Chapter 88: Orange Hair, So It

After hearing this, Zhou Qing finally understood.

“Oh my, someone’s aiming to become a royal son-in-law! Not bad, Senior Brother! When you’ve made a name for yourself in the imperial court, don’t forget to secure me an official post too!”

Zhou Qing raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk on his lips, his eyes brimming with teasing amusement.

Yan Xiao Hu chuckled: “I’ll do my best, but right now it’s still a long way off—what matters most is getting her attention first.”

“Of course, but how does that relate to whether I show up tomorrow?” Zhou Qing asked, frowning in confusion.

Hearing this, Yan Xiao Hu suddenly produced a bronze mirror in his hand and held it between them. “What do you see in here?”

Zhou Qing studied it carefully. “Just the two of us, nothing else.”

“How can you say that? You’re just a little more handsome than me—my round face, my single-folded eyelids and small eyes—they’re charming enough, but compared to you, I just feel… lacking.” Yan Xiao Hu grumbled, clearly disgruntled.

Zhou Qing burst out laughing.

I get it—you’re afraid I’ll outshine you.

Fine. For the sake of your happiness, Senior Brother, I won’t show up tomorrow.

“But our sect has plenty of good-looking disciples—like Li Daoxuan and He Han from Shen Yue Peak, and the top disciples from other peaks. Losing me wouldn’t make much difference!” Zhou Qing hesitated before saying.

Yan Xiao Hu scratched his head, looking frustrated. “True. These shameless bastards—how the hell did they grow up like this? But maybe the Ninth Princess likes my type? Li Daoxuan’s handsome, but even Lu Yaoyao keeps coming to you.”

Zhou Qing fell silent.

Why does it always come back to me?

“So give me some advice,” Yan Xiao Hu pleaded, turning to Zhou Qing with desperate eyes. “Besides this outfit, what else can attract her? You’ve got way more experience than me.”

Meeting Yan Xiao Hu’s gaze, Zhou Qing thought for a moment, then said: “When she arrives at Taiqingmen, countless disciples will rush to see her—everyone wants a glimpse of the imperial princess.”

“If you were her, surrounded by so many people, you’d be overwhelmed—how could she possibly remember you? Unless—”

“Unless what?” Yan Xiao Hu asked eagerly.

Zhou Qing said: “Unless you’re the first person she meets.”

Yan Xiao Hu froze, then his eyes lit up instantly. “You mean I should intercept her on the way?”

“Not intercept—encounter. For example, you help some villagers solve a long-standing problem, and just by chance, the princess and her entourage witness it. Or…”

“I get it, I get it, Fourth Brother, you’re brilliant!” Before Zhou Qing finished, Yan Xiao Hu lunged forward, hugging him tightly and spinning around in delight, laughing heartily as if he’d already won the princess’s heart.

“Cough—” A cough echoed suddenly.

Both froze, startled, and turned toward the sound.

There stood an elderly white-haired woman nearby—Yan Xiao Hu’s face turned deathly pale.

Zhou Qing, equally embarrassed, quickly bowed. “Greetings, Supreme Elder!”

Yan Xiao Hu scrambled to follow suit, flustered.

Duanmu Shu said: “Zhou Qing, I need to speak with you…”

“Fourth Brother, the Supreme Elder’s calling you—what are you standing around for?”

Before Duanmu Shu could finish, Yan Xiao Hu shoved Zhou Qing forward and bowed respectfully. “The Supreme Elder needs to speak with Fourth Brother—must be something secret. I won’t intrude. I’ll take my leave.”

With that, he bolted away in a flash.

Zhou Qing stared, dumbfounded—even Duanmu Shu couldn’t help a wry smile.

“Is he really that scared? But his speed… he’s close to Nascent Soul. Impressive!”

Duanmu Shu turned to Zhou Qing and smiled. “Still the same—you’ve got more experience.”

Zhou Qing snapped his head up, eyes flashing with sudden delight.

This was fate—perfect timing. Thanks to countless simulations in the Divine Ruins Palace, this moment had finally arrived.

Seeing Zhou Qing’s expression, Duanmu Shu felt a twinge of guilt.

Plucking wool like this wasn’t right—but she had no better option.

Last time she failed and got badly injured. Now, with better preparation, she wanted to try again.

“I won’t give you the technique—greed leads to indigestion. Here are five mid-grade spirit stones. Payment for this task.”

Duanmu Shu handed the stones to him.

Last time, Zhou Qing had emerged utterly drained and subtly begged for two mid-grade spirit stones.

As for the Silver Dragon Hand and Azure Thunder Sword Art—those two alone were enough for him to focus on.

Looking at the stones, Zhou Qing felt slightly ashamed.

“It’s yours. The wandering souls inside are strange—we still don’t know where they came from,” Duanmu Shu said, pressing the stones into his hand.

Zhou Qing reluctantly accepted them.

Don’t bother figuring them out—this cave seems like my lifelong job now.

“I’ll do my utmost!” Zhou Qing bowed.

Duanmu Shu beamed with satisfaction.

“Then let’s go!” She led Zhou Qing straight toward the cave…

When they emerged from a massive bronze cauldron, besides Zhou Qing, the Sect Master Cao Zhengyang and two other Jin Dan disciples were present.

Lu Yaoyao and the others were nowhere to be seen.

“Greetings, Senior Brother, greetings, Senior Brothers!” Zhou Qing bowed.

Cao Zhengyang said: “Zhou Qing, you’ve worked hard. Only you’re going in this time—this will greatly reduce the chance of attracting the wandering souls. Don’t worry—if anything happens, they’ll rush in to save you immediately.”

Zhou Qing nodded. Can’t you even wish me luck?

Duanmu Shu then handed him six Yang Fire Talismans, just in case.

“I’m off!” Zhou Qing bowed and stepped resolutely inside.

Watching Zhou Qing’s lone figure vanish behind the bronze door, Duanmu Shu sighed deeply.

“I wonder what little Mo is saying about me behind my back. Constantly risking his disciple—it’s truly immoral.”

Cao Zhengyang hurried to say: “Don’t think that way, Master Mo is very understanding. Zhou Qing truly has experience, and the gravity zone is good training for him. I’ll make up for it later.”

Duanmu Shu said nothing, her face clouded with worry.

She then whispered: “What did you find about what the boy mentioned before?”

Cao Zhengyang shook his head.

He hoped the boy had merely hallucinated—but he couldn’t afford to ignore it. He was still secretly investigating and testing.

The Cangyan Dao Palace and another faction were already moving against Taiqingmen. He had to remain extremely vigilant. External threats were manageable—internal treachery was deadly.

Meanwhile, the moment Zhou Qing stepped into the gravity zone, his broken sword appeared instantly.

With a flick of his mind, his personal panel surfaced.

【Name: Zhou Qing】

【Age: Nineteen】

【Cultivation Base: Foundation Establishment Peak】

【Core Technique: Taiqing Mystical Qi Art】

【Talent Skill: One Inspection Per Day,

Mind-Insight Vision—LV3 (138/300),

Reduced Presence—LV3 (21/100)】

【Skill Fragments: 1/3 (Unobtainable)】

Although the Ignore Point increased to 30% chance of bypassing Jin Dan detection after reaching Level 3, the risk of being noticed remained high.

I need a good opportunity to reset my points.

This time, he’d barely walked ten meters when a wailing howl echoed from deep in the corridor.

Under Zhou Qing’s gaze, three Foundation Establishment Peak beings led a swarm of Qi Condensation wandering souls rushing toward him.

Seeing their fixed, hungry stares, Zhou Qing smiled.

“Only I’m here—they’re definitely after me. I knew luck wouldn’t hold forever. Looks like the 10% probability finally caught up.”

Zhou Qing muttered to himself, then prepared for battle.

As the wandering souls neared, lightning erupted instantly—thunder boomed through the entire corridor.

Outside, the Supreme Elder and Sect Master and others, hearing the battle, wore expressions of concern…

Soon after, Zhou Qing leaned against a stone mill, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat, yet grinning broadly.

“Four waves again—but faster than in the Divine Ruins Palace simulations by half a teacup’s time. The Yang Fire Talismans blocked some souls; my own strength still needs improvement.”

This time, Zhou Qing didn’t restore his spiritual power with spirit stones. After brief rest, he pushed the mill deeper into the corridor.

Familiar with the path, he placed the mill at the entrance, wrapped cloth around his feet, and took two cautious steps.

Confirming no danger, he sprinted into the tunnel.

Soon, he spotted the dozen or so Spirit Essence Mushrooms—overjoyed, he carefully harvested them all and sealed them in a jade box.

Seeing the tunnel’s end just ahead, Zhou Qing made no hesitation—he turned back and wiped away every trace he’d left.

He returned the mill to its original spot, ensured no imperfections remained, then turned counterclockwise to deactivate the gravity zone.

Then, with weary steps, he walked slowly out.

As he stepped from the cave mouth, sunlight blinded him—he instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes.

Two figures descended rapidly.

“Are you alright?” Duanmu Shu asked immediately, scanning his injuries.

Thankfully, aside from near-total spiritual exhaustion, he was unharmed.

Zhou Qing, exhausted, stepped back and bowed. “Report, Supreme Elder, Senior Brother—I’ve successfully deactivated the gravity zone.”

Hearing this, Cao Zhengyang praised him warmly.

“Good child, excellent, excellent!”

Duanmu Shu also wore a look of satisfaction; from the beginning until now, this child had never disappointed them.

Then she turned to Cao Zhengyang and said, “Alright, take them out first—I’ll handle what comes next.”

Cao Zhengyang said, “I’ll be right back; last time you were injured, it’s better to have someone attending to you.”

After a brief hesitation, Duanmu Shu agreed.

Afterwards, Cao Zhengyang led Zhou Qing and the other three out of the cavern realm and departed outward…

In the evening, Zhou Qing stared at the pile of spirit stones before him and began making plans.

“Now I have one hundred and one mid-grade spirit stones; I’ll ignore the low-grade ones—they’re just feed for the old hen. Before breaking through to the Jin Dan realm, I won’t enter the Divine Ruins Heavenly Palace again.”

“Thirteen Lingyun mushrooms, plus these mid-grade spirit stones, should be enough for me to condense two Golden Cores.”

After calculating the numbers, Zhou Qing let out a soft sigh.

Still too poor—when will I get a windfall?

“Tomorrow, the Seventh Imperial Prince and Ninth Princess of the Shengwu Empire will arrive; Elder Brother should also emerge from seclusion. I wonder where Third Brother is right now?”

Zhou Qing murmured to himself, then picked up a Lingyun mushroom and began absorbing and refining it directly.

Raw, unprocessed Lingyun mushrooms are far superior to pills refined into Chongqiao Elixir.

…………

The next day, disciples from other peaks of Taiqingmen finally learned from their masters that the Shengwu Empire had arrived, and rushed out curiously to gather and gawk.

“Wow, Shi Zhen, you look so beautiful today!”

When Lu Yaoyao glanced up casually, she saw a woman flying toward them on a sword.

Today, Shi Zhen wore a pale blue flowing immortal robe, its hem fluttering, her long hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders, adorned with delicate hairpins that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Lu Yaoyao’s eyes widened in awe, and she hurried forward to compliment her.

A faint blush spread across Shi Zhen’s face.

“Lu sister, don’t tease me—it’s just the same as usual,” Shi Zhen said softly, her voice gentle and shy.

She lightly bit her lips, her hands unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of her robe.

Lu Yaoyao giggled and whispered, “Shi sister, you’re not trying to become the Imperial Prince’s consort, are you? I heard from Elder Brother that the Seventh Prince is extraordinarily gifted and deeply favored by the Emperor…”

“There’s no such thing—don’t talk nonsense!” Shi Zhen cut her off before she could finish.

But Lu Yaoyao’s eyes sparkled with playful mockery.

Definitely—why else would you dress up so beautifully today, of all days, when the Shengwu Empire arrives? You’re clearly trying to catch the Seventh Prince’s attention.

“Guess who I am?”

A pair of hands suddenly covered Lu Yaoyao’s eyes from behind.

Lu Yaoyao sighed. “Elder Brother, you’re so childish.”

Li Daoxuan released his hands and jumped out from behind. “No wonder you’re the little sister—you figured it out so fast.”

When Shi Zhen noticed the dark circles under Lu Yaoyao’s eyes, she paused in surprise.

“Shi sister, you really do look beautiful today!” He Han appeared out of nowhere and gestured for silence.

Seeing the five giant men from Shen Yue Peak and Lu Yaoyao’s complete ignorance, Shi Zhen instantly understood what had happened.

She couldn’t help but laugh.

Clearly, these five fellows feared someone might catch the Seventh Prince’s eye.

But these dark circles? Not bad at all!

Shi Zhen chose not to mention it.

Soon, Lu Yaoyao looked around, puzzled.

“Why isn’t Zhou Brother here today? And Yan Brother, who loves crowds, isn’t here either—do they even know?” Lu Yaoyao suddenly asked.

Shi Zhen’s heart stirred. “Maybe not—I’ll go to Xiao Ling Peak and look for them.”

“Shi sister, I’ll come with you!” Lu Yaoyao said quickly.

“No!”

The five men from Shen Yue Peak spoke in unison, startling the two girls.

Li Daoxuan cleared his throat. “Shi sister, you already have contact info for Zhou Brother and Yan Brother—just ask them. Besides, the Shengwu Empire’s guests are arriving soon, and Xiao Ling Peak is far away.”

“Exactly, that’s what we meant!” He Han and the others chimed in quickly.

Shi Zhen hesitated. “Um… I left in a hurry today and might’ve forgotten my token—I’d better go to Xiao Ling Peak myself.”

“Then go quickly and come back. Little sister, you don’t need to come—you said you wanted to see what royal people look like, right? Otherwise we’d be discussing cultivation right now, not standing here.” Li Daoxuan suggested.

Lu Yaoyao shook her head. “I’ve lost interest now—I’ll go with Shi sister to Xiao Ling Peak.”

The five men exchanged glances, then spoke in unison: “Then we’ll go with you—better to have company, since assassinations still happen.”

Lu Yaoyao thought it over and agreed. Soon, the group left and headed toward Xiao Ling Peak.

Not long after, after registering, the seven reached the mountain and, halfway up, spotted Zhou Qing walking a chicken.

The sudden appearance of seven people startled Zhou Qing too.

Especially Lu Yaoyao—what’s with the dark circles under your eyes?

Shi Zhen scanned the surroundings, her gaze slightly disappointed.

Lu Yaoyao hurried forward. “Zhou Brother, the Shengwu Empire is visiting Taiqingmen today—why aren’t you there?”

“I’m not in the mood today—your eyes…” Zhou Qing started to ask about her eyes, but saw the five giant men behind him narrowing their eyes, glaring at him, and making a silent-shut-up gesture.

Fine—better to avoid trouble.

“Mainly, I don’t like crowds. That’s it!” Zhou Qing lied.

Lu Yaoyao didn’t believe him—you don’t dislike crowds?

Nobody else knows, but I do.

Yet seeing Zhou Qing’s evasive gaze, Lu Yaoyao suddenly had an idea and grinned. “Zhou Brother, are you scared of something?”

“Don’t talk nonsense—I’m upright and honest, haven’t done anything wrong, why would I be scared? I’ve got something to do—I’m leaving!”

Zhou Qing finished speaking, bent down, scooped up the old hen, and hurried away.

Watching Zhou Qing flee like a hunted animal, Lu Yaoyao looked utterly confused.

Something’s off—definitely something’s off!

She turned around and saw the five elder brothers instantly smiling—some looked at the sky, some at the ground, others at Shi Zhen.

“All of you are acting strange!”

No choice—Zhou Qing ignored them, so the group descended the mountain.

…………

Just as Li Daoxuan and the others were relieved that the little sister hadn’t caught the royal brat’s eye, they saw several familiar figures approaching.

Leading them was none other than Yan Xiaohu from Xiao Ling Peak.

Yan Xiaohu now wore a red-and-green outfit, his right arm wrapped in a bloodstained bandage, leaning on a cane, loudly boasting about something.

Beside him stood a man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe.

The man was handsome and noble, idly twirling a folding fan, his face always smiling, radiating an innate aristocratic aura.

Beside the man stood a girl in a silk skirt, her figure graceful, her skin as delicate as if it could be pierced by breath, her arched eyebrows framing eyes as clear as autumn water.

“O-och—”

When Lu Yaoyao saw the girl’s hair, threaded with pearl flowers, glowing orange, she froze in place.

She quickly rubbed her eyes, making sure she hadn’t imagined it.

It really was orange—and it looked so beautiful.

So, so…

“Li brother, long time no see!” At that moment, the man spotted Li Daoxuan and greeted him with a smile.

Li Daoxuan stepped forward and bowed. “Yichen brother, long time no see!”

Xuan Yuan Yichen bowed in return, his tone filled with nostalgia. “Sixty years since we last met—you’ve grown stronger.”

“Stronger? Still the same—stuck at Nascent Soul peak, unable to reach Soul Transformation. It’s you, Yichen brother, who’s come here for the Ghost Hound, right?” Li Daoxuan said.

Xuan Yuan Yichen nodded cheerfully. “Yes. To reach Soul Transformation, I must find him—otherwise, my inner demons won’t be banished.”

“Inner demons? Hah! So he’s become your obsession. By the way, I’d love to test your Xuan Yuan Dragon Emperor Art—just how strong is it?!”

As Li Daoxuan spoke, a sharp sword aura surged skyward, its edge unstoppable!

In contrast, Xuan Yuan Yichen stood tall, his eyes like stars, his body erupting with a roaring, surging spear aura.

Their auras climbed higher and higher, as if freezing the surrounding air, making breathing difficult.

“Cough, cough, cough—what are you doing? Our guests came in goodwill to pay respects to the Sect Master. You block the path and threaten to fight? Isn’t that terribly rude?”

At this critical moment, Yan Xiaohu suddenly stepped between them, addressing Li Daoxuan.

The two exchanged smiles and retracted their auras.

“Tomorrow, then?”

“At your convenience!”

Soon, Xuan Yuan Yichen turned to the girl beside him.

“Almost forgot to introduce—my ninth sister, Xuan Yuan Muqian!”

The girl stepped forward, bowing gracefully to Li Daoxuan. “Xuan Yuan Muqian, greetings, Brother Li!”

Li Daoxuan returned the bow. “Greetings, Ninth Princess.”

“Princess? Don’t call me that—if you don’t mind, just call me Miss Muqian. I’m just tagging along with Seventh Brother to take a stroll.”

Li Daoxuan could only nod: "Alright then, since I’ve known Yi Chen brother for a while, I’ll call you Miss Muqian. Though our Taiqingmen can’t compare to the imperial capital, it has its own charm—if you need a guide, feel free to find me anytime."

Xuan Yuan Muqian said: "Thank you, Brother Li, but I already have a guide—he’s a very kind and enthusiastic man."

After speaking, Xuan Yuan Muqian turned to Yan Xiaohu beside her.

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(End of chapter)