"An Inner Ring's supreme power organization, a noble standing high above all the people of the Fourth Ring?"

Luo Xuemin's words were very provocative. If Lu Luo were truly a naive youth from the Fourth Ring, he would definitely be uncontrollably excited now.

Unfortunately, he wasn't a naive youth from the Fourth Ring.

Even so, that didn't prevent him from being interested in the matter.

"To personally annihilate a family from the Inner Ring! This proposal is indeed exciting."

Zhang Yifan raised his head again. Such a major matter was usually handled personally by the Family Head.

For Lu Luo, a newcomer from the Fourth Ring, to get involved in this kind of matter seemed a bit irrational, right?

Luo Xuemin, on the other hand, looked at Lu Luo with satisfaction. He was very pleased with Lu Luo's performance.

Although he still didn't know the specifics of Lu Luo's abilities, Lu Luo had shown the bare minimum of ambition.

Only those with ambition have value for growth, can potentially become allies of the Luo Family, and can potentially become Bai Yuetong's husband.

Forget about 'peaceful years' or 'safe and stable.'

If Bai Yuetong's man had no ambition or ability, then her eventual outcome might be very bad.

As a father, Luo Xuemin knew this very well.

As a father, he could protect Bai Yuetong, but the man Bai Yuetong chose must also be capable.

"Good, it's even better that you're interested."

"Uncle, being interested is one thing, but how to carry it out is another matter. Dealing with such a major family surely requires a detailed plan, right?"

Lu Luo felt that, after all, it was one of the thirteen families in the council. Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse!

Luo Xuemin shook his head carelessly. "Have you forgotten what you just said yourself?"

"What I just said?"

"From the moment Ji Shaoran died, the Ji Family was no longer our ally. And it was precisely from that moment that the erosion of the Ji Family began. A Ji Family without a Seventh Tier expert is now like a headless fly. They are anxious and unsure of what to do. The more they have such a mentality, the easier it is for them to make mistakes. Tomorrow, go with Zhang Yifan to those few Luo Family places and take a look. You will probably understand by then just how wretched the Ji Family currently is."

"Tomorrow? That soon?"

Lu Luo was indeed interested in the intrigues between families of the Inner Ring.

"Soon? This has already been going on for over a month. It's not soon!"

"Well then, Uncle, what do you wish for me to do on behalf of the Luo Family?"

"You? On behalf of the Luo Family?"

"If not on behalf of the Luo Family, could it possibly be on behalf of myself?"

I'm not taking the blame for this!

Lu Luo showed a confused expression, as if he really was puzzled.

And Luo Xuemin looked at him with a smile on his face.

The two had sparred for several rounds in their conversation. Luo Xuemin had been trying to draw Lu Luo in.

But Lu Luo was just as he had said at the very start. He, a minor figure from the Fourth Ring, couldn't possibly touch such a major affair of the Inner Ring. He saw himself as a minor figure.

A minor figure couldn't possibly get involved in major affairs by themselves.

If Luo Xuemin asked him to do this, as a junior and as Bai Yuetong's man, of course, he could help.

But even if he were to go, he would be doing it on behalf of the Luo Family. Not on behalf of the Circular, nor representing himself, Lu Luo.

Luo Xuemin's eyes turned profound. Zhang Yifan, standing by the side, sensed that the atmosphere between the two was amiss, but he wouldn't dare to speak up at such a time.

"Regarding the Ji Family's affairs, our Luo Family indeed wants a share of the spoils. You can go with Zhang Yifan tomorrow, representing our Luo Family."

"No problem. I will definitely not disgrace the Luo Family tomorrow. Moreover, I really want to get a good look at the high-ranking family powers of the Inner Ring and the local customs among these forces."

The first step in their conversation, reaching a consensus, was achieved.

But the negotiations between Lu Luo and Luo Xuemin were certainly not going to end that easily.

Especially Zhang Yifan, who observed the whole process, sensed the different implications in this conversation.

"The water has cooled. I'll pour some more for you both."

Luo Xuemin stopped Zhang Yifan. "No need, it's fine as it is; it's drinkable." Clearly, he didn't want Zhang Yifan to leave at this time.

Next, he had even more important matters to discuss thoroughly with Lu Luo.

"Alright, after talking about so many practical matters, Lu Luo, do you find it distasteful?"

"Of course not. After all, I am also the boss of Circle Company. Learning more from you, Uncle, is very beneficial."

"Hehe, Lu Luo, do you have an understanding of the power distribution within the Inner Ring?"

"Not a very deep understanding, just a general, superficial awareness. The strongest is the Church, followed by the parliament, which controls the Constitution Guard Corps. They are both competitors and a coexisting interest group with the Church."

"That's not incorrect, but it is indeed quite superficial. What do you think, does the parliament have any chance of contending with the Church in the future?"

Luo Xuemin's question was somewhat piercing. Had the parliament already lost its ability to contend with the Church?

"I think that if the parliament's will cannot be unified, it will be very difficult to contend with the Church."

Lu Luo's answer was very straightforward; this point was actually quite obvious.

The parliament, with its decentralized power, was now evidently showing signs of weakness.

The Church, on the other hand, was stronger and more united than ever before.

Such a contrast made any comparison of strength between the two parties completely unviable.

"So you think this way too!" Luo Xuemin looked a bit dismayed.

Lu Luo nodded.

"It can't be helped. Often, the power of centralization is just too strong. Parliamentary systems have their advantages, but they can't be like centralized systems, where all intentions are concentrated and act as a whole. Therefore, the gap will only get wider."

Having experienced the rapid development under centralized power, Lu Luo was very clear about the differences between the two systems.

Setting aside other factors, just in terms of growth speed, the astounding pace of centralized growth was unprecedented.

The Church itself must have also sensed this, which is why they are so submissive to the Judgment Chief, Bai Qingshuang.

Upon hearing Lu Luo's views, Luo Xuemin slowly nodded. Was it that he couldn't see clearly?

No, as a major leader of the parliament, he could see clearly. Not just him, many heads of parliament could see this point clearly.

But what use was it for them to see clearly?

No use at all!

There would always be some parliamentarians who couldn't see clearly. Even if they could, there would still be those below them who couldn't.

Without a unified will, those who couldn't see clearly would become an obstacle to those who could. Everyone pulls each other back, and then the parliament just crumbles like that.

"Perhaps you're right!"

Unlike the earlier topic of the Ji Family, when discussing the balance of power in the Inner Ring, Luo Xuemin clearly lacked his previous confidence. He was also filled with uncertainty regarding the future development of the Inner Ring.

The unknown is the greatest source of panic.

Luo Xuemin fell into silence, showing his weaker side in front of Lu Luo for the first time.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lu Luo suddenly spoke, "Uncle, have you considered establishing fixed trade between the Inner and Outer Rings?"

If the previous Lu Luo had been passive, now was his time to take the initiative.

The affairs of the Circular were what truly mattered because they meant money and resources!

Luo Xuemin and Zhang Yifan were both startled.

Zhang Yifan was surprised at Lu Luo's initiative in bringing up trade.

Luo Xuemin, however, understood that Lu Luo was now finally using his status as the leader of the Circular to engage in an equal conversation with him.

"Trade is indeed possible. What does your Circular lack at the moment? You can tell me, and I'll see if there's anything I can do to help."

Luo Xuemin still maintained a somewhat condescending tone, but Lu Luo wasn't buying it anymore.

"Uncle, we in the Circular lack nothing! We have abundant food, ample water sources, plenty of Dark Spirit Stones, and sufficient Dark Energy! The Fourth Ring is thriving, so we truly lack nothing. The ones lacking things should be you, Uncle!"

If the previous Lu Luo had seemed as calm as a little lamb, then at this moment, Lu Luo was a viper through and through!

Luo Xuemin's eyes flickered. Clearly, he hadn't expected Lu Luo's attitude to shift so rapidly.

"Oh? I haven't felt that the Inner Ring is lacking anything at the moment. If it is, then tell me, what is the Inner Ring lacking right now?"

Lu Luo smiled. It didn't matter if his father-in-law was being stubborn; reality would crush him.

"The Inner Ring is lacking far too many things right now. First and foremost, in light industry and labor. People in the Inner Ring have grown accustomed to a life of luxury. They couldn't possibly wear the same clothes all year round like people in the Fourth Ring do. Moreover, the Inner Ring doesn't have enough labor, so many light-industrial workshops are in the Outer Ring. Clothes, shoes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and even things like salt and condiments—you don't have them."

"These are all just ordinary items. A bit of scarcity wouldn't be a major problem."

Luo Xuemin was still being headstrong, but Lu Luo showed no mercy. "These are not just ordinary items; they represent the quality of life in the Inner Ring. Once these things are gone, it means the Inner Ring's quality of life will rapidly decline, leading to a certain degree of psychological breakdown. Uncle, can you imagine the plight of Inner Ring ladies unable to buy attractive bras? So, the current Inner Ring is just struggling on the brink of collapse."

Lu Luo's words were somewhat alarmist, but as a councilman and a Family Head, Luo Xuemin knew very well that Lu Luo wasn't lying.

While food scarcity in the Inner Ring could be managed through certain methods, meat was a different matter. It required animal husbandry, and without farms, the Inner Ring had no meat! If the meat supply in the Inner Ring truly dried up, it would be catastrophic. Luo Xuemin knew this very well.

"Alright, the Inner Ring might indeed be lacking some resources, but these won't…"

"Uncle! I've come in sincerity!" Lu Luo interrupted him directly.

Zhang Yifan thought Lu Luo was being impertinent; Luo Xuemin was a councilman, after all!

But Luo Xuemin, after a brief silence, simply smiled. "I previously reminded Zhang Yifan to treat you as the leader of a faction, yet I ended up making the same mistake myself. Alright, Lu Luo, since you've come with sincerity, let's discuss the trade matters properly…"

This time, the two sides engaged in a detailed discussion about trade between the Inner and Outer Rings.

This included food, daily chemical products, household goods, and other items, all of which Lu Luo could provide to Luo Xuemin on a stable, long-term basis.

The Circular now had 50,000 people working for him, and under Lu Luo's leadership, this was a very strong productive force. It might not be able to satisfy the entire Inner Ring, but supplying the Luo Family would definitely be more than enough.

Lu Luo's demands were also very straightforward: a complete Inner Ring knowledge system, precious metals, special potions, and cultivation techniques.

These trades would commence after Lu Luo returned to the Outer Ring.

This trade negotiation lasted nearly three hours, with both sides discussing matters in great detail. Lu Luo brought sincerity, and Luo Xuemin did not just go through the motions. Both parties were indeed on equal footing, at least as equal trading partners.

"That's about it. If this can be achieved, then thank you for your consideration, Uncle."

"You're too polite, Lu Luo. Since you came with sincerity, I definitely won't let you down," Luo Xuemin said.

"Uncle, you jest. Even without me, someone else would have taken this opportunity. This is the chance you're giving me."

Lu Luo was very courteous. If stable trade could be established, that would naturally be what he most wanted to see.

The Outer Ring didn't actually want a fight to the death with the Inner Ring, or rather, he didn't want to be locked in a deadly struggle with them.

Time was on the Outer Ring's side; every day of delay meant more development time for the Outer Ring.

This reasoning was especially prominent for Lu Luo. As time went by, Lu Luo could use the Breath of Favors to greatly strengthen his forces.

If he could truly muster an army of thousands of Transcendents who mastered Inner Ring cultivation techniques and possessed physiques comparable to Exotic Species, what kind of effect would that have?

An army of thousands of bootlickers... too terrifying!

This wasn't to say it would completely change the dynamic between the Inner and Outer Rings, but at the very least, Lu Luo was certain that the Circular could absolutely become a unique force because of this.

What Lu Luo wanted was this kind of special freedom!

And with the passage of time, he would grow increasingly powerful, until no one could stop him.

After they finished discussing trade, Luo Xuemin proactively took out a bottle of red wine and poured Lu Luo a glass.

"To our trade."

"Cheers!"

The two drained their glasses, signifying their agreement.

Neither party signed any documents, contracts, or agreements. It was just a simple verbal promise.

Such a complete, private transaction between the Inner and Outer Rings could not possibly have any written records. Even if discovered, everyone would tacitly understand, but there could be no actual records.

The Inner Ring was a place that cared about face. To maintain face, many things couldn't be done openly, and this also violated the Alliance's internal laws.

Don't say that face means nothing; that's something only Lu Luo would say. In the Inner Ring, most people did not possess Lu Luo's level of awareness; for many, face was their life.

And there's no need to find this notion strange. In his previous life's stories, like 'Dream of the Red Chamber' or 'The Butterfly Lovers,' countless people had prioritized saving face over actual benefits.

"It's almost 1 a.m. Lu Luo, why don't you stay over at our place tonight?" Luo Xuemin seemed to be indicating an end to their conversation.

However, Lu Luo felt something was off. They had discussed many things, yet the matter concerning Dumb Hair and Qi Xinzhu had been conveniently omitted. A major reason for Lu Luo coming to the Inner Ring was because of Dumb Hair and Qi Xinzhu.

Luo Xuemin's avoidance of the topic was very problematic.

"Uncle, we haven't finished talking, have we?"

Lu Luo's gaze turned sharp, and as soon as he released his aura, fresh tendrils began to sprout in the room!

Then, coincidentally or not, one of the tendrils grew right into Luo Xuemin's teacup!

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