Chapter 1421 - 416: Are You... Jealous?

"I suppose they carry some of Second Aunt’s scent, which is understandable."

"Heaven and earth as my witness!" Zhou Qing hurriedly raised his hand in oath, "Besides you, I’ve never even let them into this hall."

Shen Hanyi turned her face away, "Don’t change the subject. Are you sure this was given to me by Second Aunt?"

Zhou Qing muttered quietly, "You were the one who changed the subject first..."

But he still spoke seriously, "Absolutely true. Moreover..."

He shook the Imaging Stone, "With the help of Four Flowers Gathering at the Crown, I also deduced who the person in the portrait is."

"Can you even deduce that?" Shen Hanyi was truly surprised this time.

Zhou Qing smiled proudly, "Of course. Would you still want to chase away someone who can be of such help?"

"Enough with the jokes." Shen Hanyi lightly tapped the table, "Who exactly is it?"

"The head of the third house, your third uncle—Shen Lieyang!" Zhou Qing said, enunciating each word, his gaze fixed on Shen Hanyi.

Shen Hanyi’s pupils narrowed slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

She squinted her eyes, scrutinizing Zhou Qing, "I don’t believe you deduced this, what’s the basis?"

Zhou Qing spread his hands, "No basis, it’s a unique enhancement of Four Flowers Gathering at the Crown!"

Suddenly he changed his tone and said meaningfully, "But judging by your reaction, it seems... you were already expecting this?"

Seeing he was unwilling to say more, Shen Hanyi did not press further and softly said, "I was originally seventy percent sure, but hearing this from you only confirms it further."

Zhou Qing was somewhat puzzled, "Didn’t you say earlier that when your grandfather learned of it and led a team for revenge, everyone was at home?"

"And at the time, the incident occurred in the Central Domain, even if your third uncle is in the Spirit Severing Realm and tore through space to return, it wouldn’t have been without arousing anyone’s suspicion, right?"

After a brief contemplation, Shen Hanyi took the Imaging Stone from Zhou Qing and said, "After I broke through the Divinity Transformation, I once accidentally bumped into someone."

"Then I discovered a few contradictions, leading to the bold speculation—my third uncle very likely cultivated a Second Nascent Soul."

"Second Nascent Soul?" Zhou Qing couldn’t believe it.

"Although I don’t know how he did it," Shen Hanyi’s voice grew colder, "But it’s indeed the case."

She pointed to the Imaging Stone, "If what you say is true, the person in the image is my third uncle, and the Cultivation Technique and Divine Techniques used are completely different from the original, this caution... is truly terrifying."

After hearing this, Zhou Qing exhaled deeply, then shook his head with a rueful smile, "Your eldest uncle is a Level 4 Array Master, this should have been an opportunity to elevate the family’s prestige and status, yet he chose to hide it."

"Your second aunt, however, knew in advance your third uncle would use his Second Nascent Soul to eliminate witnesses, and managed to capture it unnoticed."

"As for your third uncle and third aunt..." Zhou Qing suddenly paused and said, "This Shen Family is really..."

He was at a loss for words, unable to find the right descriptors.

It seemed everyone wore several layers of masks, hiding unknown secrets.

Yet, such a treacherous family managed to firmly hold the fifth place among the Eight Great Families.

"It’s practically a miracle." Zhou Qing ultimately could only describe it this way.

Shen Hanyi remained silent.

Zhou Qing’s gaze focused as he asked in a deep voice, "There are three things I can’t quite understand now. Firstly, why did your second aunt choose this specific moment to give you the Imaging Stone that had been preserved for years?"

"Secondly, why did your third uncle instigate the bandit alliance against your family back then?"

"Thirdly..." his voice became colder, "The Blood Contract Pavilion assassin clearly used your third aunt’s unique Heart-Burning Bone-Eroding Flame, yet you say it wasn’t her doing, who then is the real employer?"

Shen Hanyi sat quietly for a moment, then suddenly stood up, "Instead of speculating, it’s better to confront them directly."

"Your second aunt? I’ll go with you!" Zhou Qing promptly stood up.

Shen Hanyi shook her head slightly, "In this matter, I play the pawn in the open, while they observe from the shadows, while you are the hidden hand in even deeper shadows."

Zhou Qing could only nod, then said, "So you agree to let me continue assisting?"

Shen Hanyi gave him a deep look, barely perceivable nod, then said nothing more and directly turned to leave.

Watching her gradually receding figure, Zhou Qing’s lips unconsciously curled.

Today’s conversation made him feel as if he briefly saw the lively and talkative girl who had let down her guard in the Divine Ruins Celestial Palace.

Afterward, he unleashed his vast Divine Sense to ensure no eavesdropping methods were employed, then sat down again, quietly awaiting her good news.

"I wonder how things are going on Second Grandpa’s side now?" Zhou Qing mused to himself.