CHAPTER 331: CHAPTER 316: STOPPING ALL OF THIS

This not only tests the precision of the archer holding the arrow but also requires a perfect blend of strength, speed, and timing in releasing the arrow. Even a slight deviation would make it impossible to achieve this effect.

For a moment, the crowd’s gaze toward Yun Ran was filled with scrutiny and deep thought.

Yun Ran did not look at the crowd’s reaction. She walked straight to Prince Rui, raised the bow in her hand, and said, "Prince Rui, shall we?"

Prince Rui: "..."

If he refused, wouldn’t it seem as if he was afraid of her?

But if he agreed, wouldn’t it mean letting Nangong Mo, that cripple, go? He had been thinking of taking this rare opportunity to humiliate him well.

With so many eyes watching and Yun Ran’s previous shot at Lin Zhu’er, if Prince Rui really refused, who knows how he would be gossiped about in private!

A stick of incense later, at the shooting range.

Everything was ready, and both of them chose suitable crossbows. Prince Rui proposed that they not shoot at a target.

Instead, a ring-shaped jade pendant was tied to a large tree a hundred meters away. The two stood on the shooting platform, shooting arrows through the circular ring of the jade pendant to be considered a pass.

The competition consisted of three rounds, with the best of three winning.

The winner could make a request to the loser; as long as it did not violate morals or reason, the losing side would have to fulfill it unconditionally.

Prince Rui had already planned his request: Make that cripple Nangong Mo participate in all the hunting rounds!

From tomorrow’s first hunt to the last hunt on the twelfth day, he must attend all of them without missing a single one!

Let everyone take a good look at his current crippled demeanor!

Feeling good, his smile became a bit more genuine, "Sister-in-law, you are a woman, I will give you a head start of three steps."

Prince Rui said, taking three large steps back, almost standing at the edge of the shooting platform, looking dashing and graceful.

Applause immediately erupted from the crowd below, accompanied by cheering calls:

"Prince Rui truly has an extraordinary demeanor! These three steps back must be five meters, right?"

"That’s a hundred and five meters! Truly deserving of our Prince Rui!"

Yun Ran silently rolled her eyes in her heart. A hundred and five meters or a hundred meters, is there a difference?

Besides, who cares about that five-meter head start?

Look at him looking so smug, like a pompous peacock!

"Sister-in-law, please go first?"

Keeping with the gentlemanly demeanor of letting the lady go first, Prince Rui politely raised his hand, making a gesture of ’please’.

Yun Ran, however, refused and let him go first.

Prince Rui thought to himself, she must be afraid! He gave a meaningful smile, spoke a few polite falsehoods, and then drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and shot it in one fluid motion.

The arrow flew with a whistling sound towards the jade pendant a hundred meters away, passing through the ring amid gasps of astonishment.

The attendant responsible for collecting arrows immediately shouted loudly, "He hit! Prince Rui hit!"

The sound of a gong signaled that Prince Rui had added a point.

Prince Rui became increasingly confident, smiling at Yun Ran, "Sister-in-law, it’s your turn, please!"

Yun Ran twirled the arrow carelessly between her fingers, lazily suggesting, "Why doesn’t Prince Rui shoot the remaining two arrows at once? It would be more efficient."

Upon hearing this, Prince Rui chuckled lightly, "It’s the first time I’ve seen a competition like this; it’s quite interesting!"

"Then let’s do as my sister-in-law suggests."

Prince Rui once again drew his bow and aimed at the jade pendant a hundred meters away, laughing inwardly:

Ha! Certainly lacking confidence, afraid! Where was that arrogant attitude earlier?

Ignorant mad woman! See if you’ll be crying later!

Prince Rui fired two arrows in succession with flair and vigor.

One arrow pierced through the circular ring on the jade pendant, while the other was slightly off, grazing the outer edge of the jade pendant, causing the spectators to sigh in regret.

But they soon applauded and cheered for Prince Rui, celebrating his victory.

Since he hit the ring with two arrows, according to the best of three rules, he was already on the verge of victory.

Unless Yun Ran could hit the target with all three arrows, only then could she be considered the winner.

Although everyone had witnessed her previous shot at Lin Zhu’er and believed her archery was excellent, shooting through the jade pendant a hundred meters away was akin to threading a needle at a hundred paces, a difficulty not easily overcome.

Prince Rui’s archery skills were already exceptional, yet he only hit two arrows.

To hit all three arrows is, without exaggeration, as difficult as ascending to the heavens!

Therefore, the crowd thought that if Yun Ran could match Prince Rui with two successful arrows, it would be quite exceptional!

Some even thought that if she could hit one arrow, she would already demonstrate quite a skill.

Of course, there were some who kept praying silently in their hearts: Don’t hit! Don’t hit! Let her embarrass herself!

Amidst the varied gazes, Yun Ran remained composed, her bow drawn like a full moon, three arrows lined on the string, aiming at the jade pendant a hundred meters away.

There was a moment of silence among the crowd, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Then came a murmur of whispers:

"Good heavens! Is she planning to shoot all three arrows at once? Is she crazy? You can’t play like that!"

"Honestly, I once had the good fortune to witness Prince Qin do the same, hitting all three arrows! But Prince Qin is, after all, Prince Qin, not everyone is him."

"Prince Rui’s achievements already put pressure on her; it’s inevitable she feels overwhelmed momentarily, becoming muddled-headed!"

"If she shoots them one by one, she might hit one. Shooting them all together like this may lead to complete failure!"

"..."

Amidst the criticisms, three arrows shot forth like meteors, breaking through the sky, soaring with the wind, aiming for the jade pendant with a thunderous determination.

Everyone was watching the jade pendant intently.

Some were purely curious about the result.

Others were just waiting for her to make a fool of herself.

However, the three arrows passed through one after another, piercing through the ring of the jade pendant in succession.

The arrow collector was stunned for several seconds before he excitedly shouted, "It’s hit, it’s all hit! Princess Qin hit all three arrows!!!"

The vast arena was deathly silent; only the sound of the howling wind could be heard.

The crowd’s mood: Shock! Stupor! Unbelievable!

Whether they were curious about the result or waiting for her failure, without exception, they were all shocked!

Prince Rui abruptly turned to look at Yun Ran, his emotions surging like a storm.

How could this be possible?!

How could she possibly do this?!

Yet, amidst the crisp wind, the young girl stood poised, her garment fluttering, her skirt billowing, her gaze indifferent yet composed, exuding unmatched grace and charm.

As if she was meant to be this way, nothing seemed impossible for her.

Prince Rui secretly clenched his fist, his eyes flickering with varied and unpredictable emotions.

He could not admit defeat!

Just like Prince Rui, those waiting to see Yun Ran’s embarrassment were unwilling to accept this fact, none more furious than Lin Yanran!

She was more enraged, resentful, and unwilling than if she herself had lost the contest!

How could Lin Wanyue win!

How could she steal the limelight before everyone!

Something must be done to stop this!

How to stop it?

Just as Lin Yanran was rapidly contemplating her countermeasures, someone suddenly spoke up:

"This isn’t fair!"

"It’s said: Start strong, weaken, and then exhaust. She didn’t state the competition rules beforehand, causing Prince Rui to pause."

"You and I saw clearly, Prince Rui only missed the second arrow, which happened to be after the pause, clearly affected!"

"Moreover, when Prince Rui was shooting, there was a gust of wind that blew the jade pendant, significantly increasing the difficulty of hitting it."

"Besides, our Prince Rui originally gave her a head start of three steps! The shooting distance was actually a hundred and five meters!"