While Lu Luo was observing Luo Xuemin, Luo Xuemin also smiled and nodded to him.

"Hello, Lu Luo, we finally meet."

"I hope I'm not intruding."

"How could it be an intrusion? It's great that you could come!"

As the two exchanged pleasantries, Lu Hong came over with Luo Feng.

Luo Feng hung his head low; he had no intention of making eye contact with Lu Luo. His eyes were filled with nothing but fear!

Meanwhile, Lu Hong stole a glance at Lu Luo, and that's when trouble arose.

An eye appeared on the cup in front of Lu Hong!

"AH!~"

"Lu Hong? What's wrong?" Luo Xuemin asked, frowning slightly, seemingly displeased by Lu Hong's breach of etiquette.

Lu Hong pointed reflexively toward the teacup and swallowed hard.

"Luo, there's... there's an eye here!"

Everyone looked at Lu Hong strangely, also glancing at the cup she was pointing to, but they couldn't see the eye she mentioned.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Luo, don't you believe me?"

Lu Hong's expression turned angry!

"Are you going to eat or not?"

Luo Xuemin truly became angry this time, and after staring at him for a long time, Lu Hong finally lowered her head.

"Sorry, I was rude."

Bai Yuetong, by their side, quietly looked at Lu Luo and began an exchange of glances:

"Did you do this?"

"Sort of."

Lu Luo narrowed his eyes, beginning to control the Observer with his intent, a somewhat strenuous task. He wasn't very good at it initially, but he soon started to get the hang of it.

The eye on the teacup closed as Lu Luo's intent took control.

This allowed Lu Hong to finally breathe a sigh of relief, as that eye, no matter how one looked at it, was utterly terrifying.

Once the commotion subsided, Luo Xuemin took the initiative to say,

"Alright, let's stop standing on ceremony and start our meal."

The dinner was very calm. After some interaction, Lu Hong and Luo Feng no longer showed any intention of challenging Lu Luo.

As for the Luo Family's third young master, Luo Nan, he appeared, somewhat woodenly, in the dining room only when the meal was halfway through. He looked rather dull, as if he were intellectually deficient.

Luo Xuemin ate his meal quickly, which might have been related to his work environment.

After gulping down some food, he wiped his mouth and turned his head to Lu Luo.

"Lu Luo, you must have spent some time in the Inner Ring these past two days, right? What do you think? How does the Inner Ring compare to the Fourth Ring? You can talk about both the pros and cons. Feel free to speak your mind; it's fine."

In the eyes of many, the Inner Ring is undoubtedly superior to the Outer Rings in every way. Even if the Inner Ring has some disadvantages, compared to the Outer Rings, those shortcomings would seem like advantages. Therefore, this question was seen by others as a difficult one to answer.

"I did indeed visit the Inner Ring these past couple of days, but my understanding of it is still rather superficial. I haven't yet encountered the high-level Transcendents of the Inner Ring, so I'd rather not comment on the strength aspect. As for other areas, I can share some simple observations."

"Go ahead, I think your insights will be very interesting!"

"Uncle, you flatter me. Based on the current situation in the Inner Ring, the degree of commercialization is very high, and the various systems are also well-developed. If you're relatively wealthy, then the level of happiness in the Inner Ring is far greater than that of the Outer Rings. This is probably the greatest advantage I've perceived in the Inner Ring."

Lu Luo didn't talk about power, nor did he discuss faith or development. He merely mentioned the word 'happiness,' which made Luo Xuemin feel that there was something extraordinary about this son-in-law.

"Relative wealth is required to have a higher level of happiness?"

"Yes, the cost of living in the Inner Ring is outrageously high. Bai Yuetong spending over 2,000 yuan for a set of desserts she likes is an example. This level of consumption is unbearable even for many people in the Inner Ring. Plus, the area of the Inner Ring is so small that every inch of land is worth its weight in gold. This results in many ordinary people of the Inner Ring living rather uncomfortably. That is to say, they're not happy. I guess that could be considered a drawback."

The point Lu Luo made actually had a deeper implication: the resources of the Inner Ring were monopolized by the 13 Council Families. Often, the Inner Ring wasn't the paradise those from the Outer Rings yearned for. It was not heaven.

On the contrary, it was as cruel as the big cities from Lu Luo's past life. Rich people could live very comfortably in the Inner Ring, but those without money might not even find a shred of belonging there. Just like the metropolises from his past life.

"Lu Luo, you have quite a far-reaching perspective!"

Luo Xuemin looked at Lu Luo meaningfully, understanding the hidden message. However, even having understood, he wouldn't change anything, as he himself was a member of the 13 Council Families.

"I come from the Outer Rings, so my starting point for looking at issues might be a little different."

"Indeed. We who have stayed in the Inner Ring for a long time sometimes don't see the world clearly anymore. The Wasteland Alliance has controlled the Fourth Ring for over a hundred years. However, the disparity between the Inner and Outer Rings has not decreased but is actually continuously widening—a truly frustrating reality. Perhaps it is precisely this imbalance that has led to the current division between the Inner and Outer Rings."

Luo Xuemin spoke with a probing intent, and Lu Luo promptly responded.

"Every period of chaos in the Fourth Ring has always ended with the Inner Ring prevailing. So I think, Uncle, you really don't need to worry too much. The Inner Ring is bound to win!"

The Inner Ring is bound to win!

Yet Luo Xuemin only squinted and smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

"You seem to be very knowledgeable about history, Lu Luo. It's true that every rebellion in the Outer Rings ends with the Inner Ring prevailing. But as someone from the Fourth Ring, do you really believe that too?"

Luo Xuemin wanted to see something different in Lu Luo's eyes.

If it were before, Lu Luo might have inadvertently revealed some of his true thoughts. But with Qi Lin's warning, Lu Luo could now remain flawless.

"Yes, Uncle, I believe that too. Although the Outer Rings have a vast area and population, the disparity in the foundational strength between the Outer Rings and the Inner Ring is just too great. The enhancement from Dark Energy can indeed increase some people's power, but this increase is too slight and too short-lived. What's more, the manifestation of power is the sum of heritage, skills, Cultivation Techniques, and other factors. It's not as simple as: whoever has more Dark Energy wins. In all aspects, the gap between the Outer Rings and the Inner Ring is quite substantial. So I think, the outcome of this rebellion in the Outer Rings will be the same. The Inner Ring is bound to win!"

Lu Luo's position was already quite detailed, short of raising his hands and shouting for victory!

Whether it was Lu Hong, Luo Feng, or Zhang Yifan, who was standing by, all found Lu Luo's argument to be logical and well-founded. The disparity between the Outer Rings and the Inner Ring was well articulated, which should have posed no issue.

But Luo Xuemin obviously didn't see it that way; he still fixed his gaze on Lu Luo and asked,

"But the Seventh Tier from the Inner Ring Faction that was sent over has died! Now the Fourth Ring possesses the power to kill a Seventh Tier, and we don't even know who the enemy is? Don't you think this is something truly terrifying? Lu Luo, do you have any understanding of that Seventh Tier expert from the East Fourth Ring?"

She's Eighth Order, not Seventh Tier. And when she has mastered her Steam Dust Devil, that's when she'll be truly formidable!

Lu Luo shook his head with a smile.

"Uncle is joking. How could an insignificant person like me have any contact with great individuals like Seventh Tier experts?"

Seeing Lu Luo smiling so naively, Luo Xuemin also started laughing.

"Yes, individuals such as Seventh Tier experts are great figures beyond the influence of us mere mortals."

When an insignificant person meets ordinary people!

The old fox laughed, and the young fox followed suit.

Since everyone was claiming to be useless, there was no point in continuing this conversation. But today's situation was certainly different; this was a negotiation and conversation among leaders of various powers. This conversation had to have a final outcome.

"If we continue talking like this, I'm afraid we won't achieve any result, Uncle."

As a junior, Lu Luo took the initiative to speak; after all, this was someone else's home. Although his side from the Outer Rings actually had the initiative now, Lu Luo still wanted to bring Dumb Hair home safely. It was better to give some face to the other party.

"Hahaha, well said. If we continue with such an unproductive topic, today we really won't get anywhere. How about this, Zhang Yifan, you take Lu Luo to my study. I'll be there shortly."

Compared to the dining room, a more private and secret place like the study was more suitable for discussing major issues between men.

Lu Luo held Dumb Hair's hand and whispered,

"I'll go and have a good chat with your dad first."

"Okay, you decide how to handle it."

In crucial moments, Bai Yuetong was as reliable as ever, giving Lu Luo the space he needed.

Lu Luo followed Zhang Yifan towards Luo Xuemin's study. During their walk, Zhang Yifan suddenly asked,

"Lu Luo, what was that tentacle form you exhibited during the fight?"

It's over, it's over. The host has been questioned. How should he respond?

"Tentacle form? I have no idea what you're talking about. I practice the Six Paths Qi He, and although it isn't as conspicuous as Holy Radiance, it's still upright and just. How could it possibly have anything to do with those evil tentacles."

"Is that so?" Zhang Yifan looked doubtful and unconvinced.

"Of course. Righteousness is with me."

Lu Luo spoke with solemn righteousness, but as he spoke, his aura suddenly had an Outburst. This time, his own qi completely locked onto Zhang Yifan in front of him.

Under the influence of some force, the corridor began to mutate.

On the doors, railings, windows, and floor, eyes began to grow everywhere. These eyes stared fixedly at Zhang Yifan, as if to scrutinize his every move, to see through all his concealment, everything.

"Zhang Yifan! Zhang Yifan! Zhang Yifan!"

Zhang Yifan!

Zhang Yifan!

All sorts of voices kept appearing in Zhang Yifan's mind. His pupils contracted, and his breathing became increasingly rapid. He didn't know what to do: should he run, or just sit here and wait for death!

"I, I..."

Zhang Yifan felt it hard to breathe. He wanted to leave this place, but this silent terror made his body utterly unable to move.

"Zhang Yifan? Zhang Yifan? Xiao Fanfan? What's wrong with you?"

Zhang Yifan suddenly woke up. Lu Luo was looking at him with a curious face and kept calling out to him, as if he hadn't noticed what had just happened at all.

Zhang Yifan looked at Lu Luo, who had a puzzled face, and felt even more confused himself!

Could it be that it really wasn't Lu Luo?

He didn't know whether what he had just seen was real. If it was, what was the deal with the Lu Luo in front of him?

Was he acting? And so convincingly? But if it wasn't real, then what about the eyes just now? Why did so many eyes suddenly appear? Why was I suddenly having such hallucinations? No, those eyes... why did they look so much like Lu Luo's eyes?

"I... I'm fine. Maybe I've just been too tired lately," Zhang Yifan said weakly.

"Working for a capitalist is indeed exhausting. If you really can't stand it, you can take some time off to rest. The living conditions in the Outer Ring are good now; you can go and take a vacation."

Hearing Lu Luo refer to Luo Xuemin as a capitalist, Zhang Yifan's expression became a bit strange. He still couldn't figure out why Lu Luo could joke about Luo Xuemin so unconstrainedly, even converse with Luo Xuemin as an equal.

Even if Lu Luo didn't know about Luo Xuemin's strength, he should at least know what it meant to be one of the 13 Council members, right? Why can Lu Luo stand face to face with the status of a 13 Council member? Why can he, someone from the Fourth Ring, pursue Bai Yuetong? And even be in love with her? Why? Why? Why?

Zhang Yifan's thoughts once again fell into chaos, and he didn't even realize that an eye had grown on his forehead.

That eye was very much like Lu Luo's eye!

"Zhang Yifan? Security Zhang?"

Zhang Yifan woke up again. What's happening? Did I fall into an illusion again? What on earth is wrong with me? Why do I keep falling into these self-induced illusions?

"What's wrong with you, Xiao Zhang? Are we still going to Uncle's study? We've been delayed here for almost 10 minutes."

Lu Luo put on a very aggrieved expression. Seeing him like this, Zhang Yifan felt even more helpless and discouraged.

Yes, discouraged!

How long had it been since he last felt this emotion?

Zhang Yifan didn't know what was wrong with him, but he felt his emotions fluctuating greatly. Such emotional fluctuations were obviously not normal.

"Sorry, Lu Luo, it's my fault. I'll take you to the study right now."

Zhang Yifan looked dazed, while Lu Luo, following behind him, smiled faintly.

This Zhang Yifan is quite ambitious. My father-in-law, Luo Xuemin, is truly no ordinary character!

After the two arrived at Luo Xuemin's study, Lu Luo sat down naturally on the couch, while Zhang Yifan stood aside.

Zhang Yifan frowned slightly; he couldn't accept Lu Luo's attitude.

I can't lose my composure again. Whether that eyeball belonged to Lu Luo or not, I mustn't lose my composure again.

Zhang Yifan closed his eyes to gather his energy and regain his focus.

What he didn't know was that when he closed his eyes, the eye on his forehead closed as well.

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