"Currently, no. Oh, by the way, there is something I'm curious about. For instance, what's the situation in the North Ring and the Western Ring?"

Upon hearing Lu Luo's question, Zhang Yifan's expression soured. The situation in the Inner Ring was indeed dire at the moment. The Southern Ring had been subtly brought under Noah's control, while the East Ring was controlled by unknown powerhouses and Hunters. As for the Western Ring and the North Ring, they too had been covertly sabotaged. Although they hadn't officially declared secession from the Alliance, they were essentially beyond its control.

Losing the Fourth Ring had impacted the Alliance far more significantly than initially anticipated. This was evident from the current market prices within the Alliance—an undeniable fact.

"The relationship between the Inner Ring and the Fourth Ring is still tense," Zhang Yifan said, "but this is just a painful transitional period. You don't need to worry too much."

Seeing Zhang Yifan's confidence, Lu Luo grew curious. "The Inner Ring has already been defeated once, even a Seventh Tier expert fell. How can you still be so confident?"

"The Inner Ring didn't fail, the Council did! And the Council's failure isn't the Inner Ring's defeat. Nothing is certain until the Church makes its move! Everyone in the Inner Ring is waiting for the Judgment Chief. Heh, of course, these are just the opinions of a minor figure like myself, so don't take them too seriously."

Lu Luo nodded. Zhang Yifan's talk was getting rather deep. "How is Bai Yuetong doing?"

"Heh, it's only been a day since you last saw her. No need to be so anxious, right? The Young Miss is quite comfortable at the estate, so there's no need for concern. We're already on our way to the manor; you'll see her shortly."

"Alright." Lu Luo nodded and fell silent, clearly indicating he didn't wish to continue the conversation. This left Zhang Yifan, who had wanted to chat more, at a loss. They both quieted down, and the rest of the journey passed without a word.

After a winding car ride, Lu Luo followed Zhang Yifan into a manor within the Inner Ring. The landscaping was extensive, elegant yet dignified. Overall, it felt comfortable, without any hint of ostentation. Not far off, a Training Ground was set up with comprehensive facilities; Lu Luo even spotted something resembling the Church's fencing posts.

The manor was vast; at a glance, the main buildings of the Luo Family were still out of sight. This was the Inner Ring, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. Such an expansive manor, its boundaries invisible from afar, was indeed rather awe-inspiring.

Recording topographical information.

"Is this the true power of a top faction in the Inner Ring?" Lu Luo mused.

Zhang Yifan chuckled. "A top faction in the Inner Ring? There's only one, and that's the Church. As for us, we're just an ordinary, wealthy family, nothing more. Come on, let me show you inside."

Zhang Yifan's words were laced with confidence and pride. His use of "we" indicated he truly considered himself part of the Luo Family.

So, what exactly is Zhang Yifan's attitude towards me? Lu Luo wondered.

Lu Luo was led by Zhang Yifan deeper into the estate, towards the Luo Family villa. Standing a short distance from it, they could already see the second high wall. Such a location meant that if the Third Ring fell, the Luo Family could retreat to the Second Ring almost immediately. Although the Dark Energy intensity in the Second Ring was dangerously high for ordinary people, it could serve as a temporary refuge.

It's this exceptional environmental advantage that has bred such arrogance in these council families! Lu Luo narrowed his eyes slightly. He was unsure what the future might hold and wondered if Circular would face a similar situation after its development. But those weren't his immediate concerns. Right now, he only needed to figure out how to successfully complete his trip to the Inner Ring.

He wanted trade, Inner Ring resources, technology, Cultivation Techniques—he wanted it all! He even wanted to learn more about the Dawn Disc, hoping to find answers to the questions weighing on his heart. He just wasn't sure if such an opportunity would arise this time.

"Would you like a tour?" Zhang Yifan asked.

"No need. I'm more concerned about Dumb Hair than any of this."

"Dumb Hair?" Zhang Yifan was taken aback for a moment. His quick mind, however, soon pieced together that this was Lu Luo's nickname for Bai Yuetong. Such a nickname, or anything similar, had never been uttered within the Luo Family. In the Luo Family, Bai Yuetong was their precious jewel, the Family Head's most cherished daughter. She was also the school's genius, a brilliant researcher in the Mechanical Department, and the Wasteland Alliance's rising star. Only such grand titles seemed fitting for Bai Yuetong's status and achievements.

As for the nickname "Dumb Hair"? Well, on closer inspection, the tuft of hair on Bai Yuetong's head did look rather distinctively 'dumb'-looking. But even so, one shouldn't be so blunt about it, right?

Zhang Yifan smiled awkwardly. "Ah, haha, it seems Mr. Lu Luo and the Young Miss share a very harmonious relationship."

Lu Luo turned to Zhang Yifan and stated unexpectedly, "She will be my wife."

Zhang Yifan's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly. Maintaining his composure, he gestured towards the door. "Please, come in. The Young Miss is already waiting for you."

This man's heart rate has sped up considerably. He really cares about Dumb Hair!

Lu Luo nodded slightly. "Thank you."

Just as Lu Luo was about to enter the room, before he could even touch the door, a woman's voice called out from the side, "Wait a moment, Zhang Yifan. Who is he?"

The newcomer was Luo Xuemin's legitimate wife, Lu Hong—a very famous woman. Lu Hong's fame wasn't solely due to the former Lu Family's power, nor merely because she was Luo Xuemin's wife. Her notoriety stemmed mainly from her past entanglement with the Judgment Chief, Bai Qingshuang.

A woman who had nearly tormented the Judgment Chief to death was still alive and well in the Inner Ring. To ordinary people, this might not seem like much. But to those in the know, it was utterly incredible. What kind of person was Bai Qingshuang? For power, status, and strength, she was capable of anything—even killing her own teacher, the former Judgment Chief. After her ascension, she had deposed two Archbishops of the Inner Ring and a Holy Knight from the Four Knights Corps. Anyone who stood in Bai Qingshuang's path perished, regardless of their rank, status, power, or background. All of it meant nothing before Bai Qingshuang.

When everyone had expected Bai Qingshuang to settle scores with Lu Hong after rising to power, Lu Hong had remained unscathed. In fact, she continued to live well. For someone who had tormented Bai Qingshuang to still be living so well—isn't that astonishing enough? Isn't that just incredible?

"Madam, his name is Lu Luo. He is here at the Family Head's invitation," Zhang Yifan explained. "Lu Luo, this is Madam Lu Hong, the matriarch of the Luo Family and the mother of the three young masters."

Zhang Yifan nodded respectfully to Lu Hong. As Luo Xuemin's legitimate wife, she deserved his respect, no matter the circumstances. Lu Hong, however, as the mother of Luo Xuemin's three sons, regarded Zhang Yifan with less warmth. Especially in recent years, while Zhang Yifan officially remained Luo Xuemin's personal bodyguard, his actual power had grown considerably. Her own three sons, meanwhile, were drifting further from the Luo Family's center of power, which fueled Lu Hong's resentment towards Zhang Yifan.

"So, you are Lu Luo!" Lu Hong said. "I've heard of you. They say you're a very outstanding young man from the Outer Ring. And you're Xiao Bai's sweetheart, aren't you? Am I right, Zhang Yifan?"

"That's essentially correct," Zhang Yifan nodded. The tension between the two was palpable. Lu Luo, standing by, found it all rather dull. Since entering the Luo Family estate, his Observer had been constantly scanning, yet he hadn't detected a single Fifth Tier expert. It seemed the Inner Ring wasn't the powerhouse he'd imagined, where Fourth Tier individuals were supposedly a dime a dozen and Fifth Tier experts roamed freely.

Seeing Zhang Yifan defer to her, Lu Hong nodded with satisfaction. "Mr. Lu Luo, are you here today to discuss Xiao Bai's marriage? That's wonderful! I've always said, a girl can't stay unmarried forever. I found so many suitors for her before, but she rejected them all with excuses like 'lacking shared ideals.' She always prattles on about pursuing the 'true essence of mechanics.' I think it's mainly because she hadn't found her true love. Luckily, Xiao Bai found a talented young man like you, Mr. Lu Luo. Now that Xiao Bai has a partner, it's a great relief for Old Luo!"

Lu Hong greeted Lu Luo with an effusiveness that surprised the nearby servants. Her enthusiasm was simple to understand: Lu Luo was from the Fourth Ring. The daughter of the Church's Judgment Chief and one of the Thirteen Councillors actually got involved with someone from the Fourth Ring. In the Inner Ring, could there be anything more laughable? Perhaps to ordinary Inner Ring citizens, an Outer Ring identity wasn't a major issue. But in the eyes of someone like Lu Hong, people from the Fourth Ring were inferior. And Lu Luo, an orphan from the Fourth Ring with no background, was the lowest of the low.

So what if the Inner and Outer Rings were currently at odds? Such things had happened before. Each time, it ended with the Inner Ring reconquering and easily subduing the Outer Ring, followed by a complete reshuffling of power there. People like Lu Luo were utterly insignificant—at least, in Lu Hong's eyes.

This woman... she has a strange vibe!

Lu Hong's warmth made Lu Luo feel slightly nauseous. Just as the Observer had hinted, her eagerness had an odd flavor, like a brothel madam eyeing a beautiful virgin. Her conflict with the Judgment Chief was immense, and Bai Yuetong was the Judgment Chief's only daughter. Could Lu Hong truly care for Bai Yuetong as if she were her own? Lu Luo found it highly unlikely. The real reason for her politeness was probably his Fourth Ring status, an identity clearly looked down upon in the Inner Ring.

"Heh, marriage is indeed something to discuss," Lu Luo said. "But my main purpose in coming to the Inner Ring this time is to talk with Uncle Luo—about the situation between the Inner and Outer Rings, about Bai Yuetong, and about future development plans, things like that."

Lu Hong curled her lips. Development planning? When it came time to reconquer the Outer Ring, wouldn't it just be about who had the bigger fist and thus got a larger share? What was there to discuss about such development plans?

Masking her disdain, Lu Hong continued with a smile, "Future development plans are certainly important, but the marriage between you and Xiao Bai is equally crucial! Matters of business, we women don't understand them. But I am certain that after you marry Xiao Bai, our family will fully support you. And when the time comes, our Luo Family will definitely prepare a generous dowry for Xiao Bai."

"Heh, thank you, Madam Lu."

Since she was putting so much effort into her act, why not play along? Lu Luo maintained an earnest expression.

"We'll all be family then, so it's no trouble at all! Ah, Lu Luo, Old Luo hasn't returned yet. Why don't you come sit in the courtyard for a bit? Don't be so quick to refuse. I know you're here to see Xiao Bai; we can call her over later. You know, the recent troubles in the Fourth Ring have unsettled the Inner Ring as well. The family has recruited several new groups of guards. Why don't you come take a look and help us assess them?"

Lu Hong gestured towards the Training Ground. Her implication was clear—she intended to give him a show of strength. This blatant provocation began to wear on Lu Luo's patience. He had no desire to continue the conversation, nor any interest in such family melodrama. Lu Hong's bullying tactics were rather tiresome.

He glanced at Zhang Yifan. As the Luo Family Head's confidant, Zhang Yifan should have the authority to refuse Lu Hong. But Zhang Yifan merely shook his head helplessly, signaling he could do nothing.

He's not unable to help. He probably doesn't want to help you, or perhaps, he also wants to test you.

Yes, everyone wants to test me! Even I want to test myself and see what level I've reached.

Lu Luo suppressed the urge to act and kept his composure. "You're too kind, Madam. How could someone like me be qualified to vet guards for the Inner Ring? I'm just a country bumpkin who hasn't seen much of the world. You should handle it yourself, Madam. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you further."

Lu Hong raised an eyebrow. She might not dare to touch Bai Yuetong, but a mere boy from the Fourth Ring? She wouldn't miss this chance to get back at Bai Yuetong through him. "Mr. Lu Luo, striving as you have in the Fourth Ring, you must possess considerable strength and insight. Since you haven't seen what Inner Ring experts are like, why not take this opportunity to witness it? See their strength for yourself, so you'll have a better understanding."

Witness? Experts? Better understanding?

Lu Luo took a deep breath. Zhang Yifan looked at him apologetically but made no move to intervene. Lu Luo's patience was wearing thin; this was the second provocation. However, Luo Xuemin had shown sincerity, and this was Dumb Hair's home, so Lu Luo decided to back down for now.

"Really, there's no need. A person of your stature, Madam, would surely recruit guards who are all..."

Before Lu Luo could finish, a crisp voice interjected, "All garbage! Yes, that's right. The people you find are bound to be garbage!"

Dumb Hair asserted confidently. Just moments ago, she had been sleeping soundly on the sofa. Deep in sleep, she had suddenly awakened—her special Constitution granting her a unique intuition. She sensed Lu Luo's arrival. Though a considerable distance separated the living room from the entrance, she just knew Lu Luo was here. The feeling was distinct and undeniable, compelling her to seek him out. Hence her declaration.

Dumb Hair naturally slipped her arm through Lu Luo's, an intimate yet firm gesture. In front of Lu Hong, the message was unmistakable: Lu Luo was her man, and Lu Hong had best not provoke him. Dumb Hair's standing in the family was such that she certainly wasn't afraid to confront Lu Hong directly.

Zhang Yifan nodded at Bai Yuetong, his gaze steady. "Miss."

Dumb Hair glanced at Zhang Yifan, her look conveying a deeper meaning. "Zhang Yifan, you certainly have your own ideas, don't you!"

Though she didn't specify what she meant, Zhang Yifan seemed to understand. He lowered his head silently. "I apologize, Miss. I failed to handle matters properly."

"Heh!" Bai Yuetong merely sneered.

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