Ouyang Ye's smile confused Xi'er. "Master, what is wrong with you?" she asked, her gaze towards Ouyang Ye becoming very cautious.
Then, Ouyang Ye, still smiling, said, "Come to think of it, Mu Anxiao might really do something like this. If I remember correctly," he paused, recalling Mu Anxiao's greedy nature, and continued, "she's really short on money."
"Ah?" Xi'er was startled and grew more anxious. "If that's the case, Master, please accompany me."
"Did she use magic to set up the barrier?" Ouyang Ye was unaware that Mu Anxiao could now fully control demonic arts. Hearing Xi'er's words, he considered this possibility.
Conversely, Xi'er only knew that Mu Anxiao had erected a barrier there, but she genuinely did not know what it was made of. However, Ouyang Ye had instructed her that when encountering any demon, she must first understand what demonic arts the opponent was using. Therefore, the moment Ouyang Ye asked, Xi'er appeared flustered. "This... I don't know," she said in a low voice.
Ouyang Ye narrowed his eyes. "You don't even know what she used, then let me ask you," he stopped smiling, "does it have spiritual energy?"
"Spiritual energy..." Xi'er repeated, recalling the situation at the time, and shook her head. "No."
"No," Ouyang Ye murmured.
This time, Xi'er was certain. "No, I can still feel that."
"Then, it seems that barrier was set up using demonic arts," Ouyang Ye said, his expression turning exceptionally serious. "But if I recall correctly, Mu Anxiao doesn't know demonic arts."
"Perhaps it's a wolf demon," Xi'er suddenly realized.
Ouyang Ye frowned. "Are you sure?"
"I... I'm not sure, but," Xi'er said, remembering the lightning that appeared above the courtyard before she touched the golden door, and quickly added, "No."
"What is it?" Ouyang Ye asked.
Xi'er said, "It's not a wolf demon."
"A vine spirit?" Ouyang Ye guessed, following Xi'er's lead.
Xi'er shook her head. "Not that either."
"Then it must be Xiao Yi," Ouyang Ye said again.
Just then, Juan'er, who had been listening to their conversation, hurried out the moment Ouyang Ye uttered Xiao Yi's name. "Ye, it couldn't be Xiao Yi." She believed Xiao Yi was the only demon that could take Mu Anxiao's life, so she was determined to protect Xiao Yi at all costs.
Hearing this, Ouyang Ye turned sideways to look at Juan'er. "You were listening to us."
"I..." Juan'er uttered, deliberately glancing at Xi'er's face, and said righteously, "I wasn't eavesdropping. Your voices were too loud, and I heard everything even though I didn't want to."
"Twisted logic," Ouyang Ye said coldly.
Juan'er was not afraid of Ouyang Ye and instead became serious. "Ye, I'll stake my life on it, that barrier was definitely not set up by Xiao Yi."
"Then who do you say it was?" Ouyang Ye asked.
Xi'er looked at Juan'er, who was earnestly defending Xiao Yi's innocence, and dared not speak.
"It's Mu Anxiao," Juan'er said without thinking.
"You..."
"I have my reasons. Before Mu Anxiao entered the water, I tested her. She..." Juan'er, seeing Ouyang Ye's indifferent gaze, felt a flicker of fear. "She had no spiritual energy, but instead, she possessed demonic energy."
"I..."
"That demonic energy isn't yours," Juan'er stated firmly.
Ouyang Ye frowned slightly. "Juan'er, you know Mu Anxiao's identity as clearly as I do. If you harm Mu Anxiao to protect Xiao Yi, don't blame me for disregarding our past affections and not being polite."
"Ye, Mu Anxiao is definitely hiding something from you. If you don't believe me," Juan'er said, walking up to Ouyang Ye, "I'll go with you. If she doesn't have the demonic energy I mentioned, if she hasn't hidden anything from you, I... I'll commit suicide for you to see."
"You..."
"I mean what I say," Juan'er declared resolutely.
Seeing Juan'er's unwavering determination, Ouyang Ye couldn't help but recall the demonic energy he sensed when he took Mu Anxiao to the Demon Cultivation Land. He then looked down, pondering, could it be... Mu Anxiao is truly hiding something from me?
"Will you, Ye?" Juan'er asked again when Ouyang Ye remained silent.
"Fine, come with me," Ouyang Ye said blandly, snapping back to reality.
Juan'er nodded, looked at the silent Xi'er, and said coldly, "Lead the way."
"Yes," Xi'er nodded, feeling a sense of wariness towards Juan'er.
The courtyard in the Demon Cultivation Land.
The wolf demon and the vine spirit sat together in front of the vegetable garden, discussing demonic arts. Suddenly, Xiao Yi shrieked and ran out of the kitchen. "Come and see quickly." She ran to their side.
The wolf demon remained silent, continuing to stare at the vegetables.
In contrast, the vine spirit frowned, looking up at the startled Xiao Yi. "What's wrong with you now?" he asked.
"There's... a demonic sword," Xiao Yi said.
"A demonic sword?" the vine spirit said, piqued by Xiao Yi's words. "Is it true?" He stood up abruptly.
Xiao Yi nodded. "It's true, and that demonic sword... can talk."
"What did it say?" the vine spirit asked with great interest.
Xiao Yi lowered her gaze and said, "Little maiden... are you willing to be my wife?" As she spoke, she lowered her head in shame.
Upon hearing this, the vine spirit burst into laughter.
Following this, the wolf demon looked up at Xiao Yi, who seemed to be fabricating a story, and said, "Xiao Yi, how badly do you want to get married? This is the Demon Cultivation Land. Given the personalities of Song Xi and his wife, they would definitely place a demonic sword in a place like the Sword Forging Pavilion. This is the kitchen, what are you thinking?"
"I think he has a point," the vine spirit agreed.
Xiao Yi became anxious. "I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, come inside with me."
"Come..." the wolf demon uttered, then laughed. "You're so narcissistic." Nevertheless, he stood up.
Xiao Yi became anxious. "I'm not narcissistic, the sword really spoke like that. It was terrifying."
"Stop talking, lead the way," the wolf demon gestured with his chin.
Xiao Yi was taken aback. "What are you thinking? I... how can I lead the way? I was scared out by it. If you want to lead the way," she pointed at the wolf demon, "you lead."
"You know where it is, but I don't," the wolf demon stated matter-of-factly.
Xiao Yi was speechless for a few seconds and looked at the vine spirit...
Upon seeing Xiao Yi's gaze, the vine spirit immediately understood her intention. "You want me to go ahead first."
Xiao Yi pursed her lips and nodded.
The vine spirit let out a dry laugh. "Alright, considering you've taught me demonic arts, I'll go first." As he turned and was about to head towards the kitchen, a detonation sound suddenly came from above them. They immediately stopped upon hearing it.