"Ye Yanran!" Han Yan felt a pang of sorrow in her heart, her voice trembling slightly.

Although the two were initially more enemies than friends, Ye Yanran had once tried by all means to take revenge on her. Yet each time, she was defeated and severely injured by Han Yan, who later saved her several times, even while claiming she was planning revenge.

Instead of being enemies, it was more appropriate to call them kindred spirits.

"You finally came. I thought I wouldn’t be able to wait for you. This is what you need, right? I’m giving it to you." Ye Yanran looked at Han Yan as if she were an old friend she had not seen in years. Her face flushed with excitement as she handed Han Yan a plate full of intricate patterns and star points, seeming neither gold nor metal.

The Heavenly Destiny Star Plate! Not only Han Yan but also Huayue and the others were not strangers to the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, recognizing what Ye Yanran had produced at a glance.

"Where did you get this? And where is Xia Youchen? Who hurt you this badly?" Han Yan voiced her questions in one breath.

When she mentioned Xia Youchen, her tone was blunt, as she had hoped he would find Ye Yanran and protect her, and then find a way to rescue her mother. After all, these were his descendants. Who knew that Yanran would be injured like this, and uncertain how that great-grandfather of hers was fulfilling his role?

"This Heavenly Destiny Star Plate was found by my great-grandfather. The letter left by my great-grandmother not only revealed the truth but also hid another secret, which was the location of the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate. My great-grandmother left behind a will, stating that if any of her descendants were exceptionally gifted and could comprehend the Barrier Technique, they should find the hidden Heavenly Destiny Star Plate and pass it on.

The Star Plate was hidden in the ruins of the former Chenxing Academy. It took us three full days to locate it, but as soon as we got it, a group of mysterious experts attacked us. My great-grandfather was severely injured, but he still desperately held them off, ensuring I could break through." At this, Ye Yanran seemed to use all her strength, her face once again losing all color as she weakly lay back on the sickbed.

"So that’s how it was." Han Yan then realized she had wrongly blamed Xia Youchen. It wasn’t that Xia Youchen hadn’t tried; he truly couldn’t manage it. Admittedly, she also felt sympathetic toward Xia Youchen, having waited in vain for hundreds of years, even neglecting his cultivation. In the end, he gained nothing but an ancient "fierce beast" that preferred eating veggies over meat, liked peace, and wouldn’t kill. Not only was it of no help, but it also delayed his recovery, bringing him great misfortune.

"Let me examine your injuries first." Seeing Ye Yanran growing more and more exhausted, as if she might succumb at any moment, Han Yan asked no further questions and immediately checked her pulse.

Han Yan’s Divine Sense probed, and she was taken aback.

Although Ye Yanran had been injured, the injuries were not particularly severe, just internal disturbances, with no obvious damage to her meridians and energy sea. Han Yan had witnessed Ye Yanran’s tenacious vitality several times. Even though she had dealt severe injuries to her on multiple occasions, each time expecting Ye Yanran’s imminent death, she always emerged unscathed, returning lively and seeking revenge within days.

Though less resilient than Huayue, whose defense like a cockroach couldn’t be killed, Ye Yanran’s self-healing ability wasn’t much inferior to Huayue’s.

Yet this time, her vital energy was draining continuously, her life force dwindling, and her powerful self-healing power was entirely ineffective.

Even though Ye Yanran appeared youthful, the life force within her was like an oil lamp burning out in an elder, devoid of vitality.

Could it be poisoning, or had she been struck with a Forbidden Technique like her grandmother? Han Yan examined carefully several times but found no traces of poison or prohibitions.

"My injuries are probably beyond cure, right?" Ye Yanran asked calmly, having long understood her physical state.

Han Yan said nothing; she didn’t want to admit her helplessness. Still, with her medical skills, indeed, Ye Yanran’s injuries were beyond remedy.

If Yan Zishu were here, with the vision and experience of a Divine Doctor Family Head, he might perhaps find a cure, but Yan Zishu was miles away. Even if he rushed to Shangyue now, Ye Yanran’s condition wouldn’t hold out till then.

"Actually, before I used the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, I knew this might happen, so I had already prepared for it," Ye Yanran said plainly.

"What, you mean your injuries are related to this Heavenly Destiny Star Plate?" Han Yan was more shocked, initially thinking Ye Yanran’s dire state was due to the mysterious experts. She couldn’t find a cure and was about to inquire about their origins but was surprised her injuries were related to the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate.

"Indeed, according to my great-grandmother’s will, this Heavenly Destiny Star Plate contains mysterious and powerful abilities. If one can comprehend the Barrier Technique independently, it proves extraordinary potential and hope to wield its powers. However, its power is too immense; unless one’s strength surpasses the Sword Saint Realm, it must not be lightly attempted to recognize it as master, lest it endanger one’s life.

Worrying about my great-grandfather, I risked it to save him, and indeed ended up like this. My great-grandmother didn’t lie. Luckily, I didn’t die on the spot. Later, I returned to the Chenxing Academy ruins, hoping to help my great-grandfather escape with my last ounce of strength, but when I got there, there was no one. I don’t know if he escaped or died.

I know I don’t have long to live, but I couldn’t let the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate left by great-grandmother casually fall into someone else’s hands. Thinking we’re fated and that you helped me find my great-grandfather, and since this Star Plate seems to be of use to you, I’ll just give it to you. During the last new student competition, I saw Yan Yuchu voluntarily concede, realizing he had some connection with you, and fortunately, I was correct.

By the way, if you’re not yet in the Sword Saint Realm, don’t try to let it recognize you as its master. Though I’ve always wanted revenge, I don’t want you dying because of me without knowing why—there’d be no satisfaction, hahahaha." At last, Ye Yanran made a joke.

However, the joke was not funny, and Han Yan had no interest in joking. While Ye Yanran was speaking, she had already taken the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate. Huayue and others gathered around; they also had Heavenly Destiny Star Plates and had tried using the Blood Dripping Method to recognize the master without any hindrance, so they were all curious about Ye Yanran’s Star Plate. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Soon, they discovered that this Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, at first glance, was no different from theirs, but upon closer inspection, it was vastly different. The star patterns on it were more intricate, carrying a strange beauty, exuding a faintly spiritual aura, like the legendary Divine Artifacts.