Chapter 34: A Quasi-Emperor Puppet, Guarding the Household, This Deal Is No Loss

At this moment, the five quasi-emperors from the Zhao, Tuoba, and other clans were already paralyzed with fear, not knowing what to do.

They had originally assumed that by forming an alliance and relying on their five imperial weapons and the Five Elements Yin-Yang Array, even if they could not defeat Xiao Xuan, they would at least be able to put up a fight. They had never expected Xiao Xuan’s strength to be so heaven-defying; he had broken their combined formation with ease and beaten the five of them until they were no better than dead dogs. Even the arrival of Emperor Daoyi from the Supreme Divine Palace had been scared off by a single sentence from Xiao Xuan.

Gone was the arrogance and toughness that had once marked the faces of the five quasi-emperors, replaced entirely by expressions of sycophancy and fawning.

"Great Emperor Xiao Xuan, we know we were wrong. Please, with your magnanimity, spare us this once. From this day forward, the Zhao clan is willing to follow the lead of the Xiao clan in all things," Zhao Potian said first, his voice trembling and his eyes filled with supplication.

"Senior, we were confused for a moment and nearly committed a grave error. I am willing to offer our family's treasured Imperial Scripture, the 'Nine Heavens Star Art.' It is a priceless heirloom passed down through countless ages; I hope you will not find it lacking." Tuoba Tiexue hurriedly chimed in, his face plastered with a fawning smile as he tried every means possible to buy Xiao Xuan’s forgiveness.

Seeing that Tuoba Tiexue had actually gone as far as to offer up his own family’s Imperial Scripture, Zhao Potian looked at him as if he wanted to kill him. After all, this groveling made his own Zhao clan look completely insincere!

"Great Emperor Xiao Xuan, the Geng clan is willing to offer our family’s preserved immortal herb, the 'Nine-Turn Golden Lotus.' It is a supreme treasure capable of prolonging life; we only ask that you spare the Geng clan this once. We guarantee we will never dare to defy you in the slightest again." Though the Geng clan’s quasi-emperor was usually strong-willed, he had no choice but to bow his head and offer up an immortal herb.

"Senior Xiao Xuan, you are a hero of the human race; our clans have always held you in high esteem. This incident was truly due to our own blindness. Please, spare us this time. For one hundred thousand years, you have guarded the Heavenly Abyss for humanity—the hardships you have endured are unimaginable. The He clan is willing to offer our most holy Imperial Princess to serve as your personal handmaiden as an apology." He Changfeng of the He clan, in his desperation to survive, pushed past the boundaries of morality. He was even willing to hand over the He clan’s most sacred Imperial Princess to serve Xiao Xuan.

"Great Emperor Xiao Xuan, I am willing to offer our family’s treasured celestial metal, 'Supreme Profound Gold.' It is an excellent material for forging top-tier imperial weapons. I hope you are magnanimous enough to spare us. We promise that from now on, we will be loyal to you and never dare to resist again." The Dugu clan’s quasi-emperor, Dugu Aotian, though usually proud and aloof, had to lower himself and obediently present a piece of celestial metal.

The fawning display of the five quasi-emperors was a stark contrast to their earlier behavior, appearing almost absurd.

"Hmph, you know to beg for mercy now? What were you doing before?" Xiao Xuan looked at them coldly, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. "Today, you must offer tenfold the resources to survive, or there is nothing to discuss!"

Xiao Xuan let out a cold snort, his voice permeated with a terrifying imperial pressure that left no room for resistance.

"Great Emperor Xiao Xuan, we truly cannot produce any more resources. Could you please show some leniency? How about double the resources? That is the absolute limit for the Zhao clan," Zhao Potian said, his heart sinking as he spoke.

"Yes, Great Emperor Xiao Xuan, double resources is already our limit. Our imperial clans are stretched thin; our family resources are limited, and we truly cannot bring out any more," Tuoba Tiexue added, nodding hurriedly.

"Great Emperor Xiao Xuan, please show mercy and spare us this time," the Geng clan’s quasi-emperor chimed in. He Changfeng and Dugu Aotian, though unwilling, had no choice but to follow suit.

"Hmph, just double the resources? Do you think I am so easily deceived? Today, if you do not offer tenfold the resources, do not even think about staying alive!" Xiao Xuan remained unmoved.

"This..." The five quasi-emperors’ hearts sank. They knew there would be no easy end to this today.

"However, that is not to say there is no alternative," Xiao Xuan said, his thoughts shifting.

"Senior, may we ask what that alternative is?" the five quasi-emperors asked, as if grasping at the final straw.

"It just so happens that my Xiao clan is lacking a few puppets to guard the gates. Although you lot are weak and pathetic, as quasi-emperor-level puppets, you are barely passable for guarding the house in the Eastern Wasteland. Discuss among yourselves: who is best suited to be a puppet?" Xiao Xuan sneered.

"Senior, please, stop joking. How could we possibly be worthy of being puppets for the Xiao clan!"

"Yes, yes, Great Emperor Xiao Xuan, our strength is too poor; we aren't qualified. Only an Emperor is worthy; we quasi-emperors are not!"

"That's right, that's right, that's the truth. We are too trashy, we have no qualifications!"

"Audacious! If the senior wants you to be a puppet, it is an honor! Why are you quibbling? I think old man Tuoba’s strength is decent; he is perfectly suited to be a quasi-emperor puppet!"

"You f***ing bullsh*t! Old man Dugu, I think you are the one suited to be a puppet. You are the most devious old fox under heaven; you are best suited to be refined into a yin puppet to go out and scheme against others!"

"Senior Xiao Xuan, these old ghosts are all bad news. I, He Changfeng, am the most honest; please refine those four into puppets first, and I will assist you!"

Soon, these five eccentrics began to tear each other apart, following the principle of sacrificing one's companions rather than oneself, all discussing how to send the others to the afterlife. As long as their teammates met their end, they might still have a chance at survival!

"Stop squabbling! There is no need to argue. I think you all have decent strength, so you shall all be puppets!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a black spell appeared in Xiao Xuan’s hand. With a light wave, black rays of light instantly shot into the bodies of the five quasi-emperors. They felt a heart-wrenching pain erupt from within, and their souls were instantly extracted, transforming into black shadows that hung in the air.

"No..." The five quasi-emperors let out a shrill scream, their faces filled with despair and terror. In the next instant, their souls were pulled out, their eyes losing their vitality and becoming hollow, like walking corpses.

"Soul-Capturing Array, refine the War Souls!"

Xiao Xuan let out a cold snort, and a black formation appeared in his hand. With a wave, it instantly enveloped the five souls. The formation flickered with mysterious runes that radiated powerful energy, slowly refining the souls.

"Hmph, today you shall become War Souls and guard the Xiao clan. No resistance allowed!"

The souls of the five quasi-emperors struggled within the formation, but they could not escape the immense power. Soon, the five souls were refined into black war spirits, which merged back into their quasi-emperor bodies. The runes in the formation flickered incessantly, emitting low, deep humming sounds as if accelerating the refinement.

"No... I am not resigned to this..." Zhao Potian’s soul struggled the most violently, a trace of reluctance flashing in his eyes. However, his voice gradually faded until it was swallowed by the formation, his soul becoming a black shadow that slowly integrated into his body. His physique turned pale and bloodless, his eyes gleaming with a cold, soulless light.

"Xiao Xuan, you bastard, you dare to toy with us..." Tuoba Tiexue’s soul also refused to be refined, roaring loudly. But his voice was suppressed by the formation, and he too was transformed, his body turning icy, his eyes filled with a desire for slaughter—he had become an emotionless killing machine.

Geng Han, He Changfeng, and Dugu Aotian struggled as well, but none could escape. One by one, their souls were refined, their bodies transformed into pain-oblivious, slaughter-driven puppets.

"Boom!"

Soon, the five quasi-emperors were alive no more, turned into cold, killing puppets.

"I wonder what the heads of the five imperial clans will think when they see you all turned into puppets? It should be quite a surprise!" A cold smirk played on Xiao Xuan’s lips as he envisioned a highly amusing scene.

"No time to waste. I shall go to the five imperial clans now to collect interest and test the combat power of these five quasi-emperor puppets!"

With the puppets finished, Xiao Xuan did not linger. His figure turned into a streak of light, flying toward the five imperial clans. The five quasi-emperor puppets followed closely behind, their bodies radiating a dark, gloomy light, their eyes flickering with cold, murderous intent like five emotionless machines of war.