Chapter 120. Xu family [3]
Dozens of cultivators strained as they slowly pushed the massive artifact into position.
The object resembled an enormous cannon nearly three meters in length, its body forged from pitch-black metal that seemed to absorb the surrounding light.
Runes were engraved across every inch of its surface, pulsing faintly as spiritual qi flowed through them.
Coiling around the entire barrel was the carving of a majestic dragon.
Its scales had been etched with astonishing precision, each one appearing almost lifelike, while its claws gripped the cannon as though it were preparing to burst free at any moment.
The dragon’s head rested at the muzzle, its jaws opened wide to form the cannon’s mouth.
Even while remaining completely still, the artifact exuded an oppressive aura that made the surrounding cultivators instinctively hold their breath.
At the rear of the cannon, dozens of sockets had been carved into the metal, each one designed to hold a spirit stone.
Rows upon rows of large excellent-grade spirit stones were quickly inserted into the sockets.
The moment the final spirit stone clicked into place, the dragon’s carved eyes slowly lit up with a deep crimson glow.
A heavy pressure descended upon the battlefield.
The surrounding spiritual qi began converging toward the cannon like rivers flowing into the sea.
"It has been a long time since we’ve had to use the Dragon Cannon," Hao Zhenshan murmured as he quietly watched the artifact awaken.
"But the cost of using this artifact is far too great." Peng Tianyuan muttered as his gaze fell upon the rows of spirit stones embedded within the Dragon Cannon.
Large Excellent-Grade Spirit Stones weren’t exactly common, after all.
Even for Rank seven families, those spirit stones were considered strategic resources.
Every single one consumed was a painful loss.
Hao Zhenshan gave a slow nod.
"I know."
He looked toward the distant Xu Family barrier, his eyes turning resolute.
"But this is the Xu Family. If we fail to wipe them out today, we’ll only be inviting endless trouble for ourselves in the future."
Peng Tianyuan remained silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"You’re right. No matter how expensive the price, it’s worth paying."
As if responding to their decision, the Dragon Cannon let out a deep, resonant hum.
The crimson light within the dragon’s carved eyes grew brighter and brighter.
An immense torrent of spiritual qi surged into the artifact, causing the runes engraved across its body to shine like stars.
The surrounding air began to distort.
Even the ground beneath the cannon trembled violently under the pressure of the energy gathering within it.
The dragon’s open jaws gradually filled with a blinding sphere of condensed spiritual power.
The terrifying aura it released caused every cultivator on the battlefield to instinctively retreat several steps.
And then a deafening roar shook the heavens.
A colossal beam of crimson light erupted from the Dragon Cannon, tearing through the air like an enraged dragon as it hurtled straight toward the Xu Family’s protective barrier.
The instant the crimson beam struck the barrier, the entire Xu Family estate shook violently.
BOOM!
The deafening impact echoed across the surrounding mountains.
The protective barrier, which had remained steadfast despite countless attacks, caved inward at the point of impact.
A web of cracks spread across its surface at an alarming speed.
The fractures multiplied in every direction, racing across the dome like shattered glass.
The brilliant light surrounding the barrier flickered wildly.
Inside the formation, Xu Qingyue’s body trembled.
The true qi flowing from her dantian surged uncontrollably as the formation desperately attempted to repair itself.
Blood slowly trickled from the corner of her lips.
Outside, the crimson beam gradually faded.
For a brief moment, the battlefield fell silent before a section of the protective barrier exploded into countless fragments of light before disappearing completely.
A hole nearly twenty meters wide had been blasted straight through the formation.
The remaining barrier continued flickering weakly as the cracks spread farther and farther across its surface.
It no longer possessed the strength to restore itself.
Seeing the breach, Peng Tianyuan’s eyes lit up.
"It worked!"
Hao Zhenshan allowed himself a faint smile.
"Without the formation, the Xu Family is finished."
He slowly raised his hand before bringing it down without hesitation.
"Charge!"
The combined armies of the Peng and Hao Families erupted into motion, surging toward the shattered opening like a flood that had finally broken through a dam.
Deep within the Xu Family treasury, the bronze doors had been thrown wide open.
Shelves filled with cultivation manuals, jade bottles, spirit herbs, and storage rings had been emptied without restraint.
The acting elders and branch leaders no longer resembled dignified clan seniors.
Each of them frantically stuffed treasures into their storage rings, afraid someone else would claim them first.
"That bottle is mine!"
"You’ve already taken three!"
"So what? Whoever gets it first owns it!"
One elder shoved another aside before snatching a wooden box containing several spirit herbs.
The elder who had been pushed immediately lunged after him, grabbing his robes.
"Hand it over!"
"I’m the one who saw it first!"
The treasury had descended into complete disorder.
In that very moment, a tremendous explosion echoed throughout the estate.
Boom!
The entire treasury shook violently and several jade shelves toppled onto the floor, scattering priceless treasures in every direction.
"What was that?"
Before anyone could react, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor outside.
A dozen cultivators dressed in the robes of the Peng Family rushed into view.
They froze upon seeing the treasury overflowing with treasures.
For a brief moment, both sides simply stared at one another.
Then, another group arrived from the opposite corridor.
The Hao Family.
Their eyes also landed upon the countless treasures scattered throughout the treasury.
Silence lasted only a single breath.
"The treasury!"
Someone shouted.
The Peng and Hao cultivators charged forward without hesitation.
The Xu elders’ expressions changed drastically.
"They broke through the barrier?"
"How is that possible?!"
One elder’s face twisted with resentment.
"That useless girl! She couldn’t even hold the formation a little longer!"
Another elder’s expression darkened as he hastily stuffed more treasures into his storage ring.
"All she had to do was buy us some time! What a waste of our expectations!"