Then let them offer their loyalty!

Hearing Jin Ni's words, Qiu Tu snapped out of his reverie. He gave Jin Ni a feigned troubled look, then said, "Lord Jin Ni, you know... the 'World Oath' is a burden for living beings."

"Making oaths multiple times in a short period of time will affect a creature's cultivation level."

Upon hearing this, Jin Ni narrowed his eyes and looked at Qiu Tu with a hint of danger.

Qiu Tu was right. The "Origin of the World" isn't a wish-granting machine that anyone can communicate with and have it witness. Therefore, making a "world vow" requires a great deal of effort and will also result in negative feedback from the "Origin of the World."

However... this is not a reason for Qiu Tu not to take the oath. After all... this oath is far too important. It may very well be related to Qiu Tu's true thoughts.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but open his mouth to question Qiu Tu.

Just then, Qiu Tu changed the subject and said, "However... if it can put Lord Jin Ni at ease, then I can also swear an oath."

Jin Ni's eyes lit up slightly, and his expression softened as he looked at Qiu Tu.

Before he could fully process what was happening, Qiu Tu changed the subject again. He said, "However, Lord Jinni, I can swear an oath. But I have a few small requests."

Upon hearing this, Jin Ni composed himself, glanced at Qiu Tu indifferently, and asked, "What are your requirements?"

Qiu Tu said, "Although I have 'abandoned darkness and embraced light,' our cooperation is equal; it's simply a matter of each side getting what they need."

“I swear, then Lord Jinni also needs to swear.”

"How about we agree on the terms of our cooperation through a pledge?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Jin Ni narrowed his eyes and carefully examined Qiu Tu, his brain rapidly weighing the pros and cons.

After a moment, he made up his mind. He said decisively, "Okay!"

Seeing that Jin Ni had agreed, Qiu Tu didn't hesitate either.

His entire plan was to genuinely hand over the "Northwest Region" to the "Mist Shadow Society" and help the "Mist Shadow Society" develop. There was nothing to worry about.

So he raised his hand and once again swore the "World Oath," "I swear by the 'Origin of the World,' that I will cooperate with the Golden Lion and Apocalypse in the 'Trial of the Gods.'"

"My influence in the 'Northwest Region' will also be transferred to them when they need it, to help them improve their overall ranking."

Seeing that Qiu Tu had truly sworn an oath, Jin Ni's expression visibly relaxed. He also raised his hand and swore an oath.

"I swear by the 'Origin of the World' that I will protect Qiu Tu's safety during the 'Trial of the Gods'; after acquiring the 'Northwest Region,' I will guarantee its safety; and I will support Qiu Tu to become the number two figure in the 'Northwest Region.'"

After saying that, he glanced at Qiu Tu and added, "Furthermore, I swear that after the 'Trial of the Gods' ends, if I am able, I will help Qiu Tu kill Zhao Ji."

In his final oath, Jin Ni played a trick, adding the condition "if he is capable of it." This was a way of leaving himself a way out.

After all, every "reincarnation of a god" was once a powerful evil god, possessing great talent and rich experience.

If you can't control her or kill her when she's still weak, then it's best not to provoke her once she's really developed.

However, Qiu Tu hadn't actually intended for Jin Ni to kill Zhao Ji; his plan was to eliminate Jin Ni during the "Trial of the Gods." So, seeing that Jin Ni had finished making his oath, he smiled and extended his hand to Jin Ni, saying, "Lord Jin Ni, it's a pleasure to cooperate."

Perhaps because the "World Oath" proved Qiu Tu's "loyalty", Jin Ni finally smiled a little more, and his expression towards Qiu Tu became more affectionate.

At this moment... of the three, only Zhiyan, who was standing to the side, had a strange expression.

As she watched their relationship grow increasingly intimate, she instinctively felt that something was amiss, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

After all... Qiu Tu had already made a vow, promising to give the "Northwest Region" to Jin Ni or Tian Qi. He would also cooperate with their actions in the "Trial of the Gods." It could be said that he was "sincere and earnest."

But... why do I have this ominous feeling in my heart?

Thinking this, Zhiyan couldn't help but glance at Qiu Tu again.

It has to be said that Qiu Tu is really good-looking. Sometimes, just one look at him makes you want to believe he's real.

'Am I overthinking it?'

For a moment, Zhiyan was unsure...

Thus, after reaching an agreement on cooperation, the life-or-death crisis was immediately resolved, and the relationship between the three of them became noticeably closer.

Because they still had to carry out the plan, Jin Ni and Zhi Yan directly invited Qiu Tu to go to the "Northwest Region" with them.

Qiu Tu, who didn't know the way at all, obviously agreed.

On the way, Qiu Tu also inquired about Jin Ni's arrangements for him.

He gave Jin Ni three options.

1. He will now directly "join" Jin Ni. He will make himself Jin Ni's "attachment" and attribute his own evaluation to Jin Ni.

2. He first ensured his independence, returned to the "Northwest Region" with Jin Ni, then consolidated the power in the "Northwest Region," and waited for a suitable opportunity to "attach" himself to Jin Ni or Tian Qi.

3. He... first returned to Zhao Ji's side to act as an inside agent. He helped the "Hidden Mist Society" keep an eye on Zhao Ji's movements. Then he consolidated the power in the "Northwest Region".

Although Jin Ni was somewhat arrogant, he wasn't brainless. He... didn't choose any of the options.

He smiled and said to Qiu Tu, "This matter is far too important; we still need Lord Apocalypse to make the decision."

"Let's go to the Northwest region first and then talk about it."

Qiu Tu's current strategy is to bide his time and leverage existing resources, so he readily nodded...

.....

Meanwhile.

When Qiu Tu was forced to go to the "Northwest Region" with Jin Ni and Zhi Yan.

Northeast China. Qinglan, her face grave, swept across the mountain ranges. Beneath her feet lay only blackened earth and scorched forests.

As the only "spiritual world," the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart" has been devouring and assimilating other worlds over the years.

The method of assimilation is to use "connection" to link the "core area" with other worlds, and then begin to infiltrate and merge.

The Northwest and Southwest regions are the human world. However, the Northeast and Southeast regions are not the human world.

Furthermore, unlike the Northwest and Southwest regions, which are entirely controlled by humans, the Northeast and Northwest regions are not dominated by a single race, but rather by multiple races.

Among them are the "Long-Eared Race," who are skilled in mechanics just like humans; the "Skywing Race," who are born with extraordinary powers; as well as the "Demi-Human Race" and the "Mixed Origin Beast," and so on.

And that's all.

Compared to the diverse forces in the "Western Kingdom," the gods there are still generally like "humans" and have human appearances. The composition of the "Eastern Kingdom" is much more complex.

Not only are there "Dreams," illusory creatures born from the negative emotions and fantasies of living beings; "Contaminated Ones," who possess immortality and have bizarre appearances; and "Divine Abominations," formed from the multiple rebirths of deceased deities, and so on.

They were all crazy and chaotic guys.

If the main theme of the "Western Kingdom" is "order," and the main path the entire kingdom practices is also "order" and "life," then the path practiced by the "Eastern Kingdom" is "chaos" and "mystery."

This also meant that both the "Northeast region" and the "Southeast region" were plagued by constant warfare.

As a result, Qinglan was surprised to find that the entire "Northeast Region" was almost empty and desolate.

It felt as if all living things had died out. And the earth and the forests were all burned black.

This strange anomaly both shocked and alarmed Qinglan.

Coupled with the strange occurrences of this "Trial of the Gods," Qinglan couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding: there seems to be something wrong with this "Trial of the Gods"!

Moreover... if the "Northeast region" is in such a dire state, could the "Southeast region" be in the same predicament?

If both regions are like this, then a problem arises: the third part of this "Trial of the Gods" requires territory and population.

So... the population of the four major regions is concentrated in only the Northwest and Southwest regions!

At that time, these two regions will definitely become the main targets of the 88 "Trialists".

"The Northwest Region belongs to Qiu Tu. This is really troublesome..."

Thinking this, Qinglan continued flying forward.

Soon, she flew to the burning forest where Qiu Tu, Jin Ni, and Zhi Yan were talking.

As she fell from the sky, Qinglan twitched her nose twice, sniffed around, and then frowned slightly.

'Is there the aura of another deity?'

Qinglan recalled that she had observed Qiu Tu's location before, and that he was in the same "Northeast Region" as her.

According to their agreement, if they were in the same area, they would head towards each other first to meet up, and then go to other areas to find other companions.

However, Qiu Tu did not follow this agreement. They're almost at the "regional passage," which suggests Qiu Tu may have encountered an accident...

"Ugh! This is so annoying! I hate it when accidents happen at work!"

'Good behavior in prison can get you a reduced sentence, but good behavior at work just means more overtime!'

After shouting a few words in her heart, Qinglan rubbed her slightly chubby cheeks, pouted angrily, and transformed into a bolt of lightning, continuing to chase ahead.

She didn't actually intend to rescue Qiu Tu. She simply wanted to gather some information first...

After all, if a man is lost, the women in the family will surely want to know which vixen has seduced him, right?

And so, the two groups, one flying and the other chasing, quickly crossed the "Northwest-Northeast" regional passage and returned to the "Northwest Region".

The regional corridor is not far from the four states; it is located in the disaster zone in front of the four states.

After passing through the "Catastrophe Passage," Qiu Tu looked up towards the direction of the four states.

In his perception, Qinglan was rapidly approaching from the "Northeast Region," while Zhaoji was just approaching the "Southwest-Northwest" regional passage.

Therefore, in the entire "Northwest Region", only Zhuwu is one of their own.

Whether noticing Qiu Tu's gaze or not, Jin Ni glanced at Qiu Tu, then smiled and said, "Our 'Mist Shadow Society' still wields considerable influence in the 'Northwest Region.'"

"Although you have been encroaching on our territory for the past two years, the power we control is still very large."

"Fortunately, another of our partners, 'White Robe,' happened to arrive at your 8th Shelter."

"So, after gathering some basic intelligence, he went to the 'disaster zone' to recruit subordinates and consolidate his forces."

"White Robe?" Qiu Tu pondered the name, then recalled the person's information.

He remembered Qinglan introducing this person to him. This was one of the 12 high-ranking members of the "Mist Hidden Society." He was a powerful evil god in the mid-stage of the eighth rank.

However, unlike Qinglan, Baiyi belongs to the direct line of "Tianqi". Although she has an eccentric personality, is mysterious, and always likes to say strange things, she has plenty of resources.

In addition, he has good talent, so his strength is also quite remarkable.

He's currently stuck in the middle of the eighth rank simply because the path he's taken is different from that of ordinary gods.

However, Qinglan did not specify what kind of road it was.

'Mysterious and strange?'

With his evaluation of the white-clad figure in mind, Qiu Tu continued to follow Jin Ni and Zhi Yan to the disaster zone.

Compared to the bustling shelters, the disaster zone, a place awaiting development and planning, is like a poor and backward rural area.

Everywhere you look, there are low, dilapidated buildings, dirty streets, starving vagrants, and... armed, arrogant anti-government militias and extremist religious groups.

After passing through several cities, the three soon arrived in front of a magnificent fortress.

The fortress was clearly quite old, bearing the marks of time. The main structure was built of thick, gray stone blocks, which were covered with mottled bullet holes and traces of gunpowder smoke.

A squad of anti-government soldiers stood ramrod straight at the door, on guard duty.

Whether or not they knew the three were coming, a man dressed in white, who looked to be in his twenties, with a handsome appearance and a very gentle demeanor, stood there.

Seeing the three approaching from afar, the man's eyes were full of smiles. He took the initiative to greet them and said gently, "Golden Lion, Heavenly King Zhiyan, you've arrived."

After greeting the two men, the man's gaze finally fell on Qiu Tu.

The three of them definitely had a means of communication; the man knew Qiu Tu would be coming long ago. Therefore, upon seeing Qiu Tu, the man didn't show any strange expression.

On the contrary... his gaze was gentle yet firm, conveying friendliness and appreciation....

When Qiu Tu saw the man, he didn't sense anything unusual or amiss. But after their eyes met, Qiu Tu felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity...

It was as if he had seen that look before.

At that moment, the man took the initiative to greet Qiu Tu, "Qiu Tu, long time no see."

Qiu Tu was startled when he heard the man's voice, which was completely different but whose tone was incredibly familiar.

Then his pupils contracted slightly, and he stared at the man in front of him in disbelief, his heart churning like a tidal wave. "Secretary Bai... Bai Yu?"

"Or perhaps... one of the twelve high-ranking members of the 'Hidden Mist Society,' the White-Robed Lord?"

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Chapter 636 Is Secretary Bai's Target Zhao Ji? (Thanks to "GGary" for the Alliance Leader)