"Alright." Ye Lanfeng said, then began performing hand formations.
Light beams projected from his hands, converging upon the seal, finally forming nine Light Stars.
Mu Hanyanâs gaze sharpened. With her understanding of sealing techniques, it was clear Ye Lanfeng was preparing to forcibly break the seal.
Everything in the world has its weak points, including seals. Once a weak point is found, the seal can be forcibly broken, often the most effective and direct method.
Compared to researching the essence of a seal and gradually unlocking it, this method can save at least half the time, though the toll on oneâs strength is considerable.
Mu Hanyan didnât believe Ye Lanfeng lacked the ability to unseal gradually. The reason he was willing to suffer great loss of Primordial Energy to break the seal was to save time and do everything possible to preserve the Cold Sky Sword for her.
Perhaps to others, itâs just an ordinary sword with a trace of spiritual energy. Given Mu Hanyanâs natural talent and strength, her future accomplishments are boundless. Finding a stronger sword wouldnât be difficult, even acquiring a true Divine Artifact is highly possible, making such trouble unnecessary.
But to Mu Hanyan, that sword held unique significanceâit was originally Mu Hanfengâs sword. Being reborn twice, it was the most precious gift from her brother, representing his deep expectations and love for his unreliable sister. To Mu Hanyan, no sword equaled the Cold Sky Sword, not even a legendary Divine Artifact.
Ye Lanfeng was aware of this, hence his exhaustive efforts.
Watching Ye Lanfengâs focused expression, Mu Hanyan felt a warmth overflowed in her heart. She suddenly felt how lucky she was to know him, and even luckier to share mutual affection.
Seeing Ye Lanfeng already sweating from his forehead, a heartache hit Mu Hanyan. She took out a Brocade Handkerchief but, considering others were present, she put it back.
The likes of Huayue and others were less bothered, long accustomed to "the detached style amongst wealthy families being unsurprising, even praised centuries ago," as consolation. However, Zhang Chihuaâs acquaintance was brief; she didnât want him to misunderstand.
Mu Hanyan herself didnât care about those peculiar looks but was unwilling for others to view Ye Lanfeng that way. Perhaps he himself didnât care, but Mu Hanyan did.
"Is there any way I can help?" Mu Hanyan asked. Ye Lanfengâs severe loss of Primordial Energy for her sake stirred her reluctance to stand idly by without action.
"If you really want to help, inject Qi into these few Sealing Points. It will make things easier for me. However, the Seal Breaking Technique differs from the sealing technique; it relies not only on Qi but heavily on powerful Divine Sense, which will tax your spirit, so donât overstrain yourself," Ye Lanfeng detected Mu Hanyanâs sincere intent and didnât refuse but reminded her concernedly.
Mu Hanyan nodded, though not expert in Sealing and Breaking Seal techniques, she understood the principles.
Cultivating the Divine Martial Refining Soul Technique quietly, gathering Qi, Mu Hanyan repeatedly struck with her palms, injecting Qi and highly concentrated Divine Sense into those nine Star PointsâYe Lanfengâs Sealing Points.
"This guy actually understands sealing techniques and even attempts to break a seal forcefully!" In the distance, Nian An Yao was so shocked his jaw nearly hit the ground.
Previously, when Ye Lanfeng subdued his sword pet, he thought it was merely innate talent and coincidental learning of Spirit Summoning Beast Language, but hadnât expected him also capable of sealing techniques.
"A talented individual indeed, who wouldâve thought a playboy like Mu Hanyan could recruit such talent," the Fifth Prince, though from the Royal Family and tutored by a reclusive master with keen insight, commented, both unwillingly and jealously.
He was a Prince, one with succession rights, yet his efforts to recruit Sword Guard Mansion family youngsters consistently failed, leaving them simply incompetent beyond minimal family influence. Bold promises made in adversity would vanish in a blink.
Mu Hanyan, just a playboy from the Eight Great Families, had the fortune or ability to recruit such talent, baffling him, inducing begrudging envy.
"Though adept in strange and mysterious arts, still merely a servant after all, with limited strength, necessitating Mu Hanyanâs intervention after all." Noting the Fifth Prince openly admiring Ye Lanfeng yet clearly envious of Mu Hanyanâs successful recruitment, Qu Fengting acidly remarked.
No wonder he felt so. Ye Lanfeng, after identifying the Sealing Points, commenced injecting Divine Sense but utilized minimal Qi, hence seeming lacks major action.
Meanwhile, Mu Hanyanâs strength was incomparable to his, unable to easily infuse Divine Sense, resorting to continuous palm strikes, injecting Divine Sense through Qi into the Sealing Points.
In their view, it seemed Mu Hanyan was the protagonist of breaking the seal, relegating Ye Lanfeng to supporting role status in their minds.
"A bit lacking in strength, yet the talent is evident, destined for greatness." Though the Fifth Prince knew some of the Seal Breaking Technique, his ability hadnât reached such level; fearing impact on his Sword Dao Heart, his Master hadnât explained deeply. He, like Qu Fengting, mistakenly perceived Mu Hanyan was the lead while Ye Lanfengâs strange arts were hindered by low cultivation, merely assisting Mu Hanyan.
However, the Fifth Princeâs view of Ye Lanfeng starkly contrasted Qu Fengtingâs.
Seeking to seize the throne and establish a great era, what he needed most was talent, like Ye Lanfeng, truly rare. Hence, the Fifth Prince watched Ye Lanfeng intensely, overwhelmed.
Witnessing the Fifth Princeâs passionate gaze, bordering on bromance, Qu Fengting felt even more agitated but couldnât help it. Though confident in his strength, in strange arts he felt inferior, silently pouting, unwilling to speak further.
"Letâs not concern ourselves with him now." Nian An Yao interjected, intently watching Mu Hanyan commented, "Mu Hanyanâs repeated Qi injections must be greatly taxing, once he forcefully breaks the seal, heâll be exhausted, probably like a dead dog, then comes our best opportunity to act."
"Yes, yes, we should conserve energy and surprise him then. He exhausted immense effort to open the seal yet watches us benefit cheaply; surely heâd cry his eyes out from anger," imagining Mu Hanyanâs pathetic face of grief and indignation, tears unshed, the Fifth Prince wished nothing more than a hearty laughter.
Qu Fengtingâs gloom also vanished; his resentment lay solely in making Mu Hanyan suffer. Regardless of the Fifth Princeâs shifting affections, seeing Mu Hanyan humiliated was solace enough. Oh phew, why call it shifting affections? We didnât have bromance, call it changing minds, boo still incorrect.
Qu Fengting spat several times, glanced at the Fifth Prince, feeling weird: wouldnât we have unkind love?
Whatever, doesnât matter; for seeing Mu Hanyan unfortunate, Qu Fengting lacked the desire to ponder further, watching Mu Hanyan with expectation, eager to witness his sorrowful indignation.
Nian An Yao was also eagerly grinning maliciously.
Yet snickering, their smiles froze again, jaws seeming stuffed with large eggs, oh wait, this time itâs goose eggs.