Let them offer their loyalty!

I should find an opportunity to urge her, to make her improve her strength.

After all, within the regions I control, her path before reaching the Fifth Order is smooth...

The next few days passed without any incidents.

The entire Dongye State was eerily quiet, like the calm before the storm.

Guan Xiao was secretly establishing an intelligence system in Qiming City, beginning to assess the situation there.

New State captured its 13th city, marking the initial completion of its original plan. What remains are just the finishing touches.

Meanwhile, Dongye State was fully focused on preparing for the arrival of the Sixth Sanctuary Envoy Team.

On the fifth day, the leader of the "Academic Faction," Old Pang, arrived in Dongye State to take over the reception duties for the Sixth Sanctuary Envoy Team and some other regional operations.

Late at night, Zhao Ji approached Qiu Tu's bedside, engaging him in a conversation.

The discussion was, unsurprisingly, about "Mountain Root."

Qiu Tu followed his plan and directly threw the blame onto the "Fog Hidden Association."

Upon hearing the name "Fog Hidden Association," even Zhao Ji, who usually remained as cold as ice with an expressionless face, slightly furrowed her brows.

However, when Qiu Tu asked her if the "Fog Hidden Association" was tough to deal with,

she responded coldly, "The 'Fog Hidden Association' does indeed consist of a bunch of geniuses."

"But sadly... being a genius is merely the threshold to meeting me."

"So... even they will crumble like dust beneath my feet."

Whether Zhao Ji's words were true or not, her overwhelming aura as if ruling the world made Qiu Tu simply want to applaud her.

More importantly, Zhao Ji seemed genuinely serious. She didn't immediately rush to the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Region" to advance to the Sixth Order after her bold declarations, but instead commenced a deep seclusion.

Qiu Tu had this feeling… she genuinely intended to achieve a sword-slash breakthrough to the Sixth Order as a demonstration of her power.

And so, day by day passed.

Soon, the day of the Sixth Sanctuary Envoy Team's visit to Dongye State arrived.

That day, Qiu Tu arose early and went to the State Council, staying by Old Pang's side to manage and transmit commands.

Meanwhile, Ai Li, Yanyan, and Xue'er—close friends and companions—were also waiting there early, ready to accompany Princess Xi upon her arrival.

Truth be told, Qiu Tu was also curious about Princess Xi—what kind of person she was, her strength, and her appearance.

He had heard rumors that Princess Xi was of mixed heritage. Although she had a dignified and noble demeanor, traces of exotic charm lingered in her presence, with every smile or frown captivating her surroundings, making flowers close their petals and butterflies flutter around her.

He had reviewed the reports provided by the Sanctuary.

But unfortunately… Princess Xi always used a veil to obscure her face in the photos, so while it was vaguely discernible that she was a beautiful woman with a cold yet noble elegance, nothing else could be deduced...

...

Meanwhile, as Qiu Tu pondered about Princess Xi,

on a road more than 100 kilometers away from Dongye State,

a luxurious motorcade was racing toward Dongye.

In one of the spacious, lengthened business cars,

a noble-looking woman was reading the documents in her hand.

Her nose was elegantly high and refined, her eyes deep and bright like two lucid lakes, exuding a subtle exotic allure.

As she flipped through the documents, she raised her head in slight confusion and looked toward her maid, asking, "Qiu Tu?"

"A young man about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old?"

"I remember... wasn't Huang Shangzong the Speaker of Dongye State not too long ago?"

"How did it suddenly change to Qiu Tu?"

As she said this, the woman seemed to recall something, paused for a moment, and curiously asked, "Wait a moment."

"Qiu Tu? Isn't he the one who proposed the 'Boundless Heart Sea Expansion Plan' and uncovered the truth about 'Yellow Charm'?"

---------

Two chapters totaling ten thousand words—continuing tomorrow at this pace. Requesting monthly tickets!

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He had heard rumors that Princess Xi was of mixed heritage. Although she had a dignified and noble demeanor, traces of exotic charm lingered in her presence, with every smile or frown captivating her surroundings, making flowers close their petals and butterflies flutter around her.

He had reviewed the reports provided by the Sanctuary.

But unfortunately… Princess Xi always used a veil to obscure her face in the photos, so while it was vaguely discernible that she was a beautiful woman with a cold yet noble elegance, nothing else could be deduced...

...

Meanwhile, as Qiu Tu pondered about Princess Xi,

on a road more than 100 kilometers away from Dongye State,

a luxurious motorcade was racing toward Dongye.

In one of the spacious, lengthened business cars,

a noble-looking woman was reading the documents in her hand.

Her nose was elegantly high and refined, her eyes deep and bright like two lucid lakes, exuding a subtle exotic allure.

As she flipped through the documents, she raised her head in slight confusion and looked toward her maid, asking, "Qiu Tu?"

"A young man about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old?"

"I remember... wasn't Huang Shangzong the Speaker of Dongye State not too long ago?"

"How did it suddenly change to Qiu Tu?"

As she said this, the woman seemed to recall something, paused for a moment, and curiously asked, "Wait a moment."

"Qiu Tu? Isn't he the one who proposed the 'Boundless Heart Sea Expansion Plan' and uncovered the truth about 'Yellow Charm'?"

"I remember... wasn't Huang Shangzong the Speaker of Dongye State not too long ago?"

"How did it suddenly change to Qiu Tu?"

As she said this, the woman seemed to recall something, paused for a moment, and curiously asked, "Wait a moment."

"Qiu Tu? Isn't he the one who proposed the 'Boundless Heart Sea Expansion Plan' and uncovered the truth about 'Yellow Charm'?"

"How did it suddenly change to Qiu Tu?"

As she said this, the woman seemed to recall something, paused for a moment, and curiously asked, "Wait a moment." like this