Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 1687 - 696: The Divine King Attacks!
Previously on Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!...
Simultaneously. In the Northwestern Region, once a desolate wasteland now designated for planning, stood Dragon Burying City. All its inhabitants had been evacuated. Only Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji remained, perched on the rooftop of a decaying ten-story structure, their quiet conversation drifting as they observed the distant landscape.
Qiu Tu ignited a cigarette, inhaling deeply before speaking, "Have you verified that the 'World Channel' remains inaccessible?"
Zhao Ji, seated beside him, responded with a slight nod, her voice dropping to a cold tone. "In my past existence, I journeyed through that very 'World Channel.' Though it was ruined, the location is etched in my memory."
"Over the last couple of days, I dispatched a clone to investigate. It still bears the exact appearance it had when destroyed."
"It's probable they haven't reinstated the 'World Channel' for centuries, maintaining their isolation."
Qiu Tu gave a subtle nod upon hearing Zhao Ji's report. "That's excellent news," he stated.
"My final lingering concern has now vanished."
A hint of uncertainty flickered across Zhao Ji's face as she tilted her head towards Qiu Tu, seemingly puzzled by his unspoken worries.
Without elaboration, Qiu Tu remarked, "It appears Tian Qi was indeed a double agent, feeding us intelligence on one hand while betraying our secrets to the Divine Kings on the other."
"Furthermore, his allegiance clearly lies with the Divine Kings."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have so readily divulged your whereabouts to the Four Divine Kings."
Zhao Ji's already frigid expression intensified upon hearing Qiu Tu’s assessment.
She uttered with chilling composure, "It seems my intuition can falter after all."
"I distinctly perceived admiration, affection, and loyalty emanating from him towards me."
"Yet, unexpectedly, it was all a façade."
Qiu Tu gently shook his head, offering a different perspective. "Not necessarily untrue."
"Perhaps it was genuine."
"He might harbor envy towards me, or possessive feelings for you, compelling him to dethrone you from your pedestal."
"Therefore, there's no need to second-guess your own perceptions."
"Few individuals in this world possess the ability to deceive you."
Zhao Ji, never one to dwell on trivialities, simply offered a frosty "Mm" in response to Qiu Tu's words before shifting the conversation.
"The 'Heavenly God Trial' concludes in just two days. Is Qing Lan making progress over there?" she inquired.
Qiu Tu took another pull from his cigarette, the smoke coiling around him as his eyes narrowed slightly. "There are no major concerns," he assured.
"Her innate talent is truly remarkable, complemented by abundant resources and rigorous training. Her strength advances daily."
"Her current ranking remains unchanged simply because the quantitative improvements haven't yet culminated in a qualitative leap."
"I observed her this morning; her cultivation is on the cusp of reaching the 'Eighth Rank Peak.'"
"Based on current trends, it's highly probable she'll achieve a breakthrough within the next couple of days."
"Once that happens, her power will undergo a significant transformation, and her ranking will undoubtedly surge, potentially eclipsing Bai Yi and entering the top five."
Zhao Ji offered a slight nod, seemingly in agreement with Qiu Tu's projections.
In Zhao Ji’s assessment, Qiu Tu’s confidants and subordinates were, for the most part, remarkably unremarkable.
Among his entire retinue, only Qing Lan's exceptional talent merited dedicated cultivation efforts.
Through years of collaboration with Qiu Tu, Zhao Ji had gleaned a crucial understanding: lacking capable leadership, one was destined for relentless toil.
Had she possessed an aide like Qiu Tu during the epochs of the past or even twenty-odd years ago, she could have navigated those times with far greater ease.
Presently, irrespective of unfolding events, Qiu Tu managed them all, relieving her of any burden and resolving issues with effortless grace.
Wasn't such a life truly wonderful?
Especially concerning the 'Heavenly God Trial,' initiated on a whim by Zhao Ji, who could have foreseen her clinching the first place, potentially securing three slots for her faction?
This line of thought prompted Zhao Ji to recall something. She lifted her gaze to Qiu Tu, asking, "By the way, did Bai Yi inform you of the total number of available slots for this 'Heavenly God Trial' ?"
Given the critical nature of Qiu Tu's current alliance with Zhao Ji, it was inconceivable that he would withhold such vital information.
Consequently, upon confirming Bai Yi's identity, Qiu Tu had relayed this pivotal intelligence to Zhao Ji at the earliest possible moment.
This established the context for Zhao Ji's preceding inquiry.
However, Qiu Tu remained unfazed by Zhao Ji's mention of Bai Yi; it was the latter's question itself that caught him by surprise.
He couldn't help but turn to Zhao Ji, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, and inquired, "Would Bai Yi know about the allocated spots for the 'Heavenly God Trial'?" Zhao Ji gave a slight nod, her normally cold expression now etched with gravity. "These Pseudo-God Kings are intrinsically linked to this world. In reality, their standing and authority within the 'World Origin' surpass that of ordinary Heavenly Gods." "That is precisely why they have the audacity to proclaim themselves as Divine Kings." "Previously, during the 'Heavenly God Battlefield', I overheard numerous mentions of the Divine Kings possessing the capability to commune with the 'World Origin', thereby acquiring crucial information ahead of time, perceiving the threads of causality, and even swaying significant global trends." "After considerable thought, this remarkable ability is most likely a consequence of their elevated status within the 'World Origin'." "Consequently, in theory, all four of those Pseudo-God Kings should wield comparable powers, though perhaps not in their entirety or with certain distinctions." "And judging by your account of Bai Yi's actions today, he is likely the one among the Four Divine Kings who maintains the closest connection to the 'World Origin'."