Then let them offer their loyalty!

After reading the intelligence in his hand, Kou Xuan had a look of bewilderment on his face.

He put down the intelligence report, walked to the window, and stood there with his hands behind his back.

Last night, after Qiu Tu left, he and Yan Chen received a notification from Princess Xi. They learned that Qiu Tu had seen through their plan and had accepted them.

This happened much later than he had expected.

Because in his mind, Qiu Tu, with his intelligence, would probably see through all of this in less than two days.

Therefore, he speculated at the time that Qiu Tu was likely in seclusion to improve his strength.

Qiu Tu's successful assassination of Shen Yuzhou in a matter of seconds last night also indirectly proves his speculation.

Given Qiu Tu's previous strength, he could indeed have killed Shen Yuzhou, but to do it so easily, to the point that he could even simulate Li Feng's attack to frame someone, is something he probably couldn't do.

'You've gotten stronger again...'

'Previously, he was probably at the peak of the sixth rank, possessing the combat power of the early seventh rank.'

'Now that you've advanced to the early stage of the seventh rank, your actual combat strength should be around the mid-to-late stage of the seventh rank, right?'

Thinking of this, Kou Xuan's mind flashed through various pieces of information about Qiu Tu using his cataclysmic abilities, finally settling on the information that "Qiu Tu subdued Li Feng in one move"...

'Rule-based abilities... effective against those of the same rank, practically invincible?'

'Add this bug-level ability, and he should be able to fight against a peak seventh-tier opponent.'

'Truly befitting a human emperor. He's progressed to this level in such a short time.'

Thinking this, Kou Xuan couldn't help but feel even more admiration.

However, after praising him, he was also filled with worry.

After all... the instinct of aristocratic families is to continue the tradition and to follow the middle way.

There are aristocratic families that have lasted for a thousand years, but there has never been a dynasty that has lasted for a thousand years, because prosperity inevitably leads to decline.

The reason why the Kou family supported King Kang in the past was because of the Cataclysmic Era. If they did not move forward, they would die. They had to develop first and accumulate strength.

After supporting King Kang, the Kou family accumulated considerable strength during the Cataclysmic Era, ensuring they wouldn't be easily eliminated. They then began preparing for the future and diversifying their investments.

Therefore, "serving the emperor" has never been the choice of truly aristocratic families that have stood for millennia. The risks are too great. One wrong move could lead to their utter destruction.

If things had gone according to plan, Kou Xuan should have retreated gracefully, feigning a series of defeats, and ceding the Sixth Sanctuary to Princess Xi. He should have preserved the main branch, allowing only Su Wanqing from the branch to accompany Qiu Tu.

This is the approach that minimizes the risk to the family and is also the most beneficial.

In the end... he had been rational so many times, and had given up on Qiu Tu so many times despite believing in him. But at this last moment, he still couldn't control himself: he chose to place the entire family's hopes on Qiu Tu.

Thinking this, Kou Xuan sighed softly, then silently apologized in his heart, 'Ancestor... please forgive my willfulness this time.'

'If this decision truly leads to the decline of my family, then I am willing to atone with my death and accept any punishment...'

.......

at the same time.

Shelter No. 8. Speaker's Meeting Room.

Tang Wanli, with a full head of white hair, was looking at the intelligence report in his hand with a deep expression.

After a moment, he sighed softly, then put down the intelligence report and looked up at Rao Shou, who was sitting opposite him in the speaker's seat. "Old Rao, tell me... did we two make a mistake?"

Hearing Tang Wanli's words, Rao Shou shook his head. His gaze was sharp, filled with bloodlust and coldness. "You did nothing wrong."

"Let's put aside whether he really killed Shen Yuzhou. Even if he did, others might not know about that kid's relationship with Shen Lingshuang, but do you think we wouldn't?"

“I would despise a man who lives in this world but fails to avenge his loved ones.”

"As a man, one must have courage. And as a leader who has the potential to lead humanity into the next era, one needs even more courage!"

As Rao Shou spoke, because his advancement was too rapid and his realm was unstable, the aura of the late fifth-order stage emanated from his body, and a faint smell of blood filled the room for a moment.

Tang Wanli then belatedly realized that the man in front of him was once the number one warlord in the "Northwest Region" who would risk everything for the woman he loved, and a man who would go to great lengths for his brothers.

Back then, when the 8th shelter had just been established, Rao Shouke was a radical who directly proposed to explicitly define "blood revenge" as innocent when drafting the law.

For so many years, he has been cultivating his character and keeping his sword sheathed, which is why people have forgotten his glorious past.

At this moment, Rao Shou also restrained his imposing manner and said, "Moreover... I will not comment on his actions this time. I will only comment on Qiu Tu as a person."

At this point, Rao Shou paused for a moment, "We've been completely open and honest with him. And haven't he been just as loyal and devoted to us?"

Rao Shoudao said, "The 'Isolation Mountain Range' is scheduled to collapse in six months, and the two major regions will be completely merged. He's willing to share such crucial and important intelligence with us."

"His feelings for us have already been proven."

Upon hearing this, Tang Wanli nodded slightly, his face finally free of hesitation.

He looked at Rao Shou and said, "Then we'd better start preparing for the integration now. We don't want to be caught off guard and in a panic when the integration actually happens."

Rao Shou nodded slightly and then said, "Remember to coordinate with the four states and help them make preparations as well."

"The four prefectures are still newly established, and resources and manpower are relatively scarce. Although Qiu Tu has gone to the 'core area,' we must still help him guard the rear."

Hearing Rao Shou's instructions, Tang Wanli laughed and scolded, "Do you even need to tell me? Fei is in charge of the four prefectures now..."

Compared to the 6th, 8th, and 9th shelters, which were closer to Qiu Tu and therefore knew the truth.

Shelters 3, 4, and 5 were clearly bewildered by the current confusing situation.

Li Feng knew that she hadn't attacked the Third Shelter. While the Third and Fifth Shelter also suspected something was amiss, there were simply too few Tier 7 individuals in the entire "Edge Area."

If it wasn't Li Feng who did it, then who else could it be?

Did Shen Yuzhou kill himself?

Other evil god organizations?

Could it be Qiu Tu, who is already in the "core area"?

It's important to know that, as shelters that have close ties with the "core area," all three shelters have a basic intelligence network within the "core area."

According to intelligence, Qiu Tu has been spending the last two days in the "Core Area - Western Kingdom" with "Candle Dance," frequenting brothels and listening to music...

.....

at the same time.

Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart - Core Area - Western Kingdom - Three Capitals.

Qiu Tu sat upright in the main seat, looking expressionlessly at the people standing in front of him, and then asked in a deep voice, "I told you to watch over the Candle Dance, and this is how you watch it?"

"Watching her go to brothels every day, drinking and carousing, ruining my reputation?"

"I haven't even reached the 'Core Area' yet, and I've already heard about my fall in the 'Three Capitals'!"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, the jackal standing in front of him lowered his head, looking embarrassed. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain.

For example... Zhu Wu, a seventh-tier great evil god, and a reincarnation of a celestial god, was someone he simply couldn't stop.

For example... they actually tried various methods to restrict the candle dance, but all to no avail.

For example... they had tried to help Qiu Tu salvage his reputation. But... Zhu Wu went too frequently and caused too much of a stir. Nothing they did worked.

As a result, just as the jackal opened its mouth, Qiu Tu spoke again.

He said with great distress, "Even if you can't control her, you should at least delay her for two days so I can have some fun too!"

"They haven't even played a part, and they're already taking the blame! It's infuriating!"

After saying that, Qiu Tu asked curiously, "By the way, are the brothels in the 'core area' fun? What are they like?"

Jackal: ....

Rain Butterfly, standing to the side, at dusk: .....

Seeing the helpless expressions on their faces, Qiu Tu knew the joke had gone too far. So he coughed, waved his hand, and said, "Alright. Go and call 'Candle Dance' back."

"She should have already sensed that I've arrived in the 'Three Capitals City'."

Seeing that Qiu Tu had finally stopped talking about the topic, Jackal quickly responded, then turned around and left with Mu Ye to find Zhu Wu.

After the two left, only Qiu Tu and Yu Die remained in the room.

Qiu Tu gestured for Yu Die to sit down before asking, "How's the matter I asked you to handle?"

With no outsiders around, Yu Die and Qiu Tu's relationship became noticeably more casual.

She didn't answer directly, but chuckled, her bright eyes looking at Qiu Tu, and then asked in return, "Do you think I'm as unreliable as Jackal or Twilight?"

This was indeed rare good news for Qiu Tu since he arrived in the "core area." So he gestured and said, "Tell me about it."

Seeing that they were getting down to business, Yu Die's face also became serious again.

She said, "This time, in order to establish a basic intelligence network in the 'core area,' I brought an intelligence team of approximately 2000 people. We expanded outwards from the 'isolated mountain range,' infiltrating more than 20 cities."

"We have essentially established a basic intelligence gathering and transmission system in the surrounding three states."

"During this time, as you requested, I also had my spies keep an eye out for information related to 'Zhao Ji' and 'Qing Lan.' We obtained quite a few leads."

Hearing Yu Die's words, Qiu Tu nodded slightly.

When he came to the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Area" this time, he only brought five trusted confidants or close friends.

Rain Butterfly, Shen Lingshuang, Candle Dance, Jackal, and Twilight.

There are reasons for choosing these five individuals.

Jackal and Twilight, though highly loyal, are after all evil gods.

Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts. Furthermore, Qiu Tu has no vested interests with them, only the power of force to suppress them. Now that Qiu Tu has suddenly left for seven months, no one knows what kind of trouble they might cause.

So Qiu Tu simply led them to the "core area".

In fact, to prevent the jackals from rebelling when he was away.

Qiu Tu also used the excuse that "it is not safe to leave the children in the southwest region, and they may be harmed by the Fog Shadow Society" to get Jackal to take all three of his puppies to the "northwest region" as hostages.

And Zhu Wu goes without saying. She is Qiu Tu's strongest henchman and bodyguard on this trip to the "core area." She is also the key to Qiu Tu's "deception" plan.

After all, without "Candle Dance" controlling Qiu Tu's clone, Qiu Tu wouldn't have been able to assassinate Shen Yuzhou without being discovered.

After all, having a catastrophic artifact or ability that can create clones isn't anything special. But... having a troublesome 7th-tier Great Evil God like "Candle Dance" help cover it up is still beyond the imagination of the human camp.

Apart from these three people.

Shen Lingshuang was because Qiu Tu was preparing to conduct an experiment on her and Zhu Wu.

Yu Die is Qiu Tu's deputy. The main purpose of bringing her to the "core area" is to establish a basic intelligence network for the "Four States Group" in the "core area".

After all, during his years in the "Northwest Region," Qiu Tu had come to deeply appreciate the importance of intelligence.

Sometimes, a single piece of crucial information can be worth as much as an eighth-tier Great Evil God.

When Qiu Tu asked Yu Die to establish this intelligence network, he added an additional requirement for her: to investigate the whereabouts of Zhao Ji and Qing Lan.

Zhao Ji goes without saying. She's the strongest support Qiu Tu has ever encountered in his life.

Any intelligence she possesses is of extremely high value.

Even after Qiu Tu arrived at the "core area," he sensed Zhao Ji's location and realized that she was moving rapidly toward him.

However, figuring out her whereabouts, knowing where she went and what she did, would allow Qiu Tu to understand her better, and perhaps even... gain some opportunities.

Qinglan, on the other hand, is the Jackal's backer in the "core area." She is Qiu Tu's only "connection" in the "core area."

According to the information revealed by Jackal at the time, this was an 8th-tier Great Evil God who didn't love his job and only wanted to slack off every day. He was also one of the 12 high-ranking members of the "Mist Hidden Society".

During this period, Qiu Tu had too many conflicts with the "Hidden Mist Society". To put it simply, the little Yaksha is still in Qiu Tu's hands.

Don't forget that Little Yaksha's father is a high-ranking member of the "Hidden Mist Society." His strength has most likely reached level 8.

Therefore, for his own safety, Qiu Tu naturally wanted to make contact with the "Qinglan" Great Evil God to keep abreast of the "Mist Hidden Society's" movements and plans against him.

Furthermore, if the conditions were right, Qiu Tu wouldn't mind turning this 8th-tier Great Evil God to the side, making her the fifth in the "using evil gods to control evil gods" plan, and turning her into his inside man.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu looked at Yu Die and listened carefully as she recounted the information about the two great evil gods.

According to Yu Die, Qing Lan's whereabouts are easy to track. This is because she is rather lazy and almost never leaves her post.

Qinglan's residence was none other than Qinglan City, which was right next to the "Sandu City" where Qiu Tu was currently staying.

That city was named after Qinglan, and it was also the main city of the nine surrounding states. Qinglan lived in "Qinglan City" and governed these nine states.

These nine Dazhou are also manifestations of Qinglan's "Boundless Heart Sea Region". Therefore, Qinglan's strength in this region will directly rival that of a peak eighth-tier cultivator.

Unless the "God King" himself comes, no evil god can do anything to her.