Chapter 1100: Chapter 336: Zhou, I Didn’t Poison You—Is That Really Necessary?! (6k)

Xuanyuan Yichen faced Zhou Qing’s plea but shook his head slightly, with a somewhat solemn expression.

"In theory, I should help you with this task, but the current situation is delicate, and the Royal Family has already issued a clear order not to intervene in this matter."

"If I rashly participate in the search, I might bring trouble upon myself."

He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Other princes, and even the forces behind them, might think I am trying to curry favor with the Nangong Family."

"They may even... suspect that I have some connection with the Ghost Mastiff."

"At this critical juncture, no one dares to act recklessly."

He looked at Zhou Qing with a hint of apology in his tone, "I hope you can understand."

Zhou Qing heard this, and feigned a sigh of regret before solemnly cupping his fists, "Regardless, Your Highness’s willingness to secretly mediate for my senior brother is already a great kindness."

"This favor, I shall remember, and if you ever need help, please feel free to ask."

Xuanyuan Yichen chuckled and waved his hand, "Look at you, do you think I’m doing this for your return of favor? It’s just a small effort."

Zhou Qing insisted, "Your Highness is generous, but I cannot rest easy. If you have encountered any difficulty and need help, I will spare no effort to assist."

"Truly, there is none!"

"Impossible, there must be something."

"Tsk, what do you take me for? So calculative?"

"Your Highness misunderstood." Zhou Qing shook his head, his tone sincere, "I genuinely wish to ease your burdens, even if it’s something minor."

Xuanyuan Yichen pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled slyly, "Alright, since Mu Qian returned from the academy, she has been rather dispirited."

"Especially after Consort Chen was confined, she has been gloomy every day. Why don’t you try to comfort her?"

His eyes flashed with cunning as he said slowly, "If you can cheer her up, who knows, you might become my brother-in-law in the future—"

Zhou Qing: "..."

Seeing Zhou Qing’s embarrassed look, Xuanyuan Yichen immediately burst into laughter.

"Just teasing you, look at your reaction!" He waved his hand, the laughter in his eyes undiminished, "However, I do have one request, please wait for a moment."

Before he finished speaking, Xuanyuan Yichen had already turned and walked towards the inner hall.

Zhou Qing watched him leave, his eyes showing a trace of contemplation.

Right now, their situation was delicate, and since the Seventh Prince knew their background, they had to be cautious.

With a quick decision, he used up a slot of the Heart Mirror Vision without hesitation.

In an instant, the vague "???" above Xuanyuan Yichen’s head suddenly changed into a line of golden script—"A person who can be utilized for a long time."

Seeing these words, Zhou Qing’s eyes narrowed immediately.

Indeed, there’s nothing more unfathomable in this world than the human heart.

The Seventh Prince’s sincere assurances just now, and his secrecy regarding his senior brother and others, almost made him believe he had found a sincere confidant.

Those who can survive in the Imperial City, especially these princes, are truly not simple.

But what does "a person who can be utilized for a long time" mean?

What is there about himself that’s worth utilizing?

Could it be those "memories" related to items from the Fifth-level Cultivation Country? Or his identity as an Array Master?

While pondering, Xuanyuan Yichen returned with a large brocade box, smiling gently.

Zhou Qing immediately put on an appropriately cordial smile, though his mind was clear.

Since they were both acting, they might as well take what they need from each other.

There was no life-and-death friendship between them; their interactions were driven by mutual benefits.

"Brother Zhou, do you remember this item?"

Xuanyuan Yichen lifted the box cover, revealing a half-meter square black portal.

The portal was neither metal nor wood, each of its four corners carved with a ghastly ghostly figure.

Zhou Qing frowned, "Four Ghosts Saluting Gate!"

This was exactly the item Xuanyuan Yichen had sought him to appraise on his first visit to the Taiqing Sect. For this, he had earned forty mid-grade Spirit Stones.

[Four Ghosts Saluting Gate: Possesses immense sealing ability; if the four ghosts are activated, it can easily strip the soul of a Spirit Severing Realm cultivator, dragging it inside for a Soul Search.]

[Even if the Spirit Severing Realm cultivator self-seals or sets a restriction, it can be slowly undone to obtain the desired information]

The introduction was still vividly clear in Zhou Qing’s mind.

After all, this fearsome item from the Fifth-level Cultivation Country could effortlessly deal with top cultivators of the Spirit Severing Realm from the Holy Martial Dynasty.

Such overwhelming power was chilling just to contemplate.

At the time, to avoid unnecessary trouble for himself and his sect, he only told Xuanyuan Yichen the name of the item and its strong sealing abilities.

But he claimed not to know the specific method. (Foreshadowing Chapter 92)

"Indeed, it is this item. You told me about it years ago; it’s a pity about that manual from your childhood. Who knows who authored it?"

Xuanyuan Yichen sighed.

Zhou Qing showed slight embarrassment, "Back then, I was not yet in the Taiqing Sect, struggling for basic needs, and those miscellaneous books from street stalls were just for fun."

Xuanyuan Yichen fully understood, "Later, I wanted to have you appraise other things, but you said you hadn’t looked at that manual much."

"So, with this item, can you recall how it might be activated?"

Xuanyuan Yichen looked at Zhou Qing expectantly.

Zhou Qing fell silent, then glanced at the top of his head again.

Was this the difficulty he was currently facing?

So by "long-term utilization," did he mean to extract the "childhood memory" that never existed?

Seeing his frown, Xuanyuan Yichen hurriedly consoled, "Brother Zhou, no rush. You can take your time to recall."

"Regardless of the outcome, once this storm passes, I will secretly assist you in finding your senior brother."

Looking at the sincerity on the other’s face, Zhou Qing suddenly laughed, "Then I thank Your Highness."