"Your Highness, we are about to enter the Qishan Mountains. Before we do, perhaps we should secure the first prize for this hunt!" Xiaogeng approached Luo Haitian, bowed deeply, and spoke.

"Oh? What wisdom does the Marquis of Weiwu possess?" Luo Haitian became interested, though his gaze flicked toward Ye Jingyu, who was near Luo Ruofeng.

"Your Highness, look here..." Xiaogeng pointed at the great eagle circling in the sky. "That is the first prize..."

"Heh heh, that great eagle must be thousands of feet high; ordinary arrows couldn't possibly reach it. However, I heard that the Earl of Zhongyong once commanded an archer capable of instantly killing fowl thousands of feet away. I wonder if the Earl of Zhongyong can match that feat..." the Crown Prince said lightly, looking at Ye Jingyu.

The words were sharp. If Ye Jingyu could shoot it down, it would only mean he was average. If he couldn't, wouldn't he be worse than his own subordinate?

This was a deliberate move to undermine Ye Jingyu's prestige...

But before Ye Jingyu could even speak, Xiaogeng interjected, "Your Highness, I too have heard of that archer's unparalleled skill. The Earl of Zhongyong apparently learned archery under him, so he likely doesn't possess that archer's ability. However, through years of relentless practice, I believe I can bring that great eagle down..."

Xiaogeng's words were even more biting, directly mocking Ye Jingyu's archery skills.

Upon hearing Xiaogeng's statement, no one present failed to grasp the intent of the two men—it was purely to humiliate Ye Jingyu...

The group of ladies following behind heard their exchange and showed expressions of curiosity. In the Southern Cloud Empire, there was once only Xiaogeng, and then the peerless figure, Ye Jingyu, appeared. These two were considered the twin prodigies of the empire, yet they had never truly dueled. Who was stronger remained a question in the hearts of many noble young ladies. Seeing Xiaogeng provoke Ye Jingyu first, it was only natural for these princesses and county mistresses to be excited.

Only Luo Ling'er’s eyes showed a trace of worry. Having grown up with Xiaogeng, she was well aware of his capabilities. He possessed a knack for warfare and strategy, and his own strength was unfathomable; to this day, no one knew the true extent of his power. Moreover, his archery was praised as surpassing all ages, though he rarely showed it off.

"Heh heh, while my attainments in archery may not be particularly profound, defeating you is still as easy as turning over my hand!" At this moment, Ye Jingyu coldly sneered and spoke lightly, his tone aggressively assertive, leaving no room for evasion...

Everyone was stunned, clearly unprepared for Ye Jingyu's bluntness. Xiaogeng, after all, had used a tentative tone. But Ye Jingyu directly declared his superiority while claiming modest skill in archery—didn't that imply he vastly surpassed Xiaogeng in other areas as well?

"The Earl of Zhongyong speaks with great arrogance?" Xiaogeng let out a cold snort upon hearing Ye Jingyu’s frank declaration.

"Indeed, why wouldn't I? I am factually stronger than you," Ye Jingyu replied without even glancing at Xiaogeng...

"You..." Xiaogeng was enraged. There were unwritten rules among the nobility; no matter how deep the enmity, one had to maintain appearances. Even sarcasm required tact. How could Ye Jingyu completely disregard these rules?

This fellow was practically a ruffian...

"Heh heh, let's not waste time on verbal sparring. How about this," the Crown Prince Luo Haitian said with a slight smile, "let you two step forward and see who can win the first prize for our hunt!"

"Agreed..." Xiaogeng and Ye Jingyu both roared out almost simultaneously.

"Then I shall personally serve as the judge. Prepare yourselves!" the Crown Prince smiled faintly, confident in Xiaogeng's archery prowess.

Ye Jingyu liked Luo Ling'er, and that girl seemed to return his affection. If he continually suppressed Ye Jingyu in front of Luo Ling'er, making her realize Xiaogeng was superior, he believed he could win her back. Then, he could surely strike a decisive blow against Ye Jingyu...

This was the calculation in Crown Prince Luo Haitian’s mind. Of course, if he knew that Luo Ling'er had already given her body and soul to Ye Jingyu, he would never have made such a foolish decision.

As for the others, especially the princesses and county mistresses, they all stared with palpable curiosity at the two figures at the front.

Xiaogeng's guard immediately stepped forward and handed him a golden longbow. It was unclear what material it was made from; it was carved with beautiful patterns and inscribed with numerous runes. Ye Jingyu, sharp-eyed, recognized it immediately as a Spirit Bow...

"What? Has the Earl of Zhongyong forgotten to bring his own bow? If so, I, this Marquis, can lend you this Dragon-Patterned Profound Bow... I can easily switch to another bow myself..." Luo Ruofeng said with a hint of mockery, observing Ye Jingyu’s empty hands.

"Dragon-Patterned Profound Bow? Is it forged from dragon bone?" Ye Jingyu asked faintly, his eyes fixed on the golden longbow. He noted its attractive shape and the powerful energy contained within it. Though it didn't give him the same sensation as the Sunset Divine Bow of the past, it was certainly stronger than the short bow used by Hu Yanmeng.

"Heh heh, I’m surprised the Earl of Zhongyong can recognize that it’s forged from dragon bone. Indeed, this is a supreme divine bow crafted from the bones of an ancient Celestial Dragon..." Xiaogeng sneered, his face twisting into a mockery...

Hearing Xiaogeng confirm it was truly dragon bone, the noblewomen gasped in awe. A Celestial Dragon—that was a creature of legend! They couldn't believe that something made from Celestial Dragon bone actually existed in this world... All eyes turned toward the golden great bow with shifting expressions of wonder...

After all, the longbow's design was inherently exquisite...

"Heh heh, the bow is fine, but you keep it for yourself. I worry that if you use another bow, you truly won't be able to shoot that far!" Ye Jingyu retorted with equal mockery.

"Earl of Zhongyong, what about your bow?" At this point, the Crown Prince finally spoke...

"Heh heh, my bow is forged from the energy of the Earth itself," Ye Jingyu stated calmly, slowly extending his left hand. A pitch-black longbow materialized in his grip...

It was a longbow condensed entirely from Earth Qi. Seeing this feat, everyone collectively sucked in a sharp breath. The noblewomen’s faces registered sheer horror, and their gaze toward Ye Jingyu changed again—this was essentially conjuring an object out of thin air! Even if it wasn't entirely solid...

Qin Yunxiao and Xiaogeng’s expressions shifted simultaneously; both could feel the profound, heavy aura emanating from that longbow...