As Zhang Jisheng spoke, Li Qin's previously joyful expression vanished instantly.
Jiang Li frowned slightly. This guy clearly wouldn't learn his lesson without a bit of a beating.
Very well, then he would test the mettle of the Holy Son of Qingyang Sect.
Jiang Li slowly turned, facing the Holy Son of Qingyang Sect, Zhang Jisheng, who stood not far away. The fighting spirit in his eyes was completely unhidden.
"Jiang Li, let me handle this!" Li Qin whispered into Jiang Li's ear.
Jiang Li looked at the captivating maiden before him and nodded.
"Senior Brother Zhang, I address you as Senior Brother out of respect. Must you insist on making trouble for yourself?" Li Qin's tone turned icy, her eyes fixed directly on Zhang Jisheng.
Although Li Qin exuded no powerful aura, the coldness in her words was palpable.
Upon hearing Li Qin's words, the other disciples nearby showed great consternation.
"Oh no, Junior Sister Li Qin is about to get angry..."
"Did Senior Brother Zhang's brain get flooded? To anger Junior Sister Li Qin..."
"It seems Senior Brother Zhang's tenure as Holy Son is nearing its end..."
"Junior Sister Li Qin possesses the Saint's Mark. Killing him would be as easy as killing a chicken. I suspect he won't just lose his position as Holy Son; his very life might be in question..."
"Stop watching, hurry and run! Danger, evacuate quickly..."
...
...
The surrounding disciples spoke in unison, their faces filled with fear.
Many disciples even scrambled away from the area, as if something terrifying was about to occur.
From snippets of their conversation, Jiang Li heard about the Saint's Mark...
Was it because of the Saint's Mark on Li Qin?
A moment later, the vast area was left with only Zhang Jisheng, Li Qin, and Jiang Li.
Zhang Jisheng seemed to recall something, his face turning instantly deathly pale, a fine sweat beading on his forehead...
"Rumble!!!"
Immediately after, a golden mark appeared on Li Qin's forehead.
The golden mark released a dazzling radiance that instantly enveloped Li Qin.
Bathed in the golden light, Li Qin seemed to transform into a sun goddess, shimmering with resplendent brilliance.
Simultaneously, the surrounding space appeared to fracture subtly under Li Qin's golden light.
A golden shield formed around Li Qin, protecting Jiang Li.
Jiang Li gazed at the golden, sacred Li Qin before him. Even under the protection of the golden shield, he felt a faint sense of oppression.
Was this the power of the Saint's Mark?
Jiang Li thought to himself, thankfully he hadn't crossed this girl before. Otherwise, he would have been utterly annihilated then.
Before long, the golden light from Li Qin surged like a tide, filling the entire space. The ferocious golden mark emanated immense power.
The surrounding structures groaned and creaked, as if on the verge of collapse.
The ground beneath Li Qin and Jiang Li cracked, the fissures growing larger by the moment.
The ferocious golden mark seemed to exert pressure on heaven and earth, accompanied by violent whistling sounds everywhere.
Following this, the golden light from Li Qin shot towards Zhang Jisheng like a sharp sword.
Zhang Jisheng's pupils contracted, and his hairs stood on end...
"Swish swish swish!!!"
With a sound of wind being torn, Zhang Jisheng in the distance was pierced by the golden light, blood seeping from his body.
The midday sun blazed intensely in the sky.
Below, Zhang Jisheng was drenched in blood from countless wounds, having been completely transformed into a man of blood.
"Li Qin... Junior Sister Li Qin, please listen to me, I didn't... I didn't mean it like that... I, I was wrong... I'll never dare again..." a voice of extreme weakness emanated from nearby.
Zhang Jisheng knelt on the ground, blood still seeping from his body.
At this moment, there was no trace of anger left in Zhang Jisheng's eyes, only extreme fear.
Looking at Zhang Jisheng, who possessed no ability to resist, Jiang Li felt a shiver of apprehension.
The power of this Saint's Mark was truly terrifying.
It could almost suppress the entire space. In the face of such power, Zhang Jisheng was like a chick, liable to be crushed at any moment.
"Hmph, if there's a next time, even the Sect Master won't be able to save you!" Li Qin said coldly.
Then, she slowly retracted the golden light from her body.
As Li Qin's radiance receded, the entire space began to return to calm.
It was as if everything that had just happened was an illusion, were it not for Zhang Jisheng, who had become a bloodied figure, still kneeling there.
"Jiang Li, you won't blame me, will you? He's the Holy Son of our sect. If I had truly killed him, my grandfather would likely have confined me!" Li Qin pouted, blinking at Jiang Li, completely devoid of the imposing aura she had just displayed.
Jiang Li couldn't help but pinch Li Qin's cheek. This little girl...
"It's fine, a lesson was enough!" Jiang Li said with a smile.
Jiang Li wasn't some great villain who would take a life with a single word. A lesson was sufficient.
Upon hearing this, Li Qin linked her arm with Jiang Li's and led him away, completely ignoring the nearly lifeless Zhang Jisheng behind them.
Only after Li Qin and Jiang Li had gone far away did someone come to tend to Zhang Jisheng.
...
"Where should we go next?" Jiang Li asked softly, holding Li Qin's hand.
Earlier, by the entrance of the Spirit Beast Pavilion.
Jiang Li had vaguely overheard some disciples talking. It turned out Li Qin had threatened them not long ago.
She had warned them not to speak ill or point fingers in front of her.
This was why no one had discussed them as Jiang Li walked with Li Qin.
This little girl... Jiang Li looked at Li Qin before him and felt a touch of warmth.
He recalled their meeting in the Void God Valley's secret realm, their subsequent treasure hunt together, and how she had appeared exceptionally happy despite being held captive by him.
Just now, she had accompanied him fishing by Biyun Lake, then spent tens of thousands of spirit stones to buy him spirit beast eggs and supplements.
Following that, she had directly activated the Saint's Mark and thoroughly taught Zhang Jisheng a lesson for his disrespectful words.
This girl cared for him from the bottom of her heart. Jiang Li sighed inwardly, "Such a lovely woman, why must she fall for me?"
This was the first time he had experienced such genuine care since arriving in this world.
This feeling seemed quite pleasant...
Although Jiang Li's heart was still slightly resistant, he himself didn't notice how his grip on Li Qin's hand had tightened unconsciously.
"Hehe, you'll know when we get there!" Li Qin felt Jiang Li's firm grip and a slight curve formed on her lips.
They continued walking forward, hand in hand.
...