Then let them offer their loyalty!

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"I intend to take this opportunity to integrate the various factions within the Third Shelter. Those who have aligned themselves with us and cooperated with us in advance will have their interests prioritized."

"As for those who compete with us, who want to manipulate us, or who demand exorbitant prices, we can take this opportunity to suppress them."

At this point, Xing Su tapped the table and said decisively, "This is the biggest opportunity for us 'Lawful Faction' in nearly ten years. We must unite as one and win this gamble!"

Upon hearing Xing Su's words, the other vice-speakers nodded slightly, their eyes blazing with fury.

In this way, the vice speakers finalized all the details of this multi-party transaction by exchanging their opinions.

All that's left is to negotiate with each of those dozens of factions separately.

But now the "lawful faction" is the "ruling faction," holding great power and controlling the distribution of benefits. What they are doing is a major undertaking that can help the third shelter reach a higher level. I believe no faction would be so foolish as to oppose it.

As for whether this "exchanging trump cards" plan is too radical?

Don't forget what kind of people are in Shelter 3?

They are all proponents of "technological burstthink." They are a bunch of complete lunatics.

What Qiu Tu considers a "radical" plan might still seem somewhat conservative to the conservatives at Shelter 3.

Not to mention the radicals in Shelter 3...

So, the crucial meeting quickly concluded, and the high-ranking members of the "Orderly Faction" immediately set off to negotiate with the leaders of their respective factions, preparing for this high-stakes gamble with Qiu Tu...

......

Meanwhile.

While the various factions in the Third Sanctuary were holding emergency consultations, Qiu Tu and La Riluo arrived at the "Red Mountain Region" to begin formally refining the other eight Boundless Heart Sea regions under their control.

The "Red Hill Area" is named "Red Hill" because the hills here are made of red soil, and from a distance, it looks like being in a sea of ​​blood.

Because red soil is composed of clay minerals, it has a relatively heavy and sticky texture. When you step on it, you can even feel your feet sinking slightly.

However, because the red soil has low fertility, the entire "red soil region" is almost barren and looks desolate.

In this very area, following La Riluo's instructions, Qiu Tu planted four "Dragon Vein Seeds" in the four directions.

Having done all this, Qiu Tu looked at La Riluo beside him and asked curiously, "Is this all there is to it?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, La Riluo nodded slightly and said, "Yes. Next, we just need to activate the 'Dragon Vein Seed' to plant the 'Dragon Vein'."

"Afterwards, by extending the 'Dragon Vein,' connecting all the unrefined areas and eventually linking them together, you can refine them very quickly, saving a lot of effort."

After a moment's thought, she continued, "In addition, with your current mid-stage 6th rank strength, you should be able to refine at least 6 areas."

"With the enhancements from these areas, your strength will reach the late stage of Tier 6. You're probably only half a step away from the peak of Tier 6."

"I heard from my sister that you collected the Nine-Headed Lion's 'Rank' fragments, opening the path to the 7th tier."

"In that case, once your Cataclysm Path reaches the peak of Tier 6, and you refine 9 more areas, you should be able to officially advance to Tier 7."

It must be said that although Larilu can be a bit silly and wicked at times, she's actually very reliable when it comes to getting things done. She considers everything for Qiu Tu very clearly.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but smile and pat La Riluo on the shoulder, praising her, "Your Highness, you really saved me a lot of time and energy this time. You were a great help to me."

"So, if there's anything you want, or anything you need me to do, just let me know. I'll try my best to fulfill your request."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, La Riluo's scarlet eyes flickered slightly. She chuckled and then said, "Actually, I don't want anything, and there's nothing I need you to do..."

"But if you really want to thank me... then you should win over my sister."

Qiu Tu:? ?

Goodness, has he called me "Dad" enough and now wants to call me "Brother-in-law"?

And... is this definitely a condition, and not a reward?

However... this was Qiu Tu's next target all along.

So, upon hearing La Riluo's words, Qiu Tu didn't refuse. He nodded and agreed, "Okay. I promise you."

Seeing that Qiu Tu had agreed, La Riluo's face clearly showed excitement.

She stretched out her arm, patted Qiu Tu's shoulder, and said, "Qiu Tu, I'll never be able to ride on my sister's head in this lifetime."

"So, I can only place all my hopes on you. You must ride it as many times as possible."

Before Qiu Tu could even begin to draw, La Riluo added, "Also... even if you reach the seventh rank, don't let your guard down."

"Seventh-tier is indeed very strong. But it's not as strong as you imagine."

Larilu recalled for a moment and said, "According to my sister... a seventh-tier being is considered someone in the 'peripheral area,' but in the 'core area,' they're no different from a turtle in the river."

"If you throw a brick down, you can knock down several of them."

Qiu Tu: .....

To be honest, if Qiu Tu hadn't known the power of a seventh-tier being and hadn't personally experienced how different the various shelters treated them, he probably... would have actually believed it.

In his view, even if a seventh-tier individual couldn't roam freely in the "core area," they could definitely be considered a mid-to-high-level individual.

After all, even in the "core area," apart from the top experts of the 8th rank and the four God Kings, the 7th rank must be the strongest.

However... when Qiu Tu thought about how it was Zhao Ji who said those words, he felt completely understanding.

After all, a queen of showing off is a queen of showing off. There aren't many people who can even catch her eye...

Therefore, according to Zhao Ji's standards, even a seventh-tier character is considered trash, which makes sense.

However, La Riluo was right about one thing: Qiu Tu's seventh-tier strength was not enough to conquer Zhao Ji.

In her previous life, Zehime was a goddess, and in this life, her talent is terrifyingly astonishing.

To defeat her, a seventh-tier being is far from enough. At least an eighth-tier, or even a ninth-tier, Celestial God is needed!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu suddenly felt energized.

After all, what does a man live for? Isn't it just for money?

Throughout history, countless people have risked their lives for the sake of a beautiful woman, and many have lit wars to disrupt the stability of their empires.

They desperately try to squeeze into high society, just so they can do despicable things without restraint.

So what's wrong with working hard to cultivate oneself in order to sleep with a woman?

Thinking this, Qiu Tu stopped chatting and directly used his dagger to cut his finger, dripping the blood onto the "Dragon Vein Seed" to officially activate it and begin refining the areas under his control!

As the "Dragon Vein Seed" was activated, the few seeds that were visible to the naked eye began to take root and sprout.

This cataclysmic material is indeed very valuable. As the seeds took root and sprouted, golden veins, like lively little snakes, began to spread rapidly into the distance along the "red earth hills".

As the "golden snake" began to spread, the red soil hills seemed to come alive wherever it went, twisting and deforming.

Metallic scales began to emerge on the red dragon vein, connecting and overlapping each other, gradually forming a huge dragon vein lying flat on the ground!

At the same time, the cataclysmic power in the region was controlled by the dragon vein and surged directly towards the heavens!

In that instant, the entire "red soil region" changed color, and a fierce wind howled.

The power of cataclysm transformed into a golden tornado, soaring upwards and piercing the sky!

At the very center of the tornado, Qiu Tu, seated at the confluence of the dragon veins, began frantically merging the area he controlled...

........

And just like that, three or five days passed in the blink of an eye.

There were 29 days left until the time Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji agreed to meet.

The 7th Shelter, the Central Hub. The villa where Huang Shangzong lived.

Early morning. Huang Shangzong was wearing a white floral apron and cooking.

He was 1.95 meters tall, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. The white floral apron looked both strange and ridiculous on him.

However, he didn't pay any attention to it and instead focused on preparing the meal.

If a picture of him were taken at this moment and shown to his subordinates, absolutely no one would believe that he was the "God of Slaughter" Huang Shangzong, who struck fear into the hearts of the enemy.

And all of this was for his daughter, Cher.

As his beloved daughter, Xue'er was the apple of Huang Shangzong's eye. His feud with Qiu Tu stemmed from Xue'er's infatuation with Jia Shu, which ultimately led to Jia Shu's death because of Qiu Tu...

"Dad! Dad! I have great news! I'm going to be the vice speaker!"

Accompanied by a song as clear as a lark's, Xue'er came running down from the villa, her voice clattering.

Xue'er ran up to Huang Shangzong, her face flushed, her big, watery eyes filled with excitement as she looked at him.

Huang Shangzong, who was cooking, glanced at her sideways, then reached out his large, fan-like hand to touch Xue'er's forehead and said,

"You don't have a fever. If you're still sleepy, go back to sleep and don't talk nonsense in broad daylight."

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Xue'er stomped her foot in anger, then exclaimed, "Dad! I didn't lie to you! I really am going to become the vice speaker!"

While adding some soy sauce to the pot, Huang Shangzong said nonchalantly, "If you don't want to sleep, go do some yoga. Don't cause me any trouble in the kitchen."

"You wanted to eat the fried eggs I made myself. If they burn, I won't be responsible."

Huang Shangzong's tone sounded like a complaint, but if you listened closely, you could actually hear the doting in his words...

"Dad!" Xue'er's face flushed with anger. "I'm not joking! This is an order Qiu Tu just gave!"

"Not only me, but Yan Yan and Ellie were also promoted exceptionally. Ellie became the vice speaker, and Yan Yan became the speaker directly!"

Seeing his daughter talking nonstop, Huang Shangzong finally sensed that something was wrong.

He waved to the distance, and several maids immediately ran over.

Taking off his apron and tossing it to the maids to continue frying eggs, Huang Shangzong pulled Xue'er into the living room and asked in a deep voice, "What's going on? What kind of exceptional promotion?"

Seeing that her father was finally serious, Xue'er excitedly recounted the notice she had just received.

"Dad, I just received a call from the Ministry of the Interior. They said that Princess Xi had a very good impression of me, Yan Yan, and Ellie because of her last visit to Dongye Prefecture."

"Therefore, we're going to transfer the files of the three of us from Shelter No. 8 to Shelter No. 7. Then we'll go directly to her newly established department, the Privy Council."

"And they are willing to promote us to higher ranks. Yan Yan is at the level of State Speaker, while Ellie and I are at the level of Deputy Speaker."

Even though he was no longer politically astute, Huang Shangzong still sensed something was amiss when he heard his daughter's words.

“Ministry of the Interior?” Huang Shangzong frowned as he repeated the name of the department, then asked, “Is it Qiu Tu’s administrative affairs department?”

Xue'er nodded and then said, "Yes. Similar to the Attendant's Chamber and the Privy Council."

Huang Shangzong: "So... this was approved by Qiu Tu?"

Xue'er nodded slightly again. "I heard from the person who notified me that Qiu Tu gave his approval."

Huang Shangzong keenly noticed the key information: "Qiu Tu is back?"

He said, "I remember Qiu Tu went into seclusion for a few days a few days ago, didn't he?"

Xue'er hesitated noticeably for a moment before saying, "It seems... right?"

"Otherwise, the Ministry of the Interior wouldn't dare to issue an order privately. That's Qiu Tu's direct subordinate department."

Upon hearing this, Huang Shangzong nodded slightly, indicating that it was "reasonable".

Even so, his tightly furrowed brows remained furrowed...

Clearly, this unusual transfer made him sense that something was amiss.

'What exactly is Qiu Tu up to?'

.......

"This world should be a place where young people can settle down and older people can go out and explore."

"Young people like us love to sleep, so we should be a little lazy. Older people need less sleep and have more time, which is the age when they should be making their mark."

"So if we don't push them, how will they know how much more they can contribute?"

Meanwhile, Qiu Tu, who had successfully refined six areas and returned to the 7th Shelter, was chatting with Yan Yan.

“Your dad was my former boss. I know exactly how capable he is.”

“I trust him to handle the mess at Shelter No. 6.”

"As for the 7th Sanctuary, since it is close to the base of the four states, I also need a heavyweight expert with sufficient military capabilities to be stationed there."

"Obviously... Huang Shangzong is very suitable."

"Promote Xue'er exceptionally and send her to the Privy Council; this way, Huang Shangzong will be unable to remain uninvolved."

"No matter what happens, he, as a father, will protect his daughter."