Let them offer their loyalty!

'So, Old Pang is siding with the Kou family?'

....

Old Pang was indeed efficient. It didn't take long after Qiu Tu declined his invitation before Old Pang relayed the information to Princess Xi.

Princess Xi, who was already in a bad mood these past couple of days, looked even worse.

She felt that in her entire life, apart from the downfall of her family and those desperate days of fleeing, she had never been as humiliated as this!

She had clearly sent the "Dream Invitation Letter" to Qiu Tu. Even if he wasn't interested, out of basic courtesy, shouldn't he at least meet with her?

But not meeting was one thing.

She had wanted to invite him for a simple chat, to test his stance, and yet he even declined her meeting request under the guise of politeness?!

Did he really think she couldn't manage without him?!

For a moment, Princess Xi was so furious that her face turned bright red!

What was so special about being a Fifth-Order Cataclysmic? The Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Sanctuaries didn't only have him!

.....

Meanwhile.

"New State - Trade Market"

Inside that small intelligence hut.

A black shadow was also talking to a messenger from "Muye."

"Is the situation confirmed?"

The messenger let out a deep "hmm," before saying, "Confirmed."

"What Lord Muye found, that special Cataclysmic Material, it should be the 'Earth Vein Flower.'"

"It seems they couldn't withstand Qiu Tu's interrogation methods and let the information slip to him."

"So, Qiu Tu sent his own men to stake out in Qiming City."

"Afterward... he likely speculated that we'd search city by city for the special Cataclysmic Material, so he took the opportunity to lay a false trail in 'Wuhai City.'"

"'Wuhai City' happens to be on the same route as 'Qiming City.' To travel from New State to Qiming City, one must pass through Wuhai City."

"So, he ambushed our intelligence agents in Wuhai City, drawing our attention there, successfully pulling off his diversion."

After analyzing all of Qiu Tu's actions, the messenger paused and then added, "Moreover... Qiu Tu probably isn't working alone."

"He seems to be collaborating with Zhao Ji on this."

"After all, it was Zhao Ji who previously worked with him to capture Lord Muye."

After listening to the messenger, the black shadow fell silent for a moment before saying, "That important figure's intention is... to notify Lord Yecha."

"They believe they can no longer handle the current situation alone."

"As for whether to forcibly seize the 'Heart of the Earth Veins' or abandon it altogether, that will be up to Lord Yecha to decide."

Hearing the black shadow's words, the messenger nodded slightly, "Understood, I'll contact Lord Yecha immediately...."

....

After flying for three hours, Qiu Tu and Larilo finally returned to Eastern City.

Since both had their respective matters to attend to, Qiu Tu went his way while Larilo returned to the Eastern City District, preparing to pass the "Eastern City District" onto Qiu Tu.

Upholding his usual opportunistic habits, Qiu Tu left with more than he came with, casually obtaining the "Disaster Equation Set" of "Hundred Changes Invisibility" from Larilo.

He planned to study this "Universal Catastrophe Ability" in the coming days to see if he could master this practical Cataclysmic ability.

As for tonight... Qiu Tu was Princess Xi's to deal with....

Late at night, Princess Xi, brimming with resentment and anger, finished her bath, removed her makeup and jewelry.

Then, in her nightgown, she lay on the bed and slowly drifted off to sleep....

These past few days, she had hardly slept at all, waiting nightly for Qiu Tu.

Now, her suspended hopes had finally shattered.

After Qiu Tu even refused to meet her during the day, Princess Xi figured that he didn't want any deeper involvement with her to avoid being entangled in the power struggles of the Sixth Sanctuary.

Such reasoning was fair enough, and Princess Xi could understand... like hell she could!

If Qiu Tu weren't constantly avoiding her, had he been right in front of her, she'd definitely "bang bang" punch him twice!

Who did he think she was?

She was the Princess of the Sixth Sanctuary! The true second-in-command!

Whenever she visited other Sanctuaries, they always extended the highest courtesy in receiving her.

But now, with Qiu Tu, he was outright ignoring her!

Princess Xi truly felt that over the past two days, her patience and self-esteem had been utterly crushed.

So, after venting her fury, she muttered curses about Qiu Tu under her breath as she drifted off into slumber.

Perhaps due to sheer exhaustion during this period.... As soon as her head hit the pillow, Princess Xi fell deeply asleep.

Yet... after falling asleep, something peculiar happened. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Princess Xi felt her consciousness drifting farther and farther away....

Just as she was left uncertain of what was happening, suddenly, strains of music reached her ears.

Princess Xi came to her senses, confused, glancing around.

That's when she realized she had unknowingly arrived in a somewhat familiar place.

It was a grand palace, its ceiling supported by heavy wooden beams adorned with intricately carved designs.

In the center of the palace's main hall hung a radiant crystal chandelier, dazzling like the brightest star fallen from the heavens.

The surrounding walls were lined with family crests, ancient oil paintings, and tapestries depicting momentous scenes.

This place was very familiar to Princess Xi. After all... this was where she had spent her childhood.

But due to her family's decline, it could now only appear in her dreams.

'Dream?'

That word seemed to jolt Princess Xi into awareness.

Startled, she bolted upright, as if she had just realized something, scanning the entire palace hall in disbelief.

And then, just at that moment, the tall chair at the center of the hall slowly began to turn....