Chapter 110: Arrogance Born of Favor

Zhang Ning walked all the way to the sacred tree of the Great Freedom Demon Sect. This tree was called the Freedom Jade Branch Tree, distinguished by its bare branches without leaves, yet each slender branch tip bore a fruit resembling a white bulb, emitting a faint glow that made the entire tree shimmer softly, truly as if it had descended from the celestial realm.

As Zhang Ning reached out to touch its branches, he felt an undeniable truthfulness emanating from it, symbolizing openness, confidence, and integrity—a hallmark of the Great Freedom Demon Sect. Such trees rarely thrived elsewhere, as if they refused to be nurtured beyond this sacred ground.

Beneath this beautiful yet hazy sacred tree sat a youth who looked barely twenty, at a round table. His expression carried a hint of surprise as he looked at Zhang Ning. Clad in a black robe embroidered subtly with cloud patterns, he wore a rare bound crown. Previously, he had always stood tall and imposing, but now seated, he exuded far less pressure. Yet his familiar face remained strikingly handsome, his eyes gentle, kind, and yet distant as clouds. If not for Zhang Ning’s master, Chu Hanyu, then who else could it be?

No wonder the Azure Realm revered strength above all else. Regardless of how many senior brothers had previously won fans, the moment Chu Hanyu appeared on screen, the barrage of comments was overwhelming, as if the audience had fallen to their knees, calling him “Father.”

After all, he was one of the legendary figures who had dominated the Azure Realm for over eight centuries. Though almost everyone knew Zhang Ning was his fifth disciple, many only now truly grasped Chu Hanyu’s stature. Seeing him was akin to beholding a deity’s radiance—so dazzling that countless viewers were left blinking, unable to look away, overwhelmed with excitement.

Some debated his unparalleled combat prowess, while others—clearly practitioners of unconventional paths—exalted his mastery of formations as unmatched underground, claiming that only a sovereign like Chu Hanyu, versed in all laws and phenomena, deserved the title of true supreme. The other esteemed figures, they argued, were mere brutes.

Zhang Ning could understand this faction, truly.

Meanwhile, the sect’s loyalists sang endless praises for Chu Hanyu, their unwavering devotion impervious to any criticism. They formed the backbone of the Great Freedom Demon Sect’s fervent core. Most amusing were those who admired Chu Hanyu’s looks so fiercely that they declared him more than human—a god among men. Even if Chu Hanyu held no wealth, they vowed eternal allegiance, though such devotion often drew ridicule.

Zhang Ning, however, found he could empathize with them as well, for his own state was hardly better.

No matter how much mental preparation Zhang Ning made, even seeing the wine pot on the round table, clearly for Chu Hanyu’s solitary drinking rather than serious affairs, his nerves remained taut. Yet, facing such a figure, such tension was understandable.

Zhang Ning dared not meet Chu Hanyu’s gaze. Instead, lowering his eyes, he fixed his attention on Chu Hanyu’s chin and uttered, “Master... Master,” swallowing hard. This was the first time he addressed Chu Hanyu so directly and respectfully. The moment the words left his mouth, something shifted. Chu Hanyu, upon hearing this and noticing Zhang Ning’s live broadcast screen, paused silently before calmly asking, “How did you find me?”

At his words, Zhang Ning quickly withdrew a compass-like device from his pocket, looking at Chu Hanyu with a pitiful expression, uncertain whether he would be angered.

Chu Hanyu raised an eyebrow upon seeing it and replied simply, “Oh.”

Indeed, Zhang Ning had borrowed the divine weapon known as the Earth Compass from his fourth senior brother, Zhuge Yi. This artifact could detect various energies within a ten-mile radius, missing none except for Chu Hanyu’s own energy signature. Using this versatile device in the energy-rich Great Freedom Demon Sect, Zhang Ning discerned a large blank area on the map, clearly indicating Chu Hanyu’s location.

Hearing his master’s indifferent reply, Zhang Ning felt a mixture of love and frustration toward Chu Hanyu’s outward coldness yet secretive care. Seeing his expression, Zhang Ning was tempted to pierce through his composure and expose the surprise on his face. But recalling his purpose, he raised the belt in his hand and timidly said, “Master, may I play a game of hide-and-seek with you for a while? I came by this belt by accident, and I heard it can…”

Chu Hanyu’s expression visibly flickered. After a brief silence, the live stream’s comment section exploded with astonished reactions, flooding in layers as countless viewers simultaneously gasped.

“Getting too cocky from favoritism!”

“Your Highness, please don’t! Even if your master spoils you, you can’t just make such requests!”

“Oh no, here comes the scolding.”

“Such childish demands? Time for a punishment kneeling!”

“Am I the only one who thinks this is reasonable?”

“Well, Zhang Ning after all…”

“This tone’s off—I almost forgot this was a demon sect.”

“Wow, look at His Highness’s hopeful eyes! If it were me, I wouldn’t refuse.”

“Me neither!”

“Cut it out! The Lord of All Phenomena is a figure of such stature; even his disciples can hardly approach him! No one deserves to stand by his side!”

“Chu Hanyu is handsome and has a good temper; he’ll surely spoil Ning!”

“You guys are crazy!”

“Are you kidding? If the Demon Lord agrees to Zhang Ning’s request, I’ll livestream eating dirt!”

For a moment, many viewers began betting on whether Chu Hanyu would indulge Zhang Ning and play hide-and-seek with him.

Unbeknownst to the crowd, Chu Hanyu himself felt as if a long-awaited conversation was finally unfolding. Through a series of unintended coincidences and improbable happenstances, he and Zhang Ning had effectively completed half the ritual of acceptance as master and disciple. Once the formal guest banquets were held, Zhang Ning would officially become Chu Hanyu’s true disciple.

Yet, Chu Hanyu was no man to blindly follow destiny’s arrangements. In his reckless youth, he was bold enough to shatter the “Earth Chessboard,” a divine artifact the Zhao family had been forging, capable of controlling half the fates of all beings. Now, though he had no intention of punishing all those who had provoked him, he planned only to have Zhang Ning kowtow three times and sign his name as a disciple.

This was a rare occasion where Chu Hanyu altered his original plan out of consideration for other factors. What surprised him most was that his desire not to disappoint Zhang Ning accounted for much of this change. That was why, earlier, he did not immediately reject Zhang Ning’s respectful address in front of the live audience.

Yet, Zhang Ning’s current behavior—how should he respond? It bordered on cheeky.

It had been centuries since Chu Hanyu last played hide-and-seek. Even if his other formal disciples requested it earnestly, he would likely refuse, let alone Zhang Ning. Chu Hanyu was about to decline when suddenly, something stirred within him. His gaze fell upon the belt in Zhang Ning’s hand, and his heart stirred.