Then let them offer their loyalty!

So, after Lao Bai finished speaking, Qiu Tu finally broke the silence. He drank the slightly cooled tea in his cup in one gulp and then slowly said, "The problem is... although we all know that we will become the Supreme God King in the future."

"But... I don't know when I will become the Supreme God-King."

"Perhaps, tomorrow," he said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice, "or perhaps 100 years from now."

“Even…” Old Bai interjected, “maybe not in this lifetime.”

Silence fell again in the study. This possibility weighed heavily on their hearts like a boulder.

Qiu Tu was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"That's why I just told Zeki: some things can only be left to nature... even if we know what the outcome will be..."

At this point, Qiu Tu paused for a moment, then continued, "And the lack of progress over these five years has actually made me doubt whether I guessed the 'outcome' wrong."

"That's why I came to talk to you tonight, to see if I'm the only one who has this feeling."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Lao Bai laughed. He refilled their teacups, and the aroma of tea filled the air once more.

Then he looked at Qiu Tu and said slowly, "Don't be so pessimistic."

He gazed somewhat distantly out the window and then said, "I remember discussing a problem with Jia Shu when we were in the New Territories."

"He asked me: If he were to die from excessive drinking due to too much stress, would it be the alcohol or the stress that killed him?"

“I told him, ‘You’re alive even when you’re stressed and drinking. So what killed you wasn’t the alcohol or the stress, but your preconceived notions about the future.’”

"But the problem is... the future hasn't arrived yet. So... what kills you is: the absence of a future."

"Later, my words proved prophetic."

The two chatted like friends, as if they were back in the New Territories.

Old Bai looked at Qiu Tu and said, "But we are exactly the opposite of him."

Although we don't know the past or the present, our future is certain.

"Then... all we need to do is wait for that certain future to arrive."

Old White seems to possess a strange kind of magic that can calm people's hearts.

Just chatting casually with Lao Bai, Qiu Tu's restless mood, which had been a source of anxiety for various reasons over the past few years, gradually calmed down.

Yes, since the future is certain.

He himself was the future supreme god-king.

So why am I in such a hurry? What am I anxious about?

Everything I am now is actually just the "past" of the Supreme God-King who will become the means of order in the "future," the "path I came from."

So... all I need to do is... wait.

Wait for that certain future to arrive naturally.

Perhaps it is this mindset of "destiny" and "waiting for the future" that makes him seem to gradually align with the mindset of "the path of order".

Therefore, this also made him vaguely feel as if he had truly pierced through layers of mist, and faintly sensed the "Supreme Path" of the "Path of Order" that stretched across the past, present, and future, a path he had pursued for five years but remained elusive...

......

at the same time.

Just as Qiu Tu and Lao Bai were having a late-night talk by candlelight.

The world of the Temple of Order.

This is a world completely different from the "Ancient Continent" and the "Chaotic Western Capital".

There is no natural chaos or disorder here. The sky is a constant azure blue, the earth is a regular grid pattern, the river always flows along a straight channel, and even the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves has a fixed rhythm.

Everything seems to be guided by invisible threads, operating meticulously along a pre-set trajectory.

As the natal divine kingdom of "Order of Heaven", this world is like a massive machine of extreme precision, exuding a cold, solemn and sacred aura.

At the very center of the world, a temple constructed of pure crystals of law rose from the ground. At the top of the temple, a towering male statue, its face obscured, stood overlooking the entire world.

At this moment, directly beneath this male statue, in the highest council chamber of the "Temple of Order," more than a dozen high-ranking god-kings with immense and vast auras were gathered, discussing something.

"The outcome of the epochal cycle will be determined tonight. There is a 99% probability that it will be 'Order'."

A god-king with long golden hair, a golden eye on his forehead, ancient golden patterns on his face, and surrounded by storms and thunder, slowly spoke.

"At that time, His Majesty Tianyan's strength will surge, surpassing the Chaos Witch and becoming the strongest in the new era."

As he spoke, he glanced around at the people present, his voice booming like thunder, "The most dangerous time has passed..."

If a high-ranking god-king from Qiu Tu's camp were here, they would most likely recognize his identity: Feng Lei, a high-ranking god-king from the mysterious path.

Upon hearing his words, another god-king, with silver eyes, short black hair, and mysterious silver markings on his face, arrogantly retorted,

"That's just because the most dangerous time has passed."

"We have all experienced the effects of the cycle of eras on high-level god-kings many times."

"As long as the era aligns with the path, the strength of a high-level God-King will often increase significantly. However, the strength of a high-level God-King will decrease significantly if the path is not aligned with the path."

“The difference is huge after this back and forth.”

"The God-King of Order is under the command of His Majesty Tianyan."

By the end, his excitement was palpable. "The tables have turned, everyone!"

Hearing their words, an old, aged voice came from the corner. It was an old man, with a withered tree-like appearance and an aura of decay and immortality emanating from him, who said, "Don't let your guard down."

"The other side has five god-kings who have embarked on the path to supreme power. There is also Zhao Ji, a god-king whose strength is unfathomable."

"In short, their strength still far surpasses ours."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that they've started to have some conflicts over time. But... those are all internal issues."

"They have some internal cracks, but is there anyone in contact with this side?"

"Even Chaos himself hasn't sent us any information in the past few years, has he?"

"At first, His Majesty Tianyan was in contact with her, but later he discovered that she was just making empty promises to him. Apart from always saying that she would contact His Majesty Tianyan immediately if Qiu Tu failed, she did not provide any real help."

"Therefore, we must not underestimate our enemy."

Upon hearing the words of Earth Soul God King, one of the three immortal giants, all the God Kings present fell silent.

Just like the Qiu Tu Alliance has had many internal problems over the past five years, the Tianyan Alliance is actually in a similar situation.

Even... compared to Qiu Tu, who only needs to wait for results, these high-level God Kings can't even wait; they can only constantly squeeze out their potential and cultivate desperately.

If Qiu Tu and his group hadn't completely blocked the road, they probably would have defected faster than anyone else.

Chapter 996 Zhao Ji: I can help you embark on the path to supreme power (Seeking monthly votes)

However, these are all just thoughts.

After all, the moment Qiu Tu and his group filled the passageway, these high-level god-kings had no other choice.

Unless they are willing to accept that they have no chance of making any further progress, they have no choice but to take a gamble.

Therefore, thinking this way, the high-ranking god-kings couldn't help but fall even more silent.

Just as the hall fell into a heavy silence once again, a figure with long green hair and a powerful aura of life spoke softly with a hint of worry.

"Actually... I also think... we can't underestimate our enemy."

"After all, His Majesty Tianyan is only one person, while the other side has five."

"Although His Majesty Tianyan's strength will increase significantly after the transition to the Era of Order, it does not mean that he can fight five opponents at once."

The one who spoke was the Tree Spirit God-King of the Life Path. She appeared to be a petite but curvaceous and gentle woman, but her brows were furrowed with an inescapable sorrow.

She paused for a moment, then continued, "More importantly..."

"Don't forget, everyone."

"The other side also has a high-level God-King of the 'Order Path'... Qiu Tu."

"Once the Era of Order is established, although it will greatly increase His Majesty Tianyan's strength, it will also significantly enhance his power."

"Although he hasn't been promoted yet."

She took a deep breath, lowering her voice even further, "But... once he seizes this opportunity to embark on the 'Path to Supremacy,' then... we'll be completely at a disadvantage."

Upon hearing this, the several high-ranking god-kings fell silent.

In fact, they all knew that the main reason why Qiu Tu's side was irreconcilably opposed to the Heavenly Evolution of Order, and why no one had yet attained the supreme god-king status, was to leave a place for Qiu Tu and wait for him to break through.

If Qiu Tu were to also embark on the path to supreme power, then he would achieve perfection in all six pathways. Furthermore, Qiu Tu is also a high-level God-King of the "Order Path," and his strength would greatly increase during the "Era of Order." In that case, our side would have no hope of turning the tide.

However, even after figuring this out, they knew that they had no way to change the status quo.

After all... even five years later, Qiu Tu's side still holds the upper hand.

Qiu Tu's side has five God-Kings who have embarked on the "Path to Supremacy," so it's already a miracle they don't cause them trouble. How could they dare to turn around and target Qiu Tu?

In any world, weakness is the greatest original sin.

Thinking of this, the entire hall fell silent. The high-ranking god-kings present felt as if a huge rock was pressing on their hearts, and their feelings were complicated.

Perhaps sensing his companions' feelings, Feng Lei Shen Wang frowned deeply.

He glanced around at the high-ranking god-kings present, then the golden vertical pupil in the center of his forehead suddenly opened, shooting out a terrifying bolt of lightning, and then said in a steady voice,

"Gentlemen, we must not underestimate the enemy, but we must also not boost their morale while diminishing our own."

"Have you all forgotten how His Majesty Tianyan evaluated Qiu Tu?"

He didn't wait for anyone to answer, but instead answered his own question directly, "Instantaneous foundation, insufficient talent!"

"His Majesty Tianyan once said that although Qiu Tu advanced very quickly, growing from an ordinary being to a high-level God King in just a few years, his accumulation of knowledge was too shallow."

"According to His Majesty Tianyan's perception, Qiu Tu's rapid advancement was not due to his own talent, but rather largely due to external forces, which resulted in his foundation being very unstable."

"Furthermore, His Majesty Tianyan has personally interacted with and observed Qiu Tu, and discovered that Qiu Tu lacks both the talent and the mindset to embark on the 'Path to Supremacy.'"

"Therefore, it is extremely difficult for Qiu Tu to embark on the 'Path to Supremacy,' perhaps... almost hopeless."

At this point, King Feng Lei paused for a moment before continuing, "Actually... at first, I didn't believe His Majesty's judgment either."

"I thought he just wanted to comfort us and keep our morale up."

"But five years have passed, and Qiu Tu still hasn't embarked on the 'Path to Supremacy.' He hasn't even shown the slightest reaction. This makes me start to believe it."

"After all... any god-king who can embark on the path to the supreme realm will resonate with the path to the supreme realm within a few months to three to five years after becoming a high-level god-king."

"Qiu Tu has had no reaction for five years, which could very well mean that he doesn't really have the talent."

"Therefore... I think that even if the cycle of eras turns into the Era of Order, Qiu Tu will still be unable to embark on the path to the supreme."

Feng Lei Shenwang's words were powerful and resonant, each word filled with undeniable confidence. This also impressed the other high-ranking god-kings present.

A flame began to burn in their eyes.

Feng Lei Shenwang keenly sensed the emotional shifts among the high-ranking god-kings. He paused again, glanced around at everyone, and then pressed on, saying, "Besides... now that things have come to this, do we have any other options?"

"His Majesty Tianyan is already our strongest guarantee."

"If we don't choose the 'path of order,' are we supposed to choose other paths and hand over the initiative? We're no match for them!"

“Moreover…” Feng Lei Shen Wang said, “The cycle of time will confirm this tonight. We have no way out.”

Upon hearing Feng Lei Shenwang's words, the gazes of the other god-kings present gradually hardened.

Yes, when it comes to doing great things, there aren't many options or ways out.

Of all those present here, who among you hasn't fought your way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood? Who among you isn't a person of unwavering resolve and decisive action? The path to enlightenment is inherently a high-stakes gamble, a gamble with your life, your fortune, and your future.

They encountered countless setbacks and difficulties during their journey to becoming advanced god-kings. This is merely a replay of that.

There is no essential difference between the two; it's simply a matter of the winner taking all the risks and the loser accepting the consequences.

Once they understood this, the confusion and worry in everyone's eyes gradually faded, replaced by determination.

They exchanged a glance, then nodded slightly, having made up their minds! After a few more brief words, they left one after another to prepare for this final battle.

Soon, the entire hall fell silent.

Time passed second by second.

I don't know how much time passed. It could have been a minute, or it could have been several hours.