Chapter 127

Gu Huanghou saw that the speaker was Ye Huanhuan, a faint smile appeared on her face, "Huanhuan, if you have something to say, just say it."

Ye Huanhuan bowed slightly, "Thank you, Empress." After saying that, her gaze swept over the crowd, "Could it be that the Spirit Beast was shot by someone else, and then…"

The rest of the words need not be spoken by Ye Huanhuan; the crowd can fill in the blanks themselves.

"Yeah, how didn't I think of that? Even if these Spirit Beasts have their Spirit Core shattered by a single arrow, it might not be Ye Qingran's achievement, but rather someone else hidden in the dark!"

"Exactly, exactly, that must be it! No matter how good Ye Qingran's Archery Skill is, she definitely doesn't have the ability to shatter the Spirit Core of a Lord‑Rank Spirit Beast!"

"This is too much, it's outright cheating! Shameless!"

……

Ye Huanhuan's words caused an uproar.

Those who had originally believed Ye Qingran did not cheat began to doubt again.

"Sister, don't misunderstand, I'm just stating my opinion; if you have evidence, speak up—we fear no shadow when we are upright!" Ye Huanhuan clenched her handkerchief, looking aggrieved, instantly drawing sympathy from many, while secretly scolding Ye Qingran for bullying the weak and taking advantage of her sister.

"Your opinion is truly dark."

Ye Qingran coldly laughed.

Ye Huanhuan's body stiffened, she looked on the verge of tears.

"Ye Qingran, what do you say about this matter?" Gu Huanghou asked coldly.

Even if they could not produce evidence that Ye Qingran's Spirit Beast was hunted by someone else and given to her, Ye Qingran likewise had no evidence to prove she did not do it.

Then this matter would stall due to the need for evidence, but because everyone's impression of Ye Qingran is bad, they would lean toward believing she cheated. Thus, even if no evidence is ever found, Ye Qingran would forever bear the stigma of cheating.

"Damn, it's simply excessive!"

Xia Meng was stunned. How could these people's thoughts be so narrow-minded?

She truly felt fortunate to have persisted these years in not colluding with those noble ladies of Xiliang City!

Gu Huanghou originally thought Ye Qingran would show panic, but she miscalculated.

Ye Qingran's composure remained calm, as if everything was under her control, neither humble nor arrogant.

"May I ask, Empress, are the two Spirit Beasts sent from the palace each year for the annual hunt used as Guardian Beasts?"

Everyone was baffled, not knowing why Ye Qingran would bring up this question.

Gu Huanghou instinctively nodded, "Not bad."

After answering, she then realized why Ye Qingran had asked that.

Could it be…

Her pupils constricted.

"Since everyone suspects my Spirit Beast was shot by someone else and given to me, to prove my innocence, could we bring the Guardian Beast over? If I can shoot it down, wouldn't all problems be solved?"

As soon as she said that, the hall erupted in an uproar.

Ye Qingran, she actually wants to kill the Guardian Beast?!

The hunt festival has been held for many years, yet this is the first time anyone has proposed killing the Guardian Beast!

"This idea is not bad!"

Gu Dongliu was the first to speak.

"I wholeheartedly support it!"

Xia Meng shouted eagerly.

"Agree!"

Ling Shaoyang declared loudly.

……

"Ye Qingran, you have great audacity; the Guardian Beast is His Majesty's Spirit Beast—if you kill it with a single arrow, how will His Majesty explain it?"

Dongfang Qingxuan slammed the table and rose, a faint regal aura emanating from his whole body.

Ye Qingran glanced at him, then shifted her gaze to Gu Huanghou.

"Empress, what do you think?"

"The Guardian Beast is His Majesty's Spirit Beast; it must not encounter any mishap, so…"

"What are you afraid of, Empress? Everyone thinks I lack this ability. Could it be… you actually believe in me?"

Ye Qingran spoke with a smile, graceful and composed.

Gu Huanghou's expression changed.

Ye Qingran had thrown this difficult problem at her!

She had thought the accusation of cheating against Ye Qingran today was solid, but she didn't expect Ye Qingran to take another approach, setting her sights on the Guardian Beast!

Since that's the case, why not go all‑in once?

She simply didn't believe it—Ye Qingran actually had the skill to slay a Four-Star Bloodline Lord‑Rank Spirit Beast!

Someone, summon the Guardian Beast, the Great Roc!

Soon after, the Great Roc was summoned and locked in a cage forged of Mystic Iron.

At every hunting gathering, two Lord‑Rank Spirit Beasts are sent to protect everyone's safety.

Gu Huanghou deliberately chose the Great Roc because its feathers are as hard as iron, making it even harder to shoot down.

Ye Qingran, the Spirit Beasts in Jiu Fu Lin won't stay in one place for you to shoot, so later My Palace will have them released; if you have the skill, shoot it down in front of everyone.

Gu Huanghou waved her hand, and someone went up to open the cage; the Great Roc darted out instantly.

Because this Great Roc had already been bound by the Imperial Contract, no one worried it would fly away or need to fear it would harm people at will.

Though called a Great Roc, it falls far short of the ancient Golden‑Winged Roc Bloodline; this Great Roc merely has a Four‑Star Bloodline, its feathers a mottled black‑gold, looking somewhat disordered.

The Great Roc circled above the camp, its wings spanning ten feet; when unfurled in the void it whipped up a gale, looking mighty and awe‑inspiring.

The Lord‑Rank Spirit Beast's power is extraordinarily high, surpassing even human Mystic Lord experts; in an instant everyone felt utterly weak.

"Ye Qingran, I advise you to give up!"

Qu Jiang wore a smug expression. Such a powerful Lord‑Rank Spirit Beast is not something Ye Qingran could lay a hand on, right?

"Exactly, Ye Qingran, you should just admit that you cheated! Otherwise, when the hair can't even be shot down, everyone will see it as a joke and it'll be awkward!"

Mu Qingrou raised her voice and shouted.

"You overconfident fool!"

Dongfang Xuan's expression turned gloomy, and he sneered.

……

However, Ye Qingran ignored it, slightly tilting her head upward, scrutinizing the Great Roc circling above, her gaze like lightning.

Behind her, Wuhen's expression was cold, his eyes showing no ripple.

Being able to easily assassinate two Xuan Sect strongmen, Ye Qingran's strength is self‑evident. Yet, he was curious—just how strong is Ye Qingran?

She is like hidden in a mist, full of secrets, making him curious to unravel them one by one!

Just when everyone fell into despair, believing Ye Qingran could never achieve it, she suddenly moved. With a light step, she leapt onto the trunk of a large tree beside them, then vaulted high from the trunk, the arrow already nocked in her hand snapping from the bow with a force like splitting bamboo, bearing a crushing momentum as she shot toward the Great Roc!

The crowd held their breath.

Under the scorching sun, the Great Roc's golden feathers reflected glittering light, while the released arrow resembled a streak of flowing light, moving so fast it was hard to catch.

Puff~

The sound of blade cutting flesh drifted faintly on the wind.

Everyone's expression turned grim.

In the next instant, the once majestic Great Roc halted, its wings—each a zhang wide—flapped at a suddenly higher frequency, yet its body swayed left and right, teetering on the brink of collapse!

It—injured?!

Could it be that Ye Qingran's arrow just now wounded it?!

How could that be?!

That's a Lord‑Tier Great Roc!

Its feathers are as solid as golden broth!

Ye Qingran's arrow just now showed no Mysterious Force Wave, it was just an ordinary iron arrow—how could it wound such a mighty Spirit Beast?

The crowd's gazes suddenly froze.

They saw the Great Roc struggle in the air for a moment, then plunge down rapidly!

The massive black silhouette, under the sun, cast a huge shadow on the ground; many wore shocked expressions, some panicked and fled to the side to avoid the Great Roc's impact!

Hoo~

Accompanied by a deafening crash, the ground shuddered violently, raising plumes of dust that were quickly scattered by a breeze.

When the dust settled, everyone's eyes were fixed on the same spot, the shock on their faces still unmistakable.

Gu Huanghou abruptly rose from her seat, eyes wide, her steps chaotic as she hurried to the edge of the viewing platform, leaning on the rail, her shock unmistakable.