"You and Feng Qishi were deliberately messing with me!" the rattan spirit suddenly said.
Hearing the rattan spirit's indignant tone, and seeing the dark green mist emanating from the chain, coupled with her own lack of magical abilities, Mu An Xiao's instinct for self-preservation ignited.
"You're still as terrifying as ever," she said after a few seconds of stunned silence.
The rattan spirit smiled and said, "Since you know I'm terrifying, speak quickly, or I'll obliterate you in minutes."
At the sound of its voice, fear surged through Mu An Xiao. Swallowing hard, memories of past bullying flooded her mind.
Her eyes flickered, and after a deep breath, she looked up at the chain floating before her, offering a dry chuckle, "You're very powerful."
"That statement sounds so forced!" the rattan spirit mimicked Mu An Xiao's tone.
Beneath the overpass, the large, stout man watched Mu An Xiao's unusual smile with surprise. "She's a bit off," he remarked.
"What's wrong?" Feng Qishi glanced across the road, then back at the stout man's demonic form. "I can't see anything."
The stout demonic man glanced at Feng Qishi. "I'm not seeing it, I'm smelling it!"
"You're smelling it?" Feng Qishi asked, bewildered, his gaze shifting to the stout man's nose. He let out a dry laugh. "You're kidding me."
"Big brother, why would I kid you?" the stout demonic man narrowed his eyes.
"I'd believe you if you said you saw it, but smelling expressions..." Feng Qishi scoffed dismissively. "You must be joking."
"Don't believe me? Watch," the stout demonic man said, waving his hand in front of Feng Qishi. The next second, Mu An Xiao and the rattan spirit appeared before Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi stared in astonishment at the cinematic imagery before him, especially at Mu An Xiao's naturally fawning expression. "That guy is actually grinning like an idiot."
"I smelled that," the stout demonic man replied.
However, Feng Qishi seemed to have lost interest in the stout demonic man's words. "You've maintained it, right?"
The stout demonic man smiled and nodded. "Yes, I know."
Feng Qishi remained silent, calmly observing Mu An Xiao, who was still giggling nonsensically and saying nothing. He furrowed his brow.
Across the way, the rattan spirit stared at Mu An Xiao for a moment before saying, "Can you stop staring at me like that?"
"How did you become so powerful?" Mu An Xiao asked nonsensically.
"Why should I tell you?" the rattan spirit replied.
Mu An Xiao smiled. "If you don't tell me," she slowly raised her hand, "I'll capture you."
The rattan spirit drifted back slightly. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"How am I doing this on purpose?" Mu An Xiao's smile was strained.
"Are you doing this on purpose?" the rattan spirit asked again.
Mu An Xiao's face showed no fear. "Fine, if you say I'm doing it on purpose, then tell me in what way I'm being deliberate?" Mu An Xiao continued to smile.
"You..." the rattan spirit paused to think. "You're deliberately stalling me, preventing me from finding the wolf demon."
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have thought of it. But now that you've brought it up, I have to ask," Mu An Xiao said, her smile vanishing instantly. "Why are you looking for the wolf demon?"
"It didn't tell you?" the rattan spirit, drawn into the conversation by Mu An Xiao, replied.
Mu An Xiao shook her head.
"You didn't go find him," the rattan spirit said, flicking a dark green ray of light towards Feng Qishi's location. "That guy just said the wolf demon lost its powers. Is that false?"
Mu An Xiao hesitated for a few seconds, then feigned a look of sudden realization. "If you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have remembered. But now that you've mentioned it, I recall. Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about." She pointed at the rattan spirit excitedly.
"This is the secret you wanted to tell me?" the rattan spirit's tone was laced with disappointment.
"Yes," Mu An Xiao nodded with a sincere expression.
"I thought you were going to tell me something important. All this time, it was just this," the rattan spirit continued, still disappointed.
Mu An Xiao chuckled sheepishly. "Yes. Isn't this news amazing? Let me tell you, instead of relying on him, you might as well use me."
"Smooth talker," the rattan spirit commented.
Mu An Xiao rubbed the back of her head. "Thanks for the compliment!"
"Please understand, I wasn't complimenting you at all," the rattan spirit said urgently, as if concerned about something.
Mu An Xiao continued to smile foolishly. "Don't hide it. I know, you say you've come to find the wolf demon, but actually," she leaned in, lowering her voice, and giggled with unconcealed anticipation, "you're interested in me. I know I have what it takes to become a demon."
"To be clear, I have no interest in you. Please do not misunderstand, thank you," the rattan spirit said languidly.
Mu An Xiao pursed her lips. "The way you talk is really hurtful."
"I came to find you because Feng Qishi said you had a secret. Now that I know the secret, tell me, where is the wolf demon?"
"You don't know where he is," Mu An Xiao said, feigning surprise, then pouting. "Tch, I thought you had found him."
"I went to the hospital. He wasn't there at all," the rattan spirit replied.
"I'll tell you, but you have to promise to take me as your demon," Mu An Xiao said deliberately.
"What demon are you going to be?" the rattan spirit asked, drifting a bit closer to Mu An Xiao.
Mu An Xiao looked at the chain before her and frowned. "Don't I have great potential to become a demon?" She raised an eyebrow.
The rattan spirit remained silent for a moment, then paused a few inches from Mu An Xiao's face before uttering two words: "No."
"Why not?" Mu An Xiao retorted, reaching out to grab the chain that was trying to float away.
"Let go," the rattan spirit struggled.
Mu An Xiao gripped the chain tightly. "You say I don't have the potential to become a demon, even though I'm a mortal with such talent? You're so hurtful."
"Mu An Xiao, are you crazy?" the rattan spirit continued to struggle.
Mu An Xiao pouted. "I can't learn demonic arts, and you won't take me in. Those above ostracize me. Ah, I'm so pitiful." With that, Mu An Xiao began to wail.
As Mu An Xiao's wails erupted, passersby suddenly showed expressions of astonishment.
Mu An Xiao, however, paid no mind to the onlookers as usual, continuing to focus on the chain in her hands. "I know I'm useless. You look down on me. Wuuu..."
As Mu An Xiao wailed again, nearby pedestrians jumped in fright and quickened their pace.
Feng Qishi chuckled as he watched Mu An Xiao frighten the passersby.
In contrast, the stout demonic man looked nervously at Mu An Xiao, who was conversing with the rattan spirit. "We're on the brink of death, and you can still smile like that."
"You don't understand. This is Mu Sha Zi's strategy. Ordinary people can't learn it," Feng Qishi said proudly.
The stout demonic man replied, "If I recall correctly, you're not that familiar with her."