If Qiu Tu wasn't trying to bluff her, but truly knew about the Southern God King's situation, then if she didn't act according to his wishes, Qiu Tu might very well flip the table right then and there.

At that point, should Qiu Tu expose the Southern God King's disappearance, even putting aside whether "The Southern Kingdom" would fall into chaos—just the three other Divine Kings alone might devour the Southern domain whole.

So Shao Hua did not dare to gamble.

Fortunately… before the Southern God King left, he'd left her a talisman seal.

At the time, the Southern God King had said, if something truly unresolvable happened in "The Southern Kingdom," she could ignite the talisman to inform him. He'd return to take charge of the situation.

For decades, Shao Hua had encountered many difficulties and perilous predicaments, but never once had she summoned the Southern God King.

But this time, she felt perhaps she truly ought to reach out to her uncle, the Southern God King…

With that thought, stepping into the temple, what appeared before Shao Hua was a towering divine statue.

Much like the statues of the Eastern and Northern Divine Kings, the Southern God King's statue had no features—no facial expressions, only a strong, upright male silhouette.

Standing before the statue, Shao Hua drew out the talisman given to her by the Southern God King.

The talisman was crafted of gold foil, etched with strange and enigmatic patterns, exquisite and dazzling in its brilliance.

Holding the talisman, with a gentle wave, flames suddenly bloomed in her palm, crawling up to engulf the talisman.

As the fire devoured it, the talisman swiftly began to morph—twisting, elongating. The part gripped in her hand grew slender, while the top blossomed into a golden lily.

With the birth of that flame-tempered golden lily, a man's voice echoed through the temple—teasing, laced with a hint of mischief—

"Oh, my foolish little niece~"

"Did you really believe I'd leave you a talisman for communication?"

"Running to uncle at every sign of trouble—like a child who refuses to grow up~"

"You must know, in this world, the only one you can rely on is yourself. Beyond that, none and nothing is dependable."

"So be good, and handle this yourself. Here's a flower for you. You're the best~~"

"Love, your uncle."

As the last words faded, the entire temple returned to silence.

Shao Hua stood gripping the golden lily, her face utterly blank…

One second. Two. Three…

Suddenly, she hurled that golden lily to the floor with all her might! Grabbing her head in rage, she bellowed, "You lunatic!!"

"Why the hell don't you just drop dead! Just die!"

Shao Hua's chest heaved with fury—she nearly passed out from rage!

Legend in the Boundless Heart Sea had it that her relationship with her uncle was no good.

That was true…

Beyond her also thinking her uncle was a coward, there was another reason… Since childhood, he constantly played pranks on her, just to watch her lose her composure or get angry!

—Exactly like just now!

With an uncle like this, how could they possibly get along!

Stewing on that, Shao Hua ground her teeth in helpless fury.

But she knew this was not the time to get angry. What mattered now was to resolve the situation before her.

Just as her uncle had said: She couldn't run for help whenever trouble appeared. Because… no one could be relied on. In this world, the only person she could count on was herself!

Only if she strove to break through every obstacle could she truly transform—break the cocoon and become a butterfly!

With that thought, inexplicably, Shao Hua felt her will become a little more resolute.

So she cast a deep look at the colossal statue before her, then sank to the floor, contemplating her next move…

But what she didn't know was, just as she made her decision, in the distant "Southwest Region," a pair of golden eyes slowly opened.

In those eyes, a glint of contemplation flashed by; after a moment, contemplation gave way to a faint smile…

.....

Late at night. Qiu Tu's villa.

Qiu Tu sat in his study, quietly tending to official matters. Two cups of tea and a late-night meal lay set before him, as if he were waiting for someone.

Time slipped by, and soon it was midnight.

A night breeze swept in from the balcony, and with it, wind chimes sounded inside the room.

Soon after, a shadow-like figure, as if formless, gradually appeared in the room.

Qiu Tu seemed to have expected this visitor—without even looking up from his papers, he said, "You're here?"

At his words, the figure chuckled lightly. "So you were quite certain I'd come?"

Qiu Tu looked up, his gaze coming to rest calmly on the figure, a trace of mirth glimmering in his eyes.

He said, "And what if I told you I was bluffing?"

The shadow shook its head. "I don't believe you."

Qiu Tu smiled as well. "Then it seems you know me well enough. You know I wouldn't use this ploy to force you out unless I was at least ninety percent confident."

He paused there, then went on, "But since you've shown yourself, it proves you're at least somewhat interested in my plan."

Qiu Tu gazed at the familiar silhouette before him. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"Secretary Bai, Old Bai, White Robes… or should I say… the Southern God King."

The lamplight slowly illuminated the figure before him.

That being stood garbed all in white, appearing in his early twenties, distinguished and graceful in appearance, yet exuding the gentlest of auras. This was White Robes, high-ranking member of the "Fog Hidden Association," once the benefactor and secretary to Yan Chen… Bai Yu.

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