Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 1678

"Qiu Tu never offered much before, and you were always quick to criticize him behind his closed doors. Yet now, with his generous gifts, your entire demeanor has flipped."

"Just how substantial were his offerings? Come on now! Let us in on the specifics!"

As these words left their lips, a colossal serpentine tail suddenly wrapped around Qing Lan, yanking her directly into Zhu Wu's embrace.

It was evident they were accustomed to such boisterous interactions, as they were soon giggling and conversing together...

.....

Meanwhile, having just bid Qing Lan farewell, Qiu Tu stood upon the second-floor balcony of his opulent villa, a cigarette held between his fingers as his gaze swept over the distant panorama.

The ember's crimson glow waxed and waned in the night, a pulse mirroring his own breathing.

Orchestrating Qing Lan's contact with Shao Hua was, in reality, merely one facet of Qiu Tu's multifaceted contingency plan.

In anticipation of a potential full-scale assault from the Divine Kings, Qiu Tu was compelled to ensure absolute readiness.

This included, for instance... making overtures to a particular individual.

With this consideration in mind, Qiu Tu calmly extinguished his cigarette, then tossed the butt into the air.

His exceptional skill resulted in the butt's mid-air detonation, transforming into a firework resembling a spider's web, its brilliant luminescence stark against the nocturnal canvas.

This done, Qiu Tu pivoted and advanced into the dimly lit interior, his voice a soft utterance as he commanded, "Summon Guan Xiao to my presence."

In response to his directive, two indistinct figures materialized from the enveloping darkness. They dropped to one knee, offered a respectful bow, and then dissolved back into the shadows with spectral silence...

"Heavenly God Trial" countdown: 7 days...

...

With the impending conclusion of the "Heavenly God Trial" drawing near, a palpable tension intensified across the expanse of the "Boundless Heart Sea."

Following the successive eliminations of the three Divine Kings' clones by Qiu Tu and Doris, coupled with Zhao Ji's strategic blockade and North God King's deliberate evasion of confrontation—it became glaringly apparent to all... a new force was emerging to vie against the established dominion of the Divine Kings.

Despite the recent string of apparent setbacks suffered by the Divine Kings, it was universally understood that their power remained formidable. This strategic withdrawal suggested, with near certainty, the meticulous planning for a decisive retaliatory strike.

Furthermore, considering the remarkable growth trajectory of the faction comprising Zhao Ji, Qiu Tu, and Doris, it was common knowledge that their inevitable ascension to Heavenly God status upon the conclusion of the "Heavenly God Trial" would place the Four Divine Kings in an even more precarious defensive posture.

Consequently, the opportune moment for the Four Divine Kings to launch their counteroffensive was logically before the cessation of the "Heavenly God Trial."

'This confrontation possesses the distinct potential to be the world-altering conflict that dictates the very destiny of this realm...'

Nearly every distinct faction arrived at this identical conclusion, commencing their vigil for the outcome of this foreboding impending war...

And precisely as universal anticipation reached its zenith, awaiting the tempest's arrival—

In the Southwest Region, within the territory of the "Puppet Insect" tribe.

Shao Hua, wielding an enormous axe—a weapon far exceeding her own stature in both length and weight—advanced with deliberate, measured strides.

Behind her lay a grim tableau of fallen Puppet Insects, their lifeblood forming rivers that stained the earth crimson...

Departing the confines of the "Puppet Insect" tribe, Shao Hua cast her gaze heavenward, her expression hardening as she recalled the diminutive, porcelain-skinned Little Loli who had personally delivered a missive to her earlier that morning.

'Qiu Tu is aware that my uncle has, in fact, vanished?'

'And... he possesses knowledge of my uncle's whereabouts?'

'If I forsake this "Heavenly God Trial" and commit my allegiance to him, he will reveal the complete truth?'

Contemplating the contents of the letter, Shao Hua found her irritation escalating uncontrollably.

This very internal turmoil was the catalyst for her retaliatory rampage amidst the Puppet Insect tribe.

'How could Qiu Tu possibly ascertain my uncle's disappearance?'

'And furthermore... he has a precise location for my uncle?'

'Is this a deceptive ploy on his part, or does he genuinely possess critical information?!'

Perhaps the sheer volume of questions swirling within her mind overwhelmed her—Shao Hua found herself paralyzed by indecision.

Given her inherent disposition, her immediate impulse was to confront Qiu Tu directly, to engage in a personal, face-to-face discussion.

However... appended to the conclusion of the letter was a crucial addendum from Qiu Tu: should Shao Hua attempt to seek him out at this juncture, the consequence would be direct harm to her uncle.

Although Shao Hua harbored minimal affection for that notoriously cowardly and self-serving uncle, and their estrangement had long been an unbridgeable chasm—

Nevertheless... she was compelled to acknowledge that without his safeguarding presence, her current standing would have been unattainable. Moreover, the immutable bond of kinship could not be entirely dismissed.

Thus, several decades prior, when her uncle had entrusted her with a ritualistically crafted clone to assist in overseeing the "Southern Kingdom" for a brief period, she had reluctantly concurred.

And to meticulously preserve her covert status, she had even orchestrated a public spectacle of discord, ensuring that all observers perceived her and "uncle" as being at odds, with her merely executing directives without any shared appearances. (Chapter 680)

For years, whenever the 'Southern Kingdom' faced peril, she'd simply cite her uncle's 'decrees' as an excuse to personally engage in combat.

Through relentless trials over time, she ascended to become the foremost figure beneath the Four Divine Kings throughout the entirety of the 'Boundless Heart Sea.'

Admittedly, certain feats remained beyond even her capabilities.

For instance, on this occasion, when East God King convened all Four Divine Kings to collaborate in eliminating Zhao Ji—

Regardless of her personal inclination, even if she harbored the desire, she would not dare to act.

The other Divine Kings each possess numerous clones; should one fall, they could simply manifest another.

However, she commands but a solitary Divine King clone—its demise would shatter her entire facade. Consequently, feigning inactivity was her only recourse.

Furthermore, for decades, she had ceaselessly sought her uncle, but alas... he vanished as though lost upon the 'Heavenly God Battlefield,' leaving absolutely no trace.

And now, Qiu Tu purports to possess knowledge?

In that very instant, a notion struck Shao Hua: Could Qiu Tu be... probing me?

The genesis of this thought plunged an already convoluted scenario into further complexity, leaving Shao Hua's mind in utter disarray...

.....

Meanwhile, as Shao Hua found herself ensnared in unsolvable calculations—

Another missive arrived from the 'Northwestern Region,' though this time, its destination was not Shao Hua but rather North God King....

--------

Requesting Monthly Tickets. In addition, regarding the Singapore event, it has been officially confirmed by Qidian, so it shouldn't sell out... right? Rest assured, everyone.