Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 1700 - 699: Zhao Ji: I Heal Qiu Tu (6k Please Monthly Ticket)_3

The realization that nearly all the resources she had painstakingly accumulated over the years were almost depleted caused Zhao Ji's expression to inevitably turn grim.

It was crucial to recall that prior to the day's battle, Zhao Ji had given Qiu Tu her solemn promise of his absolute safety.

And now... despite Qiu Tu having poured immense heart-power and resources into aiding her victory in this war, she could only stand by helplessly as he faced annihilation because he couldn't meet the required price?

With these thoughts swirling, Zhao Ji's eyes resembled icy pools within an abyss, emanating a profound, chilling aura.

She cast her gaze downward upon Qiu Tu. At this precise moment, the rate at which he was absorbing power had noticeably decelerated. This phenomenon indicated that the price Qiu Tu was being made to pay was nearing its conclusion.

However, the fundamental principle of this world dictates that 'losers pay the ultimate price.' To even come close to fulfilling the requirement, let alone nearing completion, any slightest shortfall in Cataclysmic Power would result in immediate and complete annihilation if the full price wasn't met.

Observing this dire scenario, a flicker of hesitation crossed Zhao Ji's face.

And while she wavered, every single 'Boundless Divine Crystal' within her personal treasury had already been completely absorbed.

Qiu Tu's aura began to rapidly wane following a brief period of stagnation, and his physical body slowly started to exhibit frailty.

It was as if his very spiritual power and life force were being systematically siphoned away.

Witnessing this alarming development, Zhao Ji understood that she could no longer afford to delay.

She released a soft sigh, then gently waved her hand.

In the ensuing second, the entirety of Dragon Burying City appeared to have been extinguished, with all ambient light being withdrawn, plunging the entire locale into absolute darkness.

Within the profound darkness, Zhao Ji slowly advanced towards Qiu Tu...

.....

Though Qiu Tu was continuously expending himself to pay the required price, his consciousness remained keenly aware of the events unfolding in the outside world.

Therefore, Zhao Ji's displayed generosity, her palpable hesitation, and her ultimate, difficult decision were all 'perceived' by him.

When he noticed Zhao Ji plunging the surroundings into darkness and then steadily walking towards him, how could Qiu Tu possibly fail to grasp that his earlier suspicions had indeed materialized?

The 'Crisis Intuition' had, in fact, factored in Zhao Ji's potential 'intervention' as well. This implied... it had already foreseen Zhao Ji's imminent move to rescue him, which explained the reason behind the provided fifteen-second countdown.

This profound realization not only served to shock Qiu Tu with the terrifying efficacy of 'Crisis Intuition' but also left him astounded by Zhao Ji's unexpected decision.

One had to consider that, from his vantage point, Zhao Ji represented the pinnacle of existence—supreme, unmatched, and above all else.

In her mind and heart, there should logically only be space for herself, and no one else.

Not even Qiu Tu, nor her own sister, nor even another Soul: Larilo, held any significant sway in her priorities. Ultimately, her 'Dao' was paramount.

Even if she held him in high regard, under ordinary circumstances, Zhao Ji deploying her entire reservoir of resources to ensure his survival would already be considered an act of extraordinary benevolence and righteousness.

Yet now, she was actively risking her own potential downfall to assist him in settling the debt?

This action indeed far exceeded his prior expectations.

Moreover, Qiu Tu found himself slightly perplexed: if the sole objective was to facilitate the payment of the price, why the drastic measure of extinguishing all light?

Why absorb all the luminescence, mirroring his own actions when he healed Zhao Ji previously?

As Qiu Tu pondered these questions, an even more astonishing event transpired.

Suddenly, he felt two somewhat cool hands make contact with his arm, swiftly followed by... a soft body pressing against his back.

The form pressing against him was warm and yielding, its skin smooth as polished milk. More importantly... he seemed to feel two 'soft' mounds resting against his back, akin to 'bowls'.

In that exact moment, Qiu Tu's body involuntarily stiffened.

As an individual with considerable experience in matters of the heart, how could he possibly mistake the nature of this intimate contact?

'Zhao Ji... what exactly is she doing right now?'

At this juncture, Qiu Tu's heart and mind experienced a profound tremor.

And precisely then, Zhao Ji's composed voice reached his ear, stating, "Focus yourself and attain calmness. Do not allow your thoughts to stray."

Upon hearing her words, Qiu Tu also felt the immense surge of Cataclysmic Power flooding into his body as their forms remained pressed together.

He hastily quelled his wandering thoughts and immediately began channeling that potent Cataclysmic Power to satisfy the price.

It must be acknowledged that Zhao Ji's ascent to the position of the world's foremost cultivator was not an outcome achieved by mere chance.

Although Qiu Tu was also at the peak of the Eighth Rank, much like her, the Cataclysmic Power contained within him was surprisingly less than a mere fifth of hers.

Furthermore, in both quantity and quality, his power was inferior in every conceivable aspect.

This provided Qiu Tu with an unshakeable comprehension of the immense significance attached to the name 'Zhao Ji'.

It was no wonder that when he had previously attempted to activate the 'Order Space' with the intention of acting against Zhao Ji, it had almost invariably triggered the advanced 'Crisis Intuition' system.

With Zhao Ji's direct assistance, the immense pressure Qiu Tu was enduring noticeably diminished.

His spiritual power and life force also began a gradual recovery, affording him greater mental clarity to assess the unfolding situation.

Through their intimate skin-to-skin contact, Qiu Tu became certain that Zhao Ji was likely entirely unclothed.

Afraid that the pace of two hands alone couldn't keep up with how swiftly the "World Origin" was being absorbed, she cast aside all reservations, pressing her entire form against Qiu Tu's back.

The sheer magnitude of Cataclysmic Power surging into them upon contact was undeniable proof of this.

Yet, it might have been her first such close physical encounter with a man, for Zhao Ji was clearly discomfited.

Despite her usual cool facade and diligent efforts to control herself, Qiu Tu could still discern her rapid pulse, the subtle tremor running through her body, and... the blush coloring her cheeks.

'Could it be... Zhao Ji is developing actual emotions?'

Perhaps Qiu Tu's mind had wandered too far, as Zhao Ji let out a sharp scoff, "Three!"

Sensing that his stray thoughts had been noticed by Zhao Ji, Qiu Tu quickly reined in his mind and complied with her instructions.

However... the harder one attempts to suppress their thoughts, the more elusive they often become.