Silver Needle watched Mu An Xiao's guessing expression with composure, letting out a cold scoff. "Stop thinking. With just this much, I could have dealt with you. The more you think now, the more despair you'll feel. Of course," Silver Needle paused, then continued, "your despair is good for me. This way, you can die quickly."
Hearing Silver Needle's words, Mu An Xiao couldn't help but frown. Then, she felt the pain from behind her again and realized that the only way forward wasn't to confront Silver Needle head-on. Instead, she needed to find Feng Qi Shi to heal her wounds. However, Silver Needle had spoken so direly. If she moved, the demonic energy would spread rapidly within her. Mu An Xiao suddenly found herself unsure of what to do. Yet, she couldn't just wait to die, so she fixed her gaze on Silver Needle, remaining silent.
Silver Needle was a chatterbox. Seeing Mu An Xiao's silent demeanor, it grew anxious. "What do you mean by not speaking? I'm telling you, your silence is harmful to yourself. Only by constantly speaking, constantly fearing, can you..."
"Can you shut up? You're really quite noisy." Mu An Xiao knew Silver Needle's goal was to force her to her death. If she continued to be silent, Silver Needle would undoubtedly push further. Thus, for the sake of some peace, she spoke these words.
Upon hearing Mu An Xiao's words, Silver Needle was momentarily speechless before starting to laugh inexplicably again.
This time, Mu An Xiao paid no attention to Silver Needle. Instead, she lowered her gaze to the black energy that was no longer spreading but instead coiled around her wrist. She frowned, then tentatively raised her hand, discovering the black energy remained still. Seeing this, her tense heart involuntarily relaxed. "It seems you were lying to me," she said, lowering her hand and looking up at Silver Needle, who was still enveloped by the black energy.
Seeing this, Silver Needle exclaimed, "Yī!" then quickly moved towards Mu An Xiao's hand, which was surrounded by black energy. Upon seeing it, it gasped, "How can this be?" As it spoke, it pointed its tip at Mu An Xiao's wrist. Then, just as it was about to pierce Mu An Xiao's arm, Mu An Xiao directly seized it with her other hand. It was startled and cried out, "How can this be?" As it said this, it began to struggle, but to no avail.
Mu An Xiao stood in place, calmly looking at the Silver Needle held captive between her fingers. "You are a menace," she said. She decided to destroy the Silver Needle, but as she thought of Ouyang Ye's cunning mind, she felt hesitant again.
Silver Needle was firmly held by Mu An Xiao, completely devoid of the strength to break free. Thus, it could only obediently say, "Who are you? Why can't I get close to you?" After struggling a bit more, it deflated.
Mu An Xiao calmly looked at the Silver Needle in her hand and said expressionlessly, "Who I am, I've made abundantly clear from the moment I first saw you. Now," her gaze sharpened, "I'll give you two choices: one, absorb this demonic energy for me; two, die a gruesome death. Choose."
"I can't even get into your flesh, so naturally, I can't do that. The only way now is..." Silver Needle became cautious, "to hand over your life to me, and then your body and consciousness. Your soul..."
"I've said it all, and you still want to trick me with this?" Mu An Xiao interrupted, letting out a cold snort. "You really are audacious." With that, she deliberately raised the Silver Needle above her head. Then, just as she was about to act, Ouyang Ye's voice echoed, "What are you doing? Cao Gen?"
Upon hearing this, Mu An Xiao's eyes darkened. She quickly lowered her hand, turned, and looked at the suddenly appearing Ouyang Ye, smiling playfully. "Boss, why are you here?" As she asked, she deliberately held the Silver Needle in front of her, precisely so Ouyang Ye would see it.
As expected, Ouyang Ye immediately spotted the Silver Needle in Mu An Xiao's hand. "That's a needle," he said, walking towards Mu An Xiao.
Immediately, Silver Needle, as if seeing a savior, cried out, "Master, save me! This person of unknown origin wants to kill me." As it spoke, it struggled repeatedly.
At the same time, Mu An Xiao feigned surprise as she looked at the Silver Needle in her hand. "Boss, look, it's moving. Ah, it's moving!" she said, handing the Silver Needle to Ouyang Ye, deliberately letting him see the black energy on her wrist. She believed Ouyang Ye would help her out of self-interest.
Indeed, as Mu An Xiao had predicted, Ouyang Ye lowered his head and focused his gaze on Mu An Xiao's wrist. "You did this," he said, looking at Silver Needle.
Silver Needle excitedly chimed in, "Master, I..."
"Boss, what do you mean I did this?" Mu An Xiao pretended not to hear Silver Needle's voice and deliberately became agitated. "I'm telling you, this needle flew from who knows where and directly pierced my wrist. It really hurt. I thought, 'I should destroy it,' but who knew you'd arrive." Saying this, she gave Ouyang Ye a wry smile.
When Ouyang Ye heard this, his attention completely shifted to Mu An Xiao. "It flew over suddenly?" he said, his tone becoming serious.
Mu An Xiao nodded. "Yes, it was right outside the kitchen. I was talking to someone inside when I was struck. I didn't want anyone to see my awkward state, so I ran over here. Who knew it would hurt so much? Oh," she said, staring at her wrist, "Boss, look, has my wrist turned bluish?" After speaking, she tilted her head to look at Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye followed Mu An Xiao's gaze and looked at her wrist as well. "It's a bit bruised," he said. Then, he suddenly reached out and clasped Mu An Xiao's wrist. "You truly aren't like a man," he commented.
Hearing Ouyang Ye's words, Mu An Xiao dared not be nervous and chuckled. "Everyone calls me short and ugly, but I think I'm quite handsome." She said this, inadvertently looking at the gradually transparent Silver Needle, and exclaimed, "Boss, what happened to this needle?"
"This needle committed a mistake, so it must be punished. Come, let go," Ouyang Ye said softly, and together with Mu An Xiao, they released their grip.
Immediately, Mu An Xiao looked down at the black energy floating above Ouyang Ye's palm, then glanced at the Silver Needle drifting upwards towards the black energy, seemingly about to be reborn. She thought, 'This Ouyang Ye fellow is truly bullying me by assuming I know nothing. He's clearly saving that needle. No, I must stop him.' With that thought, the corner of her mouth twitched, and she feigned a gasp.
At her utterance, Ouyang Ye's hand suddenly trembled, and the Silver Needle slipped into his palm. "What are you doing?" he said, glaring at Mu An Xiao.
Mu An Xiao smiled. "I have a way to quickly concoct that kind of... poison that kills immortals," she said, her eyes lighting up as if it were true.
Hearing this, Silver Needle felt an ominous premonition. However, it dared not offend Ouyang Ye, so it remained silent, lying peacefully in Ouyang Ye's palm.
Ouyang Ye blinked, his gaze finally settling on the Silver Needle.