Chapter Fifty-Four: Conversation

"Are you Luo Yuan?" The voice, though somewhat gentle, still rang out with strength and authority as the black-haired man bowed his head to scrutinize the handsome young man before him.

"Uh, as far as I know, I'm the only Luo Yuan here," Luo Yuan replied, neither arrogant nor servile.

The black-haired man grinned, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.

He continued to study Luo Yuan, unable to suppress his admiration. "A planetary-level mental force practitioner and a genetic warrior—you're truly impressive. Everyone has underestimated you!"

Luo Yuan frowned.

The three Inspectors were shocked.

Most of the trainees in the camp looked confused, while a select few with influential backgrounds were utterly stunned.

A planetary-level mental force practitioner and genetic warrior? Was he talking about Luo Yuan? What exactly was planetary-level? Most trainees knew there were existences beyond the God of War rank, but were unfamiliar with the term "planetary-level." Only a handful, those with powerful backgrounds, had heard from their elders that planetary-level was indeed a realm above God of War. The realization sent their minds reeling.

Luo Yuan himself was somewhat astonished. That the world's greatest warrior, Hong, could see through his strength at a glance—though perhaps only roughly—was proof enough of Hong's own formidable power.

"I've had my eye on you for some time, but I never imagined you were this outstanding. We've clearly rated you too low," Hong, the black-haired man, nodded approvingly at Luo Yuan, making it clear he was more than satisfied.

"Luo Yuan, let's go upstairs and talk. Luo Feng, you come as well!" Hong suddenly turned to Luo Feng, prompting exclamations from the other trainees.

Luo Feng scratched his head in confusion but quickly and respectfully followed.

Hong, the black-haired man, glanced coldly at the remaining trainees. "You are the most elite geniuses among the world's youth. Your goal is not merely to become a God of War, but to transcend that realm entirely. I look forward to seeing more of you reach such heights!" The words of the Grand Master seemed to possess a boundless magic, seeping directly into their souls.

All the trainees, guided by this invisible force, felt their blood surge with passion.

With that, Hong turned and led Luo Yuan and Luo Feng away.

...

Within the tranquil tea room,

Hong sat in a chair, raising his cup in a toast to Luo Yuan, who accepted and drank with poised ease. Luo Feng, a bit nervous, clumsily clinked cups with Hong as well.

"Luo Feng, your mental force must be at the peak of God of War. Among the gods of war, few surpass you. Why do you still hide your strength? Do you have an enemy—someone beyond the God of War level?" Hong, the Grand Master, gazed at Luo Feng. "Rest assured, if your enemy is above God of War, I guarantee he won't lay so much as a finger on you."

Hong chose to question Luo Feng first, not Luo Yuan.

"Uh, I have no enemies. I just don't wish to disrupt my peaceful life or trouble my family," Luo Feng hastily explained.

"That's all? Then reveal your identity as a mental force practitioner boldly. Your family will be safe," said Hong with authority.

Hearing this, Luo Feng felt a great weight lifted from his heart. Was there anyone in the world whose word carried more weight than the Grand Master's? Presidents and prime ministers might change their stances overnight, but Hong's word was law—utterly unchallengeable.

"Yes, Grand Master," Luo Feng said solemnly, bowing deeply. Hong merely smiled; to him, it was a trivial matter.

"Now then, Luo Yuan, let's talk about you. When did you break through to the planetary level—and as both a mental force practitioner and a genetic warrior?" Hong turned to Luo Yuan with keen interest.

"Um, about three months ago," Luo Yuan replied after a moment's thought.

"What? You're saying you broke through to planetary level just days after becoming an invincible God of War?" This time, Hong was genuinely stunned.

"Let's keep it low-key; it's just standard practice," Luo Yuan replied with a casual wave of his hand.

"Excuse me, could I ask what exactly the planetary level is?" Luo Feng suddenly interjected.

"Well, planetary level is the rank above God of War. On Earth, that's the level of a parliamentarian. The five Inspectors of our Extreme Martial Arts Hall are all at this level," Luo Yuan explained offhandedly.

"What?!" Luo Feng exclaimed in disbelief. Seeing Luo Yuan's casual demeanor, he could hardly believe it—he himself had only just broken through to God of War, while Luo Yuan had already surpassed even that. The gap between them felt ever wider, and Luo Feng found himself bowing his head in dejection, realizing that his hopes of catching up to Luo Yuan were fading.

"Don't let it get to you. You too will reach this level one day, and perhaps even surpass it," Luo Yuan said, giving Luo Feng a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"I will," Luo Feng replied, looking Luo Yuan in the eye with renewed resolve.

Across from them, Hong sipped his tea with quiet composure, a faint smile playing at his lips as he observed their exchange.

"By the way, Luo Yuan, since you've already broken through to the planetary level, are you willing to become the sixth Inspector of my Extreme Martial Arts Hall? You'd also become a member of Parliament," Hong inquired.

Luo Yuan considered for a moment, then nodded. "I can, but I need to use my parliamentary status to handle one matter."

"You mean the assassination attempt by Li Yao and his group?" Hong asked with a knowing smile.

"How did you know?" Luo Yuan was surprised.

"Haha, the news of Li Yao and Kartlan's deaths has spread worldwide; I've heard all about it. At first I wasn't certain, but after meeting you, I understood the whole story. That infamous killer with a ten-billion bounty was you, wasn't it?" Hong teased. In his eyes, Luo Yuan's future strength would surely surpass his own; he already regarded Luo Yuan as his peer.

"Heh, that's right—it was all me. Had they not provoked me, I wouldn't have struck so ruthlessly. But men like them, accustomed to lording it over the weak, committing all manner of evil, eventually had to face their reckoning. The higher you climb, the colder it gets. Lose your reverence for all things, and sooner or later, you'll taste the bitterness of defeat," Luo Yuan replied calmly.

"Indeed. I hope you'll remember your own words, and never become the very kind of person you despise. File charges against the Li Yao couple through the 'Palace of War Gods' for assassinating a parliamentarian. The Bolenas family has done much evil through the years; their time is up. I'll take care of it," Hong said.

"Thank you," Luo Yuan replied, raising his cup once more in a toast to Hong. In this simple exchange, the fate of one of the world's most powerful families was decided.

...

In the mountaintop villa of Huayaofeng, located in the picturesque district of Jiangnan Base City,

The golden-haired beauty, Vinina, wept bitterly before the large screen displaying the portraits of her son Li Wei and her husband Li Yao. Her eyes were red and swollen. In her left hand, she clutched a sketch of Luo Yuan; in her right, a sharp dagger, which she stabbed again and again into the image.

"Luo Yuan! Luo Yuan! Luo Yuan! Even if I must give everything I have, I'll kill you! It's a pity you have no family—otherwise, I'd make you suffer a fate worse than death!" Vinina screamed, her anguish and fury reaching a fever pitch.

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