the wooden face towering above, overlooking humans small as specks of dust with a sneer: "I dare ask you,

what happens to those who kill?"