Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 758

God knows how anxious he's been these past few days.

He hears "Puppet Ants" every day, announcing that they've conquered one city today and another tomorrow. But he can't do anything about it, which is driving him crazy.

Fortunately, he had just advanced to the eighth rank and had a lot to learn and do.

Moreover, there's the Emperor Manhuang teasing him around, and he can also learn from Zhao Ji.

Therefore, in the past few days, Qiu Tu has roughly sorted out what happened after the eighth level.

According to Teacher Zhao Ji, the eighth rank is the final realm of "Earthly Deity". After that, the catastrophic beings will obtain "Heavenly Seal" and become true "Heavenly Gods".

Therefore, the eighth level is an extremely crucial realm that serves as a bridge between the previous and the next.

First, when the player progresses from the early to the peak of the eighth rank, the area controlled by the "Earth God" will be increased once again.

Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji, currently at the early stage of the eighth rank, control a total of 81 regions. Moreover, the "regional energy level" of all these regions has reached level two.

To advance to the peak of the eighth rank, Qiu Tu needs to expand his control area to 365 blocks, which is four times the size.

This area is almost equivalent to three large shelters, plus all the disaster zones surrounding them. In other words, it covers roughly the entire "Northwest Region".

Fortunately, after reaching the eighth rank, the gods' domains were no longer completely exclusive.

Once the "energy level" of the area controlled by the eighth-tier deities reaches level two, the deities can distribute the controlled area to seventh-tier, or even sixth-tier, Cataclysmic beings.

This is similar to how, in the "Western Kingdom," the "Western God King" divided the entire "Western Kingdom" among dozens of eighth-tier peak and late-stage deities. And those eighth-tier peak and late-stage deities then further divided the areas they controlled into fiefdoms.

This effectively increases the efficiency of promotion for eighth-order deities.

However, this also brings about a problem: "class solidification".

It was only after reaching the eighth rank that Qiu Tu finally understood why the leader of the "Mist Hidden Society," "Tianqi," could so easily control "Qinglan."

In fact, just because "Qinglan" was not his direct subordinate, he was able to completely suppress "Qinglan," who possessed 9% of Zhaoji's talent.

I also understand why the Second Sanctuary, with the support of the "Western God King," could easily leave the "Mist Shadow Society."

The arrogant and domineering "Apocalypse" didn't dare utter a single word, only able to gossip and mock "Western God King" behind his back.

The reason is simple... the "Great Lord" holds absolute power over the allocation of "territories".

Because the entire "Western Kingdom" is under the control of the "Western God King," he has absolute control. Therefore, he can assign the territory to whomever he wants.

The same applies to "Tianqi". He has secondary control over the area of ​​"Wuyin Society", so he can give the area to Jinni or Qinglan as he pleases.

It is important to know that Cataclysms of the sixth rank and above are called "Earthly Beings", so their strength is directly linked to the number of areas they control and their energy level.

This is equivalent to a top-level controller like the "Western God King" or "Apocalypse" who controls all the promotion paths for his subordinates.

They can promote whomever they want and demote whomever they want.

This explains why Qinglan, after being suppressed, couldn't run away but instead chose to slack off.

The vast majority of the areas that enabled her to advance to the eighth rank were obtained from the "Mist Hidden Society" after she made meritorious contributions.

If she runs away, her territory will be reclaimed, her realm will drop, and her strength will decrease significantly.

Unless she finds a region with remaining territory and a force willing to accept her, she may never be able to advance to the eighth rank again in her lifetime.

However... finding such a force is extremely difficult.

After all, over the years, the "core area" has produced a group of powerful, accomplished, and ambitious seventh-tier peak experts who are eager to advance to the next level.

Most factions don't even have enough to go around internally, let alone give to outsiders.

This is also why so many eighth-tier experts were sent out by their respective factions to fight to the death in this "Trial of the Gods".

—To some extent, while the eighth rank is important in the "core area," it is not that important.

They are not irreplaceable.

Is there any way to change this situation?

Have.

This is why Qinglan ultimately sided with Qiu Tu. It was also the opportunity that all the forces in the "core area" had been waiting for.

That is... the edge area!

All "edge areas" are "material worlds" captured by the "boundless sea of ​​mind".

In order to penetrate these "material worlds," the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart" draws on the spiritual power of the beings in the "material worlds" to create new areas.

These areas are all "unclaimed".

Once these areas can be refined and "pryed away," they will become the "private" property of the Cataclysms.

And as long as they acquire enough. For example, if Qinglan acquires 81 areas in the "edge area", then she will no longer have to be mindful of the "Mist Shadow Society's" attitude, and can turn against them or run away whenever she wants.

The reason why "Apocalypse" dares to disregard "Western God King" is because he is powerful, experienced, and has participated in many "world fusions." He has already accumulated 365 "private areas."

Even if the Western God King strips the "Hidden Mist Society" of its territory, the impact on his strength will be extremely limited.

This can be said to be the only way for all gods to break free from the control of the higher powers.

—Of course... Although the deprivation of the area has little impact on "Apocalypse", it has a great impact on the overall strength of "Mist Shadow Society" and on the other eighth-level experts of "Mist Shadow Society".

Furthermore, "Apocalypse" was indeed far from being a match for "Western God King," so he could only curse "Western God King" behind his back...

It is precisely because of the importance of "regions" that every "world fusion" is a feast for eighth-level masters.

This is also why various forces have sent their "loyalties" to the "peripheral areas" to pave the way in advance.

To be honest, if it weren't for the Third Shelter's renewed research into nuclear weapons and the Second Shelter's backing, humanity might have already been divided up by the various forces of the "Western Kingdom" and the "Northern Kingdom."

After learning about the importance of the "Boundless Heart Sea Region" from Zhao Ji, Qiu Tu immediately realized a dilemma for the two of them—they didn't have enough regions to share.

The entire "Northwest Region" can only support one peak eighth-level expert at most.

Now that Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji have both advanced from the "Northwest Region", it means that the "Northwest Region" can no longer nurture a peak eighth-level expert.

Therefore, the two had only one choice: to expand outwards and plunder the territories of other gods.

In addition to controlling 365 "areas", two other conditions need to be met to become a "god".

First, it possesses the "rank of a celestial being".

The second is to determine one's own "path of catastrophe" and find the domain governed by the "gods".

The first point, the divine status, goes without saying. Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji are currently plotting this.

As for the second point, Qiu Tu initially didn't quite understand it when he first heard it from Zhao Ji.

What does it mean to "determine the path of disaster"? What does it mean to "find the domain under the jurisdiction of the gods"?

Afterwards, Zhao Ji explained the second point to Qiu Tu in detail.

According to Zhao Ji's explanation, before reaching the ninth rank, the "catastrophic pathway" of all living beings can be changed.

Some, like Guan Xiao not long ago, actively fine-tune their "catastrophic path," while others are forced to change their "catastrophic path" due to sudden major changes.

Others were tempted or corrupted by higher deities, thus altering their "catastrophic path".

Moreover, some, like Guan Xiao, "fine-tune" their "catastrophic path," while others... directly skip major paths.

For example, one could fall directly from "life" to "immortality," or from "order" to "chaos."

Once one advances to the ninth rank and becomes a "Celestial God," the "Cataclysmic Path" becomes completely fixed and can no longer be changed.

Moreover, any change, even a minor adjustment, could lead to a drop in skill level or even death.

This is because, once one ascends to the rank of "Celestial God," the "anchor point" between the catastrophic beings and the "origin of the world" changes from a region to a "domain."

The creatures of the cataclysm must find an empty "domain" that they can govern to extend their authority.

Generally speaking, this "domain" is most likely a branch of the creatures' own paths.

For example, if Qiu Tu is to be promoted to a Celestial God, he will most likely be in charge of the "political" field of this world.

If Larilu is to ascend to the celestial realm, she will most likely be in charge of the "reproduction" domain.

Of course, in this situation, there will definitely be areas occupied by other "gods".

In that case, there are only three methods: switch to another "branch path" before advancing, kill that god, or...

Determine if the "god" has 100% control over the "domain share". If not, a forced promotion is still possible.

However, after advancement, if two celestial beings exist within the same domain, their relationship will inevitably become one of mortal enmity...

After figuring out the conditions for becoming a Celestial God, Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji have been researching matters related to this advancement for the past few days.

The two reached a preliminary consensus: the remaining areas of the "Northwest Region" would be temporarily left to Zhao Ji.

After all, only by reserving limited resources for Zhao Ji and improving her strength first can the "Northwest Sanctuary" be guaranteed to have top-tier combat power, making it easier to obtain the "Celestial Rank".

While Zhao Ji was improving her strength, Qiu Tu also began to wage wars against other regions, trying every means to seize more territory and improve himself.

However, Qiu Tu doesn't need to be under too much pressure during this period.

Because once Zehime obtains the "Godhood", with her past life experience, she will naturally be promoted to "God".

At that time, Zhao Ji will naturally protect Qiu Tu's interests and help him obtain 365 "Boundless Heart Sea Regions" to advance to the peak of the eighth rank!

After recalling the plans he had discussed with Zhao Ji over the past two days, Qiu Tu came back to his senses.

He gently patted Guan Xiao's head and then said calmly, "Since it's already working..."

"Then let's go to the front lines. Let everyone witness your arrival."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Guan Xiao immediately revealed a charming expression.

She winked at Qiu Tu and said, "Sir~~ I've worked so hard this time, is there any reward after it's over?"

Qiu Tu knew perfectly well that Guan Xiao was deliberately acting cute and trying to please him.

So he smiled and said, "Don't worry. I know you care about me."

"I'll reward you with hundreds of millions after this war ends."

Although Qiu Tu launched a sneak attack, Guan Xiao didn't care at all. She said coquettishly, "A few hundred million isn't enough. I'm greedy~ I want more~"

Qiu Tu smiled upon hearing this. He leaned close to the beauty's ear and whispered, "Alright. As long as you handle this matter well, I will definitely handle it well in return."

As Qiu Tu spoke, he could clearly feel Guan Xiao's heart leap into his throat.

He couldn't help but gently tap it.

Guan Xiao let out a soft moan, and her charming eyes immediately filled with a layer of mist.

She gave Qiu Tu a coquettish look, then bit her lip and whispered, "Sir, I hold grudges, you know. I'll make you pay for it~~"

After saying that, she stood up and her charming face was full of seriousness. "However, in order to eat to my heart's content in a couple of days, I still need to go and do the task assigned by the commander first!"

Qiu Tu smiled and nodded upon hearing this. He said, "All sides should be paying close attention to this great battle right now. So... go ahead and put on a show."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Guan Xiao's eyes were filled with confidence and excitement!

The women around Qiu Tu have very different personalities. Some of them clearly enjoy being with Qiu Tu, but they always pretend to be busy while secretly missing him.

There are also people like Guan Xiao, who are clearly very career-oriented, but insist on pretending to be infatuated with Qiu Tu...

However, it is precisely because of their distinct personalities that each of them is different, and that Qiu Tuping and others like each of them equally...

.....

Meanwhile, Guan Xiao was on his way to the front lines.

Just as Qiu Tu said, the 22 forces in the "Trial of the Gods" have also begun to pay attention to this great battle in the "Northwest Region".

More than 20 days have passed since the "Trial of the Gods" began. During this time, almost all factions have become aware of the invasion by the "Puppet Ant" race.

The good news is... the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart" will have two more large areas added. This means it can create two more peak eighth-tier experts.

The bad news is... the "Puppet Ant" race is indeed something special.

This method of promoting a race's collective advancement based on its population size is something that no major power has ever seen before.

Moreover, and most importantly... all the factions discovered the "Puppet Ants" far too late.

By the time the "puppet ants" were discovered, they had already become a significant threat and were difficult to deal with.

Moreover, given the current rate at which "Puppet Ants" are spreading everywhere, various factions have begun to suspect that... "Puppet Ants" may have evolved 2-3 times already.

The ones currently scattered on the periphery are all second-generation or even third-generation.

They suspect that... in the "Northeast Region" and the "Southeast Region," there may very well be a true queen of the "Puppet Ants."

And these "puppet queen ants" on the periphery are all her descendants.