The villains are redeemed, and the heroines cry and beg for forgiveness.

Is this the equipment that dropped from this monster kill?

Gu Ran picked up the golden square and examined it carefully for a while.

The golden plaque, made of unknown material, was clearly very sturdy, remaining intact even after his full-force attack.

The golden sign bears four ancient and vigorous characters.

—"The ruling center".

"This plaque is a symbol of the elders of the ruling center of Canglong City. It was cast when the ruling center of Canglong City was first established. There are a total of seven plaques, representing the seven people with the highest authority in Canglong City."

Cheng Caimeng walked over, looked at the gold plaque in Gu Ran's hand, and said with great emotion.

“Unlike other main cities, more than three hundred years ago, Canglong City had an extremely cruel tyrant who caused heavy losses to the city. So, in order to avoid such a situation from happening again, the overly centralized position of the ruler was abolished and replaced by the Central Assembly of the Rulers and a standing council of seven members of the Central Assembly of the Rulers.”

"The Central Governing Assembly selects elites from all levels of Canglong City to participate and can decide all strategic decisions in Canglong City. However, the assembly is held only once every two years. The seven-member Standing Council was initially a permanent body elected by each representative to maintain the decision-making process after the Central Governing Assembly. Later, the power of the Standing Council gradually expanded and it gradually became the de facto highest power representative of Canglong City."

"Everyone who can become a member of the Standing Council must possess both strength and contributions. Only those with great strength and irreplaceable contributions to Canglong City will be selected as members of the Standing Council. The seven members of the Standing Council are therefore respectfully called Elders."

Gu Ran looked at Cheng Caimeng with some surprise: "You seem quite familiar with this information."

Cheng Caimeng smiled, smoothed her slightly disheveled hair, and said, "It's impossible not to be familiar with them. After all, Ni Yuan Martial Arts Academy is one of the eight major martial arts academies in Canglong City. The eight major martial arts academies can represent all the other martial arts academies in Canglong City at the Central Governing Council Conference. I have participated three times already, so this is why Ni Yuan Martial Arts Academy is coveted and resented by the other martial arts academies."

Gu Ran seemed to realize something.

Ultimately, it's because the Reverse Yuan Martial Arts Academy is too weak, while the interests involved are too numerous. It's like a child carrying gold on the street; even the neighbors would be tempted, let alone bounty hunters like hungry wolves.

Looking at Gu Ran, who was deep in thought, Cheng Caimeng's eyes revealed a triumphant smile.

Was she explaining in such detail to clarify the origin of this gold medal?

That's impossible, of course. She was trying to help Gu Ran understand the Ni Yuan Martial Arts Academy better.

Just then, Gu Ran sensed several people flying towards them.

Abyss Demon?

"You killed Li Zhongming?"

A familiar voice suddenly came from over.

General Lilith?

She's finally reappeared?

Gu Ran immediately looked in the direction of the sound.

That succubus with the black tail constantly swishing in the distance—isn't that Lilith?

At this moment, she was looking at Gu Ran with some surprise. After a while, she said, "Interesting. I didn't know your true strength was so great."

Even from a distance, Gu Ran could sense that the other party was eager to fight him.

Her tail was already wagging excitedly, a fact that couldn't escape Gu Ran's notice, who was paying close attention to it.

Feeling Gu Ran's gaze, Lilith frowned: "Your gaze is a bit annoying to me. Do you want to fight me?"

He really is a battle maniac.

Such succubi must be quite rare...

Gu Ran couldn't help but think to himself.

However, Gu Ran immediately thought of another aspect. The outer perimeter of the inner city was being attacked by the demon legion, while their leader, the succubus general Lilith, had led several subordinates into the inner city.

What's happening here?

Are they planning to infiltrate and carry out some sabotage?

“You’re on the side of the president of Lanxin University, right? You killed Li Zhongming, the head of the ruling center. Interesting. It seems that Lanxin University and the ruling center of Canglong City have completely broken ties.” Lilith smiled faintly. “Originally, I had some doubts about this attack on Canglong City, thinking that it was a trap for me. But it seems that Xue Yingsong has indeed fallen out with those people in the ruling center of Canglong City.”

"Hahaha, interesting, really interesting. Human infighting. I'm curious about the reaction of the remaining old guys in the ruling center when they find out that Xue Yingsong's men killed Li Zhongming."

Lilith gave Gu Ran one last look: "You are very strong, and I am very interested in you, but I will not fight you for the time being."

After saying that, Lilith and her subordinates flew away.

Gu Ran did not stop them, but watched them fly away thoughtfully.

"Aren't they demons? Why don't you kill them? Are you taking pity on them and have your eye on that succubus?" Cheng Caimeng's voice came from beside her.

It still sounds great, but the tone of voice sounds a little unnatural.

“That succubus is quite powerful, much stronger than Li Zhongming. When I fight her, I don’t know how many districts will be destroyed and how many innocent people will be injured,” Gu Ran explained. “Moreover, I think she has other plans, and it’s not simply to attack Canglong City.”

It's rather strange that a perfectly good succubus general isn't commanding the army at the front lines but has slipped into the inner city.

164. The sinister plan of the ruling center! Martial arts prohibitions! 4k

"She must have a backup plan. Even if she's no match for me, leaving shouldn't be a problem."

Gu Ran explained and then headed back towards Lanxin University.

Actually, there's another very important point that Gu Ran didn't mention: he had no reason to fight Lilith to the death.

Lilith is an enemy of Azure Dragon City, but not Gu Ran's enemy.

The affairs of Canglong City are not his business, nor are the interests of Canglong City his interests. He is just an outsider, and although he is integrating into Canglong City, he has not yet fully integrated.

To be honest, he felt less attached to Canglong City than to Saint Yor City. After all, he had lived in Saint Yor City for so many years and still had a sense of belonging to the ordinary people there.

As for Canglong City, the only sense of belonging he had came from Lanxin University. He liked the atmosphere of Lanxin University, and Xue Yingsong treated him quite well.

Therefore, he had just started pursuing Li Zhongming because Li Zhongming was an enemy of Lanxin University, and also partly because of Xue Yingsong.

Cheng Caimeng glanced at Gu Ran, but didn't ask any further questions. Instead, she followed him back to Lanxin University.

Back at Lanxin University, Gu Ran saw Xue Xiling, who had regained consciousness.

Xue Xiling looked somewhat gloomy, but a hint of joy appeared in her eyes the moment she saw Gu Ran.

However, upon seeing Cheng Caimeng beside Gu Ran, her joyful expression froze.

"Leng Ran...she...who is she?"

Xue Xiling's smile was slightly forced, but she still tried her best to show it.

“She is… a friend I met not long ago,” Gu Ran said after a slight pause.

“My friend.” Xue Xiling’s expression suddenly relaxed.

"Hello, although I haven't known him for long, we are already very good friends." Cheng Caimeng looked at Xue Xiling, her gaze shifting, and she emphasized the word "good friends".

“Very close… friends…” Xue Xiling’s face stiffened, and then she immediately looked at Gu Ran.

Gu Ran was speechless.

"Alright, stop teasing her." Gu Ran waved his hand. "She's no match for you, the dignified head of the Ni Yuan Martial Arts Academy. We have important business to attend to."

Gu Ran briefly explained Cheng Caimeng's identity while steer the conversation in another direction.

"The demon legion is attacking the outer city, but their leader, Demon General Lilith, is in the inner city of Azure Dragon City. I wonder if the principal is aware of this?" Gu Ran turned to Xue Yingsong.

"Oh? The Demon General has already infiltrated the inner city? What should we do?" Xue Yingsong frowned, looking worried.

Looking at Xue Yingsong's expression, Gu Ran suddenly asked, "The principal previously said that the ruling center colluded with the Abyss Demons. Is Lilith's infiltration of the inner city related to this? Did she reach some kind of agreement with certain people in the ruling center, and what are they plotting to seize in Azure Dragon City?"

“Yes! What you said makes a lot of sense!” Xue Yingsong immediately agreed. “The ruling center can no longer fulfill its governing functions because there are bad people inside. We must inform the people of Canglong City of this news and then rebuild a ruling center without any traitors.”

Gu Ran asked, "So, for this new governing body... does the principal have someone in mind?"

"The new ruling center... there is no candidate yet. I have been out of the decision-making process in Canglong City for some time now, and I am not clear about who the suitable candidates are. I can only convene a ruling center meeting as soon as possible to elect a new standing council of the ruling center," Xue Yingsong sighed.

"But how are you going to explain this internal strife to the people of Canglong City before that?" Gu Ran glanced around and said, "The power of the ruling center has probably not been fully utilized. As far as I know, the seven elders of the Canglong City ruling center are all very powerful experts, and they have recruited countless other experts under their command."

"Moreover, they may have colluded with the demons of the abyss. Although only the demon general Lilith has appeared so far, it's hard to guarantee that they haven't reached some kind of agreement with the abyss. At that time, all the demon generals of the abyss might have to be mobilized. It would be difficult for Lanxin University alone to prevent such an outcome, right?"

Gu Ran's threat was not without reason, and some of the consequences were obvious.

If the ruling center colluded with Lilith, then it makes sense in some ways, such as why the Azure Dragon City legion didn't stop the Abyss Demons, but only symbolically fired two shots with the city's defensive cannons.

It doesn't hurt or itch at all; it's even been eaten by people to replenish their energy.

"By the way, do you know that S-rank bounty hunter Andis, Principal? He said he was hired by the ruling center to intercept the demon legion, but if the abyss demons and the ruling center are in cahoots, why would the ruling center send him to stop the demon legion?" Gu Ran continued.

Xue Yingsong nodded: "He is a very high-profile bounty hunter. I have heard of him before, but I did not expect that the ruling center would hire him to stop the demon legion. Normally speaking, although Andis is powerful, he is still far inferior to the entire demon legion."

"But the ruling center only assigned him to intercept the demon legion, without assigning anyone else... It's very likely that they had already agreed to put on a show, and perhaps their real target is... me."

Xue Xiling looked over in surprise: "Dad!?"

Xue Yingsong sighed and said, "Although the ruling center has long wanted to take over Lanxin University, they have not succeeded because of me. In the past year and a half, I have devoted almost all my time and energy to research. Maybe they think I am too old and don't want to worry about Lanxin University anymore."

"They thought this was their chance, so they recklessly filled Lanxin University with the garbage that made me do evil. When I started cleaning up the garbage they had filled in, I felt like I was declaring war on them. And just then, the demon legion attacked the city, so they might take a risk and cooperate with the abyss demons to get rid of this troublesome old guy like me."

"Then we'll pin the blame for my death on those demons, and then they'll drive the demons away. Everything will be perfect."

It must be said that this plan sounds very plausible—if the other side has the corresponding military force.

Gu Ran also knew that Xue Yingsong, as the president of Lanxin University, was also an outstanding researcher with a very high reputation.

In Canglong City, some people may not know the name of the Chief of the Central Government, but they must have heard of the name of the President of Lanxin University.

Furthermore, Xue Yingsong not only has a very high influence among the general public, but also has a great influence on the various governing bodies of Canglong City, and even the army.

Because most of the leading officials were graduates of Lanxin University and were his students.