Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1696: Chapter 861: I’m Not Really Interested in You

"Young Master Situ, no need to be so tense. This princess has no particular interest in you. I only have one question—Gu Sheng, where is he?"

She didn’t wait for Situ Qingfeng to answer, and simply continued on her own.

"Don’t try to fob me off with that servant-and-retainer nonsense.

That little disguise of his might fool others, but wanting to slip past my nose and my Gu Worms—he’s still a bit too green. I know he snuck in, and that he’s right by your side. Now, tell me where he is. I have some matters I want to ’discuss’ with him personally."

Situ Qingfeng’s heart suddenly sank! He hadn’t expected this Little Princess of Five Poisons to be so certain of Gu Sheng’s identity, and to come knocking straight at his door! He forced his expression to remain calm, pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"Princess of Five Poisons, I’m afraid you’ve found the wrong person.

I do indeed know that ’Mr. Yun’, but it was only a cooperative exploration of the Secret Realm, nothing more. After entering the main hall area, we split up and acted separately. Right now I truly don’t know where exactly he’s gone."

"Acting separately?"

The Little Princess of Five Poisons arched her delicate brows, clearly unconvinced.

"I could’ve sworn I just heard you talking about him.

And you parted ways that fast?"

Situ Qingfeng’s face didn’t change, and his tone was firm.

"Princess must have misheard. He and I agreed from the start that once we entered the main hall region, we’d each seek our own opportunities. Just now I was merely lamenting that he’d already taken the lead and gone into the main hall. At the moment, I really don’t know where he is."

The Little Princess of Five Poisons stared at Situ Qingfeng for a while, as if wanting to pry a flaw from his face. In the end, she gently shook her head, her voice carrying a trace of unquestionable resolve.

"Since Young Master Situ refuses to speak honestly, then this princess can only change methods."

Before her words finished, Situ Qingfeng suddenly felt a slight numbness somewhere along his spine, as if something minuscule had bitten him. A chill seeped in at once. It didn’t cause much pain, but it made the circulation of True Qi throughout his body stall by half a beat!

"You...!"

Situ Qingfeng’s expression turned instantly and dreadfully ugly.

The Little Princess of Five Poisons smiled sweetly, as if she’d done something utterly trivial.

"Relax, it’s just a little ’mark’, plus a small trinket to make you behave.

From now on, Young Master Situ, you are my captive.

Until I see Gu Sheng, you’ll obediently stay by my side. Once I’ve seen him, I’ll remove this ’bone-clinging maggot’ for you and let you go free."

Situ Qingfeng’s face was so dark it was almost dripping. He forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart and spoke coldly.

"Princess of Five Poisons, do you understand what consequences this kind of treatment toward me will bring? My father, Situ Ling—his fury is not something you can bear!"

"Hehehe..."

The Little Princess of Five Poisons let out a soft chuckle and waved her hand carelessly.

"Young Master Situ overstates it. This princess said already: I won’t kill you, nor will I do anything excessive to you. I’m merely inviting you to ’visit’ for a while.

As long as I see Gu Sheng, everything will pass in peace.

Before that, I hope Young Master Situ... cooperates a little. Don’t go looking for trouble yourself."

Situ Qingfeng was silent for a moment, his gaze flickering, as though weighing pros and cons.

He did not immediately believe the words of this Little Princess of the Five Poison Divine Sect, but her mention of "people outside wanting to kill him" faintly matched some of the information he already knew.

He probed tentatively.

"Your Highness is so intent on finding Gu Sheng—may I ask for what reason? If it truly is a good thing, perhaps I could help convey the message?"

The plain-looking woman curled her lips in a half-smile, her eyes carrying a hint of mockery as she looked at Situ Qingfeng.

"What’s this? Young Master Situ is worried this princess might harm your ’friend’? Don’t worry, I said it’s a good thing—might even save his life. There are quite a few people outside who want him dead, and none of them are minor figures. As for the specifics, once we meet, I’ll naturally explain it to him."

Situ Qingfeng’s eyes shifted slightly, but he didn’t rashly respond or reveal more.

He knew this witch was full of schemes, and it was hard to tell truth from falsehood in her words.

He instead said,

"Since Your Highness insists on seeking him, and I truly don’t know his exact whereabouts at the moment... then I plan to enter the main hall ahead and search for a Treasure mentioned in my late mother’s final message.

The pathways inside this main hall are tangled and complex, like a labyrinth, and the place where the item I seek lies is recorded as having no other accompanying opportunities—quite remote. If Your Highness doesn’t mind wasting time, you may follow by my side and wait. Perhaps... there’s a chance we might run into him."

His words were half true, half false—he pointed out that the road ahead might be dull and fruitless, while leaving a vague possibility dangling.

Hearing this, the Little Princess of Five Poisons chuckled softly and glided a few steps forward, drawing even closer to Situ Qingfeng. That faint, unusual fragrance around her grew clearer.

She waved her hand, utterly unconcerned.

"No matter, this princess has plenty of time. Be at ease, Young Master Situ—this princess will absolutely not compete for your opportunity.

As long as I see Gu Sheng and get answers to what I want to know, I’ll release you immediately without making things difficult."

Her tone was light, but deep in those seemingly ordinary eyes, a flash of uncompromising resolve passed. Clearly, if she couldn’t find Gu Sheng, she would never let this matter rest.

...

Inside the main hall, along another fork in the path.

Gu Sheng knew nothing of the events that had just unfolded outside the gate. He was darting forward like lightning, following the route that Situ Qingfeng had described earlier, pieced together with his mother’s memories, rushing rapidly toward the core area that housed the Relic of the Golden-winged Roc.