Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1454: Little Qiongqi Wants to Save "Father

Upon initially venturing into the gorge, the scarcity of Exotic Beasts was quite pronounced. It was common to traverse vast distances, spanning dozens to even hundreds of miles, without encountering a single one. However, as they progressed, their numbers gradually began to rise again. While not yet at the levels seen before the great war, one might now spot a beast every ten to twenty miles; most were formidable, with some even attaining the Great Sword Master Realm.

This was understandable, considering the immense Longyan Mountain range. Even the powerful Netherworld Beast likely couldn't exert control over every single Exotic Beast, inevitably leaving some hidden and elusive.

These Exotic Beasts, upon perceiving humans, displayed an inherent hostility. Yet, they did not launch reckless assaults like those enslaved by the Netherworld Beast. Mu Hanyan and his companions remained focused on their trek, uninterested in provoking any encounters.

Objectively, Exotic Beasts and humans shared this continent as cohabitants. However, the cataclysmic battle millions of years ago resulted in a defeat for the Exotic Beasts, forcing their retreat into the Longyan Mountain range to avoid conflict. Human cultivators, in their relentless pursuit of power or the desire to acquire Sword Pets, frequently journeyed into Longyan Mountain to hunt these creatures. This time, under the sinister influence of the Netherworld Beast, the Exotic Beasts initiated an all-out war against human nations, leading to the severe casualties observed. Consequently, Mu Hanyan harbored no desire for their complete annihilation.

Curiously, however, over the past few hours, Mu Hanyan had not encountered a single Exotic Beast. An unnerving silence permeated the mountains, cultivating an atmosphere of disquiet.

Huayue and the others also sensed the peculiarity, their expressions shifting to one of uncommon gravity.

Abruptly, Little Qiongqi halted its movement, its gaze darting east and west as if it were actively seeking something.

It was only then that Mu Hanyan and his companions became aware that the surrounding mountain ranges formed an expansive, basin-like gorge. Yet, this basin wasn't flat; rather, it was filled with numerous undulating hills and lesser mountains, all contained within the larger gorge.

Swirling clouds and mist wove through the scattered mountains within the valley, alternately obscuring and revealing peaks, lending the scene the appearance of a mythical fairyland.

As Mu Hanyan surveyed the ever-changing mountainous terrain, a distinct sense of familiarity washed over him.

Where had he encountered such a sight before? Mu Hanyan pondered this question intently.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Mu Hanyan. He retrieved the Dragon and Phoenix Jade Pendant, a gift from Han Jinglun. The ethereal, winding mountain contours depicted on the pendant bore a striking resemblance to the misty valley unfolding before them.

Employing his Divine Sense for a more thorough investigation, Mu Hanyan promptly detected a mysterious energy permeating the valley—an energy that felt ancient, profound, and immeasurably enigmatic.

It was highly probable, perhaps nine times out of ten, that this was the very location where the ancestors of the Han and Tang Families had discovered the Ancient Relics!

Hadn't Little Qiongqi been guiding them to find and rescue Xia Youchen? How then had they ended up in this place? Despite his bewilderment, Mu Hanyan felt a surge of pleasant surprise rather than concern.

The mountainous patterns etched onto the Dragon and Phoenix Jade Pendant were so elusive that, based on Mu Hanyan's extensive worldly travels, even a concerted effort to find such a location might not yield results within decades. The fact that they had stumbled upon it by chance was extraordinary.

With a soft cry, Little Qiongqi darted into the valley, and Mu Hanyan, without significant hesitation, led the group in pursuit. With Ye Lanfeng by their side, and barring an encounter with that enigmatic expert from their last trial, there were few individuals or Exotic Beasts in this world capable of posing a serious threat. Therefore, Mu Hanyan saw no need for excessive caution.

Upon entering the valley, a dense fog instantly enveloped them, rendering visibility to mere yards. The valley's topography, characterized by its rising and falling hills and standing stone formations, created the distinct impression of an immense labyrinth.

Fortunately, with Little Qiongqi taking the lead, Mu Hanyan and his companions were spared the arduous task of navigating the treacherous paths on their own.

However, after following Little Qiongqi for more than an hour, a growing suspicion arose. After traversing east and west in a wide arc, they found themselves back at the very entrance of the valley.

Little Qiongqi gestured frantically, emitting urgent cries.

“What is it saying?” Ye Yanran inquired of Mu Hanyan, attempting to mask her underlying anxiety.

“It conveys that it can sense Senior Xia’s presence but is unable to pinpoint his location,” Mu Hanyan relayed.

In reality, Little Qiongqi and Xia Youchen shared a Master-Servant Contract. What it was truly sensing was not just Xia Youchen’s aura, but a subtle spiritual connection maintained through Divine Sense. Little Qiongqi’s utterance signified that Xia Youchen was still alive, offering Mu Hanyan a measure of relief.

“And how fares my great-grandfather?” Ye Yanran pressed further.

“I fear the situation is not promising,” Mu Hanyan responded. Judging by Little Qiongqi’s agitated state, one could infer that Xia Youchen was in a precarious predicament; otherwise, the creature would not exhibit such evident distress.”

"What kind of hellhole is this?" After hearing Mu Hanyan's words and witnessing Little Qiongqi's distressed pacing, Ye Yanran, exasperated and anxious, delivered a kick to a massive stone nearby, only to cry out in pain.

With a decisive movement, Jiang Yuzhe unsheathed his Longsword and unleashed a powerful blow.

A formidable vortex erupted, propelled by Sword Light, resembling a raging storm. Normally, such a storm would easily disperse a simple mist, but this was no ordinary fog; it was a vortex storm conjured by a Ninth Rank Sword Master.

However, the outcome startled everyone. Jiang Yuzhe's potent strike seemed to vanish into thin air, completely absorbed by the ethereal mist, which remained unaffected, not even a ripple disturbing its surface.

"What is happening?" Jiang Yuzhe exclaimed, utterly bewildered.

"If my assessment is correct, this valley is concealing an Ancient Relic. The fog is, in fact, the Defensive Array protecting the relic. This attack cannot breach it," Ye Lanfeng stated.

"Then what should we do?" Jiang Yuzhe inquired.

"We must either find a way to dismantle the Defensive Array or discover a path through the mist to locate the entrance to the Ancient Relics," Ye Lanfeng proposed. He added, "However, the Defensive Array is integrated within the Ancient Relics. Since we are on the outside, attempting to break it directly would likely prove far more difficult than simply searching for an entry point."

A heavy sense of despair fell upon the group. Little Qiongqi and Xia Youchen shared a unique bond, yet even with this connection, it could only pinpoint Xia Youchen's general location, not reveal a specific passage. Without direction, they were left to wander aimlessly, akin to headless flies, drastically reducing their chances of success.

"Perhaps we should split up and search?" Jiang Yuzhe suggested tentatively.

"If we separate, even if you manage to find the passage, we won't be able to find you. Are you intending to walk to your death alone?" Zirong interjected, her tone sharp and direct, offering no room for debate.

The others knitted their brows, falling into a heavy silence.

Although they weren't privy to Xia Youchen's recent experiences, his esteemed reputation as the Beast Taming Sword Saint was well-earned. Previously, burdened by Little Qiongqi's dependence, his recovery had been slow. But ever since obtaining the Beast Soul Relics at Flying Peak, Little Qiongqi no longer needed to draw its power from him. His strength should have largely returned, posing no lesser threat than any of them. In fact, any opponent he couldn't handle himself would undoubtedly pose a significant challenge to the other members of Huayue's group, potentially leading to dire consequences.