Then let them offer their loyalty!

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Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Qing Lan gave him a strange look and said, "Don't you know that when the two worlds merged, one part of the world was incorporated into the 'core area'?"

Qiu Tu blinked and said, "I know. I also know that many humans live on that world. It was also the predecessor of the Second Shelter."

Qinglan nodded slightly, then explained, "Yes. Your human world is embedded in the 'Western Kingdom.' And most of its area borders the 'Mist Hidden Society.'"

"And the group of humans from the Second Shelter went directly to the territory of the 'Mist Shadow Society'."

"At that time, the leader of the Second Shelter, seeing the situation was dire, defected to the 'Mist Shadow Society' and gained their trust."

"And some of the most outstanding among them were also trained by the 'Hidden Mist Society'."

"At that time, the 'Hidden Mist Society' also planned to first assimilate your fellow countrymen, and then, after the 'Isolation Mountains' collapsed and the two regions merged, they would naturally devour the entire human force and strengthen themselves."

"In other words, to make the human race a part of the 'Hidden Mist Society'."

"This is simply a normal process of various forces annexing the New World."

At this point, Qinglan paused, then said, "But... who knew you humans were indeed cunning."

"After gaining the trust of the old man 'Apocalypse,' he quietly developed his strength. After advancing to the eighth rank, he surprisingly turned to the 'Western God King,' wanting to become independent."

"I don't know what you did, but the 'Western God King' granted your human request."

"Thus, you humans successfully carved out your own territory, seizing 20 states from the 'Mist Shadow Society' and establishing the Second Sanctuary."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu's gaze shifted slightly.

He had indeed heard something about what Qinglan mentioned before. He also knew the specific reason why humanity was able to achieve independence: nuclear weapons. (Chapter 621)

It is estimated that the Second Sanctuary demonstrated the power of nuclear weapons to the God-King.

Although nuclear weapons should no longer be able to harm the God-King with his strength, they could still injure a seventh-tier Great Evil God and contend with other forces, which would be enough to pique the God-King's interest.

Thus, the Second Shelter was able to separate itself from the "Mist Shadow Society".

In this way, the Second Shelter has completely broken ties with the "Mist Shadow Society." This is probably a major reason why the "Mist Shadow Society" has been targeting humanity in various ways over the years.

However, Qiu Tu didn't really care about the grudges between the Second Shelter and the "Misty Society".

He was concerned about something else...

To carve out territory and establish borders...?

So this is what the "correct promotion path" in the "core area" is like?

First, attach yourself to an evil god organization to gain "territory," and then gain the approval of the god king to carve out your own territory and become independent!

Qiu Tu is also someone who likes to apply what he has learned to other situations.

If this is how it works against an evil god organization, then... what about against a god-king?

First, pretend to be allied with the God-King, and once you have enough power... for example, if Zhao Ji becomes a celestial being. Then, carve out your own territory and completely split the "Western Kingdom," establishing a new kingdom with its own exclusive land in the "core region"!

He suddenly seemed to have found his next path to advancement through "politics"!

However, all of this is predicated on winning the "Trial of the Gods" and obtaining the "Godhood"!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's gaze became even more resolute!

And just like that... two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Soon, the day arrived when the "Trial of the Gods" would begin, a hundred gods would descend, and Qiu Tu would return to the "Fringe Area"...

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Chapter 632 The Astounding "Trial of the Gods" (Thanks to "半世浮华233" for being the Alliance Leader!)

On the day of the "Trial of the Gods," at Jiangzi Lake, outside the Three Capitals City.

The sky was a deep, jewel-like blue, without a single cloud in sight.

Qiu Tu, Zhao Ji, Zhu Wu, and Qing Lan stood quietly by the Crimson Lake, waiting.

Looking at the other three women, Qiu Tu was also doing the final confirmation, "Sister Zhaoji, I remember you said that the 'Trial of the Gods' is different each time."

"But generally speaking, it's divided into two parts: 'qualification' and 'trials'."

"The former determines the pool of 'candidates' for the 'Trial.' The latter determines the final allocation of the 'Divine Rank.'"

"And the confirmation of the 'candidate' qualification is... this 'heavenly tortoise shell'?"

At this point, Qiu Tu opened his hand. Lying quietly in his palm was a golden tortoise shell, about the size of an infant's fist, gleaming in the sunlight.

As he reached out his hand, Zhuwu and Qinglan also reached out their hands, each holding an identical tortoise shell.

The only one who didn't reach out was Zhao Ji, who stood like an iceberg, gazing at the Crimson Lake not far away.

The lake is like a giant mirror, reflecting the azure sky. The water sparkles under the sunlight, like countless tiny diamonds dancing and shimmering on the surface.

Compared to the gray and gloomy real world, everything in the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart" looks much cleaner. It's brand new, as if it has never been polluted.

Withdrawing her gaze, Zhao Ji gave a faint "hmm" and then said, "There are two types of qualifications for the 'Trial of the Gods.' The first type is the 'Initiator.'"

"When a being hands over the remains of an eighth-tier deity to the 'Heavenly Enlightener,' they will automatically gain the qualification of 'Initiator.'"

"After becoming an 'Initiator,' you will automatically become a 'Candidate' for the Heavenly Trial and receive three 'Heavenly Tortoise Shells.'"

"The 'Initiator' slot is non-transferable and requires participation in the 'Trial of the Gods.'"

"However, the 'Heavenly Tortoise Shell' can be given or transferred. If you possess the 'Heavenly Tortoise Shell' until the very last moment before the trial begins, you will automatically qualify as a candidate and be teleported to the trial area."

"Therefore, many people used to vie for the 'Heavenly Tortoise Shell' in order to secure a spot in the final trial..."

She paused, then said coldly, "However, precisely because the 'Heavenly Tortoise Shell' is transferable, each 'candidate' is independent."

"This also means that all 'candidates' are teleported to completely random locations, and they don't move according to the squad."

"Therefore, the first thing we need to do after the 'trial' begins is to regroup."

At this point, she glanced at the three of them with icy coldness in her golden eyes and said, "I have already planted the 'Celestial Mark' on your hands."

"As long as there's no 'world-level barrier' obstruction, we can sense each other's location."

"Generally speaking, the areas covered by the 'Trials of the Gods' aren't very large. Whether it's in the 'Northwest Region' or the 'Southwest Region,' we should be able to reunite quickly."

Of the four, Zhao Ji was clearly the most respected, so upon hearing her explanation and arrangements, the others all nodded slightly in agreement.

After Zhao Ji finished speaking, Qiu Tu glanced at Qing Lan and Zhu Wu, and continued, "According to Sister Zhao Ji's experience, generally speaking, there are four main types of 'Trials of the Gods'."

"Mysteries, secret realms, carnage, and... battles with the gods."

"Of these four types, the last one involves all candidates directly competing head-on to select the final winner; the other three can be achieved through leveraging existing resources or teamwork."

"This is a huge advantage for us, given that we control the Northwest region and also have some influence over the Southwest region."

"However..." Qiu Tu paused for a moment, then said, "The specifics of how to proceed will need to be discussed and decided after we meet up and understand the specific methods of this 'Trial of the Gods' once the trial officially begins."

After Qiu Tu finished speaking, Zhao Ji glanced at the nonchalant Zhu Wu and then said, "It's also very simple to find out the specific methods and related information about the 'Trial of the Gods'."

"That means, after the 'Trial' begins, you directly use your own 'World Official Rank' to communicate with the 'World Origin.'"

"Just like every time we advance in a level, we will receive relevant information from the 'Origin of the World,' and then we will naturally know all the details of the trial."

And so, the two of them took turns recounting the story of the "Trial of the Gods" once again.

Zhao Ji is a "reincarnation of a god", and Zhu Wu is also a "reincarnation of a god". They actually know quite a bit about the "Trials of the Gods".

Qiu Tu and Qing Lan were unaware of the "Trial of the Gods".

That's why Qiu Tu had a final chat before it started, so that Qing Lan could review the material and he could also fill in any gaps in his knowledge.

And so, the group finished their conversation. The lakeside quickly fell silent. The four of them waited quietly for the "Trial of the Gods" to begin.

However, it seems that the "Trial of the Gods" will start later this time, perhaps due to some problem.

I don't know how long I waited, maybe an hour, maybe two or three hours.

Just as the four of them were getting tired of waiting, suddenly, the sky above, which had been as blue as a jewel, changed color abruptly, and thick clouds gathered from all directions like raging waves!

Immediately afterwards, the clouds were torn apart by a mysterious and powerful force, and a dazzling light, almost incandescent, burst forth from it, sweeping towards the four people like a divine radiance!

At the same time, the golden tortoise shells in Qiu Tu's and the other two's hands also began to glow with a golden light, and then instantly turned into golden droplets, merging into the backs of their hands and forming a strange pattern!

At the same time, the strange pattern slowly appeared on the back of Zehime's hand.

The next second, the incandescent light abruptly vanished! Once everything returned to normal, the four of them had disappeared from their original spot...

...

Light, endless light.

Qiu Tu used to think that darkness was the most terrifying and unbearable thing. But after being enveloped by that holy light, he suddenly realized that endless light could also be unbearable.

And so, an unknown amount of time passed. When Qiu Tu, with his eyes closed, felt he could barely endure it any longer...

A dizzying sensation swept over them.

The next second, Qiu Tu felt himself suddenly lose weight! It was as if he had fallen straight down from the sky!

Qiu Tu was startled and quickly opened his eyes. Sure enough, the sky was rushing away from him at high speed, and the whistling wind was whistling around him! In the corner of his eye, the earth was rapidly approaching him!

Fortunately, Qiu Tu, at the seventh level, could already fly in the real world. So he flipped over, adjusted his balance, took a few steps in the void, and slowly came to a stop in mid-air.

Is this a return to the "Northwest Region"?

After hovering in mid-air, Qiu Tu finally had time to assess his situation. As he thought this, he looked around.

As he discovered, sure enough... the sky where he was now had turned gray-black again, darkening the entire world.

Beneath that oppressive sky lay a scene of utter devastation, akin to the depths of hell.

The black earth, crisscrossed with cracks, stretched to its bottomless depths, emanating a faint stench of decay. It extended all the way to the horizon.

The earth's intelligence lies in the vast, boundless black forest, silent and menacing. The trees within, their twisted branches appearing as if repeatedly scorched by flames, are charred and cracked, their bark peeling away to reveal a terrifying interior resembling charcoal.

Where am I?

Qiu Tu frowned deeply. Although he had only been in power in the Northwest region for a few months, he still had a certain understanding of the various places in the Northwest region.

The strange area before him was at least several thousand square kilometers in size, judging by sight alone. Such a vast and unique region must have been recorded; he wouldn't have missed it.

'So...this isn't the "Northwest Region"? Could it be...this time the "Trial of the Gods" ultimately chose the "Southwest Region"?'

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's expression became somewhat complicated, showing both a hint of relaxation and a touch of seriousness.

The reason is simple. If the "Trial of the Gods" ultimately chooses the "Southwest Region," it means the "Northwest Region" will not suffer this great disaster. Then, everyone Qiu Tu cares about will be safe. Therefore, he will feel much more relaxed.

The somber mood stems from the fact that, compared to the Northwest region, while the Southwest region also belongs to the human camp, Qiu Tu's influence is not as significant. This would mean he would receive far less help.

'Indeed, there's no perfect solution in this world...'

After silently sighing, Qiu Tu landed from the sky, found a safe place, closed his eyes, and prepared to communicate with the "Origin of the World" to check the information about this "Trial of the Gods".

As Qiu Tu closed his eyes, the real world slowly faded away, and deep within his soul, the "seal" that had expanded in size slowly appeared in his inner vision.

Holding the small seal, Qiu Tu tried to communicate with the "origin of the world".

The next second, Qiu Tu seemed to receive some information in the darkness.

He opened his eyes, then sat down beside the withered tree, silently sorting through the information he had received.

After a moment, his mouth slowly opened wide, his face filled with shock.

It's no wonder he was so surprised; the information he received was simply too shocking!

This "Trial of the Gods" is an ultra-large-scale trial. Not only are there 88 "candidates" participating, but the "trial area" is not the "Northwest Region" or the "Southwest Region," but... the entire "Frontier Region"!

In other words, 88 "candidates" will compete in four peripheral regions to win the "divine position"!

Besides the exceptionally large area covered by this trial, it's not a typical puzzle-solving, secret realm, killing, or god battle. Instead... it involves a comprehensive assessment.

In this trial, a leaderboard will be created in the "Origin of the World," and all eighty-eight "candidates" will be on the list.

Any catastrophic creature in the "fringe area" will see this list as soon as they close their eyes.

The performance of the 88 "candidates" in this trial will affect the rankings, which will be updated every other day.

The list has four main metrics.

First, one's overall personal strength.

Secondly, the size of the territory occupied in the four major regions and the number of living beings controlled.

Third, the number of "candidates" killed or subdued.