Chapter 1102: Chapter 336: Zhou, I Didn’t Poison You, Is This Necessary? (6k)

Zhou Qing’s expression was sincere, his gaze steady.

A trace of disappointment flashed through Xuanyuan Yichen’s eyes. He was just about to speak when he saw Zhou Qing already standing up. "I suddenly remembered I still have some important matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you any longer."

"You’re leaving already?" Xuanyuan Yichen’s tone carried a hint of reluctance. "Isn’t this a bit too soon?"

Zhou Qing shook his head slightly. "I want to first look for my senior brother in secret. Staying here, I really can’t calm my mind."

Xuanyuan Yichen let out a soft sigh. "All right. Mu Qian even specially came today to play with you for a while..."

"Another day." Zhou Qing’s gaze darkened slightly. "Besides, we’re long past the age where we can just mess around without a care."

Hearing this, Xuanyuan Yichen seemed to think of something. His expression dimmed as he said in a low voice, "Yeah... living in this world, there are always many things beyond our control. Who still has time to play around without a heart or cares?"

Zhou Qing didn’t say anything more. He clasped his fists in farewell and prepared to leave.

After all, his senior brother and second senior sister were waiting for him not far away in Jintian Palace.

"Right!" Xuanyuan Yichen suddenly called out to him. "There is actually a place that might help you inquire about your senior brother’s whereabouts!"

Zhou Qing’s steps paused. "Where?"

"The Array Hall." Xuanyuan Yichen lowered his voice. "You just arrived in the Imperial City, so you might not know. Grandfather got his hands on the corpse of a Fourth-level Array Master at the border, as well as many of his notes and journals on array insights."

He gave Zhou Qing a meaningful look. "Aren’t you an Array Master yourself now? When I went to the Taiqing Sect last time, I saw that your Taiqing Sect had already set up the three-colored Sect Protection Array. That should’ve been a gift from Master Lin, right?"

After a brief daze, Zhou Qing immediately put on a shocked expression. "The notes of a Fourth-level Array Master?"

Xuanyuan Yichen was very satisfied with Zhou Qing’s reaction.

After all, for an Array Master, being able to come into contact with the legacy left behind by seniors in his own field—no one knew how exciting that was.

He continued, "That’s right, a Fourth-level Array Master. Originally, these were only for us Princes and Princesses and the nobles of the royal palace to study. Unfortunately..."

He shook his head with a sigh. "One after another, our talent in this area is limited. After all these years, not a single person has managed to condense a Spirit Seal. Such good things have been wasted for nothing."

"So, just seven days ago, Father loosened the restrictions. Now all direct descendants of Spirit Severing Realm clans in the Inner City, as long as they’re willing, may enter to study."

After hearing this, Zhou Qing was inwardly sneering.

It seemed that that Second-level Array Master Zou Lun had truly died for nothing.

If he’d just waited a bit longer, with his status in the Duobao Trading House, taking advantage of this opportunity to ask for a study slot would’ve been as easy as lifting a finger, wouldn’t it?

Yet he insisted on cooperating with the Jieyun Thief and the others, only to end up with his body and Dao both destroyed in the end.

What was even more pathetic was that Tu Qianyue had been outright conning him; there were never any notes or journals.

Seeing Zhou Qing fall silent, Xuanyuan Yichen hurriedly added, "Each Prince may bring two staff advisers to study inside."

"You won’t just be able to sit in on the lectures, you can also gather information from the idle chatter of other clan scions. Anyone who can get into the Array Hall knows the Nangong Family’s current situation like the back of their hand."

Zhou Qing deliberately hesitated, his brows slightly furrowed.

He knew that if he refused too bluntly, it would only arouse suspicion.

Seeing Zhou Qing’s hesitation, Xuanyuan Yichen went on, "I can give you the status of a staff adviser. And in the Array Hall, with your talent, you might even gain a stroke of fortune."

"A stroke of fortune?" Zhou Qing appropriately showed a look of puzzlement.

Xuanyuan Yichen lowered his voice, sounding mysterious. "Burning incense!"

"Burning incense?" Zhou Qing was taken aback.

Xuanyuan Yichen nodded. "Grandfather said that everyone who enters gets one chance to offer incense to that Fourth-level Array Master. If fate smiles on you, you can receive his gift."

Zhou Qing: "..."

Seeing Zhou Qing’s confused expression, he continued explaining, "It’s true. When the hall was first built, all of us went to burn incense and kneel, and we even personally touched that master’s hand."

"Although his face has always been covered, Grandfather vowed up and down that there is definitely fortune involved. It’s just that our blessings aren’t sufficient."

"But you’re different." Xuanyuan Yichen stared at Zhou Qing with burning eyes. "You’re a disciple of Master Lin. You might trigger some special resonance with that senior Array Master."

By now, Zhou Qing had already guessed what was going on.

Back in the Peng Emperor’s Cave Mansion, he had used the Corpse-Touching Sticker to gain the chance to experience how the other party had condensed Spirit Seals in the past.

At the time, it had directly given him over eight hundred Spirit Seals, letting him leap up to become a Second-level Array Master.

No wonder Xuanyuan Shuo had insisted on taking the corpse away back then—so this was what he’d had in mind.

For a moment, Zhou Qing didn’t know whether he should laugh or sigh at how absurd this was.

"Besides, the Nangong Family will also be sending people." Xuanyuan Yichen continued to persuade him. "Only Nangong Xiao died. That branch of the Nangong Family still has quite a few direct descendants. You can just take the opportunity to probe for information."

Zhou Qing put on a look of deep consideration, but in the end still shook his head and declined politely. "I was born humble, while all of you are from wealthy and noble backgrounds. I’ve only just arrived in the Imperial City; I’d rather first get familiar with the surroundings."

Seeing Zhou Qing’s resolute attitude, Xuanyuan Yichen could only give up. "Very well. If you change your mind, you can come find me anytime."

Zhou Qing cupped his fists in thanks.

When he walked out of the hall, the Ninth Princess had already been waiting under the corridor for a long time.

She lightly bit her rosy lips, wanting to speak yet holding back. In the end, she only said softly, "Since you’re in the Imperial City, Zhou, you can come to my mansion for a chat anytime. From here, just head west and pass through two palace gates."

Zhou Qing nodded in agreement. "I will."

With that, he took his leave.

...

After leaving Yiyun Mansion, Zhou Qing did not head straight for Jintian Palace.

He wound his way through the bustling streets, then first took a private window seat at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and leisurely ate spirit dishes.