Don't mess with that Miao boy, he's sickly and perverted.

The sedan chair was spacious inside, with fine silk cushions on the seats. When you sat down, you sank into the softness, and even if there were occasional bumps on the road, your bottom wouldn't feel any hardness.

Having grown accustomed to the arduous journey on horseback, Chai Xiaomi couldn't muster a smile at all, as this was the first time she had ever ridden in such a comfortable mode of transport.

The atmosphere inside the sedan chair was oppressive yet eerie.

Brother Yu, Sister Yao, and Lao Ji sat in another sedan chair.

There were three people sitting here. She sat at the head of the innermost seat, with Wu Li and Ouyang Rui sitting on her left and right sides respectively.

She didn't know what the two of them had said in hushed tones, as she hadn't heard clearly. All she knew was that after their conversation, Wu Li actually took the initiative to accept Ouyang Rui's invitation. He had always preferred to be alone and never liked to join in the fun, yet he was actually eager to go to Ouyang's residence.

As the distance between them gradually increased, she vaguely heard Wu Li coldly reply, "What I'm afraid of is that Young Master Ouyang doesn't have the ability to snatch it away."

Ouyang Rui challenged, "If Young Master Wu isn't afraid, then let's compete fairly. How do you know I don't have the ability to steal it if you don't try?"

Wu Li merely scoffed, "Then I'll wait and see. I just hope you don't cry too much when you lose."

Chai Xiaomi was completely confused and couldn't help but interject, "What are you two trying to fight over?"

Unexpectedly, the two turned around at the same time and said in unison with remarkable tacit understanding:

"Ice Bow and Mystic Arrows"

It turns out they all wanted to participate in the New Moon Arrow Duel, all for the same prize.

But friendship comes first, competition second. It's really unnecessary for the atmosphere to be so tense before the competition has even started.

The cart wheels slowly rolled over the bluestone street. It was unclear how much longer it would take to reach Ouyang's residence. The streets were bustling with noise, but inside it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

So quiet you could hear your own breathing. Chai Xiaomi glanced to her left and saw Wu Li leaning lazily against the sedan wall with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on Ouyang Rui's face like a nail.

Looking further to the right, Ouyang Rui sat upright with his back straight, his hands on his knees, staring straight back at the other person.

Are these two having a contest to see who can blink first and who loses?

Chai Xiaomi felt as if those two gazes were creating an invisible electric current in mid-air, crackling and intertwining, as if sparks could fly at any moment.

This strange atmosphere was driving her crazy; she simply couldn't take it anymore.

Chai Xiaomi cleared her throat and decided to find a topic to break the deadlock and liven up the atmosphere.

"Um, Ouyang Rui—"

"Hey! Xiaomi, it's me!"

Before she could finish speaking, Ouyang Rui turned around abruptly, his eyes shining with eager joy. "You finally remembered my name! Xiaomi, even though your memory is terrible, you still managed to remember me. It seems I must be one of the most unique people in your life, right?"

He said this excitedly, grasped her hand, and shook it vigorously.

"Listen to me, thank you, thank you so much!"

Chai Xiaomi: "..."

No, she just called him casually, why is it acting like he's her savior or her second parent?

She forced a stiff, awkward smile and subtly withdrew her hand, saying, "No need for thanks for small things."

She felt the air on her left suddenly turn cold, as if countless fine icicles were silently piercing her. She instinctively wanted to turn her head to look, but Ouyang Rui had already leaned forward slightly and asked softly:

"By the way, what was Mi'er trying to say just now?"

Ber......What the hell is Mi'er?

Chai Xiaomi's lips twitched uncontrollably: "Just call me Xiaomi."

Ouyang Rui explained earnestly, "Mi'er, you may not know this, but it's an old custom in our Ouyang family. When friends get to know each other well, they stop calling each other by name and add 'er' instead. You can also call me Rui'er. Of course, you can call me whatever you like, as long as you're happy."

As if afraid that Chai Xiaomi wouldn't believe him, he immediately turned to Wu Li and gently called out, "Li'er."

"Pfft—" Chai Xiaomi covered her mouth and couldn't help but steal a glance at Wu Li.

As expected, the expression on the boy's face at this moment could no longer be described as ugly. His eyes were as cold as blades, and when he looked at Ouyang Rui, it was as if he were looking at a piece of meat on a chopping board, about to chop him into mincemeat in the next second.

Unfortunately, Ouyang Rui hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation and was still recklessly flirting with death, saying, "Young Master Wu is magnanimous; surely you won't mind such an intimate address from me?"

"Excuse me," Wu Li said, forcing a smile, his voice icy, "I don't have any concept of magnanimity. Names like 'cat' and 'dog' are better reserved for poultry and livestock. Even the snakes I keep have nicer names than yours."

As soon as he finished speaking, a bright red snake poked its head out from his sleeve, swayed from side to side, and flicked its tongue.

Did I hear that right? The owner actually praised it?

The snake was very happy.

All the grievances I had felt during that time vanished instantly.

Startled by the sudden appearance of this living creature, Ouyang Rui shrank back, pressing his back tightly against the sedan chair wall.

It's one thing to feed the Crimson Blood Silkworm with flesh and blood, but... he even carries a snake with him? The witchcraft clan is indeed unpredictable. Fortunately, he was prepared. His father gave him a protective jade stone, which is said to ward off witchcraft and poison. It is currently hanging quietly around his neck.

Although the magical artifacts in his father's treasure vault were all rare treasures, none of them could quell his nightmares every night, and he didn't know if they would be effective against witchcraft.

Wu Li's gaze swept over Ouyang Rui's neck imperceptibly, his eyes darkening slightly, and a mocking smile slowly appeared on his face.

So they had made thorough preparations.

No wonder when Ouyang Rui reached out to grasp Chai Xiaomi's hand, the Gu power he secretly activated seemed to sink without a trace, and the other party was completely unaware.

That's... kind of interesting.

His knuckles, resting on the folds of his clothes, curled slightly and tightened subtly.

The red dragon in the sleeve immediately sensed the murderous aura that its master was trying so hard to suppress. Like a ferocious beast that had been imprisoned, it was restlessly crashing against the cage of reason, almost breaking free and slaughtering everything in its path.

Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly tense, Chai Xiaomi quickly steered the conversation back on track: "Ouyang Rui, didn't you say that the Shuoyue Arrow Technique was all organized by your father, Ouyang Huai? And that your family paid for the prize too? Since you want the Ice Bow and Mystic Arrow, why don't you just ask your father for it and get something else as the prize?"

Ouyang Rui dusted off his robes and raised an eyebrow: "Mi'er, you may not know this. I, Ouyang Rui, have always acted with integrity and uprightness. Even if there are shortcuts, I will never take advantage of them. I will compete fairly with everyone; only in this way can I live up to the spirit of a true man!"

Just as Chai Xiaomi was about to say a few words of praise to him, a cold, indifferent voice came from the other side, mercilessly puncturing his impassioned speech.

"In fact, the Ice Bow and Mystic Arrow were stolen by the Moon Shadow Demon Spirit. We had no choice but to use it as a prize, using the name of the New Moon Arrow Technique to deal with the demon." Wu Li scoffed. "This matter has already spread throughout Thousand Mist Town. Young Master Ouyang, save your breath. How could any fool possibly believe your high-sounding explanation?"

Chai Xiaomi: Damn it, she almost believed it...