Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1441: They Are All Here for Mu Hanyan

In an instant, the battleground erupted with bloodshed as the powerful experts, generously funded by the major Chambers of Commerce, made their entrance. Exotic Beasts fell in droves, their cries echoing as they collapsed. Mu Hanyan observed the scene, noting cultivators ranging from Third Stage Sword Master to Fourth and Fifth Rank, even Great Sword Masters. She surmised these were likely Great Tributors or Ministers from prominent Chambers, indicating a significant commitment to aiding Beining Pass.

Beyond their sheer power, these hired experts displayed remarkable combat experience against Exotic Beasts. It was understandable; individuals hired at such exorbitant costs by major Chambers were invariably seasoned veterans. Many had navigated perilous lives, their swords honed by constant conflict, often starting their tempering in Long Yan during their youth. Some even relied on hunting Exotic Beasts in the Longyan Mountain Range for their livelihood, making them intimately familiar with their adversaries.

In contrast, the instructors and Academy Disciples of Long Yan Academy, under Nie Fangsheng's leadership, held less formidable individual strength. Nie Fangsheng and Gan Qiyi were recognized for their mastery in Sword Casting and Array Formations, but their personal cultivation levels were not exceptional. The Academy Disciples, being young, naturally lacked the extensive combat experience of the veteran Chamber of Commerce experts.

Naturally, the weakest contingent comprised the Mu Family Branch Family from Heishi City, along with the Yuan Family and other similar groups. However, this comparison was relative. Following the devastating Zhao Family crisis that had nearly annihilated the Mu Family Branch Family, a disaster averted only by the combined efforts of Mu Rui’an, Mu Hanyan, and her father, Mu Hanfeng, the Great Elder and others had resolutely focused on nurturing the younger generation. The Mu Family Branch Family had thus undergone a significant transformation, now possessing a strength comparable to the Qi Family, the preeminent family in Nanxi City.

With the vanguard formed by the guards of Nanyan Commerce and the Fang Family Disciples, accompanied by their Sword Pets, and the center bolstered by experts from Anyun’s major Chambers, the Academy teachers and students, along with the Mu and Qi Family members positioned at the rear, faced minimal peril. They maintained a united, defensive formation, supporting each other in both offense and defense, advancing and retreating with negligible risk.

The assembled horde of several thousand Exotic Beasts found themselves contained within the gorge, effectively prevented from advancing even half a step towards Beining Pass.

A moment of stunned silence passed, after which Fang Zhe and his companions turned in unison, their gazes fixed on Mu Hanyan, their eyes alight with profound respect.

Amidst the cacophony of battle, the voices of stewards leading the Chambers of Commerce teams, the elders and Young Masters of each family, and the Long Yan Academy instructors and disciples could still be heard clearly. They were vociferously chanting Mu Hanyan’s name. It became evident that their presence was not solely for Beining Pass, but largely centered around Mu Hanyan herself.

This situation perfectly exemplified the ancient wisdom: 'Those who uphold the Dao receive abundant aid; those who stray from it find little assistance.'

Observing Mu Hanyan, who commanded such widespread admiration nearby, while contrasting it with Dan Tai Xuan and the others observing impassively from Qingyang Pass, Fang Zhe and his companions felt a mixture of deep emotion and disdain. However, sentimentality was a luxury they could not afford. With a ferocious roar, they too plunged into the gorge to engage the enemy.

A barrage of giant stones and a relentless downpour of arrows rained upon the steep slopes leading to Beining Pass. Exotic Beasts were felled continuously, their numbers dwindling as their attempts to scale the gate faltered.

Finally, the formidable Iron-Backed Saber-Toothed Tiger, which had miraculously endured the onslaught of stones and arrows, surviving against all odds, was decisively slain through the combined efforts of Mu Hanyan, Huayue, Zirong, Jiang Yuzhe, Tang Bufan, and their four Sword Pets. Witnessing this, the remaining Exotic Beasts in the distance let out mournful cries, their will to advance extinguished, and they retreated without another step.

"Kill!" Mu Hanyan, pointing her Longsword towards the gorge, initiated the charge downwards.

The opportune moment for a counterattack had arrived. With a furious roar, the sons of noble families and the gate-guarding soldiers behind her surged down from the pass, joining the pursuit.

The rare reprieve in the attacks from Exotic Beasts allowed a moment for swallowing Elixir pills and recuperating some strength. Consequently, the pent-up hatred and anger in their hearts now burned with greater intensity, their blood surged, and their morale and fighting spirit easily surpassed their pre-battle levels.

Witnessing the reinforcements in the gorge continuing their desperate fight against the Exotic Beasts brought tears to the eyes of the commoners. Many amongst them seized weapons and followed in close pursuit.

Fortunately, the Fifth Prince maintained his composure. After deploying a significant portion of the City Guard to secure the gate against any unexpected turns, he personally led the charge into the gorge.

"In the name of Aolai, I command the beasts of this world: those who follow me shall prosper, and those who defy me shall perish!" Mu Hanyan proclaimed the Divine Beast Contract anew.

Truth be told, during the most dire moments earlier, she had already attempted the Divine Beast Contract. However, she was dismayed to discover that the Divine Sense of these Exotic Beasts was under the control of that Netherworld Beast, rendering the contract’s effect negligible, prompting her to cease further attempts.

But the circumstances had shifted. Driven by instinctive fear, their previous frenzy and rage had subsided. Perhaps the Netherworld Beast's spiritual dominion carried a temporal limit, and after such a prolonged and intense engagement, that duration was nearing its end.

The ancient might of the Beast God descended, just as Mu Hanyan had surmised and hoped. The Exotic Beasts lost all will to resist, kneeling submissively and even offering Master-Servant Contracts willingly.

"If you find any suitable, claim them as Sword Pets," Mu Hanyan casually tossed the instruction over her shoulder towards the Fifth Prince and the others trailing behind her, then swiftly moved past the Exotic Beasts without a second look.

The reinforcements within the gorge were still engaged in a life-or-death struggle. Her family and friends were among them; she could not afford to dally with these Exotic Beasts.

After all, with the Exotic Beasts having already tendered Master-Servant Contracts, their success in acquiring Sword Pets would depend entirely on the luck of the Fifth Prince and his companions. If any beasts refused to yield, she trusted the Fifth Prince and the others understood the necessary course of action.

The battlefield is a brutal place; at this juncture, Mu Shouyan harbored no mercy.

Before long, a few dying roars from Exotic Beasts echoed from behind her. Despite the Fifth Prince, the gate guards, and the scions of noble families having long coveted Sword Pets, they recognized the impropriety of lingering. Any Exotic Beasts that resisted submission were summarily executed to prevent future complications.

This was, in essence, the core of Mu Hanyan’s Beast Taming Technique: submitting through force—no, that's incorrect, submitting through annihilation!

Their fighting spirit already broken, cowed by the ancient authority of the Aolai Divine Beast, and now witnessing the demise of their comrades, the remaining Exotic Beasts dared not defy. One after another, they entered into Master-Servant Contracts with the Fifth Prince and his retinue, becoming their Sword Pets.

The Fifth Prince, suppressing his elation, seized the opportune moment and, leading his newly acquired Sword Pets, launched an assault into the gorge.

The conflict within the gorge had reached a stalemate. However, the reinforcements displayed exceptional command, refraining from hasty victories and instead utilizing the confined terrain to impede the Exotic Beasts' advance. Bolstered by the formidable strength and extensive experience of the Chamber experts, alongside the Sword Pets belonging to Nanyan Commerce and the Fang Family Disciples, instances of injury and casualties were swiftly managed. Wounded combatants were immediately shielded by allies and withdrawn, while their positions were seamlessly filled.

Thus, despite the appearance of a fierce and valiant engagement, not a single reinforcement soldier had fallen, nor had any of the wounded sustained foundational damage that would impede their future Cultivation after healing.

Mu Hanyan silently marveled at the identity of the commander, impressed by their formidable strategic acumen.