Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1434: Everyone’s Guardian

Han Yan now wielded the might of a Sword Saint, while Huayue and his companions were comparable to Great Sword Masters. Though the Fifth Prince and Qu Fengting lagged slightly, the combined might of dozens of soldiers armed with Cloud Piercing Stone Breaking Bows propelled their combat prowess beyond that of a mere Great Sword Master.

Yet, even with such formidable strength, they found themselves unable to withstand a single, elegant sword strike from the masked man. Just how potent was his power?

"You still believe you can stop me now?" the masked man taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance.

A heavy silence fell upon Huayue and the Fifth Prince. They suddenly understood that if the masked man had truly intended to kill with that strike, they might not have even survived, let alone managed to block it.

"Han Yan, go!" The Fifth Prince gritted his teeth, stepping forward once more to block Han Yan's path. Qu Fengting, without a second thought, positioned himself beside the prince.

Huayue and the others, naturally, could not be left behind and also formed a protective barrier before Han Yan.

"Go?" A mocking smile played on the masked man's lips.

The chasm in strength was too vast. Even if Han Yan harbored a desire to escape, it would not be a simple feat.

"Han Yan, uphold your promise. Defend Beining Pass," the Fifth Prince declared with firm resolve, his hands weaving rapid formations in the air.

An immediate tremor ran through the entire General Mansion, and Han Yan detected a mysterious fluctuation of energy.

A Magic Artifact! With Han Yan's current expertise in alchemy, he instantly recognized the distinct energetic vibration characteristic of alchemical treasures. And it wasn't just one or two, but dozens, even hundreds, activating in unison, coalescing into a formidable power.

No, it wasn't merely magic artifacts; it was an array! Han Yan's realization dawned.

Legend told that in ancient times, revered Alchemy Masters and Array Masters could employ over a hundred magical tools to forge an array. These artifacts, when layered and interconnected, amplified power exponentially, far surpassing the simple sum of their individual strengths, capable of obliterating all in their path.

However, as eons passed, the art of array formation vanished tens of thousands of years ago. Due to deficiencies in the continental laws, both cultivation and the refinement of magic artifacts became significantly more arduous. For the majority of cultivators, possessing even a single magic artifact was a rare stroke of luck, let alone constructing an array from hundreds – a truly extravagant notion. Moreover, the techniques for array formation had severely degraded, making it exceptionally difficult to combine disparate magic artifacts into a cohesive array.

Given the profound power and intricate complexity of arrays, even the most skilled Array Masters and Alchemy Masters from ages past struggled to command them with ease. They were typically reserved for self-annihilation, triggered only in dire moments as a final resort to drag enemies down with them.

Beining Pass, steeped in ancient history, housed an array beneath the General Mansion that clearly dated back tens of thousands of years, undoubtedly intended for such a desperate purpose.

"Stop, cease this now!" Han Yan urged, though his knowledge of arrays was limited to what he had gleaned from ancient texts.

While the array beneath the General Mansion was ancient and long deprived of any maintenance or enhancement, its residual power, though diminished from its former glory, might still be potent enough to level the mansion, sealing the Fifth Prince's doom. Considering Qu Fengting's current state of mind, he would certainly not abandon the prince.

No matter how much animosity Han Yan had harbored towards them previously, he could not bear to witness their demise before his very eyes.

"Go, all of you, escape! Remember your vow – protect Beining Pass, protect Lu'an City," the Fifth Prince commanded, his voice booming as he meticulously performed hand seals.

Qu Fengting's expression remained impassive, betraying neither joy nor sorrow. He mirrored the Fifth Prince's actions, performing the necessary hand seals, making it clear that the prince alone could not fully unleash the array's potential.

A surge of destructive energy erupted from the ground, ensnaring the masked man. Simultaneously, it trapped the Fifth Prince and Qu Fengting within its grip.

The unleashed power was terrifyingly immense, violently potent, and seemed poised to detonate at any second. When that moment arrived, it would undoubtedly mark the instant of utter annihilation for the Fifth Prince, Qu Fengting, and their opponent.

"If it's not too much trouble, please look after Lan Xiu," Qu Fengting stated calmly.

Observing the steadfast and fearless expressions of the Fifth Prince and Qu Fengting, Han Yan's eyes welled up with emotion.

Irrespective of their past transgressions or how reprehensible their actions may have seemed, Han Yan could only feel a profound sense of respect for them in this moment.

Their actions stemmed not merely from camaraderie, but from a deep-seated commitment to the billions of lives they were sworn to protect behind Beining Pass and Lu'an City!

To stay or to flee? Han Yan, usually decisive, found himself paralyzed by hesitation, his heart trembling uncontrollably.

"I had no inkling that an array lay hidden here. It is a pity, however, that time has eroded its power, making it less formidable than you might imagine," the masked man finally spoke.

He folded his arms before him, then slowly unfurled them.

"Heaven and Earth, Infinite!" From his chest, a celestial radiance erupted, accompanied by a voice rough and low.

The array of magical tools suddenly grew quiet, as if sinking into a profound slumber, and the oppressive force ensnaring him vanished.

"Impossible! You... you actually broke the formation!" The Fifth Prince stammered in shock, his words laced with bitterness.

"You're surprised? There are many things in this world that escape your notice, so cease your futile struggles. Before me, you are no more than a swarm of ants," the masked man declared with haughtiness.

Han Yan and the others felt a crushing weight descend upon their hearts, a profound despair washing over them. This was absolute power; facing such an adversary offered no hope of resistance.

"Indeed, this was an unexpected turn of events. It truly is you!" At that very instant, a figure of supreme presence descended from the heavens, alighting before the masked individual.

Hua Yue and her companions visibly sighed with relief. After all, who else could stand before Han Yan with such authority, if not Ye Lanfeng?

The masked man's pupils constricted dramatically as he riveted his gaze upon Ye Lanfeng, remaining utterly silent.

"Are you still going to persist in your denial? Aside from Yun Qianmo, no other soul in existence possesses the ability to wield 'Heaven and Earth, Infinite'," Ye Lanfeng stated, his eyes locking with the masked man's.

"Why do you relentlessly pursue me? Would it not have been better to let me remain presumed dead?" Yun Qianmo finally ceased his pretense, responding with indifference, though a deep weariness colored his tone.

"Why? What transpired?" Ye Lanfeng inquired, his voice earnest.

"When the moment is ripe, you will understand. For now, you must escort her away from Beining Pass, far from Lu'an City. If you fail, no one will be able to safeguard her life," Yun Qianmo instructed gravely.

"And what of me? Am I incapable of protecting her?" Ye Lanfeng slowly unsheathed the Thousand-breaking Sword, his gaze calmly fixed upon Yun Qianmo.

"Do you truly intend to fight me?" Yun Qianmo's voice drifted, becoming distant, as if echoing from a bygone era.

"I once revered you as a teacher and esteemed you as a brother. Given the choice, I would sooner perish than raise my sword against you. However, she is the woman I love," Ye Lanfeng declared, lifting his head, his gaze resolute and unwavering.