Chapter 33: The Cultivation Technique Named

The two of them arrived at the hospital rooftop one after the other. Ludie offered Lu Luo another Li Ming brand cigarette, but it was declined again. It was said that this brand of cigarettes was authorized for production by the Dawn Church, which symbolized hope. The Dawn Church leading the sale of cigarettes sounded a bit absurd. "Why do you always offer me cigarettes?" Ludie glanced at Lu Luo. "Mainly because you seem like a slick old hand; I just can’t help but offer one." Although there’s a high probability that this remark is a compliment, it still feels pretty awful to hear! The Observer, which had fallen into a dormant state due to the hyper-frequency mode, finally reactivated. Lu Luo was in a good mood at this moment; thanks to Ludie, he had some semblance of support in this world. "So, Captain Ludie, what did you want to talk about?" "You guys have now completely severed ties with Blue Sky Biotech. This is inside the wall, and inside the wall, ordinary people can’t play by the rules with those in higher positions. You’re still burdened by a 250,000 contract with Blue Sky Biotech, and if you don’t fulfill it, they have plenty of official channels to deal with you. So, what are your plans for the future?" Ludie was basically asking what he already knew, a smile on his face and an air of someone who had Lu Luo all figured out. "Your smile is as ugly as a split chrysanthemum. As for me, what else can I do? Just go to school as usual! Completing my studies is part of the contract. You said it yourself: don’t play by the rules with those in higher positions within the wall. Unless someone helps me pay off that 250,000, I’ll have to join Blue Sky Biotech in two years anyway. Are you a good Samaritan? Doesn’t look like it." Seeing Lu Luo’s unyielding attitude, Ludie couldn’t help but feel frustrated. I’ve hinted so obviously; couldn’t he be a bit more proactive? What does he mean by this? Is he looking down on us Hunters? Forget it. Ludie had lost count of how many times Lu Luo had rebuffed him, but he really wanted this guy. Maybe Team 13 really was a den of slackers and washouts, but Ludie always felt it would be a huge waste if someone like Lu Luo didn’t join the Hunters. "Lu Luo, with that personality of yours, you’re going to suffer in the future! Have you forgotten what I told you earlier today? Actually, the Hunters aren’t too bad. High salary, good benefits, you become a second-class citizen upon joining, and you even get paid time off to shop." He already said this during the day, but it feels like something was missing... "Wait a minute, you missed one of the benefits. What about freebies at the clubs?" Lu Luo sharply caught the omission. Hearing Lu Luo ask this, Ludie’s face darkened; if it weren’t for Lu Luo, he wouldn’t have lost his free access privileges at the clubs. "Lu Luo, did you know that the New Hope Club in the East Ring accepted investment from Blue Sky Biotech? That was my regular spot. Now that we’ve offended Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, things with New Hope are looking difficult." Lu Luo suddenly sensed something was amiss. Just moments ago at Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, he was thinking he could enjoy the clubs for free in the future, so women and whatnot didn’t matter. But now... "Spell it out. What do you mean?" "Alright, I’ll be direct. All the entertainment clubs in the East Ring have shares from Blue Sky Biotech. So, our freebies at the clubs... they’re gone." BOO HOO HOO! The dream of freeloading is dead! The aspirations of those who wanted to be freeloaders have been shattered. Society is too cruel! Lu Luo’s expression stiffened. The biggest perk of being a Hunter was gone! "I was actually thinking of joining the Hunters. Is there really no chance for freebies at the clubs anymore?" "No chance. Don’t tell me you wanted to join the Hunters just for the free access to clubs?" Lu Luo immediately denied it. "Of course not! I want to join the Hunters because I admire the strong in this world. How could it be for such a superficial reason as free access to clubs? Absolutely not." "Are you sure you want to join?" Ludie had the look of someone whose scheme had succeeded, which made Lu Luo flush with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "I’m a helpless orphan. My enemy is the biggest bio-genetics company in the Wasteland. Where the hell else could I go besides joining the Hunters?" "Oh, so you’re an orphan. From your tone, I thought you were a councilor’s son or something." He’s mocking you for being an orphan! Aren’t you going to teach him a lesson? Oh, right, I forgot. As you are now, he could beat... well, more than ten of you, actually. Better add some points first. The Observer’s way of reminding Lu Luo to add points was as quirky as ever, but Lu Luo decided to postpone that and finish his conversation with Ludie first. Lu Luo walked to the edge of the rooftop, spread his arms, and leaned on the cold railing with a sigh. "250,000... How could a normal person possibly scrape together that much money?" "250,000 is indeed a lot for an ordinary person." "Then what about for you Hunters?" Ludie thought for a moment before answering. "Actually, 250,000 is quite a bit for Hunters too... As for that money, I’m afraid you’ll have to figure out a way to get it yourself." "So, after all that, you’ve basically said nothing. It makes no difference at all." "There is a difference. These major Wasteland corporations aren’t just about capital; they’re a fusion of strength, power, and money—terrifying behemoths. They’ve given you a two-year grace period. While 250,000 is a lot, it’s at least your most direct path to breaking free from Blue Sky Biotech." Lu Luo leaned on the rooftop railing, gazing at the sparsely lit East Ring district with an indescribable expression. "That’s true." "Stop moping. I’m leaving. I was half a step from Gold rank in the Fight the Landlord league, and it’s all your fault I failed my promotion." Lu Luo was momentarily stunned, but he quickly retorted, "Silver is silver. ’Half a step from Gold,’ my foot. You’re really something. If you can’t make Gold, look at your own shortcomings. Stop blaming this and that all the time." "Tch. If the dealer hadn’t been targeting me, how would I have gotten stuck half a step from Gold? Later." "Wait, do you have any Cultivation Techniques for becoming a Transcendent?" By the time Lu Luo asked, Ludie had already leaped off the rooftop. With such a flashy way of going downstairs, Lu Luo wondered if he’d fall to his death. Initially, Lu Luo thought Ludie hadn’t heard him or had heard but didn’t want to give him anything. But after a moment, a small booklet was actually tossed up from below. At the same time, Ludie’s echoing voice drifted up. "Consider this a loan. You’d better pay it back with interest next time. Remember, you’re now a member of Hunter Team 13. If anyone bullies you, just say I, Ludie, have got your back." Lu Luo picked up the small booklet Ludie had tossed onto the ground. *Six Paths* ’Six Paths’... How come there’s no ’Reincarnation’? Without those two words, it feels like its impressiveness is halved. Only when Lu Luo opened the booklet did he realize these Six Paths had nothing to do with the Six Paths of Reincarnation. It was a standard training manual for Hunters. The so-called Six Paths, also known as the Six Unities, were divided into the Qi Path, Weapon Path, Strength Path, Shooting Path, Device Path, and Energy Shaping Path—six very common class divisions. As Lu Luo opened the booklet, the Observer also provided a new prompt. Sequence S-11-Observer begins recording data on life-tier advancement paths. This recording will take longer than usual. Please wait patiently.