Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1736: Her Past Life

The girl before us effortlessly dismantled the array, as though taking a leisurely stroll. Dumbfounded by Mu Hanyan, some even doubted whether there was an issue with the array itself.

A priest, driven by curiosity, approached the central hall’s array but had barely taken a few steps when he cried out loudly, struck by the surging power of the array, crawling and tumbling outside. Even if Shen Yuhe hadn’t plotted against Mu Hanyan, the array wasn’t something an ordinary priest could handle.

With this, there was no longer any doubt.

"She... she truly is an Innate Divine Priestess!" The speaker’s voice trembled with excitement.

Listening to Sikong Qinglan was one thing, but witnessing it firsthand was quite another. Gazing upon Mu Hanyan once more, everyone’s eyes were filled with reverence, rekindling hope.

"Our Huayu Temple has hope, our Huayu City has hope." The villagers behind, teary-eyed, with even Shen Yuhe not being an exception.

"Do you truly believe an Innate Divine Priestess can save Huayu Temple?" At that moment, An Xiaxin spoke calmly. Her face showed no surprise, maintaining a cold demeanor.

"I think having an Innate Divine Priestess emerging from Huayu Temple would make Lord Divine see us differently," suggested Sikong Qinglan thoughtfully.

Shen Yuhe nodded emphatically, like a chick pecking at grains, agreeing with Sikong Qinglan’s words.

"Really? You think Lord Divine would retract his decision and spare Huayu Temple because a Divine Priestess emerged?" An Xiaxin spoke coolly.

"I believe there’s some hope," Sikong Qinglan said uncertainly.

"If you insist, then by all means. Arrange for her matters as you see fit, but do not conceal Huayu Temple’s circumstances from her. Whether she stays or leaves, let her decide," An Xiaxin said frostily, turning away.

Mu Hanyan frowned, clearly sensing that Priest Zuo wasn’t too welcoming, even a bit dismissive.

The excited crowd felt as though cold water had been poured over them, leaving the empty temple quiet once more.

To the average person, an Innate Divine Priestess emerging only once every thousand years is considered precious. Surely, on her behalf, Lord Divine would spare Huayu Temple, indeed if Mu Hanyan hailed from another temple, Lord Divine might view that temple favorably.

Regrettably, this was Huayu Temple, and an Innate Divine Priestess isn’t as rare as ordinary folks think; the twelve Divine Language Priests of the temple are all Innate Divine Priestesses. Lord Divine had been furious back then, nearly destroying one of the oldest temples on the Divine Continent, Huayu Temple, and might not change his mind because of one Innate Divine Priestess.

Sikong Qinglan and Shen Yuhe understood this, as did the few priests and handful of citizens, given Huayu Temple’s decline has been visible for over two decades, their understanding is above average.

"Ah." Mu Hanyan heard a sigh from behind.

"Huayu Temple’s situation must be evident to you without further explanation, decide whether to stay or leave yourself." Shen Yuhe said listlessly.

"I’ll stay." Mu Hanyan said without hesitation.

After all, she came to learn Priest Divine Techniques; hardship is part of it.

"Alright, let me take you to the rear hall to settle. It’s late today, and tomorrow you will undergo the Divine Baptism, thereafter you’ll be a priest of Huayu Temple," Shen Yuhe said, somewhat relieved, regaining some vigor.

As she spoke, she led Mu Hanyan toward the rear hall.

"Wait, what about me?" Suddenly, Ling Baobao’s voice called from behind.

The fellow had been trailing behind with a turtle shell on his back, everyone assumed he was Mu Hanyan’s servant, felt his look was peculiar but paid little mind.

"Oh right, he also came to partake in the priest examination." Mu Hanyan had forgotten about him and only recalled now.

"Well then, off you go too." An Xiaxin’s cold indifference had even discouraged excitement over Mu Hanyan, rendering Shen Yuhe uninterested in Ling Baobao.

"Okay." Ling Baobao dropped the turtle shell, eagerly stood in the central hall.

"It’s begun." Shen Yuhe made a few hand gestures before speaking.

Ling Baobao glanced around and walked through in a few steps.

"That simple?" Ling Baobao scratched his head, surprised.

He had heard that examination for temple priests could inadvertently prove fatal, making him flee Mu Family Village like the wind, little did he expect it to be so easy. Had he known, he wouldn’t have fled, and suffered unwarranted beating.

"If one has the qualifications to become a Priest, it isn’t difficult at all. However, without them, it’s as hard as ascending to the sky." Shen Yuhe’s mood improved slightly as she patiently explained.

This reasoning isn’t hard to grasp. Consider Mu Hanyan before she turned sixteen — despite desperately cultivating to prove herself, due to her poor qualifications, she could only manage the entry level of a Swordsman and was deemed a waste by others. Yet, after her bloodline awakened, she reached the Great Sword Master Peak within a few years. If it weren’t for the Holy Master’s interruption, she’d have already advanced to the Sword Saint Realm by now.

"Given this, my qualifications aren’t too bad. A genius, a genius among geniuses!" Ling Baobao boasted self-flatteringly.

Mu Hanyan glanced at him indifferently. This guy is indeed somewhat of a genius — no matter what he learns, he picks it up easily, but unfortunately, mastery always eludes him. Passing the assessment easily was within Mu Hanyan’s expectations, but she had no hopes for whatever realm he might reach.

Under Shen Yuhe’s guidance, they passed through the corridor and arrived at the room behind the temple.

"You’ll be staying here from now on. I’ll be back tomorrow morning." Shen Yuhe casually opened two rooms and said to them.

"Thank you for your efforts," Mu Hanyan replied politely.

Though not as quaint as the small residences on the Holy Court Continent, the room was clean and tidy, and Mu Hanyan could feel the pure and solid yet surprisingly gentle Power of Laws within, which was evidently beneficial for cultivation. She was quite satisfied.

Shen Yuhe smiled slightly and turned to leave.

"You two rest first. I’ll go find some food," Sikong Qinglan said.

"Wait, you haven’t answered the question I asked you on the way," Mu Hanyan called out to Sikong Qinglan.

Initially, Mu Hanyan casually asked Sikong Qinglan why he was particularly protective of her. Sikong Qinglan’s face was serious and hesitant, only fueling her curiosity, making her momentarily forget about food.

Sikong Qinglan glanced at Ling Baobao, hesitated for a moment.

"I’ll mull over this Dragon Armor. Call me when it’s time to eat." Ling Baobao, perceptive of Sikong Qinglan’s reservations about him, tactfully entered the room, knowing there was little else he cared about besides food.

"Follow me," Sikong Qinglan said, leading Mu Hanyan to the depths of the rear hall.

"This is the Book Collection Hall. If you need to study any Priest Divine Techniques of interest later, you can either ask us or come here to comprehend them yourself."

"This is the Spirit Cultivation Hall, a place for cultivation. However, you can only cultivate here for four hours a day; the rest of the time, you should cultivate in your room."

"This is the Alchemy Hall, the Array Formation Hall; they are also places for cultivation," Sikong Qinglan explained as they walked.

Although the temple seemed small, it had everything necessary. Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t too small, comparable to a smaller academy, just more compact, which had to do with the unique environment of the Divine Continent.

"Here we are." Sikong Qinglan said in a low voice, opening a door, his expression becoming exceptionally solemn.

"What place is this?" Mu Hanyan asked curiously.

This room was evidently several times larger than hers, and the flowing Power of Laws within was even purer and more solid.

"This is my Master’s residence and place of training," Sikong Qinglan answered.

"Your Master?" Mu Hanyan was a bit curious.

"Yes, my Master was the former Main Priest of Huayu Temple, but has passed away," Sikong Qinglan showed a faint sadness in his eyes.

"Oh, my condolences," Mu Hanyan offered comfort, unsure why he brought her to his Master’s place.

"You asked me why I’m protective of you. It actually has something to do with my Master. I’ll show you something, and you’ll understand." As Sikong Qinglan spoke, he performed hand gestures one after another.

Suddenly, dazzling colors flashed before their eyes, and a scroll appeared out of thin air.

Sikong Qinglan slowly unrolled the scroll, revealing an elegant and graceful figure.

Mu Hanyan’s eyes widened in shock. Although the woman’s features were somewhat blurred in the painting, the eyebrows and aura were unmistakably hers!

What surprised her the most was that this wasn’t her present life but her past life.

Looking at the undulating mountains and the ethereal mist behind, wasn’t this Canglan Peak — the place where she met her end under the Fenqianji Sword in her previous life?