Then let them offer their loyalty!

"Our goal has been lowered to securing second place in the 'Trial of the Gods'!"

Upon hearing this, the man in white narrowed his eyes involuntarily with a smile...

Meanwhile, Shu Xia, completely bewildered by the situation, and Jin Ni, on the other hand, were utterly confused: ?

What the hell? Why is the arrogant and domineering "Apocalypse," who is fearless and invincible, so scared after watching Zhao Ji's video that he wants to leave the "Northwest Region"?

What exactly is Lady Zhao's identity?

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还有7份268元游戏和60多份三只松鼠大礼包没领，预计应该还是能剩40-50份左右。大家可以投月票补抽一下哈。

Chapter 648 Apocalypse: I met Zhao Ji back then (Seeking monthly votes)

Thinking this, both Jin Ni and Shu Xia couldn't help but turn their gazes toward "Apocalypse".

As a subordinate, Jin Ni was not in a position to ask questions, but Shu Xia and "Tianqi" were originally in a cooperative relationship, so there was no need to worry about everything.

So he looked at "Apocalypse" and asked, "President Apocalypse, is there something wrong with that Zhao Ji? What is her identity?"

Shu Xia was a very handsome young man, with an elegant and refined appearance, but when he spoke, his voice was as shrill and high-pitched as a crow's.

Upon hearing his words, "Apocalypse" couldn't help but look at him.

Their eyes met, and "Apocalypse's" gaze flickered a few times before he said earnestly, "Actually, I'm not sure about this 'Zhao Ji's' identity either."

"But... she seems to resemble an old friend of mine."

"An old friend?" Upon hearing Tianqi's words, Shuxia frowned slightly, then asked, "Did President Tianqi ever know Zhaoji?"

Upon hearing this, Tianqi nodded slightly, his gaze distant, as if recalling the distant past.

He gazed ahead and slowly said, "Yes. That was several hundred years ago, during the 'Chang' of the Gods.'"

"A change in the gods?" The people present clearly had some understanding of this event. Therefore, their brows furrowed slightly.

This time, before Shu Xia could speak, Jin Ni asked, "Is it the 'Celestial Change' that caused the fall of 99% of the 'Celestials'?"

Upon hearing Jin Ni's words, "Tianqi" nodded slightly, his gaze distant.

Upon seeing "Apocalypse" acknowledge it, Jin Ni and Shu Xia exchanged a glance.

The "Celestial Transformation" was the most severe disaster to occur in the "Boundless Heart Sea" since its birth.

Before this, the number of gods in the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart" was not as numerous as the stars, but there were still quite a few.

However, after that incident, only four divine kings remained among the gods of the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart." The other gods either perished or were reincarnated, leaving very few remaining.

The entire landscape of the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart" was transformed, becoming an era of shared rule by four kings.

Almost all the top forces or top experts today were born in the "post-divine" era and know very little about what happened back then.

What's even stranger is that there are very few written records of that major event; they are all just mentioned in passing.

This has led to various rumors surrounding that "transformation of the gods".

Some say it was a conspiracy by the "Origin of the World." The "Origin of the World," in order to advance its own power, harvested a wave of "gods" after cultivating them.

Some say it was a clash between "multiverses." The "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart" was born because a great war was taking place between these "multiverses," and they needed to strengthen themselves.

The "Celestial Transformation" marked the first time the "Boundless Heart Sea" participated in a battle, but it ended in a crushing defeat.

Some say that the purpose of the "Cataclysmic Change" was to compete for a share of the "Cataclysmic Pathway".

Once a certain level of power is reached, the single catastrophic pathway will expand to the entire domain.

For example, Qiu Tu's "order-politics" will gradually become pure "order".

If a god wants to continue to advance, he must collect enough "catastrophic pathway shares".

The "Cataclysmic Path" quota is limited. There are also many "Gods" on the same path, so in order to continue advancing, those on the "Cataclysmic Path" can only kill each other.

This is similar to the "Trial of the Gods" slots: in order to peacefully obtain a slot in the "Trial of the Gods", each major power will send out one eighth-level individual, and then engage in a life-or-death battle with other powers.

The victorious force will receive four spots. The defeated force can choose to forfeit the "Trial of the Gods" or continue sending participants until all eighth-tier forces have perished.

However, in life-or-death battles, things can sometimes go too far.

The "Trial of the Gods" is held because it is backed by top-tier forces and has a large number of openings.

There are only six possible "catastrophic paths." With hundreds of "gods" attacking each other, it is very likely that things will gradually get out of control, leading to their complete demise.

Another piece of evidence is that the "Four Great God-Kings" each used different methods to cause cataclysm. This seems to confirm the rumors that they were the victors...

These various claims are widely circulated among the high-ranking officials of the four countries, and each one has its supporters.

But most people don't know the truth.

Those who know the truth are only the four peak eighth-order individuals who survived the "Celestial God Transformation" and the "Reincarnations of Celestial Gods".

Therefore, the other high-ranking officials were also extremely curious about what happened back then...

Thinking this, Jin Ni came to his senses. He looked at "Apocalypse" and then asked, "President, what exactly happened during the 'Chang'an of the Gods' back then?"

Hearing Jin Ni's words, "Tianqi" snapped out of his reverie, gave Jin Ni a stern look, and then said, "Jin Ni, guess what? Over a dozen 'Reincarnations of Celestial Gods' have been born in the past two years, yet why hasn't a single piece of information about the 'Changing Celestial Gods' been leaked?"

Upon hearing the word "Apocalypse," Jin Ni paused, his mind racing. After a moment, a look of realization dawned on his eyes. "Guild Master, you mean... the 'Oath of the Gods'?"

Apocalypse shook his head slightly, then said, "It's more serious. This is a 'World Forbidden Zone'."

"Everyone who participated in the 'Celestial Upheaval' was forbidden by the 'Origin of the World' to reveal the truth of what happened back then."

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding immediately appeared in the eyes of Jin Ni and Shu Xia.

No wonder there hasn't been a single word out all these years.

However... all living beings have a thirst for knowledge. Even if we can't know the truth about what happened back then, it's still good to explore some of the secrets.

Upon hearing "Apocalypse," Shu Xia's mind raced slightly, and she tentatively inquired, "So... did President Apocalypse meet that Zhao Ji back then?"

Upon hearing Shu Xia's words, Tian Qi revealed a hint of arrogance on his face, and then he said indifferently, "Meet? Heh, we've not only met, but we've also worked together."

He said with a distant gaze, "Back then, we had a very good relationship. We even ate together, took walks together, and supported each other..."

Upon hearing Tianqi's words, Shuxia and Jinni exchanged a glance, both seeing the same word in each other's eyes: old flames?

Thinking about this, they suddenly felt that many things could be understood.

For example, "Apocalypse" was trembling just now, clearly because he saw a familiar and close person, which made him excited.

For example, the reason why "Apocalypse" took the initiative to back down is quite simple. It's obvious that it doesn't want to turn against those who were once close to it!

Even... "Apocalypse" might actually want to give up a spot for Zhao Ji.

From this perspective, the relationship between "Tianqi" and Zhao Ji back then was indeed quite close.

However... although they had high hopes, they clearly didn't see the strange expression on the white-clad man's face.

The man in white gave "Apocalypse" a deep look, then held it in for a while... but couldn't hold it in any longer. He quickly picked up the teacup next to him, took a sip of water, and then composed himself.

Meanwhile... Apocalypse didn't notice Apocalypse's expression. At this moment, his memories were surging, as if taking him back to that upheaval hundreds of years ago.

At that time... he was merely a newly ascended sixth-tier deity who had just gained the recognition of the "Origin of the World." By chance, he gained the favor of the "Western God King."

Although the "Western God King" at that time had become a celestial being, he did not have the power to dominate the "core area" that he does now.

At that time, the "Western God King" was only ranked in the middle among the more than 100 gods, and was not particularly remarkable.

But that woman was different... She was at the pinnacle of the gods, one of the most dazzling among the many "gods"!

Faced with that woman, let alone "Apocalypse," even the Western God King had to look up to her as if she were a deity.

But she was completely unconcerned about the gods' admiration.

One of her favorite sayings is, "Even among gods, there are differences." and "You have worked so hard to become gods, but it's just the threshold to see me."

How arrogant, confident, and domineering they were!

It was precisely because he had witnessed that woman's peak that an indelible impression was left on Apocalypse's heart. This caused him to unconsciously imitate her in every word and deed that followed.

Back then, because the Western God King was incorporated into that woman's ranks, Apocalypse also indirectly became her subordinate and worked with her.

During the forced march, the woman also directed everyone to sit down and eat together.

Because Apocalypse had never seen a big scene, he once fell headfirst during a great battle and was lifted up by that woman in mid-air.

Although he received a glare and a frown in return, that was indeed their only interaction...

Therefore, when he learned of the woman's death, his feelings were incredibly complex.

There was disbelief, grief, and... a sliver of relief.

Because that woman was truly a tragedy for her contemporaries. As long as she lived, all gods and deities would live in her shadow.

No matter how high one's achievements or how great one's talent, just seeing her makes one feel ashamed and breathless.

Therefore, her death did indeed bring a great deal of relief to everyone.

In fact, many gods back then even fantasized about whether it was possible for a whale to fall and all things to come into being.

Imagine that after her death, the released entities, cataclysmic pathways, and cataclysmic power will benefit everyone.

As a result, no one expected that after so many years, not only would they not benefit, but the "Origin of the World" would even begin to strictly control the "Divine Ranks" and rarely hold "Divine Trials".

This "Trial of the Gods" is the only one of its kind in recent years.

This is also why the "Trial of the Gods" attracted so many peak eighth-level experts, and even "Apocalypse".

To everyone's surprise... he would actually run into her here again...

Thinking this, Tianqi slowly snapped out of his thoughts.

He glanced at Jin Ni and Shu Xia, who were exchanging glances.

Having lived for so long, he was very perceptive and could tell at a glance what the two of them were thinking.

But he didn't explain, after all... he was telling the truth. He just embellished it a bit.

As for Jin Ni and Shu Xia's misunderstanding, that's their business. Constrained by the "World Restriction," he couldn't explain much anyway.

Thinking this, Tianqi couldn't help but glance at the man in white again.

At this moment, the man in white was drinking tea, his face expressionless.

As a close confidant of the "Western God King" in the past, Tianqi still had some understanding of the "reincarnation of gods".

"Reincarnation of a Celestial" is a final measure used by the "Celestials." It is generally used when they fall from grace. Its purpose is to allow them to retain their souls and memories, and then "reincarnate and start anew."

However... the timing of "reincarnation and rebirth" cannot be determined by the gods themselves.

Therefore, although Baiyi, Zhuwu, and Zhaoji were all reborn in the same era, they did not necessarily perish in the same era. Furthermore... they may not even have received their "Heavenly Seal" in the same world.

Furthermore, after "reincarnation," the appearance and temperament of living beings will change, so it is normal for them not to recognize or know Zhao Ji.

This way, his subtle and euphemistic writing style won't be exposed...

Thinking this, Apocalypse came to his senses, glanced at the three people present, and once again put on his airs.

He leaned back in his seat, his face ashen, and continued with an air of authority, "Actually, besides my old acquaintance with Consort Zhao, there are two other key reasons."

"The first reason is... compared to the 'Southeast region,' the 'Northeast region' was the area most severely affected by the disaster."

"I estimate that soon those 'parasites' will cross the regional barrier and arrive in the 'Northwest Region.'"

"The larger the controlled 'Northwest Region,' the greater the impact will be."

"We don't need to be at the forefront at a time like this."

"After all... time is on our side."

"Just yesterday, the 'Edge Region' experienced the emergence of 'World Sensing'."

"This means that it won't be long before the two domains are completely merged. At that time, our strength will experience a qualitative leap."

At this point, Tianqi paused for a moment, then continued with a serious expression, "The second reason is that Qiu Tu pretended to join us before, which was clearly an attempt to flatter us to our doom."

"He wants to make us the target of everyone's hatred by abandoning the trials and joining the 'Hidden Mist Society'."

"He even figured out my personality. He knew I had absolute confidence in my abilities and didn't care about such underhanded tactics."

"So even if you guess his little scheme, you'll most likely still face the challenge head-on."

"And now... we're suddenly withdrawing..."

At this point, Tianqi glanced around at the group and smiled, "They're the ones who will become the target of everyone's criticism."