Moreover... for Tian Qi, neither of these possibilities is really a loss. It's just a matter of making a different choice.

If there are a lot of slots for the Divine God positional frame, and Tian Qi has hope to compete for the Divine God, of course that's the best. He could rise to the top in one move and formally enter the core of power in the whole world.

But if there really aren't that many slots, then Tian Qi could go along with Zhao Ji and Qiu Tu, giving up this round of the Heavenly God Trial. Not only would he win their trust further, but... pledging loyalty to someone means meeting them face to face...

All this time, Tian Qi has been carrying out the West God King's orders to track down Zhao Ji's whereabouts, but to little effect.

Now, he'll go straight to Zhao Ji and swear allegiance—he'll definitely find out her location.

When the time comes, he'll send that address to the West God King, let the Divine Kings show up in person and smother Zhao Ji in her cradle—by then, he might really get ahold of Zhao Ji...

To him, that's even more tempting than becoming a Divine God.

Thinking so, Tian Qi stopped hesitating.

He glanced at the top-ranking leaders present, then spoke slowly, "Since everyone thinks it's impossible to have more than three slots, I won't hesitate any longer."

"Anyway, it's already certain I won't become a Divine God. I might as well show some loyalty to Zhao Ji and Qiu Tu now, and wait for another chance in the next Heavenly God Trial."

The fact that he's become a double agent is Tian Qi's deepest secret; if it leaked, it could mean eternal damnation. So even when facing his own trusted followers, he revealed absolutely nothing.

Precisely because of this, although the senior members of the Mistveil Society had long believed that Tian Qi couldn't get the Divine God positional frame this time, when Tian Qi finally made his decision and prepared to give up on the Heavenly God Trial, the atmosphere instantly grew much colder.

Some hung their heads, some sipped their tea silently, some, like Jin Ni, even sighed softly.

Seeing this gloom in the room, Tian Qi couldn't help but chuckle. Clapping his hands, he cheered, "Hey, don't be so down!"

"It's just missing out on a small opportunity. There will definitely be plenty more to come."

"Also..." At this point, Tian Qi started joking, "Bai Yi is just one rank below me. Since I'm stepping down, he'll move up."

"Who knows, maybe he'll take my place and become a Divine God!"

Hearing Tian Qi's jibe, the top brass finally laughed.

After all, it's basically impossible. Never mind if there'd really be five slots—even if there were five, as things stand, Qiu Tu is obviously pushing Qing Lan forward, and anyone standing in Qing Lan's way probably won't get past Qiu Tu.

It would be the same treatment Tian Qi got—either threats or bribes—forcing them to step aside for Qing Lan.

So the fifth spot is almost 80% likely to go to Qing Lan. As for Bai Yi... no chance.

But seeing everyone laugh so happily, Bai Yi, sitting quietly in the corner, also smiled gently, looking just as harmless as he had for decades before.

If Qiu Tu were here, though, he'd keenly notice that Bai Yi's smile was a bit too genuine...

So genuine that it was as if everything was going according to his plan...

.....

Meanwhile.

While all the factions were scrambling for their final ranks in the Heavenly God Trial...

In the Eastern Kingdom, the East God King Longchuan Ying, covered in bandages, was completely hidden in darkness, her thoughts unknown.

After a long, silent wait, she finally spoke in a low voice, "Has Beize's betrayal been confirmed?"

In the darkness, two huge orange lanterns glowed into existence. Each "lantern" was as big as a human head, and vertical-pupiled, making one's skin crawl.

As the "lanterns" lit up, a wizened, droning voice sounded at Longchuan Ying's ear, "Confirmed."

"The direction of his Qi Yun has completely changed."

Longchuan Ying: "And what about that fellow down south?"

At Longchuan Ying's question, the aged voice replied again, "Don't know."

"It seems they've set up a very powerful concealment formation."

"I haven't been able to observe their movements since over twenty years ago."

Hearing this, Longchuan Ying was silent for a moment, then spoke, "In that case, prepare for the worst."

"Assume both have switched over to Qiu Tu's side."

"But it's fine... even if so, at most they'd have four Divine God-level fighters. The strongest's still just an Eighth Rank Peak Earth Deity."

She paused, then said expressionlessly, "If I play my trump card, never mind four Divine God-level fighters—even eight wouldn't make a difference."

"And with Heavenly Fury on our side, we've got the numbers and top combat strength to crush them."

"I just can't see how I could possibly lose." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Unless Zhao Ji recovers her cultivation from her previous life, otherwise... the only victor this time will be me."

At these words, twelve giant lanterns lit up from the darkness again.

Then, a clamor of voices erupted out of the shadows, all showering Longchuan Ying with flattery.

Inside those bandages, Longchuan Ying, though trying hard to suppress it, couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from lifting—clearly pleased with herself for seeing right through Qiu Tu's cards...

.....

Just like that, another day quickly passed.

That night, Tian Qi fulfilled his promise, publicly quit the Heavenly God Trial, and chose to follow Zhao Ji in the trial.

This unexpected turn immediately scrambled the Heavenly God Trial leaderboard: everyone moved up at least one rank.

For instance, Qing Lan finally stepped from tenth up to ninth, taking one more step toward the goal Qiu Tu promised her.

Of course, others benefited too—like Bai Yi.

With Tian Qi stepping down, Bai Yi's ranking automatically rose by one, officially breaking into the top five.

And as time drew closer, more and more "Divine God Candidates," seeing their hopes vanish, withdrew from the trial, making the Heavenly God Trial's rankings more and more predictable.

The only suspense left was: how many slots will there actually be for the Divine God positional frame, and will those like Qiu Tu and Shao Hua, ranked just below Zhao Ji, manage to get them?

Plus... will the four Divine Kings try to block Zhao Ji from reaching godhood again?

And just as the whole Boundless Heart Sea waited in anticipation for this collision of titans...

That night, two Black Shadows from the Western and Eastern Kingdoms shot toward the Northwestern Region!

-----

Flying today and tomorrow. Morning flight at 10am, up by 6:30, it's almost 4 now and I've stayed up late—so just updating 4000 words for now, time for a quick nap.

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