I, the Villain, Become Invincible the More Descendants I Have

Chapter 96 Two Clans Offer Treasures, Protecting Their Kinship and Winning Their HeartsWith the remnant Phoenix Emperor Feng Wutian dealt with, the Southern Region was completely pacified. In the grand hall of the Phoenix Palace, Emperor Cao Xukun sat upright upon the black-gold dragon throne, clad in an ink-colored, gold-embroidered imperial robe. The pressure of his He-ti Peak Stage cultivation radiated faintly, causing even the phoenixes circling outside the hall to refrain from crying out loudly. Feng Qingyan, dressed in a pale purple gown, sat by his side, her hand caressing her slightly protruding abdomen, her eyes filled with gentleness.

Li Tieniu stood below the hall, carrying his giant axe, spitting as he boasted to several generals about the miserable state of Phoenix Emperor Feng Wutian being burned to ashes earlier. ”You guys didn’t see it; that kid was wildly arrogant just a moment ago, claiming he had obtained the Holy Ancestor’s inheritance. But Emperor Xuan just casually flicked a flame, burning him until not even dregs were left. It was truly a massive case of a pretentious act crashing and burning!”

The generals burst into laughter. Just then, a guard hurried in to report, ”Reporting to Your Majesty! Qilin Clan Leader Qi Cang from the Eastern Region and Xuanwu Clan Leader Xuan Gui from the Northern Region have personally led delegations to request an audience, saying they wish to present their clan’s supreme treasures and submit to Great Xuan!”

”Oh? They have finally arrived.” Emperor Cao Xukun’s lips curled into a faint smile. ”Summon them in.”

A moment later, two groups of people walked into the grand hall. The two in the lead—one wearing a cyan-gold robe with a scholarly face and an aura of auspiciousness lingering around him, was Qilin Clan Leader Qi Cang; the other, wearing a black turtle-shell robe, short and stout with a composed expression, was Xuanwu Clan Leader Xuan Gui. Behind them followed their respective elders and attendants, all looking respectful and not daring to raise their heads.

”Qilin Clan Leader Qi Cang pays respects to Emperor Xuan!”

”Xuanwu Clan Leader Xuan Gui pays respects to Emperor Xuan!”

The two knelt on one knee in unison, performing a standard grand salute. ”We have been ordered by our clans to come here specifically to submit to Great Xuan and pledge eternal loyalty to Your Majesty!”

”Clan Leaders, please rise.” Emperor Cao Xukun gestured with his hand, his tone calm. ”I am gratified that you are able to recognize the situation and abandon darkness for light. From this day forward, the Qilin Clan and the Xuanwu Clan are both subjects of Great Xuan, and will be treated equally alongside the Phoenix Clan and the human race.”

”Thank you, Your Majesty!” The two rose gratefully. Qi Cang waved his hand first, and an attendant behind him walked forward holding a jade box. ”Your Majesty, this is the heirloom treasure of our Qilin Clan—the Qilin Jade. This jade contains the auspicious power of the ancient Qilin. Wearing it can ward off misfortune, nourish the soul, and even increase cultivation speed. We present it to Your Majesty today as a token of our clan’s sincerity in submitting.”

Xuan Gui was not to be outdone and waved his hand to have an attendant present a primitive turtle shell. ”Your Majesty, this is the treasure that guards our Xuanwu Clan—the Xuanwu Turtle Shell. This shell is formed from the back shell of the ancient Xuanwu Holy Ancestor. It is indestructible, can withstand all attacks below the Mahayana Stage, and can also deduce heavenly secrets and predict fortune or misfortune. We present it to Your Majesty today, wishing Your Majesty a reign of a thousand generations and may Great Xuan prosper forever!”

Emperor Cao Xukun took the two supreme treasures; they felt warm and smooth to the touch, and a stream of pure spiritual energy surged into his body. He nodded with satisfaction. ”Both are excellent treasures. You have put in the effort.”

Just then, a young Qilin Clan youth behind Qi Cang suddenly stepped out. He was dressed in a cyan martial outfit with a handsome face, but his expression was full of arrogance, and his eyes were filled with defiance. He was none other than Young Clan Leader Qi Tian, who was also the ”Son of Destiny” of this generation of the Qilin Clan. He had awakened the pure-blood Qilin bloodline and had reached the He-ti Early Stage at a young age, always holding himself in high regard.

”Wait a moment!” Young Clan Leader Qi Tian shouted loudly, pointing at Emperor Cao Xukun, his pretentiousness maxed out. ”I am not convinced! We are ancient remnant clans with noble bloodlines and are the darlings of heaven and earth. Why should we bow down and submit to a mortal?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent instantly. Qi Cang’s expression changed drastically, and he sternly scolded, ”Young Clan Leader Qi Tian! Do not be rude! Hurry up and apologize to His Majesty!”

”I am not wrong!” Young Clan Leader Qi Tian stiffened his neck, becoming even more arrogant. ”Clan Leader! Our Qilin Clan consists of ancient auspicious beasts, revered by all clans. Why should we listen to the commands of a mortal? That trash Phoenix Emperor Feng Wutian lost, but that does not mean we ancient remnant clans have all lost! I, Young Clan Leader Qi Tian, am the Son of Destiny of the Qilin Clan. I possess the power of the pure-blood Qilin and am invincible among those of the same rank!”

He turned to look at Emperor Cao Xukun with a face full of disdain. ”Emperor Cao Xukun! If you really have the ability, then fight me one-on-one! If you can defeat me, I will be convinced and will lead the entire clan to submit to you. If you cannot defeat me, then don’t even think about making our Qilin Clan submit!”

Xuan Gui frowned but did not speak, clearly wanting to see Emperor Cao Xukun’s true strength as well. Li Tieniu was so angry that his nose was crooked; he grabbed his giant axe and prepared to rush up. ”You little brat! Are you getting arrogant because we gave you some face? Is Emperor Xuan someone you can challenge? Watch me split you with one axe!”

”Stop.” Emperor Cao Xukun raised his hand to stop Li Tieniu and slowly stood up. He was not angry; he just looked at Young Clan Leader Qi Tian indifferently. There was not a ripple in his eyes, yet it made Young Clan Leader Qi Tian feel a sudden, inexplicable panic.

”You want to challenge me one-on-one?” Emperor Cao Xukun’s voice was calm but carried an unquestionable majesty. ”Very well. I will give you three moves. As long as you can touch one of my fingers, I will consider it my loss.”

”You are too arrogant!” Young Clan Leader Qi Tian was trembling with anger. ”I am the Son of Destiny of the Qilin Clan! How dare you look down on me like this! Today, I will let you know the prowess of the ancient remnant clans!”

As he spoke, he violently urged the power within his body. Cyan Qilin True Fire ignited around his body, and a massive Qilin phantom appeared behind him, emitting a deafening roar. ”Qilin Divine Fist!”

Young Clan Leader Qi Tian roared, and threw a punch fiercely toward Emperor Cao Xukun. The wind of the fist carried scorching flames and possessed infinite power, causing even the floor of the grand hall to crack with fissures.

Emperor Cao Xukun stood motionless in place. Just as the fist was about to smash into his face, he tilted his body slightly and dodged it with ease.

”The first move.” Emperor Cao Xukun said indifferently.

”Damn it!” Young Clan Leader Qi Tian’s punch missed, making him even angrier. He turned and threw a kick. ”Qilin Tail Sweep!”

The wind from his leg was like a blade, carrying a sharp sound of breaking through the air as it swept toward Emperor Cao Xukun’s waist. Emperor Cao Xukun leaped lightly and dodged it once more.

”The second move.”

”I don’t believe it!” Young Clan Leader Qi Tian’s eyes were completely bloodshot. He used all the strength in his body to unleash his strongest ultimate move. ”Qilin Burns the Heavens!”

Cyan flames filled the sky as they swept over, surrounding Emperor Cao Xukun completely. The flames condensed into a gigantic Qilin that opened its massive maw and bit fiercely toward Emperor Cao Xukun.

”The third move.” Emperor Cao Xukun’s voice came from within the flames. He slowly raised his right hand and squeezed it gently. The flames filling the sky were instantly extinguished, and that massive Qilin phantom dissipated along with them.

Young Clan Leader Qi Tian only felt a massive force descend; the spiritual energy throughout his body was instantly locked, and he could not move at all.

Emperor Cao Xukun walked slowly to him and extended a finger, tapping it gently on his forehead. ”Bang!”

Young Clan Leader Qi Tian flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the ground. He spat out a mouthful of blood and could not climb back up for a long time.

The entire hall was dead silent. Everyone was stunned. Young Clan Leader Qi Tian was a powerhouse at the He-ti Early Stage and the ”Son of Destiny” of the Qilin Clan, yet he could not even withstand a single finger from Emperor Cao Xukun and was defeated in one move!

”With only this much ability, you dare to call yourself the Son of Destiny?” Emperor Cao Xukun looked down at him from above, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. ”I already gave you three moves earlier; otherwise, you would already be a corpse by now.”

”I... I am not convinced!” Young Clan Leader Qi Tian struggled as he tried to climb up, but he crashed heavily onto the ground again. ”You cheated! You must have used some underhanded trick!”

”Not convinced?” Emperor Cao Xukun sneered and waved his hand. An invisible force lifted Young Clan Leader Qi Tian up, suspending him in mid-air. ”Are you convinced now?”

Young Clan Leader Qi Tian felt as if all the bones in his body were about to shatter; his breathing was difficult, and his face was turning purple from holding his breath. He was finally afraid and hurriedly shouted, ”I am convinced! I am convinced! Spare my life, Your Majesty! I will never dare to do it again!”

Emperor Cao Xukun tossed him onto the ground casually and said indifferently, ”Considering this is your first offense, I will spare you this time. If there is a next time, I will definitely execute you without mercy.”

”Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!” Young Clan Leader Qi Tian scrambled back to behind Qi Cang, not daring to raise his head again.

Qi Cang hurriedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. ”Your Majesty, please forgive us! It is because I failed to discipline my son that he was so presumptuous! I beg for Your Majesty’s punishment!”

”Rise.” Emperor Cao Xukun waved his hand. ”The child is ignorant; a lesson is enough. As long as you truly submit, I will let bygones be bygones.”

”Thank you, Your Majesty!” Qi Cang and Xuan Gui both breathed a sigh of relief simultaneously, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at Emperor Cao Xukun. They finally understood why even the strongest Phoenix Clan had submitted to Great Xuan—Emperor Cao Xukun’s strength was simply too terrifying.

Emperor Cao Xukun sat back on the dragon throne and announced loudly, ”Today, the Phoenix Clan, the Qilin Clan, and the Xuanwu Clan have all submitted to Great Xuan. I hereby confer upon the three clans the title of ’Ancient Guardian Clans,’ to protect the territory of Great Xuan for generations to come. The leaders of the three clans shall all be granted royal titles, and their clansmen may enter the Great Xuan Imperial Academy to study and join the Great Xuan army as officials, enjoying the same rights as the children of the human race!”

”Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live, long live, long live our Emperor!” Everyone from the three clans knelt on the ground in unison and cheered loudly, their voices echoing throughout the entire Phoenix Palace.

Li Tieniu leaned over to Emperor Cao Xukun’s side and chuckled. ”Emperor Xuan is awesome! You subdued that kid in one move! This time we have directly taken in three great Ancient Guardian Clans; our Great Xuan’s strength has leveled up again! Who would dare to oppose us now!”

”Just a basic move, don’t make a fuss,” Emperor Cao Xukun said indifferently, with a humble-bragging expression. ”I don’t want to be this strong either, but my strength simply doesn’t allow it.”

Just then, the sky suddenly became covered with dark clouds, and a golden pillar of light descended from the sky, landing outside the grand hall. A powerful aura from the Celestial Realm swept across the entire Southern Region. Emperor Cao Xukun looked up at the sky, his eyes narrowing.

”People from the Celestial Realm have finally arrived.”