Chapter 33: Visitors from the Supreme Temple: Fellow Daoist, You Have Crossed the Boundary

"Immovable King Axe!"

Zhao Potian roared, swinging his battle axe as a blazing, fiery arc of energy tore toward Xiao Xuan’s sword light.

"Nine Calamities Heaven-Breaking Spear!"

Tuoba Tiexue followed in close pursuit. With a flick of his spear, a black, lightning-charged energy surged forth like a dragon breaking from the sea, thrusting directly at Xiao Xuan’s longsword.

The other three quasi-emperors also unleashed their own imperial weapons, their powerful attacks pouring out like a torrential rain in a desperate attempt to block Xiao Xuan’s strike.

"Hmph, mere motley fools!"

Xiao Xuan sneered, flicking his sword with effortless grace.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A series of deafening explosions erupted as the five quasi-emperors’ attacks collided violently with Xiao Xuan’s sword light, unleashing blinding radiance and terrifying energy ripples.

Yet, these desperate, final attempts by the quasi-emperors were like mayflies trying to shake a giant tree before Xiao Xuan’s blade. They could not impede it in the slightest. Xiao Xuan’s sword energy, sharp and indomitable, easily pierced their defenses and struck their bodies.

"Ahhh!"

The five quasi-emperors let out shrill, despairing screams. Their bodies were severely wounded by the sword energy, blood spurting out like fountains and staining their robes crimson.

"Clang!"

Zhao Potian’s battle axe flew from his grip, spinning in the air for a moment before falling powerlessly into Xiao Xuan’s hand.

"Boom!"

Tuoba Tiexue’s spear shattered under the immense impact, the tip sent flying. Hit by the lingering shockwave of the sword energy, he was thrown backward, crashing heavily into the ground with a dull thud.

The imperial weapons of the other three quasi-emperors were also knocked from their hands, landing at Xiao Xuan’s feet. Their bodies were torn apart like shredded cloth under the assault of the sword light, blood splattering in a gruesome display.

In the blink of an eye, the five quasi-emperors were left defenseless, suffering a crushing defeat.

"Mere quasi-emperors—in my eyes, you are nothing but ants."

Xiao Xuan watched coldly, his expression devoid of fluctuation, as if their lives meant no more to him than those of insects. He slowly withdrew his sword and gave a light wave, gathering the five imperial weapons into his storage artifact. His voice carried a frigid edge.

"Today, I shall let the world know that even an established imperial clan will face a dead end if they defy my will!" With that, Xiao Xuan strode toward the five men, ready to end their lives.

"No, Xiao Xuan, you—you cannot kill us!"

The five heavily wounded quasi-emperors struggled on the ground, their faces twisted with unwillingness and despair. Had they known this would be the outcome, they would have long ago agreed to Xiao Xuan’s demands.

But it was too late. All pleas were useless now.

"Hmph, mere quasi-emperors daring to oppose me? Truly overestimating yourselves. Why would I not be able to kill you?" Xiao Xuan let out a cold snort, his figure turning into a streak of light as he appeared instantly before them, his killing intent laid bare.

"We are from the Supreme Divine Temple! If you kill us, you will offend them!"

The five quasi-emperors had no choice but to invoke the Supreme Divine Temple, hoping to make Xiao Xuan hesitate.

"The Supreme Divine Temple?" Xiao Xuan paused.

"That’s right! The backer behind our five imperial clans is none other than the Supreme Divine Temple. Xiao Xuan, I advise you to let us go."

"If you offend the Supreme Divine Temple, you will be in grave trouble. You should know that the Temple houses more than just one Great Emperor!"

"We belong to the Supreme Divine Temple. If you touch us, there will be no place in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths for you or the Xiao clan to exist."

The five quasi-emperors, believing Xiao Xuan was afraid, shouted in haste.

"Heh, the Supreme Divine Temple? In my eyes, they aren't worth a damn!"

"I would like to see if those old immortals in the Supreme Divine Temple will actually come out to avenge a few of their lapdogs!" Xiao Xuan sneered.

"Wait!"

Just as Xiao Xuan prepared to finish them off, a sound tore through the sky—a thunderous, deafening boom that seemed to shake the very heavens and earth with its sheer power.

A formidable presence approached rapidly, imbued with infinite majesty and oppression that chilled the soul. Xiao Xuan looked up to see an elderly figure descending from the sky like a god falling from the heavens, radiating immense authority.

The man was an old elder with white, weathered hair. It was Emperor Daoyi of the Supreme Divine Temple. His eyes, filled with a majestic depth that seemed to pierce through the world, emitted an aura so powerful that one dared not look directly at him.

Emperor Daoyi descended slowly, every step seemingly treading upon the void and leaving behind faint silhouettes. His white hair billowed in the wind like a silver waterfall. Though his face was etched with the marks of time, his eyes remained as sharp as a hawk’s. He wore a white robe embroidered with golden patterns, every thread radiating potent energy.

As Daoyi landed, the ground trembled slightly as if in tribute. His gaze swept over the five quasi-emperors before settling on Xiao Xuan. His voice carried a warning: "Fellow Daoist, you have crossed the line."

The voice resonated like a great temple bell, causing the air to quiver. The five quasi-emperors knelt, not daring to lift their heads. The majesty of Emperor Daoyi exerted an invisible pressure, making him feel like the master of this realm.

"When my Xiao clan was driven into a corner in the past, why did none of you appear? Now you come to play the peacemaker?" Xiao Xuan retorted with a cold snort, his eyes flashing with disdain and his voice dripping with mockery. The suffering his clan had endured remained vivid in his mind.

Daoyi was left speechless. After a momentary pause, he sighed, attempting to use the greater good of humanity to persuade Xiao Xuan: "Fellow Daoist, the Heavenly Abyss has been unsealed, and alien races are about to invade Tianxuan. Humanity is in peril. We should be united against our common enemy, not engaging in internal strife."

"Since the aliens are about to invade, as a powerhouse of the Supreme Divine Temple, shouldn't you be guarding the border? Why do you have the leisure to come here and act as a mediator?"

"Furthermore, I have stood guard for one hundred thousand years. It is high time you pampered experts of the Supreme Divine Temple took your turn." Xiao Xuan sneered, his eyes filled with growing contempt.

The hypocrisy and disgust of the Supreme Divine Temple made Xiao Xuan nauseous. He was tired of bearing the burden of protecting humanity alone. As for the Tianxuan Continent and the safety of the human race, whoever wanted to guard it could do so!

A flash of complexity crossed Daoyi's eyes. He knew the rift between the Supreme Divine Temple and Xiao Xuan ran too deep to be healed in a day. If it had been Wu Qian from the Temple who came to mediate, they would have likely come to blows already.

Daoyi remained silent for a long moment before finally sighing. "Xiao Xuan, your sacrifices will not be forgotten by humanity. But the situation is critical; we must set aside our grievances and discuss a strategy." He hoped that this incident would allow all parties to put aside their grudges and face the coming invasion together.

"Daoyi, I am not an unreasonable man. But today's matter must be concluded. These imperial clans must pay the price for their actions." Xiao Xuan’s voice was unyielding.

"Xiao Xuan, your actions today have touched the bottom line of the Supreme Divine Temple. If you persist, not only will these imperial clans become your enemies, but the entire Temple will not sit idly by. Your Xiao clan will be driven to ruin." Daoyi spoke slowly, his tone grave. He began to address Xiao Xuan by name and even threatened the Xiao clan, hoping to force a retreat.

Xiao Xuan merely sneered, his eyes flashing with disdain and his voice filled with dominance: "Daoyi, are you threatening me? My Xiao clan has long prepared for this day. After this battle, my entire clan will migrate to the forbidden zones of life. No one will ever be able to threaten us again!"

His voice echoed like thunder, shaking the air. Then, his gaze toward Daoyi grew fierce and cold. "If you do not move aside, do not blame me for forgetting our history and cutting down this avatar of yours! You should understand that a mere avatar cannot stop me!" His eyes brimmed with absolute confidence; no power could block his path.

Emperor Daoyi remained silent for a long time. A complex expression crossed his face, and eventually, he chose to withdraw. He knew that since his avatar had been seen through, further negotiation was impossible. While this avatar was stronger than a quasi-emperor, it was only by a small margin—not enough to stop Xiao Xuan. They had reached an impasse, and if he did not leave, Xiao Xuan would dare to destroy even this avatar.

"Xiao Xuan, your actions today will be recorded in the annals of history. I hope you do not live to regret them." Daoyi took a deep breath, his voice laced with helplessness and a final warning.

"Regret? I, Xiao Xuan, never regret my decisions. It is the Supreme Divine Temple that should feel regret. Today’s matter must have an end. If your Temple dares to interfere again, do not blame me for being discourteous!" Xiao Xuan laughed coldly.

Seeing that Xiao Xuan’s resolve was unshakable, Daoyi could only shake his head helplessly.

In the next instant, Daoyi’s figure faded into nothingness, leaving behind a deathly silence. The surviving five quasi-emperors were ashen-faced. Even an Emperor from the Supreme Divine Temple had been scared off by a few words from Xiao Xuan, daring not to intervene further.

In all the vast world, who was left to save them?