Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 721

This will be Qiu Tu's biggest advantage.

The only problem is... once dozens of powerful eighth-tier evil gods, whom humanity cannot stop, descend upon the "fringe area," the balance of power in the human camp may undergo a dramatic change.

This could very well be a catastrophe for the humans in the "peripheral regions." It's hard to say how much of their advantage will remain by then.

After all... when a disaster is under control, society can maintain basic order and moral standards. But once a disaster becomes uncontrollable, all sorts of monsters and demons will emerge.

Never underestimate the evil within the hearts of intelligent beings.

This may be a new revolution even more brutal than the Great Cataclysm of the past.

The humans in the "Fringe Areas" are finally facing the same choice they faced during the Second Sanctuary.

To be or not to be, to endure hardship or to die rather than submit, that is the question....

Perhaps Qiu Tu was lost in thought, Zhao Ji's golden eyes quietly watched him, and then, with a thought, a crisp "snap!" rang out, as if Qiu Tu's forehead had been flicked by a bent finger.

"Ouch~" Qiu Tu tilted his head back, rubbing his reddened forehead, and looked at Zhao Ji with annoyance, "Sister Zhao Ji, what are you doing?"

Zhao Ji looked down at Qiu Tu with an expressionless face, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "You're daydreaming."

Qiu Tu rubbed his forehead, muttering curses under his breath, but he was actually quite surprised.

The biggest difference between a seasoned player and a novice in the dating game is that the latter can detect subtle shifts in a woman's feelings.

For example, although Zhao Ji just hit Qiu Tu, it seems like she was "punishing" him for being distracted. But if you think about it carefully, you'll realize that this was the first time Zhao Ji had "actively" interacted with Qiu Tu.

Thinking back on the time the two met until now, it was always Qiu Tu who provoked Zhao Ji first, and only then would Zhao Ji give some feedback and interaction.

Many times, Qiu Tu would even try to flirt with Zhao Ji. Zhao Ji would simply ignore him, watching him quietly as if he were an idiot.

This shows that at that time, Zhao Ji never took Qiu Tu seriously, and didn't even regard him as a person.

And now... just because Qiu Tu was distracted, she actually flicked Qiu Tu in this rather ambiguous way.

This may seem insignificant, but it shows that the two people's feelings for each other have indeed reached a critical point thanks to Qiu Tu's efforts—at least now Zhao Ji treats Qiu Tu as a friend, rather than a stranger.

This is indeed good news.

However, Qiu Tu also knew that the more sensitive the moment, the more he needed to remain calm.

Many people inexplicably become "simps" because their mindset becomes unbalanced after getting closer to a girl they like. They can't wait to fawn over her, or become even more enthusiastic.

Such behavior is completely wrong.

As the saying goes, the essence of male-female relationships is "pull and pull".

Once you've used your enthusiasm to make a woman gradually get used to your presence, or after you've become familiar with each other, the thing to do isn't to "strike while the iron is hot," but rather to "withdraw gracefully."

This is the 99th of the "Emotional Handbook" [108 ways to enhance relationships]: Be hot and cold.

Strike while the iron is hot, and you'll only become increasingly vulnerable in the relationship. But withdrawing allows you to test the other person's "true attitude" towards you and also puts their emotions to the test.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu rubbed his forehead, which had been flicked red, and made up his mind...

His expression turned serious, and he sincerely apologized, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I was indeed distracted just now."

"But I was just shocked by the location of the 'Trial of the Gods.'"

"Let's continue our conversation."

Zhao Ji was very perceptive and sensitive.

Qiu Tu's sudden serious expression, and the change in address from "Sister Zhao Ji" to "Your Majesty," both indicated his growing distance from the two.

Her brows furrowed slightly without her noticing.

'Did my actions just now displease him?'

However, Zehime immediately denied this speculation.

'Impossible. He's a politician, always shameless. How could he get angry over such a joke?'

Therefore, Zhao Ji guessed Qiu Tu's thoughts almost instantly...

Is this man deliberately manipulating my emotions?

Thinking this, Zhao Ji's gaze turned cold and stern as she looked at Qiu Tu without joy or sorrow, her expression carrying a hint of chill.

After all, just as Qiu Tu analyzed before, a strong woman like Zhao Ji hates it the most when others have ulterior motives.

Once discovered, it is very likely to make her wary and significantly reduce her favorability towards you.

However, Qiu Tu seemed completely oblivious to this. He asked with a serious expression,

"Your Majesty, are there any further clues regarding the 'Trial of the Gods'?"

Hearing Qiu Tu "pretend" to talk about serious matters, Zhao Ji was too lazy to continue thinking about those personal things. So she looked at Qiu Tu and said coldly,

“There are some other clues. But they weren't provided by the ‘Skywalker.’ They're things I know myself.”

She said, "After the 'Trial of the Gods' takes place, the 'Origin of the World' will teleport the 'Trial Participants' to the 'Trial Location' for that session."

"The 'Edge Zone' is limited by its energy level, and can only accommodate up to seventh-tier Cataclysmic beings. Therefore, any abilities or battles exceeding seventh tier will have a significant impact and cause immense damage to the 'Edge Zone.'"

"And now, the 'Edge Region' has suddenly gained dozens of seventh and eighth-tier deities. This could very well lead to a massive change throughout the entire 'Edge Region.'"

"Huge changes?" Qiu Tu asked, somewhat puzzled. "For example?"

Zhao Ji said, "For example... because the 'concentration' of catastrophic power is insufficient, all deities above the seventh rank cannot further increase their strength. Moreover, their catastrophic power above the seventh rank will diminish with each use."

"For example... a peak eighth-tier deity. Every time they make a move, every time they expend cataclysmic power, their strength decreases by a certain amount."

"This decline will not stop until it drops to the early stage of the seventh rank."

"And the same will happen to a peak seventh-tier deity. They will also continue to fall back to the early seventh tier."

"Of course, once the 'Isolation Mountain Range' collapses and the 'Core Area' and 'Edge Area' are connected, the strength of all trial participants will be restored rapidly."

At this point, Zhao Ji paused for a moment, then said coldly, "So... this is our chance."

"If we can exhaust all their cataclysmic power above the seventh tier before the 'Isolation Mountains' collapse, then they'll be on the same starting line as us."

Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu's face showed a hint of realization. He understood what Zhao Ji meant.

In fact, the information about Zehime is very simple: this "Trial of the Gods" will be divided into two stages because of the special location of the trial.

The first stage is the "wilderness stage". In this stage, everyone is confined to the "fringe area".

The only difference is that some deities above the seventh rank come with "resources" and have more than a few opportunities to attack.

This also means that although the participants' strengths vary, none of them dare to go all out. Or rather, if they did go all out, they would eventually all fall to the same level.

This is also an opportunity for Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji.

If they can end this trial at this stage, then Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji's chances of winning will be very high.

The second stage is the "Dragon Gate Stage." Once six or seven months have passed and the trial has not yet concluded, the "Isolation Mountain Range" will collapse. At that point, all deities of the seventh rank and above will immediately regain their strength, widening the gap between themselves and Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji.

The influence of these trial participants in the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Area" will also allow them to directly intervene in this "Trial of the Gods".

At that time, Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji will likely face annihilation.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu suddenly paused for a moment, then frowned.

'No! It's not six or seven months.'

The actions and battles of cataclysmic beings of the sixth rank and above can affect the collapse speed of the "Isolated Mountains," not to mention the battles of seventh-rank or even eighth-rank deities.

This trial will involve dozens of seventh and eighth-tier deities arriving in the "edge area." If they intervene too frequently, the collapse of the "isolated mountain range" will be greatly accelerated.

And... to be even more extreme.

The isolated mountain range has a unique characteristic: the side facing the "core area" has high strength, while the side facing the "edge area" has low strength.

Even though a powerful evil god at the peak of the eighth rank cannot destroy the "isolated mountain range" in the "core area," it doesn't mean that they cannot destroy it in the "edge area."

If there really were two or three eighth-tier great evil gods with unconventional ideas, who wouldn't bother with the trials and just wanted to destroy the "Isolation Mountain Range," then the "Isolation Mountain Range" might not be able to "isolate" for very long...

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's gaze darkened slightly.

This trial is in the "Northwest Region," which is full of opportunities, but also carries extremely high risks...

If you make one mistake, you'll lose everything.

Therefore... I must make good use of all resources and end this "Trial of the Gods" as soon as possible in order to ensure that I can help Zhao Ji obtain the "Godhood" and gain the greatest benefit for myself in this "Trial of the Gods".

With that in mind, Qiu Tu's mind raced as he considered how to make some preparations in advance.

After a moment, he looked at Consort Zhao and asked, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask if you are qualified to register?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's question, Zhao Ji nodded slightly, her expressionless face. "Of course."

Qiu Tu wasn't surprised. He continued, "Then... have you confirmed your three helpers?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji glanced at Qiu Tu indifferently, then corrected him, "Not three helpers. Three trial participants."

"Although those who register will enjoy some additional rights, the four spots for trial participants are all independent."

"Therefore... everyone can win the 'Trial of the Gods'."

She paused for a moment, then said with a neutral expression, "However, you are the only person I want to bring. So the other two spots will remain vacant for now."

Hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu's face showed a hint of realization. He suddenly felt that this was indeed quite reasonable. If each trial participant really had to kill an eighth-tier deity, there might not even be enough eighth-tier deities for the trial participants to kill.

Thinking of this, Qiu Tu pondered for a moment, then asked, "How many 'Celestial Ranks' will there be in each 'Celestial Trial'?"

Zhao Ji hesitated for a moment this time. After a brief moment of thought, she said, "The number of 'Celestial Ranks' that will ultimately be awarded in the 'Trial of the Gods' depends on the scale of this particular 'Trial of the Gods'."

"Generally speaking, there's one guaranteed minimum. Occasionally, there might be a second one."

"As for three or more, they are very rare."

After hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu's eyes flickered slightly, and then his mind continued to race.

After a moment, he made up his mind. Then, using his mental power, he sent a telepathic message to Zhao Ji and asked her a third question.

"Your Majesty, I am now communicating with you using my spiritual power. Qinglan will not be able to hear me."

"My next question might be a bit abrupt. But since we're going to be partners, I'd like to know just how strong your actual combat capabilities are?"

"Eighth rank? Mid-stage eighth rank? Late stage? Or peak stage?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji's gaze suddenly turned serious.

However, she is clearly an arrogant person, and she has absolute confidence in her own abilities.

Therefore, when Qiu Tu asked her, Zhao Ji didn't hide anything. She didn't even use telepathy; she simply spoke the truth aloud.

"It can kill early-stage eighth-tier opponents. After a fierce battle, it can kill mid-stage eighth-tier opponents. It can even perish together with late-stage eighth-tier opponents. But... it is no match for peak eighth-tier opponents."

Qiu Tu was somewhat surprised upon hearing Zhao Ji's words.

They were surprised that Zhao Ji, despite being only at the late stage of the seventh rank, possessed such formidable combat strength. She was actually capable of fighting opponents of higher ranks.

And then I was surprised to find that...Sōhime's true fighting strength was "not that strong"!

After all, Qiu Tu hadn't forgotten that Zhao Ji had just taken the initiative in the "Azure Mist Divine Realm" and successfully forced the region's lord, Azure Mist, to retreat.

It should be noted that Qinglan is at the peak of the eighth rank in the "Qinglan Divine Realm".

Zhao Ji dared to attack and threaten Qing Lan back then. Could it be that she wasn't entirely confident, but merely bluffing?

Whether she had seen through Qiu Tu's thoughts or not, Zhao Ji said with an icy expression, "This isn't bluffing; it's my 'heart.'"

"To reach the top and become a god, rank and strength are not the most important things."

"If you lack strength, you can cultivate; if you lack rank, you can strive for it and fight for it."

"Therefore, the most important thing for someone who wants to become a 'god' is their 'mindset'."

"If you retreat and yield when facing an enemy, how can you possess a 'heart that yearns for the Way'?"

"With unwavering courage, we will slay any mid-stage eighth-tier opponent! We will slay any late-stage eighth-tier opponent! And we will slay any peak eighth-tier opponent!"

Even in defeat, even in death, your forged will can still resurrect you in the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart."

"However, once your 'heart for the Way' is gone, you may never be able to ascend to godhood in your lifetime."

To be honest, this answer did not satisfy Qiu Tu.

After all, he simply couldn't understand... the choice to draw one's sword and face death when one is clearly no match for the other.

Isn't this insane?

Moreover... the problem is that sometimes this kind of "death" is meaningless.

It's like Zhao Ji just wanted to meet Qiu Tu, but Qing Lan blocked her way, and she immediately drew her sword. That was completely unnecessary. Qiu Tu could have just gone out to find Zhao Ji.