Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 885

Qiu Tu silently looked at the entire chessboard in front of him, stroking his black pieces in his hands, feeling a mix of emotions.

It has to be said... the white-robed man truly embodies the traits of several different paths. With his personality, he really resembles a god-king of the "Order Path".

Qiu Tu remembered that when he was still Secretary Bai, he would tell him about the relationship between Liu Xiong Yuan and Yan Chen, but he would only say half a sentence and hide the other half, never making it clear.

During the "Trial of the Gods," Qiu Tu had a conversation with him and guessed some of his motives and identity, but he still did not answer directly.

This cautious, calculating feeling really does resemble the "orderly approach".

Thinking this, Qiu Tu also placed the black piece.

"Clap."

The crisp sound of the chess pieces hitting the chessboard seemed particularly clear in the main hall.

After placing his piece, Qiu Tu straightened up, looked up, and continued, "I don't mind that you're unwilling to answer my question. I know that's just your personality."

"But... since you called me here tonight, you must have a reason, right?"

"Shall we discuss your purpose?"

Just then, as Qiu Tu was chatting like this, another maid came over carrying two cups of tea on a wooden tray.

Upon arriving at the main hall, she handed the tray she was carrying to Jasmine.

Jasmine took the tray, walked to the two men with a smile, squatted down, bent down to take two cups of tea, placed them beside them, and said in a clear, bell-like voice, "Your Majesty Mu Xin, Your Majesty Qiu Tu, please have some tea."

Upon hearing Jasmine's words, Bai Yi looked at her, nodded slightly, then took the tea from her hand and took a sip.

Qiu Tu politely accepted the tea, but only held it to his lips without drinking it.

Seeing this, the man in white smiled, took another sip of tea, and then spoke gently, "I really cannot tell you what Your Majesty is doing."

"After all, you're too smart. I don't know if knowing His Majesty's plan will have any uncontrollable consequences."

"However, I can tell you that... Zehime is not a test subject."

"Your Majesty spent some time with Consort Zhao back then, and the two had a good relationship; they were friends. Your Majesty would not do something like using a friend as an experiment."

Qiu Tu seized the opportunity to probe, "So she can use you as a test subject?"

The man in white chuckled, put down his teacup with a smile, and shook his head, saying with a sigh, "You... two out of every three sentences you utter are digging traps, testing people."

"People who have never met you might be fooled. But we've known each other for so long, how could I possibly be fooled?"

As he spoke, the man in white reiterated, "Since I said I wouldn't tell you, I really won't."

He looked at Qiu Tu gently, his eyes full of smiles, "After all, compared to how well I understand you, you don't understand me. You can't tell which of my words are true and which are just me trying to confuse you."

It has to be said that Bai Yi is indeed the man Qiu Tu has been unable to understand the most in the past two years. When he was Secretary Bai, Qiu Tu couldn't see through him; when he was Bai Yi, Qiu Tu still couldn't see through him; now that he has become the God King of Shepherd Hearts, Qiu Tu still can't see through him.

This also proves how difficult it is to deal with someone in white.

Fortunately, so far, the people in white are still friends, not enemies; otherwise, Qiu Tu's vigilance would probably be at its peak.

Just then, as Qiu Tu was thinking this, the man in white spoke again.

He smiled at Qiu Tu and said, "Qiu Tu, actually... compared to Zhao Ji, I feel that my biggest gain from the 'Boundless Sea of ​​Hearts' trip is actually you."

"Me?" Qiu Tu looked at the man in white and asked.

The man in white nodded. In his Shepherd God King form, his eyes were azure blue, clear as the ocean under a clear sky. "Yes. After all... there are always experts."

"But truly intelligent and skilled individuals are rare."

"Like you said, the most important thing in this world is your brain. If you can't use your brain, no matter how strong you are, you'll just get sold out and still have the customer counting the money."

The man in white smiled and said, "So, how about joining us?"

Qiu Tu, upon hearing this, was not fooled.

He held the teacup, pretended to take another sip, then put it down before smiling and saying, "Old Bai, just tell me your real purpose."

"You don't even dare to tell me what you're doing, how could you possibly be really inviting me?"

"This kind of basic 'window effect' doesn't work on me."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, the smile on the white-robed man's face widened. He didn't seem surprised that Qiu Tu had seen through him, and continued, "In that case, are you interested in making a deal?"

Qiu Tu clearly became interested in this.

He asked, "What kind of deal?"

The man in white spoke up, "Go back to your old profession—spy."

A question mark slowly appeared above Qiu Tu's head: ?

The white-robed man's expression slowly softened, becoming much more serious. He said, "I need you to join the 'Temple of Order' and help us gather intelligence and information about it."

"Especially those related to high-ranking god-kings."

Upon hearing Bai Yi's words, Qiu Tu's eyes began to flicker, as if he were rapidly calculating the risks and potential benefits of the transaction.

After a moment, his gaze turned serious.

He didn't give the white-robed man a direct answer, but instead tentatively asked, "Information about high-level God-Kings? I'm just an ordinary peak-level Celestial God. Isn't it a bit too far removed from their level?"

"Peak Celestial God?" This might be the first time Bai Yi's emotions have fluctuated since he met Qiu Tu.

His expression remained unchanged, but a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He looked Qiu Tu up and down, then confirmed, "I remember it's only been three years since you 'Awakened from Cataclysm,' right?"

"Already a peak Celestial God?"

Hearing Bai Yi's words, Qiu Tu showed no pride on his face. He said calmly, "It is indeed a bit slow to reach the peak of the Heavenly God realm in three years."

White-robed: .....

To be honest, even with Bai Yi's composure, for a moment she felt like scolding Qiu Tu.

Three years to reach the peak of the Celestial God realm, is that slow?

It should be noted that it took Xi Yue five or six years to reach the peak of the Heavenly God realm, and she was considered a prodigy.

Qiu Tu even took her only half the time, yet he still deliberately showed off?

However, Bai Yi's emotions came and went quickly.

Since Qiu Tu was so shameless, he simply went along with it.

So he nodded slightly, "Indeed, you still need to work harder."

After saying that, he continued, following Qiu Tu's words, "However, you don't need to worry. Although your strength is a bit 'weak' right now, I will help you."

When he mentioned the word "weak," he deliberately emphasized it.

Qiu Tu didn't care about the white-robed man's yin and yang; he was testing the waters for help, so he directly asked, "How can I help?"

The man in white said, "You are now a peak Celestial God; even if you join the 'Temple of Order,' you will only be an outer member."

"Therefore, I can help you raise your strength to the level of a first-level God-King. This will give you a high starting point when you join the 'Temple of Order'."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu bluntly stated, "So, you're going to prepare 10 'Order Gods' for me to devour?"

The man in white glanced at Qiu Tu indifferently, "Of course."

Qiu Tu couldn't help but be a little surprised: Old Bai's gesture was indeed quite generous, and very kind at that. He didn't try to fool him with some mysterious, immortal, or life-path-based deity.

Thinking this through his mind, Qiu Tu continued, "There are many God-Kings in the 'Temple of Order.' Even if I'm just a Level One God-King, I shouldn't be very noticeable among them, right?"

"Besides... I also have a conflict with the 'Star Forger Pantheon.' If they target me, it seems very difficult for me to climb the ranks."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, the man in white smiled gently, "You don't need to worry about that."

"Once you join the Temple of Order, we will give you a great gift."

This time, he unusually didn't keep people in suspense, but calmly revealed what the gift was: "Based on the information provided by Xiao Yuanyao, I proactively infiltrated the 'Star Forging Pantheon.'"

"The 'Starforging Pantheon' has also received support from the 'Temple of Order,' creating a tug-of-war with us."

"The seven 'underground divine kingdoms' have now become a meat grinder for the gods, with gods falling every moment."

"At this point, neither we nor the 'Temple of Order' really want to continue fighting."

"And you... will end this great war."

Upon hearing Bai Yi's words, Qiu Tu was startled.

Although it is unclear what method the white-robed man was referring to in "ending this great war," if Qiu Tu could truly end this great war, then Qiu Tu's status within the "Temple of Order" would certainly rise to prominence.

At that time, it is very possible that they will be noticed by a high-ranking god-king and then be recruited.

Even if you aren't chosen by a high-ranking god-king, it doesn't matter. You see... based on the interrogation of "Tang Lang" and the information obtained from Yaoqin over the past two days:

Perhaps because it is the "path of order," the "Temple of Order," despite its strict rules and clear hierarchy, is also the most impartial of the six major powers in terms of rewards and punishments.

Therefore, Qiu Tu has made such a great contribution, and his status in the "Temple" will definitely be greatly enhanced.

At that time, it will still be easy to come into contact with high-ranking god-kings.

It can be said that as long as Qiu Tu can end this great battle, he will most likely be able to complete the mission of the white-robed man.

However, it was precisely because of this that Qiu Tu suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

It's important to know that... this conflict between the "Chaos Faction" and the "Temple of Order" was deliberately instigated by Qiu Tu.

But it fits so perfectly with Bai Yi's plan that Qiu Tu couldn't help but think more about it.

Was it really just a coincidence that Xiao Yuanyao entered the "Boundless Sea of ​​Hearts"?

When Bai Yi invaded the "Star Forging God System" after hearing Xiao Yuan Yao's information, did he know that it was all his own scheme?

Having tricked and schemed against Xiao Yuanyao with the "crystal dice," could Baiyi have also been plotting against him behind the scenes?

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but look down at the chessboard between the two of them.

Qiu Tu's chess skills were actually not bad, but... perhaps because Bai Yi had already made a few moves before he sat down, Qiu Tu could only continue playing along the same path Bai Yi had already taken over.

So... right now, on the entire chessboard, Qiu Tu is fighting fiercely in the center, but on the outer perimeter, Bai Yi has already quietly set up a much larger battlefield.

It felt as if Qiu Tu was controlling the entire game of chess, but the man in white was controlling him...

Qiu Tu raised his head and gave the man in white a deep look.

The woman in white was also looking up at him.

Their eyes met. Qiu Tu's gaze was cold and stern, while the man in white's gaze was gentle and harmless.

Qiu Tu was silent for two seconds before suddenly laughing heartily and saying, "Old Bai, with our relationship, even if I don't help others, I'll definitely help you."

At this point, Qiu Tu smiled, extended his hand, and said, "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

Seeing that Qiu Tu had agreed, the man in white smiled and extended his hand.

Their hands clasped together across the chessboard, and time seemed to stand still at that moment.

After a moment, the tense atmosphere eased, and the two released their hands, their smiles becoming much more genuine.

Qiu Tu smiled and tossed the black piece in his hand into the chess box, then said, "Now that we've finished discussing the cooperation, it's time to talk about the compensation."

"Old Bai, given our relationship, you certainly won't treat me unfairly, right?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, the man in white was visibly taken aback.

He couldn't help but look at Qiu Tu. Qiu Tu returned his gaze with an innocent expression, even deliberately blinking his eyes.

"Weren't all those conditions just now meant to help you complete your mission? So where's my reward?"

White-robed: ....

The man in white was both amused and exasperated.

During the time he spent with Qiu Tu, he knew that Qiu Tu was well-versed in the art of "thick-skinned and black-hearted" tactics, but he never expected Qiu Tu to be this ruthless.

The invasion of the "Starforging Pantheon" was originally intended to help Qiu Tu out of his immediate predicament; providing 10 "Order Path" gods was to help Qiu Tu raise his strength to the level of a first-level god-king; as for the ceasefire, it would help Qiu Tu gain both fame and fortune in the "Order Temple".

What was originally a win-win deal turned into a situation in Qiu Tu's mouth where he claimed it was to help the "Chaotic Faction" complete their mission, thus requiring additional compensation.

However, Lao Bai had a very good temper, so even though Qiu Tu was being so demanding, he just smiled and shook his head, saying, "Then tell me, what kind of reward do you want?"

Qiu Tu didn't stand on ceremony, counting on his fingers, "I want 10 'Celestial Ranks,' 20 Cataclysmic Treasures, 300 'Boundless Divine Crystals' of Rank 8 or higher, 50 tons of Cataclysmic Materials of Rank 3 quality, and..."

Hearing Qiu Tu's string of conditions, a vein throbbed on the white-robed man's forehead. He said irritably, "I'll give you the entire 'Chaotic Western Capital,' do you want it?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu's eyes lit up. "That's great! Old Bai, when are you moving out?"

"Pfft." Jasmine, who was serving not far away, covered her mouth and accidentally laughed out loud.

The man in white froze, nearly driven mad by Qiu Tu's incompetence.