Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1455: The Person She Relies on

"So, what is our next move?" Jiang Yuzhe, despite his occasional slowness, possessed a decent intellect. After hearing the explanation, he quickly grasped the advantages and disadvantages before hesitantly inquiring.

Mu Hanyan's gaze instinctively drifted towards Ye Lanfeng, noticing her slight frown as if she was momentarily stumped for a viable solution. Although many individuals depended on Mu Hanyan, she, in turn, relied on Ye Lanfeng.

"Hanyan, allow me to examine that Jade Pendant," Qu Shanling suddenly proposed.

Since departing from Fang Town, Qu Shanling had remained faithfully by Mu Hanyan's side. Aware that his current cultivation level lagged significantly behind Huayue and the others, Mu Hanyan had kept him close, despite him being somewhat of a potential burden. Qu Shanling felt a deep sense of shame for this, leading him to adopt a much more subdued demeanor than before. He no longer flaunted his 'God-man' persona, choosing mostly silence and dedicating himself entirely to his cultivation.

Many even mistook him for Mu Hanyan's chauffeur, and at times, even Mu Hanyan herself seemed to overlook his presence. It was only when Qu Shanling spoke up just now that Mu Hanyan was suddenly reminded of the old god-man who trailed her like a persistent shadow.

Naturally, Mu Hanyan no longer harbored any disdain for this elder practitioner. For the sake of safeguarding the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond on her behalf, he had remained at Lu Guantian’s estate for over two years. He never wavered, even when Exotic Beasts besieged the city and Fang Town teetered on the brink of disaster. His unwavering devotion was more than enough to earn Mu Hanyan’s profound respect.

Upon hearing his words, Mu Hanyan readily handed the Jade Pendant to him.

"Is this the Jade Pendant bestowed upon you by Mr. Han?" Qu Shanling inquired after receiving the artifact. Mu Hanyan had previously shared details about Tang Bufan's background with him, so he possessed some knowledge of the pendant. Having already observed Mu Hanyan's surprised reaction when she produced it, he was merely seeking confirmation.

"Indeed, it is," Mu Hanyan confirmed.

Qu Shanling nodded, meticulously scrutinizing the Jade Pendant while simultaneously forming intricate Hand Formations.

Abruptly, the pendant emitted a cascade of multicolored light, which coalesced into a luminous rune. It resembled a vibrant, fluttering butterfly, soaring into the thick mist and gracefully making its way towards Mu Hanyan and her companions.

"What is this?" Mu Hanyan and the others stared, utterly bewildered.

"This technique is known as the Divine Summoning Technique," Qu Shanling explained. Noticing their confusion, he elaborated further. "My Master once imparted to me that in antiquity, numerous Magic Artifacts and Divine Artifacts were imbued with spiritual intent and could be utilized to locate rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Given this Jade Pendant's connection to the ancient relic unearthed by the Han and Tang families, it is undoubtedly no exception. The Divine Summoning Technique serves to awaken the latent spiritual intent within Magic Artifacts and Divine Artifacts, enabling the discovery of ordinary Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures."

"Your respected master’s extraordinary techniques are truly unparalleled throughout the ages; it leaves one in awe," Mu Hanyan remarked, genuinely impressed by the mystical nature of the Divine Summoning Technique. Despite this, she had already harbored suspicions that Lu Guankong was no ordinary individual.

"In truth, Master taught me many peculiar and profound arts during my youth, but alas, I was young and foolish, dismissing them as mere folklore and legend, never truly giving them credence. Had it not been for this serendipitous trial today, I would never have realized the astonishing capabilities of the Divine Summoning Technique." The mention of his Master filled Qu Shanling with a mixture of longing and reverence. He was also deeply ashamed of his youthful ignorance.

The iridescent rune continued its ethereal dance, flitting through the dense fog like a spectral butterfly. Without hesitation, Mu Hanyan promptly led her group in pursuit.

Following the beckoning light of the rune, navigating left and right through the obscuring mist, moving both forward and backward, two hours elapsed unknowingly. The fog ahead gradually thinned, revealing a colossal cliff face. Carved into this cliff was a majestic palace, now clearly visible.

It became apparent that this was the ancient relic concealed within the valley.

Mu Hanyan felt a profound sense of reflection. Even with Qu Shanling’s guidance via the Divine Summoning Technique, reaching this location had taken two hours. Without this magical assistance, it might have taken as long as a year to uncover this place.

A sharp clanging of blades echoed, punctuated by an enraged shout.

"It’s Great-Grandfather!" Ye Yanran, having spent time in Xia Youchen's company, recognized the voice instantly. Her expression shifted dramatically, and she urged them to hasten their pace.

Mu Hanyan and the others did not dare to delay, quickly forming a protective cordon around her.

Just as they approached within a hundred zhang of the palace, the surrounding fog abruptly dissipated, rendering every detail starkly visible.

Mu Hanyan and her companions simultaneously froze, coming to an abrupt standstill.

A chilling spectacle unfolded before their eyes. Even after the fierce life-and-death struggle at Beining Pass and enduring months of witnessing relentless bloodshed and slaughter, Mu Hanyan and the others felt an intense prickling sensation crawl up their spines.

Before the imposing, colossal palace stood a massive stone altar, a concave pool nestled at its center. Approximately a hundred figures, cloaked in black, encircled the altar, their voices murmuring in unison.

An elderly woman, her hair a cascade of gray, was bound upon the altar. Her wrist, positioned above the pool, was wounded, allowing blood to trickle down and collect, forming a gruesome Bloody Pool. By estimation, the amount of blood accumulated would have been enough to fill several basins.

A regular person would have succumbed to exsanguination long before this point. Yet, the old woman persisted, her face ashen, her eyes wide and unseeing.

What was happening? Mu Hanyan's brow furrowed, a sudden recognition dawning as she noticed the chanting of the black-clothed individuals bore a striking resemblance to Ye Yanran's incantations during the Heavenly Rain Divine Healing technique.

As their chant resonated, ethereal Power of Heaven and Earth, imbued with life force, surged from all directions, pouring into the old woman's frail body. This influx sustained her, allowing her to cling to life despite the significant blood loss. The black-clothed individuals' chant echoed Ye Yanran's not just in sound but also in function, though the vitality within the Heaven and Earth Power was less potent.

Amidst the chanting, one figure in black stepped forward with a vacant air. He abruptly cut his own wrist, letting his blood cascade into the Bloody Pool, mingling with the old woman's life essence.

Remarkably, despite this fresh infusion, the blood level in the pool did not rise. It remained constant. However, shimmering golden Star Points now materialized within the crimson depths.

The chanting persisted, and the golden Star Points within the Blood Pool rapidly dissipated. Upon closer inspection, the blood within the pool appeared to diminish, yet a faint golden radiance began to emanate from it.

Subsequently, another black-clothed individual advanced. He, too, sliced his wrist, adding his blood to the Bloody Pool. Golden glimmers flashed once more, yet the volume of blood inexplicably decreased further, while the golden radiance intensified.

A chilling realization struck Mu Hanyan: they were employing a wicked ritual to condense the old woman's very essence. From the looks of it, the old woman would eventually be drained entirely, her life force intensely concentrated, potentially transforming into golden blood.

Golden blood! The mere thought sent a shiver down Mu Hanyan's spine.