Chapter Seventy-Two: How Could Such a Thing Ever Come to an End?

Fortunately, even though Zhang Ning hailed from the information-overloaded Blue Water Star, his ability to calm his mind was in no way inferior to others, so he quickly found his focus. Still, Zhang Ning was aware of the serious injuries he had suffered earlier; although the myriad miraculous elixirs and treatments of the Grand Freedom Demon Sect had left him without a trace of discomfort, he had no intention of forcing himself. After circulating his inner energy a few cycles and sorting out his thoughts, he slipped out of that mysterious state once more.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Zhang Ning raised his eyebrows.

“Come in!”

The visitor promptly entered and fell to his knees, apologizing for his abrupt and improper visit. Zhang Ning didn’t bother with reassurances, merely instructing him to raise his head. Upon seeing the man’s face, Zhang Ning was momentarily surprised.

“Su Shangwen.”

Zhang Ning recalled him as one of the subordinates who often circled around Su Ye, though his impression was vague. Su Shangwen, however, was visibly overwhelmed, almost forgetting the purpose of his visit. Once he had composed himself, Zhang Ning learned that Su Ye had sent Su Shangwen with a message: “Your Highness need not worry, your subordinate will be fine.”

Only then did Zhang Ning remember that Su Ye seemed to have backing within the Grand Freedom Demon Sect—wasn’t he admitted through a connection with the Grand Elder? If Su Ye hadn’t brought it up, Zhang Ning would have forgotten. But then, with Su Ye’s abilities, why had he needed to rely on connections in the first place?

After dismissing Su Shangwen, Zhang Ning sat in silence for a while, unable to restrain a silly laugh as he prodded the precious incense nearby. Glancing at the sole remaining storage ring on his hand, his suspicions were all but confirmed: his master had likely already dealt with his greatest threat. His feelings were a tangle of gratitude and complexity. He looked around, then rolled across the bed in quiet satisfaction, murmuring, “I’m so rich!”

Meanwhile, Tang Dao, who had just left Zhang Ning’s chambers, maintained a respectful and cautious expression all the way back to his own room. Only when he dined alone did a low laugh escape him. Su Ye and Yu Zhong—those two brats—truly knew only how to get things done, not how to conduct themselves. They were no threat at all.

Three days later

When Zhang Ning awoke, daylight was already flooding the room. Reluctantly, he allowed the maidservants to assist him in washing and dressing, ate breakfast, then returned to bed for a nap before finally rising comfortably to meditate and train.

With Su Ye and Yu Zhong absent, Zhang Ning felt no need to maintain the image of the diligent Fifth Prince. A couple of days of leisure wouldn’t hurt; after all, thinking on it, someone who’d just recovered from serious injuries had no need to leap out of bed! Still, the recent beast tide had left its mark on him—no matter what, he couldn’t entirely neglect his daily martial practice, so he lazily began his training.

Yet sometimes, fate seems blind. Despite his laziness, Zhang Ning’s progress was unexpectedly smooth, even advancing by leaps and bounds, and he sensed an imminent breakthrough.

He didn’t find this particularly surprising. Since beginning the Cloud Visualization Method, he hadn’t found it especially difficult. While progress required steady accumulation, he’d never felt any real barrier. The manual from Zhuge Yi was detailed—most importantly, it was written in his native tongue, so there was nothing so arcane as to be incomprehensible.

Now, he was about to reach the third level of the Cloud Visualization Method—“Movement from Faith,” which pertained to belief. He surmised his rapid progress was thanks to the lingering confidence left by having recently activated his invincible mode.

Sure enough, after circulating his inner energy for three more great cycles, Zhang Ning felt a sudden lightness of spirit—the Cloud Visualization Method naturally broke through to the third level!

Having anticipated this, Zhang Ning wasn’t overjoyed. Instead, he calmly began to consolidate his cultivation.

As he sat cross-legged on his bed like a grand old man, someone knocked perfunctorily at the door, then walked right in.

Zhang Ning remained composed; with security at an all-time high, anyone able to enter so easily was certainly no stranger. He felt the bed sink beside him as someone sat down. He knew at once—it had to be his fourth senior brother. A hint of expectant excitement welled up in him: would his fourth senior be proud to discover he’d broken through again?

Lost in these thoughts, his mind still immersed in the visualization method, Zhang Ning’s lips unconsciously curled into a smile—a sight that made Han Zhifei, upon seeing it, let out a quiet, amused laugh.

Then Zhang Ning felt his index finger gently squeezed—leaving him momentarily stunned. What was his fourth senior doing? Was he toying with him? Before he could react, his little finger was also pinched, then his ring finger.

This behavior… Fourth Senior was simply too adorable! Adorable to the extreme! But what on earth was he doing? Zhang Ning quickly feigned deep absorption in his meditation, though in truth he was now fully focused on Han Zhifei’s next move. Sure enough, his senior’s actions only grew bolder—after touching Zhang Ning’s nose, he went on to brush his eyes.

Zhang Ning suddenly felt like a pampered pet, or perhaps… a cherished first love, treated with utmost care. His thoughts spiraled, and he found himself growing nervous on Han Zhifei’s behalf, overwhelmed and at a loss.

Caught in this confusion, Zhang Ning failed to resist Han Zhifei’s actions, allowing his senior to pinch several of his toes. But the moment Han Zhifei’s hand reached for his chest, Zhang Ning could stand it no longer—he leapt up from the bed, half in panic, exclaiming, “Senior Brother, what are you doing! This is way too fast—I wasn’t prepared at all. Besides, I was still meditating—you can’t just do this when I’m awake! Couldn’t you at least wait until I’m asleep and sneak in?”

He rattled off his complaints, while Han Zhifei sat opposite him, expressionless. Zhang Ning had spent enough time with his senior to recognize that this blank face was unlike usual—he was genuinely thrown off by Zhang Ning’s barrage. Zhang Ning felt a twinge of guilt, but he couldn’t very well offer himself up out of remorse, could he? So, summoning his courage, he said, “Fourth Senior Brother, please leave for now.”

No sooner had he spoken than his heart fluttered with anxiety. He watched Han Zhifei closely, waiting for his reaction.

Unexpectedly, Han Zhifei frowned, his tone rather stern as he replied, “No, we must continue! How can something like this be interrupted?”