Then let them offer their loyalty!

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Moreover, this feeling became increasingly complex as time went on and the gap in strength between Qiu Tu and her narrowed.

After all... having been a goddess in two lifetimes, Zhao Ji has always stood atop the "Boundless Sea of ​​Hearts." No matter who she's dealing with, she's always the one taking care of others; there's never a time when others take care of her.

Over the years, apart from the two months her mentor took care of her, which gave her a warmth and touching experience she had never felt before, she has been the one constantly giving the most.

Like in her past life, for the sake of her master's promise, Zhao Ji protected the creatures of the "Misty Cliff World" for ten years; like when the "Boundless Heart Sea" was invaded, she didn't hesitate to attack the two God-Kings; like in this life, she protected Qiu Tu from his weakness to his strength...

In her mind, the world is just like this. She has become accustomed to giving silently without asking for anything in return.

Or rather... the only reward was that she felt it brought a little fun to her otherwise mundane journey to the summit.

Just like tonight, she should have continued her arduous training, but at Qinglan's invitation, she still joined in a four-player mahjong game.

It wasn't that she thought playing mahjong was useful; it was just that Qinglan was someone she respected, and mahjong could add a touch of color to her life.

However, all of this changed when they faced Qiu Tu...

The little man she "nurtured" and "protected" not only gradually closed the gap between them, but... even started taking care of her instead?

This was not during the "Trial of the Gods" when Zhao Ji "hired" Qiu Tu to help her devise strategies—at that time, although Qiu Tu was still influencing the situation, Zhao Ji still held the dominant position.

But this incident was different. From deceiving Xiao Yuanyao to causing a clash between the two factions, and then contacting the White-Clad Witch and the Chaotic Witch, Qiu Tu handled everything himself.

Moreover, all the people she came into contact with were beyond Zhao Ji's current capabilities.

In other words, if something unexpected really happens, Zhao Ji can't help Qiu Tu at all right now.

As a result, even under these circumstances, Qiu Tu had not forgotten her and was still helping her fight for her interests.

To put it more coldly... Zhao Ji no longer holds the same value for Qiu Tu as before, yet Qiu Tu hasn't... been ungrateful? He still treats her the same way?

This is the reason why Zhao Ji was moved.

Perhaps because she felt indebted to someone for accepting their gifts, or perhaps because her emotions had changed, even Zhao Ji found it difficult to maintain her icy demeanor.

She turned her head slightly, looking at the distant scenery, and after a couple of seconds of silence, quietly uttered two words, "Thank you."

Hearing "thank you" from Zhao Ji's mouth was obviously a rare treat, so Qiu Tu paused for a moment before a smile returned to his face.

He reached out and touched Zhao Ji's shoulder on the side closest to him, saying, "With our relationship, there's no need to be so polite."

Zehime: .....

Qiu Tu's physical contact was very subtle. He didn't put his arm around Zhao Ji, nor did he touch any other part of her body; he simply touched her shoulder.

This left his actions somewhere between ambiguous and intimate.

Therefore, even though Zhao Ji felt that Qiu Tu's behavior was a bit strange, she hesitated and wavered.

It was precisely because of those few seconds of hesitation that Zhao Ji missed the best opportunity to move Qiu Tu away, and so... she acquiesced.

Seeing that Zhao Ji had tacitly approved of his physical contact, Qiu Tu's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

However, he did not become complacent or take any further action, but instead brought up serious business again.

His expression turned serious, and he began to talk about a question that interested him most.

"Sister Zhaoji, what exactly is your relationship with the 'Witch of Chaos'?"

As he spoke, Qiu Tu recounted to Zhao Ji in detail everything he had learned about Bai Yi's identity, Bai Yi's purpose, and the strange behavior of the maid Jasmine.

He hadn't told Zhao Ji these speculations before because he hadn't verified them himself. Given Zhao Ji's personality, she probably wouldn't bother discussing speculations.

But now that Qiu Tu has confirmed his suspicions and is certain that everything is a conspiracy, he can finally have a good talk with Zhao Ji.

Sure enough, when Zhao Ji heard Qiu Tu recount the whole story, her expression became much more serious.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and her usually icy face became somewhat serious.

She didn't answer Qiu Tu's question immediately, but instead gazed at the distant scenery and pondered quietly for a while.

Qiu Tu didn't disturb her, but stood aside and waited patiently.

Two or three minutes passed before Zhao Ji slowly came to her senses.

She looked at Qiu Tu and said, "These details you mentioned are indeed things I hadn't noticed before."

"I never expected that after so many years, she... would still remember me. She even... sent a fifth-level god-king to my side."

At this point, Zeji paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Actually... my experience of meeting her... was very strange."

"At that time, I had just entered the 'Battlefield of the Gods' and was traveling around."

"As a result, on the way, she encountered someone chasing her."

Qiu Tu was stunned for a moment, "Chasing the Witch of Chaos?"

Zhao Ji nodded slightly, her deep and cold eyes showing little emotion. "Yes... and they are just two ordinary gods."

Qiu Tu blinked, a look of sudden realization crossing his face. "She suppressed her strength, or perhaps she used a clone?"

Zhao Ji shook her head. "It's not a clone; it must be that its strength is being suppressed."

After saying that, Zeji continued expressionlessly, "I saved her. Then I prepared to leave."

"But she stopped me. She said that since I saved her, I should grant her one wish."

A question mark slowly appeared above Qiu Tu's head: ?

Zhao Ji keenly sensed Qiu Tu's emotions. She gave Qiu Tu a cold look before slowly saying, "You must understand that the Chaos God King's thought process is inherently different from ordinary people."

Qiu Tu nodded slightly, finding it reasonable.

Zhao Ji continued expressionlessly, "Actually, at the time, I was just like you, not quite understanding her thought process."

"So, I couldn't be bothered with her and just turned around and left."

"As it turned out, she actually followed me. She kept saying that I owed her a wish and asked me to fulfill it for her."

"I was so annoyed by her that I wanted to draw my sword and kill her."

"It was at this moment that I realized she was actually playing dumb to deceive others, and her strength was terrifying."

As she said this, Zhao Ji's eyelashes trembled slightly, her eyes filled with fear. "Although she didn't retaliate or attack me, she just stood there, and I couldn't do anything to her, not even the slightest harm."

"So, in that instant, I knew that there was a huge gap between me and her."

Hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu thoughtfully made a judgment, "So... this is actually the only time you've ever failed, Sister Zhao Ji?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji paused for a moment, then did not deny it, "You could say that."

Qiu Tu gestured. Zhao Ji continued, "After that, she said I now owed her two wishes. She would only leave me after I fulfilled those two wishes."

"I had no way to stop her, so I could only let her do as she pleased."

"And so, we spent two months together day and night."

Qiu Tu was stunned for a moment, then asked, "That's... over?"

Zehime nodded.

Qiu Tu: .....

Qiu Tu thought he was going to hear some dramatic story or some explosive plot, but everything turned out to be so ordinary!

The question is, if everything is really that simple, why did Zeki change her approach, and why did the "Witch of Chaos" send someone in white to observe Zeki?

Thinking this, Qiu Tu instinctively realized that something was wrong.

However, he also knew that Zhao Ji was someone who disdained to lie.

Moreover... given his current relationship with Zhao Ji, there's absolutely no way she would hide anything from him.

Therefore... there is likely only one explanation: Zehime possesses a secret or trait that she herself is unaware of.

The "Chaos Witch" discovered that secret or trait, so she took the initiative to create an opportunity to meet Zhao Ji and followed her around for two months to observe her.

And then, considering that Zhao Ji was reborn and split into La Ri Luo... Qiu Tu had a guess in his mind.

He looked at Zhao Ji and asked, "Sister Zhao Ji, I remember you once told me that the reason you gave up the 'Life Path' was because the 'Life Path' was destined to never reach its peak?"

"And they said someone told you that."

"Is that person... the 'Witch of Chaos'?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji did not deny them. She nodded slightly in agreement.

However, perhaps worried that Qiu Tu would think she had been bewitched, Zhao Ji added an extra explanation, "However... I don't believe everything she says."

"After she explained the 'upper three paths' and 'lower three paths' to me, I also took the opportunity to contact the God-King of the 'Life Path' and learn more about the situation."

"She wasn't lying to me; the 'lower three paths' are indeed different from the 'upper three paths,' and cannot connect with the 'origin of the world.'"

"Therefore, the higher you go, the narrower the 'lower three paths' become, until they are completely blocked."

"It was only after verifying from multiple sources that I was certain she wasn't lying to me, and that's why I decided to reincarnate and start over."

Qiu Tu trusted Zhao Ji's caution very much.

Moreover, the existence of the "lower path" and the "upper path" has already been verified by Yaoqin. This cannot be faked.

Therefore, Qiu Tu's focus is not on whether the "life path" can lead to the end, but rather...

He looked at Zhao Ji and then asked, "If that's the case, then if I'm not mistaken, the method to change the route was also given to you by the 'Witch of Chaos,' right?"

Zhao Ji was clearly taken aback when she heard Qiu Tu's words.

With her keen insight, she guessed Qiu Tu's thoughts in an instant.

She frowned slightly, then looked at Qiu Tu, "You mean... there's a problem with this method of switching pathways?"

Qiu Tu lit a cigarette, and the smoke drifted into the distance on the night wind.

Qiu Tu squinted, then said seriously, "Mainly... don't you think it's a little strange?"

"Reincarnation and cultivation are one thing; changing one's path is another; splitting into multiple bodies is yet another. Why... have all three merged together?"

"Moreover..." Qiu Tu added with a hint of uncertainty, "I know very little about the God King and the Heavenly Gods."

"But... will splitting into clones allow the clones to become individuals with independent consciousness?"

After speaking, Qiu Tu, with a cigarette between his fingers, looked at Zhao Ji.

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji's stunningly beautiful face visibly froze slightly.

Qiu Tu has only been in the "Cataclysmic Awakening" for three years, and the "Boundless Heart Sea" has been in a trough for the past century.

But she's different; she lived during the golden age hundreds of years ago. What kind of doppelganger hasn't she seen?

She hadn't thought about it that way before, but now that Qiu Tu had reminded her, she immediately realized something was wrong.

Yes, whose clone... has its own thoughts and can even inherit its own "life path" and grow into a living being?

She had previously thought this was a necessary sacrifice to forcibly change her "cataclysmic path".

But now... she's a little uncertain...

Seeing that Zhao Ji had fallen silent, Qiu Tu smiled.

He placed his hand on Zhao Ji's shoulder again and asked, "Zhao Ji, do you want to find out about this yourself?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji also snapped out of her thoughts. She looked at Qiu Tu, and although she didn't speak, her gaze was questioning.

Qiu Tu flicked his cigarette ash and then said, "That somewhat eccentric maid, Jasmine, wants to join us."

"Join us?" Zhao Ji read the words aloud, then looked at Qiu Tu.

Qiu Tu nodded and then said, "She wants to stay by our side and carry out the mission."

Zhao Ji's cold eyes were incredibly deep. "You doubt her identity and purpose?"

Qiu Tu stated bluntly, "More than that. I even... suspect she is the 'Witch of Chaos.'"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji finally understood what he meant. She nodded slightly.

"I will observe her more closely to see who she really is and what she wants to do."

With that, their information-sharing for the evening was considered complete.

Perhaps because the information provided by the other party was too shocking, the two leaned against the railing, quietly gazing at the night, somewhat silent.

The smoke drifted silently into the distance, slowly dissipating throughout the night...

...

The next day, Qiu Tu got up early.

When I got downstairs, several women were busy with their own things.