Chapter 27: The Arrival of the Quasi-Emperor, Will the Cang Family Repeat the Tragedy of the Xiao Family?

"Let our first stop for collecting interest be the Cang family. I have already slain the Martial Emperor Cang Yan, so the Cang family must be leaderless now, like a tree fallen and its monkeys scattered."

"A family of a quasi-emperor should have at least some imperial-tier resources, shouldn't they?"

With a thought, the avatar Xiao Xuan had left behind at the Xiao residence sprang into action, transforming into a streak of light and racing toward the ancestral home of the Cang family.

As Xiao Xuan had anticipated, the Cang family was on the verge of collapse following the death of Martial Emperor Cang Yan. Different factions within the family were already embroiled in bitter disputes over the distribution of assets. Like a mansion that had lost its main pillar, the entire family was tottering on the brink of disintegration. The power vacuum had emboldened various factions, who were now bickering and even resorting to violence to seize control and claim the family's wealth.

In the Cang family’s council hall, the once solemn and imposing atmosphere had vanished, replaced by clamor and chaos. Elders sat on either side, representing their respective cliques, their eyes filled with greed and calculation as arguments erupted one after another.

"Third brother, stop your delusional fantasies! With Martial Emperor Cang Yan dead, the family's resources should be controlled by my lineage; after all, I am the eldest son of the primary branch!" a middle-aged man in luxurious robes shouted, slamming his hand against the table with undeniable resolve.

"Ha! So what if you are the eldest son? Strength is what truly matters! If not for my branch's numerous contributions while Martial Emperor Cang Yan was alive, where would the family's current glory be? The distribution should be based on merit, and my lineage is the greatest contributor!" Another elder stood up, pointing at the other's nose with a mocking sneer.

"Enough!" An elderly elder finally snapped, slamming the table heavily in an attempt to quell the squabbling. "Martial Emperor Cang Yan’s body is not yet cold, and you are already tearing each other apart over these worldly possessions. Do you not fear disgracing the family name?"

"Name? Ha! You old fool, what do you know? The family's momentum is gone. If we don't grab a share now, others will come to plunder us, and we will be left with nothing!" the middle-aged man sneered, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Indeed, the family's resources are not yours to swallow alone! If we don't settle this today, don't blame us for forgetting our kinship!" another elder echoed, his eyes gleaming with greed.

The arguments grew increasingly heated, and the rifts between factions widened. Some began secretly summoning their private guards, preparing to resolve the matter by force. The Cang family, once a prominent clan of the Eastern Wilderness, was now trapped in the quagmire of internal strife, unable to extricate itself.

Just then, a cold voice rang out: "Are the people of the Cang family still bickering over these trivialities?"

Everyone turned to look. Xiao Xuan’s avatar stood at the entrance of the hall, his eyes as cold as ice, scanning everyone present. The shouting in the hall ceased instantly, replaced by a deathly silence. Every face was etched with terror and unease.

"Who... who are you? How dare you trespass into our council hall!" an elder asked, emboldened by fear, his voice trembling.

Xiao Xuan’s avatar gave a cold smile. Without answering, he slowly raised his hand, and a brilliant divine light erupted from his palm, instantly engulfing the entire council hall.

Those elders still arguing, along with their private guards, were reduced to ashes under the radiance of this light, scattering into the wind.

"The end of the Cang family has arrived."

"However, I will give you one stick of incense's time to consider. If the Cang family is sensible and hands over all your resources within this time, you may yet be spared."

Xiao Xuan’s avatar left behind these icy words, leaving the hall in a state of deathly silence and utter devastation. His goal was clear: he was there to ransack the family, just as Martial Emperor Cang Yan had done to others. He gave the Cang family one stick of incense to decide; if they were wise and obediently surrendered all their resources, they might live. If not, he would show no mercy.

"It's over. Our family is finished."

Seeing Xiao Xuan’s arrival, the head of the Cang family was terrified, his face pale as paper, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He knew Xiao Xuan’s methods; with their ancestor dead, they were no match for him.

"Quick! Go seek the Great Emperor of the Wu family! Tell them the Cang family is in peril and needs urgent aid!" the family head stammered.

In desperation, he could only turn to the Cang family's patron, hoping the Great Emperor of the Wu family would intervene. The head even produced a piece of imperial incense left behind by the Wu family, intending to ignite it to summon their powerful experts.

"Family Head, this piece of imperial incense... it extinguishes itself as soon as it's lit."

"Family Head, we have tried to light it over ten times, and it has gone out every time. What are we to do?"

The Cang family was in complete disarray, its members scurrying like ants on a hot pan.

"Time is up. You actually dared to seek aid from the Wu family? Your hearts truly refuse to give up!"

"The Cang family's fate today is entirely of your own making. Do not expect any mercy from me." Xiao Xuan’s avatar sneered. Without the slightest hesitation, he launched an attack on the various Saint-realm experts of the Cang family, slaughtering them one by one.

Before Xiao Xuan, these Saint-realm experts were as fragile as ants, instantly refined into the essences of the Saint-realm.

"These Saint-realm essences will be enough to cultivate quite a few experts for my Xiao family. I shall accept them with pleasure." Wherever the avatar passed, Cang family experts fell, their screams echoing as blood mist filled the air in a brutal display.

Yet, Xiao Xuan merely sneered, viewing the Cang family’s plight as their own just desserts.

Just then, a piece of divine source flew out from within the Cang family, and an ancient, furious voice thundered: "Who dares to run wild in my Cang family!" A figure, an ancient entity of the first level of the Quasi-Emperor realm, manifested from the divine source. His eyes flashed with fierce malice as he attempted to thwart Xiao Xuan, roaring, "Xiao Xuan, you dare to bully my Cang family to this extent? Today, I will make you pay the price!"

As this ancient entity appeared, an oppressive aura filled the council hall, as if the very air had frozen. His presence brought a flicker of hope to the desperate members of the Cang family, who saw a glimmer of salvation.

"Ancestor! You have finally appeared! Quick, kill this avatar of Xiao Xuan and avenge our family!" an elder cried out, his voice trembling with anticipation.

"Hmph, Xiao Xuan, you are but an avatar, yet you dare to be so arrogant in my Cang family. Today, I will teach you that there is always someone stronger!" The ancient entity snorted, his aura surging as if to shatter the council hall.

"A familiar scene. To think you still had a Quasi-Emperor ancestor hidden away. But he is nothing more than a clay chicken or a pottery dog."

Xiao Xuan’s avatar merely offered a slight smile, seemingly unbothered by the ancient entity's threats.

He slowly raised his right hand and extended a finger. A brilliant divine light shot from his fingertip like a sword piercing the darkness, striking the ancient entity instantly.

Where the light passed, space itself seemed to tear apart with a piercing roar.

The Cang family’s ancient ancestor did not even have time to scream. The divine light pierced through his body, its immense power rampaging within him, shattering his meridians, bones, and even his soul in a heartbeat.

The fierce light in his eyes vanished instantly, and he dissipated into a wisp of blue smoke, vanishing into the air.

A Quasi-Emperor, killed by Xiao Xuan with a single finger!