Previously on Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return...
Zhao Lingxian, bound by a puppet technique, chooses to disintegrate her own soul rather than endure further torment, finding liberation in death. This act dissolves the Sword Spirit Puppets and the Primordial Contract. Meanwhile, a mysterious masked man observes Yun Qianmo, acknowledging Han Yan's significance to his plans and acknowledging the efficacy of a clan ritual. In the valley, Ye Yanran is reunited with her mother, Yao Xinlan, who, though weakened, entrusts Ye Yanran to Han Yan's care before succumbing to her injuries.
“No!” Ye Yanran cried out in agony, leaping to her feet and reciting an incantation, unleashing the Heavenly Rain Divine Healing Technique.
Her entire mental state was channeled into the chanting. The immense strain on her Divine Thought Power caused blood vessels to appear in her eyes, and even the tears she shed were tinged with red.
Yet, despite the miraculous healing properties of the Heavenly Rain Divine Healing Technique, her mother’s condition was beyond mere injury; it was a complete depletion of vitality, akin to a lamp sputtering out its last flame. Even with Ye Yanran’s most desperate efforts, her mother’s body continued to grow colder.
Beside her, Huayue and the others watched Ye Yanran with sympathetic eyes, longing to offer comfort but unsure how to begin.
“It’s all my fault, all my fault… if I hadn’t been so foolish back then, you wouldn’t have ended up like this,” Xia Youchen murmured, tears flowing freely like an old man, his voice heavy with self-reproach.
Mu Hanyan felt a profound sense of empathy. While she hadn’t witnessed loved ones depart before her in this life, her previous existence was marked by the tragic deaths of her parents and brother due to her own circumstances. Having endured such immense suffering, she deeply understood the sorrow Ye Yanran was experiencing at this moment.
Her gaze, misty with tears, drifted towards the blood pool beside Yao Xinlan. All the blood had solidified into Blood Pearls, which, upon the breaking of the Primordial Contract, had crumbled to dust. However, a faint shimmer of golden starlight seemed to linger at the bottom of the pool.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Mu Hanyan. She swiftly moved forward, drawing her sword and slitting her own wrist.
Blood poured out, a crimson cascade falling drop by drop onto the wound on Yao Xinlan’s wrist.
A miraculous transformation began. The blood landed on the wound and was absorbed into Yao Xinlan’s body with astonishing speed, much like raindrops vanishing into parched desert earth. From the center of the wound, a gentle golden light emerged, glowing softly like the twilight.
Pure life essence seemed to gather from all directions. Yao Xinlan’s pallid complexion gradually regained its natural color, her wrinkles slowly receded, and her white hair began to darken.
“Am I… dead?” Yao Xinlan’s eyes fluttered open. She blinked in surprise upon seeing Ye Yanran. “Yanran? Why are you here too? What happened? I distinctly remember…”
She looked as if she had just awakened from a terrifying nightmare. Not only had her appearance been restored, but her body was now brimming with a vibrant vitality, appearing healthier than most.
“Mother, you’re okay! You’re really okay!” Ye Yanran, finally released from her despair, tearfully embraced her mother with overwhelming joy.
“Han Yan!” At that same moment, a voice choked with anguish called out from Ye Lanfeng, who stood beside her.
Turning her head, Ye Yanran saw Mu Hanyan, exceedingly pale, held tightly in Ye Lanfeng’s arms. Earlier, in her desperate effort to save Yao Xinlan, Mu Hanyan had lost nearly a third of her blood. Without the formidable strength of a Great Sword Master supporting her, she might not have saved a life but instead have met her own demise.
Although her life was no longer in peril, the abrupt and substantial blood loss left her feeling profoundly dizzy, on the verge of collapse.
“Han Yan…” Ye Yanran released her mother and immediately knelt before Mu Hanyan.
Mu Hanyan quickly helped her up, meeting Ye Yanran’s gaze with a solemn expression. “If you still consider me a friend, promise me you’ll never do something like this again.”
“Okay,” Ye Yanran vowed, her voice thick with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes.
Gazing at Mu Hanyan’s ashen face, Ye Yanran remained silent, but her determination solidified into an unshakeable resolve: no matter who dared to harm Mu Hanyan, no matter their power, they would have to trample over her lifeless body first!
“Han Yan, are you alright?” Huayue and the others also hurried over, their faces etched with concern for Mu Hanyan. Xia Youchen, caught between worry and profound gratitude, looked on.
Now aware of the truth behind the events of years past, he was consumed by regret for his former misguided actions and felt a deep sense of guilt towards Yao Xinlan and Ye Yanran. Had Mu Hanyan not just saved Yao Xinlan, he felt he could never have forgiven himself.
“It’s nothing serious.” Seeing the genuine concern in their eyes, Mu Hanyan felt a flicker of warmth in her heart. Not wanting to cause them further distress, she promptly consumed an elixir. Soon, her complexion returned to its healthy hue, much to the relief of Huayue and the others.
“Sigh, I haven’t even fallen yet, and you’re all so worried. I’ve been lying here for quite some time, and not a single soul has bothered to ask about me,” a raspy, resentful voice echoed from nearby.
Only then did everyone realize that the old god-man, Qu Shanling, was already sprawled on the ground. Such was the intensity of everyone’s concern for Mu Hanyan’s safety that they had completely overlooked him.
Ye Yanran quickly went to help Qu Shanling to his feet and offered him an elixir. Like Mu Hanyan, Ye Yanran always carried elixirs, though many of Mu Hanyan’s were self-refined. The origin of Ye Yanran’s own supply remained her closely guarded secret.
"I never imagined your mysterious arts could be so profoundly captivating." Mu Hanyan stepped forward, her voice filled with admiration for Qu Shanling, a sentiment echoed by Huayue and the others.
Upon their initial encounter with Qu Shanling, everyone had dismissed him as a mere charlatan with a hollow reputation. However, they soon came to realize that he possessed genuine skills. Especially after Qu Shanling chose to leave Fang Town and accompany Mu Hanyan, his enigmatic depth became apparent to all, particularly when faced with this once-revered elder.
"You needn't flatter me. When my master imparted this hand seal technique to me, he called it the Heavenly Seal Divine Power Divine Prohibition Technique, claiming it could break ancient contracts. I thought he was jesting. I've spent years in the field without ever finding an opportunity to employ it until I encountered the Primordial Contract. Seeing its resemblance to what my master taught, I decided to try it and discovered its true power. It's a shame I didn't dedicate myself to learning it wholeheartedly back then; otherwise, I wouldn't be struggling like this now," Qu Shanling responded with a wry smile.
Mu Hanyan felt a surge of emotion upon hearing his words. Lu Guankong had indeed taught Qu Shanling these hand seal techniques and peculiar arts, skills generally unutilized unless he happened to cross paths with her. Arts like the Heavenly Seal Divine Power Divine Prohibition, the Divine Summoning Technique, or the earlier Heavenly Star Seal Breaking Technique would have likely remained dormant. Yet, accompanying her occasionally led to unforeseen discoveries.
This revelation suggested a direct connection between what Lu Guankong had taught him and her own path. What celestial secrets had that reclusive mystic uncovered, and what was the ultimate purpose behind his deliberate actions?
"By the way, shall we venture into the Ancient Relics and see what lies within?" Qu Shanling inquired eagerly.
With the dissolution of the Primordial Contract, an eerie tranquility settled over the palace. It stood silently amidst the stone ramparts, yet exuded a majesty far surpassing the towering, rugged cliffs surrounding it.
"Perhaps it's best we leave it untouched. I observed the Sword Spirit Puppets earlier; their auras were malevolent, and their methods vicious. It's unlikely anything good is hidden within those Ancient Relics," Jiang Yuzhe expressed, shaking his head.
"That's not necessarily true. Their sinister and brutal methods are their own doing, but the treasures concealed within the Ancient Relics might not be tainted. To overlook them would be a profound pity," Zirong countered, holding a different view.
