Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 1656 - 685: So, He's Just a Simp?

"The steward just said you wanted to discuss something with me. Go ahead, what is it?"

Hearing Zhao Ji's words, Tian Qi looked up at her, eyes filled with admiration and longing, and said, "It's like this, Your Grace, Zhao Ji."

"Back then, you voluntarily gave up all your power and chose to reincarnate and cultivate anew, but I have been waiting for you all this time."

"To survive, I was forced to rely on the Western Divine King."

"However, through these hundreds of years, my loyalty has never changed."

"I've waited so many years, from hope to disappointment, until my heart was dead. Originally, I thought I might never see you again in this life."

"But unexpectedly, today you accidentally revealed your aura, and I immediately noticed your whereabouts."

"I carefully verified, confirmed your identity, and rushed over at once, just to once again stand under Your Grace's banner and serve you."

Hearing Tian Qi's words, Zhao Ji's gaze was calm, as if a vast big sea was hidden within.

She did not answer immediately, but looked toward Qiu Tu.

For Zhao Ji, what she liked and was skilled at was cultivation.

Stuff like recruiting followers, taking in subordinates, developing a power base—she was neither skilled in it nor cared much for it.

After all...at her kind of strength and talent, having a bunch of subordinates wasn't that important. In fact...most of the time, these subordinates only ended up being burdens.

What she really needed… was someone like Qiu Tu, who could help her solve problems, analyze situations, and even fight by her side.

But Qiu Tu was different. Compared to Zhao Ji, both Qiu Tu's temperament and his cataclysmic path were well-suited for expanding influence. So what Zhao Ji didn't need didn't mean Qiu Tu didn't need.

Moreover, Zhao Ji vaguely remembered that before she shut herself away, Qiu Tu had analyzed the situation for her and had once said Tian Qi was a worthwhile target to win over.

That's why she looked toward Qiu Tu, wanting to see his opinion.

At this moment, catching Zhao Ji's gaze, Qiu Tu also silently contemplated for a moment, quickly gauged Tian Qi and the Fog Hidden Association's power, confirmed that after absorbing them his side could handle it without bursting apart. Only then did he give Zhao Ji a slight nod and used spiritual power to transmit a message,

"Tian Qi and the Fog Hidden Association are quite strong. And...they also control the Southwest Region, with some ties to the Second Sanctuary."

"If we can swallow them up and unify all the strength of the Human Camp, it could greatly boost my power—maybe even help me reach Eighth Rank Peak."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji nodded slightly, decision made in her heart. She then regarded Tian Qi expressionlessly and spoke: "Since you truly wish to follow me again—"

"I'll accept you for now."

"From today on, you are to obey me…"

Here she paused, then added, "Obey both me and Qiu Tu's orders."

Though she was adept at going it alone, ever since sticking with Qiu Tu, even if she's never eaten pork, she's seen pigs run, so she learned from Qiu Tu to make empty promises: "I see you've been Eighth Rank Peak for years—the next step is to break through to Heavenly God."

"If conditions are right, I can help you achieve Heavenly God."

"Enough—get up."

Zhao Ji's offer might be empty, but her nature was always true to her word. If she promised something, chances are high she'd do it.

So, hearing her words, a rush of joy was genuinely reflected in Tian Qi's eyes.

He quickly saluted Zhao Ji again, expressed his gratitude earnestly, and then slowly rose to his feet.

Qiu Tu watched his every move the whole time. Maybe because Absolute Perception was active, Qiu Tu was starting to pick up on emotions as keenly as Zhao Ji. He could clearly sense Tian Qi's allegiance was sincere, not some covertly motivated traitor.

But! Strangely enough...Qiu Tu kept feeling like Tian Qi had some kind of hostility toward him.

Was it…the previous conflict with the Fog Hidden Association?

Or...does Tian Qi see me as a rival, wanting to "compete for favor"?

Since he'd just met Tian Qi and lacked information, for the moment, Qiu Tu couldn't quite figure it out.

But if Qiu Tu could sense it, Zhao Ji certainly noticed as well.

So although not pointing it out directly, she still hinted at Tian Qi indirectly.

Her deep and cold gaze swept over the three present, then she spoke: "Just now Qiu Tu and I discussed the next steps."

"What we're about to do comes down to two main things."

"First, help Qiu Tu clear away the obstacles up ahead and gain a Heavenly God Positional Frame."

"Second...I'm going to help Qiu Tu meet the Four Divine Kings, and settle the score for him."

At this, Zhao Ji's icy gaze brimmed with killing intent: "Plus…their actions are highly suspicious."

"It seems like they know who I am, which is why all three Divine Kings showed up in such short order to threaten Qiu Tu."

"Now that I've advanced, it's time to settle accounts with them."

Hearing Zhao Ji's overwhelming words, Doris and Tian Qi exchanged glances, each seeing excitement—and…a trace of worry—in the other's eyes.

The excitement…was because Xi Yue had always been this way in their previous life: never talked when she could fight. Whatever happened, first she'd beat them, then talk.

And it was precisely through this ruthlessness that Xi Yue went from an orphan in a ruined world to the Heavenly God Peak step by step.

The worry was…Xi Yue—mm, Zhao Ji—really was strong. But no matter how strong, you still have to abide by objective rules.

After all, Zhao Ji was just an Eighth Rank Peak Earth Deity. The Divine Kings—they are all Heavenly Gods.