The Chen family, now devoid of any sounds of combat, saw all its members kneeling on the ground, not a single soul daring to resist.
Li Xiaotian ultimately spared the Chen family, but the ancient martial arts Chen family had effectively vanished.
Li Shanhai had Chen family martial artists rounded up and dispatched to the border to defend the Qin Dynasty's territory, while the ordinary Chen family members were settled in a small county town according to Li Shanhai's arrangements. For a hundred years, no Chen family member was permitted to leave this county town.
This was the best possible outcome for the Chen family.
Li Xiaotian took with him the Chen family's ancient martial arts cultivation techniques, along with several books on ancient martial arts cultivation.
This night's battle had seen Li Xiaotian's side suffer heavy losses. One War God from the Dragon King Hall and four Red Dragons were killed by Chen Wanli.
Furthermore, all the War Gods, including Li Xiaotian, were injured. Long Yi, Long Shiwu, and Qin Tiance sustained the most severe injuries, nearly perishing.
As for Li Xiaotian, thanks to his timely breakthrough, his injuries were not as critical.
After returning and ensuring all the injured were settled, Li Xiaotian began to read the ancient books brought back from the Chen family.
The "Chen Family Fist Manual," much like the Bai family's palm techniques, was a form of fist art that emphasized overpowering with sheer force.
Li Xiaotian grasped the essence of the Chen family's fist techniques after reading it only once. It wasn't due to his exceptional talent, but rather his accumulated combat experience. The ancient martial arts of both the Chen and Bai families were designed to cultivate true qi, with their content differing only in their moves.
Next, Li Xiaotian examined other books. Most were records of the Chen family's history, with only a few mentioning ancient martial arts.
Hours later, Li Xiaotian’s eyes gleamed. In ancient times, thousands of years ago, ancient martial arts were not uncommon. Almost all types of cultivation methods existed, and many prominent families possessed their own inherited ancient martial arts.
However, as time wore on, by the present day, only fifteen ancient martial arts families, such as the Tian family, still retained their inherited ancient martial arts techniques.
"Where did all the lost cultivation methods go?" Li Xiaotian frowned, feeling something was amiss. Logically, the Qin Dynasty was vast, with a large population, and many ancient artifacts had been preserved. Why were there so few ancient martial arts techniques?
Moreover, why had these ancient martial arts families, despite their immense power, always developed in secret, with their martial artists rarely appearing in public, many spending their entire lives in the mountains?
If Li Shanhai had not intended to eradicate the ancient martial arts alliance this time, they would likely have remained in seclusion, indifferent to the secular world.
Li Xiaotian shook his head, unable to comprehend it, and decided to stop thinking about it.
However, he had gained significant insights regarding cultivation methods and realms. The true qi cultivated within his body was more accurately described as energy; the terminology was just different.
Through ancient martial arts cultivation methods, one absorbed the energy between heaven and earth into the body, thereby strengthening oneself.
As for realms, the currently known General and War God levels were collectively termed the Soldier rank! A War God was at the late stage of the Soldier rank, and above the War God was the King rank!
However, the information regarding realms was exceedingly scarce. Li Xiaotian currently only knew that above the War God was the King rank, and the most prominent characteristic of reaching the King rank was the outward manifestation of energy, meaning the visible display of true qi.
In addition, upon breaking through to the War God realm, the body would undergo changes, expelling impurities and transforming the body.
Li Xiaotian's current state was halfway through the breakthrough, having only achieved the outward manifestation of energy. As for the complete bodily transformation, it would require some more time, after which he would become a true King rank expert.
"King rank, there should also be three stages: early, middle, and late. Each stage should have its differences," Li Xiaotian speculated, while subconsciously wondering if there were realms above the King rank.
As he was lost in thought, An Mei returned. She had been ordered by Li Xiaotian to take the other half of the forces to eliminate the Nanfeng family.
Seeing An Mei return unharmed, Li Xiaotian breathed a sigh of relief. If her side had encountered the same situation as his, the Dragon King Hall would have suffered too great a loss tonight.
"My King, the Nanfeng family had a total of twenty-two War Gods, all of whom were executed. Their martial artist army had one-third killed, and the rest were taken away by the combat units, meeting the same fate as the Chen family," An Mei said, kneeling on one knee.
"What cultivation method did the Nanfeng family possess?" Li Xiaotian asked.
"Leg techniques, quite interesting," An Mei replied, producing a blue ancient book. She then looked at Li Xiaotian, hesitating to speak.
"What is it?" Li Xiaotian asked.
"My King, I heard about the Chen family's situation. The Nanfeng family also encountered a powerful individual, though they were somewhat inferior to the one you faced. From what he implied, he was close to breaking through, but our arrival disrupted his plans."
"Oh? You encountered one too? What were your casualties?" Li Xiaotian's heart tightened. Had his brothers from An Mei's side also fallen?
"Quite a few ordinary martial artists were sacrificed. Only three War God experts sustained serious injuries; everyone else is fine," An Mei stated calmly, her expression serene.
"No casualties? How did you kill that expert?" Li Xiaotian was utterly bewildered. Someone close to breaking through should have possessed strength comparable to his own prior to his breakthrough. Logically, even if An Mei and her team were not outmatched, they should have at least paid some price to kill such an expert.
Take himself, for example; if he were besieged by twenty War Gods, he would ensure the enemy paid a heavy price before he died.
"Continuous bombardment with firearms!" An Mei said in a level tone.
Li Xiaotian's mouth fell open, and he was rendered speechless.
Was he foolish? Firearms! Firearms! Li Xiaotian roared inwardly. They had also brought an ample supply of firearms. However, as soon as the battle commenced, they closed in on the Chen family and immediately engaged in close combat.
"Hmph!" Li Xiaotian let out a muffled groan, feeling a pang of regret. The War Gods on his side were all male. Accustomed to combat in war zones, most of them preferred close combat as it offered a more exhilarating fighting experience.
An Mei, commanding the Dark Division, had three female War Gods under her. The Dark Division's combat style was to utilize any method necessary to eliminate enemies.
An Mei quietly retreated. Li Xiaotian was, after all, the King. Pointing out his misjudgment was sufficient; he would inwardly acknowledge it.
"Alas!" Li Xiaotian sighed. This battle could have been resolved with ease, but they had stubbornly chosen the most foolish approach.
The moment Chen Wanli appeared, if they had unleashed their firearms with reckless abandon, could that individual, no matter how strong, have evaded a widespread explosion?
"Heh heh." Li Xiaotian chuckled self-mockingly. However, things had two sides. If they had adopted An Mei's method, he would not have achieved his breakthrough, and Long Yi and the others would have also increased their strength after this battle.
"Future operations require more consideration," Li Xiaotian reminded himself, then picked up the Nanfeng family's cultivation method.
"Wind God Leg."