Don't even start with that 'you can't hit women' nonsense. In the Wasteland Alliance, women outnumber men two to one. If a Transcendent couldn't even fight women, they wouldn't last long.

"Get ready!"

"Huh?"

Deliberate Bombardment Fist!

The punch, heavy with momentum, shot straight towards Shi Tingyu.

BOOM!

The shockwave exploded right in front of Shi Tingyu, like a sudden outburst of a twelfth-level tearing gale within the room.

This punch didn't cause massive destruction. Instead, it brought about some very strange effects.

For instance, with a loud RIP!, Shi Tingyu's form-fitting cheongsam burst apart, scattering pieces of fabric into every corner of the room.

This outcome dumbfounded everyone, including Shi Tingyu herself.

She had anticipated a fierce retaliation from Lu Luo.

But she had not expected Lu Luo's counterattack to be so... shameless!

"You..."

Shi Tingyu covered her chest, her slender figure completely exposed before everyone.

Although her undergarments still protected the remaining parts.

But such exposure was a first for her in front of so many people.

At this, many of the old lechers, or Inner Ring members who had pursued Shi Tingyu for a long time, secretly gave Lu Luo a thumbs-up in admiration.

Shi Tingyu's two subordinates tried to stand, but Lu Luo just waved his hand at them.

"If you don't want to be crippled, you'd better not move recklessly."

After saying that, Lu Luo took a jacket from Luo Feng, proactively walked over to Shi Tingyu, and draped it over her.

Looking at Lu Luo, Shi Tingyu felt the anger in her heart dissipate considerably due to his action.

She turned to her two subordinates.

"Don't move. Let the people outside come and take you for treatment. And no more nonsense. If he had really wanted to make a move just now, I'd already be dead!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

The two Fifth-Tier guards lowered their heads in shame. They had failed to protect Shi Tingyu; it was a dereliction of their duty.

However, because of this, everyone's perception of Lu Luo's strength had risen to an unfathomable level.

Defeating three Fifth-Tier cultivators in just a few breaths! Such strength didn't match his age at all!

Shi Tingyu wore Lu Luo's oversized suit jacket, temporarily covering her body.

The jacket still carried Lu Luo's residual warmth.

However, because Shi Tingyu was so tall, the suit jacket only covered her upper body, leaving her lower half somewhat visible.

Coupled with her pale, super-long legs, it was still very suggestive.

"Lu Luo!"

"Hmm?"

"Impressive!" Shi Tingyu finally acknowledged Lu Luo's strength, which was exactly what he wanted.

Recognition!

He hadn't come here simply to beat up or humiliate Shi Tingyu.

He was here to fight for the interests of his company, his faction!

Although the whole process was very complicated and difficult, he had to persevere.

Winning Shi Tingyu's recognition was just one step.

At this moment, he looked at Shi Tingyu apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Miss Shi Tingyu. When you attacked me, I instinctively fought back. People like us from the Outer Rings, who live by licking blood from the knife's edge, tend to retaliate violently, often forgetting our own strength once we strike. Luckily, Miss Shi Tingyu, you are a natural beauty. Seeing your figure, I couldn't bring myself to harm you. So I managed to hold back in time and didn't make a grave mistake. I didn't actually touch you, Miss Shi Tingyu. And you, being a magnanimous person, surely wouldn't hold a grudge against a minor figure from the Fourth Ring like myself, would you?"

Lu Luo's sudden shift from a high-profile stance to a low-profile one was very abrupt.

But no one could find any fault with him, because Lu Luo had indeed retaliated in self-defense.

Shi Tingyu looked at Lu Luo, tightened the jacket in her hands, and then smiled.

"The man Bai Yuetong found is not bad. Lu Luo, compared to these guys, you are indeed exceptionally outstanding. Strength, adaptability, methods—all are top-notch. Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Shi Tingyu, the second child of the Shi Family. I can take full charge of matters concerning Blue Sky Biotech, which should be something that interests you greatly. So, Mr. Lu Luo, perhaps you can give a proper introduction of yourself now?"

Seeing the smile in Shi Tingyu's eyes, Lu Luo felt for the first time that this woman truly had substance.

"So, Miss Shi Tingyu, you already know about Blue Sky Biotech? In that case, you must have recognized me long ago. Since you know about me, Miss Shi Tingyu, Blue Sky Biotech must have conducted many investigations concerning me, right? I imagine you've read at least ten investigation reports about me. So, is there any point in me introducing myself?"

Lu Luo had no particular quarrel with the Shi Family, but between him and Blue Sky Biotech, there was an inextricable karmic debt!

Song Hana from Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, the pursuit by Blue Sky Biotech, and everything that had happened at the Blue Sky base—Lu Luo remembered it all vividly.

Of course, he wasn't so easily dismissed.

Currently, he was occupying Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals' territory and pirating their formulas.

While aggressively promoting a 996 work culture in the Fourth Ring, many of his ventures were originally Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals' industries.

Lu Luo admitted all these things.

If one day the Inner Ring and Outer Ring truly reintegrated, and Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals still existed, then Lu Luo's actions might very well be brought to account again.

Although these matters were uncertain, they indeed posed a hidden danger. The people of the Inner Ring trusted the Church more than ever before.

In their minds, even if several Calamities were bundled together, they probably wouldn't be a match for the Church.

This sort of blind confidence must have some basis.

So, what the future held for the Fourth Ring was anyone's guess.

The base was Lu Luo's precious treasure; making him give it up in the future was impossible.

Lu Luo understood he had to prepare for a rainy day. He needed to make rational preparations for contingencies that might not arise but could not be neglected.

Shi Tingyu watched Lu Luo with interest.

"Investigation reports? Those things are just others' subjective speculations. They like to inject their own biases. For example, their assessments of your judgment and potential—these subjective evaluations are filled with narrow-minded thinking. Such investigation reports are worth a glance at most; they can't be fully trusted. To truly understand someone, I think it's better to meet them in person."

Shi Tingyu extended her slender fingers again, wanting to shake hands with Lu Luo, seemingly having completely forgotten the previous incident.

He looked at Shi Tingyu's slender, spring-onion-like fingers, and the red nail polish on them.

Just when everyone thought this would be the start of a new alliance, Lu Luo spoke again, gesturing towards Dumb Hair beside him.

"I'm sorry, I already have a woman."

Shi Tingyu was taken aback for a moment, but then she laughed, this time, a hearty laugh.

"Hahahaha! Interesting, truly interesting. Mr. Lu Luo, do you know what their investigation reports say about you? A lecher with almost no moral bottom line. Yet this very lecher repeatedly turned down invitations from both Li Luoya and myself. Could anything be more interesting? So, as I said, investigation reports like these are best taken with a grain of salt."

Lu Luo stared at Shi Tingyu and nodded slightly.

"Indeed, things like investigation reports can only serve as a reference. Speaking of which, I really should introduce myself. My name is Lu Luo, an orphan from the Fourth Ring..."

Actually, there's no need to emphasize that you're an orphan every time you introduce yourself.

Lu Luo pretended not to see the Observer's hint. If I don't say I'm an orphan, how can I showcase my tragic backstory? And without enough tragedy, how can I reveal the arduousness and tenacity of my rise to power? Starting with just a bowl and relying on luck for all your gear, versus starting with a house and car, with equipment provided by your parents. The shock value of these two scenarios is completely different. Lu Luo was aiming for that 'starting with just a bowl' effect.

"That's about the gist of it. To reach where I am today, I've indeed faced many trials and tribulations."

Lu Luo's self-introduction was quite lengthy, and Li Luoya, listening beside him, was visibly impressed.

Even Shi Tingyu herself looked at Lu Luo with a newfound expression.

The stories Lu Luo told—of battles experienced beyond the walls, of thrilling adventures, and of his confrontations with Eighth-Order Calamities inside Nightmare Castle—were incredibly captivating.

After listening, they couldn't help but make comparisons, comparing themselves to him and to others.

Many wondered if they could have achieved the same in Lu Luo's shoes. If they too had started with nothing but a bowl, could they have reached Lu Luo's current position? Or would they have ended up begging on the streets until they were thirty?

"Mr. Lu Luo, your experiences are truly remarkable!"

"They're alright. I assumed everyone's experiences were more or less similar. Mine are quite ordinary, nothing particularly outstanding."

Lu Luo's humblebrag made the others feel quite uncomfortable, but Shi Tingyu seemed to have accepted his attitude.

"Mr. Lu Luo, this is my business card. Regardless of how today's events unfold, you and I can establish some private contact."

After a moment's hesitation, Lu Luo accepted Shi Tingyu's business card.

"Alright."

Their conversation had already wasted a lot of time. The scions of the Inner Ring families hadn't come today to listen to him and Shi Tingyu share stories.

Lin Zhiqi had already approached.

"Heh heh, Mr. Lu Luo's story is indeed moving. No wonder Dr. Li Tanya holds your abilities in such high esteem."

This person before you bears some resemblance to the Lin Zhiming you killed.

What are you talking about? I didn't kill Lin Zhiming, alright? Qi Xinzhu was the one who did it.

...

After seeing the Observer's hint, Lu Luo had a general idea of the identity of the man before him.

A member of the Lin Family, one of the oldest and most powerful families in the Inner Ring.

For a long time, particularly when Hongtu Arms was at its zenith, the Lin Family consistently held the position of Council Speaker.

Only after Hongtu Arms declined did the Lin Family relinquish that position.

However, with the schism between the Inner Ring and Outer Ring, and the clouds of war threatening to erupt at any moment, Hongtu Arms, controlling the massive production of weapons and equipment, still remained one of the Inner Ring's most powerful families.

Currently, the Outer Ring needed to expand, especially with the establishment of the Fifth Ring, requiring an absolutely vast quantity of weapons and ammunition.

This provided Hongtu Arms with an excellent opportunity for growth. With such an opportunity, Hongtu Arms could naturally accumulate vast quantities of Dark Spirit Stones, resources, and conventional goods.

And the Lin Family, behind Hongtu Arms, would also benefit immensely.

"And how should I address you, my good brother?" Lu Luo asked.

Good brother? Lin Zhiqi's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't retort.

"My name is Lin Zhiqi, Mr. Lu Luo."

"A pleasure, Mr. Lin Zhiqi."

"Dr. Li Tanya speaks very highly of you. I wonder, is the equipment trial agreement you signed with her still valid? After all, the Fourth Ring is no longer under Inner Ring control."

Lin Zhiqi wore an expression of regret, but upon hearing that Lu Luo had an agreement with the Lin Family, everyone else turned their gaze towards Lu Luo.

Lu Luo, meanwhile, felt a flicker of caution.

If I say the agreement is void now, wouldn't I be falling into Lin Zhiqi's trap? A Fourth Ring denizen, refusing to acknowledge an agreement signed by the Inner Ring—what would that imply? That I intend to break away from the Inner Ring?

So, at this moment, Lu Luo could only nod.

"The agreement I signed with Dr. Li Tanya certainly still stands. Dr. Li Tanya helped us during our most difficult times. Therefore, no matter what, I will not disappoint her. I just wonder if I'll have the chance to see her again."

Lu Luo repeatedly emphasized that his agreement was with Li Tanya, not the Lin Family.

This created a misconception in others: if they managed to poach Li Tanya, would Lu Luo's agreement transfer along with her?

Although they didn't know what use poaching her would be, many, like Shi Tingyu and Li Luoya, were eager to make the Lin Family uncomfortable.

Lin Zhiqi naturally understood the implication behind Lu Luo's words.

However, he wasn't particularly concerned. Li Tanya wasn't his subordinate.

She was his older brother's subordinate. If his older brother's subordinate was poached, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for him.

"Although I'd also like to make your acquaintance at this time, Mr. Lu Luo, it seems we've forgotten our purpose for being here today. The Ji Family's resources are what's most important!"

As Lin Zhiqi spoke, many snapped out of their earlier reveries.

Yes, the previous discussions were superficial; the Ji Family's assets represented tangible benefits.

And wasn't their purpose in coming here today precisely to contend for the Ji Family's assets?

Shi Tingyu had moved to the center of the living room, stating with the air of a leader:

"Alright, since everyone is here, let's discuss how the Ji Family's assets should be distributed, shall we?"

"Shi Tingyu, your father is the Speaker, but you are not. Therefore, we are all equals here. It's not up to you to decide when we begin."

After Lin Zhiqi finished speaking, members from several families shifted slightly to stand behind him.

This was a form of tacit support, indicating an oppositional stance to the Shi Family.

"Although Lin Zhiqi might be problematic, there's nothing wrong with what he just said. Shi Tingyu, many times, things aren't for you to decide. This isn't some minor council, and you are not the Speaker."

Li Luoya also took a side, backed by a considerable faction—quite a number of people, in fact.

Lu Luo looked at these two groups, then back at Shi Tingyu.

So, the supposedly powerful Shi Family was left with only the Luo Family as an ally!

No wonder Luo Xuemin had asked him to come. He wanted Lu Luo to see for himself whether, under these circumstances, he should continue to support the Shi Family and Speaker Shi Haoxuan.

Bai Yuetong, silent until now, also perceived Lu Luo's predicament and gripped his hand tightly.

"Lu Luo, how... will you choose?"

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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.