Let them offer their loyalty!

Qiu Tu heard this and looked up at her with a hint of confusion.

"In fact, cooperation isn't limited to just one at a time, is it?" said Larilo with a calm gaze at Qiu Tu, her eyes narrowing into a smile.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu felt a "thud" in his heart, guessing what Larilo was thinking.

Sure enough, Larilo rose from her divine seat and then smiled as she walked step by step toward Qiu Tu. "Moreover, if my cooperation with Jia Shu can't even get Jia Shu punished..."

"Then what makes me believe that cooperation with you will place any restrictions on you?"

As she said this, she walked up to Qiu Tu, her tone gentle, "So, you also need to show some sincerity, to make me believe that you truly want to cooperate with me, and not just use me or stall for time..."

"Don't you think... Isn't that right, my future Archbishop?"

Qiu Tu: ....

Archbishop, I might as well be the main character.

Qiu Tu realized that this Heretic Goddess was truly adept at baiting with promises, one after another, leaving no chance to breathe.

The only pity was that Qiu Tu had his fill of empty promises in his past life, and in this life, he truly couldn't stomach anymore. So he wasn't fooled.

However, considering the current circumstances, although he wasn't tempted himself, he still had to pretend to be interested, so he feigned sincerity and said, "Your Highness makes a good point. What would Your Highness like me to do to prove my sincerity?"

Larilo clearly had her demands well thought out already, so she spoke indifferently, "A Moonlight Lake is about to emerge between Xinjie City and Eastern City."

"I have calculated that I have a destined connection with that Moonlight Lake. It's a key resource for my continued ascension."

"However, that Moonlight Lake has already been defended by both cities, with three major institutions."

"I need you to help me find out exactly when the Moonlight Lake will fully coalesce."

"When the time comes, I will personally retrieve what is mine."

Hearing Larilo's words, Qiu Tu couldn't help but be a little shocked.

He had considered that Larilo's great efforts to cause trouble in Xinjie City might be for some need.

But... he never thought that what Larilo was after was the Moonlight Lake!

That Moonlight Lake was rumored to be capable of refining 1.3 tons of Tears of Moonlight, enough to make tens of thousands of Cataclysmic Awakening Potions—an important strategic resource.

'This Heretic Goddess's appetite is too great...' he thought to himself, but Qiu Tu certainly couldn't say that out loud.

So after a brief contemplation, he smiled slightly and bowed, "As you wish..."

No matter what, the priority was to deceive this Heretic Goddess first.

Moreover, Qiu Tu was never afraid of someone with a big appetite. On the contrary, he liked such people the most.

Because it meant they had desires, and desires could be exploited...

Perhaps in time, he would even be able to use those desires to manipulate the Heretic Goddess.

Meanwhile, seeing Qiu Tu agree so readily, Larilo, with a beaming smile, said, "My Archbishop is indeed decisive."

"Then I'll be waiting for your good news."

"I know you won't disappoint me."

With that, Larilo paused, her face revealing a sly smile, "After all, you wouldn't want to know the cost of disappointing me..."

After speaking, she waved her hand, and at once, Qiu Tu felt darkness before his eyes, losing consciousness...

He didn't know how much time had passed. It could've been a minute, or maybe even more than an hour.

"Huff!"

Qiu Tu suddenly awoke from his sleep!

His eyes wide open, he sat up abruptly on the bed.

Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng, who had been by his side the whole time, hurried over to him.

Chen Feng, being more silent by nature, let Cao Dabiao ask with concern, "Brother Tu, are you okay?"

Seeing their concerned faces, Qiu Tu took a deep breath and then shook his head to reassure them, "I'm fine. I'm okay."

After speaking, he asked, "How long did I sleep?"

Chen Feng had apparently been keeping track of the time.

Hearing Qiu Tu's question, he replied, "1 hour and 13 minutes."

Qiu Tu upon hearing that, "Such a short time?"

Truth to be told, Qiu Tu even felt the conversation with Larilo took more than an hour.

'It seems... perception of time becomes less acute in dreams?'

While Qiu Tu was pondering the details of the dream, Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng exchanged glances, then also asked, "Brother Tu, have you already met with that Heretic Goddess?"

Qiu Tu snapped back to reality and nodded.

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He might have resolved a concern. He leaned back on the headboard and said with a slight ease, "Yes, I've seen her."

At his words, Cao Dabiao blinked, grinning as he said, "Sounds like... you're in a pretty good mood? So, did you and her communicate smoothly?"

What could Qiu Tu say?

He could only respond, "It was passable."

Though lacking enthusiasm, Cao Dabiao's interest was piqued.

He was clearly fascinated by the legendary Evil God and asked curiously, "Chief, what does the Evil God actually look like? Is she very beautiful?"

Qiu Tu recalled for a moment, then commented, "How should I put it...

"She seems to be able to change her appearance at will in dreams. She can become larger, smaller, turn into a young girl or a mature lady."

"The only constant might be her aura."

"Aura?" Cao Dabiao was curious, "What kind of aura?"

Qiu Tu snorted, "What other aura could it be."

"It's intellectual without losing dignity, elegant without losing beauty, like Ouyang without its radical."
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Cao Dabiao understood the first two phrases, but was puzzled by the last, "Ouyang without its radical? What does that mean?"

At that moment, Chen Feng caught Qiu Tu's riddle, and even with his reserved nature, couldn't help but laugh. Then he commented, "It seems that Heretic Goddess is indeed not easy to deal with...

Seeing Chen Feng had guessed the answer, Qiu Tu glanced at him with a smile, then he sighed deeply, "Indeed not easy to deal with..."

With that, Qiu Tu also couldn't help but place his hands behind his head, reminiscing about the Moonlight Lake that was about to emerge, entangling the many forces within and outside Xinjie City...

Since so many forces were concerned about the Moonlight Lake, could he take advantage of this resource and stir things up?

Meanwhile.

As Qiu Tu was thinking this.

The countdown hourglass in the upper left corner of his vision for "Appreciation of the Evil God" started to change slowly.

Along with the change in the countdown hourglass, several new prompts popped up in front of Qiu Tu.

"Congratulations on successfully overcoming the crisis of 'Appreciation of the Evil God'. You have not only earned the initial trust of the Evil God but also have not betrayed the human ranks."

"However, the Evil God is not easily fooled. She has entrusted you with a task to verify your 'loyalty': Acquire the actual time of concentration at Moonlight Lake."

"You have only 4 days. If you cannot obtain this information within 4 days, maybe she will make you understand the price of playing with the Evil God!"

As the prompts before his eyes ended, the countdown hourglass for "Appreciation of the Evil God" slowly transformed into a trembling little treasure chest.

Then it moved to the right, alongside the Crisis Treasure Box obtained after passing "Jia Shu's Assassination".

Another countdown hourglass appeared and jumped next to the other two crisis hourglasses...

"Promise of the Evil God (4 days)"

"Revenge of the Linked Formation (8.5 days)"

"Threat in the Darkness (∞)"

...

A night without words.

The next day, Qiu Tu rose from his bed, embracing Shen Lingshuang.

Although he had made a series of preparations the night before, things did not go as badly as he had anticipated.

—Or rather, there were no United Front spies around him and Qin Shuman.

The United Front probably didn't know he would be moving today, so they missed their last chance to attack him last night.

This let Qiu Tu breath a sigh of relief: he had too many enemies to face recently, he was too tired, he really didn't have the energy to deal with the United Front anymore!

After getting up in the morning and having breakfast with Shen Lingshuang, Lin Zuo's call came in.

The content of the call was simple, just to inform Qiu Tu that the villa had been chosen and the movers had been arranged. He could move now.

However, to avoid someone trailing Qiu Tu and discovering his new address, he suggested that Qiu Tu should not handle it personally.

Qiu Tu happily agreed to this request, then called over Eagle and Ah-Kun, two trusted and cautious confidants, to oversee the entire moving process...

As for Qiu Tu himself, he was going to meet Secretary Tao and have a talk with Commissioner Jiang about a business concerning his promotion...

Driving his old and battered sedan, Qiu Tu headed towards the house opposite the Investigation Bureau.

After driving for over twenty minutes, Qiu Tu finally arrived at the house where they had met last time.

He circled around, parked the car at a distance, then walked through several alleys before entering the house.....

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Today is still 3 updates of 10,000 words each! Next chapter at 20:00! It's been 28 consecutive days of reaching 10,000 words a day, the last 3 days, double Monthly Ticket time, begging for Monthly Tickets! Monthly Tickets! Monthly Tickets!

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