Jiang Zhan and Mr. Jiang's faces tightened with concern. Despite being based in Tianhai, they were well aware of Guo Chengping's reputation—the next president of the Imperial Capital Array Masters Association and a formidable figure in the world of formation arts within Xia Kingdom.
Jiang Wan furrowed her brow. "Mr. Wei, Mr. Qiao, even if you were expelled from the Formation Master Association, that doesn't justify Guo Chengping attacking you."
Mr. Wei sighed. "Old Qiao and I had arranged to meet some old friends here in Tianhai. We hoped they could lend a hand to Senior Su. Unfortunately, Guo Chengping happened to overhear our conversation. Under his influence, those friends left us one by one."
Mr. Qiao added, "And that would have been the end of it, but we had no intention of provoking Guo Chengping. Yet, he still attacked us. He claimed he came to Tianhai to take Su Wu as his apprentice, and out of spite, he severed our arms and warned us not to show our faces at the Su family. He threatened that if we did, he'd make sure we didn't leave Tianhai alive."
Horn's expression darkened. Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao had been loyal to him, and he could not let this slight go unpunished. "Guo Chengping will pay for this," Horn said coldly. "Next year on this day will mark his death anniversary."
Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao exchanged worried glances. They knew Guo Chengping was not just a six-star formation mage but also a mid-level Heavenly Star Realm expert. Even with the Jiang family backing them, they were walking a dangerous path.
Jiang Wan, recognizing the difficulty of killing someone as powerful as Guo Chengping, also grew concerned. Guo Chengping's intervention and his decision to take Su Wu as his apprentice indicated that the Su family's influence had reached new heights.
Jiang Zhan and Mr. Jiang shared a look of silent resolve before Mr. Jiang spoke. "The arrow is drawn and must be released. No matter who the Su family brings in, we have no choice but to see this through. This time, we bet everything on the Jiang family."
Jiang Zhan nodded in agreement. "Father's right. There's no point in overthinking it. We've made our choice, and now we have to march forward without looking back. Good son-in-law, this is the first decision I've made in a long time that's based purely on guts. Even if we're headed for hell, at least we won't go alone."
Jiang Feng, swept up by their determination, chimed in eagerly, "Brother-in-law, let's go to hell together!"
Horn smiled faintly at the young man. "Why are you all so keen on hell? How about we aim for a bright future instead?"
Jiang Wan, a one-star formation mage, looked at Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao with sympathy. After losing their right arms, she knew their potential would be severely limited. "Let me tend to your wounds," she offered, but Horn raised a hand to stop her.
"There's no need," Horn said. Turning to Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao, he instructed, "Both of you, stand in front of me."
Without question, the two men stumbled to their feet and stood before Horn, who then looked up at the sky. Slowly, he extended his right hand, and the heavens seemed to respond. The earth trembled as two visible strands of energy descended from the sky, swirling around Horn before entering the bodies of Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao.
"This is the essence of heaven and earth," Horn said calmly. "It will allow your arms to regenerate. Not only that, but it will enhance your talents in ways you cannot imagine."
Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao, though stunned, stood motionless, feeling an unfamiliar energy course through their bodies. Around them, Jiang Zhan, Mr. Jiang, Jiang Wan, and Jiang Feng watched breathlessly as the impossible happened. Minutes later, Mr. Wei's severed arm began to itch, and before their eyes, a new arm grew from the stump. A moment later, Mr. Qiao's right arm also regenerated.
The two men flexed their new arms, marveling at the strength they now felt coursing through their veins. They realized these new limbs were even stronger than their original arms had ever been.
Jiang Zhan, still trying to wrap his mind around the miracle they had just witnessed, sent a private message to Jiang Wan, "Xiao Wan, are we sure Horn is only in the early stage of the Heavenly Star Realm? Even I can't do something like that."
Jiang Wan, overwhelmed with emotion, responded out loud, "Grandpa, I've never been able to sense brother Horn's true power. We clearly underestimated him."
Mr. Wei, awestruck by his new arm, asked, "Senior Su, this power I feel in my arm… What is it?"
Horn, with his usual calm demeanor, explained, "Your new arm has been infused with the essence of heaven and earth. From now on, it will be able to absorb that energy naturally. When fully charged, it will give you the power to defeat opponents far stronger than you. But be warned—each time you use that power, the essence will be depleted. You will need to recharge it before your arm regains its full strength."
As Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao began to express their gratitude, Jiang Feng, filled with envy, blurted out, "Brother-in-law, how about I chop off both my arms? Can you do the same for me?"