Chapter 32: The Alliance of the Five Emperors Against Xiao Xuan Ends in a Crushing Defeat

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, fleeting as a white colt flashing past a crevice.

During this time, the weaker imperial clans, such as the Sima and Lin families, exhausted all their means to scrape together resources. They ransacked ancestral treasuries, spent fortunes acquiring items from the outside world, and even had their patriarchs travel personally to gather the tributes demanded by Xiao Xuan. In the end, these clans could only manage half of the requested immortal medicines and immortal metals, filling the remainder with various other precious treasures.

When these offerings arrived at the Xiao family, the central plaza was instantly transformed into a mountain of treasures. Exotic elixirs radiating strange glows, immortal metals shimmering with metallic luster, divine sources brimming with immense energy, and an array of rare materials piled up, leaving the members of the Xiao family dazzled and overwhelmed.

"This is Supreme Profound Gold! It contains a trace of mysterious resonance; it is the perfect material for forging a top-tier imperial weapon."

"That is nothing compared to my Scarlet Flame Immortal Gold, a treasure exclusive to the Phoenix clan, birthed only in the most scorching immortal fires of the Demon Realm. It is a rare find indeed."

"Quiet, all of you. I have the Nether Black Gold from the Sima family. This metal was sourced from the Nether Realm and exudes the power of the abyss. Such material is extinct on the Tianxuan Continent; to obtain it, one would have to cross the Heavenly Abyss World Sea to reach the lands of the alien races."

"I have Dragon-Patterned Purple Gold, an immortal metal of the Dragon lineage. It holds the supreme might of the dragons; a piece the size of a fingernail is enough to refine scrap iron into a quasi-imperial weapon. Ordinary people could never get their hands on such a treasure."

The disciples of the Xiao family were as jubilant as if it were a festival, debating the treasures with unbridled joy. Even the elders of the minor branches were moved to tears, having never witnessed such a bounty in their lifetimes—some of the items were things they had never even heard of.

"Hmm, it seems some imperial clans have yet to deliver their tributes."

Amidst the festive atmosphere, Xiao Xuan frowned. He realized that the more defiant imperial clans, such as the Zhao and Tuoba, showed no intention of preparing any offerings. They had ignored his demands entirely, acting as if nothing had happened—a clear provocation of his authority and a challenge to the boundaries of the Xiao family.

"These clans truly have a death wish. Since they refuse to drink the wine of respect, they shall be forced to drink the wine of punishment. I shall pay them a visit myself!" A cold, murderous glint flashed in Xiao Xuan’s eyes. As he spoke, his figure transformed into a streak of light and vanished from the plaza.

However, just as he set off, he sensed a powerful aura gathering not far away. It was filled with endless killing intent and resolve, as if several formidable forces were converging to prepare for a life-or-death battle.

Xiao Xuan frowned slightly, a sneer of disdain playing on his lips. He had expected these defiant clans would not yield easily, but their haste in forming an alliance was somewhat unexpected.

"Hmph, these clans really do not know when to die. Today, I shall let you taste the consequences of defying me!" Xiao Xuan’s voice was cold, sounding like a death sentence for these families.

He moved through the sky like a phantom, arriving instantly at the source of the powerful aura. There, the five quasi-emperors from the Zhao, Tuoba, Geng, He, and Dugu families hung in the air. Each radiated a powerful aura, brandishing their respective family’s imperial weapons as they formed a mysterious Five Elements Yin-Yang Array.

This formation allowed the five to fuse their power perfectly, enabling them to momentarily unleash the strength of a Great Emperor to combat Xiao Xuan.

"Xiao Xuan, you have gone too far! Today, our alliance of five clans will show you our true power!" Zhao Potian, the ancestor of the Zhao family, gripped a massive battle axe wreathed in scorching flames, his voice filled with desperate resolve.

"Indeed! Today, united, we shall surely defeat you!" Tuoba Tiexue, the Tuoba quasi-emperor, brandished a black spear wreathed in dark lightning, his eyes filled with a chilling murderous intent, as if he intended to tear Xiao Xuan limb from limb.

The other three quasi-emperors also brandished their imperial weapons, their faces set with firm determination.

Xiao Xuan smiled faintly, his eyes filled with contempt. "Hmph, five ants, daring to act insolent before me? Today, I will teach you the price of rebellion!"

As he spoke, the long sword in his hand transformed into a bolt of black lightning, streaking toward the five quasi-emperors.

"Quick, stabilize the formation! Do not let him break through!"

The five quasi-emperors channeled their imperial weapons, pouring energy into the array. Powerful ripples of energy erupted, forming a massive protective shield that enveloped them.

"Boom!" Xiao Xuan’s sword collided with the shield with a deafening roar. The resulting shockwaves shattered the surrounding earth. The shield trembled violently under his assault, cracks beginning to spread across its surface.

"Hmph, you think this bit of power can stop me?"

Xiao Xuan snorted. His figure flickered and reappeared above them. He clasped his hands together, forming a massive black sword seal that radiated a destructive aura.

"Break!"

Xiao Xuan released the seal, which transformed into a pillar of black light that slammed into the shield.

"Boom!"

The pillar collided with the barrier, and with a cataclysmic blast, the shield shattered instantly. The five quasi-emperors were sent flying by the shockwave, blood raining from their bodies.

"No... this is impossible!"

"The five of us combined can contend with a Great Emperor! How can you be this strong?"

Zhao Potian struggled to climb to his feet, his face etched with disbelief.

"I thought you would be a challenge, but you are nothing more than this!" Xiao Xuan sneered. He reappeared before them like a ghost, his sword pointed at them, its tip shimmering with a frigid light. He looked down upon them with utter disdain, mocking their overestimation of their own strength.

Once more, his sword turned into black lightning, descending with endless killing intent and destructive force. Wherever the sword qi passed, the air was shredded with a shrill whistle, and the heavens themselves seemed to change color, as if time had frozen at that very moment.

"Fight him to the death! There is a sliver of hope if we fight, but death is certain if we don't!"

The five quasi-emperors saw the hopelessness of their situation. They knew there was no retreat, only the desperate choice to face him head-on.

To fight was to have a chance at life!

To not fight was certain death!