"This is all part of our duty, it’s not really tiring," Qu Shanling and Mu Cheng said with a hearty laugh. Seeing Mu Hanyan again, the two were overjoyed.

"By the way, I’ve tamed a few Exotic Beasts earlier, you can use them as Sword Pets," Mu Hanyan said.

Qu Shanling had already noticed Mu Hanyan arriving with several Exotic Beasts and was curious about it. When Mu Hanyan spoke, it suddenly dawned on him.

Those Exotic Beasts were almost equivalent to the strength of a Third or Fourth Rank Sword Master, with high intelligence. Upon hearing Mu Hanyan’s words, they once again prostrated on the ground and presented the Master-Servant Contract.

Qu Shanling and Mu Cheng were both greatly surprised. According to their knowledge, taming Sword Pets required substantial proficiency in the Beast Taming Technique. Otherwise, even with the help of a Beast Taming Master, success would be difficult. But to their surprise, these Exotic Beasts submitted willingly, immediately offering the Master-Servant Contract at Mu Hanyan’s word. However, they had already witnessed many miracles on Mu Hanyan’s part, so they didn’t find it strange and didn’t even ask her how she did it. Delightedly, they chose two Exotic Beasts as Sword Pets.

"Master Qu, Mu Cheng, I have urgent matters in the Capital, so stay in Fang Town. If anything happens, you can lend a hand," Mu Hanyan said after meeting with the two, without any formality.

The current situation is chaotic, almost as if the world is in turmoil. Their strength wouldn’t help much if they went back to the Capital, but staying in Fang Town could be of great assistance.

Moreover, with the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond in Fang Town, Mu Hanyan was always a bit uneasy. Having them there brought some peace of mind.

"I know the Capital isn’t peaceful either, but you better hurry back. However, leaving the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond in Fang Town isn’t a long-term solution," Qu Shanling said to Mu Hanyan.

"I know it’s not a long-term plan, but I can’t find a suitable place to relocate it," Mu Hanyan said with a bitter smile.

"Over the past year, I’ve been researching this Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond and thought of a solution. If there were a Storage Space not limited by the Laws of the Holy Court Continent, we wouldn’t have to worry about the leakage of Spiritual Energy. However, creating such a Storage Space wouldn’t be easy," Qu Shanling mused.

Not just not easy, it was practically impossible. Alchemy itself is contained within the Heaven and Earth Rules, so how could a refined Storage Space be free of the Law’s limits?

But hearing his words, Mu Hanyan suddenly lit up, patting her forehead: why hadn’t she thought of this solution?

Such a Storage Space beyond the Law’s limits couldn’t be created by her, but she had one ready at hand. The space in the Star Plate connects to the Nine Heavens, crossing spatial planes, doesn’t it surpass the limitations of the Laws?

Without hesitation, Mu Hanyan quickly entered the room where the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond was hidden. With a thought, the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond entered the Star Disk Space.

Although Qu Shanling had pondered this method for a long time and it sounded reasonable, it hadn’t been practiced, so Mu Hanyan dared not be careless. Her Mental State kept it locked, ready to return it immediately if the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond’s Spiritual Energy leaked.

Fortunately, when the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond entered the Star Disk Space, there were no signs of Spiritual Energy leakage. Mu Hanyan let out a long sigh of relief, finally letting go of the worry lingering in her heart for so long.

"So, you already had such a Storage Space. Had I known, I would have told you earlier," Qu Shanling, usually unphased, now wore a wry smile.

In order to come up with this method, he had been burning the midnight oil, pondering repeatedly, yet he hadn’t imagined that Mu Hanyan had such a Storage Space all along. Whether it would work could be found out by trying, why lose sleep and appetite over it?

"It’s my fault, really. I didn’t expect Master to invest so much effort for my sake, otherwise I would have informed you long ago," Mu Hanyan said gratefully.

"Don’t say that. Your Master, with his all-seeing wisdom, must have intentionally left the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond for you. I must protect it with all my might and never let it fall into the hands of others," Qu Shanling said seriously.

"By the way, when I was in Shangyue Country, I met a senior expert. I wonder if he’s related to your Master?" Mentioning Lu Guankong, Mu Hanyan recalled the mysterious elder who helped her restore the Dragon and Phoenix Jade Pendant with a mere gesture, and briefly recounted the situation.

"What did that person look like?" Qu Shanling asked excitedly after hearing Mu Hanyan’s words.

Mu Hanyan immediately described the person’s appearance again.

"Yes, yes, the person you mentioned must be Master. So he really is still alive in this world..." After hearing Mu Hanyan’s description, Qu Shanling was so moved that tears flowed profusely.

"The last time I saw him was in Shangyue Dingbian City. If you want to find him, there might still be time," Mu Hanyan said, touched by the deep bond between master and disciple.

"No, Master must have gone to Dingbian City because of you and couldn’t possibly stay there long. By now, who knows where he’s gone. From what I pondered, many of Master’s past plans were probably related to you. As long as I stay by your side, there’s bound to be a chance to meet him," this time Qu Shanling shook his head persistently, looking at Mu Hanyan resolutely.

"That sounds good too," Mu Hanyan nodded.

If this had been said before, Mu Hanyan would have scoffed. However, she later discovered that many people and events around her seemed intricately linked to Lu Guantian. Perhaps, following her would indeed be the best way for Qu Shanling to find his Master.

Fortunately, he had nurtured himself in Fang Town, greatly enhancing his strength, and he had now reached the third-tier Sword Master. Although he couldn’t compare to Huayue and others, he was more than capable of protecting himself, so bringing him along wouldn’t be a burden.

"Fang Town holds abundant Heaven and Earth Power, making it a great place for Cultivation. I’ve reached the bottleneck for advancing to Sword Master, so I won’t be joining you," Mu Cheng said, noticing Mu Hanyan’s gaze.

Compared to before, Mu Cheng not only had a significant increase in strength but also became more steadfast. He knew that with his strength, following Mu Hanyan would only make him a burden.

Mu Hanyan was aware of Mu Cheng’s relentless pursuit and commitment to Sword Dao, no less passionate than Huayue and others, so she didn’t force him.

Leaving behind a considerable pile of Elixirs to enhance cultivation, Mu Hanyan’s group left Fang Town, heading for the Capital.

Dealing with the Exotic Beasts in Fang Town seemed lengthy but only actually took a bit over two hours. By the time they arrived at the Capital, it was sunset.

The sun sank in the west, casting its golden glow on the blemished, claw-marked city walls. Several dozen City Guard Soldiers stood at the city gate, and judging by the wide-open gate, the army and civilians of the Capital had successfully repelled the Exotic Beasts. However, the bustling scenes of yesteryears were absent at the city gate, revealing the desolation after the great battle.

The battlefield outside the city had been thoroughly cleared. Yet, as they galloped across the plain, they could still smell the faint blood stench wafting from the soil, evoking the harshness of that fierce battle.

Seeing Mu Hanyan’s group galloping forward, the City Guard Soldiers immediately stood at attention, preparing for inspection. After such a battle, people’s hearts were shaken, and they dared not make any mistakes. Especially with the unclaimed Exotic Beasts behind Mu Hanyan, they didn’t dare be negligent.

Yet, as they drew closer and recognized who it was, the guards quickly stepped back a few paces, waving them through. After all, following the famous playboys of Heishi City and the Capital, Lady Mu’s title as Long Yan Academy’s notorious playboy had spread quietly. These guards were perceptive enough to avoid crossing her path. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The city was also abnormally quiet, with hardly any pedestrians on the broad streets. Mu Hanyan and her group rode the Red Charcoal Cloud Smoke Beasts, unobstructed, back to the Mu Family.

"The Lady is back, the Lady is back." Seeing Mu Hanyan, the gatekeeper cheerily shouted. Soon, Mu Zexian and a group of young playboys came to greet her, looking at Mu Hanyan as if she were their pillar of support.

"Hanyan, you’re back." Soon, the tall figure of Mu Rui’an appeared in view, followed by the smiling Yue Fanling.

"Father, Mother, you’re all here." Mu Hanyan looked at her parents with delight, but then her heart slightly sank. Apart from her father and mother, she saw no other elders.