"My scent? What smell do I have on me, huh? Take a sniff!"

Lu Luo sidled up to Han Shiyu with a mischievous air, and as for what exactly he was rubbing against, that goes without further description.

"You're crazy, get away!"

Han Shiyu gave Lu Luo a glance and turned to walk away.

Although Han Shiyu acted shy in front of Lu Luo, she still maintained a cool aloofness in front of others.

In terms of strength and seniority, Han Shiyu was a genuine senior to Qi Gefei in the Church, so she naturally had to be mindful of her status.

As for what Qi Gefei had just said, the meaning was very clear.

He knew his own Essence of Life was shifting more towards an Exotic Species form, but he also knew that Lu Luo's was not much different from an Exotic Species either.

They were all in the same boat, none much better off than the other. So, at most, they could only resort to mutual denunciation within the Inner Ring and the Church.

Such actions would not be initiated by anyone with a brain, as no one would stand to gain in the end!

"So cocky! Aren't you afraid I might kill you right here, Qi Gefei?"

Lu Luo's body suddenly moved with astonishing speed that neither Han Shiyu nor Qi Gefei could react to.

His finger was already poised in front of Qi Gefei's eyes as the steam slowly dissipated.

Just this simple movement had made Qi Gefei realize the gap that lay between him and Lu Luo.

However, the difference in strength didn't necessarily mean much, for behind him stood the massive entity of the Church.

"Lu Luo, you seem to have mistaken something.

The reason I'm here today is by the direct command of the Knight of Justice leader, Wan Jing.

At this moment, I represent the Dawn Church. If you kill me, you'll be facing an investigation and retaliation from the Dawn Church.

Such actions would be foolish, and I don't think you'd do that."

This person's life features are indeed somewhat special. He and you are quite similar, without the Exotic Species' wildly violent state. This condition is even more human-like than Brother Kane.

The Observer's hint gave Lu Luo something to ponder. It seemed that the form of human and Exotic Species hybridization differed greatly!

He, Zhou Kai, and Gu Fangyi had significant differences between them.

Therefore, Lu Luo wanted to test Qi Gefei to possibly obtain some intelligence about the Church.

"Qi Gefei, do you think your Exotic Species form can really escape the Church's scrutiny?"

Lu Luo was genuinely curious about this.

Although their semi-Exotic Species status might be special, surely a top-tier force like the Church couldn't fail to notice, right?

If Qi Gefei couldn't hide it, then wouldn't going to the Inner Ring expose me as well?

Wouldn't that be like walking into a trap? The Inner Ring is a den of fierce tigers, not to be approached lightly!

Qi Gefei seemed quite composed in response to Lu Luo's question.

"They'll find out; there's no hiding it. Not just from the entire Church, even our leader can't be fooled about my Exotic Species powers!

And she's just the weakest among the four leaders of the Knights.

Does this answer put your mind at ease, Lu Luo?"

Qi Gefei's response was somewhat surprising to Lu Luo.

"If you can't hide it, why can you still swagger back into the Inner Ring?"

Qi Gefei's expression turned devout.

"As I've said before, I pursue power but will not abandon faith.

I've always been a member of the Knight of Justice, a formal knight within.

I've always believed in Li Ming. That has never changed.

The Church can sense the purity in my heart and naturally won't doubt my thoughts and identity."

His words are a bit mystical!

While Qi Gefei's words did sound mystical, Lu Luo managed to understand some of the implied meaning.

Is there a different understanding of the concept of Exotic Species within the Church? Or is it that as long as one is loyal to the Church, it doesn't matter if you're an Exotic Species, the Church will accept you without a second thought?

"What does the 'Holy Judgment Deviation' mean to the Church then?"

"Holy Judgment Deviation means transforming into an Exotic Species. We, on the other hand, have merged with the power of Exotic Species. The essence of the two is different.

They think they have become Exotic Species, but I have always considered myself human.

Aren't you the same, Lu Luo?"

Lu Luo nodded, affirming Qi Gefei's words.

He had always thought of himself as human, from beginning to end.

He roughly understood Qi Gefei's meaning now. As long as the Church considered Qi Gefei one of their own, it wouldn't matter even if he underwent some deviations.

Thinking about deviations and merging with Exotic Species power, Lu Luo's gaze fell upon Qi Gefei.

Qi Gefei's black cat form gave off a strange feeling!

This strangeness meant nothing else; it was just plain ugly!

Tong Yuan's black cat form is a typical catgirl, at least conforming to normal human aesthetic standards.

But what on earth is Qi Gefei's black cat form? Definitely not like a tiger or leopard.

A nearly 2-meter-tall, muscular black cat is licking its paws. EW!

Okay, that's pretty much it!

However, he had become very different from humans. Did he have any special forms himself?

Lu Luo focused on his own Sequences and found no function to transform into an Exotic Species, which was quite disappointing.

Han Shiyu sensed Lu Luo's mood fluctuations, thinking he was concerned about whether he was human or an Exotic Species.

She took the initiative to hold Lu Luo's finger and gave him an encouraging look.

However, in Lu Luo's eyes, that look was pure seduction.

"Stop it, there are others here. We can talk after they leave."

"Are you crazy, Lu Luo! I was just trying to comfort you with a look. What are you thinking about?"

The host is just thinking about things that every man thinks about. Is that wrong?

Lu Luo turned his attention back to Qi Gefei.

"Tell me, what's your real purpose for finding me?"

"Lu Luo, the Judgment Chief wishes to see you!"

Lu Luo's pupils contracted slightly. Bai Qingshuang, huh? Just wanting to see me and not mentioning Bai Yuetong? Given Bai Qingshuang's past, she should care a lot about Bai Yuetong. So what does she mean by this? A warning? Or truly seeking an alliance, like Luo Xuemin did?

Lu Luo looked at Han Shiyu, who shook her head directly.

"Why are you looking at me? I haven't been back to the Inner Ring for many years now, and I basically know nothing about the current Church."

All right then!

"I've noted the invitation from the Judgment Chief. I'll visit the Inner Ring after some time."

"How long will that be?"

"Within three months."

"Okay."

Seeing that Lu Luo agreed, Qi Gefei, who had completed his mission, showed a relieved expression.

He and Lu Luo weren't exactly friends; they had even attacked each other in the Nightmare Castle. Nevertheless, the connection between them was indeed deep.

"Lu Luo, I really never imagined that there would be such a connection between us.

I should be the one thanking you. It was only after I lost to you for the second time that I had an epiphany—I needed power.

Thus, I trained recklessly and even sought after the power of the Nightmare Demon.

Now that I have gained power, I can feel it growing rapidly.

All this I owe to you."

"No need to thank me; we're not acquainted."

Lu Luo curled his lip, finding such expressions of gratitude to be utterly meaningless.

Instead of offering hollow thanks, it would be better to provide something concrete, like handing over cash directly.

"Heh, I know you may not hold the Church in high regard. However, based on my personal understanding of it, both the Judgment Chief and the Church currently hold nothing but goodwill towards you.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent me to contact you.

As a fellow groom, I hope you will cherish this goodwill; after all, we are of the same kind.

Alright, if there are no problems, then it's settled. The Church can wait three months.

I will be waiting for you in the Inner Ring to give you a welcome upon your arrival."

After Qi Gefei finished speaking, he left, leaving only Lu Luo and Han Shiyu behind.

Lu Luo rubbed his hair that had grown long and was now half black, half white.

"The Church and the Council are sticking together, one more troublesome than the other!"

"Are you okay?"

"Hey, what can be wrong with me? Let's go.

The matter in the Fourth Ring is more pressing. If we delay even a moment longer, the pressure on the people at the gathering point will only increase."

"Okay!"

Upon returning in the afternoon, Lu Luo, along with a large group of subordinates, took control of the school.

The process went relatively smoothly with Han Shiyu's assistance.

There was only minimal resistance!

In truth, Lu Luo didn't want any conflict with these people. He valued these university students greatly because he knew the power of knowledge.

And in this world, university students possessed more than just knowledge.

Their minds were active, and they possessed an abundance of Dark Energy. Consequently, they had the lowest probability of malignant mutations and the greatest potential for Awakening abilities.

If Lu Luo could absorb and sift even a portion of the more than 10,000 university students, his Circle Studio would become an extremely vast and powerful organization.

When accepting new recruits, Lu Luo generally treated everyone equally.

However, he deliberately segregated ordinary civilians from the university students.

There was no helping it; the Circular also needed to develop. Becoming a saint was something he simply couldn't achieve.

It's true that talented individuals can be found among ordinary people. However, the probability of finding talent in such a group cannot be compared to finding it among university students.

Those admitted to university, aside from other traits, possessed at least a strong learning ability and a certain level of intelligence.

This was too important! It could save Lu Luo a great deal of time.

Moreover, among these university students were many who specialized in specific fields and who were exceptionally talented.

Manufacturing, weaponry, scientific research, medical, biology, herbal medicine, and so forth.

These are all fields that require professional, systematic training, which is the difference between university students and ordinary civilians.

While accepting these talents, Lu Luo also spotted a familiar acquaintance.

"Quan Pu?"

"Brother Luo."

At this point, Quan Pu had lost an eye, and he no longer carried liquor in his hand.

The sharpness of the past was nowhere to be seen, and he walked with a limp.

It was apparent that Quan Pu had been crippled by someone—his hand, foot, and eye were all ruined.

This was probably all done by Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals! They had completely disabled Quan Pu.

Lu Luo wanted to offer Quan Pu a cigarette, then perhaps chat for a bit.

However, after searching his pockets, he realized he didn't even have the moldy pack of cigarettes from before.

Quan Pu discerned Lu Luo's intention from his actions, and with a smile, waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Brother Luo, I've quit smoking."

Lu Luo nodded. There were many reasons Quan Pu ended up like this: his greed, the cruelty of Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, and most fundamentally, that batch of goods from Lu Luo.

Although Quan Pu had ratted out Lu Luo and his group under interrogation by Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, Lu Luo felt this was only human nature.

Their relationship was merely a simple transactional one; Quan Pu had no need to risk his life for a business partner.

And Quan Pu himself had paid a huge price.

This included both his own responsibility and Lu Luo's.

"What have you been up to lately?"

Lu Luo did not ask if Quan Pu was doing well because from his looks, he knew that things must have been rough recently.

"My hands and feet are useless, and my eyes aren't good. I can only do some clerical work.

Help people make reports and statistics; other matters I had thought to deal with after graduation.

But the state of East Ring University now, it seems unlikely that I'll graduate."

Quan Pu seemed to have a good attitude, and Lu Luo appreciated his abilities, so he immediately extended an invitation:

"Would you be interested in working for me?"

"In my current state, I'm afraid I can't run errands anymore."

Quan Pu cracked a smile and declined Lu Luo's offer.

Maybe it was because he quit smoking, but his teeth seemed a lot whiter now.

A single refusal did not bother Lu Luo, who continued to invite:

"I am somewhat familiar with your capabilities: brave, meticulous, full of adventure.

You are a natural negotiator, an explorer. This should be the industry you like; it would be a pity to give up.

Are you not daring to act because you're afraid of Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals?"

Lu Luo was a bit provocative, but Quan Pu admitted it very directly:

"Yes, Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals is too big, and we individuals are too insignificant in front of such giants.

They've beaten the courage out of me. Now, all I want is to live a good life without getting involved in those matters again."

Lu Luo frowned slightly. Had Quan Pu truly lost all confidence?

"There is a difference in how one lives. You can live like a maggot, wriggling about, and that's called living.

Stand tall and proud like a person, and that's called living.

Living with dignity is what gives meaning to life.

Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals is gone now, and Blue Sky Biotech can't reach my place.

So, Quan Pu, if you want to live with dignity, I am your opportunity.

Your only opportunity. Think about it."

After finishing, Lu Luo walked straight ahead. He never pressed an issue more than three times.

He had invited Quan Pu three times, and if Quan Pu still refused, it just meant that there was no fate between them.

"Wait, Brother Luo!

Thank you for valuing me. I feel... I should be able to help you with statistics."

Lu Luo turned around with a smile.

"I know very well how to use you. There are thousands of students here who can do statistics. It's really not necessary for that."

After recruiting Quan Pu, Lu Luo arranged for Han Shiyu to stay in a residential building on the north side of the base.

Given Han Shiyu's strength, safety wasn't a concern, so living alone was not an issue.

Their parting was marked by a brief battle.

How brief? About 20 minutes, and that was only because Han Shiyu tried her utmost to put up a fight.

There was no helping it; Lu Luo's Constitution and physical strength were too formidable now.

In such close-quarters combat, it was nearly impossible to find an equal to him among humans.

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.