Chapter 112: Heaven's Gift of a Meal

"I agree." His thin lips twitched, his voice barely hiding a hint of excitement.

"Huh?" Gu Dongliu glanced at Ling Shaoyang, thinking this guy really is a pervert—how dare he gladly accept such a difficult game?

But, how is he any different?

Although he felt it was difficult, that kind of challenging pressure made him eager to try!

"Alright, Young Master, I also agree!"

Gu Dongliu flicked his long sleeves, his heroic spirit soaring to the clouds!

Although in previous years the Top Three contest was decided by the Bird Shooting Contest, since the Top Three participants all agreed to change the game, naturally they went along with them.

But even so, there were still discordant voices.

"I think this is highly inappropriate! The game Ye Qingran suggested is surely what she's best at—this is unfair to Gu Dongliu and Ling Shaoyang!"

The speaker was Mu Qingrou.

Her words made sense, prompting many to nod in agreement.

"Exactly, how can we let Ye Qingran decide how the Top Three is determined? This is too reckless!"

Ye Sisi also couldn't wait to speak up.

……

"We've all agreed, what's with all your fuss?" Ling Shaoyang released killing intent from his whole body, looking utterly unapproachable.

The few who had just objected bit their lips, daring not to say anything else.

"Exactly, since we three have no objections, you need say no more!"

Gu Dongliu restrained his smile and spoke in a low voice.

"I don't care. Whether it's Bird Shooting Contest or Hundred-step Willow Piercing, to me it's all... simple!"

Ye Qingran's gaze swept over Mu Qingrou and the others, the corner of her lips curling into a wanton arc, her words likewise shocking to the heart.

The crowd wanted to speak but held back, no longer daring to scorn and mock as before.

Because Ye Qingran had already proven herself with her strength!

But, could she be even more arrogant?

Gu Dongliu watched Ye Qingran's attitude, his fingers gripping the folding fan turning slightly white.

Even to this day, many still consider Ye Qingran a good-for-nothing, mediocre in talent, yet he knows deep down she is a pearl hidden in dust.

Once the dust is brushed away, the hidden dragon leaps from the abyss!

He looks forward to that day's arrival, surely it will be a myriad of razor-sharp brilliance shining over Xiliang!

Just thinking about it feels interesting!

Ling Shaoyang lowered his gaze slightly at the woman before him, his usually calm heart showing traces of hot blood surging through.

It seems this world isn't so boring after all!

Not far away, in the Wuhen ancient well's tranquil, far-reaching eyes, ripples arose.

Ye Qingran briefly explained the rules.

There are seven willow leaves painted red, orange, yellow, white, black, blue, and purple; whoever hits these seven leaves in that order with the fewest arrow shots becomes the top rank!

"The order is to prevent misfires, although that possibility is minuscule," Ye Qingran explained.

After hearing the details, Ling Shaoyang's face showed solemnity, his eyes brimming with determined ambition.

Gu Dongliu howled incessantly, outright calling the rules perverse!

The battle for the Top Three rankings has already opened its curtain!

According to the rules, the one with the worst Second Round performance among the three starts first.

Gu Dongliu gripped the long bow, adapting for a while, until even his forehead beaded with thin sweat, before finally releasing the first arrow.

Unexpected yet expected… he missed the target!

All that could be seen was the released feathered arrow flying past the willow trees and embedding into the soil!

Gu Dongliu's face sank solemnly, a rare sight of seriousness and focus.

Not far away, Gu Huanghou and Dongfang Qingxuan seeing Gu Dongliu's appearance all showed looks of surprise. They never imagined that the usually frivolous and indifferent Gu Dongliu could also be this serious!

"Calm the mind, focus the spirit, adjust the breath."

Ye Qingran's gentle, spring-breeze-like voice came from beside his ear. Gu Dongliu's eyes lit up, his whole body gradually relaxing from its tense state.

A hundred paces away, the crimson willow leaf fluttering in the clear wind reflected in his pupils, gradually becoming clear.

Now!

Gu Dongliu's eyes suddenly sank, the arrow in his hand leaving his grip, turning into lightning, flying toward the distance with the speed of thunder that leaves no time to cover one's ears!

Hardly any sound was heard, yet the crowd faintly saw that crimson willow leaf disappear!

Gu Dongliu's face lit up with joy—he had succeeded!

"Thank you, Miss Ye!"

Ye Qingran smiled, saying nothing.

Gu Dongliu, with prior experience, became even more adept; despite occasional misses, he still completed the task within twelve arrows!

Gu Dongliu was already drenched in sweat!

"Hundred-step Willow Piercing is indeed difficult! Not to mention the target is too small, the motion's pattern is already hard to grasp, making it far harder than Bird Shooting Contest!"

Gu Dongliu rotated his sore arm and lamented.

The Crown Prince Dongfang Qingxuan took in Gu Dongliu's earlier performance with his deep, inscrutable eyes.

When did Gu Dongliu's archery skill advance to this point?

Is it that he truly improved greatly this year, or has he been hiding his talent all along?

At this moment, Ling Shaoyang was already eager to begin his match.

Compared to Gu Dongliu's initial nervousness, Ling Shaoyang seemed much more composed.

He stood there, his murderous aura miraculously vanished, leaving only a body with a sword-like, icy sharpness.

Draw the bow, wait for the moment, release the arrow!

Done in one breath.

He actually hit the target with a single arrow!

Ye Qingran barely raised her eyebrows.

Around them rose a cheer, but Ling Shaoyang felt neither joy nor sorrow, cold as an emotionless archery machine.

Just when everyone thought Ling Shaoyang would maintain this state and kill his way in and out seven times, his second arrow strangely missed the target.

Ling Shaoyang gazed at the arrow stuck in the ground far away and the orange willow leaves gently fluttering on the willow branches, furrowed his brows and fell into thought.

After a dozen or so breaths, he drew the bow again and successfully hit the target once more.

Afterwards, Ling Shaoyang began trying double-arrow shots; the first attempt had one arrow miss, but on the second try he actually shot down the white and black willow leaves one after another.

Then Ling Shaoyang tried three arrows, unbelievably completing them in one breath, all three hit! Since only two dyed leaves remained, his final arrow actually struck an undyed willow leaf.

"Wow, this Ling Shaoyang is truly a monster!"

Gu Dongliu stared wide-eyed, howling in excitement.

He shot arrow after arrow, feeling it taxing, whereas Ling Shaoyang kept increasing the difficulty each time and still succeeded!

One must say, in archery, Ling Shaoyang is a genius blessed by heaven to eat his fill!

He felt ashamed of his own inadequacy!

"Older sister, Crown Prince Ling is so formidable, Ye Qingran surely has no chance! The top spot will probably still belong to Ling Shaoyang!"

Ye Sisi whispered softly into Ye Huanhuan's ear.

"Exactly, she surely didn't expect Ling Shaoyang's comprehension ability to be this strong, actually capable of double-arrow and even triple-arrow shooting!"

"This time, Ye Qingran must have miscalculated, right!"

……