Deep in the night, dozens of figures flew rapidly through the sky, their auras concealed as they vanished like streaks of light.
Along their path, some sect masters at the Imperial level sensed the anomaly and ascended to investigate. However, upon witnessing the spectacle, their faces turned deathly pale.
"What happened? Who are these people?"
Some voices trembled with fear. They quickly concealed their auras and warned their disciples, lest they provoke this passing force.
"Their direction seems to be towards Da Qin! Could it be the Sixteen Sects?"
Someone speculated, filled with shock. Da Qin had just held a state funeral that day, during which Li Xiaotian had vowed to annihilate all members of the Sixteen Sects. It seemed the Sixteen Sects had retaliated that very night, clearly enraged by Li Xiaotian's words.
"Forty-nine experts! Gods, to mobilize so many experts to destroy a mere Da Qin! Da Qin is doomed!"
Someone exclaimed in astonishment. Da Qin's current strength was no secret, and with forty-nine Imperial-level experts dispatched, Da Qin was undeniably outmatched.
"Hmph, I've long found Da Qin an eyesore, especially that Li Xiaotian. So young, yet so ignorant of the heavens and earth. It's good that they'll be wiped out; he brought this upon himself."
A person gloated, believing Li Xiaotian to be a mere junior, less than an ant before becoming powerful. Yet, in a mere few months, he had broken through to the late Imperial stage, which stoked his jealousy.
"I truly wish to see how Da Qin struggles this time. Heh heh, with so many Imperial experts, even a Hegemon-level powerhouse might not dare to confront them head-on."
In the night sky, the members of the Sixteen Sects suddenly split into five teams, flying towards five different directions, precisely the locations of Da Qin's five cities. Clearly, they intended to leave no place in Da Qin untouched, not even the three ancient sects that had recently pledged allegiance to Da Qin.
"Anyone above peak King level, do not let them escape. Maintain contact at all times. If Da Qin has an ambush, others are to immediately abandon their targets and provide support. Tonight, Da Qin will be annihilated!"
An expert commanded, clad in black, a middle-aged man with cold eyes.
That night, their side had deployed nine late Imperial-level experts and three Heavenly Weapons. A majority of the major sects' strength had been committed, and in the rear, the remaining forces of each sect were prepared to offer support at any moment.
It was evident they were determined, resolved to achieve their goal or perish.
"If the situation allows, leave Li Xiaotian alive. Heh heh, we will publicly execute him tomorrow and make him pay for his actions today!"
Someone sneered, as if envisioning Li Xiaotian's capture.
The five teams rapidly approached Da Qin's five cities. Meanwhile, Da Qin's five cities were brightly lit, making it seem as if they had returned to the era before the great changes.
Upon seeing this, the members of the Sixteen Sects could not help but sneer. Da Qin dared to be so relaxed at this juncture; it was simply courting death.
Zheng City, at this moment, was bathed in light. The city's nightlife had just begun, with the raucous music and honking of car horns creating a lively atmosphere, starkly contrasting with the darkness outside Zheng City.
Over a dozen figures appeared in the sky. Beneath their feet lay the battlefield of the previous Zheng City conflict, where the traces of the war were clearly visible.
Some even recognized the markings of their sects, though now they were merely lifeless symbols.
Because all those who attacked Zheng City last time were annihilated, the people who came to Zheng City this time were extremely cautious.
Three late Imperial-level experts, one wielding a Heavenly Weapon, and fifteen mid-Imperial-level experts. Moreover, this time, only the strongest individuals of their respective levels had been brought; there were no weaklings.
Zheng City was now within sight, yet the people of Zheng City remained unaware of their presence. This led many to inwardly belittle Da Qin. It was understandable, as Zheng City's current Imperial-level experts were only at the early stage; how could they possibly detect these individuals?
"Everyone, Zheng City shall be massacred today! Leave no one alive!"
The elder at the forefront spoke with a chilling voice. An eye for an eye, the lives of an entire city would be sacrificed to commemorate their companions who were annihilated in the previous assault on Zheng City.
"Buzz!" A massive axe appeared in the elder's hand, a Heavenly-grade weapon. He looked at the city before him, his eyes filled with a deadly glare.
"Boom!" Suddenly, the elder's aura erupted, and the axe in his hand emitted a blinding radiance. Terrifying fluctuations swept through the surroundings.
At this moment, everyone in Zheng City felt this heart-pounding fluctuation. Many ordinary people turned pale with fear, utterly bewildered.
"Kill!!!" the elder roared, his axe growing immense as it descended upon Zheng City.
"Rumble!!!" Wherever the axe passed, the air vibrated, and dust billowed from the ground. The city wall of Zheng City was about to be split open with a single strike.
And just then, a figure appeared on the city wall. Wielding a long saber, he looked at the approaching giant axe and swung his saber.
"Boom!" With a deafening roar, outside the city wall, endless dust flew, and a blinding light erupted in the sky. A terrifying shockwave instantly swept outwards.
"Li Xiaotian!" The elder retracted his axe and looked at the figure on the city wall, his eyes flashing with coldness. His companions also exuded palpable killing intent.
The person on the city wall was Li Xiaotian, and tonight, he was the sole guardian of Zheng City.
"Heh heh, it seems you had already anticipated our actions."
The elder sneered, instantly sensing the situation within Zheng City, and then spoke with mockery in his tone.
"Li Xiaotian, you dare to stop us alone?"
"To kill you, I am sufficient!"
Li Xiaotian said calmly. He flew out of the city, pointed his saber forward, facing the dozen Imperial-level experts opposite him, and continued speaking.
"Come! Come and die!"
"Presumptuous!!!"
The members of the Sixteen Sects were all enraged by this. Li Xiaotian alone dared to be so arrogant before them.
"Li Xiaotian, open your damn eyes and see. Before you stand three late Imperial-level experts and fifteen mid-Imperial-level experts. Who gives you the audacity to be so insolent before us?"
"A clown, knowing full well we are attacking Zheng City tonight, yet having the arrogance to defend it alone. How desperately does he wish to die?"
"Heh heh, ignorant brat, tonight we will show you our true strength. We will cripple you first, and then make you watch firsthand how we obliterate Zheng City!"
The members of the Sixteen Sects berated him one after another. The elder at the forefront gripped his axe again and spoke calmly.
"Very well, since you are eager to die, we shall oblige. Everyone, attack together, cripple him first, and then massacre the city!"
"Kill!!!"
The members of the Sixteen Sects each emanated killing intent and charged towards Li Xiaotian. As Li Xiaotian watched the approaching enemies, his eyes slowly turned black.
"Demonic Transformation!"
"Boom!" A terrifying aura erupted from Li Xiaotian. He held his saber and proactively charged towards the enemy.
"First Slash!"
Simultaneously, in Shancheng, one of Da Qin's five cities, thirteen members of the Sixteen Sects appeared outside Shancheng.
Just as they were preparing to attack, an anomaly suddenly occurred!