Let them offer their loyalty!

After ascending to the Fifth Order, Qiu Tu resurrected over thirty additional Dark Soldiers.

He clearly felt the cost of this power had diminished significantly.

If only there were a stable source of "Catastrophe Victims," Qiu Tu believed his Dark Legion would expand at an astonishing speed.

Silently reviewing the changes in his Cataclysmic ability within his mind, Qiu Tu cast a deep look at the distant "earth vein flower," and then began heading towards Eastern City...

....

Meanwhile.

As Qiu Tu made his way back.

In the residence of Princess Xi, a conversation between Princess Xi, Ai Li, and Yanyan—intimate friends—finally came to an end.

Princess Xi extended her slender jade hand to gently support her forehead, then said, "Alright. I truly enjoyed chatting with you tonight and learned many interesting things as well."

"I'm feeling a bit tired now. You should also head back and rest soon."

Hearing Princess Xi's indirect request for them to leave, the three close friends knew better than to linger further.

They exchanged glances, then stood up, offered a courteous bow to Princess Xi, and said, "Understood, Your Highness." "Yes, Your Highness."

Thus, after taking their leave, the three women walked out together.

However, just as they stepped outside the mansion's front door, suddenly, a woman's voice called out from behind them, "Bureau Chief Ai Li, please wait a moment."

Startled by the voice, the three friends turned around in curiosity. They saw that a maid was addressing them from behind.

The maid said, "Her Highness mentioned that she has a small keepsake of your parents that she just remembered to give you."

"She'd like you to come back upstairs for a moment."

Surprised, Ai Li's face displayed an expression of disbelief. "A keepsake from my parents?"

"What kind of keepsake?"

The maid, holding a broom in her hand, appeared somewhat hesitant. She replied, "I'm not sure either...

"It's just what Her Highness said."

Hearing this, Ai Li nodded.

She then turned to her two friends and said, "I'll head back up for a moment; you two wait for me here."

At Ai Li's words, Xue'er casually waved her hand dismissively, though a faint glimmer flickered in her eyes as if she'd seen through something.

However, she said nothing, simply smiling as she remarked, "Then hurry and come back quickly."

"We'll wait for you outside."

Hearing Yanyan's comment, Ai Li nodded before briskly heading back into the villa.

Once inside, she climbed up to the second floor and returned to Princess Xi's room. She knocked lightly and said, "Your Highness, may I come in?"

From inside the room, Princess Xi's gentle voice replied, "Of course, Ai Li."

Ai Li pushed the door open and saw Princess Xi sitting before her mirror, combing her hair.

A sliver of moonlight peered through the delicate gauze curtains, softly lifted by the night breeze. A pale blue glow gently spilled into the room.

Only a single night lamp illuminated the space, and the subtle fragrance of sandalwood mingled with the scent of jasmine lingered in the air.

In this tranquil atmosphere, Princess Xi raised her jade-like hand, gracefully removing the phoenix hairpin and step-shaking ornament from her hair piece by piece.

Her movements were gentle yet regal, evoking the image of a classical beauty emerging from a painting.

Even Ai Li, standing as a girl herself, could not help but be struck by awe in that instant, her gaze betraying amazement.

"Ai Li, close the door. Let's talk privately, just the two of us."

Princess Xi's soft voice startled Ai Li out of her daze.

She quickly replied with an "Oh," and promptly shut the door behind her, walking up to stand beside Princess Xi.

When Ai Li approached, Princess Xi gestured with her hand, speaking tenderly, "Help me remove this flower ornament."

Hearing the request, Ai Li hesitated for a moment before responding with a stammered, "Oh, oh," leaning in carefully to assist Princess Xi in removing the adornment atop her head.

Perhaps due to their close proximity, Ai Li could clearly see Princess Xi's jet-black, silky hair, and catch the faint milky scent emanating from her body...

Unconsciously, Ai Li's gaze dipped slightly lower, falling upon Princess Xi's chest.

Perhaps because of childbirth, Princess Xi's bosom appeared full, dominating Ai Li's line of sight entirely as her gaze wandered below them.

Just as Ai Li found herself stealing another glance, Princess Xi suddenly spoke, "Ai Li. I need your help."

The words startled Ai Li, leaving her momentarily stunned.

She couldn't immediately grasp what Princess Xi meant.

"Your Highness, you need... my help?"

Princess Xi's status was, after all, unparalleled: the second most influential figure in the Sixth Sanctuary, standing above all but King Kang himself.

With such powerful backing, she maintained a low profile but commanded immense influence within the Sixth Sanctuary.

Especially after the birth of an heir, her position had become utterly unshakable.

For someone of such prestige to seek assistance, especially from someone as comparably minor as herself—a mere Bureau Chief?

The disparity in their statuses was as vast as fireflies and the brilliant moon.

Thus, Ai Li could hardly believe her ears.

But hearing Ai Li's words, Princess Xi nodded, her expression growing serious, and answered, "Yes, Ai Li, I need your help."

She turned, abruptly clasping Ai Li's hand, and said, "The Kou family harbors treasonous intent."

"On this latest expedition, Kou Yu orchestrated a staged attack by Anti-government Armed Forces to ambush the envoy group midway, using the chaos as cover to kill my maid and personal guards."

"As of now, the entire envoy group consists solely of people from the Kou family. Even I remain under his constant surveillance."

"The two maids by my side are his people. My every move, my every gesture, is dictated by his arrangements and control."

"Were it not for tonight's security shift causing some disturbance, I wouldn't have found a chance to privately meet with you."