Let them offer their loyalty!

Thinking about this, Qiu Tu realized that after ruling out all other possibilities, it seemed there was only one option left before him...

Thinking about this, Qiu Tu glanced at the Crisis Countdown that now read "00:47" and made his decision.

A hint of joy flickered across his face as he took out a "Hundred-Eyed Vision" and circled around the "Earth Vein Flower," capturing its essence.

Afterward, he focused his thoughts.

In the next moment, a female Dark Soldier materialized before Qiu Tu.

Qiu Tu extended the "Hundred-Eyed Vision" to her and said, "Now, head to the Eastern City Area and invite Her Highness Larilo here."

"Tell her I have a surprise for her."

"If she doesn't trust you, show her this 'Hundred-Eyed Vision.'

Then, after a brief pause, Qiu Tu added, "If she trusts you, there's no need to bring it up."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's instructions, the female Dark Soldier hastily responded, "Understood!"

Without delay, she took the "Hundred-Eyed Vision" and slipped away into the darkness.

Watching the Dark Soldier depart, Qiu Tu clasped his hands behind his back and continued to leisurely circle around, admiring the "Earth Vein Flower" before him.

As he circled for the third time, suddenly, the figures of Zhao Ji and Larilo appeared out of thin air in the distance.

Zhao Ji held the Dark Soldier in one hand and twirled the "Hundred-Eyed Vision" in the other, regarding Qiu Tu with an inscrutable expression.

Larilo, on the other hand, gazed at Qiu Tu with rippling eyes, emotion flickering within her gaze.

Seeing the two of them, Qiu Tu summoned the entirety of his acting skills, putting on a face of astonishment as he exclaimed, "Little Lar, why did you come so quickly?"

After this, he hesitated, then awkwardly added, "Your Highness Zhao Ji... You came as well?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Larilo prepared to speak.

Zhao Ji abruptly waved her hand, so fast that only a residual blur could be seen.

The next moment, Larilo let out a cry of pain, clutching her stomach as she knelt on the ground, her words forced back down into silence.

After striking Larilo down with a single move, Zhao Ji raised her head and stared coldly at Qiu Tu, saying, "Finished with your performance?"

"Do you truly think anyone would believe that poor acting of yours?"

Qiu Tu glanced at the top-left corner of his vision.

"Larilo Loyalty +2, current Loyalty: 71."

Qiu Tu thought... someone still believed.

So he felt somewhat reassured and replied with an innocent expression, "Your Highness Zhao Ji, I don't understand your intent..."

"What performance? Do you perhaps have some misunderstanding about me?"

Zhao Ji looked at the "Earth Vein Flower" before her and, with a frosty expression, asked, "What is this?"

Qiu Tu responded, "Earth Vein Flower."

Zhao Ji questioned, "How did this come to be?"

Qiu Tu replied, "It's formed from human Spirit."

Zhao Ji pressed further, "And how did you discover it?"

Faced with this question, Qiu Tu paused for a moment, a hint of hesitation showing on his face. As if deliberating carefully, he answered after a long consideration, "Muye disclosed it."

Zhao Ji let out a cold laugh, saying, "It's the specialized Cataclysmic Material Muye has been searching for, isn't it?"

Qiu Tu shut his eyes, adopting an expression of resigned acceptance after being exposed. "Yes..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji glanced down at Larilo, her face devoid of any expression, and said, "Now, do you believe me?"

"He's been using both of us from the very start."

"All of his so-called feelings for you... have been nothing but lies."

Hearing Zhao Ji's words, Larilo knelt on the ground, holding her abdomen as she looked up at Qiu Tu, her crimson eyes filled with hesitation and turmoil.

After a moment, she lowered her head and murmured, "Sister, he... might have his reasons."

Zhao Ji responded with another cold laugh and frostily said, "Reasons?"

"He deceived us, exploited us, and you think he still has reasons? Stop clinging to false hope!"

"I really do," Qiu Tu interrupted.

Zhao Ji: ...

Zhao Ji's expression grew even colder as she turned her gaze back to Qiu Tu.

Qiu Tu coughed lightly, then launched into his performance.

He declared, "Your Highness Zhao Ji, there's one point you're mistaken about. I did lie to you, but it wasn't... to both of you."

"I've never intended to deceive Her Highness Larilo."

Hearing this, Zhao Ji looked icily at Qiu Tu, her expression one of skepticism, as though waiting to see how he would justify himself. "Then why?" she demanded.

Qiu Tu responded earnestly, "There are two reasons."

"The first is because Her Highness Larilo and I mistakenly believed there was a 'Mountain Root' in Dongye State, which interfered with your ascension."

"I understand your temperament well. If I had simply told you the truth outright, your fury could have led to retaliation against Her Highness Larilo and me."

"Therefore... I had no choice but to feed you a benevolent lie."

Zhao Ji scoffed icily, her frozen demeanor melting momentarily into a rare mocking smile.

Qiu Tu pretended not to notice and continued,

"As for the second reason, it's quite simple..."

"The 'Earth Vein Flower' is a treasure, and upon discovering it, my first thought was to offer it to Her Highness Larilo."

"But... knowing that your relationship with Her Highness Larilo is less than harmonious, I feared you'd seize this treasure for yourself."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji remained silent, but Larilo blinked, seemingly moved by what he said.

She asked, "You're not trying to keep the treasure for yourself?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu looked at Larilo with an expression of astonishment. "Keep it for myself?"

"Little Lar, why would I want to keep it for myself?"

Qiu Tu replied decisively, "I don't need the 'Earth Vein Flower.'"

As he spoke, Qiu Tu stepped closer to the sisters and drew a map of the two states for them.

Then he pointed out, "Take a look. The regions under my control, although scattered, are primarily cut off by territories controlled by both of Your Highnesses."