Chapter 12862: Next time, no need to show mercy!

Then, Shangguan Li's face darkened instantly, and her anger was clearly visible on her face. She had never thought that this unknown Ling Xiao would dare to treat her so rudely. This was simply a great provocation to her identity, and she could not accept such humiliation.

In anger, Shangguan Li moved her body and dived forward like a cheetah. Her speed was so fast that it was difficult to catch her. The true energy in her palm surged, as if she had gathered all her strength and slammed it fiercely towards Ling Xiao's chest. The power of this palm was enough to kill an ordinary person instantly.

While attacking, Shangguan Li's mouth curled up in a mocking arc. She looked at Ling Xiao with disdain and contempt in her eyes. She said coldly: "Boy, it's not your fault that you are not strong enough, but you are too stupid to provoke others casually." Her voice was full of arrogance and confidence, as if she had seen Ling Xiao fall at her feet.

However, Ling Xiao's reaction was beyond her expectations. Facing Shangguan Li's attack, Ling Xiao did not show any panic. He calmly raised the long sword in his hand, and the blade flashed with cold light, as if foreshadowing the upcoming killing.

Ling Xiao swung his sword, and a sharp blade light burst out instantly. This blade light was strong enough to easily defeat Shangguan Li's attack. Although Shangguan Li was powerful, she was only at the third level of the Wuhun Realm after all, and there was still a big gap compared to Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao's strength was far beyond Shangguan Li's imagination. His current cultivation was enough to easily kill a martial arts master of the sixth level, not to mention a martial arts master of the third level like Shangguan Li. In Ling Xiao's eyes, Shangguan Li's attack was nothing more than a child's play.

The bloodthirsty sword spirit in Ling Xiao's hand seemed to be awakened in an instant, bursting out a dazzling and blinding red light. This red light not only illuminated the surrounding air, but also dyed everything around with a bloody color. The air was filled with a suffocating bloody smell, as if you were in a battlefield of slaughter.

Shangguan Li felt this strong aura and her expression changed instantly. A trace of fear flashed in her eyes. She knew that this was not an ordinary attack, but a special skill that the opponent used with all his strength.

But at this moment, she was already in an awkward situation. She found that she could neither change her tactics nor retreat. She could only bite the bullet and try her best to confront Ling Xiao head-on.

The power of the two collided in the air, making a deafening sound. This loud sound was like thunder, shaking the entire space. Shangguan Li felt a powerful force hitting her body, and she felt as if her internal organs were shattered at this moment, and the pain was unbearable.

Then, a mouthful of blood gushed out of her mouth, and her body flew backwards like a kite with its string cut off. Her body drew an arc in the air and finally slammed heavily to the ground.

Shangguan Li struggled to stand up, but her body seemed to have lost control and could not move. She looked up at Ling Xiao, her eyes full of fear and unwillingness. She knew that she could never be a match for this man. Her heart was filled with shock and fear, but at this moment she could not afford to think too much.

She knew that if she didn't run, death would be waiting for her. So, she endured the pain in her body and struggled to stand up. She turned and ran, not daring to stop for a moment. She knew that she had to escape from here as soon as possible, otherwise there would be even more terrible consequences waiting for her.

Ling Xiao's eyes were fixed on Shangguan Li's gradually receding back, and a raging anger burned in his heart.

However, just as he was about to chase after him, a steady and powerful hand gently rested on his shoulder. He looked back and saw a pleading and helpless expression on Jiu Lao's weathered face.

"Forget it, give her a chance." Jiu Lao's voice was low and firm, with a hint of unquestionable meaning, "Shangguan Li is my niece, I can't watch her go to destruction like this."

When Ling Xiao heard this, his anger gradually subsided. He looked at Jiu Lao deeply, and read the indescribable affection and helplessness in his eyes. He understood that Jiu Lao, as an elder, had his own considerations and bottom line.

So he nodded, took back his steps and sat back down.

After sitting down, Ling Xiao felt a complex emotion. He sighed and said slowly, "You care about her, but she may not care about you." There was a hint of disappointment and helplessness in his voice, as if he was telling an unspeakable hardship.

He knew that although Jiu Lao looked cold and ruthless on the surface, he was full of love and expectations for Shangguan Li in his heart. However, Shangguan Li's betrayal and ruthlessness made this expectation come to nothing.

When Jiu Lao heard this, his face froze, and an inexplicable feeling welled up in his heart. He knew Ling Xiao was right, but he couldn't change Shangguan Li's choice. He could only pray silently, hoping that she would turn back from her wrong path and get back on the right track.

At the same time, he was also pleased and grateful for Ling Xiao's tolerance and understanding. He knew that Ling Xiao was a man of affection and righteousness, and he was willing to give everything for his friends and relatives.

Jiu Lao's face was solemn, with complex emotions flashing in his eyes.

He shook his head gently, as if trying to dispel the haze in his heart, and then slowly spoke: "She and Shangguan Yu are really worlds apart. Shangguan Yu, that woman, has completely become a subordinate of the empress, obeying the empress's orders and almost becoming her shadow. And Shangguan Li, she...she actually has her own difficulties."

He took a deep breath and continued, "Shangguan Li did what she did out of helplessness. She knew very well that if she didn't do this, the Shangguan family would become the target of the empress and fall into an irretrievable situation. That kind of pressure and responsibility forced her to make a choice, even if this choice made her suffer."

Jiu Lao's face showed deep helplessness and sadness. He sighed and said, "I really know what kind of dangers may come if I don't kill Shangguan Li. But, I am not a cold-blooded person after all. She is my niece, how could I have the heart to kill her? Whenever I think of this, my heart feels like being cut by a knife."

"Next time, no need to show mercy." Jiu Lao's voice was low and firm, and he clenched his fists, as if he was making a difficult decision. He knew very well that mercy was often a luxury in this cruel world, especially when facing potential threats.

He couldn't put Ling Xiao in danger because of his personal feelings, that would be irresponsible towards his friend.