Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1374: This Is the Most Critical Step

"So that's how it is." Individuals of the Holy Court maintain a distant demeanor; most are unaware of the conflicts surrounding mortal imperial authority, and Tian Annan was no exception. Upon hearing Wu Tianxiong's explanation, he could no longer press the matter.

"Lord Tian, no need for concern. It is merely one night. Tomorrow marks the demise of the Yue Family. I shall personally extinguish Mu Hanyan, avenging Young Master Wenliang, as well as the spilled blood of Jian Jue and the others," Wu Tianxiong declared with spirit.

Tian Annan nodded. The very reason he had risked his life to infiltrate the Imperial Palace and gauge Lu Nianxin's capabilities was not to satisfy Wu Tianxiong's aspirations, but rather to utilize him as an instrument to avenge Tian Wenliang and his own five Disciples' bloodshed. After all, with Ye Lanfeng present, he absolutely dared not confront Mu Hanyan directly, nor did he even dare to hint at his behind-the-scenes orchestration.

Regardless, it was merely a matter of waiting one more night. Even if Lu Nianxin experienced an incredibly fortunate turn of events, there was no conceivable way she could dismantle that Forbidden Technique in such a constrained timeframe, rendering excessive worry unnecessary. Reflecting on this, Tian Annan instead felt his apprehension had been excessive.

"Indeed, Jian Jue and the others were originally carrying several Magic Artifacts. A few days ago, when their bodies were returned, the Magic Artifacts were nowhere to be seen. I wonder if they fell into Mu Hanyan's possession. Once you have vanquished Mu Hanyan, conduct a thorough search of her person," Tian Annan instructed Wu Tianxiong once more.

Those Heavenly Destiny Star Plates and the Ruyi Hair Crown had only been acquired after he had finally succeeded in slaying an expert from the temple; who would have guessed that after the competition, they would simply vanish. He had long harbored suspicions towards Mu Hanyan, but lacking concrete proof, he couldn't confront her to demand their return. More critically, he dared not reveal his connection to Jing Jianjue and the others to Ye Lanfeng, let alone admit that he was secretly hoarding Divine Hall Magical Artifacts.

"Rest assured, Lord Tian, those were originally Jian Jue's possessions. I will certainly conduct a meticulous search," Wu Tianxiong affirmed. As he spoke, he tentatively inquired further, "Lord Tian, should any unforeseen circumstances arise, might we perhaps request your esteemed assistance?"

"I fear that might not be entirely appropriate," Tian Annan replied with caution.

Throughout the years, the Royal Families of the various nations had long maintained a guarded stance towards the Holy Court, which absolutely would not readily intervene in the domestic affairs of any realm. Furthermore, he had no desire to alienate Ye Lanfeng completely, nor did he wish to reveal himself easily.

"Lord Tian is perhaps overestimating the situation. The Zue Family's members will be dealt with by my Wu Family; we will not require your esteemed intervention, Elder. I am merely concerned that certain commanders within the Imperial City Guards might act foolishly. Should any incident occur, I would ask Lord Tian to employ the capacity of our Wu Family's Tributor to exert a degree of intimidation, nothing more," Wu Tianxiong clarified.

"If it is merely that, then I shall reluctantly assist you one final time." After careful consideration, Tian Annan nodded in agreement.

It was simply a matter of intimidating a few commanders among the Imperial City Guards; he wouldn't need to expose himself significantly. If someone were to act imprudently, he would swiftly eliminate them with overwhelming force and then depart. Others might not even catch a clear glimpse of his visage; who then would ascertain his identity? To avenge his cherished son and Jing Jianjue and the others, undertaking this minor task presented no difficulty.

...

High above in the firmament, the winds and clouds swirled. The spatial barrier was breached, and two distinct currents of Heaven and Earth Power converged simultaneously.

However, this time, guided by the sword technique emanating from Ye Lanfeng's fingertips and Qian Ji's hand movements, the two Heaven and Earth Powers did not engage in conflict whatsoever, but rather coexisted in perfect harmony.

Concurrently, the auras radiating from both individuals ascended continuously—one exuding an imposing and sacred presence, the other a mysterious and solemn one.

A stream of golden qi flowed into Lu Nianxin's meridians. Almost instantaneously, the Prohibition that had been concealed within her meridians was obliterated, and a sensation of pain flickered across Lu Nianxin's countenance.

This Holy Emperor Sword Energy was undeniably potent. While it shattered the Prohibition in a single swift action and purified the meridians, it also inflicted considerable harm upon them. As the Holy Emperor Sword Energy coursed through, every Prohibition it encountered was eradicated, yet the meridians fractured progressively. The agony was so profound that even a formidable cultivator like Lu Nianxin, positioned within the Sword Saint Realm, found it arduous to endure.

Yan Zishu maintained his focus, the Golden Needles in his grasp dancing with swift precision over her body. A noticeable easing of Lu Nianxin's pain followed; the already damaged meridians were stabilized at the point of rupture, showing no signs of further deterioration. Given the nature of these injuries, she wouldn't even require an Elixir, her own cultivation alone being sufficient for a rapid recovery.

The Divine Emperor Sword Energy continued its relentless circulation. Once all the dormant Prohibitions within the Eight Extraordinary Meridians coursing through her entire body were annihilated, the energy finally flowed into her Qi Sea.

"Crack!" Lu Nianxin distinctly heard the sound of her Qi Sea fracturing.

Despite having long achieved worldly wisdom and possessing no fear of death, faced with the prospect of a lifetime of cultivation potentially vanishing into nothingness at this very moment, her heart couldn't help but harbor a sliver of primal apprehension.

However, her unease was short-lived. Yan Zishu's Golden Needles flickered in rapid succession, acting as a steadfast guard for her Qi Sea. At the precise instant the Prohibition shattered, a faint fissure manifested on her Qi Sea, yet it remained entirely intact.

Lu Nianxin inwardly marveled at Yan Zishu's profound Medical Skill and held even greater reverence for his cultivation. She understood perfectly that as Yan Zishu expertly wielded the needles, he too endured the direct impact of that formidable Holy Emperor Sword Energy. Had it been any physician below the Sword Saint Realm, not only would saving her have been impossible, but they likely wouldn't have survived themselves.

To command such transcendent Medical Skill coupled with such potent cultivation—he truly embodied the esteemed position of Family Head within the renowned Divine Doctor Family. Lu Nianxin introspected, recognizing that even with her own innate talent, attempting to cultivate both the Sword Dao and partake in medical arts would never allow her to attain Yan Zishu's level of profound mastery.

This realization sent a fresh wave of worry through her.

In comparison to Yan Zishu, Han Yan was still far too young. Even possessing some aptitude in medical skills and a degree of strength, how could she possibly measure up to Yan Zishu?

Her concern was not for herself, but for the potential danger Mu Hanyan might face, recklessly intervening with that Holy Emperor Sword Energy on impulse.

"Han Yan, when you decide to act later, do not push yourself beyond your limits. Your Grandmother is already advanced in years. Even without the burden of this Forbidden Technique, my time might not be long. You must not risk harming yourself in an attempt to save me," Lu Nianxin stated, drawing a steadying breath as she addressed Mu Hanyan.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has cause for undue worry. With Lady Mu's demonstrated Medical Skill, there is absolutely no conceivable danger," Yan Zishuintervened before Mu Hanyan could respond.

The Medical Dao and Alchemy Dao are intrinsically linked. Although he had never directly witnessed Mu Hanyan's Medical Skill, he had previously observed her unique Core Formation method, known as 'Star Falling in Eight Desolates.' Such an advanced methodology, he reasoned, would undoubtedly prevent her from sustaining harm from Ye Lanfeng's Holy Emperor Sword Energy, even if she couldn't entirely neutralize it. He himself, Yan Zishu, felt a pang of envy for that particular cultivation technique. The Empress Dowager was simply overly anxious due to her deep affection and was significantly underestimating her cherished granddaughter.

Unbeknownst to him, Lu Nianxin had never actually witnessed any of Mu Hanyan's Alchemy Dao techniques—therefore, her worry was entirely justified.

The instant the Prohibition within the Qi Sea was eliminated, Ye Lanfeng's potent Holy Emperor Sword Energy began to surge directly towards Lu Nianxin's Heart Meridian.

Within Qian Ji's grasp, a brilliant white radiance emanated, and a rune, intricately formed from light and shadow, almost palpable in its presence, also commenced its flight through the air, targeting her Heart Meridian.

All eyes intently focused on the critical juncture. This represented the concluding phase, and undeniably, the most absolutely vital step in the entire process.