Luo Feng's underlying question was, "Lu Luo, you're clearly from the Fourth Ring, so why do you know so much?"

Forming alliances, weighing pros and cons, uniting and strategizing—there was just too much to understand.

Given the level of education in the Fourth Ring, and his background as an orphan, this should have been impossible.

If all this was impossible, then where did Lu Luo get these abilities?

Zhang Yifan also caught on, and he was looking forward to Lu Luo's answer as well.

Lu Luo blinked and joked,

"Because my brain, it's connected to another world."

"Uh, that's not a very good reason."

"Yeah, it doesn't seem too good, so let's change the subject."

It was obvious that Lu Luo didn't want to linger on this topic for too long.

His identity as a transmigrator remained his biggest secret.

Dumb Hair saw that Lu Luo didn't want to talk and immediately stepped forward to help him out of the predicament.

"What's there to ask? If you're ignorant, don't you know to read more books? He has already told you so much, and you still keep asking questions at this time. Will it ever end? Don't you need to rest?"

At this moment, Dumb Hair gazed at her man with an expression of pure infatuation.

Just blindly protective. A woman infatuated with love is truly uninteresting.

Now, she had lost all semblance of the scholar she once was.

She had become like a brain-dead fan of Lu Luo, siding with him in everything.

As for Luo Feng, it was more admiration, because Lu Luo's performance in this operation was simply too dazzling.

He knew he was inexperienced, but with what he had heard and seen, Luo Feng was not foolish.

His feelings for Lu Luo had changed from initial dissatisfaction to awe, fear, and now admiration. Luo Feng was actually aware of this progression.

Compared to Zhang Yifan, Luo Feng liked Lu Luo a bit more, as long as Lu Luo didn't resort to violence.

At least, Lu Luo was considered one of their own in the Luo Family.

If he could become his brother-in-law... Bai Yuetong could barely be considered his sister, then it might not be such a bad thing.

"So where do we go now? Back home?"

"Of course. After going home, we just wait for the Alliance's news. The next steps will have to be decided by the various magnates of the Council. There's not much left for us to do."

Luo Feng continued to chat with Lu Luo for a while. Their conversation mainly covered insights and the bigger picture—matters typically of interest to someone from an influential family like Luo Feng.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yifan, watching Lu Luo speak eloquently, felt the gap between them for the first time.

This gap was all-encompassing.

Whether it was strength, judgment, or leadership, there was a significant gap between himself and Lu Luo, and it was a wide one.

In such a situation, he didn't even stand a chance of competing with Lu Luo.

"No wonder the Family Head let you handle this matter; your judgment is indeed remarkable. However, the resolution of this matter has also caused the Luo Family to suffer a tremendous loss. As for public opinion, it seems we've completely given up on it."

Loss? Lu Luo shook his head.

"You're wrong, Zhang Yifan. Public opinion is indeed the mouthpiece of the Alliance and the best tool to influence the masses. There's no problem with such a tool in the hands of rulers. But the issue is, it shouldn't be held solely by any one family. Luo Family Media had become a hot potato for the Luo Family. Many crave the power of public opinion, but just as many are constrained by its power. Public opinion is a double-edged sword; when wielding it, one can also be wounded by it. In my estimation, my uncle probably wanted to dilute the power of public opinion long ago. The only reason he hadn't done so was likely due to the Shi Family's coercion. If the Luo Family were a free entity, my uncle would definitely find a way to release the grip on public opinion."

Zhang Yifan frowned slightly. These were all Lu Luo's own conjectures.

Are Luo Xuemin's thoughts really like this?

Public opinion indeed has its pros and cons, but most of the time, having control over public opinion is more advantageous than not. Because having control of public opinion is a power in itself.

"Now, the Luo Family has lost the power of public opinion and barely has anything impressive to show."

"No, the current Luo Family has the best opportunity to rise."

"What do you mean?"

"Because the Luo Family has me."

"You?"

Zhang Yifan thought Lu Luo was a bit too boastful, but Lu Luo's abilities were indeed outstanding.

Lu Luo, on the other hand, found it even harder to understand Zhang Yifan.

He always felt that if Zhang Yifan were a spy, he seemed too concerned about the Luo Family.

"Exactly. It's like having a link to trade with the Outer Ring. The trade between the Inner and Outer Rings can completely usher the Luo Family into a new era. The profits from this are known only to my uncle himself. Don't worry, the Luo Family will not decline, but will become stronger, stronger than ever before."

Lu Luo spoke with great certainty, and his confidence was infectious to the others.

But Zhang Yifan always felt that Lu Luo did so many things for reasons that were not as simple as just helping the Luo Family.

He surely had deeper intentions.

It's just that, from his current level of understanding, he was simply incapable of discerning Lu Luo's true goals.

"Lu Luo, are you really helping the Luo Family?"

Zhang Yifan stared at Lu Luo.

"Of course, I am indeed helping the Luo Family... and then conveniently helping myself!"

Lu Luo didn't say the second half of his sentence out loud, just silently in his mind.

Lu Luo had done so many things; of course, it wasn't just for the simple reason of helping the Luo Family.

This meeting allowed the Inner Ring Council Alliance to be thoroughly established, turning the Council into a new whole.

It seemed to create a formidable enemy for the Outer Ring, but in reality, Lu Luo also gained some unknown benefits from it.

Firstly, after this incident, Lu Luo completely instigated the confrontation between the Alliance Council and the Church.

The current Council, after his brainwashing, had completely identified the Church as the hypothetical enemy.

The united Council swore to defeat the Judgment Chief, the great devil.

Could there be a better outcome?

The confrontation between the Council and the Church could give the Outer Ring absolute time to develop. This was something he needed, and the entire Outer Ring needed it as well.

If the Inner Ring Church didn't oppose the Council, or if the two sides didn't fight, even better!

In that case, the Alliance Council would continue to exist and remain stable for a long time.

As the initiator who guided the reunification of the Alliance Council, and the operator of enduring trade between the Fourth Ring and Inner Ring, he could naturally adopt the persona of a highly loyal servant to the Inner Ring. This way, he would be forever remembered by the families of the Inner Ring Council!

By then, even if the Fourth Ring were to be re-absorbed by the Inner Ring, Lu Luo would still maintain the transcendent status of the Circle Company.

Leveraging the contradictions between the Fourth Ring and Inner Ring, he could continue to control the trade between both sides for a long time.

This period would be enough for Lu Luo to develop.

This was what Lu Luo had come to the Inner Ring to do and had been contemplating all along.

It was still somewhat difficult to put into action.

Fortunately, the Alliance Council side was fairly cooperative for now. Next, it would be time to see the situation with the Church.

He had his reasons for intentionally leaving Mu Fei behind.

He needed to know the current state of the Church.

"Alright, Zhang Yifan, don't think too much. Let's go home."

Amid Zhang Yifan's confusion, the group slowly drove away from the Ji Family estate and returned to the Luo home.

...

In the Alliance Council Hall, the usually noisy Council had become exceptionally quiet.

Luo Xuemin had already stood up. He took out the mechanical arm given to him by Chairman Shi Haoxuan and placed it on the table.

"Shi Haoxuan, we all know what this thing is and what its purpose is.

"But I don't care; only by putting aside past grievances can the Council have a way forward!

"I know what you are doing and what you are preparing for, but just as I once said, everything you do is in vain, for you don't have absolute power.

"Empowered by absolute power, all conspiracies and tricks are meaningless.

"For the Luo Family to give up everything—that was my will, and also my sincerity. I hope you can accept it.

"So, everyone, for your own families, for the Inner Ring Alliance Council, unite!"

Luo Xuemin bowed deeply to all those present, and the Family Heads from the various households looked at him with complex expressions.

After a long silence, Shi Family Head Shi Haoxuan was the first to take the agreement document provided by Luo Xuemin and signed his name on it.

"I believe that the Alliance Council should indeed become one entity."

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

...

In the Inner Ring Dawn Church, Qi Xinzhu was presiding over a prayer session in a not-so-large prayer room.

"Li Ming, always accompanies us..."

Qi Xinzhu closed her holy book and prayed earnestly.

She really liked this job, or rather, as a Believer of Light, she loved a life that was this peaceful.

It was just because of Lu Luo that she had no way to pursue such a life.

After completing the prayer, Qi Xinzhu left the room.

Seeing the Believers coming and going, Qi Xinzhu nodded politely and smiled.

Because she was dressed in a white Church robe, and her appearance was too outstanding, Qi Xinzhu attracted a lot of attention.

Going to a less crowded area, Qi Xinzhu looked at her white robe and fell into her memories.

The first time she met Lu Luo, the first time she went outside the wall, and the time when she killed a person.

It had indeed been a long time since she had worn the white Church robe for work.

Who would have thought that so much time had passed since I left the Inner Ring? Time really does inspire nostalgia!

Following Lu Luo for two years, Qi Xinzhu had now reached Fourth Tier.

A 21-year-old Fourth Tier Believer of Light, considered extremely talented and stunning!

Even compared to Qiao Xing, or the Holy Knights of the four major Knights Groups, she was in no way inferior.

Some even believed that if the Judgment Chief were to step down one day, the grown-up Qi Xinzhu would be the best successor for the Church.

The only pity was that Qi Xinzhu belonged to the Pope.

Whether she could reconcile with the Judgment Chief was of concern to many.

After completing the prayer, Qi Xinzhu slowly walked towards the Training Ground of the Inner Ring.

At the Church, Qi Xinzhu's life was very simple: serving Li Ming, then practicing.

Standing in the Training Ground, Qi Xinzhu quietly observed the relaxing and pleasant training scene and shook her head slightly.

Compared to high-intensity combat in the Outer Rings, life in the Inner Ring was indeed enviable.

Nightmare Demons and beings like Noah had appeared in the Outer Rings. Even so, those living in the Inner Ring, especially Inner Ring Believers, were hardly affected in any noticeable way.

Of course, it was also possible that the leaders here had deliberately downplayed these impacts.

In the Training Ground, there were many legends about Qi Xinzhu.

Especially to the Believers of Light here, Qi Xinzhu was a synonym for perfection.

So as soon as Qi Xinzhu appeared, people recognized her.

"Priest Qi has also come to the Training Ground? Come over and give us some guidance."

"Yes! I've heard that Priest Qi is very formidable."

"Priest Qi was the chief Believer of Light of the previous term. Of course, she's formidable."

"Not only the chief Believer of Light, but she's also the Saintess of our Church."

There was much discussion regarding Qi Xinzhu, yet Qi Xinzhu herself simply did not speak, politely smiling at them.

She had come here today simply because she was idle and had nothing to do.

Now that she no longer needed to cook for Lu Luo, she felt a lot more free time had opened up for her.

Furthermore, the speed of cultivation here was so much worse compared to when she was with Lu Luo; she didn't plan to cultivate and decided to relax instead.

Yet, unexpectedly, after leaving the Inner Ring for a year, these people still had a deep memory of her.

She had not been here long before she was recognized.

Just as these people were discussing Qi Xinzhu, a somewhat grating voice came through.

"But I heard that Priest Qi is with a man from the Fourth Ring, a Fourth Ring person, sigh!"

"Is that true?"

"Could you not spread rumors, please?"

The young Believers first refuted, then turned towards Qi Xinzhu with a pleading look, as if they hoped Qi Xinzhu would step forward to explain.

However, Qi Xinzhu just smiled and nodded at the person who had spoken.

"She's not wrong. I am indeed with a person from the Fourth Ring. His name is Lu Luo, and he's my husband."

"Uh..."

The surrounding Believers suddenly became dumbstruck, disbelief evident on many of their faces.

The pride of the Church, the Church's Saintess, their idol—how could she possibly be with someone from the Fourth Ring?

This simply... cannot be!

"Priest Qi Xinzhu, why would you be with a person from the Fourth Ring? He is not worthy!"

By now, Lu Luo had become Qi Xinzhu's proverbial reverse scale. She was naturally a quiet person, and there wasn't much that could really move her.

Aside from her parents and teacher, the only person she truly cared about was Lu Luo.

"I... should be an adult, right?"

"Ah? Of course."

"Since I am already an adult, then why can't I choose my own partner?"

"But he's from the Fourth Ring, and you are a Believer of Light?"

"Do the Believer of Light's doctrines have something different from those of an ordinary Believer? Or are you saying that Believers of Light in the Inner Ring face discrimination?"

Qi Xinzhu's words were somewhat sharp. The person she questioned was somewhat at a loss. The current situation was identical to when Qi Xinzhu herself had first arrived in the Inner Ring. The only difference was that back then, commoners questioned her, whereas now, it was Believers.

"But most Believers of Light do not marry and do not have partners."

The words of this Believer actually represented the voice of most Believers. They all believed that a Believer of Light's existence was to dedicate themselves to Li Ming.

However, Lu Luo had already taught Qi Xinzhu how to deal with this question long ago.

"Regarding the issue of Believers of Light serving Li Ming, Lord Qiao Xing is also a Believer of Light, right? But he is married, and his child is already 7 years old, named Qiao Xiao Mi, very cute."

Whenever in doubt, throw Qiao Xing under the bus. That was the method Lu Luo taught Qi Xinzhu.

Sure enough, after Qiao Xing was mentioned, many became speechless. They didn't know how to respond to such a question. However, at this time, someone still came forward.

"Qi Xinzhu, Lord Qiao Xing has always lived in the Fourth Ring and cannot serve by Li Ming's side for long, so that's why he married and had children. You are different; what you are doing is unclean!"

Qi Xinzhu had realized that after these people learned of her situation, most men showed regret.

But those who really stepped on her and wanted to keep her down were the women here.

"Just like Lu Luo said, the attribute of energy cannot represent the goodness or evil in a person's heart. Even if someone's attribute is light, their heart can still be evil!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.