Chapter 111: The Mysterious Powerful Figure Reappears

Although everyone watching Zhang Ning’s livestream was convinced that the belt was indeed extraordinary, most people simply thought it impressive without believing it to be a divine artifact capable of sealing even a Martial Sovereign’s perception. Such an artifact-level item could only be forged by a Grandmaster of Refining in the Azure Sky Realm, and currently, the only publicly recognized Grandmaster was Chu Hanyu. Anything he forged, regardless of its rank, was widely known.

Moreover, if a divine artifact were created in the Azure Sky Realm, it would cause celestial anomalies. How could Yu Zhong have brought it back from outside without explanation? Ordinary folks wouldn’t consider the existence of a system, nor imagine that such an overwhelmingly powerful item was but a half-divine artifact. Most were just watching for entertainment.

However, Chu Hanyu was not one to merely watch for amusement. He was certain the belt was far from ordinary.

This made Zhang Ning’s earlier explanation about the belt all the more intriguing. It was unlikely an accident; someone must have deliberately forged it and, through various means, passed it to Chu Hanyu via Zhang Ning.

Furthermore, forging an artifact-level item required at least the strength of a Martial Saint to avoid fatal backlash. So this person had to possess at least Martial Saint-level power, be unknown to Chu Hanyu, and have a reason to take such a roundabout route. The answer was clear—it was the work of that mysterious powerful figure!

What message was this supreme being, who surpassed even Chu Hanyu and other Sovereigns, trying to convey?

Viewers outside the livestream, each with their own suspicions, were stunned by the sudden twist. The Demon Lord of Myriad Phenomena silently took the belt from his disciple Zhang Ning and, without hesitation, tied it over his own eyes.

The chat instantly fell silent. Everyone was shocked by how indulgent Chu Hanyu was toward his disciple. Normally, Zhang Ning would be proud, but now, unable to see or hear anything, he only stared intently at Chu Hanyu’s blindfolded eyes.

This was simply... too smooth!

The belt’s ability to weaken a Martial Sovereign’s perception was genuine, but even with diminished senses, a Sovereign still had a powerful body and basic faculties. Chu Hanyu’s method was the belt’s most efficient use.

This was Zhang Ning’s ideal outcome. Next, he truly needed to impose a “Debuff” on Chu Hanyu; otherwise, with a Martial Sovereign’s spirit reaching from the highest heavens to the deepest abyss, and their legendary “whimsy” and other supernatural powers, Zhang Ning might as well have revealed everything to Chu Hanyu right away!

Previously, Zhang Ning had imagined coaxing his master for a while before he agreed to such a childish act, maybe even pleading to tie the belt for him. But after Chu Hanyu tied the belt himself, Zhang Ning felt a different kind of shock. His master was so obedient... and he cherished me so much. What should I do?

Though Chu Hanyu was blinded, Zhang Ning still turned away, unwilling to meet his gaze. “Master, I’ll go hide now!” Without waiting for a reply, he quickly ran off.

Though Zhang Ning yearned to be by Chu Hanyu’s side immediately, he smiled into the livestream, proud that his suggestion was effortlessly accepted by his master. “Wow, you can be jealous all you want. He’s just my master! No bragging here—I’m not afraid of any senior brothers competing with me!”

Hiding somewhere, Zhang Ning chatted with viewers for a while longer. Some were still in disbelief, showing how shocking Chu Hanyu’s actions were. But soon, the screen began flickering and darkening, as if the stream was lagging. Just as they thought it was their signal and started searching for nearby branches of the Great Freedom Demon Sect, Zhang Ning’s voice faltered, “What’s going on? Why is the signal so bad?” Some saw him tap the screen a few times before the view went completely black, and Zhang Ning’s face vanished.

Zhang Ning finished the act as planned, closed the livestream panel, and fixed his determined gaze toward the direction of the Freedom Qiongzhi Tree where Chu Hanyu sat.

Under the Freedom Qiongzhi Tree, Chu Hanyu did not count the moments but had no intention of removing the belt to break the rules. He sat quietly, and anyone unaware would assume he was meditating. After some time, a faint smile appeared on his lips. He stood and solemnly said, “You have arrived.”

Zhang Ning, now back in invincible mode, was nearly startled into fleeing, fearing his master had discovered his secret identity. But Chu Hanyu’s words clearly indicated otherwise, so Zhang Ning steadied himself, adopting a formal tone: “You knew I would come.”

Chu Hanyu still wore the perception-blocking belt but accurately looked toward Zhang Ning’s approach. Even without sight, his hearing surpassed ordinary limits, confirming Zhang Ning’s worries were justified.

Chu Hanyu said, “I anticipated your arrival, and I also guessed your purpose.”

Chu Hanyu’s words referred to Zhang Ning himself. He suspected Zhang Ning was the mysterious figure’s hidden pawn or even his disciple. Yet, being proud, Chu Hanyu resisted acknowledging this obvious test, harboring some reluctance toward Zhang Ning, thus he spoke indirectly.

The “mysterious strong one,” Zhang Ning, nearly trembled hearing this. Had he slipped up? Or was it mere coincidence? He wrestled with whether to confess immediately or take a gamble.

He chose to gamble!

Biting his lip, Zhang Ning resolutely withdrew a palm-sized source energy crystal from the system’s storage. If he had seen the source energy crystal Chu Hanyu had seized from the Golden-Furred Lion Saint in the Ten-Thousand Mountains, he would know his crystal was smaller but far denser.

The moment Zhang Ning revealed it, a gentle, alluring glow radiated from the crystal, compelling one to grasp and keep it.

Chu Hanyu, a man of great self-control, nonetheless felt his heart stirred by that light—the very hope he and other Sovereigns tirelessly pursued.

His resolve wavered. Instinctively, he reached out and easily accepted the source energy crystal from the mysterious figure’s hand. Once in his grip, the belt could no longer block his perception. Chu Hanyu immediately confirmed—it was genuinely a source energy crystal, beyond doubt!