The Nightmare Demon's words carried an element of inducement, but Qiao Xing was well aware of their meaning.

Although Lu Luo was quite slick, even claiming to be a loyal retainer of the Inner Ring, at his core, he was still a reformist.

Lu Luo had long been prepared for reform and was even one of its most active proponents.

The current policy at the Circular Base was thoroughly reformist.

This was evident from Lu Luo's secretive initiation of the 996 policy, the promotion of a personal system of thought, and the spread of the Hunter's Six Paths doctrine.

When it came to reform, Lu Luo's attitude was more intense than anyone else's!

It was just that Lu Luo wasn't strong enough, and, how should one put it, his character was clearly like a weather vane.

If the Fourth Ring lacked the strength to suppress the combat power sent by the Inner Ring Faction,

Lu Luo, given his personality, would immediately feign submission, continue to obey Inner Ring rule, and then play dead.

But even so, the three of them—Qiao Xing, Nightmare Demon, and Noah—were very clear that Lu Luo would not give up, because Ludie had died for the Fourth Ring.

Lu Luo's persistence was never merely verbal.

The words that came out of Lu Luo's mouth were usually pure nonsense, such as, "I want to be a loyal retainer of the Inner Ring."

As Lu Luo's mentor, Qiao Xing's attitude at this moment became extremely important.

Qiao Xing did not answer immediately; instead, he also glanced at the red pillar Ludie had ultimately created.

It was formed from the blood of countless Exotic Species and intense Dark Energy, symbolizing the Fourth Ring's cry and its rise.

The unspoken understanding between Ludie and him had never been outwardly expressed!

But in their hearts, they both knew of each other's existence.

"Who would have thought that I, a person from the Church, would one day have to make such a choice. Truly, people are driven to it."

I feel there is something wrong with Qiao Xing's words.

"The person who thinks there's something wrong with that sentence is the one with a problem."

Lu Luo picked his nose and continued listening to Qiao Xing.

"Indeed, Lu Luo is my disciple, and he is my only direct disciple.

Therefore, his attitude towards the Fourth Ring is my attitude towards the Fourth Ring.

The conflict between the Inner Ring and the Fourth Ring has a long history; the will of the Inner Ring Church will not be the will of the Fourth Ring Church.

Just as Lu Luo said, the faith of the Fourth Ring can be the Holy Light and Dawn, or it can be the Sages and Heroes.

The problems of the Fourth Ring's Dawn Church, I will handle them.

As for policies and such, start implementing them; the Fourth Ring indeed needs reform now."

Lu Luo suddenly clenched his fists.

Seeing Qiao Xing speak, the corners of the Nightmare Demon's mouth also rose slightly.

Qiao Xing's attitude was very important because the Dawn Church of the Fourth Ring still influenced many people.

Qiao Xing's agreement meant that the will of the entire Fourth Ring was unified.

The future development of the Fourth Ring would face no obstacles; this was a very important and meaningful matter.

Lu Luo, on the other hand, had not expected Qiao Xing to agree so easily.

He had thought he would have to waste a lot of words.

"Teacher!"

"What?"

"So you're the biggest mole in the Fourth Ring!"

"What crap are you spouting? Aren't I just supporting you?"

If it weren't for the crowd, Qiao Xing would have long since smacked Lu Luo on the head.

"A mole is a mole, no need to explain."

"Bullshit."

Although Lu Luo wore a look of disgust, he soon broke into an unrestrained smile.

If Qiao Xing had defected, then the Fourth Ring was now a paradise!

With Nightmare Demon to handle anyone from the Inner Ring, and his teacher being Qiao Xing, wouldn't he be able to do whatever he wanted in the Fourth Ring?

Like freeloading without paying, for instance?

Well, he didn't need to freeload anymore.

Qiao Xing really couldn't be bothered with him; in his mind, betrayal of this kind simply didn't exist.

From the moment his own teacher died, Qiao Xing had never been loyal to the Inner Ring!

The Church was the church of the Inner Ring's people, the church of the rulers, but not the church of the Believers of Light.

The Believers of Light had now been turned into weapons, and the Church, too, was due for a significant change.

"Alright, Lu Luo, now that we've established the tone for the Fourth Ring, let's talk about you.

What do you plan to do next? Continue with your company?"

As soon as Qiao Xing asked, Nightmare Demon also turned her gaze towards Lu Luo.

"Yes, Lu Luo, are you interested in joining the Hunters?

If you want, I can offer you the position of captain of Hunters' Team 13 right now.

My father is dead, but you are someone who could carry on his will."

Lu Xiaotian had always regarded Lu Luo with approval, greatly admiring his abilities and talents.

If Lu Luo could join her camp, Lu Xiaotian would be very pleased.

However, Lu Luo shook his head at this moment.

He really had no interest in the position of a Hunter.

"Yang Liya also invited me to be the captain of Hunters' Team 13 before.

However, I'm someone who prefers freedom, so being a Hunter... I think I'll pass.

Compared to punching a clock at work every day, I much prefer a life of freedom.

Moreover, in a few days, I'm going to the Inner Ring."

"The Inner Ring?" Qiao Xing and Noah exclaimed in unison, their surprise evident.

Only Nightmare Demon seemed to have known all along about Lu Luo's intention to go to the Inner Ring.

"Going to the Inner Ring and becoming a Hunter are not conflicting matters.

I'll keep the position of captain for Hunters' Team 13 open for you.

When you come back, it will still be yours."

"No need. I'm really not interested in becoming a Hunter. You should find someone else."

Lu Luo's reply made Lu Xiaotian frown. Although young, she was actually very proud.

Lu Luo was Ludie's disciple; inviting him to join the Hunters, for them to work together, should have been a matter of course in her view.

She felt that by inviting Lu Luo repeatedly, she had already given him plenty of face.

To think Lu Luo would refuse to give her face like this; this person was truly infuriating!

Nightmare Demon seems to be looking at you strangely. Did you offend her?

"Childish temper. It'll pass after a while."

Actually, Lu Luo did have some of his own ideas for the future, and he wasn't the type to willingly play second fiddle.

"Lu Luo, what exactly do you want to do?

Continue to develop your company? An individual's power is limited."

Nightmare Demon hoped Lu Luo wouldn't fail to appreciate her gesture, but clearly, Lu Luo was just that unaccommodating.

"I know, but I genuinely don't want to join the Hunters.

If one day you all really liberate the Fourth Ring, I'll most likely hand over the company, become a wealthy man, and live a comfortable life.

That's roughly my idea!

After all, I'm not a very ambitious person."

The three of them—Nightmare Demon, Qiao Xing, and Noah—stared at Lu Luo, trying to discern something from his eyes, but unfortunately, they saw nothing.

"Quite the unambitious person. I truly don't believe someone who can say that so casually is actually without ambition.

Alright, Lu Luo, prepare well for your trip to the Inner Ring!"

Lu Xiaotian left in a huff. Noah, however, didn't seem to intend to leave.

Noah was an old hand and quickly discerned the unspoken meaning in the glances exchanged between Qiao Xing and Lu Luo.

After glancing at Qiao Xing and Lu Luo, he said,

"It seems my presence here isn't quite appropriate. You master and apprentice haven't seen each other for so long; you must have a lot to discuss.

How about this, I'll go take a stroll around the Fourth Ring for now. You two have a good chat!"

Having confirmed this, he left promptly, leaving the space to Lu Luo and Qiao Xing.

Lu Luo remained silent for a moment before asking,

"Teacher, what have you been up to lately?"

"I went to the Southern Ring."

Qiao Xing's expression was inscrutable, but Lu Luo got the distinct impression that he had been through a lot.

An untold story between a grown man and a robot?

"When you went to the Southern Ring, was it arranged with Ludie beforehand?"

Lu Luo's words seemed somewhat probing, but Qiao Xing wasn't offended.

"It wasn't arranged beforehand, but you could say it was a kind of tacit understanding between Ludie and me."

Lu Luo nodded. From Nightmare Demon's appearance, to Qiao Xing's departure, and then Ludie's death in battle...

Lu Luo always had a feeling: if Ludie's death and Nightmare Demon's entry inside the Wall were prearranged, could Qiao Xing's departure have been as well?

"Well, the relationships between you old men are certainly complex.

Teacher, have you reached the Seventh Tier?"

As he spoke, Lu Luo stared at Qiao Xing.

Qiao Xing, strength unknown.

It was different now. Previously, even though Qiao Xing was powerful, the Observer would have displayed Sixth Tier information.

But now that the Observer had upgraded and was showing 'unknown,' it could only mean one thing.

Qiao Xing's strength had changed.

"Indeed, I've reached the Seventh Tier!"

Lu Luo felt a surge of pride. He wasn't sure why he felt proud, but he definitely was.

In fact, he had felt proud when Ludie reached the Seventh Tier too; it was just that Ludie hadn't given him a chance to express that pride.

After briefly composing himself, Lu Luo spoke again,

"Teacher, can you tell me what kind of limitations the Seventh Tier has? This has always puzzled me.

Before, you must have been like Ludie, suppressing your own breakthrough, right?"

Qiao Xing looked at Lu Luo and nodded slightly.

"Yes."

"Then why are you able to break through now?"

Actually, Lu Luo had some guesses about this, but he still wanted to confirm them.

"It's a long story. But if we're to go into detail, we must start with the inherent flaws of the human body."

"The human body's flaws?"

"Lu Luo, do you know what humanity's greatest strengths and weaknesses are?"

Lu Luo pondered for a moment. As Transcendent beings, humans indeed had many advantages.

For instance, powerful cultivation techniques, detailed system classifications, strong destructive power, and rapid strength progression, among others.

But besides strengths, humans also had many nearly insurmountable weaknesses.

"Strengths are the speed of progress and the systems; weaknesses are short lifespan and frail constitution?"

"My answer used to be the same as yours, but those aren't truly humanity's weaknesses.

Among the Exotic Species, there are also those with very frail constitutions, like the Specter Species.

And among humans, there are those with extremely strong constitutions, like Hunters who focus on physical strength cultivation.

Lifespan, the body itself—these aren't actually the flaws."

This left Lu Luo somewhat puzzled. If lifespan and physical constitution weren't flaws, then what was?

"Then what exactly is humanity's flaw?

Is the inability of Seventh Tier individuals from the Inner Ring to stay away from the Inner Ring for long periods related to this flaw?"

Qiao Xing looked a bit surprised.

"How did you figure that out?"

Now that the conversation had reached this point, Lu Luo certainly wouldn't hide anything; besides, there wasn't much to hide from Qiao Xing.

"I've read many documents from the Black Tide War and noticed that these Seventh Tier Transcendents, after defeating calamities, wouldn't participate in the mopping-up operations.

That's very suspicious. After all, with their strength, even the clean-up shouldn't take much effort.

Whether in terms of safety or convenience, it would be far more efficient than deploying a legion.

Therefore, the reason for this must be some kind of limitation—a restriction preventing them from leaving the Inner Ring."

Lu Luo's analysis made Qiao Xing pause for a moment. He had originally thought Lu Luo knew these things because he had learned them from Bai Yuetong or Qi Xinzhu.

After all, given the two women's unusual statuses, it was possible they knew some secrets.

But to his surprise, Lu Luo had actually presented a coherent set of deductions, which was quite impressive.

"Lu Luo, you truly are very clever, smarter than most people.

Many at the Seventh Tier indeed cannot leave the Inner Ring.

And their inability to leave is greatly related to human flaws.

Humans progress very quickly; you should know this.

At Tiers 1 through 6, this rapid progression allows humans to quickly gain immense combat power, which is a huge advantage!

But upon reaching the threshold of the Seventh Tier, everything changes.

My teacher once told me not to advance to the Seventh Tier. At first, I didn't quite understand what he meant.

But I'm the obedient and sensible type, so I just cultivated quietly in the Fourth Ring.

It wasn't until I reached the peak of the Sixth Tier that I felt the real danger."

"You felt danger after reaching the peak of the Sixth Tier?" Lu Luo frowned.

"Yes, it was a very distinct sensation. If I had broken through to the Seventh Tier at that time,

something inside my body would have been continuously drawn out!"

"Something inside your body being drawn out?"

"Lu Luo, have you ever thought about the specific function of the Dawn Disc?"

"The specific function of the Dawn Disc? Uh, no, I haven't."

Release the Doomsday Factor! That's all I know.

"The Dawn Disc has a series of effects, including absorbing Dark Energy, purifying Dark Energy, releasing Dark Energy, and creating Sequences.

It must be said, this item is truly a great Divine Artifact.

It is also because of its existence that humanity, in a sense, has overcome several crises!

From then on, the Dawn Disc became the supreme Divine Artifact of the Church, and indeed, of all humanity.

People believe in it, worship it, and pray to it!"

As Qiao Xing spoke to this point, he paused slightly.

"But the Dawn Disc itself is not that safe.

After the Church possessed the Dawn Disc for some time, they discovered that the Disc itself also presented certain problems.

That is, every so often, the Dawn Disc releases impurities produced after purifying Dark Energy.

These impurities cause mutations—the legendary Sanctify Aberrations.

Furthermore, once one reaches the Seventh Tier, the Dawn Disc begins to extract something from that Seventh Tier human.

This extraction virtually ignores distance, defense, and resistance. If you move beyond a certain distance from the Disc, you will be subject to this extraction.

I don't know what is being extracted; it's indescribable, ineffable.

And what's more severe is that, regardless of whether you are a member of the Dawn Church, this extraction will continue.

Unless you stay within the confines of the Inner Ring.

Otherwise, a Seventh Tier individual who leaves the vicinity of the Dawn Disc will quickly die!

Unless... they can compensate for this human flaw!"

Hearing this, Lu Luo nodded lightly and then stared intently at Qiao Xing.

"Teacher, what have you become now?"

Qiao Xing didn't speak, then suddenly laughed.

"I still can't hide anything from you, can I? You must have some kind of detection ability, right?

I sensed it from the very beginning.

So, you'd better see for yourself."

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.