Chapter 138: Emitting Divine Light (3 updates, seeking full subscription at 13,000)

Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Emitting Divine Light (3 updates, seeking full subscription at 13,000)

At the edge of the lecture hall, almost everyone from Circle Studio had arrived.

Bai Yuetong had simply been bored. Upon hearing about Qiao Xing’s lecture at East Ring University, she had insisted Zhou Kai take her to see it.

Zhou Kai, figuring he’d just received a 100,000-unit paycheck, decided to give the company staff a break and brought them all along.

However, because they were late, they missed Qiao Xing’s lecture. Fortunately, they arrived just in time for Lu Luo’s appearance on stage, allowing them to witness their boss’s charisma firsthand.

"With so many people here, can Lu Luo really do it? Can he even give a speech? Won’t his legs turn to jelly?" Bai Yuetong voiced her skepticism about Lu Luo taking the stage. Giving a speech wasn’t the same as fighting—clear thoughts and a nimble tongue were key.

Zhou Kai glanced at Bai Yuetong. What an unsophisticated Inner Ring dweller.

She has no idea that Circle Studio’s entire development history was built on Lu Luo’s motivational talks, one after another.

"If you knew Brother Luo, you wouldn’t say that. As the strongest man of our Circular, he’s the one who makes *other people’s* legs go weak. Besides, the crowd below is just a bunch of nobodies; one dose of his ’chicken soup’ and they’ll be dazed. Just watch Brother Luo dominate."

"Chicken soup? Isn’t that something you drink?" Bai Yuetong, unfamiliar with Circle Studio’s slang, was puzzled.

"Just watch! Watch Brother Luo go god-mode!"

Zhou Kai had absolute confidence in Lu Luo, more than he had in himself.

Many people held high expectations for Lu Luo: Qi Xinzhu, Han Shiyu, Lu Yu, and even Qiao Xing himself, who had invited Lu Luo to the stage.

When Lu Luo first stepped onto the podium, he seemed a little dazed, but once he stood firm, his entire demeanor shifted.

With so many people watching, Lu Luo would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous. However, he had an effective way to dispel his anxiety.

The method was simple: he imagined the thousands of people below him as his underlings from his past life.

The upcoming speech would be like ladling out chicken soup for his underlings—guaranteed to be effective.

"Hello everyone. My name is Lu Luo, and I’m a first-year student in the biology department. The seniors and upperclassmen who spoke before me, including Archbishop Qiao Xing, have already discussed many issues facing young people. Um, what they said was generally similar, covering goals, ideals, and so on. I think they all made excellent points. As a young person myself, however, I have some of my own thoughts regarding youth, especially the youth of the Fourth Ring."

As Lu Luo spoke, Zhou Kai was interpreting his words differently for the Circle Studio members.

"What Brother Luo is saying is: ’Everyone who spoke before, including Archbishop Qiao Xing, said a whole lot of nothing. Now, listen to what I *really* have to say.’"

Bai Yuetong looked astonished. "Is that *really* what Lu Luo means?"

"Based on my understanding of Brother Luo, I’m 99% sure. The other 1% is just me being modest so I don’t get a big head."

Seeing Zhou Kai’s unwavering certainty, Bai Yuetong continued to listen, half-believing and half-doubting.

Lu Luo continued, "First, regarding the fixed goals they mentioned—like dedicating one’s life to the Alliance, fighting for the Church, or pursuing Li Ming—those are all well and good. But the reality is, deciding to pursue such a goal for a lifetime without regret isn’t a decision most people should make at a young age. At that stage, your brain isn’t fully developed. Your life is still in constant flux. Your understanding is limited, and the world is changing rapidly. It’s highly probable that what you desire today might one day become something you dislike, feel uncomfortable with, no longer want, or find has been rendered obsolete by the changing times."

Lu Luo’s speaking pace suddenly quickened. His expression was calm and confident, and his presence seemed to expand, as if he’d grown from one and a half meters tall to two point eight meters.

His words caused a stir, especially for Qi Xinzhu and Han Shiyu. Is Lu Luo talking about us? they subconsciously wondered.

Bai Yuetong poked Zhou Kai. "What does he mean by that?"

Even Zhou Kai seemed unsure how to interpret this part. "Brother Luo is saying that some Alliance leaders have gone too far with their empty promises. He’s angry, but I’m not sure what exactly he’s angry about."

But at that moment, Lu Luo wasn’t thinking about the two delicate young women, Qi Xinzhu and Han Shiyu, nor about the tens of thousands of young people before him. He was thinking of the old man who had died in the disc, the one who had made only a single mistake in his entire life.

"I knew an elder," Lu Luo said. "His life was likely what many of you aspire to. For a single goal, an ideal he held in his heart, he strove his entire life—a hundred years—meticulously, without faltering. He sacrificed his youth and his personal life, dedicating everything to his objective. But as he neared death, he made one mistake, and all his life’s work was undone. He regretted it, because the very thing he had pursued had betrayed him. He felt he shouldn’t have made such a defining decision so early on. He shouldn’t have determined the course of his entire life when he was young, because youth is not the entirety of life. He missed out on so many wonderful things, and in the end, he died."

Zhou Kai didn’t know about Wu En’s circumstances, but Qi Xinzhu and Han Shiyu had already guessed that Lu Luo must be referring to Priest Wu En. It seemed that even though Wu En and Lu Luo had only met once, the encounter had left a significant impact on Lu Luo.

Lu Luo took a deep breath, uncertain if he should continue. He paused until he saw Qiao Xing, looking perfectly calm, give him a nod. Then, he spoke again.

"Some might say, ’Ignore all that, just stick to your true self and keep going.’ But isn’t that, in itself, a form of negativity? Many people advise young individuals on their journey to be open-minded, magnanimous, and to compromise, suggesting that then they’ll achieve what they desire. But if young people become open-minded, magnanimous, and compromising, losing their original edge, is what they obtain still what they truly wanted?

A young person’s ideals should be their own, not the world’s ideals. A young person’s struggle should be for themselves, not for the world. The world’s ideals are not your personal ideals, but your own ideals belong solely to you.

The time to expand the boundaries of your life’s potential, to broaden your capacity for value judgment, is when you are young. Since the world is diverse and inclusive, and since it tells us ’a youth not spent boldly is a youth wasted,’ then no one should automatically assume that ’boldness’ is a negative term.

We are all young. At this stage of life, what is uniquely precious? Isn’t the one thing you can’t get back youth itself? If you don’t cherish this opportunity, this potential, then you lose both completely.

When we can’t achieve our goals, the world pressures us to compromise—to settle for a comfortable, mature kind of happiness. But that isn’t the happiness of youth. The happiness of youth should be passionate; it’s not something achieved merely by ’being open-minded.’

Young people need to push the world’s boundaries, to widen their own paths. They shouldn’t compromise. When everyone tells you, ’Don’t push yourself too hard; this is just how things are,’ you should tell them: ’Precisely because I am young, I *choose* to push myself!’"

In the eyes of many, Lu Luo was radiating a brilliant light—the light of youth, confidence, and assertiveness.

Even Zhou Kai couldn’t help but sigh internally. When Brother Luo really gets going, my own chicken soup skills are seriously lacking!

"These words don’t need my explanation, right?" Zhou Kai asked.

"Mm, what he said was truly excellent," Bai Yuetong replied. She genuinely felt Lu Luo had spoken exceptionally well. Their thoughts were perfectly aligned; she too believed young people shouldn’t be bound by convention. That was why she had run away from home and come to the Fourth Ring, to pursue her own ideals.

The others from Circular also thought Lu Luo spoke well, though they weren’t as deeply moved. After all, following Brother Luo guarantees a bright future.

Qi Xinzhu and Han Shiyu, however, felt very confused. They were just as Lu Luo had described: both had a fixed goal, to pursue Li Ming in their hearts. But now Lu Luo was telling them they shouldn’t? What did this mean? Was Li Ming telling them they shouldn’t pursue Li Ming when they were young? This felt like a cruel joke, and their expressions showed their helplessness.

Han Shiyu was slightly better off, as her relationship with Lu Luo had progressed significantly. Qi Xinzhu, however, was in a worse state; she was genuinely bewildered.

Only Qiao Xing, his gaze fixed on Lu Luo, finally showed clear approval.

To elicit such an expression from that old tsundere, Lu Luo must be one of a kind in the Fourth Ring.

At this point, Lu Luo’s speech was concluding.

"I admit, lounging on a sofa is comfortable. Lying in bed is comfortable. Having a wife, kids, and a warm home is comfortable. But these aren’t the only comforts you can enjoy. Food from a three-star hotel is genuinely delicious. Bank VIPs don’t have to wait in line. The most expensive tickets for a Gu Wanyun concert get you the best seats—you might even see her thighs. The world has never been equal. Even on the orbital trains, if you pay double, you can get into a carriage with a TV and air conditioning. All these things can make you very comfortable, and they are things young people can strive for. This is the best of times; it is the worst of times. As people of the Fourth Ring, you start with nothing. But as people of the Fourth Ring, you also possess every opportunity. That’s all I have to say. Thank you."

A hush fell over the venue, followed by thunderous applause and cheers. The enthusiasm of the Fourth Ring residents wasn’t as restrained as that of those from the Inner Ring. When they encountered something they truly approved of, they would shout loudly:

"BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!"

Hidden in the crowd, Lu Yu was astounded. To think that Lu Luo, who I once highly suspected had autism, could deliver such a performance today! When he was up there, radiating confidence, he was practically glowing with a divine light.

Even the girl beside her couldn’t resist poking her. "Lu Yu, Lu Yu! That guy is so handsome! And he has the same surname as you! A classmate from the biology department. You should try to connect with him when you have time."

"He’s... my second older brother. I think I’ve mentioned it before, haven’t I?"

"Huh? Your second older brother? Lu Yu, are you daydreaming again?"

Fine.

Qiao Xing walked towards the podium. With his back to the audience, he shot Lu Luo a look that clearly said, You got lucky this time, kid. Then, he took the microphone.

"Student Lu Luo spoke wonderfully. Even I couldn’t help but be inspired. Young people should indeed have their own ideas. Just as he said, a young person’s ideals don’t necessarily have to be as grand as fighting for the Alliance. A young person’s life can be more nuanced..."

After Qiao Xing delivered some concluding remarks, the lecture series finally came to a successful end.

The university administration was very pleased. Although Qiao Xing had altered the program somewhat, Lu Luo’s concluding speech had been absolutely stunning.

Meanwhile, in the university’s academic affairs office, some merchants and dignitaries were already asking for Lu Luo’s contact information. Their reasoning was simple: since Lu Luo was so talented, why not marry one of their daughters to him and make him part of the family? Some of these merchants and politicians had numerous daughters, even more than a dozen, and many wealthy and influential people used this method to recruit talent.

However, Fang Gan knew Lu Luo’s background wasn’t simple, so he tactfully declined all such offers.

Undeniably, the lecture had been a successful promotional event. The vitality it generated would help East Ring University attract more talent, which was precisely what the administration desired. The students of East Ring University had also been fed several bowls of "toxic chicken soup." How many of them would awaken to new ideas, well, that was up to them.

In the lounge, Qiao Xing had already asked all members of the Four Horsemen to leave, so only Lu Luo and Qi Xinzhu remained. Qi Xinzhu was attempting to heal Qiao Xing, but judging by the current situation, the effect wasn’t ideal.

Meanwhile, Lu Luo was discussing the Nightmare Demon with Qiao Xing.

"Lord Qiao Xing, that Eighth Order Exotic Species... it’s called the Nightmare Demon. A new Monarch, a new calamity."

"Did Priest Wu En tell you that?" Qiao Xing, of course, knew about Wu En’s situation. It hadn’t been a minor incident. Besides, when he had gone to the Wall, he had sensed the aura of Exotic Species near East Ring University.

"Yes. Priest Wu En said the Nightmare Demon wanted to get information about humans from him. They must have made some sort of deal; Wu En wanted to accomplish his own objective, and the Nightmare Demon helped by diverting your attention."

Qiao Xing nodded and waved a hand at Qi Xinzhu. "Stop the healing. Physical healing is useless for this. That creature didn’t even attack; we just made eye contact. Previous Nightmare Demons were supposed to be Specter Species. This one, however, is an Eighth Order Animal-type Exotic Species, like a black horse. Very strange. Their abilities are quite similar, though. My injury stems from its psychic assault."

"Lord Qiao Xing, people are now discussing if a new Black Tide is coming. What are your thoughts?"

This was also Lu Luo’s primary concern. With the Nightmare Demon appearing in District C-13, the area would soon be reclassified as a Grade S danger zone. He had originally planned to go to C-13 to collect blood-sacs and earn money, simultaneously hunting Exotic Species to increase his strength. But if an Eighth Order Exotic Species was truly present, he had to consider his safety; C-13, at least, was now off-limits.

"Even if a new Black Tide is coming, it won’t appear so quickly. This Exotic Species is clearly intelligent. It won’t just rampage blindly like the Eighth Order giant from a hundred years ago. The fact that it’s gathering intelligence from within the Wall indicates that even if it plans to initiate a Black Tide, it will spend a considerable time preparing. And for Exotic Species, ’a considerable time’ usually means years, or even several years."

"So, can I still go to District C-13?"

Qiao Xing glanced at Lu Luo as if looking at a dead man. "You were quite impressive giving that speech on stage. But now, with that pathetic, pleading look, you just seem pitiful. What’s wrong, is living too boring for you?"

"Er..." Lu Luo felt helpless. Who would want to go to a Grade S district unless they were truly desperate?

"Alright, I’m heading home. If I don’t go back soon, Xiao Mi and Li Lan will start wailing again. Also, Lu Luo, you’ve slacked off for two days already. Swordsmanship practice requires consistent dedication."

Qiao Xing stood up and left, leaving Lu Luo looking completely bewildered.

Seriously? After I’ve been busy for a whole day and night, he hits me with accusations of slacking off from practice? Unbelievable!

But speaking of ’wife, kids, and a warm home’... is Qiao Xing actually that kind of person himself?