Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 1230: Chapter 1230: Such Distinction

On the Holy Court Continent, family status is extremely important. The ancestral cultivation techniques of the various aristocratic families are not to be passed outside the family. The techniques learned by direct lineage disciples and branch family members differ: one learns the full ancestral secret arts, while the other learns an extremely simplified version. Some highly respected seniors would rather take what they’ve learned throughout their lives to the grave than pass it on to a disciple.

Therefore, he didn’t dare expect Han Yan to ignore family rules and teach him everything. He only hoped that Han Yan could help answer his questions and assist in enhancing his alchemy skills.

”Oh, what does this have to do with Anyun Country?” Han Yan, who didn’t have strong notions about family status, was curious when he heard him mention restoring Anyun’s former glory, although he didn’t wish to casually pass the Star Falling Desert Sword to outsiders.

”You might not know, but our Anyun Country was once one of the most powerful countries on the Holy Court Continent. Even powerful countries like Shangyue and West Qin used to look up to us. However, later on, Shangyue Country rose to power with an alchemy technique far surpassing ours, so both their cultivators’ strength and their army’s combat power eventually outmatched ours.

Back then, our Anyun army suffered a great defeat against Shangyue because our army lacked quality elixirs compared to theirs. Our soldiers grew more fatigued as the battle went on, while their ample supply of top-grade elixirs gave their soldiers more vigor, leading to a growing disparity in combat power.

Several mentors of our Danxin Hall from that generation died on the battlefield, leaving wishes that the future generations could promote our hall’s alchemy skill to help Anyun rediscover its former glory,” Zhu Tianping said with a wry smile.

”The ancestors in our Sword Casting Hall from that generation died in the battle against West Qin. You may not know much about West Qin, but I do. Their sword casting technique far outshines ours. Both their cultivators and soldiers have much better swords. When West Qin’s elite forces, numbering in the thousands, broke through our encirclement and advanced like an unstoppable force to invade the Capital, it was for this reason,” Nie Fangsheng added.

It’s needless to elaborate how significant of an impact a good sword has on combat power.

”Our array formation technique doesn’t fall much behind others, but the Heavenly Sword Seven Killings Array is the treasure of Anyun Academy. If it can be restored to its original state and its principles flexibly mastered, it might remain as Anyun’s strongest final defense,” Gan Qiyi continued. In fact, during the great battle thousands of years ago, if it weren’t for the Heavenly Sword Seven Killings Array, Anyun Country might have long since been overrun by West Qin and faded from history.

After hearing their words, Han Yan realized that the elites nurtured by Long Yan Academy are truly the cornerstone of Anyun Country. Despite facing numerous natural disasters and wars over nearly a million years, Anyun Country still stands strong, owing much to Long Yan Academy’s contributions.

No one wishes to be a citizen of a weak nation, nor become a slave of a fallen country. As a citizen of Anyun, Han Yan naturally hoped for Anyun to become powerful.

”Gentlemen, as for that swordsmanship you mentioned, I do have some understanding, but even now, I haven’t fully comprehended it and can’t offer guidance. However, if it’s about deducing sword casting technique, alchemy technique, and array formation technique from the swordsmanship, I do have some insights. I can’t claim to instruct, but I have no problem discussing and deducing together with you,” Han Yan said.

The Star Falling Desert Sword is of crucial importance, so she certainly couldn’t impart it easily to others. Besides, from her experience, even if she did teach it, Zhu Tianping and the others might never learn it. There’s no need to let them expend unnecessary effort for gloom and lamentation.

However, she didn’t need to keep the strange and mysterious arts that evolved from that to herself.

”Thank you, Lady Mu (Master Niece),” Zhu Tianping and others were overjoyed. They never expected Han Yan to teach them the swordsmanship, so this was the best outcome they could hope for.

”By the way, when Master Zhou Wuqing once gifted me the ’Array Dao Secret,’ I haven’t had the chance to thank him. Why not invite him over as well?” Han Yan, being a person who repays kindness, had yet to properly thank Zhou Wuqing for gifting her a volume filled with insights and reflections from past predecessors of his sect. Since she was teaching Gan Qiyi, she naturally wouldn’t miss out on Zhou Wuqing.

Truth be told, if Gan Qiyi hadn’t swallowed his pride and asked for her help in front of numerous Academy Disciples, thus assuming a particularly humble stance, Han Yan might not have intended to teach him at all.

”Alright, I’ll send someone to invite Lord Zhou over right away,” Gan Qiyi, oblivious to the secret of the ’Array Dao Secret,’ sighed inwardly at Zhou Wuqing’s luck. A beginner’s guide to the array formation changed for such a great opportunity, he promptly sent someone to invite him over.

Zhou Wuqing, upon being invited, appeared overjoyed. He knew Han Yan was reciprocating his goodwill. In his heart, there was both gratitude and reverence for Han Yan.

In the following days, Han Yan passed on the insights she gained from the Star Falling Desert Sword to the group, also presenting her unresolved doubts to them for discussion.

While Zhu Tianping and Gan Qiyi gained a lot, Han Yan herself also benefited greatly. Her understanding of the Star Falling Desert Sword deepened, now estimated to have comprehended forty percent. Although it’s still far from mastery, she was certainly a step closer.

Simultaneously, Han Yan didn’t neglect practicing beast taming, alchemy, sealing, and other strange and mysterious arts, preparing for the secret realm trial that hasn’t commenced yet but likely won’t be delayed for long.

”Tan Yu, is there anything today?” After lunch, Han Yan asked Tan Yu.

”No, Master, do you have any instructions?” Tan Yu said respectfully.

For the past few days, Zhu Tianping and the others came at sunrise and left at sunset to consult Han Yan, putting on no airs of mentors, showing diligence even surpassing that of the Academy Disciples going to various halls for cultivation, and being exceptionally courteous to Tan Yu and others.

After initially feeling overwhelmed, a sense of pride naturally arose within Tan Yu and the others. They knew that Zhu Tianping’s courtesy was not because of them, but solely due to Han Yan, whom they revered like a goddess.

When Han Yan asked, regardless of whether there was an issue, they would undoubtedly reply that there was none.

”Then accompany me to the workshop for a walk,” Han Yan said.

”If Master wishes to buy something, why not let us handle it on your behalf?” Tan Yu, fearing any disruption to Han Yan’s cultivation, offered proactively.

”No need. Chatting with a few old fellows daily is quite dull, so I want to go for a walk, just to clear my mind a bit,” Han Yan said.

Tan Yu felt a little awkward. Though Zhu Tianping and the others’ status wasn’t on par with Gong Hongru, they were still hall masters, far higher than ordinary mentors. When Inner Court Disciples saw them, they respectfully bowed from a distance. But in Han Yan’s words, they were merely ”a few old fellows.”

What embarrassed Tan Yu even more was that those old fellows were not offended at all, smiling and waving as they said goodbye to Han Yan, ”Go, go, it’s been hard on you these days. We’ll figure things out ourselves.”