Su Ming stared at Horn with cold eyes, his only goal now being to leave the Jiang family safely. The only way to do that was by controlling Horn's life, giving him leverage over Mr. Jiang and the others.
Horn, unfazed, responded calmly, "Are you sure you want to face me alone?"
Su Ming sneered, "If you're scared, just admit it. Don't think that getting close to the Jiang family will make me bow to you! You'll never be my equal."
He was clearly trying to provoke Horn.
Jiang Zhan and Mr. Jiang sensed Su Ming's intentions and were about to intervene, but Horn spoke first. "Alright, I'll give you what you want. You can start whenever you're ready."
Jiang Zhan quickly interjected, "My good son-in-law, don't lower yourself to his level! Let me handle this trash; there's no need for you to dirty your hands."
Mr. Jiang nodded in agreement, "Son-in-law, heed our advice and just observe. We'll break his limbs for you, and you can deal with him at your leisure."
Based on what they knew, Horn's cultivation was only at the early stage of the Sea Transformation Realm. It was impressive that he had become a Seven-Star Alchemist and a Seven-Star Array Master at such a young age, but it was understandable if his cultivation level was a bit weaker. After all, reaching the Sea Transformation Realm was no small feat, especially considering that many monks in their twenties were still stuck in the Qi Condensation realm.
Su Ming, with a sneer, said, "Mr. Jiang, Master Jiang, you two are seniors. Since Horn has agreed to fight me, why interfere? Do you think the Jiang family can do whatever they please in Tianhai?"
Jiang Zhan and Mr. Jiang looked troubled, but Jiang Wan stepped in with a smile, "Dad, Grandpa, let Brother Horn handle this himself. I have faith in him."
Jiang Feng, bruised and battered, cautioned, "Sister, Su Ming's cultivation is at the pinnacle of the Sea Transformation Realm. He's even defeated opponents at the early stage of the Sky Control Realm. From what I know, Horn's only in the early stages of the Sea Transformation Realm."
Everyone knew that above the Sea Transformation Realm was the Sky Control Realm, then the Creation Realm, and eventually the Star Realm. The higher one climbed, the harder the battles became, and Su Ming had already proven his exceptional talent by defeating someone at a higher realm.
Jiang Feng still didn't think much of Horn. The only reason he had knelt and apologized earlier was out of sheer necessity. Now, he was trying to warn Mr. Jiang and the others out of concern.
Jiang Zhan and Mr. Jiang watched Jiang Wan with worry.
"You have to trust me and trust Brother Horn," Jiang Wan said calmly.
Jiang Zhan and Mr. Jiang took a deep breath and remained silent for the moment. But if Horn found himself in danger, they wouldn't hesitate to step in, no matter how it might look.
Jiang Feng, seeing his grandfather and uncle quiet down, shook his head slightly. He couldn't understand why his sister, who had just shown such concern for Horn, would now encourage him to face this challenge alone.
Su Ming, noticing that Jiang Zhan and Mr. Jiang weren't intervening, let his aura, honed to perfection in the Sea Transformation Realm, boil over. "Horn, you actually look like a man now. Remember, I said I wouldn't use my right arm. I intend to keep my word."
Horn responded indifferently, "It doesn't matter."
Su Ming, seething with anger at what he perceived as Horn's arrogance, launched himself into the air with a powerful kick to the ground.
But in the next instant, Horn vanished, reappearing above Su Ming. With both feet, he stomped down on Su Ming's shoulders, and before Su Ming could react, his body was slammed into the ground with a resounding crash.
Su Ming, now embedded in the ground up to his neck, felt a wave of spiritual energy emanate from Horn's feet, coursing through his body and destroying his meridians. He was left completely powerless.
Jiang Zhan and Mr. Jiang, who had been on edge, were stunned into silence.
Jiang Zhan turned to Jiang Wan, asking, "Xiaowan, what level has my good son-in-law reached? Has he already entered the Sky Control Realm?"
Jiang Feng, who had been skeptical, now stood wide-eyed, unable to believe what he had just witnessed. He had once sparred with Su Ming at the peak of the Sea Transformation Realm and barely survived a single move. Yet here was Su Ming, utterly defeated by Horn. Was this a dream?
But the scene before him was all too real.
Mr. Jiang's gaze turned to Jiang Wan, who explained, "Brother Horn's cultivation has indeed surpassed the Sea Transformation Realm."
Jiang Zhan couldn't contain his excitement. "Good son-in-law, you're truly amazing! As far as I know, Su Wu, who stole the immortal bones, was only in the early stages of the Sky Control Realm! My good son-in-law will surely reach the pinnacle of the Xia Kingdom!"
Mr. Jiang, overjoyed, added, "You are indeed my grandson-in-law! From now on, the entire Jiang family will revolve around you!"
Su Ming, buried in the ground, was in disbelief. He couldn't accept that he had lost to Horn. When he heard Jiang Wan's words, he screamed, "There's no way this b*****d could have reached the Sky Control Realm! Absolutely no way!"
Jiang Wan calmly replied, "Brother Horn isn't a cultivator of the Sky Control Realm."
Su Ming, laughing maniacally, said, "I knew it! This b*****d must have used some underhanded method to suppress me. In terms of true strength, he's no match for me!"
Jiang Wan ignored him and continued, "Brother Horn's current cultivation level is at the early stage of the Heavenly Star Realm! Saying he's merely a Sky Control Realm master is an insult to him."
The Heavenly Star Realm—a level above the Creation Realm!
Jiang Feng, realizing the truth, suddenly understood why his sister valued Horn so much. A Heavenly Star Realm master in his twenties? Unimaginable!
With his earlier animosity gone, Jiang Feng hurried into the villa. When he returned, he was holding a teacup in one hand and a chair in the other. Approaching Horn with newfound respect, he said, "Brother-in-law, are you thirsty? Sit down and have some tea to soothe your throat. Trash like Su Ming isn't worth your anger!"
Now, when he called Horn "brother-in-law," it came from the heart. He knew he had to cling to this powerful ally.