Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 1686 - 695: Tian Qi: Bai Yi Might Become a Heavenly God

Moreover... for Tian Qi, neither of these outcomes presented a true loss. It was merely a choice between different paths.

Should abundant slots for the Divine God positional frame become available, and Tian Qi harbored any hope of contending for one, that would undoubtedly be the most optimal scenario. He could ascend in a single stroke, formally integrating into the world's central power structure.

However, if the available slots proved scarce, Tian Qi could align with Zhao Ji and Qiu Tu, forgoing the current Heavenly God Trial. This maneuver would not only deepen their trust but also... to pledge allegiance is to face them directly...

Up to this point, Tian Qi had diligently followed the West God King's directive to locate Zhao Ji, yet his efforts yielded minimal results.

Now, he intended to approach Zhao Ji directly and declare his allegiance—a move that would undoubtedly reveal her location.

Upon obtaining the address, he would transmit it to the West God King, prompting the Divine Kings to intervene personally and extinguish Zhao Ji before she could gain further traction. By then, he might truly capture Zhao Ji...

To Tian Qi, this prospect held a greater allure than becoming a Divine God himself.

With this contemplation, Tian Qi's indecision vanished.

He surveyed the prominent leaders present before speaking with deliberation, "Since the consensus is that more than three slots are unattainable, I shall no longer waver."

"Regardless, my ascension to Divine God status is now improbable. I might as well demonstrate my loyalty to Zhao Ji and Qiu Tu at this juncture, awaiting another opportunity in the subsequent Heavenly God Trial."

His clandestine role as a double agent was Tian Qi's most guarded secret; its exposure meant eternal damnation. Thus, he divulged nothing, even to his most trusted confidants.

Consequently, despite the senior figures of the Mistveil Society having long presumed Tian Qi's inability to secure the Divine God positional frame this time, the atmosphere grew noticeably heavy the moment Tian Qi committed to abandoning the Heavenly God Trial.

Heads bowed, tea was sipped in silence, and some, like Jin Ni, let out soft sighs.

Observing the pervading somberness, Tian Qi couldn't help but let out a small laugh. He clapped his hands, attempting to inject some cheer. "Come now, why the long faces!"

"It amounts to missing a minor opportunity. Surely, more will present themselves."

"Furthermore..." Tian Qi added with a touch of jest, "Bai Yi stands just one rank below me. With my withdrawal, he will naturally advance."

"Who knows, perhaps he will seize my position and ascend to become a Divine God!"

Tian Qi's jest elicited laughter from the assembled high-ranking officials.

After all, such an outcome was virtually inconceivable. Even if five slots were indeed available, the current dynamics indicated Qiu Tu's clear favoritism towards Qing Lan. Anyone obstructing Qing Lan's path would face Qiu Tu's opposition.

The situation would mirror Tian Qi's own experience—subjected to threats or enticements, compelling them to yield to Qing Lan. The fifth position was thus nearly 80% assured for Qing Lan, leaving Bai Yi with no plausible chance.

Yet, witnessing the general mirth, Bai Yi, seated quietly in a corner, offered a gentle smile, appearing as innocuous as he had for the past several decades.

Should Qiu Tu have been present, however, he would have discerned that Bai Yi's smile held an unusual sincerity...

So genuine, in fact, that it suggested events were unfolding precisely according to his intricate plans...

.....

Meanwhile.

As all the major factions engaged in their final push for placement in the Heavenly God Trial...

Within the confines of the Eastern Kingdom, the East God King, Longchuan Ying, swathed in bandages, remained shrouded in darkness, her intentions veiled.

After an extended period of quiet anticipation, she finally vocalized in a hushed tone, "Has Beize's defection been confirmed?"

From the surrounding darkness, two immense, glowing orange orbs materialized. Each orb, comparable in size to a human head and possessing vertical pupils, instilled a primal sense of dread.

As these disembodied eyes illuminated, a frail, thrumming voice resonated near Longchuan Ying's ear, "Confirmed."

"His Qi Yun's trajectory has undergone a complete alteration."

Longchuan Ying queried, "And the individual residing in the south?"

In response to Longchuan Ying's inquiry, the aged voice responded once more, "Unknown."

"It appears a formidable concealment formation has been erected."

"Their activities have evaded my observation for over two decades."

Upon hearing this, Longchuan Ying fell silent for a moment before declaring, "In that scenario, prepare for the most unfavorable outcome."

"Assume both have defected to Qiu Tu's faction."

"However, this is inconsequential... even with such a contingency, they would command at most four fighters at the Divine God level. The most powerful among them remains a peak Eighth Rank Earth Deity."

She paused, then stated with an impassive expression, "Should I deploy my ultimate strategy, not merely four Divine God-level combatants—even eight would prove utterly ineffective against it."

"With Heavenly Fury allied with us, our numbers and peak combat power are more than sufficient to annihilate them."

"I simply cannot envision a scenario where I would face defeat."

"Unless Zhao Ji can reclaim her cultivation from a past life, it seems inevitable that I shall be the sole victor this time."

Upon hearing these declarations, twelve enormous lanterns flared to life, piercing the surrounding darkness.

A cacophony of voices then surged from the shadows, each one a wave of adulation directed at Longchuan Ying.

Concealed within her bandages, Longchuan Ying, despite her best efforts to maintain composure, found the corners of her lips twitching upwards—clearly delighted by her own astuteness in discerning Qiu Tu's strategy...

.....

Just like that, another day swiftly drew to a close.

That evening, Tian Qi honored his word, formally withdrawing from the Heavenly God Trial and electing to accompany Zhao Ji in her own trial.

This sudden development sent ripples through the Heavenly God Trial's rankings, causing everyone to ascend at least one position.

For instance, Qing Lan finally advanced from tenth place to ninth, moving one step closer to the objective Qiu Tu had pledged to her.

Naturally, other participants also reaped benefits, such as Bai Yi.

With Tian Qi's departure, Bai Yi's standing automatically improved by a single rank, marking her official entry into the top five.

As the crucial juncture approached, an increasing number of "Divine God Candidates," witnessing their aspirations fade, began to withdraw from the trial, rendering the Heavenly God Trial's standings increasingly predictable.

The sole remaining uncertainties were: the actual number of available positions for the coveted Divine God roles, and whether figures like Qiu Tu and Shao Hua, positioned just below Zhao Ji, would manage to secure them.

Furthermore... would the four Divine Kings once again intervene, attempting to obstruct Zhao Ji's path to godhood?

And as the entire Boundless Heart Sea held its breath, anticipating this monumental clash of powers...

That very night, two shadowy figures, originating from the Western and Eastern Kingdoms, streaked towards the Northwestern Region!

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Scheduled for travel today and tomorrow. My morning flight departs at 10 AM, requiring me to wake by 6:30. It's nearly 4 AM now, and I've stayed up late, so I'll be updating with approximately 4000 words for the time being. Time for a brief rest.

Ensure your monthly tickets are cast for a chance to win one of two iPads, each valued at 3200 yuan!