When the messenger saw Su Mo's expression change, he did not dare to say much in retaliation. He muttered, "Just sit and wait. My clan master will come to claim your pathetic life." Then the messenger immediately flew away.
The term 'Don't kill the messenger' did not exist in the world of cultivation. Cultivators only cared about strength, and only the strongest would have the final word.
Su Mo did not stop the messenger from leaving. He felt that it was not worth his time to vent his frustrations toward such an insignificant being.
Just as Su Mo was about to turn around and enter the village, the system's voice sounded.
Ding!
"It has been detected that someone has challenged Master to a duel! Now issuing a time-sensitive mission."
Mission Objective: Defeat the clan master of the Myriad Flower Sword Clan.
Time Limit: Forty-eight hours.
Mission Reward: Random, dependent on Master's performance in battle.
Time-out Penalty: Cultivation level drops by one.
Su Mo had a strange feeling in his heart when he heard the system's voice. This was the first time the system had issued a time-sensitive mission.
Su Mo had gradually learned about the system's reward pattern after encountering it multiple times. He knew that he would receive rewards that would help in the development of the clan and for him to raise the level of his cultivation.
Nonetheless, the most cost-effective way to use these rewards was to improve the clan's development and then raise his cultivation levels, in that order.
After all, it was difficult for Su Mo to ascend because he had an innate saint-like physique. This made it harder for Su Mo to cultivate without the system's assistance.
There were also other types of missions that the system would issue. The rewards received from those missions would be much more worthwhile than the rewards of the previous missions.
However, this was the first time the system had issued a time-sensitive mission that came with a penalty.
'I'm afraid that I will run out of time if I wait for the clan master of the Myriad Flower Blade Clan to attack. It seems that the system is forcing me to attack preemptively. I have to go and make preparations before I leave,' Su Mo contemplated.
Su Mo knew that it was common for an expert cultivator of the Golden Core Realm to cultivate in private for years or even decades. Su Mo could not afford to waste any time with this thought in mind, so he decided to attack preemptively to try and complete the mission in time.
He then proceeded to walk into the grand library.
"Shi Yunshan!" Su Mo yelled as soon as he entered.
"I'm back here, Clan Master Su." Shi Yunshan's figure appeared behind Su Mo.
Su Mo was shocked by Shi Yunshan.
It seemed that Shi Yunshan had improved his cultivation level and movement technique exponentially.
Su Mo sighed when he noticed this.
"I'm going on a long journey. I want you to undo the Mana Restriction Spell on the other disciples. But be discrete and do not let them find out," Su Mo said.
"Is that all? Don't worry. You can trust me to take care of it," Shi Yunshan replied confidently.
However, this was no challenge to Shi Yunshan. After he came to the village, his cultivation capabilities, alongside his movement technique, had improved by leaps and bounds.
Shi Yunshan was confident that the other disciples wouldn't discover him. Only those who were in the Golden Core Realm could discover him.
"Then you should settle it quickly. If I'm away for too long, those guys will be killed by the restriction spell," Su Mo urged.
"Do not worry, Clan Master Su. I will surely release the spell before they explode," Shi Yunshan promised.
"There's another reason why I came here, and that is to show you a mantra that I had learned."
After saying that, Su Mo handed over the mantra he had written.
"Remember to burn it as soon as you've read it," Su Mo warned.
After all, the nine mantras had magical effects. They all contained unparalleled secret techniques and could not be revealed to others.
Shi Yunshan did not question his master. He accepted the mantra and promised, "Do not worry, Clan Master Su."
"All right, I shall leave the village under your protection for now," Su Mo said as he turned around and left.
Shi Yunshan then shook his head and sighed, "Clan Master Su is such an impatient person."
After saying that, Shi Yunshan's figure gradually disappeared.
…
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Myriad Flower Blade Village.
"Welcome, Lord Emissary!"
The sounds of worship echoed one after another.
"Stand up. Where are your manners? Is that how you welcome me?" An arrogant middle-aged man said.
"It is our honor to host the emissary of the Nine Heavens Clan. We knew that Lord Emissary was coming to the village, so we told the entire village to come and welcome you," an old man replied respectfully.
"You don't even have a Golden Core Realm expert. Isn't this village too weak to collaborate with the Nine Heavens Clan?" Lord Emissary said as he made no attempts in hiding his contempt.
However, none would admit that Lord Emissary was arrogant because he was an expert cultivator of the Golden Core Realm.
Lord Emissary had a terrifying background as well. He came from the Nine Heavens Palace when the floating island was near the seaside—close to one of the most imposing forces in the Raging Waves Continent.
The people of the floating island simply could not comprehend the imposing force of the Raging Waves Continent. However, they knew that every time someone from the Nine Heavens Palace came for an inspection, they would always be a Golden Core Realm cultivator.
The Nine Heavens Clan would occasionally send people from the Nascent Soul Realm over as well, and Lord Emissary was never alone when he came to visit. It was simply something that the locals of the floating island would not see.
"You must be joking, Lord Emissary. Our clan master is also a cultivator of the Golden Core Realm. He had ascended into that realm many years ago. Our clan master will likely ascend into the mid-levels of the Golden Core Realm once he comes out of his seclusion," the first elder of the Myriad Flower Blades hurriedly said.
"Hmph, am I not worthy of having an audience with your clan master?" Lord Emissary asked with displeasure.
Just as the first elder was at a loss for words, a voice suddenly echoed.
"You must be joking, Lord Emissary. Why wouldn't I personally welcome you to the village?"
The person who spoke was the clan master of the Myriad Flower Blades.
The clan master's demeanor was imposing, even though he was somewhat feminine. However, the battle capabilities that he possessed were terrifying. One look, and Lord Emissary could quickly tell that he was an expert in combat.
"You must be the clan master of the Myriad Flower Blades. I am an emissary from the Nine Heavens Palace. You are aware of our request to coordinate with your village, no?"
When Lord Emissary noticed the aura of the clan master, he withdrew slightly.
No matter the situation, one would always show respect to an expert cultivator.
"Of course I am. As long as the Nine Heavens Palace can help the Myriad Flower Blades become successful during the Trial of the Blades Assembly in the Raging Waves Continent, the price doesn't matter," the clan master replied with certainty.
The Trial of the Blades Assembly was a grand event that took place once every hundred years in the Raging Waves Continent. Every clan from the Raging Waves Continent would participate during this grand event.
Regardless of how small or large the clan was, they would have an opportunity to show their skills in this grand event. The Myriad Flower Blades wanted to seize this opportunity and make their name known throughout the Raging Waves Continent.
The price they had to pay was entirely within the range that the clan master of the Myriad Flower Blades could bear. Nonetheless, if a weaker clan wanted the protection of an expert cultivator, they would have to be willing to pay the price.
"I'm pleased to know that you are aware of this. Now, let's discuss the matters of our collaboration. Of course, the Nine Heavens Palace only has one condition, so all you need to do is listen. If you disagree, then I will take my leave!" Lord Emissary said.
Lord Emissary wasn't being arrogant, however. He only said this because it was an order the higher-ups of his clan had given him, so he could only follow their instructions.
"Please speak your mind, Lord Emissary. I believe that your demands are within our acceptable range," the clan master said with a smile.
"Then I shall speak my mind…"
"Clan Master, the elders are in trouble. We're under attack!"