"I didn't expect you to understand me," the Rabbit Queen was completely disarmed by Mu Anxiao's words.
"We are both fellow travelers in misfortune, so naturally, we can understand each other," Mu Anxiao replied.
"How so?" the Rabbit Queen asked, completely ignoring the Vine Spirit.
"Shall we sit down and talk?" Mu Anxiao suggested.
"Yes," the Rabbit Queen nodded, pulling Mu Anxiao with her as they retreated to sit by the couch.
Seeing this, the Vine Spirit stepped forward and said, "Queen, don't be fooled by her. She used to brainwash people like this."
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao looked up at the Vine Spirit and said, "Old friend, how can you say that about me? I admit, I have eaten your things before, but you can't talk about me like this. It hurts my feelings."
"Mu Anxiao, keep pretending," the Vine Spirit said angrily.
"I'm not," Mu Anxiao asserted firmly, then turned to glance at the Rabbit Queen. "Queen, I'm not pretending, I just empathize."
"What do you mean?" the Rabbit Queen was still captivated by Mu Anxiao.
The Vine Spirit was speechless.
"I followed him for less than a day and I couldn't stand him. You've been with him for so many years, it's clear how hard it has been for you. Therefore, for this reason alone, I want to help you," Mu Anxiao said.
"How will you help me?" the Rabbit Queen asked.
Mu Anxiao thought for a moment and said, "Whatever you want me to help you with, just tell me anytime, and I will do my best."
"I want to occupy the human towns and control humans to become my slaves," the Rabbit Queen stated directly.
Upon hearing this, the Vine Spirit exclaimed excitedly, "Queen, you even told her this."
Mu Anxiao was also surprised that the Rabbit Queen would tell her this, and her face showed a look of astonishment.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's surprised expression, the Rabbit Queen said, "I knew you wouldn't help me."
At this, Mu Anxiao immediately regained her composure and said, "Of course, I will."
"You are willing?" the Rabbit Queen was surprised.
"Yes, I was just surprised that you have such great ambitions. I truly admire you," Mu Anxiao said, cupping her hands.
The Rabbit Queen smiled.
Mu Anxiao smiled and glanced at the Vine Spirit, who was frowning at the Rabbit Queen, thinking: It seems this fellow has cast a spell on this rabbit, which is why she listens to him so obediently. He's not simple, this Vine Spirit.
"What are you thinking?" the Rabbit Queen asked, looking at Mu Anxiao's sudden cessation of smiling.
Mu Anxiao thought that if she suddenly smiled, it would seem too contrived. Therefore, she put on a sorrowful expression and said, "I'm wondering if he finds out I came here, will Piao kill me?"
"It would be better if he killed you," the Vine Spirit blurted out without restraint.
Mu Anxiao was startled. "My friend, how can you say that? I am your old friend. Your words wound me deeply."
The Rabbit Queen, hearing Mu Anxiao's words, agreed with her and said, "You cannot speak to your friend like that."
The Vine Spirit thought his words would make the Rabbit Queen come to her senses, but instead, she was leaning more towards Mu Anxiao. This made him puzzled and curious. Has my spell lost its effectiveness?
Mu Anxiao watched the Vine Spirit start to ponder and thought: Indeed, the spell can be shared with friends. As long as I treat this fellow Vine Spirit as a friend, I can use this spell with him. Halfway through her thought, she paused. No, this is sorcery. Why can I do it too?
At the same time, the Vine Spirit was also pondering this question: Mu Anxiao cannot possibly share this sorcery with me. She is neither my friend nor a demon. It's impossible, impossible.
Meanwhile, the Rabbit Queen, seeing Mu Anxiao and the Vine Spirit in deep thought, asked, "What are you two thinking about?"
Upon hearing this, they both said in unison, "Nothing."
The Rabbit Queen heard this and smiled, "You two truly have great chemistry."
"Old friends, aren't we?" Mu Anxiao continued her act of familiarity.
The Vine Spirit was utterly speechless towards Mu Anxiao.
Outside the house, Yan sat on a rock, occasionally glancing at the room illuminated by candlelight, praying that Mu Anxiao would be safe.
At the same time, Feng Qishi and Piao arrived behind Yan. Piao asked, "Why are you here?"
Hearing this, Yan quickly stood up and turned to the Vine Spirit. "Mu Anxiao asked me to wait here for her."
"She went in alone," Piao asked calmly.
Feng Qishi's expression froze. He thought: Is that fellow going to be alright? With that thought, he turned to look at the Rabbit Queen's room.
"Yes," Yan nodded.
"Alright, I understand. Come back with us," Piao said, completely disregarding Mu Anxiao.
Feng Qishi was not at all satisfied with Piao's reply and said, "Don't you want to go and see?"
"No need," Piao replied.
"Then I..."
"You are not allowed to go either," Piao interrupted.
Feng Qishi clenched his fists, thinking about Mu Anxiao's relationship with the Vine Spirit, and the Rabbit Queen's relationship with the Vine Spirit. His worry for Mu Anxiao's safety grew.
"I'll go take a look," he said after all.
"If you go, who will talk to those rabbits if they come?" Piao said.
Yan thought for a moment and said, "Her eyes were very determined just now. If you go, it might affect her."
Hearing Piao and Yan's words, Feng Qishi considered and compromised, "Alright then."
"Let's go," Piao said, turning and walking ahead.
Yan followed Piao.
Feng Qishi cast a lingering glance at the Rabbit Queen's room, then reconsidered Yan's words, and instantly gave up the idea of going to see, then left.
In the direction of the forest, the Rat Demons and Xu Lanyan found the demon barrier.
"This is it," the female rat demon pointed upwards.
"Let's begin now," said the first male rat demon.
The second female rat demon looked to the sides. "Won't we be discovered?"
"If we remove it directly, they shouldn't be able to detect it," Xu Lanyan said.
Hearing this, the demon in black looked at Xu Lanyan and asked, "Since you know they can't detect it, why didn't you act last night?"
"I used celestial fire, which is easily exposed. How many times do I have to tell you, you simpleton?" Xu Lanyan said, looking at the demon in black with helplessness.
The demon in black gave a silly laugh.
"Let's begin," the female rat demon said.
The other rat demons nodded together and began to set up the formation.
Xu Lanyan watched them set up the formation and asked, "How long will it take to finish?"
"At least a quarter of an hour, at most half an hour," the third male rat demon said.
The demon in black said tiredly, "This is too slow."
"Because there are so many demon barriers set up, we have to be meticulous. Otherwise, if it's not removed cleanly and the celestials arrive, it will be bad," the third male rat demon explained carefully.
After hearing the third male rat demon's words, the demon in black was rendered speechless.
Xu Lanyan crossed his arms and said, "What you said makes sense. Take your time then, we'll wait."