Hearing Li Xiaotian's words, everyone from Da Qin present fell into thought. It was true, Li Xiaotian had invited the people of Gu Village to help resolve Da Qin's crisis and even immediately deal with the threat of the Sixteen Sects.
However, upon closer reflection, what would Da Qin do the next time a crisis arose? They couldn't possibly ask for help every time, could they?
Favors, once used, would eventually fade.
Da Qin in such a state, even if it had no enemies in the future, would likely be like a paper tiger, easily pierced with a single poke.
Only by relying on their own strength to truly subdue everyone could Da Qin establish a foothold in this chaotic era.
"Hmm, not bad, young Xiaotian. Your idea is good. Which force didn't grow from weakness? Moreover, Da Qin has the advantage of timing, location, and populace. If they rely solely on external forces, they would be wasting such a good foundation."
Gu Qing spoke with a look of admiration.
"Hmph, Xiao Qingzi, do you think this old woman doesn't understand these things?"
Yue'e glared at Gu Qing, her tone growing cold.
Hearing Yue'e address Gu Qing so familiarly, everyone present was stunned. They instinctively looked at Gu Qing, but quickly realized it was inappropriate and shifted their gaze elsewhere, pretending they hadn't heard anything.
"Cough, cough, Granny Yue, I didn't mean it like that."
Gu Qing quickly spoke, looking embarrassed. He then glanced at everyone present. Seeing no unusual expressions on their faces, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew that in the eyes of the people of Da Qin, he was a respected elder, a senior who was tens of thousands of years old. Being called by his childhood nickname so suddenly by Granny Yue made him feel quite uncomfortable.
Li Xiaotian's lips curved slightly, but the smile was fleeting. He paused his speech and continued.
"Granny Yue, Senior Gu, thank you both for your hard work tonight. Da Qin has prepared accommodations for you. I will have someone escort you."
"En." Yue'e responded softly.
"Oh, and these good-for-nothings are left to you. I have sealed their internal energies, so you don't have to worry about them causing any trouble."
Before leaving, Yue'e suddenly spoke and waved her hand. Instantly, more than a dozen figures lying on the floor appeared in the center of the great hall.
"Thank you, Granny Yue." Li Xiaotian said. After seeing Yue'e and Gu Qing off, he looked at the unconscious members of the Sixteen Sects in the hall with a cold expression.
"Wake them up!"
In the great hall, the members of the Sixteen Sects slowly regained consciousness. They all looked bewildered, completely unaware of what had happened.
They only remembered that they had been wreaking havoc in Moon City, trying to find their enemies, and then their memories were blank.
"Li Xiaotian, it's you!!!"
An elder in the late Emperor stage was the first to wake up. Upon seeing Li Xiaotian, his eyes immediately filled with rage. He was about to attack, but found that he couldn't mobilize the energy within him at all, causing his expression to change drastically.
"What have you done? Quickly undo the seal on my body, or I'll destroy you all!"
"Heh, old man, haven't you woken up yet? Open your dog eyes and look properly. You are now prisoners of Da Qin!"
Long Shiwu spoke with a mocking tone.
"What is going on? How dare Da Qin, what do you intend to do? Sixty of us Emperor stage cultivators descended upon Da Qin tonight. If you don't want to be annihilated, release us immediately!"
The members of the Sixteen Sects shouted. They had all woken up and, upon seeing the situation, their expressions changed slightly, but more so with anger. To be captured so foolishly filled them with a sense of humiliation.
"Li Xiaotian, what kind of dark art did you use to do this to us? If you have the guts, release us and let's fight fair and square!"
"Li Xiaotian, Emperor of Qin, do you want Da Qin to be erased from existence today? We divided our forces into five routes to deal with your Da Qin tonight. If you captured us, aren't you afraid that the other four routes will discover this and descend upon the capital together?"
"If you know what's good for you, release us quickly. You are merely ants, daring to capture us? We have armies stationed at our headquarters. If they discover something is wrong, do you believe they won't come overnight to destroy your Da Qin?"
The members of the Sixteen Sects shouted one after another, their expressions filled with anger, and their gazes towards Li Xiaotian and the others brimming with killing intent.
They knew that they had come prepared. Even if they made a mistake and were captured, they were not panicked because many Emperor stage cultivators had come, and they had made plans in advance. If this route encountered trouble, the other four routes would surely notice and come to their rescue.
"Shut up! A bunch of old geezers. Shiwu, make them all kneel!"
Li Xiaotian roared, suppressing the voices of all the members of the Sixteen Sects.
"Li Xiaotian, how dare you!!! Don't court death!"
"Who dares to make this old man kneel? Is Da Qin not afraid of the threat from my Sixteen Sects? If you are wise, release us quickly. We will give you an opportunity for a fair fight!"
"Presumptuous, you ant, how dare you!!! *Slap*!!"
Long Shiwu walked up to the members of the Sixteen Sects and slapped the elder who was speaking.
"A bunch of undead, why are you making so much noise? You're facing death, and you still dare to be stubborn?"
Long Shiwu cursed. He charged into the crowd and roughly kicked many figures to their knees. Some who dared to resist had their legs crippled on the spot.
"Ahhhhhh!!!! Li Xiaotian, how dare you treat us like this? Do you believe our people won't turn your capital into a dead city when they arrive?"
Someone roared. This was too humiliating. They, the dignified ancient Emperor stage experts, were now forced to kneel before a group of juniors, which they found utterly unacceptable!
"The people from the other four routes might have already discovered our capture. When they arrive, we will kill all of you!"
"Other four routes? Heh, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid they will disappoint you, because they are all dead. You are the only remaining route."
Li Xiaotian said calmly, his tone filled with mockery.
"A bunch of fools. Do you really think Da Qin is so fragile? We kept you alive only to behead you publicly tomorrow. Otherwise, you would have already joined those people in death!"
"Still claiming to be ancient powerhouses, bah! All show and no substance. The people from the other four routes were already wiped out by us. It didn't even take an hour."
"How is this possible?!!! This isn't true! You can't possibly lie to us!"
Someone retorted, their face filled with disbelief. With Da Qin's strength, they were no match for the people who came this time, let alone Da Qin destroying the other four routes. This was simply unrealistic and absurd.
"The other four routes had seven cultivators in the late Emperor stage alone, four of whom were ancient veteran powerhouses with terrifying strength. The mid-Emperor stage cultivators were also the elites of our sects. How could they possibly have all been wiped out?"
"Li Xiaotian, we have fallen victim to your dark arts and been captured, but don't think you can fool us with this. You have no idea about the terrifying power of our sects!"
"Hmph, it seems you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin!"
Li Xiaotian said faintly, his eyes full of mockery.