Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 727

"With the added power of our 'Hidden Mist Society' and your assistance, we are determined to obtain the 'Divine Rank' this time."

At this point, Jin Ni paused for a moment, then continued with a promise, "If this succeeds, all the agreements we signed will be honored. At that time, your Second Sanctuary will experience rapid development, truly giving birth to a top-tier expert and officially becoming a leading force in the 'Western Kingdom.'"

Hearing Jin Ni's words, Zhi Yan smiled and replied, "Then I thank Guild Leader Tian Qi and Lord Jin Ni in advance..."

As the two figures walked further and further away, their voices grew fainter and fainter.

Qiu Tu did not act rashly, but hid in the darkness, waiting quietly...

The conversation between Zhiyan and Jinni just now proved Qiu Tu's conjecture: the Second Shelter has indeed engaged in in-depth cooperation with the "Mist Shadow Society".

However... judging from the tone and attitude of their conversation, it wasn't the worst-case scenario—the Second Shelter had been a vassal of the "Mist Shadow Society" for years. This was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

Judging from their conversation and how they interacted, it seems that this was just a speculative act by Shelter 2.

Clearly, they felt they couldn't obtain the "Divine Rank," so they figured they might as well sell it for a good price. That's how the cooperation between the two parties came about.

Although it's unclear who initiated the agreement, what conditions were offered, and how the promises will be fulfilled, it's certain that both parties reached an agreement.

but....

"The Hidden Mist Society has been a major enemy of humanity for years. Has the Second Sanctuary gone mad? They're actually cooperating with them?"

Thinking this, Qiu Tu slowly came back to his senses.

Although the two had already gone some distance, Qiu Tu did not make any rash moves. After all, their arrival had been sudden, and no one knew whether they had discovered Qiu Tu's whereabouts.

It should be noted that both Jinni and Zhiyan are eighth-level experts, with Jinni being a super strong expert at the late eighth level.

Qiu Tu, a mere early-stage seventh-tier cultivator, even after using the "Sealing Jade" to drastically compress his strength over the past five or six days, was still no match for the two. Therefore, better safe than sorry!

In the current chaotic situation, Qiu Tu would rather wait a few more hours, or even a day, to ensure that it is completely safe before taking any action.

As a result, just as he was thinking this...

Suddenly! A barrage of "crisis alerts" popped up in front of him like a screen being flooded with notifications!

"Trigger crisis awareness! Generate a crisis report!"

"Jin Ni and Zhi Yan, who have a past grudge against you, have just arrived not far from you."

"They saw the vision of your descent and knew that a candidate was nearby, so after gathering together, they decided to come and find you."

"But because of your alertness, although they sensed something was amiss, they couldn't pinpoint your exact location. However, because of this, they also discovered that your strength wasn't that great."

"They understood that you must be a weaker prey than them. So, patiently, they put on an act, pretending to leave before lying in wait, ready to ambush you."

"Even though you've been careful enough and decided to stay hidden, they won't lose patience knowing you're still in the same place."

"And even if you're prepared to endure it for one or two days, before you leave, they will still most likely join forces to plow the land extensively, forcing you to show up."

"With your weak strength, you may not be able to survive in this vast plowed field."

"So, please make your choice within 3 hours. Fight, run, or lie...."

"Now, the countdown begins!"

Seeing the "crisis alert" flooding the screen, Qiu Tu's expression changed completely!

Did these two discover my location the moment I arrived? Then, when they came over, I managed to evade them, so they staged a scene, pretending to leave? Were they trying to trick me into revealing myself?

Actually, they had been waiting nearby, just waiting for him to appear.

Even if he doesn't show up, they'll launch a large-scale attack after three hours to force him to reveal himself?!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but curse inwardly: As expected, those who can reach the eighth rank are no ordinary people! These two old swindlers! They actually put on an act to deceive me! They're simply inhuman!

And why couldn't this damn "Trial of the Gods" at least spread people out a bit? Being so close together is practically suicide missions! Or has this eighth-tier Cataclysmic being acquired some strange new ability?!

After silently cursing a few times in his heart, Qiu Tu quickly began to think about how to get through this crisis.

This crisis can be said to be the biggest crisis Qiu Tu has encountered in the past year.

Two eighth-tier experts, one of whom was even at the late eighth-tier stage, left Qiu Tu with almost no chance to fight back. Even if Qing Lan arrived from behind, the two of them would still be no match for her.

Therefore, Qiu Tu immediately ruled out the option of "fighting"—it was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

As for "running"... that's difficult too. The eighth rank is a comprehensive upgrade compared to the seventh. At the speed of an eighth-rank, he simply can't escape.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's gaze sharpened slightly. Because he knew that he only had one choice left: to "lie"!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's expression became even more solemn.

Actually, the best way to fool Jin Ni and Zhi Yan is to transform into a little demon.

After all, Jackal and Twilight's betrayal had already been exposed within the "Hidden Mist Society." Moreover, the two had already been released by the "Gods of Punishment" and were no longer by his side, making it impossible for him to transform into them.

Therefore, Qiu Tu could only gain the trust of Jin Ni and Zhi Yan by transforming into a fallen little demon.

But... this is the "Northeast Region." How did the fallen Yaksha arrive in this region, and moreover, how did she happen to appear in the area where the "Candidate" descended?

It can be said that the strange phenomenon of the "candidate" descending completely blocked all of Qiu Tu's easier paths!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's expression became extremely serious. Because he knew that all shortcuts were blocked.

He has no choice but to take a desperate gamble!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu quickly recalled all the hints given by "crisis sense" just now, and then frantically performed calculations in his mind!

Time ticked by, minute by minute. The dark, burning forest seemed to sense the tension, falling into utter silence...

Finally, with five minutes left in the countdown, Qiu Tu made his decision!

He took a deep breath, calming himself down. Then, he suddenly unleashed his full power!

In that instant, the power of the seventh-order deity, exceeding the capacity of the "edge area," caused the entire space of the "edge area" to creak and groan.

Visibly, the power of cataclysm began to condense, and cracks began to appear in space!

At the same time, Jin Ni and Zhi Yan, who were secretly waiting about a kilometer away from Qiu Tu, also felt that enormous power!

They were both taken aback for a moment, then looked up at Qiu Tu's direction, and then looked at each other, both seeing the doubt in each other's eyes.

Jin Ni asked, bewildered, "What's wrong with that 'candidate'? Is he calling for his companions? Or is he just bluffing?"

Zhiyan is a beautiful young woman who looks to be in her early thirties. She looks three or four parts similar to Li Feng, but she dresses simply and has an elegance that comes with the passage of time.

Hearing Jin Ni's words, her eyes flickered, and she calmly replied, "I don't know. Shall we go take a look?"

Jin Ni nodded slightly. It would be a huge loss if they managed to ambush a "candidate" and then scared them away just because of their imposing aura.

Just as he was thinking this, Qiu Tu's shout suddenly rang out from the place where the soaring aura had just erupted, "Heavenly King Zhiyan! Lord Jinni! It's me, Qiu Tu! Wait for me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Tu unleashed all his power and charged towards the two of them!

Previously, Jin Ni and Zhi Yan only knew that they had encountered a "candidate", but they did not know that the "candidate" was actually Qiu Tu.

Therefore, at that moment, both of their expressions changed slightly. Jin Ni's face was filled with surprise, while Zhi Yan's gaze darkened.

Just as the two were feeling differently, Qiu Tu also flew past them and headed into the distance!

As he flew, he called out, "Heavenly King Zhiyan, Lord Jinni, wait for me! I have something I want to talk to you about!"

They looked like they were about to run away.

Upon seeing this, Jin Ni's face immediately revealed a sinister smile. His eyes blazed with murderous intent, and he unleashed his eighth-order power. With a loud "boom!", space shattered! A gap was directly opened between the real world and the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart"!

Then, in a flash, he prepared to chase after Qiu Tu who was fleeing!

As it turned out! Just then, Qiu Tu seemed to sense the strange phenomenon behind him, and he turned around abruptly.

Upon seeing the two of them, a look of surprise immediately appeared on his face. Then, he made a 180-degree turn and flew straight towards them!

Just now, Qiu Tu was running forward calling out Jin Ni and Zhi Yan's names, and the two thought he was going to run away. Jin Ni was even ready to give chase. But now Qiu Tu suddenly turned back, stopping them in their tracks.

The sudden exertion and retraction almost strained his back!

'What on earth is this guy doing?'

Perhaps because Qiu Tu's series of actions were so strange, even Jin Ni, who had a grudge against Qiu Tu, was momentarily overcome by doubt and killing intent.

Just then, as Jin Ni was thinking this, Qiu Tu finally flew to the two of them.

Upon landing, Qiu Tu looked at the two and said enthusiastically, "Weaving Flame Heavenly King, Lord Golden Lion, you haven't gone far. It seems there's still time."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Jin Ni and Zhi Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

The two exchanged a glance. Jin Ni clenched his fist behind his back, while Zhi Yan looked at Qiu Tu and asked, "What do you mean, 'in time'?"

Qiu Tu said with a serious expression, "There's still time for me to save you."

Jinni & Zhiyan: ? ?

In fact, when they saw Qiu Tu suddenly unleash his power and call out their names, both of them had some guesses in their minds.

For example... did Qiu Tu discover that the two were lying in ambush and want to surrender? Or did Qiu Tu want to distract the two and take the opportunity to escape? Or did Qiu Tu know that he couldn't escape, so he wanted to kneel down and beg for mercy?

But regardless of which guess it was, they never expected that Qiu Tu would say he wanted to save them.

This made both of them think that Qiu Tu had gone mad.

Both of them are eighth-order deities, yet they still need Qiu Tu, a mere seventh-order deity, to save them?

Just then, Qiu Tu spoke up.

He began, "Gentlemen, you might not believe me if I'm being blunt. But... please think carefully, isn't there something amiss with this 'Trial of the Gods'?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, the two exchanged a glance and hesitated for a moment.

There are quite a few smart people in this world. Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji were able to analyze that there was something strange about this "Trial of the Gods", so of course others could also analyze it.

Therefore, both Jin Ni and Zhi Yan frowned upon hearing Qiu Tu's words.

Jin Ni looked at Qiu Tu expressionlessly, then asked, "Do you know the reason?"

Qiu Tu nodded. "I know."

Jin Ni: "What is it?"

Qiu Tu shook his head. "I can't say."

Jin Ni & Zhi Yan: .....

The golden lion glared at Qiu Tu with murderous intent, gritting its teeth as it said, "Qiu Tu, you probably don't know who I am. I am..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qiu Tu interrupted him directly, "Lord Jinni, I know who you are. One of the three vice presidents of the 'Mist Hidden Society,' a late-stage eighth-order deity, and the adoptive father of the Nine-Headed Lion: Jinni."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Jin Ni's expression froze. Then, he stared at Qiu Tu with wide, tiger-like eyes.

'Knowing his own identity, knowing his relationship with the Nine-Headed Lion, how dare he speak to me like that?'

'Is this guy crazy? Isn't he afraid I'll slap him to death?'

Just then, Qiu Tu spoke up again, "Lord Jinni, I not only know your identity, but I also know that you have spread rumors that you want to kill me to avenge the Nine-Headed Lion."

At this point, Qiu Tu looked at Jin Ni, blinked, and then changed the subject, "But... Lord Jin Ni, are you sure you haven't mistaken the person?"

"I didn't kill the nine-headed lion."

With that, Qiu Tu raised three fingers and said, "I swear by the 'Origin of the World,' I have never killed Lord Jinni's adopted son, the Nine-Headed Lion."

"Moreover, let alone killing the Nine-Headed Lion, I have never even fought one."

"If I utter even the slightest lie, my 'Golden Seal of Official Rank' will shatter instantly, my cultivation level will plummet, and I will never be able to recover my strength."

As Qiu Tu swore his oath, a muffled thunderclap was heard, and a powerful force descended upon Qiu Tu before disappearing again.

Upon seeing this, Jin Ni narrowed his eyes and looked at Qiu Tu dangerously.

It wasn't because Qiu Tu's oath was problematic. On the contrary, Qiu Tu's oath was a very formal "divine oath."

Although it is not as effective as the "Oath of the Gods," it is still enough to prove sincerity.

But the problem is... who made Qiu Tu swear an oath?

How could Jin Ni not know that Qiu Tu didn't kill the Nine-Headed Lion?

At that time, Qiu Tu had no strength or achievements whatsoever; how could he possibly be a match for the Nine-Headed Lion?

He was simply in a bad mood because his adopted son, on whom he had placed so much hope, had died, and he was taking his anger out on everyone involved. He wanted to kill everyone involved in the incident to pay for his adopted son's death.

As a result, Qiu Tu's oath, while seemingly proving his innocence, also blocked Jin Ni's opportunity to exploit the situation.

If it were just Jin Ni and Qiu Tu, that would be easy. They could just kill them secretly.

But now... the two of them still have Zhiyan, the king of the second sanctuary, by their side.

Although the Second Sanctuary is currently cooperating with the "Hidden Mist Society," it is still the largest human power. Qiu Tu is considered one of humanity's most outstanding talents in recent years. Who knows what her stance is?