Let them offer their loyalty!

Qiu Tu shot Wu Zhi in the face, an act far removed from sending Wu Zhi to his death without God or ghost noticing.

Therefore, after deciding on how to deal with Wu Zhi, Qiu Tu had been contemplating how to kill him without arousing the suspicions of Huang Shangzong, Yan Chen, Commissioner Wang, and others. Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire

It was at this time that Qiu Tu returned to his villa and met Shen Lingshuang.

Shen Lingshuang told Qiu Tu that she had concocted two potions for him over the past few days, one odd and specific, which she gave to Xiao Bai to fixate his cataclysmic ability, and the other was a "Cataclysmic Awakening Potion." (Chapter 231)

That bottle of "Cataclysmic Awakening Potion" reminded Qiu Tu: he still had a mighty weapon in his hand!

It was the precious Cataclysmic Material he had salvaged from the "Salvage Game," "the overflowing spiritual entity of a Cataclysmic." (Chapter 152)

This Cataclysmic Material had a miraculous effect: as long as it was integrated into the Cataclysmic Awakening Potion, the potion's awakening success rate would be 100 percent. Moreover, it could only awaken the cataclysmic ability of "Shadow Walking."

"Shadow Walking" was the unique ability of a Cataclysmic called "Lone Wolf" that Qiu Tu had once killed. The effect allowed one to hide and walk freely within shadows.

There were no traces, nor sound, nor scent, and even the things carried would vanish as well.

It was because of this ability that Lone Wolf became a famous gold-class assassin in the Planning Area!

After advancing to a Second-Order Cataclysmic Awakened, Qiu Tu had thought about granting this ability to Eagle. (Chapter 216)

But there was never a suitable opportunity.

Now, wasn't it precisely the time to use this treasure and ability?

So, the next afternoon, after sending Tan Huimin away, Qiu Tu specifically called Eagle into his office and gave him the Cataclysmic Awakening Potion fused with "Shadow Walking."

After drinking this Cataclysmic Potion, Eagle indeed became a Cataclysmic through "Mystery" means, and he also acquired the ability of "Shadow Walking."

Afterward, Qiu Tu gave him two pieces of equipment: a handgun made by the United Front and a Cataclysmic treasure.

That handgun was specifically kept by Qiu Tu after the United Front squad attacked him last time, intended for framing and entrapment.

And that Cataclysmic treasure was the "Uncompromising Simulacrum" that Qiu Tu had once used.

Qiu Tu was a person who liked to be thorough in his actions.

If he was preparing for Eagle to assassinate Wu Zhi, he had to ensure that Eagle had a solid alibi.

Otherwise, right after the assassination, if Yan Chen investigated and found that Eagle was conveniently not in the Bureau, wouldn't that expose the scheme?

But with the Uncompromising Simulacrum, Eagle had a double in the Bureau, which provided a perfect alibi.

To make the play convincing, Qiu Tu also instructed Eagle to aim for a precise spot for the first shot and, after killing Wu Zhi, to immediately turn the gun on himself.

Qiu Tu, now a Second-Order Cataclysmic Awakened, was almost immune to handgun damage, so even if he was hit, it would at most be a superficial wound.

Latter, Qiu Tu would intentionally tear open the wound a bit more, making himself look pitiable, and wouldn't that make the act all the more realistic?

In addition, Qiu Tu had arranged for Eagle to be shot in front of witnesses but planned to heal his wound using "Order Space" tonight.

In this way, unless someone had God's Perspective, trying to trace the assassination back to Eagle and then to Qiu Tu would be complete nonsense!

Qiu Tu planned well, and the execution was flawless.

The only slight surprise in the entire plan was... Qiu Tu hadn't expected to hold such a high place in the hearts of his confidants.

When they realized he was about to be shot, Chen Feng and Ding Xiaoliu didn't hesitate at all and threw themselves forward, taking the bullets intended for him.

Though... it seemed like those bullets were rather pointlessly borne, their actions did lend even more authenticity and talking points to the scene.

So, Qiu Tu looked at Chen Feng with complex eyes. He said, "The wound's position is off, no threat to life."

"But... you'll need some time to recuperate."

Qiu Tu paused for a moment, then reassured, "Don't worry, though, if I'm not mistaken, you should be back to your normal activities in a couple of days."

Having said this, Qiu Tu patted Chen Feng's uninjured shoulder and declared, "When you return to the Bureau, I will definitely promote you!"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, the reticent Chen Feng cracked a grin and said, "Thank you, Chief!"

"Huh?" Qiu Tu interjected, "Don't call me Chief anymore. Call me Brother Tu."

"Yes! Brother Tu!" replied Chen Feng, his obedience flowing like water.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but smile too.

After attending to Chen Feng's wounds,

Qiu Tu also stood up and instructed Ding Xiaoliu and Zhu Huoyan to carry Chen Feng down to rest.

As for himself, he sat in the living room for a little over a minute in a daze, and then he made his way to the room where Secretary Bai was being held.

When he arrived at Secretary Bai's bedroom, Qiu Tu pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the room, Secretary Bai sat in a recliner, leisurely reading a book, while Li Xian and Ding Xiaoqi stood watch over him.

Seeing Qiu Tu enter, the two quickly stood up and saluted, "Commander!"

Qiu Tu nodded, then said, "You two step out for a while, I want to have a good talk with Secretary Bai."

"Yes!" Hearing Qiu Tu's words, the two stepped out of the bedroom, then closed the door from the outside with the back of their hands.

After the room was left with only Qiu Tu and Secretary Bai, Secretary Bai slowly put down the book in his hand, then looked at Qiu Tu and asked, "Is the matter resolved?"

Qiu Tu said with a smile, "I don't understand what you mean."

Secretary Bai shook his head with a smile, and remarked, "You... your vigilance is really strong."

He said, "I'm already your captive. What is there for you to fear?"

Qiu Tu stated righteously, "I don't even know what you mean, so there's nothing for me to fear or not fear."

Having said that, Qiu Tu didn't continue on that topic, but instead asked, "Brother Bai, now that I've arrested you, can you tell me some things?"

"Why exactly did you choose to side with the Evil God?"

"In my mind, you are clearly not that kind of person."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai did not respond to his question at first but instead asked, "Today... did you see the Bureau Chief?"

Qiu Tu hesitated for a moment, then said, "I didn't go to the Bureau today, so of course, I didn't see him."

Secretary Bai said with a smile, "But... he must already know about you coming to see me yesterday."

Qiu Tu was a bit confused about the meaning behind Secretary Bai's words. He couldn't help asking, "What does that have to do with our topic?"

Secretary Bai first shook his head, then nodded, "It's somewhat related. But you can also take it as small talk."

He always acted in a calm and steady manner, methodical and composed.

So he put down the book in his hand, then walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of the bedroom, looking at the scenery outside while saying, "Qiu Tu, do you know the levels of Cataclysmics?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu nodded, "I know. From First-Order to Fifth Order."

"Fifth Order is the highest, First-Order the lowest. The higher the level, the deeper the fusion with one's own path, and the more liable the spirit is to influence."

"That's why the Sanctuary has decreed that Cataclysmics can only reach up to Third Order."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai turned away from the window with a smile, then said,

"That must be something Director Tang told you, right?"

In the face of Secretary Bai, Qiu Tu saw no need to deny it, so he acknowledged with a "Hmm."

Secretary Bai said, "What Director Tang told you isn't wrong. But... that's just the most orthodox path."

"If all humans, all Cataclysmics, stop at the Third Order,"

"Then when those terrifying Cataclysmic Creatures, Evil Gods, descend into the real world, what will humanity use to withstand them?"

Qiu Tu asked in confusion, "Aren't rockets, artillery, and nuclear bombs used for that?"

Secretary Bai turned and looked at Qiu Tu with a laugh, "Those are means to be used in thinly populated areas or when it is absolutely necessary to defend."

"What if Cataclysmic Creatures descend upon the Sanctuary, the Planning Area? What then?"

After hearing this, Qiu Tu's gaze also revealed deep contemplation.

Secretary Bai slowly continued, "So, in fact, the Sanctuary has also researched a Pseudo Fourth-Order promotion method over the years."

"Normally, the spirit and strength remain at the Third Order. But when it's time to fight, one can enter the realm of Fourth-order Cataclysmics at any moment!"

Shocked by Secretary Bai's words, Qiu Tu suddenly realized the hint that Secretary Bai was giving him.

He couldn't help saying, "Is Yan Chen currently advancing to Pseudo Fourth Order?!"

----