Apocalypse Circular

Trade? Lu Luo realized the significance of the other party's use of this term.

The Inner Ring compromised? This seemed somewhat inconceivable.

If it was compromise, the speed of this compromise was indeed too fast.

However, as a loyal servant of the Inner Ring, Lu Luo still needed to convey his congratulations for the peace between both sides.

Every day that the Inner Ring and the Fourth Ring were at peace, he had another day to develop.

The current time was very important to him. Until he had the power to disregard everyone, he would take any additional day he could get.

"Peace is good, I, for one, love peace."

[Could you please take your lying more seriously?]

Zhang Yifan looked at Lu Luo's exaggerated expression, sighing slightly.

How he envied someone like Lu Luo, who could lie without restraint!

They, as subordinates, had to construct a relatively perfect lie if they wanted to deceive.

"Then, Mr. Lu Luo, can we set off today?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible right now, Mr. Zhang Yifan! We'll have to leave in the afternoon."

"Why?"

"During this time, I have not been idle. Aside from making my own preparations, I also prepared a gift for the Inner Ring's council."

Lu Luo's expression was serene, as if he had indeed prepared an exquisite gift for the Inner Ring.

"You prepared a gift for the council? Mr. Lu Luo, that's too kind. We mentioned before that such meaningless gestures were unnecessary."

Zhang Yifan thought Lu Luo would bring some local Wasteland products for the Inner Ring and hastily waved it off.

Though there was no offensive tone in his voice, those from the Fourth Ring still felt uncomfortable.

The attitude of those from the Inner Ring, born with a sense of superiority, looking down on the people from the Fourth Ring.

No matter how much they tried to conceal it, it couldn't be hidden.

"Mr. Zhang Yifan, you are mistaken. The gift I've prepared is no ordinary item. It is a person, a very useful person."

"A person?"

"Yes, please wait a moment, I will be back soon."

With curiosity, Zhang Yifan and his delegation settled in the slums next to Lu Luo's base.

Although the other party was a messenger, Lu Luo dared not let people from the Inner Ring get too close to his base.

There were just too many secrets inside his base. It was best to be cautious.

After their conversation ended, Lu Luo went to the small hut where Han Shiyu was.

Before he even entered, he heard Yuan Mian's somewhat cheerful laughter.

"Sister Han, how do I look in this? Who would have thought the Fourth Ring would have clothes like this?"

Lu Luo curled his lip, thinking how unworldly the people of the Inner Ring were. Didn't they know that the Outer Ring was actually the industrial base?

"Miss Yuan Mian, has no one ever told you? Many of the clothes from the Inner Ring are actually outsourced to the Fourth Ring for production. With the size of the Inner Ring, you wouldn't think that things like factories would be established in the Inner Ring, would you?"

The sudden appearance of Lu Luo interrupted Yuan Mian's excitement.

This girl from the Inner Ring looked at Lu Luo in front of her with a touch of panic!

Why is this guy here again? He's not going to do that in front of her with Han Shiyu, is he?

"Mr. Lu Luo, what are you doing here?"

"This is my territory, and inside lives my woman, so your question is quite strange, Miss Yuan Mian."

Lu Luo pulled Yuan Mian to her feet.

"Uh... what are you doing?"

After some time undergoing brainwashing, Yuan Mian wasn't as terrified of Lu Luo anymore.

Han Shiyu had painted a very favorable picture of Lu Luo, but whether he was truly going to release her, Yuan Mian still harbored doubts.

"We're leaving, Miss Yuan Mian."

"Leaving, to where?"

"Didn't we agree before? If you do as I ask, I would find a way to take you back to the Inner Ring. Now, the time has come to return to the Inner Ring!"

Yuan Mian suddenly felt dazed; she didn't expect that Lu Luo would actually give her the opportunity to return to the Inner Ring.

Han Shiyu stepped out from the house and leaned against the doorframe without a word. Seeing her, Yuan Mian nodded vigorously at Lu Luo, as if she had just realized something important.

"Thank you, Lu Luo."

"No need to be so formal. I've always intended to let you go, but it's too dangerous for you alone in the Fourth Ring.

"The situation with the Hunters has become rather complicated, which is why things have dragged on until now."

Lu Luo's explanation was logical and sound, and Yuan Mian was immediately convinced.

"Regardless, I want to thank you. I apologize for the misunderstanding I had about you before. If it weren't for you, I probably would have been killed by the Hunters by now."

Lu Luo smiled slightly. It seemed that Han Shiyu had been doing good work lately. The continuous brainwashing of Yuan Mian was quite effective.

It was indeed easier to use the identity of a Believer of Light to deal with a vulnerable Inner Ring woman than to do it personally!

"Miss Yuan Mian, you are too polite. I am just an ordinary Fourth Ring person, with occasional flashes of wit. Often, many things are not within the control of a small figure like me. Therefore, I too regret the death of Captain Liu Wei."

[The acting is getting good. If only you had this level of skill in front of Zhang Yifan.]

Zhang Yifan's role is insignificant, so there's no need to act.

Lu Luo gave Yuan Mian a sorrowful look, and her face also saddened.

Captain Liu Wei had taken good care of her; he was indeed a good person.

But Lu Luo, standing before her, was also deserving of respect, a good person.

"You can't blame yourself for Captain Liu Wei's death, Mr. Lu Luo!"

"All right, Miss Yuan Mian, now that the envoy from the Inner Ring has arrived, let's go. If all goes well, we should be able to return to the Inner Ring soon."

Yuan Mian's eyes gradually brightened—if she could really return to the Inner Ring!

Well, even in the Inner Ring, she didn't have many people to rely on anymore. Her master had fallen ill, and as for him...

"Thank you, Mr. Lu Luo. Although some of your actions have been excessive, I cannot deny that you saved me. You are a good person, and I will remember you."

[Feels like a rejected fawning dog, also, plus one good person card.]

Lu Luo ignored the Observer's mocking and nodded slightly.

It was then that Han Shiyu finally spoke, "Are you sure you're ready to leave?"

"Yes, I'm ready to leave."

"Be careful. After all, there are far more experts in the Inner Ring than the Outer Ring."

"Don't worry, I am aware."

"Right, you're someone who generally doesn't need others to worry about."

After saying goodbye to Han Shiyu with a kiss, Lu Luo took Yuan Mian and returned to the Circular.

Lu Luo, with Yuan Mian in tow, returned to the Circular's base, where Qi Xinzhu and Bai Yuetong were waiting, looking at Lu Luo with odd expressions.

"Why have you brought back another woman?"

The word "another" used by Dumb Hair was particularly poignant, and Qi Xinzhu's face didn't look good either!

"Bai Yuetong, what are you thinking? This is Miss Yuan Mian, a member of the Inner Ring investigation team. As part of the Wasteland Alliance, it's only natural for us to escort Miss Yuan Mian back."

It was then that Qi Xinzhu turned to look at Lu Luo. She had been informed by Lu Luo about this matter beforehand.

Unexpectedly, he had indeed kept a card up his sleeve.

Zhang Yifan was also surprised. A member of the Inner Ring investigation team—was it Liu Wei's team?

"Yuan Mian, Spirit of Revelation?"

Yuan Mian looked towards Zhang Yifan. Although she did not know his identity, based on what Lu Luo had told her and the fact that this person could name her Sequence, she could tentatively confirm that this was indeed the Inner Ring's so-called envoy.

"Hello, I am Yuan Mian."

"Yuan Mian, were you with Liu Wei before?"

"Um, yes, it's unfortunate that Captain Liu Wei is already..."

"I am aware."

Zhang Yifan's expression grew increasingly solemn, and when he looked at Lu Luo again, Lu Luo simply nodded calmly at him.

Their team was from the Council, or more precisely, dispatched by the Luo Family.

So for them, Yuan Mian was also an important piece of intelligence!

Now, they needed to send Yuan Mian back at once. It was crucial.

"All right, we're returning to the Inner Ring now! Mr. Lu Luo, is everything okay now?"

"No problem!"

Lu Luo took a box from Zhou Kai's hand and, when no one was paying attention, placed the box into his ring.

The contents of the box were simple, filled entirely with Dark Spirit Stones.

The Dark Spirit Stones he needed for his breakthrough!

Now, with time pressing, it seemed that the breakthrough would have to wait until he reached the Inner Ring.

Having packed up, Lu Luo and his two companions followed Zhang Yifan onto the vehicle heading back to the Inner Ring.

He had thought he would be the one to bring Yuan Mian back, but it looked like he wouldn't have that honor after all.

But that was fine. He didn't need the credit from the Inner Ring.

All he needed was for Yuan Mian to stay alive and well.

Now that Yuan Mian had appeared, she was a bit at risk.

In Zhang Yifan's hands, she would be safer than in his. Should any mishap occur, Zhang Yifan, not him, would take the blame.

Sitting in the vehicle, Dumb Hair was fiddling playfully with Lu Luo's leg using two fingers.

While teasing him, she leaned in mysteriously and whispered.

"Hey, Lu Luo, it's your first time going to the Inner Ring, right?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Once we're in the Inner Ring, I'll show you a good time."

"A good time? What do you mean by 'good time'?"

"Don't ask, you'll know when we get there."

The vehicle wasn't fast, and the group quickly arrived at the location of the Guardian's Wall lift.

Zhang Yifan sent people to negotiate. Although there still existed trade relations between the Inner and Outer Rings, the inspections had become much stricter than before.

The Inner Ring too was waiting, waiting for the Church's awakening!

There were plenty of guards present, as well as a squad of Hunters.

Discovering Lu Luo's presence among the convoy, these ordinary Hunters were unaware of the agreement between him and Lu Xiaotian.

Some even considered stopping them at this point.

Fortunately, Zhang Anran, who had previous dealings with Lu Luo, was also there.

"Let it go, let them pass!"

With the Hunter captain's permission, the inspection process became smooth and fast.

Lu Luo greeted Zhang Anran and arrived in front of the Third High Wall's elevator.

The sound of turning gears filled the air.

The land of the Fourth Ring began to lower beneath Lu Luo's gaze.

While he had looked down upon the buildings of the Fourth Ring from the Explorer's Wall before, the perspective was entirely different now.

It was like changing positions and angles when applauding love to appreciate a different view!

It was the same principle.

[Understood, the psychology of a pervert!]

"Lu Luo, are you nervous?"

Lu Luo wasn't really nervous, but Qi Xinzhu beside him was quite anxious!

She and Lu Luo had a wedding, and they were husband and wife in truth.

Though the ceremony was held with Exotic Species, in Qi Xinzhu's heart, it was a real wedding.

That made them a real husband and wife.

If it were in the Fourth Ring, such thoughts would be perfectly acceptable, as they were almost in a king-like position there.

But now, they were going to the Inner Ring!

Could her parents truly accept Lu Luo?

"You seem very nervous, what's wrong?"

"It's, it's nothing."

Facing Lu Luo's question, Qi Xinzhu became somewhat flustered.

It was then Bai Yuetong who spoke up.

"Qi Xinzhu is worried that her family won't be able to accept you. She's been raised with strict discipline since childhood."

On hearing Bai Yuetong's words, Qi Xinzhu's head lowered even further.

At that moment, Lu Luo unexpectedly reached out and took her hand.

"It's okay!"

"Yes, you'll be able to do it."

"Yeah, you know me too. I might not be very capable, but I'm quite good at living off a woman."

PFFT!

Hearing Lu Luo's self-deprecating remark about living off a woman again, the two women burst into laughter together.

Standing atop the Third High Wall, Lu Luo caught his first glimpse of what the Inner Ring looked like.

Here, there weren't as many skyscrapers as in the Fourth Ring. Most of the buildings were of classical design, filled with elegance and tranquility!

"It's almost like the paradise described in the books, isn't it?"

The well-traveled Lu Luo wasn't particularly thrilled because, for him, neither the Fourth Ring nor the Inner Ring could compare to a corner of the 'magic city' from his previous life.

"Lu Luo, you and she probably have a lot of things to do, so then, I'll go back home first with Zhang Yifan and the others."

Bai Yuetong's sudden interjection made Lu Luo pause slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

Dumb Hair, still so considerate, huh! Or perhaps, this was the rationality brought on by wisdom!

However, Lu Luo wasn't about to stand on ceremony at this moment because the course of action he had in mind was to head to Qi Xinzhu's place first.

Compared with Qi Xinzhu, Bai Yuetong's situation was a lot more complicated.

So, resolving the issue with Qi Xinzhu's parents first, then dealing with Bai Yuetong's parents, was the plan for this time.

"Okay!"

Hearing Lu Luo respond so straightforwardly, Bai Yuetong's lips immediately pouted.

"You're leaving just like that? Don't you want to say anything else to me?"

"My wife is right here, what do you expect me to say? Aren't you afraid my wife will misunderstand?"

[Wow, that's a critical hit!]

"Lu Luo, you jerk... SOB SOB SOB!"

Bai Yuetong's words were cut off by Lu Luo's kiss. Some of the Luo Family's servants, seeing the two kiss, wanted to say something.

However, they were stopped by their leader, Zhang Yifan.

"This isn't something we should interfere with, let's all mind our own business."

It wasn't just Zhang Yifan. After hearing that Lu Luo would leave with her first, Qi Xinzhu too turned a blind eye to the pair's behavior.

She had to be patient. If Lu Luo ever fell, her own strength alone might not be enough, so Bai Yuetong's presence was essential. Now wasn't the time for jealousy!

After a long time, Lu Luo finally released Dumb Hair.

At that moment, he regained the demeanor of a Fourth Ring leader. "Stay at home and just wait for me."

"Understood."

Dumb Hair nodded obediently. Since her childhood, this was probably the most obedient she had ever been.

Lu Luo pinched Dumb Hair's nose, then turned to look at Zhang Yifan.

"Mr. Zhang Yifan, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I need to make a trip to Qi Xinzhu's house first! Could you please inform Mr. Luo for me? Tomorrow, I will definitely visit in person!"

Zhang Yifan nodded naturally.

"Don't worry, Mr. Lu Luo, I will surely convey your message!"

Having said that, Lu Luo then turned to look at Yuan Mian.

"Miss Yuan Mian, now that we have reached the Inner Ring, I have fulfilled my promise."

"Mr. Lu Luo, I will remember your kindness!"

"There's no need, just take good care of yourself."

After saying their goodbyes, Lu Luo turned to look at Qi Xinzhu.

"You've never mentioned what your family is like, and now that we've come this far, you should be able to tell me, right?"

"It's not like you ever asked, is it?"

"Alright, alright! Can you tell me now?"

Qi Xinzhu hesitated slightly, then slowly began, "My family situation is a bit special. How should I put it?

"Even though they are ordinary people, their positions are quite extraordinary."

"Go on," Lu Luo prompted.

"My mother is the Deputy Minister of the Alliance Education Department, and my father is a judge at the Inner Ring's Supreme Court.

"He is also the only council member without any Transcendent backing!

"Moreover, both of them are extremely traditional.

"In your words, they are difficult to communicate with."

"Two terrifyingly traditional old folks?" Lu Luo asked.

"Essentially, yes!" Qi Xinzhu confirmed.