Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1412: Rare Gentleness in His Eyes

From the overheard discussion, Mu Hanyan gathered that Fen Qianji's slaying of Gai Huangji's disciple stemmed from a dispute between Divine Language Priests, ostensibly a fair duel. Despite his intense hatred for Fen Qianji, Gai Huangji found himself unable to retaliate directly, lest he incur the temple's wrath. Fen Qianji's staunch defense of them, however, presented Gai Huangji with the perfect pretext to act.

"I have no desire to betray the temple, nor to become an adversary of the Divine Continent. However, these individuals are my companions, and you must not take their lives," Fen Qianji stated, his demeanor as straightforward as ever, yet brimming with resolve.

"What distinction is there?" Gai Huangji inquired with a chilling laugh.

"A distinction exists, though perhaps you wouldn't grasp it," Fen Qianji replied, shaking his head.

"I need not grasp it," Gai Huangji retorted coldly. "As one of the Five Great Divine Guardian Priests, Meng Qianji, it is my mandate to oversee the Divine Language Priests. Your open defiance of the Divine Lord's decree leaves me no choice but to intervene. Today, I shall put you to death, to uphold the Divine Lord's law."

Mu Hanyan's deduction proved correct; Gai Huangji's standing was indeed equivalent to, if not exceeding, Fen Qianji's, granting him supervisory authority.

"Do you possess such capability?" Fen Qianji, still unwilling to elaborate, slowly drew his longsword.

"Such insolent audacity! Do you truly believe that after dispatching my incompetent disciple, you can stand before me with such arrogance, oblivious to the peril you court!" Gai Huangji bellowed with manic glee, seizing the opportunity he craved. He lunged at Fen Qianji with his sword, simultaneously forming a hand seal with his left hand.

"Dark Divine, bestow upon me holy might, chain the myriad demons... Lifeless Prison!" As the peculiar incantation echoed, the space within several feet of Fen Qianji contorted, coalescing into an immense, inescapable prison that constricted relentlessly, suffocating all life.

With the synchronized incantations, the potency of Gai Huangji's Lifeless Prison was magnified exponentially compared to its prior manifestations!

"Mojia Luo... Yesi Hui..." Fen Qianji's fingers swiftly grazed the sword's edge, drawing a trickle of blood. Amidst his chant in the Divine Language, the blood transformed into a dark flame, engulfing his form.

Enveloped by the dark inferno, Fen Qianji advanced towards Gai Huangji. His long, black hair whipped in the wind, his black sword-robes billowed dramatically, intertwined with the obsidian flames, creating an image of Death incarnate, emerging from the abyss.

Under the searing onslaught of this dark flame, Gai Huangji's Lifeless Prison dissolved like ice and snow, rendering it utterly ineffective against Fen Qianji.

"Divine Prison Refining Fire, you have actually mastered the Divine Prison Refining Fire!" Gai Huangji exclaimed, consumed by astonishment.

He had anticipated Fen Qianji, having slain his disciple and ascended to the rank of Divine Language Priest, would naturally comprehend a Divine Language. However, he never imagined Fen Qianji would unlock the legendary Divine Prison Refining Fire from these ancient tongues.

Whispers spoke of it as the fire of demise, yet also the fire of existence, known as the Reincarnation Fire. Its might was said to be immense, capable, if its ultimate secrets were grasped, of transcending the cycle of rebirth to attain eternal life.

Of course, such tales were purely legendary; even the fabled gods were subject to the laws of life and death, let alone mortals. Nevertheless, the unfathomable profundities contained within the Divine Prison Refining Fire were far beyond the grasp of an ordinary Divine Language Priest. In the Divine Continent's millennium-long history, despite the emergence of countless Divine Language Priests, only one individual had ever comprehended the Divine Prison Refining Fire: the Divine Lord who guided the temple during the continent's fragmentation, revered as the very first Divine Lord of the Divine Continent.

Mu Hanyan, too, was taken aback. The dark flames now adorning Fen Qianji were palpably more potent than when she had last encountered him at Long Yan Academy. Had his Divine Prison Refining Fire possessed such power then, even Wei Wenshan, armed with the Ten Thousand Ants Devouring Heart Pill, would likely have remained entirely unscathed.

Before Gai Huangji's wide-eyed horror, Fen Qianji unleashed his sword strike. The massive black blade, too, was wreathed in the dark flames of the Divine Prison Refining Fire.

Gai Huangji had no moment for contemplation. Despite being utterly rattled, his only recourse was to raise his sword to intercept the devastating blow.

With the clash of blades, Gai Huangji was once more filled with alarm. Despite Fen Qianji’s power being obviously hampered by the Holy Court Continent’s regulations, her mastery remained at the Ninth Rank Sword Master level. The formidable power channeled through her sword, amplified by the supreme might of the Divine Prison Refining Fire, surpassed his own.

On pure instinct, Gai Huangji contemplated invoking a forbidden technique, intending to shatter the seal barrier and reclaim his true strength. However, time had run out. Under Fen Qianji’s oppressive sword energy, his blood and energy churned violently within him, even his Divine Sea thrown into chaos. This made it utterly impossible to gather the divine sense necessary for forbidden techniques.

With a choked gasp, Gai Huangji was sent flying by a powerful sword strike. Despite his efforts to preserve his dignity, he couldn't prevent a mouthful of fresh, red blood from erupting from his lips. A portion of his silver hair, scorched by Fen Qianji’s Divine Prison Chain Fire, emitted a distinct smell of burning.

"It is understandable that you wield the Divine Prison Refining Fire; your power is indeed remarkable. I shall spare you today, but know this: I will certainly eliminate the traitor for my temple and uphold the Divine Lord’s decree in the future." Gai Huangji spoke plainly, acutely aware that with the formidable Divine Prison Refining Fire holding him in check, he was no match for Fen Qianji. Issuing this stern warning, he turned and ascended into the sky, departing the scene.

Yet, with half of his once-white hair now blackened, his imposing demeanor was shattered, replaced by an image of profound embarrassment rather than a high and mighty expert.

Fen Qianji merely frowned, making no move to give chase. His posture, as upright as a spear, conveyed an even more commanding presence, radiating an aura that dared not be challenged.

Huayue and the others observed Fen Qianji, their gazes reflecting a mixture of apprehension and deep respect. Though they had not directly engaged him, they had personally witnessed Gai Huangji’s formidable skills. Even exerting their utmost strength, they knew they stood no chance against Gai Huangji’s masterfully executed Sword Skill Traceless and the enigmatic Lifeless Prison. It was no surprise; even with their power diminished, their perception, experience, and understanding remained firmly at the Sword Saint level.

However, Gai Huangji appeared so defenseless before Fen Qianji, truly cementing her status as one of the temple’s twenty Divine Language Priests, a testament to her extraordinary capabilities. They even pondered with a degree of curiosity: if the continental laws were not suppressing them, and Fen Qianji and Ye Lanfeng were to engage in an all-out duel, who would emerge victorious?

But stealing a glance at Mu Hanyan, they understood that such an answer would likely remain elusive forever. For Mu Hanyan's sake, these two would never unleash their blades against one another.

With a heavy thud, Yan Yuchu plummeted from the mid-air, no longer held captive by the Lifeless Prison. He gulped for air, clutching his throat in a desperate effort to breathe.

"Are you alright?" Mu Hanyan and the others hurried over, offering him a vital elixir.

After consuming the elixir, Yan Yuchu exhaled a long, slow breath, his complexion gradually returning to its normal hue. He had been ensnared in the Lifeless Prison, struggling for air and nearly suffocating, but fortunately, no other serious injuries were sustained.

"Who might you be?" Yan Yuchu inquired, looking towards Fen Qianji. A flicker of genuine respect and awe, uncharacteristic of his usual proud and arrogant demeanor, registered in his eyes.

"I am Fen Qianji, a friend of Han Yan as well. You may simply call me Qian Ji," Fen Qianji replied with warmth. As she spoke the word "friend" while glancing at Mu Hanyan, a rare gentleness softened her gaze.