Let them offer their loyalty!
Chapter 955 - 468: Peak Fifth Rank, Yet There are Differences! (10,000 Words Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu was startled for a moment.

Although he often strategizes behind the scenes, he is not a divine being capable of foreseeing the future.

Therefore, he really didn't know about what Zhao Ji had mentioned....

The reason he was certain that Shen Lingshuang was not the "Mountain Root" nor the special Cataclysmic Material sought by Muye was because of his precise understanding of human nature.

Just as he had analyzed to Zhao Ji: if Shen Lingshuang really was the "Mountain Root," the special Cataclysmic Material, why didn't Muye just quietly kidnap her?

Isn't it better to quietly make a huge fortune in silence?

After all, even if Qiu Tu is strong, he would not be a match for a Peak Fifth Rank Great Evil God.

And now, he had first made a deal with Dongye State, and then descended in person, attacking Eastern City. It's almost like he's using a loudspeaker above Qiu Tu's head, telling everyone that the "Mountain Root" is by Qiu Tu's side.

This kind of behavior, startling the snake in the grass, could end up with him losing the easy prize he could have obtained.

Therefore, Qiu Tu had suspicions of deception right from the start. He just had no way to verify it.....

Luckily, he soon had an opportunity: after the attack on Eastern City, a rumor began circulating among the middle layer of various cities, claiming that the special Cataclysmic Material was in his possession.

Consequently, Qiu Tu immediately ordered Guan Xiao to start the investigation from Xinjie City. (Chapter 464)

The methods of the Political Department are not to be withstood.

So, within a day, Qiu Tu knew the source of the rumor: a clerk who had just been corrupted and degenerated by Muye.

And his spreading of the rumor was also by the instigation from his superior.

This once again confirmed Qiu Tu's thoughts: the "Mountain Root" was not by his side; Muye was intentionally framing him.

After all, if the previous incidences could be said to be coincidences, or Qiu Tu was overthinking.

Now, with Muye actively spreading the rumor, little by little drawing suspicion towards Qiu Tu, it was all too obvious.

It was precisely because he confirmed that Shen Lingshuang was not the "Mountain Root" that Qiu Tu dared to meet with Zhao Ji and employ the "Drive the wolf to devour the tiger" strategy.

But who would have thought that before he could "drive" the tiger, he would accidentally clarify Shen Lingshuang's identity?

Thinking this, to draw out more information, Qiu Tu didn't continue with his persona and honestly shook his head, then said, "I didn't know she only had a fragment of her soul."

"When I'm with her, I don't notice anything unusual about her."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji, with her hands behind her back, said indifferently, "You didn't notice that her previous memories were incomplete or incorrect?"

"This is because her soul is not whole, her memories are fragmented or jumpy."

"Higher beings think 'linearly,' memories require 'logic,' so her brain will automatically fill in some details."

Hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu couldn't help recalling Shen Lingshuang's peculiar details that she always talked about, such as "my parents don't allow me to cultivate," "running away from home to come to the Eighth Sanctuary," etc....

And although she could practice Alchemy and create Cataclysmic treasures, there were always various strange side effects.....

Indeed, everything seemed to add up.

Seeing a trace of realization in Qiu Tu's eyes, Zhao Ji spoke again, "However, it's truly miraculous that a single soul fragment could turn back into a living person."

"This indicates that there might indeed be some powerful Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures near Dongye State."

"Maybe it is the 'Mountain Root'."

Hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu snapped back to reality.

Compared to the "Mountain Root," Qiu Tu was actually more concerned about Shen Lingshuang.

Not only because the girl had been selflessly contributing to him and he had gradually started to treat her as family, but also because... his strength was far from reaching the Sixth Order.

"Mountain Root," such Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, he would be reluctant to use if he got them. Even if he did get them, he would not be able to defend them.

So, it would be better to use it for beneficial trades.

In this world, isn't the most satisfying thing to "use an enemy's items to buy others' loyalty"?

If he really could deceive Zhao Ji with a "Mountain Root" whose existence and location were unknown, to eliminate Muye, then Qiu Tu would really hit the jackpot.

So, thinking this way, Qiu Tu spoke out, "So, if we find the place where Lingshuang was born, we can find the 'Mountain Root'?"

After speaking, Qiu Tu asked another question, "Also... how is a partial soul like Lingshuang's created?"

Zhao Ji seemed genuinely interested in Shen Lingshuang's situation. So even though her face was cold, after a moment of contemplation, she actually answered Qiu Tu's question.

She said, "There are many possibilities for the division of a soul."

"It could be voluntary, or it could be involuntary."

"Voluntary might be due to some special Cataclysm Path that requires the division of the soul, to remove 'impurities' from one's own soul,"

"Making one's soul purer and with greater potential."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but ask, "Then wouldn't the main soul be incomplete?"

Zhao Ji gave him a cold glance and said, "Did you forget, at the Third and Fourth Order, the soul undergoes a reshaping?"

Hearing this, a look of realization crossed Qiu Tu's face, "So, it gets replenished at that time?"

Zhao Ji indifferently nodded and continued, "Also, it could be that one encounters a great crisis, scared of perishing, wanting to retain a hope for resurrection, hence splitting one's soul."

"But this requires very high strength. At least Peak Fourth Order, or even Fifth Order to possibly achieve it."