Free Web NovelChapter 1513: Chapter 1513: Their Pride Vanishes Without a Trace
They finally came to their senses now. When Mu Hanyan was setting up the Array earlier, the reason she’d seemed so relaxed and casual wasn’t because she wasn’t afraid of death, nor because she was gambling with her life, but because of absolute confidence. This Spirit Gathering Array, to her, was nothing more than something she could do with a flick of the hand, with no difficulty at all.
Such an age, such strength, and such mastery of Array Formation Technique! Looking at Mu Hanyan, all their pride completely vanished; aside from admiration, there was only more admiration.
Thinking again of Han Yutang’s earlier behavior, they suddenly felt that it hadn’t been any sort of humiliation at all, but a colossal joke. To show off Array in front of Mu Hanyan—he deserved the end he got; even being made to crawl through a dog hole was a kindness to him.
While they were sighing endlessly in their hearts, those young people who had sat down cross‑legged had already finished breaking through. Everyone’s strength had at least advanced one First Rank, and some who had solid foundations but experienced a slightly later Bloodline Awakening even released their pent‑up power in one burst, directly leaping two-levels.
"Young Master Mu, thank you. If not for this Array of yours, we wouldn’t even know what it would take to break through." Everyone came before Mu Hanyan and bowed respectfully in thanks.
"You don’t need to be so polite. The Heaven and Earth Power here is so condensed that even without my Array, it wouldn’t take you long to break through. Besides, we’ve come to the Holy Court together and will all be heading to the North Abyss Misty Plain in the future. We should be fighting shoulder to shoulder, helping each other and benefiting one another." Mu Hanyan hurried to help them up as she spoke.
Hearing Mu Hanyan’s words, those young people were moved to tears, insisting on completing their bow before straightening up.
Mu Hanyan was right. The Heaven and Earth Power in this courtyard on Holy Sword Peak was so abundant and condensed that their advancement and promotion were only a matter of time. But the sooner they broke through, the more beneficial it would be for their future Cultivation. Even advancing a single day earlier might determine the fate of their entire lives. And with them about to head to the North Abyss Misty Plain, this Array of Mu Hanyan’s could very well determine their life or death, so they were still filled with gratitude toward her.
At the back of the crowd, a young man gazed at Mu Hanyan with a complicated expression. It was Zhao Sinin.
Just now, under the influence of that Spirit Gathering Array, his strength had also advanced one First Rank. This wasn’t surprising. His strength had never been high to begin with; he’d only awakened his bloodline in his thirties. Although the moment he awakened he comprehended an extremely domineering Innate Divine Ability, his own cultivation hadn’t improved much and had remained stuck at a bottleneck.
Mu Hanyan sensed the gaze coming from the back of the crowd and looked toward Zhao Sinin. This time, Zhao Sinin did not meet her eyes. He let out a soft cold snort and turned his head away.
"Young Master Mu, you must be tired from setting up the Array just now. Please, sit and rest for a bit." Sang Qinghe moved a stone stool over and attentively placed it behind Mu Hanyan.
This courtyard had originally been assigned to Zhuang Ping’an and the others. What he did was a bit like the guest overstepping the host, but Zhuang Ping’an and the others were still immersed in joy and didn’t mind.
"Brother Sang, we’re all on the same side. Whatever you have to say, just say it." Mu Hanyan found it secretly amusing and spoke to Sang Qinghe.
"Hehe, it’s like this. I’d like to ask Young Master Mu for a favor and have you set up an Array in our courtyard as well. I don’t know what Young Master Mu thinks of that. Oh, and as for the Meteorite Gold needed for the Array, there’s no need to trouble Young Master Mu. We have our own." Sang Qinghe’s thoughts were seen through at a glance by Mu Hanyan. His face flushed slightly as he spoke with an awkward smile.
"Brother Sang, you’re being too distant. Didn’t I just say it? We’ll all be heading to the North Abyss Misty Plain together in the future, so we should be fighting shoulder to shoulder and helping each other. I’ll go help you set up the Array right now." As Mu Hanyan spoke, she headed toward the other courtyard.
Behind her came a chorus of joyful cheers from the disciples of West Qin.
Not everyone was lucky enough to break through right as Mu Hanyan finished setting up the Array, but they would be cultivating here for nearly half a year. Even if the Heaven and Earth Power increased by just a tiny bit, it would bring them immense benefits. What’s more, once Mu Hanyan laid down the Array, the Heaven and Earth Power didn’t just increase by a fraction—it multiplied several times over.
Soon, the group arrived at the neighboring courtyard. With her prior experience, Mu Hanyan moved like she was on a familiar path, even more relaxed and casual.
This time, when they saw her casually tossing the Outer Heaven Meteorite Gold around and stomping it into place with her feet, everyone felt no trace of nervousness. One after another, they were both excited and full of admiration, feeling that her every move was in harmony with the Dao of Heaven. Even the way she stomped her foot was filled with a sort of graceful, ethereal beauty.
Very soon, the Array was completed.
The Heaven and Earth Power gathered and spun, increasing several times over compared to before, no worse than the courtyard on Beiqi’s side.
This was, of course, done intentionally by Mu Hanyan, lest anyone think she played favorites and took it to heart. People don’t fear having too little, they fear inequality—that’s a common flaw among many, and even those who walk the Sword Dao are not exempt from worldly concerns.
As soon as the Array activated, the courtyard rang with cheers from Sang Qinghe and the others.
"Young Master Mu, such great kindness needs no words of thanks. We’ll remember this favor." Sang Qinghe said to Mu Hanyan gratefully. freewēbnoveℓ.com
"It was just a small effort. Brother Sang, don’t take it to heart. You all start cultivating first; I’m going to help Shangyue set up their Array." Mu Hanyan smiled calmly and waved her hand as she spoke.
That calm, composed demeanor without arrogance or impatience made the people of West Qin secretly even more impressed. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"Han Yan, why don’t you rest a bit first?" Arriving at Shangyue’s small courtyard, Yue Fanchen spoke with concern.
"No need. I was just warming up just now; it didn’t take any effort. This time is the real deal." Mu Hanyan blinked at Yue Fanchen and smiled.
She deliberately lowered her voice, but Yue Fanchen and Long Ya could hear her loud and clear.
Their eyes all lit up. In truth, the two Spirit Gathering Arrays Mu Hanyan had laid for Beiqi and West Qin already made them green with envy. But Mu Hanyan actually said that those were just for practice and that this time she was being serious. Then just how exquisite would this Array be?
Under their expectant gazes, Mu Hanyan began setting up the Array.
Compared to the previous two times, her movements were clearly much slower. She paused to think for a moment before each step, and her actions when placing the Meteorite Gold were noticeably more careful. She no longer used her feet to stomp it into place.
It took nearly twice as long before the Array was finally completed.
However, Yue Fanchen and the others all looked at Mu Hanyan with strange expressions. It was obvious that Mu Hanyan had put a great deal of effort into this Array, yet the Heaven and Earth Power it gathered was only about on par with the Arrays of West Qin and Beiqi. There really wasn’t much surprise to be had.
"Marvelous, truly marvelous. Han Yan, your Array Formation Technique leaves even this old man in awe!" At this moment, Jian Wuchen stroked his long beard at the side and praised her repeatedly.
Hearing him say that, Yue Fanchen and the others were even more puzzled.
"You all go cultivate and give it a try first," Mu Hanyan said.
