The God King's Arrival! (Please Vote)

One against many. Fighting above her rank?

Cracking and recombining Calamity Abilities?

Wasn't that obviously Zhao Ji?

Hearing Doris's words, Qiu Tu, who was leaning against the railing beside her, blinked slightly.

It wasn't that he had become blindly devoted to Zhao Ji. Doris's description simply sounded far too much like her.

Wasn't Zhao Ji the sort who could fight above her rank as easily as drinking water?

And if Qiu Tu remembered correctly, when La Riluo had chatted with him before, she had mentioned that Zhao Ji possessed a great many Calamity Ability formulas, all accumulated over the years.

With Zhao Ji's talent, ordinary Calamity Abilities like "Ever-Changing Invisibility" could be easily cracked and recombined after just a few hours of study. Even relatively powerful Calamity Abilities like "Sealing Jade" would not take Zhao Ji much time.

What was more, Qiu Tu had studied how to crack and recombine Calamity Abilities alongside Zhao Ji. So this definitely was not La Riluo boasting. It was true.

So Zhao Ji had been that Legendary Heavenly God?

With that thought in mind, Qiu Tu continued listening to Doris.

Doris clearly admired that Legendary Heavenly God. Gazing out at the beautiful night scenery of the Crimson Territory, a trace of envy and nostalgia filled her amber eyes.

"If that were all, she could only be considered a genius, a monster. She could not be called a legend."

"After all, although 'Absolute Perception' is a talent found only once in a million, it is not unheard of among Heavenly Gods. Once someone has 'Absolute Perception' and develops a method to arrange and combine Calamity Abilities, other exceptionally gifted deities can replicate them as well."

"But that Legendary Heavenly God was completely different."

"Because not only did she develop a method for cracking and recombining Calamity Abilities, after advancing to a High-Level Heavenly God, she also creatively deconstructed 'Heavenly God Skills.' From those deconstructed 'Heavenly God Skills,' she discovered the realm above Heavenly Gods and the path to advance into it."

"The realm above Heavenly Gods and the path to advance?" Qiu Tu froze slightly upon hearing that. "What is that?"

He had long been mentally prepared for there to be a realm above Heavenly Gods—after all, if Heavenly God were the end, Zhao Ji would have had no need to reincarnate and re-cultivate.

But hearing it from Doris's own lips still shocked him. He had not expected Zhao Ji in her previous life to have gone so far.

Qiu Tu's shock did not surprise Doris. After all, any deity hearing this news for the first time would most likely react just as he had.

She brushed back her wavy wine-red hair and said lazily, "You must have heard of the realm above Heavenly Gods."

Qiu Tu was taken aback. He had heard of it? How was that possible?

But as soon as that thought arose, his eyes brightened slightly. Looking at Doris beside him, he asked tentatively, "You mean God Kings?"

Doris was clearly pleased by Qiu Tu's quick thinking. She nodded slightly.

When she no longer acted seductive, she actually possessed a holy aura.

Turning around, she leaned against the railing. Her red dress fluttered in the night wind, setting off her fair skin as she said, "That is why those of us who survived the Heavenly God Cataclysm look down so much on the Four Divine Kings."

"For no other reason than that they are hypocritical scoundrels, thieves who usurped another's nest and stole fame for themselves."

A thoughtful look appeared in Qiu Tu's eyes. He roughly guessed what had happened back then.

According to his speculation, Zhao Ji must have used some method to discover the realm above Heavenly Gods, then named it "God King."

Afterward came the Heavenly God Cataclysm. Countless Heavenly Gods perished after struggling against it, leaving behind only four Heavenly Gods.

To save their own lives, those four Heavenly Gods chose to betray the Heavenly God faction. They then "downgraded" themselves into Earth Deities, bound themselves to the Four Divine Kingdoms of the Boundless Mind Sea, and ultimately survived by clinging to life.

And because those four Heavenly Gods were the strongest beings of that era, they naturally needed to whitewash what had happened.

Thus, they claimed to be the strongest among the Heavenly Gods, the survivors of the Heavenly God Cataclysm, and styled themselves after the realm above Heavenly Gods: God Kings.

As time passed, the name God King gradually became synonymous with them. The realm above Heavenly Gods, along with the people and events of that era, would gradually be forgotten by everyone.

For a new-generation deity like Qiu Tu, if Doris had not revealed this secret, he would never have known that there was a realm above Heavenly Gods, nor that the God Kings were not truly God Kings.

As he thought that over, Qiu Tu gradually came back to himself. He looked at Doris and remarked, "Seen that way, the Four Divine Kings really are scum."

"They actually used replacement to conceal what happened back then."

Doris gave a disdainful snort at Qiu Tu's words. "Those four have always been that hypocritical and disgusting."

Perhaps remembering their original topic, Doris paused before steering the conversation back.

"Still, even so, they remain extremely powerful. After all, if they had not been strong, they could not have survived the Heavenly God Cataclysm."

"And if I had to guess, after all these years, those four villains have likely relied on controlling the Four Divine Kingdoms to recover the strength of Mid-Level Heavenly Gods, or perhaps even High-Level Heavenly Gods."

"Under such circumstances, killing them will be no easy task. Even if Zhao Ji truly is an unparalleled monster, she cannot do it."

Qiu Tu fell into thought upon hearing Doris's words.

He wanted to tell Doris his speculation about Zhao Ji's True Identity. But it was only speculation, and this was his first meeting with Doris. Not only had he yet to figure her out, they had not formed any deeply binding alliance of interests.

After hesitating slightly, he ultimately chose not to reveal his guess.

He merely looked at Doris, picked up an empty flowerpot from nearby, pressed out his cigarette butt inside it, and said softly, "Even if what you said makes sense."

"Do you think we have any other choice now?"

The expression on Doris's face slowly faded upon hearing Qiu Tu's words.

Qiu Tu set the flowerpot aside and said flatly, "Sometimes, it isn't about what choice we make. It's about what choices the other side leaves us."

After a pause, he added, "And if we retreat, surrender, and run away whenever we encounter power and oppression."

"Then how are we any different from the Four Divine Kings back then?"

At that moment, Doris froze on the spot.

As the lord of the Crimson Territory, whether in strength or status, she ranked among the very top in the entire Boundless Mind Sea.

Coupled with her breathtaking beauty and seductive temperament, most people only ever flattered her when they met her.

There had truly been no one like Qiu Tu—someone who rejected her, refused to indulge her, and even pointed out the fear and avoidance in her heart.

That had left her rarely able to face her own heart over the years.

Yes. If she hid like an ostrich whenever she encountered a God King, how was that any different from the God Kings fleeing like turtles when they faced the Heavenly God Cataclysm?

If she did not even have the courage to resist, what right did she have to call the God Kings cowards and weaklings?

As she thought that over, Doris's gaze gradually became resolute.

She looked at Qiu Tu and said, "Qiu Tu, you're right. I can't keep running away."

"Even the God Kings have joined forces now. If all I know is how to run, I may never be able to avenge my father in this lifetime."

"And we aren't without a chance of winning."

"Just as you analyzed before, as long as we can hold on until Zhao Ji reaches Eighth Order Late Stage, or even Eighth Order Peak."

"The God Kings' avatars will no longer be able to threaten us."

"Once we seize the Edge Area and prevent the God Kings from infiltrating it, we can establish a small kingdom belonging exclusively to the three of us."

"Unless the Four Divine Kings are willing to risk perishing and dispatch their true bodies, once Zhao Ji advances to Heavenly God, all they can do is watch us grow stronger."

"And as time passes, we will only become more and more powerful."

"That is the only way to solve this once and for all."

Seeing that Doris had finally sorted everything out, Qiu Tu nodded slightly. "Exactly."

Perhaps because she had finally seen the dawn of victory after so many years, Doris was visibly excited. Her beautiful eyes sparkled. "Then only one final problem remains."

"How do we buy time?"

After saying that, she lowered her head to look at Qiu Tu, her eyes flickering slightly.

A question mark slowly appeared over Qiu Tu's head.

A sense of foreboding suddenly arose in his heart. "Didn't we agree to face the enemy together?"

Doris gave a seductive smile. Her voice was soft and languid, brimming with endless charm. "Of course we're facing the enemy together."

"But facing the enemy together requires skill too."

"Don't worry! I already have a plan!"

Qiu Tu:?

Three hours later.

Qiu Tu was bare-chested, his hands tied behind his back with a red rope as he struggled continuously atop Doris's pink bed.

His eyes were wide and bloodshot. Doris's clean underwear was stuffed in his mouth, while his exposed skin was flushed red, as though his desire had nowhere to be vented.

"Smile for me~~"

Click.

With a flash, Doris took a picture of Qiu Tu with the camera in her hand, then happily fiddled with it.

As she did, she sighed. "I have to say, you humans really are ingenious. You've invented so many interesting things and made life much more convenient."

"One reason the Second Shelter was able to establish itself in the Core Area was that it sold these technologically modified products and amassed a great deal of resources."

"These treasure items don't require Calamity Power, yet they possess abilities as wondrous as many of the other treasure items. They were popular in the Core Area for many years."

As she spoke, a photograph slowly slid out of the camera. Doris picked it up, examined it, and nodded in satisfaction.

By then, Qiu Tu had returned to normal in just a few seconds. He spat out Doris's underwear, looked at her, and said,

"I understand and support your idea of first showing weakness to the enemy in order to buy time."

"I understand and support your idea that facing three God Kings at once is too dangerous, and that we should defeat them one by one instead."

"I understand and support your idea that I need to be tied up, photographed, and recorded, so you can tell them you're afraid, that you betrayed me, and make them believe it."

"But if you were going to gag me, why stuff your underwear in my mouth?"

"That, I genuinely do not understand!"

Doris could not help giggling at Qiu Tu's words. She cast him a seductive glance and said, "So? Does big sister's bra smell nice?"

"Isn't it much nicer than that big ice block Zhao Ji?"

Qiu Tu:

He really had been trying to create a rival for Doris and provoke her competitive instinct and possessiveness.

But why did Doris's competitiveness and possessiveness seem a little perverted?

Stuffing her underwear into his mouth just to tease him. And it was not even the original scent either. Not that it mattered.

Still, Qiu Tu knew that taming a woman required not only pressure like he had used before, but also appropriate encouragement.

Especially when the other party began acting according to your plans, she deserved even more encouragement.

So although he felt that Doris had gone a little off track, he still praised her. "Your Highness's bra does indeed smell nice."

"Unfortunately, what I want to eat isn't your bra."

At Qiu Tu's shameless flirting, Doris raised an eyebrow slightly. Though she tried hard to conceal it, a trace of satisfaction was still visible.

Technology might change the world, but the spiritual world possessed even more wondrous treasure items and abilities.

Therefore, although the Northern Kingdom and East Kingdom had not laid cables, with their special Communication Treasure Items—

The image of Qiu Tu tied up was quickly transmitted to Meteor City in the East Kingdom.

When the East Divine King, concealed beneath a hooded cloak, saw that Doris had indeed chosen to compromise and had personally captured Qiu Tu, He chuckled and tossed the photo to the Meteor City Lord.

The Meteor City Lord respectfully accepted the picture. He held it in both hands and studied it for a while before looking up in surprise. "Doris has captured Qiu Tu?"

"It seems she truly offended Your Excellency."

At the Meteor City Lord's words, the East Divine King commented in a voice that sounded neither female nor male, "Several centuries have passed since the last Heavenly God Cataclysm."

"The survivors from back then all failed to understand, or looked down upon, the choice the four of us made. Doris was one of them."

"But now, when faced with mortal danger, she knelt no slower than we did."

Hearing this sensitive topic, the Meteor City Lord did not dare breathe too loudly.

In the workplace, most of the time, when a superior says something, those beneath them only need to applaud and agree.

But once the topic involves the superior himself, it is better to remain silent than casually respond.

Because no one knows what the superior is really thinking.

You might think your flattery is perfect, only to unknowingly touch a forbidden nerve. A good thing then becomes a bad thing.

Seeing the Meteor City Lord too afraid to even breathe, the East Divine King gave a bored snort. "Fine. If you don't want to answer, forget it."

"No one can compare to you when it comes to protecting yourself."

After judging the Meteor City Lord, the East Divine King added flatly, "Still, though I think Doris has merely been an ostrich muddling through these past years."

"Her surrendering so quickly this time still surprises me somewhat."

As He spoke, the East Divine King leaned back slightly and closed His eyes, seemingly considering the Entire Process.

A moment later, He reached a decision.

He summoned the Meteor City Lord and said,

"Come here. I have two tasks for you."

As the true rulers of the Four Divine Kingdoms, God Kings could travel extraordinarily quickly.

Thus, that very night, the Crimson Territory welcomed its first God King.

By then, Qiu Tu had already been untied and was refining a Boundless Mind Sea Area.

At the time, he and Zhao Ji had killed five or six Eighth Order experts in one go. Zhao Ji took Kabaneri's Boundless God Crystal and the attached Boundless Mind Sea Area.

Qiu Tu obtained the remaining Boundless God Crystals and their attached areas.

Zhao Ji was invincible among those of the same rank, but so was Qiu Tu. And after steadily snowballing his advantages during this period, he had already entered the top ten of the Heavenly God Trial.

Originally, Qiu Tu had planned that if Zhao Ji still failed to take first place in the final days, he would withdraw from the competition and add his resource points to hers.

But judging from Zhao Ji's progress now, there was a High Probability that she would reclaim first place without his help.

Under those circumstances, Qiu Tu naturally kept his own resources. That suddenly gave him extremely strong competitiveness among the top ten.

In theory, if his bonus score became high enough, then as long as he raised his strength, he would have a chance to obtain the second or third Heavenly God Level slot.

That was why, during this period, he had been refining Boundless Mind Sea Areas himself while also using No Pain, All Gain to refine them seamlessly around the clock.

Just as his grand refining plan was proceeding in full swing, someone gently knocked on his door.

Hearing the knock, Qiu Tu slowly withdrew from his state of refining the Boundless Mind Sea Area.

He then opened his eyes, looked toward the door, and asked in a low voice, "What is it?"

Doris's butler politely answered from outside, "Speaker Qiu, Miss asked me to notify you."

"She said a God King has arrived."

The butler paused, then continued, "Only, it isn't the East Divine King."

"It's the North God King."