Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1411: Would You Become the Enemy of the Entire Continent for Her?

Mu Hanyan’s gaze fell upon the approaching figure, and her pupils instantly constricted—it was him!

As one of the revered Five Great Divine Guardian Priests of the temple, he had once been a figure of immense renown across the Divine Continent, widely regarded as a being of legendary stature. However, upon arriving at the Holy Court Continent, his formidable power was not only suppressed but he also dared not readily reveal his Ninth Rank Sword Master abilities. This was out of fear of alerting the Holy Court and facing utter annihilation, making every single one of his steps fraught with peril.

Today, having finally seized an opportunity to display his divine might, how could he possibly allow it to be thwarted by a mere word from another?

Though the opponent’s age and apparent strength caused him surprise, his self-assurance remained absolute. The true extent of his power lay in that of a Sword Saint, coupled with vast combat experience, qualities far beyond the grasp of a young man in his twenties.

With Yan Yuchu securely held, he harbored no concern about Mu Hanyan and her companions fleeing. With a subtle twist of his wrist, the longsword he wielded was precisely aimed at the young man standing opposite him.

"Be careful!" Mu Hanyan and the others cried out in a single voice.

This particular sword strike, while possessing a seemingly unassuming momentum, unfurled with astonishing agility, akin to a soaring swan. Its execution was profoundly ingenious, encapsulating an infinite array of transformations. Even Zirong’s formidable Devil Eyes were rendered incapable of discerning the true target of this lethal thrust.

A triumphant smirk flickered across Gai Huangji's countenance; this strike was, in fact, his signature technique – the Sword Skill Traceless. It was this very same sword art that had, in days past, enabled him to vanquish countless rivals and ascend to the esteemed position of one of the Five Great Divine Guardian Priests.

Beyond the lofty Divine Hall Master and his fellow priests, it was unlikely that many on the entirety of the Divine Continent possessed the capability to neutralize this masterfully executed sword strike.

Like a fleeting phantom, the sword’s light reached the young man’s vicinity in a mere blink of an eye. It appeared to target his heart meridian, yet simultaneously threatened his Qi Sea, exposing him to a multitude of vulnerabilities under the onslaught of this singular sword technique.

Gai Huangji allowed himself a faint, knowing smile. This was the profound subtlety of his Sword Skill Traceless; the myriad transformations within the sword were utterly unpredictable, yet guided by his unwavering sword intent. At this precise moment, even he, the wielder, was unsure of the sword's ultimate destination. However, with a mere thought, he could achieve the state of Man and Sword as One, where the sword became an extension of his very being. In the depths of his heart, he knew that if he were on the receiving end of this strike, he himself would find no means to effectively counter it.

What faintly perplexed Gai Huangji was the young man’s unperturbed demeanor. Facing what was arguably his life’s ultimate skill, the youth remained utterly still, his hand still gripping the sword hilt, without even drawing the blade. Was he paralyzed by fear? Yet, there was an absence of panic evident in his eyes.

The treasured sword, poised for its decisive blow, was now like an arrow nocked and ready on a taut bowstring, its release inevitable. Without further hesitation, Gai Huangji’s will became action, and the longsword surged forward with blinding speed towards the opponent’s heart meridian.

In that instant, the sword moved with absolute freedom, achieving the union of Man and Sword as One. He seemed to meld into the weapon itself, transforming into a streak of pure light.

His eyes, too, mirrored a chilling smile, brimming with lethal intent. As one of the esteemed Five Great Divine Guardian Priests, he possessed not a shred of mercy. In bygone eras, innumerable prodigies had met their end beneath this very blade, falling like extinguished stars. Today, it was destined to be no different.

The cold, sharp tip of the sword, imbued with an overwhelming aura of death, flashed like lightning, nearing the opponent’s heart meridian. Gai Huangji’s chilling smile intensified with each passing moment.

Abruptly, his smile vanished. The opponent had finally responded; the sword’s movement was deceptively simple, direct, and executed with pinpoint accuracy, devoid of the slightest deviation.

"Clang!" A crisp sound echoed as Gai Huangji was forcefully repelled several steps backward once more.

"Impossible, utterly impossible," Gai Huangji stammered, his gaze fixed incredulously upon the sword now held by his opponent, a blade that seemed to have been swung with casual indifference.

Even the other priests would struggle to neutralize his Sword Skill Traceless with such ease. How had this young man managed it? Who, in reality, was he?

"Leave, I have no desire to make an enemy of you," the young man stated softly, still withholding his identity.

"Who exactly are you? Are you also connected to the temple?" Gai Huangji inquired, his suspicion palpable as he set aside his prior disdain. Unless one possessed an intimate understanding of his Heavenly Traceless technique, even the formidable Twelve Saints of the Holy Court would find it challenging to counter this deadly strike. Consequently, only one conclusion seemed plausible—the opponent must also be affiliated with the temple!

"Fen Qianji!" The young man paused for a brief moment before uttering his name with unwavering confidence.

Indeed, it was none other than Fen Qianji who had intervened at the critical juncture, saving Mu Hanyan and her companions from peril.

"It is you! So, you are Fen Qianji!" Gai Huangji’s initial surprise quickly morphed into a grimace, his teeth clenching as if he yearned to tear Fen Qianji limb from limb.

Mu Hanyan felt a bit bewildered. Since both Fen Qianji and Gai Huangji were figures from the temple, why hadn't the former, as one of the revered Twelve Divine Language Priests, simply revealed his status to halt Gai Huangji's actions? Now, observing the intense hatred etched on Gai Huangji's face, she began to suspect a deeper connection existed between them. Fen Qianji's initial secrecy, she realized, might have been an attempt to avoid escalating complications, but revealing his identity now seemed to have stirred up an even greater storm.

"I was informed that my sole disciple met their demise by your hand?" Gai Huangji’s gaze pierced Fen Qianji as he posed the question.

"That is correct," Fen Qianji replied, offering neither denial nor explanation.

"Good, good… very good!" Gai Huangji repeated the word 'good' multiple times, his eyes blazing with animosity.

Eighteen years prior, Gai Huangji had been tasked with infiltrating the Holy Court. His mission was to hunt down another Divine Guardian Priest, Hua Guanyu, and any of his descendants, while also eliminating the heirs of the Gods’ Guardian to preemptively neutralize future threats to their temple. His only disciple had remained behind at the temple. News reached him five years ago that Fen Qianji had killed this disciple, igniting a fury within him that bordered on losing control. However, unable to locate Hua Guanyu’s descendants and barred from returning to the temple without authorization, he had buried this profound hatred deep within his heart. To have Fen Qianji appear before him now was an unexpected turn of events!

"Fen Qianji, if my memory serves me right, after dispatching my rather unremarkable disciple, you should have ascended to the rank of a Divine Language Priest, correct?" Gai Huangji abruptly shifted the conversation.

"That is correct," Fen Qianji affirmed, once again not refuting the statement.

"As a Divine Language Priest, your sworn duties should be clear. The individuals present before us are all direct heirs to the Guardian of the Gods. Should they succeed in their cultivation, they will inevitably become formidable adversaries to our temple. Your obligation is to eliminate them without hesitation, one by one. Yet, you chose inaction and, worse, obstructed my attempt. What is the reason for this defiance?" Gai Huangji’s smile turned cold, his tone hardening considerably.

"They are my friends," Fen Qianji stated, his composure utterly undisturbed.

"Friends? Hahaha! A distinguished Divine Language Priest forging an alliance with the Guardian of the Gods from the Holy Court? Fen Qianji, are you perhaps contemplating following in Hua Guanyu’s footsteps, betraying the temple and becoming an antagonist to the entire Divine Continent?" Gai Huangji's mocking laughter dripped with disdain.

Mu Hanyan's brow furrowed slightly. Listening to their exchange, it seemed Fen Qianji's position as a Divine Language Priest held little sway over Gai Huangji. This, she mused, might very well be the reason he had been so hesitant to reveal his identity earlier.