Mr. Jiang and Jiang Zhan hesitated, wanting to help Horn confront Horne.
Noticing their intent, Horn said calmly, "I can handle this myself. Watch from the sidelines without worry."
The two exchanged worried glances. Horne was already halfway into the Sky Moon Realm, a powerful adversary. Could Horn, at only twenty-one, truly be stronger than Horne? It seemed unbelievable.
They doubted Horn had reached the Sky Moon Realm. Judging by his defeat of Su Xiao, Horn's strength was likely in the late or peak stages of the Heavenly Star Realm—impressive enough. Mr. Jiang, at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Star Realm himself, knew how challenging even minor breakthroughs were.
Still, they stayed put, ready to step in if Horn faltered.
Horne's aura grew more fearsome as he approached. "Nie Zhan, do you really think you can make the Su family bleed rivers? You're not capable!" he taunted. "Today, I'll clean house and honor my family with your blood."
Horn remained composed and calmly waved at Su Wu, who stood with a cold expression. Suddenly, countless sharp energies flew toward Su Wu.
Swish, swish, swish—
Pieces of Su Wu's flesh were sliced off, filling the air. Su Wu roared in agony, on the verge of death, as the torture drove him to madness.
Horn didn't finish him off but instead turned to the enraged Horne with a smile. "Old dog Su, does it hurt to see your precious grandson suffer?"
"His life matters to you, but mine didn't? Why did you take my eyes and bones? Do you know how much pain I endured, living in hell?"
"Now, after climbing out of that hell, I'm here to take my revenge. Are you satisfied?"
For two thousand years in the Immortal World, Horn had struggled. Losing his sight and his talent for cultivating immortality had been torment, but he had fought to survive, driven by his desire for vengeance against the Su family. Some grudges time couldn't erase.
Now, his immortal bone had regrown, his body was whole, and he was ready to settle the score. But Horne's expression remained resolute.
"Don't make excuses, Nie Zhan!" Horne shouted. "Right is right, and wrong is wrong. You've always been in the wrong, from the start. As a member of the Su family, you were supposed to give everything for the family."
He stepped forward, rising into the air, preparing to strike. Xia Qingying, watching Horne's resolve, chimed in. "Horn, you're too arrogant. You'll regret this. The Su family is your family—you shouldn't treat them this way."
With a shake of her head, she continued, "I take back what I said. You're not fit to marry into my Xia family."
Ignoring her, Horne charged at Horn, unleashing a fearsome attack. "Hundred Palms of the Underworld!" he shouted.
Suddenly, the air was filled with a chilling wind. The vegetation around them withered, and thick blood began bubbling from the ground. The oppressive atmosphere made it hard for anyone to breathe. Mr. Jiang and Jiang Zhan froze, unable to move as a massive black palm formed above, crashing down toward Horn with a thunderous boom.
Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring Horn from view, and the ground beneath him sank. But this was just the beginning. A second black palm, then a third, followed in rapid succession, each one crashing down with terrifying speed and force.
Mr. Jiang and Jiang Zhan coughed up blood, unable to approach Horn, their only focus on protecting Jiang Wan and the others.
"Old fool! How dare you use the Hundred Palms of the Underworld?" Mr. Jiang shouted, enraged. This was a pseudo-Rank Seven combat skill, forbidden for monks in the Xia Dynasty. Practicing it required killing, staining one's hands with blood, and though its power surpassed Rank Six skills, it was not a true Rank Seven.
Despite its ban, its might was undeniable. Horne's hundred palm strikes were devastating, causing the ground to quake like a drum being beaten. After the final strike landed, silence fell.
The battlefield was shrouded in dust. Jiang Wan's eyes filled with tears. Could Horn have survived?
"Horn, you can't die here! Zixuan and Yuxin are still waiting for you in Linzhou!" Jiang Wan cried out, rushing toward the dust cloud.
No one stopped him, and Horne's face remained cold, while Xia Qingying remarked, "An ant is still just an ant."
Su Wu initially felt proud, but something was off. If Horn were dead, why was he still suspended in mid-air? Could Horn have survived, just injured? Su Wu figured he would have the pleasure of torturing Horn himself.
As the dust cleared, a figure emerged. Jiang Wan ran into Horn's arms, who stood there, unharmed, his clothes spotless.
"Don't be so reckless," Horn said softly, holding Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan stared in disbelief as the dust continued to settle. Horn then looked up at Horne, his expression calm. "Old dog Su, were you trying to tickle me? You're too weak."
With a flick of his finger, the sky darkened. Horne's face twisted in disbelief as he felt an immense weight pressing down on him, as if a mountain had fallen upon him. Panic flashed across his face.
In the next instant, Horne's body plummeted downward.