Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1384: With Him Here, Nothing to Fear
Previously on Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return...
While others might not realize Mu Hanyan’s condition, she herself is acutely aware of it. The seemingly effortless maneuver that defeated Wu Zifeng had, in truth, completely depleted the Qi within her body. It wasn't just her; Huayue and the others were in a similar state. One should never underestimate the significant combat power leap from Great Sword Master to Sword Saint; for the majority in this world, such an achievement is considered an impossibility. That Mu Hanyan could deplete her Qi without suffering any severe repercussions is already a twist of fate.
As a sudden cry rang out, Lu Nianxin moved swiftly towards them. Sadly, she was somewhat distant and had not anticipated Mo Yunhai possessing the might of a Sword Saint Realm expert. By the time she could react and intervene, it was regrettably too late.
In the mere blink of an eye, Lin Weicheng and Mo Yunhai arrived before Mu Hanyan, their palms simultaneously unleashing attacks towards her. The formidable palm force sliced through the air, producing a sound akin to distant, muffled thunder.
Witnessing this development, Lu Nianxin’s expression grew increasingly alarmed. It was evident that Lin Weicheng and Mo Yunhai had failed to perceive Mu Hanyan’s weakened state. Due to her prior victory over Wu Zifeng, they were naturally cautious, thus launching this combined assault with at least eighty percent of their power!
Had her strength been fully restored, Mu Hanyan might have stood a chance of defending against the dual offensive. However, with her Qi utterly exhausted, even if she were to consume a medicinal elixir immediately, she could, at best, recover only thirty percent of her former power.
"Stop!" Lu Nianxin’s voice boomed with anger, her eyes wide with pure fury.
Yet, Lin Weicheng and Mo Yunhai had already committed everything to this desperate gamble. Mu Hanyan represented their sole hope for negotiating their survival, making any thought of halting their attack impossible.
Just as it seemed Mu Hanyan was about to be struck by the two attackers, a tall, elegant figure abruptly interposed himself in front of her.
"Seeking death!" Ye Lanfeng's voice was cold as ice, his palms flicking out with minimal apparent effort.
The moment the four palms met, Lin Weicheng and Mo Yunhai’s bodies stiffened unnaturally. They then became utterly still, frozen as if carved from stone.
A gentle breeze rustled past, causing their figures to sway before they tumbled lifelessly to the ground without a single sound.
It was only then that the assembled courtiers grasped the horrific reality: in the instant of that palm collision, both men had already met their demise, their heart meridians irrevocably shattered.
"What terrifying power!" Because Ye Lanfeng, much like Huayue and the others, had remained discreetly behind Mu Hanyan, most had initially mistaken him for a mere attendant, paying him no significant attention. It was only at this moment that his distinguished and handsome mien became apparent. Even Huayue and those nearby seemed to pale in comparison, clearly indicating that this man's status was far beyond the ordinary.
Naturally, the most astonishing revelation was his formidable power. A Great Sword Master and a Sword Saint were utterly defenseless before him, their heart meridians obliterated with barely a whisper. Such might was truly breathtaking!
They had never conceived that Mu Hanyan was not only a formidable individual herself but was also attended by such exceptionally skilled masters.
Gazing upon the already deceased Wu Tianxiong, the onlookers felt a pang of pity. Even if the Empress Dowager had truly been ensnared by forbidden techniques and her power suppressed, with experts like these flanking Mu Hanyan, Wu Tianxiong’s aspirations to usurp the throne were inevitably doomed to fail, without even a glimmer of hope.
"Has your strength advanced once more?" Mu Hanyan, having witnessed Ye Lanfeng's displays of skill before, easily discerned the changes in his power and inquired with evident delight.
"Indeed, there has been some progress," Ye Lanfeng responded with a subtle smile.
Huayue and several others also wore expressions of relief. Despite knowing that Mu Hanyan was safe with Ye Lanfeng present, they had still felt a wave of apprehension when Lin Weicheng and Mo Yunhai launched their attack. Seeing Mu Hanyan unharmed and witnessing Ye Lanfeng's continued improvement filled them with genuine pleasure.
However, as Huayue and his companions smiled, an unassuming elder amongst the Wu Family disciples exhibited a distinct look of unease.
This individual was none other than Tian Annan, who had infiltrated the imperial banquet disguised as a Wu family contributor. He had originally pledged his aid to Wu Tianxiong should any army leaders dare to act imprudent. Now, however, before he could even utter a word of intimidation, he was visibly awestruck by Ye Lanfeng's prowess.
Recalling their previous encounter, Tian Annan remembered that Ye Lanfeng had only managed to breach his Sky Thunder Sword Formation primarily through the divine might of the Thousand-breaking Sword. Yet, observing Ye Lanfeng now, Tian Annan realized that his strength had significantly escalated recently. Even without the Thousand-breaking Sword, Tian Annan felt certain he could not prevail against him.
If he were to confront Lu Nianxin, he was certain he would meet his certain demise.
With Wu Tianxiong now deceased, the initial scheme had crumbled. Tian Annan held no concern for the fate of the Wu family disciples. As all eyes were fixed upon Ye Lanfeng, he abruptly took to the sky, soaring with great speed towards the palace's periphery.
In his urgent flight for freedom, Tian Annan neglected to mask his power. Upon detecting his movement technique, Lu Nianxin immediately identified him as the Holy-grade expert who had intruded into the palace and wounded her the previous night.
"It's you!" Lu Nianxin cried out in fury, launching herself forward with a swift, slicing attack aimed at his back.
"It truly is him!" Ye Lanfeng also recognized Tian Annan, his Thousand-breaking Sword striking out simultaneously.
Despite their rapid responses, Tian Annan was better prepared, his speed far exceeding theirs. Just as he was about to clear the courtyard wall, an unusually crafted longsword materialized directly in his path.
This peculiar longsword was none other than Mu Hanyan’s newly forged Heavenly Flying Immortal.
"You dare to obstruct me with this junk!" Tian Annan was momentarily taken aback but quickly perceived that the sword radiated no discernible Qi, appearing to have been thrown without effort. He scoffed contemptuously, swatting it aside with an open palm.
"Boom!" A thunderous explosion echoed, bringing Tian Annan to an abrupt halt. Caught off guard, his sword robe was ripped to shreds, his hair standing on end like a startled bird's.
This was Mu Hanyan’s Heavenly Flying Immortal, completed after her advancement to Great Sword Master, having consumed nearly half her reserve of Meteorite Gold. Its power had been amplified manifold.
Unfortunately, as her strength grew, the difficulty in sealing cultivation within the sword also increased, alongside a higher demand for Meteorite Gold. Consequently, Mu Hanyan had only been able to forge a single blade of this caliber.
"What sort of cursed artifact possesses such immense power?" Though battered, Tian Annan was no common Sword Saint; he sustained no actual injuries, only a brief moment of disorientation.
During this instant of confusion, both Lu Nianxin’s sword energy and Ye Lanfeng’s Sword Light struck him simultaneously!
By this point, Tian Annan had no avenue of escape; his sole recourse was to brace himself, turning to meet the assault with a sword swing.
"Crack." A sharp cracking sound ensued as his long sword snapped in two, his entire body sent hurtling backward.
Even with his considerable might and superior swordsmanship, he was no match for the combined assault from Lu Nianxin and Ye Lanfeng, especially after being dazed by Mu Hanyan’s Heavenly Flying Immortal.
Tian Annan expelled a cloud of blood, landing on his back. His body convulsed unnaturally for a few moments before falling utterly still, clearly beyond any hope of recovery.
(I’ve been exceptionally occupied recently, and my spirits have been consistently low. Once this demanding period concludes, I shall resume consistent updates. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.)