Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return-Chapter 1081: I Already Held Back as You Told Me
The granite competition platform exploded with a loud "boom," sending shards flying and dust soaring.
A gentle breeze blew through, dispersing the dust.
Han Yan remained in place, standing atop a pile of rubble. His demeanor was just as composed and confident, his presence still so full of vigor.
Ten feet away, Yue Fanchen knelt on one knee, his right hand supporting his sword against the ground, barely managing to stay upright, a trickle of blood slowly oozing from the corner of his mouth.
Defeated, Yue Fanchen had unexpectedly lost. Even having comprehended the Saint Sword, Yue Fanchen, once unbeatable, had lost just like that.
Though Han Yan’s seemingly ordinary or pathetically weak sword strike had such formidable power.
Everyone was so shocked they slightly parted their lips, but no sound came forth.
On the high platform, a rare smile appeared at the corner of Gong Hongru’s mouth: As expected, we weren’t wrong, neither was Wenren Qingqiu wrong; that fight wasn’t in vain, nor was the use of the Limitless Saint Transformation Pill; it was worth it, indeed worth it!
Long Ya and others looked at the scene in disbelief; Yue Fanchen, who was akin to a Heavenly God in their hearts, had been defeated so utterly, so thoroughly. With just one strike, the force of that single sword, Yue Fanchen was soundly defeated. If they were to face Han Yan, what would happen? Their expressions turned incredibly grim at this moment. Especially when their gaze met those previously indignant Anyun Country swordsmen, though it was extremely silent at this moment, those disdainful eyes from the Anyun Country swordsmen felt like knives cutting into their hearts, leaving them humiliated and angry.
Long Ya and the others’ expression towards Han Yan also changed. Shock, fear... The young master was indeed correct; they were no match for Han Yan, not at all!
Who exactly is this Han Yan?!
"I lost; you truly are strong," Yue Fanchen slowly stood up, wiped the blood from his mouth, and said.
"You are strong as well," Han Yan nodded and said.
"I apologize for my previous disrespect towards Anyun Country," Yue Fanchen continued.
Han Yan nodded, showing a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Being of similar age yet already having comprehended his own Sword Dao, and being so open and genuine, if putting aside the enmity between An Yun and Shang Yue, Yue Fanchen’s skill and character alone made him a worthy opponent to respect.
"That strike, was it derived from the Heart Enlightenment Sword?" Yue Fanchen asked.
"Yes and no," Han Yan thought for a moment and replied.
"I understand; the next time we duel, I believe you will not disappoint me," Yue Fanchen said, looking into Han Yan’s eyes. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Though he was defeated, there wasn’t a trace of defeat visible on him; he still exuded the indomitable pride seemingly ingrained in his blood.
Indeed, a worthy opponent! Watching Yue Fanchen’s upright figure leave, Han Yan smiled faintly.
Life as it is, a true friend is hard to find, yet sometimes, a worthy opponent to respect is just as rare.
Zhao Fanchen was already moving further away, and Han Yan’s thoughts returned once more to the illusion of the Heart Enlightenment Sword’s final move.
That strike was so perfect and powerful, utterly flawless.
Han Yan was repeatedly gravely injured; if not for being within the illusion, she would have been dead on the spot due to excessive blood loss; although the Illusion Transformation didn’t pose the problem of excessive blood loss, the magnified pain still pushed her spirit to the brink of collapse time and again.
If it were someone else, they might have given up countless times, but not Han Yan; once covered in wounds, even if her divine sense felt like it was being twisted with knives, she persevered arduously, as such opportunities were rare, Han Yan knew that if she could comprehend this strike, it would greatly benefit her future cultivation, possibly for a lifetime.
Although she couldn’t grasp the other’s unpredictable move, after repeated retreats and pain, Han Yan still felt subtle changes within herself.
Her understanding of Sword Dao seemed to undergo slight changes, as if something was slowly presenting itself within her mind...
Finally, just when the assessment time was about to end, a flash of inspiration surged through Han Yan’s mind, and a sword move was slowly initiated.
It was the final strike of the Nine Heavens Star Falling Sword. Having practiced countless times yet never smoothly mastering it, the Nine Heavens Star Falling Sword was accomplished at that very moment!
Nine Heavens Star Fall, with myriad transformations, all contained within that single strike.
One Sword to Rule Heaven and Earth, one Sword to Overthrow Stars!
Light flashed before her eyes, and the opponent’s previously flawless sword strike in Han Yan’s eyes transformed into countless stars, scattering and falling, the once elusive and faint visage fleetingly passing before Han Yan.
It was her! The woman in the Star Map wearing battle armor, seemingly like a War God, gazed at Han Yan with eyes showing a hint of consolation and lament, then smiled faintly before disappearing from Han Yan’s view.
...
With a resounding "boom," the Trial Stele, previously left with a shallow sword trace by Han Yan, suddenly burst apart into a pile of rubble.
Han Yan was startled awake by the noise, her mental state returning to reality.
The surrounding crowd was awakened too, realizing only then the true power of Han Yan’s strike, far greater than that of Mu Chengxuan and others, but only because the Trial Stele had protective seals, delayed its shattering until now.
"Han Yan, Han Yan..." Amidst the shock, the square was filled with thunderous cheers and exclamations. At this moment, Han Yan’s name echoed through the skies! Imprinted in hearts!
The girls present shouted wildly, desperately chanting Han Yan’s name, if not for someone maintaining order, they might have rushed up.
Han Yan smiled, turning to look at Gong Hongru, and loudly said, "Master, I followed your orders and showed restraint."
"Yes, well done," Gong Hongru nodded with satisfaction.
"So given how obedient I am, how about another pill reward, Master?" Han Yan chuckled.
Gong Hongru’s face darkened, waving dismissively: "You sly little rascal, trying to seize the opportunity to extort. Is it still time for me to regret accepting you as a student?" Clearly joking as his smile was almost stiffening, wasn’t it?
The other instructors desperately wanted to chime in, ’It’s not too late, not too late, just say you don’t want him, and we’ll take him!’ Of course, they dared not utter this aloud, lest Gong Hongru flatten them with a slap. It was obvious that Gong Hongru’s seeming complaint was actually bragging, how could they miss that?
