Let them offer their loyalty!-Chapter 1468 - 629: Hoodwinking the Eighth Rank Great Evil God (Monthly Ticket Requested)

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's mind couldn't help but start spinning rapidly, beginning an analysis.

My disadvantage is: this "Heavenly God Trial" happens to be held in a place I care about. But the advantage should be the same as well.

The Southwest Region and the Northwestern Region both happen to be areas under the control of the Human Camp. They are also the regions where my influence is greatest.

As long as the test isn't directly about combat power, then in terms of connections, resources, intelligence, and public support, I will far surpass the other trialists.

This will be Qiu Tu's greatest advantage.

The only problem is... if dozens of Eighth Rank Great Evil Gods, unstoppable for humans, descend into the "Edge Region" at that time, the power structure of the Human Camp will likely undergo a drastic change.

For the Human Race in the "Edge Region", this could very well be a catastrophe. By then, how much of these advantages will remain is hard to say.

After all... as long as the Cataclysm is under control, society can maintain its fundamental order and moral baseline. But once the Cataclysm becomes uncontrollable, then all sorts of monsters and demons will crawl out of the woodwork.

Never underestimate the evil lurking in the depths of a sentient being's heart.

'This might be an even crueller and newer transformation than the Great Cataclysm back then.'

'The Human Race in the "Edge Region" will finally have to face the same choice as during the Second Sanctuary.'

'To live or to perish, to endure humiliation or to rather die than yield, these are all questions...'

Maybe Qiu Tu was lost deep in thought. Zhao Ji's golden eyes quietly watched Qiu Tu, then, with a thought, "pa!"—a crisp snap—Qiu Tu's forehead felt a flick from bent fingers.

"Ow~" Qiu Tu's head jerked back, clutching his reddening forehead, and looked helplessly at Zhao Ji. "Sister Zhaoji, what was that for?"

Zhao Ji looked down at Qiu Tu from above, face expressionless, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "You were spacing out."

Qiu Tu rubbed his forehead. Although he grumbled, he was a bit surprised inside.

The biggest difference between a veteran and a rookie in matters of the heart is being able to pick up on the subtle turning points in a girl's feelings.

For example, even though Zhao Ji hit Qiu Tu just now, seemingly "punishing" his distraction, if you think about it, you'll realize this is the first time Zhao Ji has "proactively" interacted with Qiu Tu.

Think back to every moment since they met: every time, it was Qiu Tu who first provoked Zhao Ji, and only then did Zhao Ji respond and interact in kind.

There were even many times when Qiu Tu took the initiative to tease Zhao Ji—and Zhao Ji couldn't even be bothered to engage, just watching Qiu Tu as if looking at a fool.

This shows that, back then, Zhao Ji never really cared about Qiu Tu, not even treating him as a real person.

But now... just because Qiu Tu was distracted, she actually took the initiative to flick him in this vaguely ambiguous way.

It might not look like much, but it clearly means that thanks to Qiu Tu's efforts, their favorability has finally reached a critical point—at least, now Zhao Ji considers Qiu Tu a friend, not a stranger anymore.

You have to admit, this really is good news.

However, Qiu Tu also knows that the more sensitive the moment, the more he must maintain self-control.

A lot of people become pathetic simps for no reason just because, after getting closer to the girl they like, their state of mind goes out of balance—immediately eager to please, or getting overly enthusiastic.

That kind of behavior is completely wrong.

The same old truth: the essence of male-female relationships is "tension and pull."

When you, through passion, make a woman gradually get used to your presence, or become familiar with you, what you should do is not "strike while the iron is hot", but rather "pull away and retreat". 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

This is rule 99 out of the 108 Ways to Enhance Relationships in the Emotional Handbook: Being hot and cold.

If you "strike while the iron is hot", you only end up increasingly on the losing end in the whole relationship. But if you withdraw and retreat, you can test her "true attitude" towards you and stir her emotions.

Thinking so, Qiu Tu kept rubbing his flicked-red forehead, but had made up his mind...

He straightened his expression, then sincerely apologized. "Sorry, Your Grace. I actually did drift off just now."

"But I was just shocked by the location of the 'Heavenly God Trial.'"

"Let's continue our discussion."

Zhao Ji was always so astute and sensitive.

Qiu Tu's sudden serious expression, and the change in address from "Sister Zhaoji" to "Your Grace"—both signaled an intentional distancing.

Her brows knit gently without her realizing.

'Did my move just now annoy him?'

But, Zhao Ji immediately dismissed that guess.

'Impossible. This guy's a politician, thick-skinned as they come. No way he'd be upset over a joke like that.'

So, almost instantly, Zhao Ji caught onto Qiu Tu's thinking…

'This man is deliberately pulling at my emotions?'

At this thought, Zhao Ji's eyes unconsciously grew colder, gazing at Qiu Tu without joy or sorrow, a chill seeping in.

After all, just as Qiu Tu analyzed before, a strong woman like Zhao Ji despises people who play tricks the most.

Once discovered, it would likely put her on guard and significantly lower her favorability.