Chapter 1739: Chapter 1739: It’s Been a Long Time Since Someone Looked Down on Me

"Boom!" Han Yan seemed to hear the muffled sound of Qi and that force violently colliding within her meridians, followed by the excruciating pain of the meridians tearing apart.

"No, I absolutely can’t expose my identity, nor can I kill to cover it up." Han Yan ultimately dismissed the idea of killing to cover up her tracks.

Although her power, thanks to the spring formed by the condensation of Overlord Blood Essence, was now comparable to a Ninth Rank Swordsman, coupled with her Fifth Rank Swordsman cultivation, the chance to kill An Xiaxin and Shen Yuhe in surprise was high. But she couldn’t pass her own moral hurdle.

Moreover, it wasn’t just those two present; what about the others after she killed them? Should she kill them all? Such a thing, Han Yan simply couldn’t do.

Unable to kill to cover up, nor expose her identity, she could only try to conceal it as best she could. As the Qi and that force collided and exploded fiercely, Han Yan tensed her entire body. If the aura leaked out, it would certainly reveal traces; the only way was to rely on her flesh and blood to imprison the aura within her body.

"Boom boom boom..." The force rapidly traversed within her, and even though Han Yan desperately tried to gather her Qi, it was too late. The two forces met and exploded again and again.

Han Yan’s face turned pale, and crimson blood seeped from the corners of her mouth. Her internal injuries were far more serious than they appeared on the surface; her meridians snapped like broken lotus stems, her internal organs churned like a storm, and even her Qi Sea showed signs of rupture. Fortunately, Mu Family’s Heavenly Heart Technique cultivated the Heart Meridian; otherwise, she would regret it deeply.

Seeing the pain on Han Yan’s face, everyone was utterly shocked.

Although Huayu Temple hadn’t recruited priests for several years, a few old priests’ descendants had undergone the baptism in past years, so they were not unfamiliar with the priestly blessings.

Like Sikong Qinglan said, the priestly baptism might be somewhat painful, but it shouldn’t be this painful. Seeing Han Yan breezily pass the Concentration Array assessment yesterday, everyone thought today would be equally easy, but who could have imagined such a result?

"A natural Divine Priest, turns out to be just so." An Xiaxin sneered coldly.

The faces of the other priests and citizens also showed disappointment. Although An Xiaxin poured cold water on them yesterday, they did feel it unlikely for a single natural Divine Priest to sway Lord Divine’s heart, but at least there was some hope. If Han Yan performed exceptionally well, perhaps Lord Divine might change his mind.

But seeing Han Yan’s performance, everyone’s hope was dashed, just like when Han Yan first arrived in Huayu City. Even though she was a natural Divine Priest, she seemed to be the weakest among them; to rely on her to change Lord Divine’s mind was certainly hopeless.

Sikong Qinglan, seeing this scene, first showed a look of surprise; how could Master hold such high expectations and end up with such poor results? It didn’t make sense. But soon he recalled something, showing an enlightened expression.

Indeed, from Master’s dying words, he had long anticipated Master’s whereabouts. When Han Yan admitted she was the one in the painting, he could naturally guess her origin. But he didn’t inquire further, as a Temple Priest should be absolutely loyal to the Divine Lord, viewing Holy Court members as mortal enemies. Yet remembering Master’s resolute gaze at his end, he couldn’t betray his dying wish. Therefore, he preferred to act as if he knew nothing; it was just a guess anyway and couldn’t be confirmed, serving as his self-consolation.

But now, seeing Han Yan’s pale face and blood-stained mouth corner, even self-consolation failed, evidently due to the Sword Technique Qi clashing with the Divine Stone’s power, causing such severe injuries.

With Han Yan’s origin fully confirmed, Sikong Qinglan hesitated slightly but soon recalled Han Yan’s calm and composed admission, thinking she knew he would guess her origin as well.

Sikong Qinglan smiled freely, his gaze becoming resolute again.

...

In the meridians, the Qi and Divine Stone’s power continued to collide and explode, the heart-wrenching pain incessantly flooding into her mind. Han Yan clenched her teeth and tensed her entire body, suppressing the explosive aura within her. Fortunately, her strength had significantly increased by now, enhancing her physical defense several times, or else relying solely on flesh and blood without the Qi wouldn’t hold out.

Finally, the Qi was gathered within her Heart Meridian, the ethereal, nimble yet boundless power swiftly circulated, with all the pain consequently dissipating. Han Yan was surprised to find the previously ruptured meridians were rapidly healing under the nourishment of that power.

And even more gratifying was yet to come, as the power circulated, sounds like ethereal melodies emerged within her, concentrating with inner vision, light spots flickered and illuminated, and the meridians extended accordingly.

Hidden Meridian! It turned out to be the Hidden Meridian.

Han Yan instantly understood that the so-called Divine Baptism was about unlocking Hidden Meridians, which evidently had no relation to Sword Dao cultivation, but were meant for cultivating Priest Divine Techniques.

As the Hidden Meridians were unlocked one by one, the ethereal, nimble power formed a new cycle, circulating endlessly, gradually condensing within the Heart Meridian.

Finally, the Divine Stone’s light dimmed, and Han Yan’s Heart Meridian now contained a power completely different from the Qi, undoubtedly the power needed to perform Priest Divine Techniques.

"Congratulations." Sikong Qinglan stepped forward and said.

Seeing Han Yan relaxed, no longer showing the previous pain, he exhaled a long sigh of relief. Had Han Yan failed to endure the pain of ruptured meridians and let her aura leak, exposing her identity and origin, he wouldn’t know what to do.

"Congratulations." Other priests also came forward to congratulate, albeit somewhat absent-minded.

Han Yan’s prior performance was sorely disappointing, inferior even to themselves. Though possessing potent Divine Sense, naturally able to condense the Power of Laws, her physique seemed quite average; hoping for her to save Huayu Temple’s fate was impossible.

"Thank you." Han Yan, guessing somewhat what they were thinking, didn’t mind, smiling as she responded.

"You’re not injured, are you? Take this elixir to prevent any hidden ailments." Shen Yuhe, somewhat disappointed yet with a good heart, spoke with concern, handing an elixir to Shen Yuhe.

"Thank you, Right Priest, I’m not seriously injured." Han Yan politely declined. Seeing Huayu Temple in such poverty, she could guess this elixir was hard-earned; Han Yan appreciated the gesture but didn’t wish to squander it.

"Well... okay, but if you feel any discomfort, don’t force yourself." Shen Yuhe didn’t insist but kindly reminded.

"Alright." Han Yan nodded, having a good impression of Shen Yuhe.

"Lord An, it’s time to assess her strength next; it will be up to you to host." Sikong Qinglan said, seemingly as if strength assessment was not within his purview.

Because during the Divine Baptism the Divine Stone’s power is condensed naturally, usually right after the baptism, the strength assessment occurs immediately.

At this moment, faint sounds of arguing came from outside. Due to the temple’s prohibition barriers, even with Han Yan’s keen Six Senses, she couldn’t hear clearly, only vaguely catching An Xiaxin’s name.

An Xiaxin likely heard it too, his brow slightly furrowed.

"There’s no need. From her performance earlier, opening two or three Spirit Veins is the best she can do, her strength maximum at the second and third tiers. You handle it; I’ll go check outside." With that, An Xiaxin headed outside.

Others followed suit, quickly heading outdoors. Clearly, Han Yan’s earlier performance left everyone greatly disappointed, leaving little interest for the upcoming strength assessment.

Han Yan naturally noticed their disdain; her mouth twitched slightly. Ever since her bloodline awakening, she hadn’t been looked down upon like this; it felt unexpectedly familiar.

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