After not having much interaction, upon returning this time, Mu Hanyan heard that he had undergone significant change after self-reflection, often in seclusion, indicating signs of breakthroughs. Therefore, no one informed him of the trip to Lu’an City. After all, the elite of the young generation from the Mu Family followed Mu Hanyan to Lu’an City. If accidents were to happen, the Mu Family needed someone to keep the family business stable.

"Why did you come too?" Mu Hanyan asked with a slight curious smile.

"I’m also a disciple of the Mu Family. This concerns the rise and fall of the Mu Family. How could I stand aside?" Mu Chengxuan replied with a smile, his expression no longer held past animosity; he was calm and unburdened.

Mu Hanyan knew he had finally matured, leaving behind past grudges, and felt greatly gratified.

"What about the Mu Family when you leave?" Mu Hanyan asked.

"I trust you; the Mu Family will surely return victorious from Lu’an City this time," Mu Chengxuan said, looking intently at Mu Hanyan, word by word.

He then turned to the Zong Family’s disciples, then looked at some Branch Family members, and pronounced, "The Young Master bears the family’s heavy responsibilities. Disrespect to her means disrespect to the Family Head and the Mu Family. I will be the first not to forgive those who act without respect!"

These words left the Zong Family’s disciples shocked. Who among them didn’t know the grudges between the Third Elder’s faction and Mu Hanyan? Even Mu Chengxuan’s younger brother Mu Chengyang suffered bone fracture by the Third Elder due to Mu Hanyan, breaking several meridians as rumor said the Third Elder lost his temper, leaving him lying in bed still recovering. But they were unaware that Jiang Yuzhe was actually behind the scenes, unrelated to the Third Elder.

All in all, even if the Supreme Elder and Third Elder let bygones be bygones for the greater good and had abandoned their opinions on Mu Hanyan, with the Third Elder himself foregoing his ambitions for Family Head position, they still believed Mu Chengxuan should detest Mu Hanyan. Instead, he had become her staunchest supporter in the Mu Family.

Mu Chengxuan, with remarkable natural talent, had been taken under the Supreme Elder’s wing and cultivated by the Young Master from a young age, with Zong Family’s disciples either idolizing and obeying him or revering him without a hint of dissent.

If some Zong Family disciples were initially dissatisfied by Mu Hanyan becoming Young Master in less than two years, now, witnessing Mu Chengxuan’s attitude, they surrendered completely, their gaze toward Mu Hanyan changing to one of deeper respect.

"Who are you?" Mu Chengqi, unfamiliar with Mu Chengxuan and noticing his imposing mood and persistent gaze, felt displeased and asked coldly.

"Remember, my name is Mu Chengxuan!" Mu Chengxuan gripped the sword hilt, his immense aura exuding power.

Mu Chengqi felt his breath stagnate, as if a massive invisible mountain weighed upon him, the cold killing intent also intruding into his Divine Sense. Cold sweat rolled down his forehead uncontrollably, rendering him speechless.

Eighth Rank Sword Master! Mu Hanyan was somewhat surprised.

Although Mu Chengxuan’s current strength fell short of Huayue’s group, their gains largely came from the Heavenly Destiny Star Plates and her influence, yet Mu Chengxuan, without such opportunities, reached Eighth Rank Sword Master in such a short time, truly earning his title as a genius.

"What... what do you want?" Mu Chengqi finally couldn’t bear it, his voice trembling.

"If dissatisfied with the Young Master, return to your Nanyu City, I’ll not stop you. However, any disrespect toward the Young Master again, and I will kill you," Mu Chengxuan said calmly, releasing his grip on the sword hilt, dissipating the terrifying aura.

Mu Chengqi’s lips moved, but he dared not utter a word more. Although Mu Chengxuan spoke casually, he believed if he again disrespected Mu Hanyan, Mu Chengxuan would truly kill him.

Of course, Mu Chengqi couldn’t just return to Nanyu City, given the Zong Family’s status dictating the Branch Family’s status. If he just left, how would he face the Family Head and Branch Family elders? Even if they indulged him, they couldn’t simply overlook it. Even if forgiven this time, he’d have no chance at the Branch Family Head position in the future, certainly unable to pass the Zong Family’s gate.

Thus, he had no choice but to endure, heaving a deep sigh, returning obediently to the ranks, standing behind Mu Renda.

"Congratulations, couldn’t believe you’d advance so swiftly," Mu Hanyan said sincerely. As fellow Mu Family disciples, she of course wished for his strength to grow greater, particularly since they held no previous animosity.

"It’s all thanks to you. Without you, I’d never realize the vastness beyond us. Without receiving so many setbacks, I’d never calm down for dedicated cultivation," Mu Sui Xuan said candidly, then half-jokingly added, "But don’t get too proud; if you don’t work hard, I’ll catch up to and even surpass you someday."

"I hope for that day," Mu Hanyan replied, also half-jokingly.

The two exchanged smiles, past grudges and grievances settled in that smile. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

With Mu Chengxuan’s warning—or accurately, threat—neither Zong Family nor Branch Family disciples dared challenge Mu Hanyan the Young Master’s authority anymore, and the group calmly hurried toward Lu’an City.

Gradually, shadows of Exotic Beasts appeared along the way. Before, seeing Exotic Beasts was rare outside entering the Longyan Mountain, and even within, if not venturing deep, Exotic Beasts feared human cultivators, usually fleeing upon sight.

Yet these Exotic Beasts clearly differed, eyes bloodshot, filled with rampant and bloodthirsty glints, always roaring and charging.

If common folk, unprepared, might be easily slaughtered by these beasts’ claws and fangs, encountering Mu Hanyan’s group, luck wasn’t on their side.

Though fewer in number than Dan Tai Xuan’s squad, the Zhang Family Disciples varied in skill, yet the young heirs from Mu Yan He San’s families were all Sword Master Realm experts, other powerful Noble Families affiliated with Yan He also not weak.

Each time, before the beasts neared, some hundreds of vigorous youths wielding Longswords surged forward, those Exotic Beasts often killed amid chaos without discerning their foes.

This one-sided massacre barely counted as a battle, yet indeed marked repeated victories, heating the blood and spirits of the young party, who mentioned Exotic Beasts with excited laughter, no longer harboring initial trepidation.

Though, as they neared Lu’an City, the smiles gradually faded from their faces.