Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1392: Who Could Have Expected This?

Swiftly, Mu Hanyan and her entourage reached the base of the city wall. Below, several thousand savage beasts were ferociously converging on Fang Town. The vast majority of these creatures possessed might akin to a Third or Fourth Rank Swordsman, with a few exhibiting slightly more power, but hardly any surpassed an Eighth Rank Swordsman. However, the vanguard of this horde was significantly more formidable than the rest.

Among the leading beasts were two Sword-toothed Iron-Backed Tigers, two Dragon Scale Fire Pattern Rhinoceroses, and one Earthly Ferocious Bear. The first three beasts matched the strength of a Ninth Rank Sword Master, while the Earthly Ferocious Bear stood apart; its fur shimmered with a faint golden hue, and it too had achieved the Eighth Rank Sword Master level.

Beside Mu Hanyan, the guards and Fang Family disciples tasked with the city's defense had grown deathly pale, their legs quivering uncontrollably.

Since the initial onslaught of exotic beasts, they had been embroiled in the conflict, gaining a profound respect for the creatures' power. Yet, the first wave had been considerably smaller and less potent—only a few hundred beasts in total, with the strongest comparable to a Sixth or Seventh Tier Swordsman. Subsequently, their numbers and strength escalated, growing from hundreds to over a thousand. It was particularly after the appearance of several powerful beings at the Eighth and Ninth Rank that resistance became nearly impossible, and Fang Town was only secured due to the intervention of Dan Tai Xuan and his allies.

And this time, not only had the number of charging exotic beasts swelled to several thousand, but the formidable beasts leading the charge had increased from four to five, with an additional Sword-toothed Iron-Backed Tiger possessing the might of a Ninth Rank Sword Master.

Witnessing the sheer power of this incoming bestial wave, even Family Head Fang’s expression shifted dramatically. He faltered, contemplating whether to urge Mu Hanyan to withdraw.

"Mu Hanyan, you now grasp the terror these exotic beasts embody, correct? Do you wish to witness our might?" Dan Tai Xuan remarked complacently, observing the consternation on Family Head Fang and the others' faces.

"Oh?" Mu Hanyan cast a glance at Dan Tai Xuan. She was undeniably aware of their capabilities but remained somewhat intrigued by their true combat prowess.

"Brother Wu, Senior Brother Luo, Wei, I shall trouble you three to make a move and teach that particular Sword-toothed Iron-Backed Tiger a lesson, allowing Lady Mu to observe our genuine strength." Dan Tai Xuan gestured with his hand as he spoke.

The three individuals accompanying him stepped forward, emitting a long roar, and charged towards the leading Iron Armor Saber-Toothed Tiger.

Three resplendent streaks of sword light flashed, whipping up swirling vortexes of dust. In a mere instant, the trio had engaged in a fierce battle with the Iron Armor Saber-Toothed Tiger.

Standard saber-toothed tigers were renowned for their offensive capabilities, but their defensive strength was lacking, preventing them from being classified among the elite exotic beasts. The Iron Armor Saber-Toothed Tiger, however, was an anomaly. Its offensive power far exceeded that of a typical saber-toothed tiger, and its defenses were amplified manifold, hence the 'Iron Armor' designation.

Were it the guards from the Chamber of Commerce, even exerting themselves to their utmost, they likely wouldn't inflict so much as a scratch upon it. Yet, among Dan Tai Xuan's senior and junior brothers, one held the rank of Ninth Rank Sword Master, and two were Eighth Rank Sword Masters. Their combat effectiveness was indeed striking. With a single coordinated assault, they inflicted a wound half an inch deep on the Iron Armor Saber-Toothed Tiger's spine, as resilient as tempered steel. Though they failed to penetrate its vital organs, they succeeded in staggering it, forcing repeated retreats, and subsequently, under their combined onslaught, the beast found itself struggling merely to defend.

Mu Hanyan's brow furrowed slightly. While these three were undeniably potent—one Ninth Rank Sword Master and two Eighth Rank Sword Masters—their displayed strength still elicited a degree of surprise from her.

She had initially presumed that, as Dan Tai Xuan's associates, they would belong to the Holy Court, and their actual combat power would surpass that of average cultivators at the same level. However, their sword intent appeared merely adequate, entirely devoid of any exceptional quality.

They were on par with ordinary experts of equivalent rank, and in fact, somewhat inferior to many prodigies from prominent families blessed with extraordinary natural talent. The crucial distinction was that for typical cultivators, even scions of major clans, achieving the strength of an Eighth or Ninth Rank Sword Master at their respective ages was exceedingly rare.

"Could it be that their cultivation has been artificially boosted through elixirs or other rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures?" Mu Hanyan mused inwardly.

Unbeknownst to Dan Tai Xuan, Mu Hanyan had no inkling of his thoughts. Witnessing her frown, his arrogance only intensified.

"Mu Hanyan, you've seen the power of others now, haven't you? It's not too late to change your mind," Park Donghan, emboldened by the might of Dan Tai Xuan's senior and junior disciples, began to nag her once more.

A faint smile touched Mu Hanyan's lips as she surveyed the Exotic Beasts, deeming Park Donghan not even worth her attention.

With the Iron Armor Saber-Toothed Tiger incapacitated, its brethren remained oblivious, their unceasing roars echoing towards the heavens as they charged relentlessly towards Fang Town. Dust churned, the very earth seeming to tremble with their advance.

Even from hundreds of zhang away, the putrid stench of their breath and their savage ferocity seemed palpable.

The guards stationed on the city walls grew increasingly agitated by this sight, yet remained silent, their pleading gazes fixed upon Mu Hanyan.

"Mu Hanyan, what are you waiting for? If you wish to die, so be it, but I refuse to be your stepping stone!" Park Donghan finally lost his patience and shouted indignantly.

"Relax, you won't die," Mu Hanyan shot him a chilling glance before turning her attention to Huayue and his companions.

The prowess of the leading Exotic Beasts was comparable to Huayue and his group—an excellent opportunity for them to hone their skills.

Huayue and the others understood her intent, offering slight nods before leaping from the city walls in unison.

"What do they think they are doing?" Astonishment swept through the onlookers as they witnessed Huayue and the others' reckless descent.

Mu Hanyan's cultivation had reached the Sixth-level Sword Master realm. While impressive for her age, she alone couldn't possibly contend with the formidable Exotic Beasts. Huayue and his companions, her mere followers, were rumored to have been guards. Even with their strength, they surely couldn't surpass Mu Hanyan. Their charge seemed nothing short of a suicidal act.

"Mu Hanyan, it's one thing to be reckless yourself, but how can you allow your followers to perish so meaninglessly!" A steward from the Chamber of Commerce, convinced Mu Hanyan disregarded her followers' lives, couldn't bear to watch further and voiced his accusation.

"I acknowledge your status as the Mu Family Patriarch's eldest grandson and your superior standing, but you cannot trample on lives in such a manner!" The other stewards joined in the furious outcry.

The majority hailed from common backgrounds, much like Huayue and his companions. Witnessing Mu Hanyan seemingly disregard their lives and lead them to their demise ignited their righteous indignation.

"Everyone, please calm yourselves. I, Mu Hanyan, am not the sort to cling obstinately to my own views and disregard the lives of my friends." Mu Hanyan, sensing their well-intentioned concern despite their accusations, responded with a smile.

"Mu Hanyan, at a time like this, you still..." Seeing Mu Hanyan show no sign of changing her course and her nonchalant smile, the Chamber of Commerce stewards felt even more strongly that Huayue and the others were being wronged, their voices filled with grief and indignation.

However, before their words could be fully uttered, their eyes widened in shock, leaving them utterly speechless.