Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 624

Unbeknownst to many, the eastern part of the city had changed completely. Countless stars formed a dazzling starry sky. The stars seemed so close, as if one could reach out and touch them.

In the boundless wilderness, a small grass that emits fluorescence sways gently in the breeze, twinkling with starlight.

The sky and the stars complement each other, making it hard to distinguish where the sky ends and the earth begins.

In the distance, across the wilderness, above Zhao Ji's underground palace, lies a desert that occupies one-third of the "Eastern City Area".

However, unlike the ordinary desert of the original "Eastern City Area," every grain of sand in this desert seems to be inlaid with fantastic colors. The dunes stretch endlessly, occasionally shimmering with strange light.

A gust of wind blew by, and the grains of sand seemed to come alive, leaping and dancing, forming all sorts of wonderful shapes. Sometimes they were phoenixes soaring high, sometimes they were giant dragons baring their fangs and claws, but they vanished without a trace in an instant.

Further out, on the outskirts of the desert and wilderness, lies a vast, unbroken primeval forest.

The trees in the primeval forest are tall and twisted, with eye-shaped patterns all over their trunks, as if these trees are silently watching the intruders.

The trees were shrouded in a thick fog, with glimmering lights and strange sounds that could be heard from time to time, like whispers, birdsong, or the chanting of some mysterious creature.

This is the "second-order region" that has been "evolving" for several months.

Over the past few months, Qiu Tu has checked the evolution of the "Eastern City Area" almost every day.

To his surprise, he discovered that the "Eastern City Area" had become different from the other areas after it devoured the "Earth Vein Flower".

The other areas are like "standard" areas, very ordinary, changing entirely according to the wishes of the area's master.

Even if the mental world simulates rivers and forests, it still feels lifeless.

However, the second-order region is different. Everything in the second-order region is real. Although it is also born from the spiritual world, it consists of living beings, not inanimate objects.

It was precisely because of this change, under Qiu Tu's deliberate neglect, that the entire "Eastern City Area" transformed into a peculiar landscape of a central wilderness and desert surrounded by a primeval forest.

After admiring the beautiful scenery of the "Eastern City Area", Qiu Tu turned his gaze away.

Although the "second-tier area" is very powerful, a single area is enough to advance to the sixth tier, Qiu Tu now has the time and the territory, so he still wants to make everything as perfect as possible.

Although we don't know what exactly is in the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Area" or how dangerous it is, it's never a bad thing to accumulate more strength when we're weak.

Furthermore, given that the situation in the 6th Shelter is still unclear, he still has time, so he plans to refine all five remaining areas to complete the Nine Stars Alignment!

At that time, the second-tier region and the Nine Stars Alignment will be promoted together!

Qiu Tu was eager to know what kind of amazing effect this would have.

And just like that, half a day passed quickly.

As Qiu Tu was silently refining the area, a notification suddenly popped up in front of him.

"The task of getting something for nothing has been completed. Please assign new tasks."

With this prompt, some experience and details about how to depict the "catastrophic capability equation" slowly appeared in Qiu Tu's mind.

Qiu Tu slowly stopped refining the "Earth Vein Node," then closed his eyes and began to quietly absorb the experience and details.

Strangely enough, it felt as if Qiu Tu himself had completely sketched out a "catastrophic capability equation".

Both the experience and the details are incredibly clear.

Qiu Tu felt that if he were to inscribe the power of cataclysm next time, it would definitely be much better than before.

'This is the power of... getting something for nothing.'

With a sigh in his heart, Qiu Tu also calculated the effort and gains of the past two days.

In the past two days, Qiu Tu has acquired the universal disaster ability "Sealing Jade" and eight jade tablets inscribed with "Ever-Changing Invisibility".

The total consumption was the "Boundless Divine Crystal" formed from three fourth-tier evil gods.

It can be said that the expenditure was huge, but the gains were also huge.

Leaving aside the powerful cataclysmic ability of the "Sealing Jade," let's just talk about those eight jade tablets engraved with "Ever-Changing Invisibility."

Those eight jade tablets were enough for Qiu Tu to assemble an elite squad that could become invisible.

Eight level 4 or 5 experts, placed on the battlefield as spearheads or used for assassinations, are enough to stir up a bloodbath.

Therefore, Qiu Tu felt that this deal was worthwhile.

Set the "No. 1" slot for "Easy Gain" to "Refine Earth Vein Node", and set the "No. 2" slot to "Martial Arts - Intermediate Sword Technique".

Qiu Tu carefully studied the "get something for nothing" cheat code.

"Refining the Earth Vein Nodes" is a task with an "End Node," so the progress displayed on "Easy Gain #1" is from 0.01% to 100%. It's very clear.

However, the "Martial Arts - Intermediate Sword Technique" skill is a bit special. Its progress bar doesn't have an "end point," it only has a count.

For example, 100, 200, 500, etc...

At milestones like 500, 2000, and 6000, four levels are marked: "Beginner," "Proficient," "Expert," and "Master."

Qiu Tu guessed that this was because... there was no upper limit to the proficiency of a skill (martial arts).

If a person is talented enough to dedicate their entire life to mastering only one skill, then theoretically their proficiency can indeed be infinitely increased.

This, in turn, proves the power of the "get something for nothing" golden finger.

After checking the condition of his cheat ability, Qiu Tu continued to maintain "refining the earth vein nodes" and "cultivating intermediate sword techniques" while also looking at the new universal catastrophe ability "Sealing Jade" that he had spent two days acquiring.

Universal catastrophe ability is essentially the ability to "steal" the world's origin and bestow it upon catastrophe-causing beings.

Therefore, although the "source is a bit questionable", because it is a "genuine product", the effect is almost exactly the same.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu tried to activate the "Sealing Jade".

The next second, Qiu Tu felt his power rapidly draining away, his appearance becoming younger, and his body slowly shrinking.

Qiu Tu tried to sense his current strength.

Fifth-tier peak, fifth-tier mid-stage, fifth-tier early stage...

As he shrunk to the early stage of the fifth rank, Qiu Tu's appearance also changed to that of an 18 or 9-year-old.

This age is practically the limit that Qiu Tu can accept.

Once he falls to Tier 4, his strength will drop drastically: his "Order Space" will be ineffective against all Tier 5 enemies.

Moreover, his appearance would become incredibly young. As a garrison commander, Qiu Tu now needs not youth, but authority.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Qiu Tu tentatively decided on the initial stage of 5th rank.

After his strength was fully restored, Qiu Tu adjusted to his "new body" and then continued refining the earth vein nodes...

Soon, a week had passed in the blink of an eye.

The situation at Shelter 6 remained tense, anxious, and unpredictable throughout the week.

Since the verbal battle has almost ended, both sides are now recruiting and gathering talent in their respective territories.

The situation in the entire Sixth Sanctuary was very delicate. The regional governors of each state almost all remained rational and restrained, preventing the civil war from escalating further.

Meanwhile, the various factions within the central government have all chosen sides.

Some people support the Kou family, while others support Princess Xi.

Of course, compared to the deeply entrenched Kou family, Princess Xi's side still had a considerable gap in pro-royalist strength. This gap, amplified by the "fight to the death" between the two sides, widened significantly. The difference in strength between the two sides had reached approximately 3:7, and Princess Xi was on the verge of defeat...

'Shouldn't they be calling for help soon?'

Qiu Tu silently muttered something to himself, then glanced at the notification that popped up in front of him.

"Gaining without effort - Earth vein node refining complete."

Because his strength had reached the peak of the fifth rank, and with the assistance of "gaining without effort", Qiu Tu was able to refine the earth vein nodes at an extremely fast speed.

In just over a week, he had already refined the remaining five areas that bordered him.

When Qiu Tu, who was only eighteen or nineteen years old, slightly unleashed his cataclysmic power, nine stars appeared on his forehead, just like Zhao Ji's.

As Qiu Tu refined these areas, his strength gradually increased.

He had already reached the peak of the fifth rank, but... with each area he refined, his strength increased by another level.

Now that the nine stars are aligned, Qiu Tu immediately felt that the nine areas were completely connected, as if they had become a whole!

Even more miraculously, after the East City region, which has evolved into a "second-tier region," aligns with the other regions in a nine-star configuration, its immense cataclysmic power and vibrant life force begin to silently permeate into the other regions.

Although the other eight areas don't seem to have changed much yet, Qiu Tu, having activated "Absolute Perception" to carefully observe, still felt that they were indeed undergoing some wondrous changes...

'Could these eight regions also upgrade their regional energy level and become second-tier regions?'

Qiu Tu was a little surprised.

If this is indeed the case, then the value of the "Legacy Flower" is extremely high. No wonder so many people are vying for it. Some forces are even willing to offer exorbitant prices to acquire it.

The bonus from 9 Tier 2 zones is incredibly tempting for ordinary Cataclysmic creatures.

As for himself, he was at the peak of the fifth tier, with nine stars aligned, and all nine areas were slowly becoming second-tier areas. Therefore, all that remained before him was to obtain the "root of the mountain," the threshold for advancing to the sixth tier.

Just then, as Qiu Tu was thinking this, his specially made communicator suddenly started vibrating.

Qiu Tu picked up the communicator without a second thought, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips. Because... the call was from Princess Xi...

'Looks like someone's getting restless...'

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Two chapters, 10,000 words each. Last day of the month, please vote with your monthly tickets! They'll expire if you don't vote now.

Chapter 566 The Princess Xi is startled by Qiu Tu! (10,000 words, please vote!)

Thinking this, Qiu Tu answered the communicator.

Sure enough, Princess Xi's somewhat authoritative voice came through the communication, "Lord Qiu."

Now that Princess Xi has been dragged into the quagmire of war, Qiu Tu remains calm and collected. So, as he strolled along, he gave a nonchalant "hmm," and then asked knowingly, "The Princess is looking for me?"

Having probably anticipated Qiu Tu's attitude, Princess Xi was not annoyed at all. When seeking help, one must have the proper attitude.

So after a two-second silence, she said, "I need your first batch of support."

Looking at the gradually recovering land before him, Qiu Tu asked, "What kind of support?"

Princess Xi said decisively, "Elite troops."

On the other end of the phone, Princess Xi had exquisitely beautiful features, with delicate and three-dimensional features, and eyes as deep as dazzling stars.

She explained, "We are currently maintaining relative restraint with the Kou family."

"Everyone knows that in this era, the military can at most maintain the regime, but cannot determine the outcome of a battle."

"The outcome of the battle will ultimately depend on the Cataclysms who possess extraordinary powers."

"But the Kou family is large and powerful, and over the years they have cultivated countless calamities."

“During this period, they formed the Cataclysm Squad. They were spying, assassinating mid-level officers, and conducting espionage and counter-espionage operations. I was finding it difficult to hold them off.”

Hearing Princess Xi's words, Qiu Tu sat down on the hillside and asked with interest, "Are you so sure I have a batch of Cataclysmics?"

Because Kou Xuan's attack was so sudden, the two were caught off guard, and their cooperation was also hasty.

Princess Xi needed Qiu Tu's support, and Qiu Tu agreed, and then they began their cooperation.

However, we didn't really know much about the other party's resources or capabilities before we started working together.

This is actually what Qiu Tu is curious about.

At this moment, upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Princess Xi on the other end of the phone had a deep look in her eyes, and her fair, smooth face remained expressionless.

Actually, I don't believe you.

"Because I don't know much about you."

"But... on the night I left Dongye Prefecture, Yan Yan found me."

At this point, Princess Xi paused for a moment, then added, "She found me alone."

“She told me that in the past two years, there has been a saying circulating in the New Territories: You can always trust Qiu Tu.”

She said that all experience tells people from the New Territories that as long as they stand by Qiu Tu's side, success is all that awaits them.

"As Yan Chen's daughter, she was the first to understand the significance of this statement. Therefore, while most people were still skeptical, she resolutely joined your camp."

"And as it turns out, this statement is indeed true. Later, no matter where you went, whether to Dongye Prefecture, Xin Prefecture, Tian Prefecture, or Di Prefecture, you continued to succeed."

Even your old rival, Huang Shangzong, once remarked in private: "You are a person who is good at creating miracles."

"And before leaving, Yan Yan left me with one last sentence."