Chapter Thirty-Two: Why Not Eat Meat Porridge?

Han Jingjing was clearly more than just a pretty face. Her movements were as graceful as a startled swan, and with a few delicate steps, she reached the edge of the rainforest. There, she happened upon several disheveled men and women bursting out from the dense foliage, shouting repeatedly, “Lei Zhenbiao!”

They were the endangered disciples.

When the audience realized it was Lei Zhenbiao, the comments erupted into chaos.

“Run, quick!”

“Oh heavens! Lei Zhenbiao, whose strength is comparable to a Martial Lord?! How did they provoke him? He’s known for being inactive!”

“Jingjing Fairy, please run, don’t worry about your fellow disciples, you’re the most important!”

“It’s just Lei Zhenbiao, don’t be afraid! Spray him with water! Uh, do you have any talismans or water-elemental cultivation techniques?”

Run? Impossible!

Han Jingjing cursed internally at their nonsense. Facing Lei Zhenbiao, the greatest taboo was being forced into his rhythm and chased down. She shielded the tearful disciples behind her, their voices calling her “Senior Sister,” and all trace of her earlier smile was gone.

A deafening roar shook the earth. In an instant, a ferocious beast burst from the rainforest, smashing the trees blocking its path with a single swipe. It was Lei Zhenbiao.

Lei Zhenbiao resembled a mutated tiger, yet his body was massive, his skin as hard as forged steel. His wings enabled brief flights and could sweep people aside, leaving them dizzy—his reputation preceded him.

Judging by the disciples’ ragged state, they had been battered out of the rainforest all the way here. That explained how Han Jingjing found them so close to the edge.

But Han Jingjing’s cultivation was not high, and she had no techniques to counter the beast. With no sign of further reinforcements, what could she do?

Just as Han Jingjing channeled her energy, preparing to fight regardless of the odds, Zhang Ning strolled over calmly, his eyes curious as he glanced at the beast and called out, “Yu Zhong!”

A young man with thick brows and wide eyes leapt from behind the prince, charging at Lei Zhenbiao like a raging tiger, his presence even more formidable.

Two thunderous punches echoed through the forest, and the savage, bloodthirsty Lei Zhenbiao was left sprawled on the ground, nothing but a heap of broken flesh.

Han Jingjing’s internal energy faltered for a moment, nearly disrupting her flow.

The anxious audience, after a brief stunned silence, erupted in cheers and admiration.

“As expected of the direct disciple of the Grand Demon Sect—his subordinate easily trounced a Martial Lord-level beast!”

“Satisfying! Absolutely thrilling!”

“Thank you, Little Ning, for saving my Jingjing Fairy!”

“Your Jingjing Fairy? Dream on!”

“Isn’t that Yu Zhong of the Eight Thunder Fists? Ranked seventeenth on the Earth List!”

“No wonder he’s by the prince’s side!”

“I’d hoped to see the prince’s martial arts in action!”

“You who called him Little Ning, are you crazy?”

“Ah! It’s Yu Zhong!”

“I really thought we’d see the prince fight today!”

“Stop acting clever. Surviving Lei Zhenbiao’s claws is pure luck!”

“An Earth List master—Yu Zhong?!”

“The prince’s calmness is so handsome!”

Han Jingjing and her bedraggled companions finally regained their composure and thanked Zhang Ning profusely. Zhang Ning replied with measured grace, nodding to them, and asked, “How did you encounter Lei Zhenbiao? I’ve heard these beasts have fixed territories and are quite elusive. What happened?”

The disciples exchanged embarrassed glances, and a male disciple answered, “Your Highness, we know it’s easy to get lost in the Shadowed Rainforest, but we took a gamble. We thought searching for resources on the outskirts wouldn’t lead us astray, so we didn’t buy the Tang Fortress guidance compass. Once lost, we didn’t dare navigate on our own, so we walked in a straight line, taking shortcuts... and ran into Lei Zhenbiao. Luckily, he chased us in this direction; if it had been another, no one could have saved us.”

He shook his head, still shaken by the ordeal.

Zhang Ning asked, “No compass? No talismans either?” The composure on his youthful face was tinged with a naive innocence, as if he couldn’t fathom the situation.

Of course, Zhang Ning was no ignorant child, but Su Ye believed that most people preferred protagonists who grew through hardship. Zhang Ning agreed that in a world where martial prowess reigns, a brief display of innocence was not as fatal as it would be in a feudal dynasty, nor would it be criticized so harshly. Thus, he maintained his persona.

Han Jingjing stepped forward, her tone earnest yet slightly embarrassed. “Thank you for your help, Your Highness. Many disciples with low cultivation risk entering the rainforest for resources... Talismans are rare and easily damaged, and even the low-priced compasses are sold at exorbitant prices in the markets near the forest. So, every year, a few unlucky souls suffer such misfortune.”

The innocent prince seemed to understand at last. He looked to his subordinate, whom he called Yu Zhong. Yu Zhong knelt on one knee and reported, “Your Highness, even disciples of the Grand Demon Sect have vanished in this Shadowed Rainforest.”

“How can that be?” Zhang Ning’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Yu Zhong replied, “We equip our disciples with talismans and pills, but anything can happen in battle. Talismans are finite, while the dangers here are endless. Last year, an inner disciple disappeared in the forest. Ninety-three disciples from the nearby outpost, including a Martial Lord, joined the search. It was two weeks before they found his decaying corpse.”

“His decaying corpse,” Zhang Ning’s young face grew solemn. He nodded, “I understand.”

Just then, a figure who appeared to be a senior arrived from the Mercy Villa, showering Zhang Ning with gratitude, which need not be detailed here.

Su Ye glanced at the backstage data and the successful comment moderation, exhaling in relief. He praised the person behind him, “Well done!”

The person smiled, her face wrinkling with kindness. “I dare not claim credit. It is all thanks to the prince’s good fortune!”

It was the master of Mercy Villa, Han Cixin.

The following day, countless people—whether they had paid attention to the live broadcast or not—were astonished by the relentless news push: a new channel called “Zhang Ning, Number One Under Heaven” had appeared... A direct disciple of a sacred land was live streaming! And not just any, but the enigmatic Zhang Ning from the Grand Demon Sect.

People flocked to the audaciously titled stream, staring in disbelief at Zhang Ning, as if unable to believe such an eminent figure would actually broadcast live.

Zhang Ning, still clad in his elaborate attire, seemed very close to the camera. He faced the lens with a broad, slightly mischievous smile that nearly filled the entire screen: “I am Zhang Ning from the Grand Demon Sect. Now everyone knows me! Good morning~~”