Tripped by a pebble? With strength surpassing the Fifth Tier, he could flatten a house with a single kick. What kind of stone could trip him up? Can't he tell a lie with a little more sincerity? This Mu Fei is so provocative; isn't "punishing evil and upholding justice" a good enough reason to deal with him?

Although Lu Luo's excuse was still lame, he had indeed acted to get Shi Tingyu out of her predicament. The surrounding members of the council families found Lu Luo's reason bizarre, yet they all inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow, whenever Lu Luo appeared, they felt a sense of reassurance. This feeling was indescribable, like encountering an overwhelmingly skilled ally in a game, always bringing a sense of comfort.

Yu Luo tugged at Mu Fei's sleeve and whispered, "His name is Lu Luo, the Lu Luo who is with Qi Xinzhu."

The Lu Luo who's with Qi Xinzhu? Mu Fei's eyebrows twitched. The high echelons of the Church had conducted a thorough investigation into Lu Luo. The Church was now divided into two factions regarding how to deal with Lu Luo. Most believed that as someone from the Fourth Ring, he should be eliminated. However, a minority felt his talent was high and he was worth recruiting. Initially, the numbers were heavily skewed, roughly 95% to 5%. The crux of the issue was that the Judgment Chief had once remarked, "Lu Luo isn't bad!" This simple statement caused many to waver. Most remained hostile and resentful towards Lu Luo, believing he had stolen the Church's Saintess. However, they no longer voiced these opinions openly, as no one could fathom the Judgment Chief's true intentions.

"Oh, so you're Lu Luo. I know of you."

"Am I that famous?" Mu Fei smiled.

"Of course, I know you. Han Shiyu, Chen Mo, and I were Believers of Light from the same intake. Back then, we grew up together! You're quite something, not only did you manage to get Priest Qi, but I also heard Han Shiyu is with you? She was very popular back in the day. How is she? Pretty good, huh?" Mu Fei said, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

BOOM!

COUGH.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lu Luo slammed him to the ground. He moved so fast that no one around even saw him strike. Not just the onlookers; Mu Fei himself didn't see it either.

"You see, I'm usually a pretty mellow guy, like a clay figure – they don't generally have much of a temper. You can step on me, curse me out, and normally, I'd just laugh it off. After all, everyone's trying to make a living, and we people from the Fourth Ring need to develop too. However, even a clay figure has its breaking point, a bit of fire. And you know when that fire comes out? It's when someone makes fun of a clay figure's family! You can be careless about what you eat; if you get food poisoning, the Church can treat you. But you can't be careless with your words! Because if I beat you to death, they can't save you. Understand?"

Lu Luo's thumb pressed against one of Mu Fei's eyeballs. His fierce words left the group of Believers behind Mu Fei at a loss. The Tribunal was used to acting with impunity; even the Inner Ring council families would yield to them. They had never seen anyone like Lu Luo, who would attack over a single sentence.

Mu Fei, momentarily stunned by Lu Luo's aura, didn't dare move. Right now, Lu Luo seems like... a monster? Although he was a Fifth Tier Believer of Light, Mu Fei had never left the Inner Ring and thus had never encountered a Lord-level Exotic Species. Otherwise, he wouldn't have used such a term to describe him.

But after a few seconds, noticing Lu Luo made no further moves, Mu Fei's shame turned to rage. As a Fifth Tier Believer of Light of the Church, when have I ever suffered such humiliation? I'm from the Tribunal! How dare this Outer Ring trash treat me like this?

"Lu Luo, if you have the guts, then gouge out my eye! What's a mere Fourth Ring person like you? Don't think you're so great just because you've latched onto Priest Qi... UGH."

Lu Luo stuffed some stones and wood chips into Mu Fei's mouth, then turned to Yu Luo beside him. "This Mu Fei, what's his standing in the Church?"

Lu Luo now spoke with his full imposing aura. In Yu Luo's vision, the Sequence Force transformed Lu Luo before her into a completely red, distorted figure. Yu Luo even worried that he might suddenly warp and turn into an Exotic Species!

"What are you going to do?" Her fingers trembled uncontrollably; she was terrified.

Lu Luo paid her no mind, merely pressing, "I'm asking you. Does this Mu Fei have any connections in the Church? Like powerful patrons?"

"He... he's just an ordinary Inner Ring member, with no powerful backing. His situation is similar to mine; he's an Illuminated of the Dawn Disc. However, his compatibility is better, so his strength has progressed very quickly!"

"Oh, understood!"

THWACK!

ARGH!

As soon as Yu Luo finished speaking, Lu Luo actually gouged out Mu Fei's eyeball. This time, everyone was dumbstruck. Even Shi Tingyu, who had dared to fight Mu Fei, was completely stunned.

"Lu Luo?"

"Mr. Lu Luo?" Li Luoya tried to step forward but was stopped by her family's guards.

Lin Zhiqi, standing to the side, also frowned slightly. Although there was no goodwill or alliance between him and Lu Luo, he appreciated Lu Luo's current attitude.

Lu Luo, for his part, lifted Mu Fei and turned to the scions of the Inner Ring Council families. "Did you think we were joking earlier? Without absolute determination and will, how can you even talk about confronting the Church? The Church is already stepping all over you, and you're still going to keep quiet? If I hadn't intervened today, the Ji Family's assets would most likely have been handed over, wouldn't they?"

The others exchanged glances but didn't respond, mainly out of embarrassment. Lu Luo was right; when the Church members arrived, they had already been thinking of yielding. Most people were cowards. Without a leader, who in the current Council would dare to provoke the Church?

Zhang Yifan, his brow deeply furrowed, spoke up, "Lu Luo, I won't comment on your strength, nor will I judge who is right or wrong here. But he is, after all, a member of the Tribunal. Have you considered the consequences of doing this?"

Lu Luo looked at Zhang Yifan, finding his current attitude somewhat strange. When I clashed with other Council members earlier, Zhang Yifan's stance was quite fierce. But now that I've attacked a Church member, his reaction isn't nearly as strong. Has he been sufficiently provoked? Or does Zhang Yifan think... stirring up the Church a bit isn't a big deal? Is he very familiar with the Church? Or perhaps with the Tribunal?

"Of course, I've considered the consequences. But do you really think the Church is united without the Judgment Chief? The Judgment Chief is the core of all problems, the key to the Inner Ring's issues. Before the Judgment Chief clarifies his stance, we must clarify ours. Alright, Priest Yu Luo, you may take your Believers and leave. As for Mu Fei, you'd better decide how you're going to handle him before you come to the Luo Family to retrieve him!"

Lu Luo is just detaining Mu Fei like this? Yu Luo found it hard to believe, but judging by Lu Luo's demeanor, he didn't seem to be joking.

"Lu Luo, we are members of the..."

"Without the Judgment Chief, the Tribunal is truly nothing. Understand?"

Lu Luo still exuded that strange aura, which prevented Yu Luo from daring to utter a single word of defiance. "I... I understand. I will accurately convey your message, but the Church will not let this matter rest."

"These are not matters for you to consider. I will keep him at the Luo Family, and I will wait for you there. Rest assured, I'll look after him. At the very least, I won't let him die."

"I understand."

Yu Luo nodded and prepared to lead the other Believers away. Seeing that Lu Luo had truly detained him, Mu Fei could no longer remain still. He had no idea what Lu Luo planned to do with him. Enduring the throbbing pain in his eye, he tried to forcibly break free from Lu Luo's grasp. But an artificially created Believer of Light like him was far too green compared to a battle-hardened monster like Lu Luo. Before Mu Fei could even attempt to run, Lu Luo swept a kick at his shin. The impact was visceral, as if a cannonball had struck his leg.

Up to this point, there hadn't been a proper exchange between them. Or rather, from the moment Lu Luo attacked, Mu Fei hadn't entertained any thought of resisting; he only wanted to flee. Is it wrong to want to escape? The result was his entire lower leg bending at an unnatural angle as he crumpled to his knees.

"ARGH!"

"Han Shiyu is also a Believer of Light, but she has already left the core of the Inner Ring Church. So what gives you the right? How dare trash like you make jokes about her? She is a true Believer of Light. Someone like you isn't even in the same league as her, are you?"

Mu Fei was genuinely terrified. Those like him, Illuminated by the Disc, were indeed not true Believers of Light. "I heard it from Chen Mo."

"Chen Mo? That bastard's still alive? How is he?" Mentioning Chen Mo, Lu Luo's expression turned grim. Although Chen Mo, like Qi Gefei, obtained an Exotic Species form through San Tong, I can't report him now. Because I myself am practically an Exotic Species too. We all came back from the realm of the Nightmare Demon. Reporting them would do me no good. There's a fundamental difference between Exotic Species and humans. No matter how much they fought amongst themselves now, it was an internal affair of the Human Race. But once Exotic Species were involved, it became an entirely different matter.

"Chen Mo has reached the Fifth Tier, and he's very strong now!" At this point, Mu Fei no longer dared to posture and could only answer Lu Luo's questions honestly.

Lu Luo nodded. Chen Mo is different from Mu Fei. Although Chen Mo is my enemy, he's a true Believer of Light. Before heading to the Nightmare Castle, the path Chen Mo walked in the first half of his life was practically flawless. He just loved Han Shiyu and became a bit extreme because of it. But an enemy is an enemy. Now, it's a fight to the death between Chen Mo and me. Lu Luo was very clear on this point.

"Yu Luo!"

"Ah? Is there something else?"

"When you get back, tell Chen Mo that since I'm in the Inner Ring this time, I'll be settling the score between us."

"Understood. I'll pass on your words."

Seeing Yu Luo was actually leaving, Mu Fei wanted to say something more, but a glance at Lu Luo beside him silenced him. Lu Luo shot Mu Fei a look and gestured to a corner. "Go on, head over there and heal yourself. As a Believer of Light, you should have some healing abilities, right?"

Mu Fei was overjoyed to see Lu Luo seemingly unwilling to bother with him further. He nodded quickly. "Alright, I'll go treat myself right now." With that, he limped over to the side and began to tend to his injuries.

Lu Luo then turned back to face the crowd. "Now, we can discuss the specific division of the Ji Family's assets!"

Shi Tingyu watched Lu Luo, adjusting her suit jacket. If the Lu Luo from before was merely powerful and clever, the Lu Luo now has an undeniable air of command, possessing all the qualities a true leader should have. If someone like him became the Luo Family Head, the Luo Family would undoubtedly rise to a new level.

"What a pity, he's Bai Yuetong's man!"

As Shi Tingyu mused, Lu Luo had everything going for him; the only regret was that he was Bai Yuetong's man. Even though Bai Yuetong lacked strength, they couldn't disregard the Judgment Chief behind her.

Shi Tingyu then asked, "How do you propose to divide it?"

Lu Luo replied, "Currently, there are twelve influential families in the Inner Ring. First, we exclude the family of Chief Justice Qi Lin. As the embodiment of absolute impartiality in the Inner Ring, I believe the veto power itself can be retained. However, the family holding this veto power should be changed. It should rotate among the Chief Justices of the Inner Ring. This would guarantee fundamental fairness in the Inner Ring's development!"

Lu Luo's opening statement aimed to strip the Shi Family of its most significant power, a proposal that sounded almost unbelievable. Shi Tingyu, however, didn't interrupt, asking instead, "And how can you be certain I will relay these words to my father? After all, such a proposal and its conditions are utterly preposterous."

Lu Luo chuckled. "Is there a need for you to relay it? Aren't the cameras your people are carrying intended to record the outcome of these negotiations? Zhang Yifan, you have a camera on you too, don't you? I shouldn't need to spell it out, right?"

Uh... The representatives of the Inner Ring families exchanged awkward glances. Indeed, this meeting to carve up the Ji Family's assets was being broadcast live to the Inner Ring Council. The family heads hadn't attended personally, sending their younger members instead, merely to preserve a final shred of dignity. Everything they had discussed and heard, the twelve leaders of the Council were watching it all.

Shi Tingyu gave a helpless smile. It seems Lu Luo's reconnaissance-type Sequence is truly formidable. He probably discovered our hidden measures long ago. "Alright then," she said, "explain why our Shi Family should relinquish the veto power."

Lu Luo steepled his fingers before his lips. "Because your Shi Family is currently in a very awkward position. This veto power has led to your isolation by the entire Inner Ring. It's precisely this power that has caused the division within the Inner Ring. As I said before, I propose a shareholding system. All assets controlled by the Inner Ring Council should be converted into shares. While the distribution of shares might vary, your wills would thereby be unified. Only a unified will can stand against the Church."

Lin Zhiqi immediately voiced his, and everyone else's, primary concern. "If it's a share distribution, how would the amount of shares be determined?"

"That will depend on your negotiations. Young Master Lin Zhiqi, don't think it's unreasonable. I know the four families backing you also hold shares in 'Grand Aspirations Armaments.' Your five families can already form a united front. So why can't all the families unite?"

"Five families and eleven families are definitely different."

"Yes, they're different now. But when the Church wipes you all out, then everyone will be the same."

"Uh!"

Most people felt that Lu Luo had a point, yet at this moment, no one was willing to be the first to concede.

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