Let them offer their loyalty!
Chapter 1003 - 484 Qiu Tu, Do You Want to Become an Evil God? (10,000 Words for Monthly Ticket)

With this thought, Qiu Tu began arranging the "Fifth Rank Promotion Ceremony" in the way Old Rao had taught him within the "Memory Butterfly."

According to Old Rao's explanation, for a Fourth-Order Cataclysmic to ascend to Fifth-Order, the most critical step is to achieve resonance with the region they control.

Afterward, establish a connection between this controlled region and the "World Origin."

Finally, imprint their soul's aura onto the region and gain recognition from the "World Origin."

Only then can the Fourth-Order Cataclysmic truly wield control over the area.

From then on, within this domain, their power would receive substantial enhancements, far exceeding that of a Fourth-Order Cataclysmic.

Every action would resemble that of a True God. Vast terrain modification, weather transformation — all as effortless as moving one's limbs.

Even the rising and falling of the sun and moon could be manipulated.

It was for this very reason that Zhao Ji, having defeated the Peak Fourth Rank Evil God Harris and seized control of his region, could instantly enact large-scale environmental changes with the mere power of thought. (Chapter 344)

It was also why Muye could maintain perpetual night in the "Eternal Night Area," preventing the sun from ever rising.

But more importantly…. after gaining true control of a region, a Cataclysmic could transform the area into their False Frame. They could then fuse the region's power with themselves, propelling their abilities forward by leaps and bounds, and ultimately reach Fifth Order.

To put it plainly…. the strength of living creatures has a limit, but…. the layering of regional power allows these beings to command "mountain-like" strength, "ocean-like" strength!

This is truly a method of advancement transcending the limits of biological existence.

And to achieve this transformative ascent, one must perform the "Fifth Rank Promotion Ceremony"…

With this thought, Qiu Tu first used a branch to draw a hexagram pattern on the ground.

Then, he opened the "Gold-Addicted Wallet" and took out the six thumb-sized pieces of "Fifth Rank Endless Divine Crystal" he had prepared earlier, placing them at the six vertices of the hexagram.

These would provide the power for the entire ritual.

Next, he sequentially took out four Cataclysmic Materials: "Jiao Sand Fish," "Iron Pine Liquid," "Spirit Bud Flower," and "Moonlight Stone."

He placed these materials into a crystal stone mortar in measured proportions, crushing and grinding them gradually.

The effects of these materials varied significantly.

"Jiao Sand Fish" could be ignited, emitting fragrance. This aroma could pierce through space and even the barriers of worlds.

"Spirit Bud Flower" could blur the boundaries between spirit and reality, separating a person's consciousness from their physical body.

"Moonlight Stone" could assist beings in creating connections with the World Origin.

"Iron Pine Liquid" served as a "supplementary agent," enhancing effectiveness while strengthening consciousness to prevent accidents caused by fragility.

These Cataclysmic Materials were exceedingly rare by themselves, and their combination was even more priceless.

Only a powerful national entity like the Sanctuary could muster such resources at a moment's notice.

According to Old Rao, the Sanctuary named the powdered mix created from grinding and combining these materials as "Sky-reaching Incense."

The implication being: it allows direct communion with the heavens.

Once ground and mixed, placing them in a receptacle and igniting them would initiate the ceremony.

Thus, Qiu Tu took extra care as he crushed and ground the materials.

"Sh-sh-sh… sh-sh-sh…"

Time passed minute by minute, and the powder beneath Qiu Tu's hands grew finer and smaller.

Just as he was concentrating on grinding, a hoarse male voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

"Are you preparing for your ascension to Fifth Rank?"

Hearing the voice, Qiu Tu glanced toward its source, and spotted a faintly glowing dodecahedron crystal within the "Gold-Addicted Wallet," where he had stored the Cataclysmic Materials.

Inside the dodecahedron crystal, the spherical form of the Great Evil God Muye gazed at Qiu Tu.

Evidently, Qiu Tu had left the "Gold-Addicted Wallet" open for convenience, inadvertently granting Muye an opportunity.

Realizing this, Qiu Tu decided to ignore him, continuing to grind the materials.

Seeing that Qiu Tu wasn't paying attention, Muye remained unperturbed and continued speaking in his hoarse voice.

"You clearly learned from me that the 'Mountain Root' doesn't exist at all. It was merely a fabricated excuse."

"So… after disrupting Zhao Ji's promotion without offering adequate compensation, there's no way Zhao Ji will forgive you."

Qiu Tu, already bored with the monotonous grinding, decided to treat Muye's words as idle chatter for entertainment. Without responding, he kept grinding.

Muye, ever persistent, didn't let Qiu Tu's silence deter him and continued speaking relentlessly.

"You've witnessed Zhao Ji's power firsthand."

"Even I, at the peak of Fifth Rank, couldn't withstand her."

"So what's the point of you ascending to Fifth Rank?"

"To Zhao Ji, it's merely the difference between crushing a small ant and a slightly larger ant."

Qiu Tu glanced at him briefly, grinding away as he did.

Seeing Qiu Tu finally make a movement, Muye seemed emboldened and said, "So… how about a collaboration between us?"

"You release me…"

"Just so you can die at Zhao Ji's hands?" Qiu Tu finally responded.

Muye's tone faltered but quickly adjusted, saying, "Of course not."

"I could take you away from Dongye State, away from the Eighth Sanctuary, to a place where Zhao Ji could never find us."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu chuckled and said, "If I wanted to leave the Eighth Sanctuary, I would've done so already."

At this, Qiu Tu pointed to himself and added, "Do you know what my current position in the Eighth Sanctuary is?"

Locked inside the "Gold-Addicted Wallet," Muye was cut off from external information, so his knowledge of Qiu Tu's status remained outdated, still believing Qiu Tu to be the "Deputy Speaker."