Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1369: If You Don’t Come, I Won’t Leave Either

"Indeed, while he may not hold the title of mentor to us, the bond we share is akin to that of a mentor and disciple. From this moment on, when you encounter him, you shall show him the utmost respect." Huayue affirmed with a solemn nod.

The others ceased their smiles, their gazes directed towards the parting figure of Feng Qingyu, their eyes brimming with admiration.

"Let us depart. It is growing late," Mu Hanyan remarked, casting a glance at the faint blush of dawn. Unbeknownst to them, the majority of the night had slipped away, and the break of day was imminent.

The moment she shifted her weight, Mu Hanyan felt her legs grow unsteady, nearly causing her to topple. It was then she recognized that the two prior energy-intensive attacks had completely depleted her Qi. Her final sword strike, in particular, had drained both her Qi and her Divine Thought Power to their absolute limit.

However, this outcome was hardly surprising. To manifest the power of a Sword Saint while operating at the strength of an Early Stage Great Sword Master, further amplified to the Peak, and then to unleash such might—if she had retained any strength, even she herself would have found it unbelievable.

"Han Yan." Huayue instinctively reached out to steady her, but as she moved, her legs gave out, and she found herself sinking to a semi-kneeling position on the ground.

Beside her, Zirong and Tang Bufan also exhibited clear signs of exhaustion.

They recalled that after their individual confrontations with Feng Qingyu, they had not experienced such a debilitating state. It became apparent that Mu Hanyan's final two sword strikes had not only exhausted her own Qi and Divine Thought Power but had also siphoned the Qi from Huayue and the others.

It seemed that wielding the power of the Nine Heavens Star Fall, after augmenting her strength with five Magic Artifacts, while borrowing the innate divine abilities of Huayue and the others, delivered unimaginable might at a tremendous cost. This technique should be reserved for dire emergencies and employed sparingly.

Nevertheless, Huayue and the others were not overly debilitated. Not only had their abilities seen significant enhancement, but their innate divine abilities had also undergone a qualitative transformation. In general circumstances, they were now sufficiently equipped to handle most situations. If their combined efforts proved insufficient, Mu Hanyan would have no recourse but to fight with reckless abandon.

Following the administration of the Elixir and a period of rest to recuperate their Qi, by the time the first dawn light painted the horizon, they had recovered to roughly fifty percent of their capacity. This revealed the staggering toll exacted by Mu Hanyan's conclusive strikes.

For the subsequent few days, the group remained ensconced within the Princess Manor, initially dedicating their time to regaining their strength. Following that, they resumed their practice of the Sword Array imparted by Feng Qingyu.

Although they could now manifest the power of the five Magic Artifacts, even surpassing the prowess of Jing Jianjue and Qin Ba, they had not yet achieved true mastery in their utilization. In actual combat scenarios, adversaries would not exhibit the same patience as Feng Qingyu. A moment's haste, a minor slip in hand seals, or inadequate synchronized movements could prevent the Sword Array from manifesting its full potential, presenting a dire risk.

Fortuitously, their inherent talents proved exceptional. Even Tang Bufan, whom Mu Hanyan had previously deemed rather ordinary, underwent a profound transformation subsequent to the unsealing of his Hidden Meridian. His innate talent now rivaled, if not surpassed, that of any so-called prodigy. Within a few short days, they attained proficiency in the intricate hand seals, and their coordination, although not yet seamless, required mere gestures and fleeting glances for mutual comprehension. Perfect synchronicity would undoubtedly develop through continuous engagement in future training exercises.

Several days passed without any communication from Grandma, and Zhu Xiuqing had also failed to make an appearance. Mu Hanyan was aware that Grandma had entered seclusion. A subtle thread of anxiety began to weave through her heart: Grandma's strength had been significantly hampered by Forbidden Techniques and peculiar skills. Her decision to enter seclusion now was clearly a defensive measure against Wu Tianxiong's impending aggression. However, would she remain safe?

Mu Hanyan contemplated venturing to the palace but hesitated, fearing she might inadvertently disrupt Grandma's state of mind, leaving her internally conflicted.

As twilight descended, Mu Hanyan and Huayue were engaged in a final practice session of the Sword Array before intending to retire for the night when the distinct sound of hooves echoed from beyond the manor gates. Mu Hanyan found this peculiar. Who possessed the audacity to ride a carriage directly into the Princess Manor? It was certainly not the household staff.

Driven by curiosity, Mu Hanyan unlatched the courtyard gate, revealing a modest carriage drawn by a common horned steed, progressing steadily towards them. Such conveyances were typically inexpensive, favored by the commoners of Shangyue. This particular carriage appeared even more humble than the usual ones.

Mu Hanyan's bewilderment intensified, but understanding dawned as the carriage drew nearer.

The individual driving the carriage pulled back their hat, exposing half their countenance, and made a silent gesture towards Mu Hanyan—it was none other than Zhu Xiuqing.

"Why are you attired in such a manner?" Mu Hanyan inquired, employing the Qi Gathering Transmission technique.

"I shall explain shortly," Zhu Xiuqing responded, skillfully maneuvering the carriage into the courtyard; fortunately, its compact size allowed for easy entry.

As the carriage halted, Zhu Xiuqing dismounted with a nimble leap and then respectfully assisted an elderly woman in alighting.

"Grandma!" Mu Hanyan exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with undisguised astonishment.

A palpable sense of unease washed over Mu Hanyan as she observed her grandmother’s visibly anxious demeanor and the faint signs of sickness clouding her brow.

"Han Yan, time is of the utmost importance. You must depart from Shangyue immediately and make your way to Anyun!" Lu Nianxin urged, her voice laced with impatience.

"What!" Mu Hanyan’s heart skipped a beat in shock.

"I should never have come; it would have been far better if Xiu Ming had taken you away immediately, but a final glimpse of you was something I couldn't forgo." Gently stroking Mu Hanyan’s hair with affection, Lu Nianxin continued, "Depart at once. A swift Red Charcoal Cloud Smoke Beast is prepared and waiting at a station just outside the city gates. With haste, you can reach Anyun in a mere half a month."

"Grandma, what is truly happening?" Mu Hanyan inquired, her brow furrowed.

"Xiu Ming will provide the full explanation during your travels. Upon your arrival in Anyun, you must ensure his well-being and safety," Lu Nianxin implored further.

From her grandmother’s words, Mu Hanyan discerned a profound sense of entrustment. Otherwise, why would she arrange for the Heir of Prince Anxi to accompany her to Anyun, and then place his welfare under her personal care?

"Grandma, without understanding the full picture of what has transpired, I absolutely will not leave!" Mu Hanyan declared with unwavering resolve.

"Oh, my child, why must you be so stubbornly insistent? Had I foreseen this, I would not have come at all," Lu Nianxin sighed, a hint of regret in her tone.

"If you hadn't come, I wouldn't depart either," Mu Hanyan retorted with firm conviction.

"I seem to forget that in addition to being a descendant of the Zue Family, you also carry the blood of the Mu Family, possessing a stubbornness that rivals Mu Beichen's own." Lu Nianxin managed a wry smile, settling down by the stone table.

Huayue and the attending companions stood by respectfully, awaiting further instruction.

"Han Yan, if my assessment is correct, Wu Tianxiong will make his move no later than tomorrow. It is absolutely critical that you leave Shangyue at the earliest opportunity to evade his treacherous schemes," Lu Nianxin stated with gravity.

Mu Hanyan was taken aback. While her grandmother had previously alluded to Wu Tianxiong's ambitious intentions and the eventual likelihood of his actions, she had not anticipated such an immediate escalation.

Could this sudden urgency be a direct consequence of Jing Jianjue's cultivation being nullified, throwing that old man into a fit of uncontrollable rage?