Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1442: This Is the Opponent He Has Been Waiting For

The complex background of this reinforcement was evident; not only had they likely never collaborated, but they might not have even met before. The extraordinary circumstances compelling such discipline must stem from exceptional individuals.

With these thoughts swirling, Mu Hanyan, accompanied by Huayue and the others, advanced into the gorge, making their way directly to the front lines of the engagement.

A Ferocious Stone Demon Beast, possessing combat power on par with a Great Sword Master, unleashed a furious roar. It was locked in a desperate struggle against a Great Sword Master and four Ninth Rank Sword Masters fighting with all their might. This beast had clearly mastered an Innate Ability, utilizing a Petrification Technique at crucial moments, rendering itself into a stone statue. Even against a Great Sword Master, its defenses proved insurmountable.

Fortunately, an elder clad in a grey robe took a position further ahead. Each time the Ferocious Stone Demon Beast petrified, he would call out and strike with a palm technique. This Palm Force was majestic and imposing, forcing the petrified beast to retreat repeatedly.

The old man's eyes burned red, his entire demeanor radiating a ferocious aura. Disregarding his physical form and face, his presence alone resembled a maddened, injured Exotic Beast.

Curiously, each palm strike he executed conjured a phantom beast, complete with dragon whiskers, exuding a fierce intensity.

Beastly Heart! It must be Nian An Yao.

It turned out this elder was once a retainer of the Fifth Prince, renowned as the most exceptional Beast Taming Master following Xia Youchen – Nian An Yao.

Observing him both holding the Ferocious Stone Demon Beast at bay and orchestrating the group's offensive and defensive maneuvers, Mu Hanyan recognized the leader of this reinforcement contingent.

Nian An Yao’s established reputation, coupled with his current prowess against the Exotic Beasts, naturally commanded respect and leadership.

Although Nian An Yao could effectively counter the Ferocious Stone Demon Beast with his Beastly Heart Taming Technique, Mu Hanyan understood the significant drawbacks of employing this method, including the potential cost to his lifespan. Prolonged combat would be detrimental, and should he falter, the others would be left without direction, devolving into disorganized individuals incapable of facing the Exotic Beasts.

"Star Fall, Eight Desolates." Without a moment’s hesitation, Mu Hanyan unleashed her most potent attack, simultaneously weaving a Sword technique.

Huayue and several others instinctively followed suit, forming sword formations.

With a subtle dark blue luminescence, a Sword Light descended from the heavens like a streaking meteor, its immense aura causing every heart to pound with awe.

The gorge, previously filled with the clamor of battle, was suddenly plunged into a profound silence, as if time itself had momentarily ceased.

At Qingyang Pass, Dan Tai Xuan and the others stared, mouths agape, for a considerable duration.

Sword Saint! Mu Hanyan possessed the capability to manifest the power of the Sword Saint Realm.

This audacious girl, possessing Sword Saint Realm might, chose not to wield it earlier, leading me to premature elation and anxious anticipation until this very moment, nearly causing me to lose face and inciting rebellion, Dan Tai Xuan nearly exclaimed aloud.

He was unaware that while Mu Hanyan could indeed display Sword Saint Realm power, it was restricted to merely three strikes. Following this, her Qi would be completely depleted, leaving even Huayue and the others utterly exhausted. She recognized that with the Nether Beast lurking, those three strikes alone would prove insufficient to repulse all the Exotic Beasts, which was why she had held back until this critical juncture.

As the Sword Light descended, the Ferocious Stone Demon Beast emitted a choked cry, sent flying violently. Blood erupted from its form, and it was rendered unable to rise for a prolonged period. The gulf between a Great Sword Master and a Ninth Rank Sword Master is already an insurmountable chasm for most cultivators, let alone the disparity between a Sword Saint and a Great Sword Master. Despite the Ferocious Stone Demon Beast’s comparable strength to a Great Sword Master and its mastery of the Innate Ability Petrification Technique, it could not bridge this immense gap.

Although Mu Hanyan did not manage to vanquish it with a single blow, she inflicted severe injuries, stripping it of its capacity for further combat.

Even with the combined efforts of a Great Sword Master, three Ninth Rank Sword Masters, and the esteemed Nian An Yao, the foremost Beast Taming Master after Xia Youchen, none could effectively contend with the Ferocious Stone Demon Beast. Yet, Mu Hanyan succeeded in grievously wounding it with a single, decisive strike!

Both the human reinforcement forces within the gorge and the soldiers and civilians remaining at Beining Pass erupted in thunderous cheers and acclamations.

Even the sons of noble families on the opposing Qingyang Pass, disregarding the darkening expressions of Dan Tai Xuan and Changsun Yi’an, joined in the enthusiastic cheers. Mu Hanyan's strike had fully ignited their spirits. While Dan Tai Xuan and his companions remained stunned, nearly a hundred additional individuals leaped down from the pass, charging into the gorge.

A profound sense of shock washed over the Exotic Beasts confined within the gorge. Possessing keen intellect, the strike from Mu Hanyan had ignited their deepest fears. Even the formidable pressure emanating from the Nether Beast could not entirely suppress their inherent Spiritual Wisdom.

"By the decree of Aolai, I command all beasts under heaven! Those who heed my call shall prosper, and those who defy shall perish!" Seizing the opportune moment, Mu Hanyan recited the Divine Beast Contract once more.

Already gripped by terror, the Exotic Beasts could not bear the distant, albeit potent, might of the Aolai Divine Beast. They bowed their heads, whimpering softly, their bodies involuntarily recoiling.

Witnessing this display, the onlookers erupted in cheers, their spirits renewed.

"Roar..." Suddenly, a guttural beast roar rent the air. Bathed in the pale moonlight, mist billowed from the gorge's depths, and an Exotic Beast slowly materialized from the ethereal haze.

No, this was no ordinary Exotic Beast!

Its slender form, robust legs, and the sharp horn adorning its head bore no resemblance to any known Exotic Beast. Most striking was its entire body, a fiery crimson, suffused with a dark aura, as if it had just emerged from molten lava, embers still clinging to its form.

The Nether Beast—this was the legendary Jiuyou Netherworld Beast.

Its gaze locked onto Mu Hanyan, and Mu Hanyan met its stare unflinchingly. Gazing into those fiery red eyes, Mu Hanyan knew with certainty: this was the very Nether Beast she had encountered in Beiguan Town, the orchestrator behind the rampaging Exotic Beasts.

It had finally revealed itself!

Another deafening roar echoed as the Nether Beast propelled itself from the ground like an arrow, hurtling directly at Mu Hanyan.

It was only then that Mu Hanyan perceived the magnificent wings of the Nether Beast, stretching several yards wide. With each beat, a potent aura and intense pressure radiated from its being.

Sword Saint! This palpable aura and pressure were in no way inferior to that of a Sword Saint. Furthermore, it carried a dark, deathly aura, utterly distinct from any Sword Saint of the Holy Court Continent.

A dread settled in Mu Hanyan's heart. Although she could wield the Five Great Magical Instruments to manifest Sword Saint Realm sword power, this ability was limited to a mere three strikes. Having already expended one, only two remained. Could two strikes possibly be enough to fell the Nether Beast, which possessed Sword Saint strength?

Yet, Mu Hanyan did not succumb to overwhelming worry, for in the subsequent moment, an elegant figure had already stepped forward, positioning themselves directly in front of her.

Ye Lanfeng had finally taken decisive action. This was the formidable opponent he had been anticipating.

A torrent of crimson flame erupted from the Nether Beast's claws, forming a spear of pure fire. Its entire being was enveloped in a swirling, dark crimson halo, exuding a chilling aura, reminiscent of the mythical demons dwelling in the darkest depths of hell.