In the grand hall of the Qin palace, silence reigned. All sixteen sects were intently focused on the television screen before them.
The video displayed the battle situation in the other four cities of Da Qin. In Zheng City, Li Xiaotian alone held the city, his saber in hand, demonic energy surging as he rampaged through the enemy.
In Shancheng, thermal weapons unleashed their might, with cannonballs filling the sky, forcing the enemy into a corner.
In another city, over a dozen Emperor-level experts, along with sixty Dragon God mechas, were ganging up on the enemy forces.
Each of the sixteen sects possessed formidable strength. Any slight misstep in Da Qin's response could have resulted in a complete defeat.
However, the reality was that all invading enemies had been eliminated. Da Qin's surprise attack in its three cities had fully utilized all available forces.
"Gulp!" In the midst of the sixteen sects, someone couldn't help but swallow, their face pale.
The people from the other four routes were truly all annihilated.
Although the video only showed three cities, the situation in the other city was undoubtedly the same.
Recalling their own group's encounter, where they were captured without even seeing the enemy's shadow, it was likely that the other city had faced a similar fate.
The other three cities were Da Qin's own forces. The remaining two cities must have been the enemy's reinforcements.
But, none of that mattered anymore, because the battles in Da Qin's other three cities had already showcased its strength.
"Is this real? All our people are dead?"
Someone murmured, their mind adrift, finding the reality difficult to accept.
"Sixteen sects, nothing more. Your previous arrogance was all based on these people, wasn't it? Do you still dare to be arrogant now?"
Li Xiaotian spoke unhurriedly, his gaze icy. He intended to drive these people to despair, to extinguish the hope in their hearts. No amount of torment for the people of the sixteen sects would be excessive.
Someone opened their mouth, wanting to retort, as half of the Emperor-level experts from the sixteen sects still outnumbered Da Qin's current strength.
But he found himself unable to speak. Da Qin's response this time had been too shocking. Li Xiaotian alone had annihilated over a dozen Emperor-level experts, demonstrating terrifying strength, likely not far from the Dominator level.
Moreover, even the thermal weapons they had always underestimated possessed the power to kill Emperor-level experts. This was incredibly difficult for them to accept, as thermal weapons normally couldn't hit Emperor-level experts. They hadn't expected that such a large quantity of thermal weapons could possess such astonishing power.
"Alas, Da Qin. I never expected Da Qin to become so powerful in just a few months!"
Someone whispered, having to acknowledge the truth.
"Li Xiaotian, how do you intend to deal with us?"
An elder asked, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. Li Xiaotian had spared their lives and made them watch these videos to shatter their hopes. Was he planning to recruit them?
"How to deal with you? Heh heh, of course, we will publicly execute you tomorrow, with a full online broadcast."
Li Xiaotian replied. Da Qin had always been passively drawn into conflict and pressured by the sixteen sects. Naturally, he needed to find a way to retaliate properly. He wanted to make the sixteen sects a laughingstock across the world.
"You dare?!!! Li Xiaotian, leave some room for maneuver. You can kill us or torture us as you wish, but humiliating us like this is going too far!"
Someone roared, their eyes wide. They were all Emperor-level experts from ancient times. Although their reputation was average, many people knew them. Now, Li Xiaotian intended to publicly execute them and broadcast it live, allowing everyone to see. In this way, they would be utterly disgraced.
How could esteemed Emperor-level experts endure such humiliation?
"Li Xiaotian, Emperor-level experts are not to be insulted. Your actions are a provocation to all Emperor-level experts in the world. You cannot do this!"
"We have cultivated for thousands of years to become true powerhouses. How can we endure such humiliation?"
The people of the sixteen sects grew anxious. They valued their reputation more than their lives. Li Xiaotian's actions were more ruthless than dismembering them a thousand times over.
A live broadcast would turn them into a global laughingstock. Even ordinary humans, those ants, would look down on them because of it. This was simply unbearable for them.
"Heh heh, why wouldn't I dare? You are prisoners of Da Qin. Da Qin can deal with you however it wishes. You have no right to object!"
Li Xiaotian sneered. If not for Da Qin's current weakness, he would have kept all the invaders alive tonight and then publicly executed them to establish Da Qin's might.
"No! You cannot do this! Li Xiaotian, Qin Emperor, I am willing to surrender to Da Qin and obey Da Qin's command. Please don't kill me! My late-stage Emperor-level strength would definitely be of help to Da Qin!"
Someone panicked, disregarding the occasion, and knelt down to beg for mercy. He feared death.
"Qin Emperor, this old man is also willing to surrender to Da Qin and become Da Qin's shadow. I will even divulge all information about the sixteen sects!"
Another person spoke up. His strength was at the late stage of Emperor-level, and he was their leader.
"I am also willing to surrender to Da Qin. As long as Da Qin spares my life this time, I swear to never betray Da Qin for eternity!"
The remaining individuals also spoke up one after another. At this point, pride and principles were no longer important. All that mattered was survival.
Of course, some remained unmoved, staring at those begging for mercy with furious expressions and unable to refrain from scolding.
"Shameless! How can we, ancient Emperor-level experts, submit to Da Qin? They are merely juniors. What right do they have to make us bow?"
"Da Qin killed so many of our people, and tomorrow they will humiliate us. Surrendering to them is like recognizing a thief as one's father!"
"Tomorrow, our respective sects will surely be enraged. Our sects still possess deep foundations, and they will definitely destroy Da Qin to avenge us!"
The hall instantly erupted into chaos. The people of the sixteen sects descended into disarray, some begging for mercy, others yelling in anger.
Li Xiaotian watched this scene with cold eyes, saying nothing. He would not let a single person from the sixteen sects go.
"Enough! Do you think Da Qin will spare you just because you beg? Do you think Da Qin will fear you because the sixteen sects still have deep foundations? Heh heh, I said I would kill all the people of the sixteen sects, and Da Qin shares this sentiment."
As soon as these words were spoken, the people of the sixteen sects fell silent. Da Qin did not accept surrender! Those who had wanted to beg for mercy felt an instant chill in their hearts.
"Seeking death!!!" Suddenly, someone raised a palm and struck towards their own forehead, attempting to commit suicide. However, Li Xiaotian detected it instantly, appearing beside the person and kicking their arm, breaking it.
Following this, Li Xiaotian struck again, disabling all four limbs of the dozen or so people from the sixteen sects. Simultaneously, he sealed their bodies again, rendering them incapable of any movement.
Instantly, screams echoed through the hall as all the members of the sixteen sects collapsed to the ground, struggling in pain.
"I said I would keep you alive for tomorrow's execution to establish my might. How dare you try to die before then?"
Li Xiaotian spoke coldly, his tone extremely frigid.
The few individuals from the sixteen sects had their eyes reddened, staring intently at Li Xiaotian, their expressions filled with hatred.
However, their bodies were sealed, and they could not move at all, able only to watch helplessly.