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"We believe she will surely return to the realm of 'Gods,' surpass the God-King, and lead our human race to glory."
"You can use any tricks on me, but please don't insult her. And don't... compare yourself to her!"
"Because... you are not the same kind of people at all."
Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Doris froze in place.
For a moment, a hint of coldness flashed in her amber eyes. Clearly... she understood Qiu Tu's unspoken message:
Zhao Ji is a snow lotus on an iceberg, which cannot be defiled; while she is a wildflower on the ground that anyone can pick.
The two are worlds apart, completely incomparable.
Upon seeing Doris's appearance, Qiu Tu felt no fear. On the contrary, he felt even more at peace.
Most people have dignity, especially women like Doris.
Her behavior of "passing through a sea of flowers without a single petal clinging to her" reveals that allure is merely a disguise and a way of surviving in the "boundless sea of the mind."
She actually has her own bottom line. It's just that due to certain objective conditions, she has to use her charm to navigate between various forces.
This likely leads to some inner conflict within her. Judging from her various words and actions, she probably looks down on her outward behavior.
This leads to... her low tolerance for this kind of thing, and she doesn't like others talking about it. And once someone brings it up, she's very likely to hold a grudge, even to the point of losing control of her emotions.
As recorded in "The Emotional Handbook," the main theme of male-female relationships is the emotional tug-of-war. As long as you can control a woman's emotions, you can make her fall in love with you or hate you.
The same applies to Doris.
She had been teasing Qiu Tu in various ways, completely dominating their conversations. Whether Qiu Tu succeeded or failed in his teasing, it was just a small, insignificant game to her.
But... now Qiu Tu has introduced the variable "Zhao Ji". Then everything changes.
Doris now has an additional "competitor." This gives her actions a "purpose" and a sense of "victory or defeat."
This would prevent her from easily backing down—after all, retreating would mean admitting defeat.
The 67th of 108 ways to enhance your relationship in "The Emotional Handbook": When you can control the situation, appropriately introducing competition will catalyze a woman's possessiveness towards you, turning her from passive to active.
Even the weakest woman has possessiveness and competitiveness.
Furthermore... it's important to understand that women's standards for judging men's worth differ from men's standards for judging women. Besides tangible qualities, they also highly value comparative value.
When a man has many women around him, or when his ex-girlfriend or current girlfriend is very outstanding, the value of the women to him tends to increase continuously.
Winning over a man like that would not only make them feel proud, but also make them feel like they have achieved their self-worth.
Conversely, if a man is rejected by other women, he is unlikely to accept a woman who has some feelings for him.
Because in this situation, he becomes a negative value to women.
Qiu Tu was using this contrast, along with Doris's competitive spirit, to try and control Doris's emotions and guide her to invest more sunk costs in herself...
...
Meanwhile.
While Qiu Tu and Doris were scheming against each other.
Eastern Kingdom - Meteor City.
Inside the city lord's mansion of Meteor City.
The hooded man who had gone to investigate the battlefield where Qiu Tu, Zhao Ji, and the Kabane fought was listening to the report from the Meteor City Lord.
Upon hearing that after killing the Kabane, Zeki had disappeared without a trace, and that Qiu Tu had gone to the "Crimson Territory," the hooded man chuckled.
His voice was hoarse, and it was impossible to tell if he was male or female. "You went to find that little girl, Doris?"
"Does he really think Doris can protect him?"
"Or rather...does Doris really think that we four God-Kings can't do anything to her?"
"Actually... she overlooked one thing. We actually have a way to wipe out 'Crimson Territory' without any danger..."
------
The fever hasn't subsided. It's a low-grade fever of 37.9 degrees Celsius. It's not a cold, it seems like gastroenteritis, but I'm not vomiting or having diarrhea, just a fever. At first, I felt a little nauseous, and I don't really understand what's going on.
Requesting monthly votes! From February 2.8th to 2.16th, voting with monthly votes will qualify you for a chance to win prizes. Prizes include movie tickets worth 200 yuan and a Three Squirrels gift pack.
Chapter 676 Qiu Tu: I just like multiple people (Seeking monthly votes)
Upon hearing the Eastern God King's words, the Meteor City Lord, who was kneeling on the ground, immediately looked up and asked obsequiously, "Your Majesty, what is the plan?"
He was clearly a great sycophant, and he even knew how to set the stage and steer the conversation in a certain way to make Dong Shenwang enjoy the conversation more.
So, feigning doubt, he analyzed, "I remember... the 'Crimson Realm' is located in the heart of the Northern Kingdom, not bordering any other divine kingdoms."
"However, the Northern God King's strength seems insufficient to conquer the 'Crimson Realm,' and it's not convenient for you and the other God Kings to go there."
"So... isn't this an unsolvable problem?"
Upon hearing the words of the Meteor City Lord, the Eastern God King, whose face was hidden by his hood, chuckled and then said in his voice, which was neither male nor female, "Perhaps it was before, but not now...."
Instead of offering a direct explanation, He first asked, "Let me ask you, why is it inconvenient for the other three God-Kings to go to the 'Crimson Territory'?"
Discussing this topic with the God-King was somewhat sensitive, so the Meteor City Lord glanced cautiously at the Eastern God-King before carefully saying, "Because... the 'Northern Kingdom' is the Northern God-King's domain. Within his domain, the Northern God-King's strength will be greatly enhanced."
"This will pose a significant threat to the other God-Kings."
"The Crimson Realm has no connection with other God-Kings, and the benefits it can gain are very limited. Therefore, naturally, no one is willing to risk going to help the Northern God-King."
Upon hearing this, the Eastern God King nodded slightly, his face hidden beneath his hood, revealing no expression. He continued, "Then why couldn't the Northern God King conquer the 'Crimson Territory'?"
The city lord of Meteor City pondered for a moment, then said, "Because the Northern God King is relatively weak among the four God Kings. And Doris, in the 'Crimson Realm,' is able to unleash power comparable to a 'Celestial God' thanks to her father's legacy."
"Furthermore, no one knows whether her father left her any other trump cards, so the Northern God King doesn't want to take any risks."
Upon hearing the words of the Meteor City Lord, the Eastern God King nodded again, and then affirmed, "Yes. So... don't you think there's actually a slightly difficult but perfectly acceptable solution?"
The city lord of Meteor City was clearly not a bright man. His mind raced as he tried to decipher the Eastern God King's meaning. It wasn't until a full two minutes later that he suddenly realized what was going on.
He looked up at the Eastern God King with a surprised expression, then tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, do you mean... to join forces?"
The Eastern God King gave a faint "hmm." Then he said, "Yes. It is indeed a bit dangerous for the Northern God King to attack the 'Crimson Territory' alone."
"But... what if we add me, or even the Western God King?"
"Since the three God-Kings have joined forces, their strength is enough to crush the 'Crimson Realm.' The Western God-King and I don't need to go in our true forms; we can go in our 'avatars.'"
"After all, our two clones have also reached the Celestial God level, and with the Northern God King, that makes three Celestial Gods. Facing three Celestial Gods, even if the 'Crimson Realm' uses all its trump cards, it will be difficult to withstand them."
"Since our clones are enough to deal with the 'Crimson Territory,' we don't need to use our true forms, and therefore we don't need to worry about the 'Northern God King' plotting against us."
"After all, even if He really swallowed a small clone, it wouldn't have much of an impact on us."
Upon hearing the Eastern God King's words, the Meteor City Lord's eyes lit up. He clearly realized that this was indeed a win-win solution.
However... along with this thought, a new question inevitably arose in his mind.
He couldn't help but look up at the Eastern God King before him and asked, "But... Your Majesty, this condition doesn't seem difficult to meet."
"Then why didn't you do this before...?"
Upon hearing the words of the Meteor City Lord, the Eastern God King calmly replied, "The reason is simple: time and opportunity."
The Eastern God King said, "All cataclysmic and special treasures have a time limit for use."
"Aside from some Noble Phantasms that can be charged, the effects of most ordinary Noble Phantasms will continue to decline over time and with each use."
"Doris's father may have indeed left her something good before he died. Back then, no one was willing to gamble on that possibility."
"However... after so many years, the effects of those Noble Phantasms should be far less effective than before. It's hard to say how much of an effect they can still have."
"Actually, we were already less worried about the trump card left by Doris's father a hundred years ago."
"But... so much time has passed since the territorial divisions were established, and the territorial structure of the 'core area' is already firmly established. Who would bother with that tiny piece of land?"
"Taking it wouldn't bring much benefit. Failing to take it would only cause trouble."
"Moreover, there isn't much trust or opportunity for cooperation among us great god-kings."
At this point, the Eastern God King's gaze, hidden beneath his hood, fell upon the City Lord of Meteor City, and he said calmly, "But things are different now."
"Now, it is the Crimson Realm that is protecting Qiu Tu. We now have a legitimate reason to join forces."
"Moreover, compared to the conflicts among the 'God Kings,' the newly ascended gods are clearly what we need to focus on most."
"We, the great god-kings, have already found an initial opportunity to establish cooperation."
"It is precisely because of all these changes that the 'Crimson Realm' will no longer be a problem."
At this point, He couldn't help but sigh, "After all... times have changed."
After listening to the Eastern God King's analysis, the Meteor City Lord's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
He pondered for a moment, then bowed again to the Eastern God King, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! I am ashamed of my inferiority!"
Hearing the praise from the City Lord of Meteor City, the Eastern God King's face, hidden beneath his hooded cloak, remained expressionless. However, a hint of pleasure was clearly palpable.
Then He changed the subject and said, "However... these are just the most extreme cases I've mentioned."
He said calmly, "Doris's father was our old comrade-in-arms. His orphan is practically our nephew."
"If we can resolve this matter without bloodshed, we won't take action against her."
At this point, the Eastern God King said, "So... send a document to the 'Crimson Territory'."
"Tell us that both the Western God King and I have long admired Qiu Tu's reputation and wish to meet him."
"Have her help us convey this invitation."
"And to show respect, the Western God King and I can send people to the Crimson Territory to welcome you in person."
After saying that, the Eastern God King under the hood slowly closed his eyes and said calmly, "With her intelligence, she will understand what we are trying to say."
Upon hearing the Eastern God King's words, the City Lord of Meteor City immediately bowed his head and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will take care of it immediately."
......
Meanwhile.
Just as the Eastern God King keenly realized that "times have changed".
At this time, Qiu Tu was also continuing to "win over" Doris.
Because Qiu Tu introduced Zhao Ji as a competing variable, Doris, who had always been in an advantageous position, suddenly changed her mindset.
Putting everything else aside, at least her competitive spirit has been greatly stimulated.
However... as a bewitching enchantress who could become the "most beautiful woman in the four kingdoms," Doris was clearly no ordinary woman.
She didn't panic when the situation got out of control and get swept away by Qiu Tu. Instead, she patiently retreated and searched for Qiu Tu's weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
She leaned back, moving away from Qiu Tu, her expression deliberately turning cold, before tentatively asking, "Is Zhao Ji the only one in your heart?"
"Then what about all those female confidantes and mistresses you have around you?"
If someone with a strong sense of morality were to hear such a pointed question, they would have already felt ashamed and guilty.
But Qiu Tu, having lived two lives, had already done just that: abandon his moral bottom line and enjoy a life of immorality.
Therefore, he said calmly, "Your Highness has said that I only have Zhao Ji in my heart, but that doesn't mean there can't be anyone else by my side."
Qiu Tu deliberately emphasized the pronunciation in his mind and in front of others to show that he was not lying.
However, this was clearly sophistry. So, hearing Qiu Tu's shameless words, Doris laughed in anger. She said, "Isn't that just being a scumbag?"
Qiu Tu feigned surprise and looked at her, then said, "I'm innocent. What does this have to do with being a scumbag? I just like multiple people. Is that wrong?"
Doris astutely seized upon the flaw in Qiu Tu's words once again, "You like plurals, yet you still dare to say that you only have Zhao Ji in your heart."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu looked at her again.
This time, Qiu Tu didn't speak immediately. Instead, he first reached out and took Doris's soft, boneless hand, then looked at her affectionately and said,
"Can you only like someone with your heart?"
"Can't I use other parts of my body?"
Doris: ? ? !
To be honest, at that moment, the "advanced" ideas from two different worlds really shocked Doris.
Not only that, Qiu Tu's words left Doris momentarily speechless, unsure how to refute them.
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