Chapter Fifty-Six: The Ten Thousand Mountains Arc (End)

A slender figure swiftly blocked Zhang Ning’s path. Her delicate hand gripped a sword that gleamed coldly, its tip pointed straight at Zhang Daozhou. Zhang Daozhou remained calm, but Zhang Ning looked on in surprise and saw that the person was none other than Meng Meng! She still wore her green gown, but it was as if she had transformed into someone else. Her sharp aura highlighted her stunning features, making her far more dazzling and striking than the demure, gentle girl she had been before.

Watching her concentrate an inexplicable gleam at the sword’s tip, her body taut and ready like a drawn bowstring, a realization dawned on Zhang Ning: this must be Miss Meng’s true nature!

Zhang Ning could not let them fight. He pressed Meng Meng’s shoulder and said, “Miss Meng, this is Brother Daozhou!”

Meng Meng ignored him completely.

Zhang Daozhou seemed utterly unfazed by Meng Meng’s aggressive stance. With impeccable manners, he declared, “Miss, you misunderstand. I am not your enemy, nor would I ever harm young Zhang Ning here. Our meeting here is mere coincidence.”

“Zhang Ning,” Zhang Daozhou turned to him. Sensing something, Zhang Ning straightened his posture. “So you are a disciple of the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect… I must thank you for today!”

Zhang Ning waved a hand, “No need for courtesy, Brother Daozhou—just a small favor.”

He secretly stuck out his tongue. He hadn't revealed any of the sect’s techniques; when he entered the Moon-Pointing Deep Pool, his actions were spontaneous, and his inner energy never leaked out. He truly wondered how Zhang Daozhou had seen through him.

He didn’t know that Zhang Daozhou had sighed inwardly, feeling it a great pity. If Zhang Ning were a righteous cultivator, they could have formed a proper friendship. But as it turned out, Zhang Ning was a true heir of the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect. They could still interact, but inevitably, there would be differences.

As for how Zhang Daozhou discerned Zhang Ning’s origins—it was simple. By observing Zhang Ning’s palm strike against the cliff, his own unique cultivation allowed him to sense Zhang Ning’s inner energy up close. He recognized it as the Cloud Free Contemplation technique of the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect.

When it came to wilderness survival, Zhang Ning was far ahead of Zhang Daozhou. But in martial cultivation, Zhang Daozhou was leagues beyond Zhang Ning.

Zhang Daozhou continued, “Is this lady a disciple of the Dark Nether Palace?” He gave a perfectly timed smile.

Meng Meng erupted instantly!

Of course, Meng Meng understood why Zhang Daozhou asked this. The disciples of Dark Nether Palace and the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect were close, often developing romantic ties. Two youngsters alone in the Ten-Thousand Mountains—what else could their relationship be? Zhang Daozhou’s assumption was reasonable.

But it infuriated Meng Meng. Previously, she might have blushed and let her imagination run wild; but after communicating with her brother, her fiancé suddenly became a younger brother…

Meng Meng retorted angrily, “I am not from the Dark Nether Palace! I am Meng Meng of the Meng family!”

Now both Zhang Daozhou and Zhang Ning looked at Meng Meng in surprise. Especially Zhang Ning—when Meng Meng introduced herself, he hadn't thought of this possibility. The Meng family… Which Meng family could she mean, if not the one belonging to ‘Master Meng the Strategist’?

In the intelligence Zhang Ning had painstakingly memorized, it was written plainly: Master Meng’s daughter was named Meng Meng! Among the great masters, only Master Meng and the Divine Cauldron Demon Lord Yin Wujie had offspring. With Meng Meng’s status, she was truly the princess of the righteous path.

Looking at the sword in Meng Meng’s hand, Zhang Ning’s pupils contracted. He recognized the sword’s gleam—it was the mark of mastery in the Void-Piercing Sword Technique! This technique ignored the opponent’s level and sought out their vulnerabilities. It was a rare and precious method, extremely difficult to master. Considering her age, Meng Meng’s family training and personal talent were plainly extraordinary.

Had he misunderstood her all along? Was it not the tale of a spy falling for him, but rather a scheme to abduct a saintess?

Zhang Ning’s mind was in turmoil.

Zhang Daozhou, seasoned as he was, recovered faster than Zhang Ning. He glanced at Zhang Ning, then said with complexity, “So you are Miss Meng. My apologies!”

He then bowed solemnly to both Meng Meng and Zhang Ning. “I am Zhang Daozhou of True Martial Mountain.”

Zhang Ning was filled with admiration for Zhang Daozhou’s understated tone. True Martial Mountain was the leader of the Daoist sects. And with the mention of True Martial Mountain, Zhang Ning realized why Zhang Daozhou’s name sounded familiar—he was more commonly known by his Daoist title: Master Zhengyang, ‘Moon-Gazing from the Window’ Zhang Zhengyang.

He was a formidable figure who had slain enemies across realms at a young age. His famous battle, however, relied on the power of the Daoist sword, and he had kept a low profile since, never appearing in the rankings.

Meng Meng returned the bow, “So you are Master Zhang of True Martial Mountain. Forgive my earlier loss of composure.”

Zhang Ning hesitated, “Brother Daozhou…”

Zhang Daozhou gently interrupted, “Young Zhang Ning, I must take my leave. The mountains ahead are high and the road long. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

With a wave of his whisk, he activated his treasure, rising on the wind with effortless grace.

It seemed his elders had indeed issued a task requiring him to retrieve the corpse using only his own strength… Now, after leaving the deep pool, he reverted to being the lofty True Martial Mountain master, unlikely to cross paths with Zhang Ning again.

After he departed, Zhang Ning and Meng Meng fell silent for a while. At last, Meng Meng burst out impatiently, “Dragging your feet, dithering! Don’t you have anything to say to me? Fine! If you won’t speak, then I will!”

Zhang Ning glanced at Meng Meng, “How could I refuse, Miss Meng? But allow me to greet the audience first.”

He then greeted the viewers waiting for the livestream. Because of the poor signal in the Moon-Pointing Deep Pool, they had missed the broadcast. Now, hearing Zhang Ning would pause the livestream, those in the Azure Sky Realm experienced for the first time the frustration of being stood up by their host.

Behind the scenes, Su Shangwen saw that Zhang Ning had finally appeared, and Su Ye let out a relieved sigh. He couldn’t help but wipe his brow.

Heaven help us, the young master has finally calmed down!