Though they went through peril, they finally managed to seal the Jiuyou Netherworld Prison again, but the crisis was not truly resolved. The remaining experts from various countries were all worried, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then went their separate ways.
"Letâs leave too," said Mu Beichen, leading the group together with the Supreme Elder and the An Yun Supreme Emperor, preparing to return to Anyun City.
"You go back first, Iâll also go to Anyun to see Fan Ling," Lu Nianxin said to the Shangyue Countryâs imperial experts and the heads of various aristocratic families.
"The Princess has been married to Anyun for many years, and the Empress Dowager should also visit her," the people from Shangyue said understandingly.
Shangyue and Anyun had officially restored diplomatic relations, and the news of Yue Fanlingâs marriage into the Mu Family was announced to the world. Lu Nianxinâs visit to Anyun raised no objections.
Furthermore, the continent was fraught with crisis after crisis; no one knew if they could survive the calamity. Missing the opportunity now might leave lifelong regrets.
Ever since entering the Longyan Mountain Range, everyone set aside their identities and treated each other as fellow cultivators, with no unnecessary formalities. After exchanging a few words, Lu Nianxin bid them farewell and went to Anyun with Mu Hanyan.
Compared to other countries, Anyun Country was closest to the Longyan Mountain Range; even its capital was only a few thousand miles away from the rangeâs branch. Precisely because of this proximity, Anyun Country was the first to bear the brunt during the Exotic Beasts uprising, with even its capital suffering greatly.
However, due to the short distance, a group of Sword Saints utilized the Wind Control Technique and returned to Anyun in just over ten days.
In the distance, the towering city walls of Yunjing City appeared in their view.
Countless soldiers with gleaming spears and armor stood outside the city, shouting thunderously as they saw the group of figures in the sky whom they could only look up to. Inside the city, citizens beat gongs and drums, cheerfully celebrating together.
To prevent causing panic, countries kept the Jiuyou Netherworld Prison matter a secret, but An Yun City had recently undergone a brutal siege battle, and the matter could not be hidden from the well-informed capital residents.
Realizing it couldnât be concealed, the royal family and various aristocratic families didnât bother hiding it; everyone knew what the Supreme Emperor and the expert group were going to Longyan Mountain Range for and what the success or failure of their actions meant.
Upon receiving the news of their successful return in peace, soldiers and civilians alike couldnât contain their joy; they stood guard at the city gate for days, awaiting their triumphant return.
Flowers covered the earth like a colorful carpet. Treading on soft petals amidst thunderous applause and cheers, Mu Hanyan and others entered the capital.
Seeing those faces full of excited tears and feeling their heartfelt respect, Mu Hanyanâs heart surged with emotion.
For these simple and kind people, everything she had done was worth it. Next, she would head to the Holy Court and then to the North Abyss Misty Plain, facing a perilous journey with no certainty of survival, yet she remained resolute!
"Family Head, Supreme Elder, you... youâve returned!" Seeing Mu Beichen and the Supreme Elder return safely, the Mu Familyâs disciples who remained in the capital were overjoyed. As they pushed open the door, the entire Mu Mansion fell into brief silence, with many even crying tears of joy.
Then, everyone cheered loudly. To show solemnity, Mu Familyâs disciples who followed Mu Hanyan to Beining Pass summoned their Battle Pets, and at this moment, hundreds of Battle Pets roared together, making the atmosphere even more solemn and grand.
"This is... this is?" The Supreme Elder was first surprised to see so many Battle Pets, and then full of joy.
Though the continent was fraught with crises, any elder wished to see their descendants grow stronger. If disaster struck, the stronger they were, the greater their chances of survival.
They had already received news that under Mu Hanyanâs leadership, the Mu Familyâs disciples achieved a great victory at Beining Pass without losing a single person, but were unaware of the details. So suddenly seeing these Battle Pets, they couldnât help but be pleasantly surprised.
"Supreme Elder, these are the Sword Pets the Young Master helped us tame," Mu Chengxuan stepped forward to explain, speaking with great respect for Mu Hanyan, whom he now fully admired.
"So it was Hanyan, Hanyan." The Supreme Elder looked at Mu Hanyan, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Junior greets the Supreme Elder. Supreme Elder, this is...?" At this time, several dignified elders came forward to pay respects, looking at the Supreme Elder and others with obvious confusion.
These people were the Family Heads of several Mu Family branch families, excluding Heishi City.
"Whatâs the matter?" The Supreme Elder asked, seeing their confused expressions, while also checking his sword robe, ensuring nothing was amiss. Neither his clothes nor his buttons were askew.
Having the highest seniority in the Mu Family, as the Zong Familyâs Supreme Elder, he still paid attention to his appearance.
"Iâve heard that during this journey to Longyan Mountain Range, experts from all nations suffered heavy losses, with over half perishing due to the Netherworld Beastsâ ploys. Could the rumors be wrong?" A Branch Family Head glanced at the Supreme Elder and the experts behind him, speaking in confusion.
"The rumors arenât false. A total of over a thousand Sword Saints from the continentâs various countries went to Longyan Mountain Range, and only over three hundred survived, almost a complete wipeout. Our Mu Familyâs lack of losses was all thanks to Hanyan," the Supreme Elder finally understood their confusion and spoke with great emotion.
Next to him, the Third Elder briefly recounted what happened at Longyan Mountain Range.
Only then did everyone understand why the other countries suffered heavy losses while Anyun Country suffered minimally, and why the Mu Familyâs dispatched experts returned unscathed. It was all thanks to Mu Hanyan.
For a moment, everyone looked at Mu Hanyan with even more respect.
"All members of the Mu Family, listen up. The reason our Mu Family escaped this disaster is that whether it is myself or the Family Head and elders, or the juniors who traveled to Luâan City, it is all thanks to Hanyan. Today, in front of everyone, I formally appoint Hanyan as Young Master. In the future, anyone who dares to disrespect Hanyan will be disrespecting us and the entire Mu Family!" The Supreme Elder spoke with authority. Saying so, he personally handed a Token symbolizing the Young Masterâs position to Mu Hanyan.
Although Mu Hanyan led the group to Luâan City as Young Master, Mu Beichen and others left in such a hurry that they couldnât announce it to everyone. Because of that, Mu Chengqi and others showed discontent initially. But now, by formally announcing this to everyone, they reaffirmed Mu Hanyanâs unwavering position as Young Master, and the Supreme Elderâs words conveyed strong support, something even Mu Chengxuan hadnât received in the past. Anyone who dared disrespect Mu Hanyan would be opposing him.