A voice filled with shock and fear rang out. Jin Bao'er looked up. Mo Ganyan, who had been arrogant and haughty moments ago, had stood up again. His eyes were fixed on Jin Bao'er, but a hint of apprehension now flickered within them.
As expected of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, he had quickly gotten back on his feet even after being struck directly by the dragon's might. However, his pale and weak tone proved he was not unscathed!
Li Qingjiu also finally recovered and rushed over to check Jin Bao'er's injuries. Her internal organs had been severely shaken, there were multiple bleeding wounds on her body, and even the bones in her collar had been damaged. Her spiritual energy was depleted, likely exhausted from her attempt to resist just now…
Seeing this, even he couldn't help but be startled! She hadn't cried out in such pain! This showed how incredibly resilient Jin Bao'er was! With this thought, he straightened his expression and said earnestly.
"Don't worry, Jin Xiong! Today, I will absolutely not let that person harm you again!"
Jin Bao'er's throat was injured. She could only watch as Li Qingjiu stood up, his back to her, confronting Mo Ganyan.
"If Jin Xiong said he didn't kill anyone, then he didn't kill anyone. Who knows if your illusion stone was tampered with? To think that a dignified Nascent Soul stage cultivator would attack a mere Foundation Establishment stage junior so viciously, it's utterly shameless! Bullying the weak!"
His words were righteous and brave, but Jin Bao'er noticed his incessantly trembling legs… Although they hadn't known each other for long, Li Qingjiu's courage was truly unexpected.
Naturally, Mo Ganyan was furious at being openly refuted! He roared directly.
"What impudent brat is this! Meddling in other people's business, get lost, or I'll deal with you too…"
"Deal with me too? Elder Mo has quite the imposing presence!"
Before he could finish, more than a dozen figures landed swiftly. The person at the forefront directly interrupted his words. Jin Bao'er couldn't discern his cultivation level, but she recognized that face!
It was Li Bailuo, the Sect Master of the Dragon Tiger Sect, a cultivator in the mid-Nascent Soul stage. He was known for his upright character, generosity, and disregard for trivialities. In her past life, she had been fortunate enough to witness him in action, casually repelling a frenzied horde of demonic beasts with a single strike, astonishing everyone present! His strength was undeniable!
But why was he here?
"Old man!"
Just as she was wondering, Li Qingjiu's exclamation came, and the next moment he pounced, rushing directly towards Li Bailuo.
"Wow!! Old man! You're finally here. If you hadn't come, your darling son would have been bullied to death! You have no idea how your darling son has been these past few months!! Couldn't eat properly, couldn't sleep properly, and now someone wants to kill me! Wuwuwu! Look, I've lost weight!"
As he spoke, Li Qingjiu clung to Li Bailuo like a sloth, wailing about his hardships, completely oblivious to his father's darkening complexion and the helpless, amused expressions of the people behind him.
"Young Sect Master, there are many people here. I advise you to… get down first."
If he didn't get down soon, he truly feared the Sect Master might lose his temper and discipline his son on the spot. The thought of that scene… he found it embarrassing!
Li Qingjiu heard this and only then remembered that many people were around. He quickly jumped off Li Bailuo, his expression returning to normal, and said respectfully.
"Father, you're here! Let me introduce you! This is my brother, Jin… Uh, what's your full name, Jin Xiong?"
Li Bailuo: "..." My own son! He took a deep breath, then exhaled! This was his biological son!
Everyone else: "..." So he didn't even know his name? Weren't you just acting so bravely moments ago?
Jin Bao'er cleared her throat upon hearing this. The elixir she had just taken quickly took effect. Leaning against the rock behind her, she propped herself up, her gaze steady as she looked over.
"Junior Jin Bao'er, greetings to Sect Master Li!"
Li Qingjiu was actually Li Bailuo's son? This was truly… unexpected!
Li Bailuo knew his son's character. While he seemed simple and straightforward, he was actually quite adept at understanding people. After his sharp eyes scrutinized Jin Bao'er for a moment, he finally showed a slight smile.
"Not bad!"
Whether this "not bad" referred to her demeanor, strength, or temperament was unknown. Jin Bao'er lowered her gaze, realizing that rumors were not always reliable. This was no straightforward and fierce brute, but clearly a tiger that devoured without spitting out bones.
"Sect Master Li, I am Mo Ganyan, the Sixth Elder of the Di Yun Sect. My son has been misled. I am not here to harm him, but to seek justice for my disciple! A life for a life!"
Li Bailuo heard this and looked at Jin Bao'er.
"Is this true? If so, I don't like to meddle in other people's affairs!"
As he spoke, he paid no attention to Li Qingjiu's anxious expression, instead glaring at him to make him shut up and behave.
Jin Bao'er knew he was giving her a chance to explain. She then looked at Mo Ganyan, her gaze unwavering.
"Senior believes I killed your disciple and has the illusion stone as evidence. May I ask if everyone can watch it together? If it is true, I will not say another word."
Mo Ganyan hadn't expected her to still dare to quibble. He was so angry he wanted to strike, but considering the strange power she had displayed earlier and Li Bailuo's watchful presence, he suppressed himself and took out the illusion stone.
The images flashed by. What those people saw before their deaths was Jin Bao'er's cold and delicate face.
After watching, Mo Ganyan became even more arrogant, his eyes spitting fire!
"What else do you have to say?"
Jin Bao'er, however, did not flinch. Her eyes grew even more sarcastic.
"Based on this alone? They saw me before they died, so I am the murderer? Did Elder Mo not see the tracks left by the stampede of demonic beasts on the ground? They clearly died under the mouths of the demonic beasts, what does that have to do with me?"
Seeing her so readily shift blame, Mo Ganyan was about to attack when Li Bailuo extended his hand and dispersed his power.
"Alas, since they were not killed by Jin小子, and died under the mouths of demonic beasts, it was simply a matter of inferior skill. Elder Mo should not vent his anger on the innocent."
How could Mo Ganyan stop at this? He immediately became enraged!
"What do you mean inferior skill? If she had intervened, how could my disciple have died? By standing by and watching, she deserves to die!"
Jin Bao'er smiled. Where did the confidence come from that she should have intervened?
"Are you a saint, Senior? Do you often help others in your daily life? Setting aside whether I, with my mere Foundation Establishment cultivation, could have saved them, your disciple sprinkled beast-attracting powder on me, intending to lead the beasts to me as a scapegoat for their anger. Why should I save them? It was all their own doing!"
Upon hearing this, Mo Ganyan's face turned completely red, smoke seemed to rise from his head, and the killing intent in his eyes was palpable! In the end, he could only say fiercely.
"Good! Very good! Jin Bao'er, is it! I'd like to see how far you can go! We have plenty of time!"
After uttering a harsh threat, he turned and ascended into the air, quickly disappearing into the forest. Clearly, the animosity had been irrevocably forged.
Seeing this, Jin Bao'er also breathed a sigh of relief. Having been reborn once, no one cherished this life more than she did. She had initially thought avoiding Su Xianzhi would be enough before she became powerful, but she had almost forgotten how perilous the cultivation world was, and that being low-key wouldn't suffice.