Chapter Seventeen: He Has Powerful Connections!

Only after looking over the previous examination papers did Zhang Ning realize that, even though this final exam was just a part of the overall assessment, these Highnesses were blatantly using it as a way to select their own supporters. For instance, the Second Prince had once set an exam to test candidates' management abilities and their views on other factions. His third senior brother had focused on questions related to social skills and some insights into artifact refining. The fourth senior brother had asked in detail about the candidates’ mastery of martial techniques, whether they could fight above their level, and their abilities in group battles, among many other things.

As for the papers set by the eldest senior brother, the topics were even more varied. It was said that the eldest senior brother had been taken in by their master during the chaotic times when the Grand Freedom Demon Sect was being reunited from its fragmented state, and he had practically helped support half of the sect. Back then, Zhang Ning hadn’t truly grasped the meaning of this, but now he understood that his fellow townsman wasn’t just relying on some modern knowledge to impress the people of this world.

That man truly possessed genuine talent! Just look at the topics he set—agriculture, water conservancy, energy, and even questions about architecture!

Zhang Ning had even learned that the giant woman he’d seen earlier in the City of Ten Thousand Umbrellas was actually something like a base station for the city, functioning as a signal tower. It was the Myriad Phenomena Demon Lord who had persuaded the Earth Spirit clan to settle within the Grand Freedom Demon Sect’s territory.

Zhang Ning was thoroughly impressed by this infrastructure prowess, but as for the questions his eldest senior brother had set, he had no idea what the correct answers should be!

Why was the gap between people sometimes greater than that between people and dogs?

As Zhang Ning was rubbing his chin and pondering, Yu Zhong stepped forward to report, “Your Highness, there is a visitor with elder-level connections.”

Zhang Ning knew Yu Zhong was a man who understood priorities; to interrupt him at this moment meant it was something Yu Zhong deemed necessary. He asked, “What do you mean by elder-level connections?”

Yu Zhong glanced at Zhang Ning’s innocent face, and replied without expression, “It means someone who, in this round of disciple recruitment, has used an elder’s connections to attempt entry into our sect.”

Zhang Ning almost let slip a curse.

But finally, Zhuge Yi interjected, raising an eyebrow as he asked, “Which one is it?”

Yu Zhong first looked at Zhang Ning, and after receiving his permission, replied, “Third Highness, the elder who sent the note is the Grand Elder. The one coming to pay respects is Su Ye of the Su family.”

Zhang Ning was a bit at a loss; recently he had only learned some things about the Grand Freedom Demon Sect and some basic knowledge. He still knew very little about the distribution of outside powers.

Zhuge Yi’s gaze flickered as he spoke to Zhang Ning, “Fifth brother, may I stay as an observer for what follows?”

Zhang Ning replied in surprise, “Of course.”

He then beckoned Yu Zhong over and asked, “Who exactly is this Su Ye? Who is the Grand Elder? If I’m to meet him, can you act as an interpreter for me? The kind that no one will notice.”

When Su Ye stepped in, he saw a handsome, golden-haired youth sitting there, eyes deep as he savored his tea. Beside him was a lovely, clever-looking child, chin propped in both hands, watching him with intense curiosity.

Su Ye hastily said, “Su Ye of the Su family greets the Third Highness and the Fifth Highness!”

Zhang Ning was just about to speak when Zhuge Yi sneered, gave Su Ye a dismissive glance, then turned to Zhang Ning and said, “Thank you for asking me to stay, but I have urgent matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave!” With a flare of his brocade robe, he stormed out with all the force of a tempest, but none of the courtesy.

“Senior brother, no… farewell.” Zhang Ning didn’t even have time to bid him goodbye.

Zhang Ning was filled with confusion. Wasn’t it Zhuge Yi who had insisted on staying? And now he was the one leaving? Still, Zhang Ning had at least learned not to show his confusion so openly anymore.

Su Ye, on the other hand, felt a twinge of anxiety. He had expected disdain from others—after all, his own cultivation was too low. But the undercurrent of rivalry between the Third and Fifth Highnesses was beyond his expectations. He hadn’t realized the tension among the princes had already become so overt.

The first thing Zhang Ning said left Su Ye even more at a loss: “I’ve heard your family is quite skilled in divination and the mystic arts. How about you—how are your skills?”

Su Ye could only answer honestly, “…Very good, Your Highness.”

That was plain truth—he had far too much free time, having played enough games and being unable to cultivate. Many forms of divination relied on cultivation as their foundation, which left him unable to use them, so he could only devote himself to miscellaneous studies.

Across from him, the Fifth Highness now looked at him with a hint of admiration, giving Su Ye another careful once-over and saying, “Handsome and good at mathematics… you’re impressive!”

This time, Su Ye was truly baffled. He stared, mouth slightly open, unable to comprehend why the Highness seemed so approving in this area.

Zhang Ning continued, “What do you think of the Earth Spirits of our sect?”

Earth Spirits were the purest and most pristine energy beings born where the essence of heaven and earth gathered and talent flourished. They disliked interacting with people, and most ordinary people would never see one in their lifetimes. The reason the Grand Freedom Demon Sect had the loyalty of Earth Spirits… it was all thanks to the Myriad Phenomena Demon Lord who had persuaded them!

This was a matter of allegiance!

Su Ye felt as if he were standing on a thin sheet of ice. His heart trembled, but he answered resolutely, “How the Grand Freedom Demon Sect conducts itself is not something the likes of us can fathom! Whatever Your Highness wishes to do in the future, I, Su Ye, am willing to be at the forefront!”

Zhang Ning’s face lit up with the joy of discovering a rare treasure—his eyes practically sparkled. “I hope you’ll keep your promise! …Even if it’s hard work, exhausting, and there’s no time to rest!”

Su Ye bowed deeply to Zhang Ning, then fell silent.

Yet from Su Ye’s silence, Zhang Ning sensed a powerful affirmation, so much so that he was nearly wagging his tail with delight.

At that moment, Su Ye produced several storage bags, saying, “Your Highness, these…”

But Zhang Ning waved his hands repeatedly, telling him, “No, no, no! Don’t give them to me. You keep those for yourself!”

Su Ye was startled. Only after he had left did he feel his feet firmly on the ground. Clutching the bags tightly, he muttered in disbelief, “His Highness wants me to keep them for myself…” He hesitated, staring down at the items in his hands.

After Su Ye left, Zhuge Yi reappeared, his face radiant with delight. “Congratulations, fifth brother.”

Though Zhuge Yi’s behavior had been out of character just now, Zhang Ning, lost in the joy and anticipation of what lay ahead, didn’t notice. He simply nodded at him cheerfully.

Zhang Ning was naturally overjoyed. After learning that Su Ye came from a family skilled in divination, a flash of inspiration struck him!

He still recalled the basic information about the Sovereigns. Meng Xianzun, famed for his “flawless strategies,” commanded the Azure Realm’s top intelligence organization, the Listening Pavilion. For particularly important information, they could use special mystical arts to transmit images. Zhang Ning, upon learning this, felt nothing but admiration for these natives. But his first thought was that this technique could be used for live broadcasting!

However, that technology was in the hands of a Martial Sovereign. Zhang Ning did not think it realistic to ask his master to wrest such a thing from an equal powerhouse. But since someone else could create it, Zhang Ning believed he could as well! That was why he valued Su Ye so highly.

When Zhang Ning had woken that day, he had read the fine print on his system’s instructions and learned that once the live streaming system was fully restored, there would be a distinction between VIP and standard client terminals. Before each broadcast, he would have to use “attention points” to exchange for a client. What he wanted now was just an ordinary client. The golden finger was only a tool—Zhang Ning was the one truly alive. If he could create a client himself, he wouldn’t need to go through the hardship of slowly gaining fans like rolling a snowball; he could start right at the summit!

What’s more, if he managed to make the live streaming industry flourish, every time he popped into a top streamer’s channel, he could effortlessly rake in attention points! He didn’t believe anyone would refuse him, for he would be the founding ancestor of the entire live streaming industry! Most importantly, he had someone backing him from above!