Chapter 12801 What is the Tianxia Association?

"I obey my orders."

Following this clear answer, a woman walked out from the shadow of the hall. She had a beautiful face, skin as white as jade, and a delicate and exquisite figure, as if she was a work of art carefully carved by nature.

She bowed slightly to show her respect to the empress, with a determined light flashing in her bright eyes.

The empress nodded slightly, her eyes lingering on her for a moment, as if she was admiring a perfect work of art. Then, she waved her hand and said calmly, "Go, use the teleportation array and head to the South Region. Be sure to convey my order to that person."

"Yes!" Shangguan Yu's voice was firm and powerful. She turned around and left without hesitation, her figure light as falling snow. The hall returned to peace again, and only the empress was left, facing the empty hall alone.

The empress's eyes became confused and she stared at the distant sky, as if looking for something.

Her heart was filled with complex emotions, including longing, pain, and determination. She sighed, her voice filled with helplessness and sadness: "My beloved man, do you really think I dare not kill you? In the face of power and status, your life is worthless in my eyes."

……

In a distant valley, Ling Xiao had spent three long days and three nights alone in a shabby thatched hut.

During these three days, he seemed to be isolated from the world, with only the weak sunlight from the outside world shining on his face through the cracks in the hut, bringing him a little warmth. However, he did not feel lonely, because his heart was full of expectations and determination.

Ling Xiao was not in a hurry, he knew that what he was waiting for was something extremely precious and of great significance.

That was a treasure that Jiu Lao had spent all his efforts on, spending countless days and nights to create. In Ling Xiao's opinion, how could such a thing be obtained so easily? Not to mention three days and three nights, even if it was waiting for several months, he would be willing.

Whenever it was late at night and everyone was asleep, Ling Xiao would sit quietly in the corner of the thatched cottage, gazing at the starry sky outside the window, his heart filled with longing and expectation for the unknown. He believed that Jiu Lao's craftsmanship would not disappoint him, and that treasure must be an excellent work of art.

However, on this quiet night, an unfriendly killing intent suddenly struck, breaking the tranquility of the valley. Ling Xiao keenly sensed this killing intent, his brows slightly furrowed, and he looked at the door of the hut with a sharp gaze.

With a loud bang, the thatched house was instantly destroyed by a powerful force and turned into countless fragments. Amid the flying fragments, Ling Xiao rushed out as nimbly as a cheetah. His eyes were cold and firm, staring closely at the one woman and four men in front of him.

"Who are you? You attack my house without saying anything. You are so arrogant!" Ling Xiao said coldly. Although his voice was calm, it revealed an unquestionable majesty.

The leading woman was slightly stunned after hearing Ling Xiao's words. She looked at Ling Xiao carefully, and then asked coldly: "You are not him, where did he go?" There was a hint of doubt and anxiety in her tone, and it was obvious that she was looking for someone.

Ling Xiao did not answer her question, but continued to stare at her coldly. He knew that these people were not good people, and their coming must have ulterior motives. However, he was not afraid of them, because he believed that he had enough strength to deal with any challenge.

The woman's name was Shangguan Yu. She was wearing a blue robe that fluttered in the wind. She was tall, and her eyes and eyebrows revealed an aura of majesty without even being angry.

She traveled day and night, and rode non-stop for three days and three nights, finally arriving at this hidden place surrounded by mountains. Her goal was clear, which was to find Jiu Lao in one fell swoop and solve this major problem.

However, when she stepped into the open space surrounded by thatched houses, she found that things were not as simple as she had imagined.

There was someone else in the hut that was supposed to be empty. This caught her off guard and her anger rose. She originally thought that she could easily deal with the old man, but now it seems that things are a bit tricky.

Shangguan Yu stood in front of the ruins of the thatched cottage, and looked at Ling Xiao who walked out from the debris with a sharp gaze. She saw that Ling Xiao's eyes were cold and firm, and he exuded an aura that should not be underestimated.

This made her a little surprised. She didn't expect that this seemingly ordinary young man could withstand her attack and was not injured.

"Him? Oh, are you talking about Jiu Lao?" Ling Xiao suddenly realized what Shangguan Yu said about Jiu Lao. He then realized that he had inadvertently prevented a disaster for Jiu Lao.

If he didn't have a powerful martial soul and strong perception ability, he would have died under Shangguan Yu's attack. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little fortunate.

"Jiu Lao? He doesn't even want to call me by my real name?" Shangguan Yu frowned slightly when she heard Ling Xiao mention Jiu Lao. She didn't expect that this old man didn't even want to mention his own name, which made her more certain of her guess - Jiu Lao must have a secret that he couldn't tell anyone.

"Forget it, let him come out, we have something to look for." Shangguan Yu looked at Ling Xiao, with a tone of command that could not be questioned. She seemed to be used to solving problems in this way, as if others had to do whatever she said.

However, Ling Xiao ignored her order and responded calmly: "Jiu Lao is not here. If you have something to do with him, please go find him somewhere else."

Shangguan Yu couldn't help but feel a little surprised when she heard Ling Xiao's words. She didn't expect that this young man would dare to refuse her order, which made her feel a little angry.

"How dare you!" A burly man with a stern face suddenly shouted coldly. He stood beside Shangguan Yu, his eyes emitting angry light, as if he wanted to swallow Ling Xiao whole. His voice was full of majesty, and it was obvious that he wanted to maintain Shangguan Yu's authority and regain this face at all costs.

Shangguan Yu hadn't spoken yet, but her eyes revealed an unquestionable firmness. She didn't seem surprised by Ling Xiao's reaction, and just observed everything quietly.

Ling Xiao was unmoved by the man's shouting. He looked at him with a smile, his eyes flashing with confidence and composure. He asked calmly, "Then do you know who I am?"

The young man was obviously shocked by Ling Xiao's calmness. He was stunned for a moment, then asked curiously: "Oh? Who are you?"

Ling Xiao took a deep breath, as if he wanted to concentrate all his strength in this moment. He slowly uttered a few words: "The disciple of the Tianxia Upper Courtyard - Ling Xiao!" Although his voice was not loud, it was full of power, as if it could penetrate people's hearts. (End of this chapter)