When Su Mo and Yu Yuanjia finally arrived at the Crimson Heart Village, Su Mo couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood.
"A-Are you all right, Clan Master Su?" Yu Yuanjia asked hurriedly.
"I'm fine. I've just used up a lot of energy, and my body is just in shock," Su Mo said as he waved his hand.
Su Mo had been enduring this pain throughout the entire journey to the village. He knew that the Crimson Heart Clan was now targeted by many, so he could not show any signs of weakness outside the village.
Otherwise, someone might not be able to resist attacking the injured Su Mo. This was also why Su Mo had decided to let the fifth elder of the Cerulean Ocean Blade Clan escape. It wasn't because he didn't notice the fifth elder, but because he didn't have the physical strength to chase after the fifth elder.
"Go and report to the others that we've safely arrived while I go and recover," Su Mo instructed.
"Let me help you get back to your quarters, Clan Master Su," Yu Yuanjia said as he trotted forward to help Su Mo.
"I'm not dying, so why would I need your help? Go on, scram!" Su Mo could not help but curse.
"Y-Yes, sir!" Yu Yuanjia ran away immediately after hearing that.
Su Mo could not help but laugh when he saw Yu Yuanjia leave.
This was an overall victory for the clan and the village. Su Mo had managed to destroy the Hornless Ice Dragon Village and kill their clan master.
Su Mo had intimidated all of the smaller clans, obtained more resources, and even succeeded in making all of his subordinates utterly loyal to him. Now, the foundation of the Crimson Heart Clan was finally complete.
Su Mo carefully rushed to his cultivation room. 'I'm afraid that it's going to take me a whole day to recover this time,' Su Mo thought.
…
"What? Su Mo killed Hornless Dragon?!"
Meanwhile, in the Cerulean Ocean Blade Village's main hall, the elders gathered to discuss the matters of Su Mo and Hornless Dragon.
"That's right. We have to eliminate this kid as soon as possible. He used every means necessary to kill the clan master of the Myriad Flower Blade clan last time. How long did it take for him to be able to kill Hornless Dragon?!" The fifth elder said with lingering fear.
"Indeed, it is extraordinary, but are we a match for that kid if our clan master doesn't come out of seclusion?" The second elder said with hesitation.
This was too much of a blow to the Cerulean Ocean Blade Clan elders, but it was simply a fact that they had to accept.
"I think it's too risky for us to make a move. I didn't even see Hornless Dragon. I reckon Su Mo had already killed him before I arrived," the fifth elder said tactfully.
"It looks like we have no other choice but to wait for the clan master to come out of seclusion," the first elder sighed.
"It's fine. It looks like our clan master will come out of seclusion in less than three days. We can finally get rid of that kid when that time comes," the tenth elder at the end of the table immediately said.
The others regained their confidence after hearing this.
…
Just as the entire floating island was shocked at the news of Su Mo's defeat of Hornless Dragon, a young man arrived at the Hornless Ice Dragon Village.
The young man looked at the dilapidated Hornless Ice Dragon Village as his eyes filled with hatred and malice.
"Father!" When the young man found the corpse of Hornless Dragon, he could not help but burst into tears.
He didn't expect his home to be destroyed after being away for some time. The young man had gone overseas to look for assistance and hopefully discuss a collaboration.
The young master of the Hornless Dragon was pleased when he returned with news of an agreement with another clan. However, when he arrived on the floating island, he received a letter from Hornless Dragon.
In the letter, Hornless Dragon told him to return to the Hornless Ice Dragon Village and that he was about to die because he was no match for his enemy.
Hornless Dragon also told his son of Su Mo's realm and fight patterns. He had hoped that the young master could avenge him one day.
"I swear, I'll make you pay for what you've done, Crimson Heart Clan! Even if I am weak now, I will make things difficult for you!" The young master swore to the Heavens.
When the young master of the Hornless Dragon looked at his father's exposed corpse in the wilderness, his heart became filled with grief and resentment.
However, he was not blinded by hatred and remained calm. The young master knew that he would only be digging his own grave if he were to take his revenge now.
"Father, it's not that I don't want to avenge you, but the enemy is far too strong. Even you fell against him. I can't do anything about it now, but I promise that I will avenge you one day!" The young master said as he wiped the tears from his face.
"I didn't say that you will never be able to catch up to your father's killer," At this moment, a voice echoed from the void, but there was no figure to be seen.
"Y-You didn't leave?"
This was the voice of the person with whom the young master had an agreement. When the mysterious figure realized that the Hornless Ice Dragon Village had been destroyed, it decided to disappear.
But no matter how hard the young master looked, he could not find the mysterious figure. But the figure had spoken to him.
"It's not safe for me to show myself. I'll just have a stroll around the village," the mysterious figure replied.
"Senior, will you help me take my revenge?" The young master of the Hornless Dragon asked tentatively.
The young master knew of the mysterious figure's strength. The figure could easily wipe out all of its enemies on the floating village.
"Now, why would I do that?" The mysterious figure asked.
This sentence made the young master baffled as he didn't know the answer to this question.
The mysterious figure had already agreed to help the Hornless Ice Dragons deal with the Cerulean Ocean Blades. After all, the Hornless Ice Dragons persuaded the mysterious figure to help the floating island.
"There's a way we could come to an agreement." The mysterious figure sounded just as the young master remained silent.
"What is it?!" The young master asked loudly.
"But there's a high price you have to pay for this method. For example…" The figure's voice was filled with temptation.
However, the young master instantly agreed without thinking. He was willing to do anything as long as he could take his revenge.
"Good. Bury your father, and when the time comes, I'll take you somewhere," the figure instructed.
The young master of the Hornless Dragon immediately began to busy himself.
…
Meanwhile, Su Mo had already finished healing his injuries and began to count the spoils of war. However, it was only some spirit rocks, pills, and various materials.
"That's pretty decent. It's much more than what the Myriad Flower Blades had to offer," Su Mo said with satisfaction.
Su Mo was no longer shocked by the foundations of the larger clans. Perhaps it was because Su Mo had grown used to this.
"Isn't this the essence of the Hornless Ice Dragon? This thing was dropped as a reward too?!" Su Mo finally felt surprised when he saw this.
'So this was why Hornless Dragon was so strong.'
However, Su Mo felt that Hornless Dragon had yet to unleash his full potential. The Hornless Ice Dragon's essence would strengthen a human's physical body, allowing one to obtain a physique similar to that of a demonic beast.
If one were to experiment and extract the true power within the essence, it would be possible for one to transform into a full-blown dragon.
When Hornless Dragon obtained this item, he did not train his physical strength and physique. Instead, he continued to hone his swordsmanship, which was a waste of the Hornless Ice Dragon's essence.
"I'll keep this aside and give it to a disciple in the future."
Su Mo was delighted to receive a mythical item after fighting against a humanoid demonic beast.
After keeping the Hornless Ice Dragon's essence aside, Su Mo left his cultivation room and went straight down the mountain. This was because he had sensed that someone had come to the Crimson Heart Village.
Nonetheless, the visitor was an acquaintance. This acquaintance was someone of importance.
"Why are you here, looking for trouble? Weren't my words enough to scare you into hiding?"