Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 1718 - 704: Zhao Ji: Qiu Tu Is Sincere to Everyone

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Previously on Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!...
Zhao Ji and Qing Lan observe Qiu Tu's arrival in the ruined Dragon Burying City. Qing Lan warns Zhao Ji about Qiu Tu's potential interest and manipulative nature, but Zhao Ji dismisses her concerns, stating Qiu Tu's affections are genuine, albeit with a complex logic that bewilders Qing Lan. Zhao Ji reveals these peculiar justifications came from her sister, whom she tries not to emulate, before heading to greet Qiu Tu.
As she ambled along, her thoughts returned to the very words she had just uttered. The reminders she had given Qing Lan also served as a self-admonishment. Previously, when observing Larilo, she had felt exactly as Qing Lan did now – perfectly lucid, indifferent, and even seeing her as a complete simpleton. She had been utterly convinced she would never devolve into someone like Larilo. For the past two years, this conviction had remained steadfast. However, during this period of ascending to Heavenly God, while Zhao Ji engaged in introspection, she began to notice a multitude of concerning irregularities. Her connection with Qiu Tu seemed to be intensifying with each passing day, becoming increasingly ambiguous over the last few days. Not only had physical intimacy become a reality between them—though Qiu Tu had been the initiator the first time, Zhao Ji had taken the lead the second—but it was something that had been utterly inconceivable before, even in her previous existence. Now, it had all genuinely transpired. This unsettling turn of events led Zhao Ji to question if she had perhaps succumbed to Qiu Tu's purported 'romantic manipulation.' 'I absolutely must exercise greater vigilance. Otherwise, achieving the Supreme Position will be an impossibility.' Just as Zhao Ji was lost in these musings, Qiu Tu's figure materialized at the entrance of the stairway. One descending, the other ascending, their paths converged precisely at that moment. Zhao Ji was still deep in thought when Qiu Tu spotted her, a disarmingly genuine smile gracing his features. He beamed, spread his arms wide towards Zhao Ji, and declared with exaggerated flair, "Sister Zhao Ji! I've missed you terribly!" "You have no earthly idea how the past two days of your solitary cultivation felt like an eternity to me!" Encountering Qiu Tu's theatrical display and hearing his heartfelt, though partially embellished, sentiments caused Zhao Ji's lips to involuntarily curve upward by a few degrees. Yet, she quickly regained her composure, forcefully suppressing her smile and stating coolly, "Such eloquent words." Qiu Tu, undeterred, chuckled and replied, "Sister Zhao Ji, I am speaking nothing but the truth." "If you doubt my sincerity—" Qiu Tu stretched out his words, pausing dramatically before adding, "I can simply remove my robes and prove it to you." Zhao Ji: .... Hearing Qiu Tu's brazen declaration, Zhao Ji nearly suffered a severe back strain. More significantly, this particular remark, while possibly a casual jest to others, held a different weight for Zhao Ji. After all... mere days prior, Zhao Ji herself had bared her chest while tending to Qiu Tu's recovery. Furthermore, though Qiu Tu's senses had been obscured, Zhao Ji's had remained fully functional. Thus, upon hearing his words, the vivid imagery from that intimate moment flashed through Zhao Ji's mind with startling clarity. For a fleeting instant, a sense of bewildering embarrassment and irritation pricked at Zhao Ji's heart, much like a shard of ice. She secretly clenched her teeth but maintained an impassive facade. With a frosty gaze directed at Qiu Tu, she curtly uttered a single number: "Three." As anticipated, the moment Qiu Tu heard Zhao Ji's countdown commence, he promptly fell silent. Observing this, Zhao Ji offered him a dismissive glance before proceeding towards the manor's main hall. Qiu Tu followed close on her heels, with Qing Lan trailing behind them. Soon, the trio convened in the hall, commencing a crucial discussion of pressing matters. Qiu Tu provided a concise overview of the events that had unfolded during their recent advancement, summarizing the situation with pithy accuracy: "We are systematically dismantling the three Divine Countries." "The Divine King has already met his end; even if pockets of resistance persist, halting our relentless advance will prove immensely difficult." "It is merely a matter of time before total victory is achieved." "The most significant concern remains the possibility that the West God King may not have been entirely vanquished." "I have harbored suspicions: given that the North God King was capable of preserving his consciousness through our unique method and subsequently reincarnating for re-cultivation..." "...It stands to reason that other God Kings would also possess the acumen to devise comparable strategies for survival." "And all these suspicions were unequivocally confirmed just a few days ago." Qiu Tu paused, his demeanor shifting to one of profound gravity. He elaborated, "This vital intelligence was provided to me by Zhi Yan Heavenly King." "She and the West God King..." At this juncture, Qiu Tu hesitated, searching for a neutral descriptor before settling on, "...are acquainted." "She possesses a method that allows for direct communication with the West God King's residual consciousness." "Consequently, following the West God King's demise, she attempted to establish contact and discovered that communication was still possible." Upon hearing Qiu Tu's account, even before Zhao Ji could interject, Qing Lan could not contain her astonishment and blurted out, "Did she manage to communicate with the West God King?" Qiu Tu responded with a shake of his head. He continued, "No. Moreover... after that initial successful contact, when she attempted to reconnect, she found that the artifact had lost its efficacy." Despite Qiu Tu's diligent care for Qing Lan during this period, her inherent disposition leaned towards impulsivity and a tendency to deflect. ——When faced with a predicament, her immediate instinct was not to confront the issue but to dismiss it outright. Thus, a flicker of doubt immediately surfaced on her delicately sculpted features as she queried, "So.... there's no concrete proof?" "Perhaps... it was simply an elaborate deception."Qiu Tu shook his head upon hearing this, remarking, "If it were a ploy, there must have been some gain to be had, right? Yet, there was none." "Therefore," Qiu Tu stated with utmost seriousness, "I lean more towards believing it is genuine." "Furthermore..." He paused again, adding, "More critically, peculiar alterations appear to be unfolding within the 'Western Kingdom'." "Peculiar alterations?" Qing Lan's delicate, palm-sized face showed a hint of intrigue. Her eyes, like twin springs, were exceptionally clear and danced with vibrant energy. Nodding, Qiu Tu confirmed, "Indeed." "General Li Feng and Chairman Lin Xi have detected some irregular Cataclysmic surges originating from the 'Western Kingdom.'" "However, due to our limited infiltration capabilities within the 'Western Kingdom' and the prevailing turbulent undercurrents there, we have yet to ascertain the precise nature of these developments."