Then let them offer their loyalty!

"I'll hand over all the connections and resources I've built up in the Northwest Region to the Hidden Mist Society. To help Lord Golden Lion attain the rank of Celestial God!"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Jin Ni was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "It's not about helping me, it's about helping the president of 'Apocalypse'."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu hesitated for a moment. "Zhao Ji has only just entered the eighth rank, yet she is confident in obtaining the 'Celestial God Rank.' Lord Jin Ni, don't you have the confidence to obtain the 'Celestial God Rank'?"

After saying that, seeing that Jin Ni was about to object, Qiu Tu added, "After all, this 'trial' clearly involves more than just one 'Celestial God Rank,' right?"

"With the three of us combined, we can directly control the 'Northwest Region' and the 'Southwest Region.' Surely... we can't take down two 'Celestial Ranks'?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Jin Ni froze in place.

To be honest, before Qiu Tu talked about multiple "Celestial God Ranks," both Jin Ni and Zhi Yan knew that there was a high probability of multiple "Celestial God Ranks" in this "Celestial God Trial."

However, if the idea is that there are multiple "divine positions", then the chances of "revelation" obtaining one will be much greater.

The "Celestial Rank" is far too precious. Therefore, neither of them ever truly imagined that the "Hidden Mist Society" could obtain two!

Despite his weak strength, Qiu Tu controls the largest territory and has the most influence among all the "Trial Participants"!

If he truly joins the "Hidden Mist Society," their strength will indeed increase significantly. They will be able to directly control the Northwest and Southwest regions right from the start of the trial!

Furthermore, considering the distance between the "Mist Shadow Society" and the Second Shelter and these two major areas, a continuous supply of support can be provided. This plan seems truly feasible!

In an instant, the golden lion's large, bell-like eyes slowly brightened.

The only question is... is Qiu Tu truly loyal to us?

Thinking this, Jin Ni narrowed his eyes, looked sharply at Qiu Tu, and asked, "Speaker Qiu... is everything you just said true? Do you really want to join our side?"

He paused for a moment, then tentatively asked, "So what do you want to achieve? What is your purpose?"

Upon hearing Jin Ni's question, Qiu Tu grinned, his smile becoming exceptionally bright.

Greed... is always the sharpest blade.

They've taken the bait...

Thinking this, Qiu Tu smiled and said, "I do have a few purposes."

He said, "Firstly, I hope the 'Hidden Mist Society' can guarantee my safety and prevent Zehime from harassing me again."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Jin Ni put his hands behind his back and nodded slightly in a deep voice.

Regarding Zhao Ji's combat strength, the major powers of the "Western Kingdom" actually have an estimate. At most, she is equivalent to the mid-stage of the eighth rank. Not to mention the peak of the eighth rank, "Apocalypse," even the Golden Lion could defeat her.

It's reasonable that Qiu Tu, who has a grudge against Zhao Ji, would first ask to get rid of her.

Qiu Tu said, "My second request is that after I hand over my influence in the Northwest region to the Mist Shadow Society, the Mist Shadow Society will protect us from harm by other Trial Participants."

Qiu Tu doesn't even need to mention this. If the "Mist Shadow Society" really takes over the "Northwest Region," then they will definitely have to ensure the safety of the "Northwest Region."

After all... this trial is about the size of the controlled area and the number of living beings within it.

Those humans from the "Northwest Region" were key to the "Hidden Mist Society's" victory.

So, Jin Ni nodded again.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu continued, "My third request is... I hope that after the 'Mist Shadow Society' controls the 'Northwest Region,' regardless of who becomes the number one figure, the Northwest King, I can be the number two, assisting that person."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's request, Jin Ni gave Qiu Tu a deep look. For the "Mist Shadow Society," Qiu Tu's "Order-Politics" cataclysmic path was not a secret.

Qiu Tu's request clearly shows that he still has aspirations for improvement and wants to enhance his strength.

However, strength is tied to official rank; a single word can elevate someone to godhood, or destroy them. As long as the "Hidden Mist Society" controls the "Northwest Region," it's equivalent to controlling Qiu Tu.

Moreover... even if Qiu Tu becomes the number two figure in the "Northwest Region", his strength is at most at the peak of the 7th rank.

In the "Trial of the Gods," where level eight is everywhere, they don't even qualify to step onto the chessboard. They are nothing to fear.

Thinking this, Jin Ni nodded and replied, "Alright."

Seeing this, Qiu Tu finally smiled. Then he said, "If you can accept the above three basic conditions, then I have one last additional condition."

Upon hearing that Qiu Tu had added conditions, Jin Ni frowned slightly.

Nobody likes someone who takes advantage of them. But Qiu Tu had given him so much, so he continued, "Tell me about it."

When it came to the last condition, Qiu Tu gritted his teeth and said, "Kill Zhao Ji!"

"I hope the Hidden Mist Society can help me kill Zhao Ji after the Trial of the Gods, to eliminate any future trouble!"

"Her strength is terrifying; I'm worried she'll take revenge on me later!"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Jin Ni fell silent.

The fact that Princess Zetsu is a "reincarnation of a god" is no longer a secret in the "Western Kingdom".

Although it is unclear which deity Zehime was before her reincarnation, she must have been no ordinary being.

Making an enemy of a god of this caliber is certainly not a good thing.

But... who says a promise has to be kept?

Moreover, is it fulfilling an additional condition?

Have you forgotten what the core members of the "Hidden Mist Society" are best at?

Exploitation and empty promises!

Who taught the Nine-Headed Lion its ability to make empty promises? It was passed down from the Golden Lion!

Thinking this, Jin Ni glanced at Qiu Tu indifferently, then said with his hands behind his back, "Don't worry. Little Zhao Ji is nothing to fear."

"If 'Apocalypse' and I can ascend to the rank of Celestial Gods, the two of us Celestial Gods joining forces would be enough to take on not only Zhao Ji, but even a God-King."

Upon hearing Jin Ni's words, Qiu Tu's face immediately lit up with a look of delight. He quickly cupped his hands and bowed to Jin Ni, saying, "Then I thank Lord Jin Ni in advance!"

"From today onwards, I will stand alongside King Zhiyan, serving the 'Mist Shadow Society,' and help you and Guild Master Tianqi win the 'Trial of the Gods'!"

"I also wish you and President Tianqi success in obtaining the 'Divine Rank' and ascending to the position of a god!"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, even though Jin Ni tried his best to restrain himself, a smile still crept onto his face.

To be honest, he suddenly understood how Zhiyan had felt earlier. Qiu Tu was quite the smooth talker; chatting with him was a pleasure!

Moreover, he can not only say that he is a lucky star, but also that he is a blessing.

Bringing the "Northwest Region" to join us? Is it so that we too might attain a "divine status"?

This is something I never dared to even imagine before!

At that moment, while Jin Ni was lost in thought, Zhi Yan frowned slightly.

She glanced at Jin Ni, who looked smug and almost blinded by greed, and then at Qiu Tu, who was smiling brightly and seemed harmless. She felt a strange sensation in her heart.

Qiu Tuming was saying all good things, but why did she have this ominous feeling? Was something wrong?

If Qiu Tu knew what Zhi Yan was thinking at this moment, he would probably smile.

Because Zhiyan's premonition was indeed correct. All of this was part of Qiu Tu's carefully crafted plan to kill multiple birds with one stone.

The key phrase for this plan is quite simple: "The tallest tree in the forest stands out..."

-----

Double monthly votes for the last 3 days of the month! Requesting a wave of double monthly votes!

Chapter 635 Are you Secretary Bai? (Double votes requested)

Thinking about this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but recall the amazing plan he had come up with in just a few minutes.

Actually... long before the "Trial of the Gods" began, Qiu Tu had been pondering a question: how could the weakest team win the final victory in a war?

The reason he has this problem is because there are 88 "Trial Participants" and 22 teams. His team and Zhao Ji's team are arguably the weakest, without exception.

In terms of potential, Zhao Ji, at the late stage of Tier 7, can at most go toe-to-toe with mid-Tier 8. The combat power ceiling of other teams is at least late Tier 8, and many are even at the peak of Tier 8.

Compared to the lower limit, Qiu Tu, an ordinary early-stage seventh-tier cultivator, even because he advanced too quickly and cut off his own arm (his position in the Human Alliance), could only exchange blows with mid-stage seventh-tier cultivators without using the "Order Space".

However, using the concept of "order space," with 22 teams, almost all of whom are at the peak of the seventh tier of evil gods, how much would he have to expend...?

Therefore, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji are the weakest of the 22 teams, with almost no chance of winning.

Therefore, Qiu Tu has been recalling and studying many historical cases of the weak defeating the strong, or the underdog having the last laugh.

Through his research, he also discovered commonalities among these cases.

That means they all revolve around two core principles: accumulating small victories into a major triumph, trading space for time; and... when the clam and the crane fight, the fisherman reaps the benefits.

The first piece of advice to Qiu Tu was: Don't try to be a hero when you're weak. The second piece of advice was: High-level politicians still need to "use others' strength against them."

In addition, Qiu Tu's team was simply too weak, making them easy to overlook.

Therefore, at the beginning of the "Trial of the Gods", Qiu Tu had already planned to be patient in the early stages, letting the other "Trial Participants" compete and fight fiercely first, while his own side secretly developed.

However, although he had made the decision, he never solved one problem: how was he supposed to develop his power when the cataclysmic power in the "edge area" was so thin?

If this problem cannot be solved, then no matter how much time he spends or how much effort he borrows, he will ultimately be unable to help Zhao Ji win this "Trial of the Gods".

So he's been thinking about this problem for the past few days.

Thus, he was fortunate enough to encounter this once-in-a-century large-scale trial and comprehensive evaluation.

After figuring out the standards for this "Trial of the Gods," he already had some ideas and plans in mind. However, Jin Ni and Zhi Yan arrived too quickly, interrupting him.

But who knew... just when you think you've reached the end of the road, a new path opens up before you.

After triggering his "crisis sense" and realizing that he had been ambushed by Jin Ni and Zhi Yan, Qiu Tu couldn't help but have a bold idea: Why not... combine the two plans directly?

Since their side needs time to develop, they need to instigate conflict among the other 21 teams. And they also need to break through this predicament.

Then...why don't I join the "Hidden Mist Society"?

He controls the entire "Northwest Region," ruling over hundreds of millions of lives. He'll be welcomed no matter which side he joins.

Therefore, in order to take over the "Northwest Region" without any risks, the "Hidden Mist Society" will not kill him, regardless of whether they believe him or not, at least until they have completely controlled the "Northwest Region".

The "Hidden Mist Society" is already a very strong team. With the added advantage of controlling the "Northwest Region," they could very well break into the top three, or even take first place.

At that time... this will inevitably attract the attention of other forces.

"The tallest tree in the forest catches the most wind," and by making such a splash at the very beginning of the trial, the "Mist Shadow Society" will almost instantly become the common enemy of other forces. They are very likely to be attacked by all sides.

After all, given the strength of the "Hidden Mist Society" and its progress in controlling the two major regions, other forces would not allow it to dominate the market if there were no second or third slots available.

This will completely intensify the power struggles within this "Trial of the Gods." If anyone tries to smuggle goods, it could very well escalate into a major war.

Wouldn't this give Qiu Tu, Zhao Ji, and the others time to develop and an opportunity to reap the benefits?

As for... will the "Hidden Mist Society" see through this plan?

Qiu Tu thought it was possible.

But... those skilled in planning never use "schemes," but rather "open strategies."

Qiu Tu's method was a perfectly legitimate and aboveboard scheme. He genuinely offered up the entire "Northwest Region," so should the "Mist Hidden Society" accept it or not?

No, they're not even arguing about the "divine status."

Want it? Then you'll fall into a trap.

As for "postponing the recruitment of Qiu Tu," for example, letting Qiu Tu take charge of the "Northwest Region" on his behalf, and then taking over Qiu Tu's territory after the "Mist Shadow Society" has developed, that would be even better.

The "Hidden Mist Society" not only works for Qiu Tu and protects him, but Qiu Tu can also take the opportunity to unify the "Northwest Region," become the "King of the Northwest," and advance to the peak of the seventh rank, or even the eighth rank!

If Qiu Tu really advances to the eighth rank, then the entire situation will be reversed...

So now all the cards are laid out here, and whoever can outsmart the other side will be the ultimate winner.

This is Qiu Tu's "killing many birds with one stone, making the tree stand out in the forest" strategy!

Of course, in order to win this scheming battle, both sides will definitely make their own moves to increase their own leverage and weaken the other's.

What Qiu Tu needs to do is to neutralize the opponent's moves and then drag the opponent down completely!

At that moment, just as Qiu Tu was thinking about his entire plan, Jin Ni's gaze also fell on Qiu Tu.

Although he was somewhat flattered by Qiu Tu's praise, he also knew that Qiu Tu's forte was intrigue and scheming. He could easily sell someone out and then have that person count the money for him.

Therefore, he knew he couldn't believe everything Qiu Tu said...

In comparison, the "World Oath" is much more binding...

So, after his eyes darted around a few times, he smiled and said to Qiu Tu, "Speaker Qiu, although I trust you a lot, words are not enough."

"Can you swear an oath? Prove that you genuinely want to join our 'Mist Shadow Society'? And that you're truly willing to hand over the 'Northwest Region' to us?"