Chapter Ninety-Seven: The So-Called Mercy

Listening to Cang Ling’s laughter, Hu Mo knew that these six men were about to suffer even more. Cang Ling would not kill them, but their fate would be little better than death.

Before Hu Yihu and his companions could speak, their figures appeared more than a dozen miles away. The spatial shift was executed with the same clean precision as ever.

Cang Ling’s body floated in midair like a tiny black speck, utterly insignificant compared to the six resplendent battle souls and the four ice dragons. Yet, no one doubted the outcome of this battle. Cang Ling’s strength was already etched deep in their hearts; her victory was beyond question.

“Mo’er, do you think your master will really take their lives? To be honest, watching those two die pains me. After all, there are so few old friends left from that generation.” Hu Yihu sighed heavily, shaking his head. Yan Jiuyan and his brother had been friends with Hu Yihu for decades; such long-standing friendship made Hu Yihu’s heart soften.

“Grandfather, don’t worry. Master would never kill. Otherwise, these people would have died tens of thousands of times already.” Hu Mo spoke calmly, his attention fixed on the distant scene. Had Sanbao not yet fully stabilized, he would have rushed into the fray himself.

Lin Nan stood silently at Hu Mo’s side. She glanced at him from time to time, then lowered her head, as if wanting to speak but hesitating. Hu Mo did not notice her change in mood, his focus wholly absorbed by the unfolding battle, a hint of excitement shining on his face.

The Four Dragons of Ice and the Yan Jiuyan brothers had surrounded Cang Ling. Each battle soul was formidable, radiating a terrifying aura. The four ice dragons transformed into four ice swords, which appeared in the hands of the Four Dragons’ battle souls. In that instant, their aura soared again; confident that even a first-rank Battle Saint could not defeat them.

The Yan Jiuyan brothers’ aura was even more overwhelming. Their combined strength already reached the peak of ninth-rank Battle Emperor, and after encountering Cang Ling, their power grew further. For a brief time, they could even contend with a first-rank Battle Saint. Flames rolled across the sky like boiling water, gathering into waves ten yards high, incinerating every tree and flower nearby to ash. This discomforted the Four Dragons of Ice.

Their attributes clashed absolutely, and the hasty alliance added pressure, but there was no other choice.

“Looks like you’re confident. Pity your confidence is misplaced.” Cang Ling smiled coldly, her figure vanishing with uncanny speed—leaving the six men’s carefully prepared attack without a target.

Their soul force swept outward, searching every inch within several miles like a net, not sparing even a fly or a mosquito. Yet, they found no trace of Cang Ling, as if she had vanished into thin air.

Just then, the Four Dragons of Ice heard a clear shattering sound. Before they could react, the ice swords in their battle souls’ hands dissolved into shimmering silver light, drifting away in the wind. The sea of fire waves began to freeze from the base to the crest; fire became ice in the blink of an eye.

The six men were horrified, immediately channeling their inner power to resist this mysterious attack. At that moment, a playful laugh echoed clearly in their ears. Simultaneously, all six grunted and were hurled away like cannonballs, tracing six elegant arcs through the sky.

Hu Yihu stared, dumbfounded. He had no idea what had happened. The once formidable six were struck down as if made of paper, defeated before they could even act. Had he not seen it himself, Hu Yihu would have assumed it was an illusion.

Hu Mo’s eyes held no surprise, no disbelief, only a wild, burning fervor.

Of all present, only he saw what truly happened. Lingbo Storm—this was the real Lingbo Storm.

The wind and clouds moved; the body merged with all things; time and space reversed. Cang Ling had perfectly demonstrated the ultimate realm of Lingbo Storm.

She had not vanished, but her rapid movement caused time to reverse in her vicinity. In lightning fashion, she defeated all six simultaneously. The blow that sent them flying was not struck at the same moment, but at six overlapping points in time. This method of attack surpassed the imagination of most; even Hu Mo had only heard rumors, and now he witnessed it for the first time.

It must be said, those six were truly foolish. Imagine, someone who could bestow such power must stand at the pinnacle, gazing down upon all. To challenge such a person—what outcome could there be but death?

Yet, they had no choice. If Cang Ling continued, their lives would surely be forfeit. If the two groups continued to fight, the best outcome would be the complete destruction of the Four Dragons of Ice, and the Yan Jiuyan brothers left gravely wounded, near death. In that case, they might as well fight to the bitter end—at least venting their anger.

“Did you see? I intentionally slowed down. Study closely—they won’t last much longer. Ha, such targets are rare.” Cang Ling sent a smiling message, fully aware of Hu Mo’s fiery gaze. She knew this demonstration was precious to him.

Hu Mo was briefly stunned, then replied with a wry smile, “This is slow? Master, please take it easy—don’t kill them by accident.”

A disdainful snort was her only answer, followed by several thunderous booms as the six, undeterred, launched another bold assault.

“Why don’t they run? If they want to die, there's no need to make it so obvious.” Hu Mo muttered, his face full of confusion.

“They don’t refuse to run—they simply cannot.” Lin Nan suddenly spoke softly, a faint blue light flickering in her eyes.

“Why?” Hu Mo and Hu Yihu shouted in unison. Hu Yihu was most puzzled, staring at the handsome youth in Hu Mansion’s guard uniform, sensing an unfathomable depth.

“Just look. If you observe carefully, you’ll see.” Lin Nan fell silent, focusing intently on the battle.

Hu Mo blinked in confusion, unleashed Sanbao’s power to concentrate in his eyes, and in a single glance, his expression froze.

A vast, egg-shaped barrier enveloped all six men, spanning dozens of miles, shaking Hu Mo to his core. The six had crashed against this barrier, stopping their flight; otherwise, who knew how far they would have been thrown.

Hu Yihu tried hard to see, but found nothing. He only noticed Yan Jiulin and his companions leaping madly into the air, then dropping back down in bizarre fashion, bouncing like balls.

“What’s going on? Why can’t I see anything?” Hu Yihu muttered. He could tell Hu Mo and Lin Nan had seen something, yet, as a third-rank Battle Emperor, he saw nothing at all—most peculiar.

“Grandfather, Master set this barrier with special methods. You won’t be able to see it.” Hu Mo explained with a smile. Indeed, a barrier of Cang Ling’s level was simply beyond the perception of an ordinary Battle Emperor like Hu Yihu.

Hu Yihu smiled bitterly, shaking his head. Suddenly recalling something, he asked urgently, “Then how can you and he see it?” Lin Nan wore men’s clothing, so Hu Yihu hadn’t realized her true identity.

“Haha, Grandfather, surely you’re joking. Since Master set the barrier, how could I not see it? Oh, I forgot to introduce you—this young man is actually my senior sister, sent by Master to protect me.” Hu Mo lied without batting an eye, smiling as he introduced Lin Nan to Hu Yihu.

Lin Nan was briefly startled, but played her part, remaining silent, tacitly accepting the explanation. Her true identity did not matter; as long as she could stay in Hu Mansion.

Hu Yihu’s face showed surprise, and he said quickly, “So your master was so thoughtful. No wonder I found this young man’s handsomeness almost unbelievable—so she’s a girl. Mo’er, you’ve truly given Grandfather a wonderful surprise. Such a powerful master, your sudden rise in cultivation and the chaos flame—I can hardly believe it’s real. Haha, now I finally understand what you meant before. The Hu family will finally have its day!”

Hu Yihu laughed heartily, his spirit as vigorous as if he were decades younger, his entire being radiating energy, with youthful vigor once more upon him.

Hu Mo smiled faintly, then looked again, seeing only a shower of blood. The six had been slapped skyward, embedded deep in the barrier overhead, as if sunk into mud.

She clapped her hands, smiled at Hu Mo, and stepped to his side. The barrier shattered; the six crashed down, each landing with a dull thud.

“All done. We can go now.” Cang Ling stretched lazily, yawned, as if quite tired.

Hu Mo stared at her in astonishment, asking timidly, “Master, you didn’t kill them, did you?”

“What? How could you ask such a foolish question? Am I such a cruel person? I merely shattered their battle souls, destroyed their cultivation, and erased their memories. Killing? I am not so ruthless.” Cang Ling sighed, waving her hand dismissively, as if she found the notion beneath her.

This time, Hu Mo was thoroughly stunned. To leave them in such a state was even more terrifying than death; so-called mercy was truly monstrous.

“Hurry, many will arrive soon. My dear disciple, you’ll have your hands full in days to come.” Cang Ling smiled, and with a wave of her slender hand, everyone vanished at once. In just a few breaths, their former location grew lively as crowds arrived.