Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Chapter 128 What can I gain, and what can I give up?

Robert bit his lip hard until he tasted a hint of blood, but he remained kneeling, motionless.

Much later.

Lund sighed softly and nodded.

"Your obsession runs deep. This almost pathological obsession might become your motivation to become stronger, or it might destroy you completely."

Lund walked back to his desk and sat down. "Perfect timing. After I finish dealing with things outside, I'll be staying at the club for at least three months. I do have plans to take on some disciples."

Robert's heart felt like it was going to jump out of his throat; overwhelming joy instantly drowned out all his reason.

"However," Lund's voice rang out again, like a bucket of cold water poured over Robert's head, "you still need to be prepared. I won't easily accept apprentices, and I certainly won't make an exception for you because of your background or obsession."

I still hope you understand that in this world, the only person you can truly rely on is yourself.

Robert nodded vigorously in agreement, but his heart felt like it had fallen into an ice cellar.

He keenly sensed the reservation in Lund's words. Was this Lord Lund's way of declining? Would he actually accept me as his disciple?

Or is he testing me?

Countless thoughts swirled wildly in Robert's mind, filling him with an unprecedented sense of anxiety and fear.

If he misses this opportunity, he will likely have little chance to have contact with high-ranking knights again.

However, Lund did not continue speaking. He reopened the booklet in front of him and his gaze fell on the pages.

"You may leave now. Prepare well for the fight."

This dismissal was stated lightly, yet carried an irresistible authority.

Robert struggled to his feet, feeling as if his legs were made of lead.

He bowed deeply once more and left the office, looking utterly dejected.

When he stepped out the door and saw Siron still leaning against the wall with a calm expression, a venomous glint suddenly flashed in Robert's eyes.

It's all because of this ordinary person!

If it weren't for this guy named Siren suddenly rising to prominence and displaying amazing talent, why would Lord Lund hesitate? Why would he use such ambiguous words to fob him off?

Robert gritted his teeth, not uttering a word, and with a heart full of jealousy and murderous intent, quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.

The corridor fell silent once more.

Looking at Robert's slightly staggering yet menacing back, Xilun had already roughly deduced what had happened inside the door.

The pride of the nobility is shattered by reality, and the despair of unfulfilled desires is giving birth to a beast that has lost its mind.

Xilun knew that a life-or-death clash was inevitable between him and Robert.

But he didn't care. As long as the other party dared to block his way, he wouldn't hesitate to tear them to shreds with his Dark Gold Bone Claw.

About five minutes after Robert left, that gentle voice finally came from inside the office.

"Silen, come in."

Xilun straightened up, picked up his black umbrella, and pushed open the door to enter.

This was his first time entering this office, which belonged exclusively to high-ranking knights. It was spacious, tidy, and subtly luxurious without being vulgar.

Several oil paintings depicting deep-sea monsters and wild creatures hung on the walls, while some alchemical ornaments emanating faint, mysterious energy were placed in the corner.

Lund remained seated behind his desk, watching Xiren walk in, and pointed to the leather sofa next to the desk.

"Please sit down."

Xilun did not refuse and walked to the sofa to sit down.

He placed the black umbrella horizontally on his knees, his back straight, and his hands resting naturally on the umbrella.

Unlike Robert, he did not display extreme humility and fervor, but rather a guarded calm.

"Are you a new student?"

Lund closed the booklet in front of him, his gaze sweeping over Siren from head to toe. "I hadn't seen you when I left last time. Renn praised you highly in his letter, saying you were a miracle."

"Mentor Ryan is too kind."

Xilun lowered his head slightly, his tone respectful but not humble.

Lund laughed, a genuine smile revealing his delight.

"I have always liked young disciples."

Lund leaned back in his chair, relaxing his body. "It makes me feel the vitality of life, and it makes me feel that there is still a glimmer of hope in this decaying world."

He glanced at Xilun's calloused, knuckle-heavy hands and casually remarked, "As a member of the slums, you not only saved up money to learn breathing techniques, but you also persevered in your practice in such harsh conditions."

With a bit of personal talent, he ultimately achieved what he has today, crossing the threshold of baptism. This is a truly commendable achievement.

At this point, Lund's eyes became somewhat unfocused, as if he were lost in some distant reminiscence.

"The slums—" he muttered to himself, his voice carrying a complex emotion he couldn't quite describe, "It's a terrible place, isn't it?"

Xilun didn't respond, but just listened quietly.

"I grew up in a slum."

Lund stared into the void, as if seeing a scene from decades ago: "There was a huge garbage dump in front of my house, emitting a nauseating stench. My brother's happiest moment every day was playing on that garbage dump."

He used a broken stick to rummage through it for any possible treasures.

Half a moldy loaf of bread, a rusty gear—these could make him happy all day.

Lund shook his head, a bitter smile playing on his lips.

"Later, he was beaten to death by several thugs in that garbage dump while trying to steal half a rotten apple."

The atmosphere in the office seemed to drop abruptly after those words.

Xilun felt a slight stagnation in the circulation of Qi and blood within his body, a microscopic environmental change caused by the emotional fluctuations of a third-tier powerhouse.

"So, I know all too well what it takes to climb out of that quagmire."

Lund composed himself, his gaze sharpening once more as he pierced Xiren's eyes. "Your character and talent can withstand scrutiny. To be baptized in six months, the hardships you've endured and the blood you've shed are no less than anyone else's."

At this point, Lund pushed the book containing information about Xiren aside, leaned forward, placed his hands on the table, and slowly looked at Xiren.

Xilun also raised his head and looked at the young knight in front of him.

His eyes were bright and clear, like two deep stars, as if they could see through all pretense.

The two stared at each other in silence. Xilun did not back down. He restrained the essence of the "Great Sea Whale Guiding Technique" to the extreme, like a stubborn rock on the seabed, revealing no flaw no matter how sharp the opponent's gaze was.

After a long while, Lund spoke seriously.

"But I feel that your pursuit doesn't seem to be purely about power," Lund's voice was deep and resolute. "You have an obsession."

Xiren's heart skipped a beat.

His fingers tightened slightly around the umbrella handle, but outwardly he maintained his stern expression.

After hesitating for a moment, Xilun nodded.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Lund stood up, walked around the desk, and stood in front of Siren.

"You have a desire for power, that's undeniable."

As Lund paced back and forth, he said, "This pursuit can improve your life, free you from the stench of the slums, and even support you to become a second-tier Ripper, or even a third-tier Aberrant. But to go further and enter the realm of natural disasters, you need even greater motivation."

At this point, Lund paused and gave an example: "It's like the business in this foggy city. Anyone can do it. Those who are greedy use it to make money, and those who are ambitious use it to achieve their goals."

But those who can truly climb to the top and set the rules must be people with crazy obsessions, ambitions, and desires.

Lund turned his head and looked towards the door.

"Robert's desire is to defeat his brother Ross, become the heir to the Baron family, and become the patriarch. His desire is written all over his face, crude and direct."

Lund looked at Xilun again, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable.

"But you, your obsession is hidden very deep within you. You are afraid, yet you are unwilling to give up. You feel that you have hope of achieving some kind of comeback, or rather—revenge."

Xilun's pupils contracted sharply in that instant.

The shadow of the Storm Duke, that aloof man who treated his mother as a tool and himself as a disgrace, flashed through his mind like a nightmare. He thought he had hidden it well, but faced with the insight of a third-tier expert, that deep-seated ferocity was still nowhere to be hidden.

Lund laughed at Xiren's reaction.

"Don't be nervous, I don't care who your enemy is."

Lund patted Xiren on the shoulder, the heavy force causing Xiren's shoulder blade to thud. "This obsession can sustain you for a long time. But I still hope you analyze yourself: why do you pursue power?"

This is something every knight must consider when climbing to the top.

Lund walked back to the window, his back to Siron.

"What do I want to gain? What can I give up? Only when you can answer these two questions without hesitation are you truly qualified to step into the higher levels."

Xilun stood up and took a deep breath.

He had to admit that this third-tier expert not only had an overwhelming advantage in martial prowess, but also far surpassed him, a rogue cultivator who relied on cheat codes to figure things out.

"I've learned a lot." Xilun nodded slightly, his tone now more sincere.

Xilun thought to himself, "Lord Lund is truly formidable."

Even though it was just these words and actions, without imparting any substantial techniques, he felt he had gained enough.

This not only honed his mindset but also pointed him in the direction to break through future bottlenecks.

Lund turned around, looked at Xilen's resolute face, and finally threw out the bait that had driven countless people crazy.

"As for taking on disciples, to be honest, I do have that idea."

Lund held up one finger.

"Firstly, my club is currently in a delicate phase and really needs a decisive victory in a junior knight-fighting tournament to turn things around. You and Robert both have that hope."

Then, he raised his second finger, a glint of coldness and fanaticism flashing in his eyes.

"Secondly, the four disciples I currently have are performing rather poorly. Their comfortable lives have dulled their edge, and none of them have the potential to surpass me. This is truly unsatisfactory to me."

Lund stared intently at Xilen, his voice filled with a frantic expectation.

"If I spend my entire life failing to train a knight who can surpass me, it would be an utterly disheartening thing. Siren, do you think you can be that person?"

The spacious office was filled with a faint aroma of cigars and a refreshing, minty scent.

Lund stood quietly by the window, looking out at the perpetually gloomy sky of the foggy city, where the rain was like a giant gray net, enveloping the entire city of Saint Laurent.

He turned around, his gaze falling once again on Xilun's calm, almost indifferent face.

"After discussing these points about obsession, I think you should have a general idea in your mind."

Lund smiled slightly, a calm smile in his eyes. "Of course, there's something I need to make clear to you."

I told Robert the same thing before you came in.

Unfortunately, the young nobleman, blinded by family rules and jealousy, wouldn't listen to any of this.

Lund walked to the desk, braced his hands on the edge, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Siron with an extremely imposing gaze.

"I think you, who also came from the slums and struggled to survive in the mire of poverty, should be able to listen to this."

Xilun didn't speak, but simply tightened his grip on the black umbrella resting on his lap and listened intently.

He knew that the fact that a third-order aberration was willing to say these words to him was itself a sign of extremely high regard.

No one in this world will help you for no reason.

Lund's deep, magnetic voice echoed in the quiet room, "Every success you have, every time you crawl out of a pile of dead bodies, every leap in power you have gained, is solely due to yourself."

Anyone you feel you can rely on, those who greet you with smiles and call you brother, are already being kind by not harming you.

Lund's gaze became incredibly sharp, as if he wanted to pierce through Xilun's soul.

"Everyone who comes to help you is not doing so to benefit you, but to benefit themselves. The exchange of interests is the only law that runs this world."

Once you've lost your usefulness, that so-called help will instantly turn into a sharp blade stabbing you in the back.

After saying this, Lund straightened up, picked up a cup of black tea from the table, and took a small sip.

"Go back and think about it carefully tonight. I think you've already understood these things clearly enough, in the garbage heaps of the slums and in the blood of the Greywater River."

Lund put down his teacup, pulled a gold-embossed business card from his drawer, held it between two fingers, and handed it to Xilun. "Tomorrow morning, bring my business card to Red Leaf Manor on the outskirts of the city to find me. I think I can help you correct some misconceptions about your blood circulation. However—"

Lund paused, his tone becoming serious.

"Don't have too high hopes. All I can give you is direction; you yourself are your greatest asset."

Xilun stood up and took the business card, which exuded a faint violet scent, with both hands.

The business card had no extra titles, only a simple name and the address of the estate.

He understood that Lund's message was clear enough.

The extraordinary path is a personal one, a lonely and thorny road.

No one in society, not even this third-tier powerhouse in front of him, would selflessly lift him up.

Everyone who comes to help him is essentially investing in something for their own benefit.

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