Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 1197: Chapter 1197: Not Excited About the Same Thing

The freshman talent contest ended successfully. People’s emotions could hardly be calmed for a long time, until Han Yan and others left, and only then did the crowd gradually disperse.

”I really didn’t expect Jiang Qiling’s Innate Divine Ability to be so powerful.”

”Yes, earlier, even I was so mesmerized that I couldn’t tell north from south, east from west.”

”Twenty-one million, twenty-two million...”

”But he never dreamed that his master would be a woman, hahahaha.”

”Jiang Qiling is surely feeling really aggrieved, probably still crying under the blanket now, haha.”

”Twenty-seven million, twenty-eight million...”

On the way back, Tan Yu and Yu Shulin Feng were still excitedly reminiscing the astonishing turn of events in the final match, and occasionally interspersed were some equally excited shouts from Ling Baobao, although clearly not about the same matter.

Huayue and the others were much calmer. After they recovered from their brief distraction and understood the power of Jiang Qiling’s Charming Eyes, they realized that Han Yan was bound to win this match. No matter how powerful Jiang Qiling’s Charming Eyes might be, ten times or a hundred times stronger, it could not change the final outcome.

However, recalling Jiang Qiling’s heartbreaking tears at the end, the few of them looked at Han Yan with a strange expression, wanting to laugh, but embarrassed to do so.

”I say, aren’t you feeling suffocated holding it in? If you want to laugh, just laugh openly.” Han Yan said. Remembering Jiang Qiling’s pitiable appearance upon leaving, Lady Mu felt both amused and a bit melancholic.

Is my charm while disguised as a male really that great? Last time after defeating Yue Fanchen, it stirred up a storm, and now even the Little Witch Jiang Qiling has fallen for me. Yet, after exposing my identity as a woman, no one pays me much attention anymore. Moments ago, everyone beneath the stage looked at me only with awe, without any intimacy.

At least Lady Mu is also considered to have national beauty and heavenly charm, right? Why do I lack attraction?

Looking at Han Yan’s melancholic appearance, Huayue and others finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, and Yu Shulin Feng also laughed foolishly with his mouth wide open. Anyway, they are carefree, whether the master is male or female seems to make no difference to them.

”It’s merely a freshman contest, yet you’ve become so cheerful.” Just as they reached the entrance of the courtyard, everyone heard Gong Hongru yawning lazily.

”Master.” Han Yan and Huayue greeted happily.

Although Gong Hongru never personally guided her in cultivation, the books in the study, along with their dense annotations, were the lifetime of effort from Gong Hongru, and the most precious gift he left to Han Yan and others.

The gains acquired by Han Yan and the others from them were far more than other disciples received from a master’s direct teaching, so they remained filled with gratitude and respect for Gong Hongru.

”Disciple offers greetings to grandmaster.” Tan Yu and others also respectfully saluted Gong Hongru.

”Come in, all of you.” Gong Hongru said.

Everyone followed Gong Hongru into the courtyard.

”Today you managed to defeat Jiang Qiling and become the top freshman of Dragon Academy this year, which, although not unexpected, is still worth celebrating. So here, this is for you.” Gong Hongru sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard, took out a wooden box, and handed it to Han Yan.

”Thank you, Master.” Han Yan accepted the wooden box, yet did not open it, as this was basic etiquette towards one’s elders.

”And for all of you, you have made great progress during this period, so here are some for each of you.” Gong Hongru subsequently took out several wooden boxes, handing them out to Huayue and the others, including Tan Yu and the Gu Family brothers.

Having received the boxes, everyone was curious but felt embarrassed to open them on the spot.

”Open them and take a look.” Gong Hongru said.

”What is this?” Yu Shulin Feng eagerly opened the wooden box and spoke in confusion.

”Moon Shadow Orchid!” Han Yan exclaimed.

The wooden box contained a strange flower, known in legends to be extremely difficult to find, the Moon Shadow Orchid.

She had seen records about the Moon Shadow Orchid in Gong Hongru’s collections, and it was remarked to be one of the most top-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures on the continent, but later it had gradually vanished, never to be found again.

According to Han Yan’s conjecture, this was likely related to the incomplete Heaven and Earth Power caused by the continent’s fragmentation. Although the historical books had no explicit record on the continent’s breakdown, the general populace and most cultivators were unaware. However, Han Yan knew this secret.

She discovered while browsing ancient books that many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures once abundant across the continent had mysteriously disappeared, coinciding with the continent’s fragmentation. Thus, reaching this conclusion wasn’t hard. Apparently, the higher the Grade of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, the more Heaven and Earth Power they required. After the continent fragmented, these Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures gradually vanished, though those of slightly lower Grade continued to proliferate to present day, albeit in much reduced quantity.

Flying Peak due to the rift in the seal, slowly released Heaven and Earth Power from the Divine Continent, and under the seal’s function, it harmonized and fused with the Holy Court Continent’s Heaven and Earth Power, hence the sudden emergence of a vast array of high-quality strange flowers and herbs, proving this point.

Thinking about this, Han Yan suddenly felt puzzled. Since the Moon Shadow Orchid had already vanished from the Holy Court Continent, how did Gong Hongru acquire it? Could it be she was mistaken?

”Your eye power is quite good, it seems you’ve almost finished reading my collection of books.” Gong Hongru said with satisfaction. He also confirmed Han Yan’s suspicion, indeed it is the legendary Moon Shadow Orchid.

”Master, where did you find this?” Han Yan voiced her doubt.

”A while ago, while visiting friends out of town, I took a trip to the North Abyss Misty Plain and casually picked a few.” Gong Hongru said nonchalantly.

North Abyss Misty Plain! Hearing this, Han Yan was taken aback.

North Abyss Misty Plain is the most infamous forbidden land in the entire Holy Court Continent, also a land of death. It is said that even Holy-grade experts find it hard to retreat safely from there. Although Han Yan had long heard of its name, she didn’t know the exact dangers it held. Now thinking about it, it must be the border between the Holy Court Continent and the Divine Continent. Though there is a seal barrier guarding both ends, at the intersection, the Heaven and Earth Power from both sides must collide fiercely, naturally resulting in terrifying risks.

Although Gong Hongru spoke casually, mentioning it as incidental and on a whim, Han Yan knew things weren’t that simple. Who would be so foolish to whimsically seek death?

Clearly, he deliberately went to gather the Moon Shadow Orchid for her and Huayue, among others. Even with Gong Hongru’s capabilities, the journey evidently carried significant risks.

Understanding this, Han Yan’s gaze towards Gong Hongru began to shimmer with tears.

It turns out this Master isn’t irresponsible or indifferent to them, merely has a different way of expressing than others.