"This isn’t being contrary for the sake of it; it’s about taking responsibility."
"Responsibility? In the face of society’s will, an individual’s responsibility is useless."
Although Li Luoya had shown a liking for Lu Luo before, it didn’t prevent her from clashing with him on certain matters. However, Lu Luo scoffed at this statent.
"Do you really think individual will and responsibility are useless?"
"Yes. What does an individual’s will and responsibility count for when compared to the collective?"
"What about the Judgnt Chief, then? Does her individual will matter?"
Lu Luo’s question imdiately put Li Luoya on the spot.
"The Judgnt Chief... she’s different."
"How so? Is the Judgnt Chief not human?"
Li Luoya imdiately realized she had fallen into Lu Luo’s verbal trap.
"I never said that."
"Since the Judgnt Chief is human and her individual will can influence society’s will, that proves I’m right."
"Mr. Lu Luo, are you comparing yourself to the Judgnt Chief? Although I’ve always thought you’re an outstanding person, such an idea isn’t very rational!"
Any normal person would avoid the sa verbal trap. But avoiding such a trap would an the verbal sparring ended in a draw. This would deviate from the negotiating requirents Zhang Yifan had ntioned before their arrival: to win over the crowd. If Lu Luo wanted to take the initiative in this distribution of benefits, he needed to be outstanding; he needed to win over the crowd! Language, capability, or strength—all could work. His conversation with Li Luoya was precisely such a sparring of words.
"I think a person should have dreams."
"What do you an?" Li Luoya frowned.
"Even people from the Fourth Ring have dreams?" soone from another family chid in.
Lu Luo took a deep breath, and as he did, the living room seed to fall silent.
"If a person has no dreams, what’s the difference between them and a salted fish? Even though I co from humble beginnings, even though I’m a person from the Fourth Ring, even though I’m an orphan, I still believe that though life may be as lowly as an ant’s, one should harbor the ambition of a swan. I, Lu Luo, want to beco soone like the Judgnt Chief—able to influence this society, even this world, with my individual will."
For example, becoming the King of the Wasteland?
Li Luoya stared at Lu Luo, sowhat dazed. She felt that at this mont, he seed to radiate an exceptional aura. This radiance was too dazzling! Perhaps Lu Luo’s so-called dreams were an extravagance, but rely expressing them in such an environnt was already a remarkable feat.
Li Luoya pursed her lips. There was nothing wrong with Lu Luo’s argunt, yet she still felt a vague sense of unease. She turned her head away, silent for a mont, then turned back.
"A person who takes responsibility is indeed attractive. Ms. Bai Yuetong is very lucky."
"If you’re complinting , then thank you!"
Bai Yuetong stared intently at Lu Luo. She was the only one who took his words and promises seriously! So, she was ready to flee at any mont.
After Lu Luo finished speaking, the others began to understand. So wanted to scoff at him, but the words caught in their throats. At least Lu Luo was soone who dared to dream. Although it seed presumptuous, daring to dream was a sign of progress, whereas they didn’t even dare to entertain such thoughts.
Lu Luo’s gratitude was, of course, insincere; he no longer needed these people’s approval. Li Luoya sensed his perfunctory attitude but didn’t mind it much.
"Mr. Lu Luo, you’re as unique as ever. I just didn’t expect you to represent the Luo Family here."
"What’s so unexpected about that? After all, the Inner Ring is the center of this world. It’s only natural for to co to the Inner Ring to develop."
Lu Luo said it so naturally that it sounded like the truth.
"So you think so too, Mr. Lu Luo? You are, after all, from the Fourth Ring. I’ve heard that many from there have begun to form their own opinions."
Lu Luo knew this was because the winds of reform in the Fourth Ring had reached the Inner Ring. He waved his hand dismissively.
"Those people are uncultured; they just love to spout nonsense! We educated folks would never dream of such unrealistic things!"
"Heh! Is that so?" Li Luoya glanced at Bai Yuetong beside Lu Luo and chuckled softly.
After their conversation, Li Luoya genuinely acknowledged Lu Luo. The Li Family was backed by Sea Star Civil Affairs and connected to several Inner Ring Council families, so her recognition was a critically important step. However, this was just the first step.
Lu Luo and Li Luoya nodded to each other, then Lu Luo cast triumphant glances at the others. Fine, a moral victory is still a victory, he thought.
"Is anyone else expected? Can we start now?"
Zhang Yifan looked at Lu Luo with a complex expression and said in a low voice, "We may have to wait a bit longer. The Shi Family hasn’t arrived. They are the Speaker’s family and currently the most powerful family. The Shi Family usually arrives last."
"Got it! The kind that likes to put on airs."
Lu Luo had conducted a very detailed investigation of the Shi Family because they controlled Lan Tian Biotech. The dealings between his Circle Studio and Lan Tian Biotech naturally went without saying.
Family Head Shi Haoxuan is the current Speaker of the 13 council mbers. The Speaker holds significant power, including veto power within the Alliance Council. This ans if the Alliance wants to pass any bill, it cannot proceed without Shi Haoxuan’s agreent. This power is quite extraordinary. Even though the Shi Family’s current situation isn’t ideal, they still hold the title of the strongest family in the Inner Ring because of this veto power.
"Since not everyone is here yet, let’s walk around and see what good stuff is left in this Ji Family estate!" After nodding to Li Luoya, Lu Luo led Bai Yuetong aside. Zhang Yifan hesitated, raising his hand but ultimately remaining silent.
Just as Lu Luo was about to go upstairs for a look, soone stopped them.
"Hey, not everyone has arrived. Going upstairs now is against the rules, isn’t it?"
Lu Luo was taken aback. Frankly, he hadn’t realized that going upstairs at this ti was a breach of conduct. Moreover, Zhang Yifan, who was more familiar with these matters, hadn’t warned him.
Is he trying to make look foolish? Or does he just want to see how I’ll respond?
Instead of arguing, Lu Luo calmly turned to look at the person.
"My apologies, I wasn’t aware of such a rule here. If there are any other rules, please tell all of them now so I don’t make any more mistakes."
Although he was admitting his mistake, his words carried an air of arrogance and unreasonableness.
The speaker was Jin Xing, Jin Chen’s older brother. Looking at Lu Luo, his expression was unpleasant.
"Your attitude is terrible!"
"In this world, when you make a mistake, you admit it. When you take a hit, you stand firm. I don’t think there’s anything improper about my attitude."
Lu Luo took a step forward. Though he didn’t release any intimidating aura, there was still an overwhelming presence about him. He knew Jin Chen was the second person he needed to win over!
Facing Lu Luo, Jin Xing involuntarily took a step back, feeling sowhat overwheld.
"You’re from the Fourth Ring, right?"
"Yes. So what?"
Seeing Lu Luo admit he was from the Fourth Ring, Jin Xing acted as if he had found Lu Luo’s weakness.
"You shouldn’t be unaware of the current state of the Fourth and Inner Rings, right? At a ti like this, we really need to investigate those joining the Inner Ring to prevent spies or similar individuals from erging."
Jin Xing was clearly not as formidable an opponent as Li Luoya. Lu Luo looked at him with disdain.
"Spies? If a spy could appear in the Inner Ring, then shouldn’t all the Wall Guardians on the High Wall be executed? Besides, does the Inner Ring really need to worry about spies right now? Are you suggesting the Inner Ring is afraid of the Fourth Ring?"
"How could the Inner Ring be afraid of the Fourth Ring?"
"Exactly. So, let’s not change the topic. Tell , what are the other rules here? Just state them, and I’ll follow."
Watching the composed Lu Luo, Jin Xing felt unable to gain the upper hand. Standing before Lu Luo, he always felt a strange pressure. This pressure wasn’t like the authority of an elder but more like the presence emanating from a Bishop during prayers. Why does this man from the Fourth Ring have such confidence? Where does it co from?
"The rules here are..." Jin Xing struggled to speak, but fortunately, soone ca to his aid.
"There aren’t many rules here; there’s no need for our friend to act like this."
The newcor was a very tall woman. Lu Luo briefly estimated her height to be close to 1.9 ters. In high heels, she was even taller than Lu Luo, who had undergone two growth spurts. Even Li Qinglian, the leader of the Qinglian Gang whose tricycle Lu Luo had once ridden, would probably be much shorter than this woman.
Observing the woman’s aura and the timing of her appearance, Lu Luo roughly guessed her identity. Soone from the Shi Family!
If I were a man from the Inner Ring and didn’t have a wife, I might have taken an interest in her. Unfortunately, I already have wives—more than one, in fact. So, naturally, I must remain as upright as the midday sun.
"May I ask your na?"
Human female, Fifth Tier Transcendent. Possesses Dark Energy reactions and so Holy Radiance reactions. Abilities unknown. Sequence factor fluctuation detected. Sequence B-Scan: Partial ability information obtained. Attributes: Strength 75, Agility 110, Constitution 65.
As Lu Luo observed her, the woman from the Shi Family also observed him. Lu Luo’s Observer analyzed her, and the woman, in turn, took the opportunity to scan Lu Luo.
A scanning Sequence, huh? This kind of observational Sequence indeed gives a person a huge advantage during negotiations.
This woman is undoubtedly strong and capable. Her abilities are comprehensive, and her attributes are well-balanced. Such attribute levels can’t be achieved rely through resources; exceptional talent and persistent training are essential. She even possesses both Dark Energy and Holy Radiance. Could this be the legendary Trinity? Unfortunately for , this Trinity is far too weak.
Shi Tingyu stared at Lu Luo. When she looked into his eyes, she felt as if she were gazing into an abyss. She had experienced this sensation once before—when she used her scanning ability on the Pope. Shi Tingyu had never told anyone about this. As ti passed, she had begun to think that her earlier impression was rely an illusion. But to her surprise, Lu Luo now gave her the sa sensation, and it was much stronger than what she had felt from the Pope—many tis stronger, in fact.
"You..."
"? You haven’t introduced yourself yet, have you? My na is Lu Luo. The ’Lu’ from Lu Luo, and the ’Luo’ from Lu Luo."
What kind of self-introduction is that? It’s as if he said nothing at all, Shi Tingyu thought, feeling powerless to retort. Through her scan, however, she sensed sothing extraordinary about Lu Luo. The aura he had concealed still exerted imnse pressure on her.
"My na is Shi Tingyu. It’s a pleasure to et you, Mr. Lu Luo."
Shi Tingyu... I feel like I’ve heard that na sowhere, Lu Luo mused.
The maid from last night was sent by Shi Tingyu. This ans this woman is monitoring the Luo Family through certain ans.
Upon hearing this, Lu Luo’s expression soured. He had no interest in what the male mbers of the Luo Family were up to. Even with Zhang Yifan, the biggest mole, present, Lu Luo couldn’t be bothered to expose him. But the female mbers were a different matter—his wives were here. What if that maid spreads so malicious gossip or scandalous news, or even takes so inappropriate photos? What then?
At this thought, Lu Luo’s expression turned colder, and he released so of the aura he had been suppressing. Others couldn’t perceive it, but Shi Tingyu, standing before him, felt it directly.
This guy... he’s pressuring , Shi Tingyu thought.
"Miss Shi Tingyu, don’t you know that using a Sequence to scan soone upon first eting is extrely impolite?"
Lu Luo’s blunt exposure of Shi Tingyu’s Sequence took everyone by surprise.
Sequence abilities were usually very private matters, constituting a Transcendent’s trump card or a battle secret. Without an extrely close relationship, no one would reveal their Sequence. Even Lu Luo, after all this ti, had never revealed his three Sequences to others.
For Lu Luo to directly ntion Shi Tingyu’s Sequence like this was almost a deliberate offense. However, his reasoning was sound: Shi Tingyu had scanned him, and he had detected it.
"How... how did you know?" Shi Tingyu lowered her voice. Many present knew her battle Sequence, but her scanning ability was sothing she had always kept hidden. Battle Sequences could be figured out after a few fights and would naturally beco known. However, hidden auxiliary abilities like scanning were very difficult to detect.
Lu Luo tilted his head up slightly.
"When you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."
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