Lu Luo's Observer, after its upgrade, had significantly increased its detection capabilities.

The current Observer's range had already surpassed Gu Fangyi's Hawk Eye.

Its ability to perceive energy had also reached a new level.

However, the reason he was able to detect the opponent immediately wasn't solely due to the Observer's effects.

It was also because the opponent's energy intensity was too obvious, as if declaring their arrival—flamboyant and domineering!

When a Seventh Tier Transcendent who had not hidden or suppressed their presence appeared in the Fourth Ring, the feeling was as preposterous as directly facing a black hole.

Their very existence was a source of Dark Energy, and this intense, unmasked aura was the most alarming.

"Lu Luo! So strong!" Qi Xinzhu also frowned.

Indeed, very strong, even more preposterous than Ludie at that time!

Lu Luo wasn't entirely clear on how strong Ludie was at his peak because he hadn't witnessed Ludie's battle with the Nightmare Demon firsthand.

But the person who appeared before him now, in terms of apparent strength—mainly energy intensity—was obviously much stronger than the Sixth Tier Ludie from before.

Qi Xinzhu, standing beside him, grabbed Lu Luo's arm. Even she felt the might of the opponent at this moment.

Under the other's oppressive presence, both of them furrowed their brows.

After a while, a middle-aged man slowly appeared in everyone's field of vision.

He flew in the sky, like a sun itself!

All the Transcendents in the Fourth Ring unconsciously looked in this man's direction, and even the dark clouds in the sky gradually began to disperse.

This kind of aggressive display made many people uncomfortable.

The Hunters were naturally the first to bear the brunt.

Inside an old house in the Fourth Ring, Fat Ding, lying in bed, looked out the window toward the sky and said discontentedly, "The Inner Ring bastards are really arrogant!"

"Not just arrogant, they're particularly annoying," someone beside him chimed in.

"If the boss were here, he definitely wouldn't let them be so arrogant."

"Yeah, the boss is a Seventh Tier of the Fourth Ring. If the boss were still alive, he definitely wouldn't let them act so presumptuously."

The person sitting beside the sickbed was You Xiaoqi.

After the Black Tide war, she and Fat Ding were fortunate enough to have survived.

But they hadn't returned to the Hunters or Circle Studio, nor had they proceeded with their wedding as promised.

The two of them quietly withdrew and lived an unremarkable life.

The decision to withdraw was made by both of them. Not many people knew about it. Yang Liya had also given them some Dark Spirit Stones to help them get by.

Perhaps they were no longer suited for battle.

Fat Ding's legs were completely shattered, and there was a huge, gaping bite mark on his lower abdomen.

You Xiaoqi's left arm was also gone; half of her body was now fitted with a metallic prosthetic.

They were no longer able to handle the high-intensity lifestyle and combat demands of a Hunter.

As Ludie's disciples, they didn't want to accept Lu Luo's charity any longer.

So after being discharged from the hospital, they did not return to the Circular.

Fat Ding took a sip of the soup You Xiaoqi had brought him and said with some uncertainty, "This time, can the Fourth Ring survive this calamity?"

"I don't know!"

"Yeah, this kind of thing is no longer something we can speculate on."

Like Fat Ding and You Xiaoqi, countless others in the Fourth Ring at this moment shared the same doubt as they looked in the direction of the Seventh Tier Transcendent.

Could the Fourth Ring continue to exist under the threat of a Seventh Tier powerhouse?

The people of the Fourth Ring now had a simple wish: they wanted freedom and independence.

Their lives over the past couple of months, although a bit chaotic, had gradually stabilized. Many realized that without the Inner Ring's exploitation, life in the Fourth Ring could be very good.

Perhaps it sounded strange, but they genuinely felt that the Fourth Ring was truly wonderful nowadays!

At least in terms of living conditions and strength, there was hope.

The Fourth Ring, with its fivefold Dark Energy, now possessed the conditions to mass-produce experts.

The only gap now between the Fourth Ring and the Inner Ring was years of accumulation and time!

Perhaps the Fourth Ring lacked much of the Inner Ring's accumulated resources, but it also possessed its own unique advantage: its sheer size!

Therefore, this time, every person in the Fourth Ring hoped it could win, just once.

Ji Shaoran, 49 years old this year, was once merely an outstanding soldier of the Inner Ring Constabulary Corps.

But now, he was the sworn brother of Cancer Senator Ji Yun.

Of course, he hadn't originally borne the Ji surname, but he had no choice. For cultivation resources and a safe environment, he could only join the Ji Family and become Ji Yun's sworn brother.

His former surname had been forgotten by the public. People remembered the Seventh Tier Guardian Ji Shaoran, not someone else.

That a Seventh Tier powerhouse would kneel before a family sounded incredible.

But that was the truth. If it hadn't been for the support of Cancer Senator Ji Yun, Ji Shaoran today wouldn't have reached the Seventh Tier.

Ascending to the Seventh Tier came with a price. He tasted a higher Essence of Life, but he also paid a sufficient price!

And now, it was time for him to fulfill his responsibilities to the Inner Ring.

"I haven't been to the Fourth Ring in a long time. It's been 20 years!"

"Is there anything you want to say about the Fourth Ring now?"

"No. I just want it destroyed, and then I'll go back and rest."

"I see. Then let's speed up the process!"

By Ji Shaoran's side, there were still two attendants, both of whom were Sixth Tier Transcendents.

Just as when dealing with an Eighth Order Calamity Exotic Species, a Seventh Tier would only strike to kill important targets.

After eliminating the primary target, a Seventh Tier Transcendent would return to the Inner Ring.

The final cleanup would be left to Sixth Tier Transcendents, who had no operational restrictions.

Thus, whenever a Seventh Tier expert ventured out, several Sixth Tier Transcendents would invariably accompany them.

No one knew what their restrictions were, but such restrictions existed.

It was precisely for this reason that people from the Inner Ring weren't very interested in exploring the Fifth Ring's world.

The Fifth Ring's world was too vast, and such a vast area would greatly diminish the deterrent effect of a Seventh Tier.

Once they lost control through absolute power, the Inner Ring would lose its grip on the people of the Fifth Ring.

This was absolutely not allowed to happen.

Therefore, the Inner Ring focused all its attention within the Fourth Ring—an area they could completely dominate.

Luo Feng and Zhang Jina were the individuals flanking Ji Shaoran, both Sixth Tier Transcendents.

Returning from the sky to the ground, Ji Shaoran scanned the surroundings. His gaze lingered for a moment on several buildings near the Security Bureau.

As his gaze rested there, Lu Luo even felt a sense of suffocation.

A super-dangerous creature has locked onto your aura!

Seventh Tier humans are truly outrageous!

This feeling was only slightly less intense than the Nightmare Demon unleashing its full oppressive aura.

Because he dared not get too close, Lu Luo was unable to accurately obtain attribute information about the Seventh Tier expert.

His plan was simple: wait for now. When the Nightmare Demon, Lu Xiaotian, clashed with the adversary, Lu Luo might be able to obtain more useful information.

Especially after obtaining the ability to replicate, this kind of detection had become increasingly meaningful.

Perhaps he could record the techniques left behind by these powerful beings.

If I could steal an ultimate move or something, that would be perfect.

Lu Luo resisted the pressure from the Seventh Tier powerhouse and pulled Qi Xinzhu behind him.

Protecting his woman was a matter of course.

Fortunately, Ji Shaoran's gaze soon moved away.

In his eyes, Lu Luo and the other spectators were simply insignificant.

He had no interest in going out of his way to eliminate people like Lu Luo either. The Council had given him very clear targets: kill Yang Liya and kill Wang Jie.

After eliminating these two, he could return.

"They're still in the Security Bureau. No need to search."

Ji Shaoran's gaze finally settled above the Security Bureau, where Yang Liya and Wang Jie, accompanied by a large group of Hunters, emerged.

The two parties faced each other from a distance of roughly two streets, eyeing each other until, at last, Yang Liya clenched her fist.

"So, you've finally arrived!"

Luo Feng, on behalf of Ji Shaoran, spoke up, "Yang Liya, Wang Jie, long time no see!"

Listening to Luo Feng's tone, it seemed they knew Yang Liya and Wang Jie.

But Yang Liya did not give him a warm reception.

"Luo Feng, now that you're nothing but a lackey of the Inner Ring, what right do you have to speak to me here?"

"Yang Liya, with your talent and effort, if you were in the Inner Ring, you definitely would have had the opportunity to reach the Seventh Tier. Why do you insist on languishing in the Fourth Ring? Just to stand guard over that loser Ludie? Only when you reach the Inner Ring will you understand the gap between it and the Fourth Ring. It's been so many years, how do you still not understand? Now that Ludie is dead, what are you still holding on to?"

Luo Feng had once been a member of the Eastern Fourth Ring Hunters.

But he chose to enter the Inner Ring and become a true Inner Ring citizen.

The moment he joined the Inner Ring, his relationship with his former Hunter comrades was severed.

Luo Feng's insult to Ludie was something Yang Liya could not accept, nor could Lu Xiaotian.

"Ludie was never trash. And the opportunity for the Fourth Ring's rise is today."

Watching the resolute Yang Liya, Luo Feng said nothing, while Ji Shaoran, beside him, began to speak.

"Enough of this nonsense. If you want to reminisce, go talk over their graves. My time is limited. Let's deal with these two first!"

"Yes!"

Once Ji Shaoran spoke, Luo Feng could only nod in agreement.

"Eastern Fourth Ring Hunters Team 1 Captain Wang Jie and Team 2 Captain Yang Liya, you are suspected of murdering Inner Ring-dispatched official Li Kaizhe. For the capital crime of assassinating a high official, the sentence is death, to be carried out immediately."

No sooner had Luo Feng finished speaking than Ji Shaoran suddenly tore off his coat, and the ground beneath his feet instantly shattered.

The entire earth trembled and was pulverized into dust in an instant.

Witnessing this scene, Lu Luo, Gu Fangyi, and the others could only feel utter astonishment.

"So fast! So strong!"

Yang Liya, bearing the brunt of the attack, pushed her colleagues aside.

As the true leader of the Hunters now, she would not retreat, nor could she afford to.

Heavenly Tyrant Fierce Bombardment.

BOOM!

Yang Liya's fist collided with Ji Shaoran's, the force instantly tearing apart everything around them.

Both began to sink rapidly; even the roadbeds were destroyed in a moment by the sheer power.

Both were strength and agility-type Transcendents, and such a direct collision was the most shocking to witness.

At that moment, the lower-tier Hunters were already blown away by the shockwave.

Only Fourth Tier and above Transcendents could barely manage to remain standing; Fifth Tier Transcendents could watch from a close distance.

The only ones truly unaffected were the three Sixth Tier individuals: Luo Feng, Zhang Jina, and Wang Jie.

At the center of the impact, Yang Liya was covered in blood from ruptured vessels, her muscles trembling; the power of the Seventh Tier was far beyond her imagination.

This punch had been her all-out effort.

Unexpectedly, it had only managed a draw against the opponent's sudden attack.

Ji Shaoran, however, was slightly surprised. Yang Liya's performance was indeed excellent.

He was a strength and agility specialist. If this were the Inner Ring, aside from members of the Church, most Sixth Tier Transcendents would definitely be unable to withstand that blow.

For Yang Liya, someone from the Fourth Ring, to block him despite her disadvantaged circumstances was remarkable.

"Luo Feng wasn't wrong. If you were willing to go to the Inner Ring, you indeed would have a chance to become a Seventh Tier. As a representative of the Inner Ring Council, I, Ji Shaoran, formally invite you. Captain Yang Liya, are you interested in joining us in the Inner Ring?"

Yang Liya hadn't expected Ji Shaoran to extend an invitation after such a brutal exchange.

But Yang Liya was Yang Liya. Though she abided by rules, she also embodied the deep-seated loyalty to the Fourth Ring.

She had refused an invitation from the Inner Ring once before.

Now that Ludie had died for the Fourth Ring, and Lu Xiaotian, who inherited Ludie's will, had emerged, she was even less likely to join the Inner Ring.

"I refuse!"

Ji Shaoran raised an eyebrow slightly. Yang Liya's refusal was to be expected.

His pride as a Seventh Tier prevented him from wasting more words. Since she refused, then she could die!

Ji Shaoran raised his fist high, the dense Dark Energy on his fist coalescing into a visible blackness.

This blackness radiated danger, like a bomb that could explode at any moment.

Ji Shaoran swung his fist again, but this time, Yang Liya did not meet it head-on. Instead, she stepped back, as if waiting for something.

The Nightmare Demon's Void Portal appeared between Ji Shaoran and Yang Liya.

The portal's sudden appearance even left Ji Shaoran somewhat stunned.

But he was the strongest human present; nothing could block the attack of a Seventh Tier Transcendent.

The black fist came crashing down.

CRACK!

The fist was caught by a small palm.

Lu Xiaotian's refined and adorable face gradually materialized from the Void Portal. She was so small, and her small stature stunned Ji Shaoran.

"A child?"

The two were at a standstill. Lu Xiaotian's palm slowly began to transform.

From its initial human-like shape, it gradually turned into a purple claw.

The claw tightly grasped Ji Shaoran's fist, preventing the black punch from advancing further.

"So this is a Seventh Tier Transcendent from the Inner Ring? Not so impressive after all."

"What?"

The violent energy forced the surrounding people to scatter further away. Yang Liya and Wang Jie had already retreated.

In the center of the battle, only Lu Xiaotian and Ji Shaoran remained.

Lu Xiaotian clenched her right fist and struck directly at Ji Shaoran's chest.

Caught off guard, Ji Shaoran hastily formed a black layer on his chest for defense.

Lu Xiaotian's tiny body had greatly deceived him, causing him to miscalculate the power of this punch.

To be underestimated, huh! Although that guy is a bit annoying, his techniques are still very practical. This move is called Dust Devil - Deliberate Bombardment Fist.

BOOM!

The blackness on Ji Shaoran's chest dissipated in an instant. All of it was a protective ward of dense Dark Energy.

But against the penetrating attack of the Deliberate Bombardment Fist, even a Seventh Tier expert couldn't withstand it head-on!

Moreover, the one using Deliberate Bombardment Fist was the Nightmare Demon, Lu Xiaotian.

Standing on a tall building, Lu Luo's face was filled with astonishment. He hadn't learned the ultimate move.

Instead, the first thing he witnessed was his own technique being used. Should he be happy or sad?

This just proves the technique the Fusioner created for you is powerful. You should be happy.

"Can it really be interpreted that way?"

Indeed.

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.