"Elder Su," Daoist Xuanqing said, his face grim, "my disciple, Fan Jian, has been crippled. You’re the only one who can save him."
Su Mo had a general idea of what had happened.
It was a simple story. Ouyang Cheng had acted arrogantly, relying on his background and formidable strength. Fan Jian, refusing to back down, challenged him to a fight. In the end, he was no match for Ouyang Cheng and was not only severely injured but also had his Dantian crippled.
"You should be asking the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley for help. Why come to me?"
Su Mo asked, confused.
Daoist Xuanqing was stunned. "Elder Su, have you forgotten? The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley and Elder Huang are currently guarding your home."
Realization dawned on Su Mo. "Now that you mention it, I really had forgotten."
Only then did he recall ordering the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley and Huang Xu to stay with the Xiao Family. He had told them to set up an Array to defend against external threats, all to prevent the Heaven-Suppressing King from launching a sneak attack on his home base.
"Fine," Su Mo agreed. "I happen to be going to Medicine King Valley myself. Bring your disciple and come with me."
’Just finding the materials isn’t enough,’ he thought. ’I have to refine the Nine Dragon Venerable Pill to break through to the Samurai realm.’
’Medicine King Valley not only has Alchemists but also all kinds of Alchemy Equipment. It’s the perfect place to refine the Nine Dragon Venerable Pill.’
"Thank you, Elder Su."
Daoist Xuanqing turned to Fan Jian and said excitedly, "My disciple, you’re saved! Hurry and thank Elder Su."
"Thank you, Elder Su."
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Fan Jian knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Su Mo repeatedly, splitting his forehead until blood flowed onto the floor.
For a Martial Artist, having one’s Dantian crippled and being unable to practice Cultivation was a fate worse than death.
What’s more, Fan Jian had been a genius.
If Su Mo hadn’t agreed to heal his Dantian, Fan Jian would rather have died on the spot than continue to live on in an aimless daze.
"Young Master, what about us?"
Xiao Lang asked.
Su Mo instructed, "You all head back to Qingyang City for now."
Nearly all of the Xiao Family’s Martial Artists had come on this expedition, leaving behind only the elderly, the infirm, and the women and children.
Although they had only been gone for a few short days, their families back home were surely worried.
That was why Su Mo told them to return first.
It was a classic tale: the thread in the wanderer’s hand, stitched by a loving mother’s care.
Everyone misses their family.
The Desolate Old Monster stepped forward. "Rest assured, Elder Su. I will personally escort them back to Qingyang City and guarantee their safety. Nothing will happen to them on the road, unless it’s over my dead body."
"Thank you."
Su Mo nodded.
The Desolate Old Monster cupped his hands. "You’re too kind, Elder Su. If there’s nothing else, we’ll depart now."
The group set off for Qingyang City.
In the distance, the Striped Demon Tiger said slyly, "Old Wolf, let’s sneakily follow Elder Su’s family. Whatever you do, don’t lose them."
"Got it!"
The Black Demon Wolf agreed, and together with the Striped Demon Tiger, they stealthily followed.
Daoist Xuanqing said, "Elder Su, shall we depart for Medicine King Valley now? Please, after you."
"You go on ahead," Su Mo refused. "I’ll catch up shortly."
"Well..."
Daoist Xuanqing hesitated. "If you don’t go first, Elder, how could we possibly dare to? Please, you must depart first. We will follow behind you. To do otherwise would be disrespectful."
"Umm..."
"Fine," Su Mo said helplessly. "But I can’t fly. Wait here while I call my mount. Little Queque, come and give me a lift!"
...
In the plaza, dozens of Demon Beasts were gathered together, their faces full of admiration as they gazed at the Cyan Cloud Sparrow sitting in the center.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow said proudly, "To be honest with you all, my master can kill a Martial Monarch as easily as swatting a fly."
"Really?"
the Demon Beasts asked, their faces a mixture of shock and doubt.
They were all Tier Four Demon Beasts, weaker than a Martial Monarch. A Martial Monarch was a being they feared from the depths of their souls, so they were naturally astonished to hear this.
"Of course it’s true! I saw it with my own eyes."
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow boasted without batting an eye, "And another time, I personally saw my master kill a Martial King with just a point of his finger."
Hiss...
All the Demon Beasts sucked in a sharp breath.
’To kill a Martial King with a single finger... just how powerful would Su Mo be if he used his full strength?’
The Ancient Giant Crocodile raised its wine cup. "Come, let’s give Brother Que a toast! Please, Brother Que, put in a good word for us with Elder Su."
"Yes, yes! We all want to follow Elder Su. He’s a true hero!"
"Damn it! I’ve been wanting to leave the Beast Taming Sect for ages. If that old bastard Chu Tianxiong hadn’t plotted against me, I would’ve slaughtered everyone in the whole sect!"
"How could those weaklings from the Beast Taming Sect possibly compare to Elder Su?"
The crowd of Demon Beasts began to scorn the Beast Taming Sect.
Nearby, the Beast Taming Sect disciples in charge of guarding the Demon Pets were filled with rage, every one of them staring daggers at the Cyan Cloud Sparrow.
"What are you looking at? Haven’t you ever seen a Demon Beast this handsome before?"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow said disdainfully, "I just love the way you all look when you can’t stand me but can’t do anything about it. Please, feel free to stew in your impotent rage."
The Beast Taming Sect disciples were utterly furious.
However, they were furious but dared not say a word.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow was Su Mo’s mount. If they killed it, they would have to answer to Su Mo.
BAM!
Just as the Cyan Cloud Sparrow was gloating, a large foot suddenly shot out, sending it flying through the air.
"OW! That freaking hurt! Which bastard kicked—"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow wailed. It was about to start cursing when it saw Su Mo’s icy glare. Its soul nearly left its body in fright.
"Are you trying to become a dead bird?"
Su Mo asked in a chilling voice.
Reeking of alcohol, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow stumbled over to Su Mo and begged, trembling, "Spare me, Elder! I didn’t mean it! I’ll kowtow to you, how about that? Isn’t that enough?"
Su Mo was dumbfounded as he looked at the drunken Cyan Cloud Sparrow.
No wonder it hadn’t come to pick him up after he’d been calling "Little Queque" for so long. It had been hiding here, drinking with the other Demon Beasts.
’If I didn’t need this damned bird to fly me around,’ Su Mo thought, ’I would’ve slaughtered it on the spot.’
"Can you still fly?"
Su Mo asked.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow answered hastily, "I can, I can! Wherever you want to go, Elder, I’ll take you right now. I promise I won’t delay your business!"
"Good, as long as you can fly."
Su Mo stepped onto the Cyan Cloud Sparrow’s back. "Take me to Medicine King Valley. I need to perform Alchemy."
"CHIRP!"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow had only just spread its wings and flown about fifteen feet before it wobbled and crashed back to the ground, almost throwing Su Mo off.
Su Mo was speechless.
’This damned bird is completely wasted.’
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow said in a panic, "Elder, please don’t be angry! That was just a mistake! Watch, I’ll fly again for you!"
"CHIRP!"
Shaking its dizzy head, the Cyan Cloud Sparrow attempted to take off once more.
This time, it actually managed to get airborne.
It was just a little unsteady.
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow cried excitedly, "See, Elder? I’m not drunk, I’m flying! Get on! I’ll take you to Medicine King Valley!"
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in the sky.
The figure said in surprise, "What a large Cyan Cloud Sparrow, and a Tier Four, no less! Excuse me, is this the Beast Taming Sect?"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow slurred, "Yeah, this is the Beast Taming Sect. Who’re you?"
SMACK!
The person didn’t answer. Instead, they swung a massive hand and ruthlessly smacked the Cyan Cloud Sparrow, swatting it to the ground.