Chapter 103 Someone at home!

Lu Luo left the laboratory and returned alone to his dormitory. Unlike other dormitories, where students didn’t have a clear perception of Lu Luo due to his infrequent presence, the residents of Dormitory No. 6 were all very fearful of him. To be precise, they held awe—a sincere reverence for the strong. There was no helping it; although many versions of that night’s incident circulated, Lu Luo’s feat of single-handedly beating up more than fifty of their fellow students was something the dormitory residents had personally witnessed.Whenever Lu Luo walked towards his bed, everyone would make way for him. Some even nodded and greeted him, calling out, "Brother Luo!" This was the deterrence that strength brought. Lu Luo, for his part, was friendly towards his non-troublemaking roommates. After all, I consider myself a rather cultured and easy-going person, he thought. Looking at his solitary bed, Lu Luo’s expression was troubled. He lacked a private room or a proper environment to practice. The Wasteland Alliance had occupied the Fourth Ring for over 140 years, developing it for just as long, and now it was severely overcrowded. With housing prices so exorbitant, Lu Luo couldn’t find a place to secretly synthesize the Red Armored Scorpion Tail Needle. Usually, he had to either hide in the restroom or go to the rooftop in the rain to practice. Life is too tough, he mused. Looking at this super-large dormitory housing 240 people, how am I supposed to practice? Sit down and extend my tendrils to lower my roommates’ Sanity Points? "Sigh, conditions are harsh," Lu Luo muttered to himself, lying on the bed. "Once I get the money from selling the equipment, I need to buy several phones and rent a house!" Just then, Quan Pu, the resident drunkard, sidled up to him again. Quan Pu observed Lu Luo: a student who could disappear for ten days or even half a month, return unscathed, and still achieve outstanding test results. This boy is no ordinary person, Quan Pu concluded. I should befriend him. "Brother Luo, how long are you planning to stay this time?" Quan Pu asked. The former Lu Luo has now become Brother Luo, Lu Luo thought. It seems people can no longer interact as equals. "Probably about a week. Why?" Lu Luo replied. "Brother Luo seems quite busy, huh!" Quan Pu remarked. Hearing this, Quan Pu became even more convinced of Lu Luo’s special status. People who can skip classes so freely are rare, and without exception, they all have significant backgrounds. "Is Zhou Kai from the biology department one of your people?" Quan Pu probed. "And Circle Studio, did you start that?" The existence of Circle Studio wasn’t much of a secret. Zhou Kai often tried to recruit new students on campus, so Quan Pu knowing about Circle Studio wasn’t surprising to Lu Luo. However, him guessing that I’m the one behind Circle Studio is rather intriguing, Lu Luo thought. This Quan Pu really isn’t simple; at least he has good information channels! "Why do you ask? Is there something you need?" Lu Luo inquired. "Not at the moment, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be issues in the future," Quan Pu said. "I heard you guys can contact Hunters. Maybe we’ll be able to help each other out down the line. "Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Quan Pu from Beneficial Commerce and Trade. I’m currently handling quite a few black market dealings, including duels and entertainment—those are just minor affairs. "Deeper stuff, like pharmaceuticals, weapons, contraband—I have channels for all of it. "Whether it’s for acquisition or disposal, I can manage it. Since you have contact with Hunters, if you come across any suitable items, you can reach out to me." Quan Pu handed Lu Luo a business card: Beneficial Commerce and Trade Company—Salesman—Quan Pu. Lu Luo smiled. "So many black market dealings and even selling contraband—your company truly is ’beneficial’ to the people!" "Heh, it’s all about supply and demand," Quan Pu chuckled. "You should understand the situation in the Fourth Ring. Life is so oppressive; people need to find some enjoyment. "Although the entertainment street is fun, going to those kinds of places too often lacks a certain thrill." Lu Luo nodded. He wasn’t particularly interested in what Quan Pu was discussing, but he figured it might be worth checking out when he had free time. Just because I don’t need it now doesn’t mean I won’t need it later, Lu Luo mused. As Quan Pu said, one can never have too many connections. "Alright. If I need anything, I’ll contact you," Lu Luo said. "Great! Thanks, Brother Luo! I’ll be waiting for your good news then!" Quan Pu replied cheerfully. After his conversation with Quan Pu ended, Lu Luo lay on his bed, feeling somewhat exhausted. SQUEAK!~ The already dilapidated bed emitted a grating sound, but Lu Luo paid it no mind. I experienced far too many of life’s pleasures and desires in my previous life, he thought. Now, the only thing that truly motivates me is power. He hadn’t had a proper rest in a very long time. For the first minute after lying down, Lu Luo intended to organize his thoughts and plan his next steps. But by the second minute, he was fast asleep. His breathing soon evened out. 「The next morning.」 Lu Luo was awakened by the sounds of his roommates getting up one after another. "These people are so annoying!" he grumbled. Despite his complaining, Lu Luo forced himself out of bed, using his willpower to overcome his body’s desire for more sleep. He wasn’t getting up early for classes, however. He planned to find a place to synthesize the Red Armored Scorpion Tail Needle. He was quite curious about the unknown potion that used Second Tier elite mutant animal materials as its base. The only frustrating thing right now is that whether it’s for cultivation or alchemy, it’s so hard to find a quiet, secluded place, he thought with vexation. After mulling it over, Lu Luo could only think of one place that somewhat met his requirements. It seems my only option is to go home! After quickly packing his things, Lu Luo skipped all his classes, left the school gates, and boarded the train home. After getting off the train, the familiar, decent-looking small apartment building was not far away. Lu Luo quickly made his way to his apartment door. Looking at this place where he had only lived for a few days, he felt a strange mix of familiarity and distance. He took out his keys, ready to open the door. But before he could, he received a prompt from the Observer: [There is a presence of Holy Light inside. Someone is there, a person wielding the power of Holy Light, with strength around Second Tier.] Holy Radiance? Lu Luo wondered. Has the Church come knocking? That can’t be right. I haven’t provoked the Church, and I’m practically in a honeymoon phase with Han Shiyu and Qi Xinzhu. Why would they come to my house? While Lu Luo hesitated, unhidden footsteps approached from inside, and the door was suddenly pulled open. "Lu Luo? Why are you back? Aren’t you supposed to be in class?" A man in casual home clothes, holding a trash bag and a broom as if he had been cleaning, stood before him. Lu Luo looked at the man: handsome, calm, and exuding an aura as refreshing as a spring breeze. "Uh... Big Brother!" My older brother, Lu Yang, is back! Lu Luo thought in astonishment. And he’s already reached Second Tier in the Church! "What’s wrong? Is my return so surprising?" Lu Yang asked. "Come in first. And you still haven’t told me why you skipped class." After entering, Lu Luo glanced around before looking towards his bedroom and saying, "Uh, I came back to get some things—books and experimental data." "Oh, I see," Lu Yang said. "University life must be quite tough, but just hang in there. It’s easy to find a suitable job after graduation. "You have to believe in the Alliance. We all have a bright future." Lu Yang spoke with the confidence and sunny disposition his name, Yang, suggested. And Lu Luo could tell that Lu Yang genuinely believed in the Alliance and the bright future they supposedly all shared. Unlike me, Lu Luo thought. Every time I say something like that, it’s pure sarcasm. "You’re right, Big Brother," Lu Luo said. "Um, Big Brother, have you joined the Church? Are you a Priest?" Hearing this, Lu Yang’s eyes lit up. "You noticed, huh? I was actually planning to surprise you. But I didn’t test to become a Priest; I joined the Knights Group." Hearing "Knights Group," Lu Luo’s fingers tightened unconsciously. "Knights Group?" "Yeah! I’m now a reserve knight in the Church’s Courage Knights Group," Lu Yang announced proudly. "I’ve been promoted quite quickly, thanks to my teacher’s attention and the guidance of many seniors. My strength has improved rapidly recently." The Courage Knights Group, huh? Lu Luo thought. At least it’s not the Life Knights Group. "What did you say?" Lu Yang asked. "I wanted to join the Life Knights Group too, but unfortunately, my abilities weren’t up to par." "Nothing. The Courage Knights Group is pretty good too," Lu Luo said quickly. For an ordinary family, joining the Church might indeed be a cause for joyful surprise. Unfortunately for them, Lu Luo had already decided to join the Hunters. Restore the glory of the Fourth Ring—a duty we cannot shirk! Lu Luo thought with an internal smirk. Well, to be honest, I just have an inexplicable aversion to the Church deep down. At first, I thought this aversion was because of the bride incident, because of Ludie, because of Han Shiyu. But as my strength grew and I interacted more with Ludie, Han Shiyu, and Qi Xinzhu, I realized my aversion wasn’t towards the people of the Church. It was towards something *within* the Church, or perhaps someone specific. I can’t quite describe this feeling yet, but I just... dislike it. "Joining the Church must keep you really busy, Big Brother, right?" Lu Luo asked. "With training every day, how do you have time to come back?" My subtext is: Big Brother, if you’re back, I can’t even stay at home. Life is too hard! "Well, because of my outstanding performance in the previous assessment, I received an opportunity to study under a very powerful figure," Lu Yang explained. "It’s also been quite a while since I was last home, so the Church granted me a few days off in advance. I can rest at home and prepare for the more intensive training ahead." For some reason, hearing Lu Yang say this gave Lu Luo a sudden bad feeling. "An opportunity to study with a very powerful figure?" Lu Luo asked. "How many days is ’a few days’? And who is this person?" "It’s in six days," Lu Yang replied. "This figure is Archbishop Qiao Xing from the East Ring. Let me tell you, he’s an incredibly skilled swordsman. "When he was young, he was even touted as someone who would break through all limits and become the youngest Sword Saint. "Unfortunately, he never became a Sword Saint, nor did he continue to serve in the Inner Ring. Instead, he came to the East Ring and became the Archbishop." Lu Luo covered his face, unsure what to say. Am I really going to become fellow disciples with my brother? And Han Shiyu wants me to display enough strength to awe those experts from the Inner Ring. Does that mean... when I go to train under Archbishop Qiao Xing, I’ll have to thrash my own brother? That doesn’t seem right at all. Seeing Lu Luo covering his face with a complex expression, Lu Yang felt something was off. "What’s wrong, Lu Luo? Shouldn’t you be happy for me, getting to study with Archbishop Qiao Xing?" Happy for you? Lu Luo thought derisively. Should I celebrate that we’re about to have a fraternal conflict? Hmph, making me discipline my own dear brother... I should demand more money from that woman Han Shiyu for this. "Well, congratulations, Big Brother," Lu Luo said aloud. "Such an opportunity is truly rare. When the time comes, you must seize it!" "Of course! Your Big Brother here is a genius, a true genius," Lu Yang declared. Alright then, Lu Luo thought. If you end up getting thrashed by me, don’t be too upset. Just accept reality. A genius beaten by his younger brother is still a genius, right? Lu Luo silently mourned for Lu Yang for a moment. "Then rest well, Big Brother. I’m heading out," Lu Luo said. "Alright. Study hard at school, okay? This concerns your future," Lu Yang advised. "I know." After closing the door, Lu Luo bolted. He really didn’t know how to talk to his Big Brother about the situation. How could I tell him? ’Big Brother, in a few days, we’ll be classmates, and a certain big shot on my side wants me to teach you guys a lesson’? That would be way too much. Unable to stay at home, Lu Luo’s only option was to return to Circle Studio. Hopefully, I can get some personal space there. Upon returning to the studio, apart from the usual "Brother Luo!" greetings from the regular members, he was met with an enthusiastic welcome from Ding Peng and You Xiaoqi in his upstairs office. "Come on, we need one more player! Let’s have an epic game today!" Ding Peng exclaimed. "Boss, I’m really busy," Lu Luo said, exasperated. "You guys just hang out here all day, either going on missions or playing cards. Don’t you ever need to practice? I just want some personal space, a quiet place to cultivate. Why is it so hard?" Ding Peng and You Xiaoqi scratched their heads, looking a bit sheepish at Lu Luo’s words. They had indeed been slacking off lately. "Uh, you’ve got a point," Ding Peng admitted. "Old Seven, we haven’t practiced at all recently. We’ve really been slacking off. Let’s go out and train a bit." "Alright," You Xiaoqi agreed. "It’s been a while since we’ve gone Beyond the Wall." Hearing this, Lu Luo immediately sensed something was wrong. Beyond the Wall? "If you go Beyond the Wall, what about the studio?" Lu Luo asked. "How else are we supposed to practice if we don’t go Beyond the Wall?" Ding Peng retorted. "Training here is so slow; we might as well play cards. Man, you’re so demanding. We’re off. We’ll be back in five days." "What about my batch of equipment?" Lu Luo pressed. "The stuff from Lan Tian is too tricky to handle right now," You Xiaoqi said. "Wait a few days. It’ll be sorted when we get back!" Lu Luo watched You Xiaoqi and Ding Peng head downstairs, feeling completely flustered. Forget it, he sighed internally. Let them go if they want. I can’t restrict their personal freedom, after all. The temporary departure of You Xiaoqi and Ding Peng also served as a wake-up call for Lu Luo. Circle Studio’s current high-level combatants—the kind capable of handling Exotic Species incidents independently—were still too few. You Xiaoqi and Ding Peng were considered Ludie’s people, allies for sure, but being allies didn’t mean they were *his* subordinates to command. Lu Luo couldn’t order You Xiaoqi and Ding Peng around the way he did Zhou Kai and Gu Fangyi; that was the fundamental difference. Currently, Circle Studio was developing well, but it lacked experts who could take charge independently. I could certainly fill such a role myself, Lu Luo mused, but the whole point of me being the boss of Circle Studio is to avoid doing such time-consuming, dirty, and exhausting work! I need to find a way to recruit two or three First Tier individuals, or one Second Tier. After jotting down the recruitment requirements on a piece of paper, Lu Luo casually left it on the table. He didn’t go looking for Zhou Kai, because he knew Zhou Kai would see it. These requirements are demanding, but it’s worth a try, he resolved.