Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1361: Everyone Gives Him a Bear Hug
Previously on Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return...
During any breakthrough or promotion, Heaven and Earth Power is invariably triggered, a moment when the 'Qi' within the body reaches its peak abundance and strength. This surge far surpasses a cultivator's normal strength for their Realm, to the point where even the cultivator themselves struggles to exert control over it.
Though unable to fully suppress the poison from the Rebirth Soul-breaking Pill, Zirong's reliance on the instantaneous surge of 'Qi' during his breakthrough, a power that even exceeded his own limits, should have been sufficient.
If not enough this time, perhaps it would be enough the next? Or if still insufficient, then the time after that?
Just as Yan Zishu and the others watched, dumbfounded, the aura emanating from Zirong's body suddenly surged once more, accompanied by another clear whistle.
Sixth-level Sword Master! He had consecutively promoted from Fourth Rank Sword Master to the Sixth level! Yan Zishu and the accompanying elders could scarcely believe their eyes, but the astonishment was far from over.
Seventh Rank Sword Master, Eighth Rank Sword Master, Ninth Rank Sword Master, reaching the Ninth Rank Middle Stage, then the Ninth Rank Late Stage!
With each successive clear whistle, Zirong's power ascended dramatically from Fourth Rank Sword Master, finally ceasing its climb at the Ninth Rank Late Stage. This level of might even slightly surpassed Huayue's current power.
Under the multiplying force of 'Qi' propelled by each successive promotion, the residual poison of the Rebirth Soul-breaking Pill was expelled from Zirong's body without any discernible resistance.
Gazing at the now noble and radiant Zirong, Yan Zishu and the others were rendered utterly speechless. They had witnessed rapid advancements before, but never anything of this magnitude—an ascent of five whole Ranks! For anyone else, even a so-called once-in-a-millennium genius from any noble family, progressing from Fourth Rank Sword Master to Ninth Rank would typically demand at least a decade, if not longer. Yet, the Zirong before them had achieved this in less than an hour. This wasn't merely a miracle; it bordered on the legendary.
Mu Hanyan observed Zirong with a sense of profound relief, though she herself felt no surprise.
Zirong's innate talent had always been on par with Huayue's, and his dedication to cultivation was no less than Huayue's. Particularly after learning of his poisoning, Zirong displayed no outward distress, instead intensifying his cultivation efforts, driven by a desire to increase his strength while he still lived so he could remain close to Mu Hanyan.
However, he had been somewhat affected by the Thousand Poison Corrosive Powder, his strength previously mirroring that of Huayue and Jiang Yuzhe. Now that the poison within his body was purged, with no remaining obstacles and his accumulated strength unleashed, the successive leaps in rank, even slightly surpassing Huayue, were an entirely logical outcome.
"Zirong!" Huayue and Jiang Yuzhe, moved to tears, rushed towards Zirong with open arms.
"Wait!" Yan Zishu's voice suddenly rang out, sharp and commanding.
Huayue and the others halted in their tracks, startled, their initial thought being that something might be amiss with Zirong's condition. They quickly stopped their advance.
Following Yan Zishu's pointed gaze, they realized their misunderstanding. Zirong's body was indeed unharmed, but a small, blue-purple orb, no larger than a pinky finger, hovered in the air before him.
This was precisely the poison that had been expelled from Zirong's body—the venom of the Rebirth Soul-breaking Pill. While its potency had significantly waned, accidental contact could still result in severe consequences.
Yan Zishu retrieved a dark, obsidian Pill Furnace and carefully placed the orb within its confines. He then ignited the furnace, and with swift efficiency, the orb, containing the last vestiges of the Rebirth Soul-breaking Pill's poison, disintegrated into nothingness.
Only then did Huayue, Jiang Yuzhe, Tang Bufan, and the others surge forward, enveloping Zirong in a warm, heartfelt embrace. Though words were sparse, the glistening tears in their eyes spoke volumes of their shared joy and the profound bond forged through their life-and-death companionship.
"Senior Yan, thank you." Mu Hanyan, her own eyes welling up, expressed her gratitude to Yan Zishu.
"Lady Mu, your kindness is too great. In truth, I am the one who should be thanking you. Had it not been for your timely intervention, my own life would have been forfeit," Yan Zishu replied with a wry smile.
"Had it not been to save Zirong, Senior would not have faced such peril. As for the Rebirth Soul-breaking Pill, I merely seized an opportune moment," Mu Hanyan stated, her words not intended as false modesty.
When it came to Alchemy Techniques, she acknowledged a considerable disparity between herself and Yan Zishu. His insight and experience, honed by his lineage of healers, were beyond her current capability. Neither the method of detoxification nor the refinement of the pill could have been achieved solely by her efforts.
"You should not put it that way. You assisted me with those three matters earlier. Detoxifying Zirong was my obligation, and whether through life-or-death Alchemy or otherwise, it stems from my own inadequacy. Your intervention and help mean I owe you a debt of life. Should you require anything in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. I, Yan Zishu, will undoubtedly fulfill your request without refusal," Yan Zishu declared with utmost sincerity.
“Then I shall not stand on ceremony.” Mu Hanyan no longer hesitated, cupping her hands and saying, as Yan Zishu’s favor was not something to be taken lightly. “Earlier, my words were presumptuous and offensive. I hope Lady Mu does not take them to heart,” the elder who had been repeatedly slapped by Mu Hanyan stepped forward to offer an apology. Earlier, his concern for Yan Zishu’s safety had clouded his judgment. Now, with a calmer mind, he was suddenly overcome with a sense of dread. It turned out that Mu Hanyan not only possessed mastery in Alchemy Techniques, Sword Casting Techniques, and Beast Taming Techniques but also displayed astonishing proficiency in Alchemy. Even setting aside her background, her personal future achievements alone were immeasurable. Furthermore, her companions were equally exceptional. One friend, identified as a personal guard, who was initially presumed to be a mere servant, had achieved consecutive rank advancements from Fourth Rank Sword Master to Ninth Rank Sword Master in a mere hour. Besides Zirong, Huayue and Jiang Yuzhe were no less formidable. Only Tang Bufan’s strength seemed to lag slightly, yet his berserker-like combat style ultimately led to the demise of Pei Qiuyi, who was comparable to an Eighth Rank Sword Master, under his sword. The elder, unfortunately, failed to comprehend that Pei Qiuyi had leveraged the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate to artificially boost his aura to the Eighth Rank Sword Master level. In reality, under the suppression of Mu Hanyan’s Gathering Spirit Magic Tool, his true strength was merely that of a Sixth Rank Sword Master. Nevertheless, even with this realization, the outcome would not drastically change. It was an incredible feat to defeat a Sixth-level Sword Master with the strength of only a Second-level Sword Master. In conclusion, considering Mu Hanyan’s natural talent, her remarkable followers, and her enigmatic background, her future accomplishments are truly unforeseeable. It would come as no surprise if she were to ascend to the apex of all cultivators. “How could I have mistakenly made such a formidable enemy?” The elder’s regret was so intense he felt like smashing his head against a wall. “It was merely a misunderstanding. Why would I hold it against you, sir? There is no need for you to worry,” Mu Hanyan replied calmly. “That is good to hear. Lady Mu’s magnanimity is truly admirable,” the elder said, though uncertain if she truly bore no ill will or was simply indifferent. Unable to press the matter further, he could only sigh and offer his flattery to Mu Hanyan.