The journey to Lu’an City caused the Changsun, Song, Qu, and Mou families to suffer heavy losses, severely damaging their strength. However, under Mu Hanyan’s leadership, not a single person was lost from the Mu, Yan, and He families, and each even gained a Sword Pet, significantly enhancing their power. Although the Fang family sustained some losses initially, they managed to save themselves at the last moment, thus preserving much of their strength. The Zhang family, originally not among the Eight Great Families, seized the opportunity by giving their full support to Mu Hanyan.

The new ranking of the Eight Great Families of the Capital is now established, with the Mu Family undoubtedly taking the top position. Additionally, due to Mu Hanyan’s warning, experts from all families, led by the An Yun Supreme Emperor, were able to avoid disaster. An Yun’s power now far surpasses other nations, so this result is unanimously recognized by everyone.

Two days before Mu Hanyan set out, the Emperor personally hosted a palace banquet, inviting the aristocrats from all major families of An Yun, formally establishing the Mu Family as the leader among the Eight Great Families. The Zhang Family replaced the Mo Family to join the ranks of the Eight Great Families. However, Mu Hanyan, indifferent to the banquet, simply wanted to spend more time with her family and wasn’t even interested in attending.

Indeed, those young people were descendants of several major families. Although they had never met Mu Hanyan in person, they had long admired her renown. From the number one playboy of Heishi City to the top playboy at Long Yan Academy, and then to the Young Master of An Yun’s foremost family, Mu Hanyan’s life has been filled with miracles and even legendary tales, making her an idol for young heirs from any family.

Moreover, the Sword Pets that Mu Hanyan tamed for the noble family’s sons at Beining Pass drew the envy of all, hoping they too could get close to such a fortunate event.

"Hmph, offspring of the Guardian of the Gods, yet so obsequious." Just then, a disdainful snort came from behind.

The young people’s expressions slightly changed, and they were about to vent their anger. However, upon seeing the newcomer, they suppressed their temper.

"Zhao Sinin!" Mu Hanyan turned her head and frowned slightly upon seeing the visitor.

The person was Zhao Sinin, who was once smitten by Zhao Lingxian and always pitted himself against Mu Hanyan.

At that time, Zhao Sinin was favored by the Zhao Family Patriarch due to his status as an elite disciple of Zhengying Academy. Zhao Lingxian did not hesitate to use her charm to manipulate him. Unfortunately, this guy only had an undeserved reputation; his real strength was just at the level of a Fifth Rank Swordsman, and his intellect wasn’t particularly sharp. Every time he thought he had outsmarted everyone, he ended up being embarrassed in front of Mu Hanyan. If it wasn’t for the Alchemy Magical Tool given by Pang Dezong, he would have been bested by Mu Hanyan countless times.

Mu Hanyan had never regarded this guy’s intelligence and strength highly, but upon their encounter today, she noticed a significant change in Zhao Sinin, quite different from before.

He exuded a murderous and bloodthirsty aura, making Mu Hanyan feel an illusion that the one standing before her was not a human, but a ferocious bloodthirsty beast.

Yes, a beast, not an Exotic Beast, because Exotic Beasts possess high intelligence, knowing how to avoid danger like humans, while a beast knows nothing of these, only killing by instinct.

"Mu Hanyan, you didn’t expect this, did you? My bloodline has awakened too, I am also a Guardian of the Gods, hahahaha." Zhao Sinin laughed maniacally.

In fact, even if the bloodline awakens, it doesn’t make one a true Guardian of the Gods, for awakening the bloodline doesn’t guarantee understanding of Innate Divine Ability, and even if understood, it may not be powerful or useful. The strength still greatly differs from the legendary Guardian of the Gods.

Nevertheless, a bloodline awakening foretells achievements surpassing ordinary cultivators, prompting many to directly call them Guardians of the Gods, with conceited individuals like Zhao Sinin confidently declaring themselves as such.

"Is bloodline awakening such a big deal? Everyone here has awakened; why laugh?" Ye Yanran remarked, unimpressed with such arrogant, conceited individuals.

"To you, a bloodline awakening might not be a big deal, but do you think you can be like me?" Zhao Sinin glanced disdainfully at Ye Yanran, sneering.

"Mu Hanyan, you ruinated Ling Xian’s family, forcing her to flee. I am irreconcilable with you. Someday, I will personally kill you and bring Ling Xian back to my side." With that, Zhao Sinin didn’t spare Ye Yanran another glance, glaring at Mu Hanyan with gritted teeth.

"Zhao Lingxian is dead." Mu Hanyan calmly stated.

As Zhao Lingxian perished, all the hatred dissipated. Mu Hanyan didn’t hide her death from Zhao Sinin. Regardless of Zhao Sinin’s character or how Zhao Lingxian used him, his feelings towards her were sincere, else he wouldn’t hold on till now.

"What!" Zhao Sinin was shocked, appearing utterly lost.

"Zhao Lingxian is dead." Mu Hanyan repeated.

"Impossible, impossible. You killed her, didn’t you? You killed her!" Zhao Sinin suddenly snapped out of it, shouting insanely.

"Although she asked me to do it, you’re right, I personally killed her." Mu Hanyan admitted calmly.

Zhao Lingxian was indeed killed by her, but it was Zhao Lingxian’s request, not an act of vengeance, and Mu Hanyan wouldn’t let falsehoods taint her.

"Hahahaha, Ling Xian would ask you to kill her? Do you take me for a fool? She despised you to the core. Even if she wished to die, how could she ask you to do it?" Zhao Sinin burst into laughter, sounding more like crying, his face filled with hatred and rage.

"You don’t believe me, and I can’t help it." Mu Hanyan had said what she could, but she was unwilling to explain further to Zhao Sinin, for he wouldn’t believe her anyway. Mu Hanyan only acted with a clear conscience and was never stubbornly obstinate.

"You killed Ling Xian; I will avenge her, I will kill you, kill you!" Zhao Sinin shouted mournfully.

"Are you an idiot? Zhao Lingxian was tormented to the point of being neither human nor ghost, which is why she desperately begged Hanyan to kill her. You should be thanking Hanyan instead," Ye Yanran fumed resentfully.

"You’re all in cahoots, naturally siding with her. Do you think I’d believe such words?" Zhao Sinin could never believe Ye Yanran’s words. He suddenly drew his Longsword and pointed it directly at Mu Hanyan, "Mu Hanyan, draw your sword, I will kill you right now!"

In an instant, his eyes glowed blood red with killing intent, his face contorted and ferocious, his murderous aura even sending a slight chill down Mu Hanyan’s spine.

Huayue and the others instantly stepped forward, shielding Mu Hanyan, quietly preparing their sword moves.

From Zhao Sinin, they sensed a visceral threat.