Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1759: Han Yan’s Words Hold a Deeper Meaning

"What’s there left to deliberate? If it weren’t that he can’t bear to watch the hundred-thousand-year foundation of Huayu Temple destroyed in an instant, do you think the old man would be willing to take on this thankless job? If you insist on not appreciating his kindness, if Gan Yuan is to watch Huayu Temple decline, perish, and be forgotten by the world, then why would he bother with all this effort?" that swaggering Follower Priest said impatiently.

"Master Wen, is this your intention as well?" An Xiaxin asked.

Wen Gaoren smiled without speaking, clearly acquiescing to the follower’s words.

"Then I must apologize for making Master Wen come all this way in vain; I truly feel ill at ease. Huayu Temple has fallen this far; there is nothing with which we can properly receive you all, only some coarse tea and simple fare. If Master Wen does not mind, after the meal I will escort you back. If you wish to leave now, I will not insist on keeping you. You have all endured hardship on this journey; this favor will surely be repaid handsomely in the future." Though An Xiaxin’s words were neither servile nor overbearing, her attitude was unyieldingly firm.

"Priest An, have you truly thought it through?" Wen Gaoren had not expected An Xiaxin to be so resolute. He paused slightly in surprise, the smile on his face fading away, and snorted coldly.

"We have thought it through. All of us have thought it through." Before An Xiaxin could speak, Sikong Qinglan and Shen Yuhe spoke in unison.

No matter how desolate Huayu Temple had become, as Priests they still possessed the dignity of Priests; they absolutely could not allow themselves to be coerced in such a manner.

"Very well, we’re leaving." Wen Gaoren did not grow angry; he simply lifted his foot and started back along the same road toward the city gate.

"Ignorant of good will."

"Won’t cry till they see the coffin. I’d like to see just how long they can hold out." The several followers trailed behind him, muttering as they walked.

An Xiaxin and the others watched Wen Gaoren’s party depart, their expressions somewhat gloomy. Though seeing several High Priests outright reject Wen Gaoren’s rude demand greatly satisfied everyone, Wen Gaoren was also their last hope. Refusing him was essentially equivalent to abandoning the final chance. The ancient, dilapidated temple behind them clearly could not endure much longer.

"Wait, Master Wen, please stay." Just then, Mu Hanyan suddenly called out.

"Priest Mu, what else do you have to say?" Wen Gaoren halted his steps and turned his head, looking at Mu Hanyan with arrogant eyes.

He had assumed that once he named his conditions, there would be someone in Huayu Temple whose heart would be moved, that at least someone would argue the matter with him. After all, it was said that this Mu Hanyan had only arrived not long ago; presumably many harbored dissatisfaction toward her. This was also an important reason he dared to open the lion’s mouth. Yet he had not expected that An Xiaxin and the other High Priests would decisively reject him, and the Priests below were even more united in resolve. This left him disappointed, made him lose face, so naturally he showed no pleasant expression toward Mu Hanyan.

"Master Wen, can you truly help our Huayu Temple restore its Array Barrier?" Mu Hanyan asked.

"Hmph! If I didn’t even have that ability, what would I be doing here? Coming to disgrace myself?" Wen Gaoren snorted with his nose pointed heavenward. As the foremost Array Master of Lingyu Divine Hall, in his eyes Mu Hanyan’s question was sheer nonsense.

"If Master Wen truly can help our Huayu Temple restore its Arrays, and aid Huayu Temple in regaining its former glory, then this position of Main Priest—ceding it is not out of the question." Mu Hanyan was not angered, her expression still calm as she spoke.

Hearing Mu Hanyan’s words, the Priests behind her were all greatly shocked.

"Master Priest, you must not. According to the traditions of our Huayu Temple, the position of Main Priest has never been held by an outsider." Someone immediately spoke to dissuade her.

"Han Yan, you needn’t heed him. We will certainly be able to think of a way." Shen Yuhe’s face was full of Anxiety, and she even forgot to maintain the etiquette of rank and station before outsiders.

"No. Our Huayu Temple absolutely cannot allow itself to be coerced, and this position of Main Priest must not fall into the hands of an outsider." An Xiaxin was even more adamant.

The other Priests all chimed in with their own words of persuasion, clearly unwilling to accept Mu Hanyan’s decision.

"Can we truly still think of a way?" Mu Hanyan waved her hand, cutting off their words.

The chorus of persuasion abruptly ceased. If there truly were another way, why would An Xiaxin have gone time and again to beg Wen Gaoren, only to be repeatedly treated with contempt?

"But Huayu Temple’s Inheritance spans over a million years; never once has the Main Priest been an outsider." Shen Yuhe persisted.

"That too is something beyond our control. Rather than watching Huayu Temple decline and vanish before our eyes, perhaps it is better to let an outsider serve as Main Priest. So long as Huayu Temple can rise once more, I believe that even if the honored former Master Priests know of this beneath the spring, they would not blame you." Mu Hanyan said.

Shen Yuhe fell silent. In truth, they understood this reasoning as well; it was just emotionally difficult to accept.

"Then what about you?" After a while, Shen Yuhe asked again.

"You made me Main Priest in order to help Huayu Temple out of its plight, did you not? It is only that I have failed to live up to your expectations and have disappointed you." Mu Hanyan said somewhat ashamed.

These days she had indeed been studying those Arrays and had gained many insights and understandings. Unfortunately, there were not enough Array Materials for her to expend. She could not be sure whether she truly had the ability to restore the Arrays, and she could not easily attempt it, for a single failure might push Huayu Temple into complete annihilation.

"No, you are not to blame." An Xiaxin, Shen Yuhe, and Sikong Qinglan spoke in unison. They had indeed pinned their hopes of revitalizing Huayu Temple on Mu Hanyan, but the time had been far too short; to expect her to accomplish something already was asking too much. Especially An Xiaxin, who knew all too well the difficulties involved; how could she possibly blame Mu Hanyan?

"In any case, no matter who it is, so long as they can preserve Huayu Temple, lead everyone out of our predicament, and bring back our former glory, it’s of no consequence if I serve as just an ordinary Priest—I would be just as content." Mu Hanyan grasped Shen Yuhe’s hand and spoke earnestly.

Hearing her words, including An Xiaxin and the other three, all the Priests were filled with solemn respect. No matter how impoverished Huayu Temple was, so long as it did not topple in a single day, as Main Priest Mu Hanyan could enjoy all manner of privileges. That would be of tremendous benefit to her Cultivation as well. Even if Huayu Temple were one day to perish, by then her strength would presumably make her a target for every temple to vie for and win over, and she could still attain a position revered by thousands. Yet she so calmly chose to relinquish it.

With such breadth of heart, even An Xiaxin and the others felt ashamed in comparison, let alone the rest.

Thinking back on the selfish motives they had harbored in following different Priests and contending for the position of Main Priest, everyone felt a hidden sense of shame.

"Moreover, the Arrays of Huayu Temple are vast, profound, and infinitely Mysterious; Master Wen may not truly have such capability. There’s no need for everyone to be so anxious." Seeing that they no longer firmly opposed her, Mu Hanyan lowered her voice and added another sentence.

As she finished speaking, the corner of her mouth even showed a sly smile.

An Xiaxin and Shen Yuhe both assumed that Mu Hanyan’s words were meant to soothe everyone, and did not take them to heart. Sikong Silan, however, felt his heart stir slightly. He knew that Mu Hanyan had been studying the Array Formation Technique these past few days. Could it be that there was a deeper meaning to her words?