"Pei Yan! How dare you ignore me! You coward! Shameless wretch! A coward who chooses a woman as an opponent! Is this the spirit of the Foundation Dimension? It's truly nauseating!"

Facing Flamel's nearly hysterical accusations, Pei Yan seemed much calmer and responded indifferently, "I have the right to choose my opponent, and you can also choose to refuse."

Flamel turned angrily, about to order Moira to refuse Pei Yan's challenge and face him instead, but was met with Moira's cold gaze. Before he could speak, Moira coldly said, "Flamel, I may choose to refuse Pei Yan's invitation, but don't forget that I am equal in status as a Child of Origin. My compliance with you is out of respect for your status, not a reason for you to command me at will. In such a situation, I need to maintain my dignity, not exist as your accessory!"

"Uh... I...!" Flamel swallowed his words upon hearing Moira's statement. As an equal Child of Origin, Moira had indeed shown him enough respect. To publicly abandon a challenge against him in front of major forces and countless spectators was indeed a great insult for a strong person.

Thinking of this, Flamel changed his approach, saying, "I'm just concerned about your safety, afraid you might not be Pei Yan's match."

"Do you think you can definitely beat him?" Moira questioned aloud.

"Are you doubting me?" Being questioned by his partner made it difficult for Flamel to maintain his composure, growling lowly.

"I'm stating the facts!" Moira finished and then whispered into Flamel's ear. Whatever she said transformed Flamel's expression from anger to delight, and after a moment, he nodded, indicating he agreed with her suggestion.

After the discussion, Flamel backed off outside the competition line, looking at Pei Yan with disdain and mockery, "Pei Yan, I really overestimated you. When it came down to it, you're just a coward who avoids men and only targets women."

"Tsk tsk, don't say that!" Pei Yan responded to Flamel's mockery, shaking his hand while scoffing, "You know, the first lesson the instructor taught me in the investigation office was never to underestimate women! The example given was witches in the Magic Realm; they're the stronger entities. Isn't this a common fact among major dimensions? To me, there's no gender difference, only the division between strength and weakness. Since you were once defeated by me, instead of choosing someone with whom I've already fought with nothing new, I'd rather pick someone stronger as an opponent; it's more interesting!"

"You! Haha, well then, Pei Yan, enjoy this battle; you'll regret it!" Flamel, after being rebutted, laughed instead of being angry and left with a harsh remark.

With no objections remaining, it smoothly transitioned into the competition process. As before, when Pei Yan and Moira stood on the light circle representing the contestants, the scene shifted again, the arena array activated, and non-contestants were transported out of the arena.

"Ah! How did you convince that windbag to give up the competition spot! Honestly, just seeing that guy gives me a headache." Walking out of the light circle and stretching, Pei Yan gazed at Moira and lamented.

"Pei Yan, please mind your language! He's my teammate and might be my future fiancé! Do you think our relationship is so close that I'd share such matters with you?"

Upon hearing Moira mention fiancé, Pei Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud, unsure whether to sympathize with Moira or Flamel at this moment. But to ensure his plan proceeded smoothly and to thoroughly reveal Moira's true colors, he held back his laughter, spread his hands helplessly, and said, "It's nothing more than the strategy of matching horses in the races. Oh! Maybe your world doesn't have this idiom. Let me put it in terms you understand: You're using this inferior horse to replace my superior horse, allowing your other two companions to defeat mine. Since I'm not the last contestant in the lineup, there's no chance for a one-against-three comeback, right?"

"Knowing this outcome could occur, why did you actively jump in and challenge me? Oh, right, you feared that Flamel would initiate a fight to the death first, taking initiative, didn't you? Engaging in battle prematurely for your pride, is this really wise?" Moira replied, covering her mouth with a smile and countering.

"I said it—Flamel is just a windbag who only spouts empty words. Not only do I think so, but my teammates do too. In my eyes, you, like him, are that inferior horse! Regardless of whether I intervene, your outcome is failure."

Pei Yan's repeated mockery finally ignited Moira's anger, her eyebrows arching as she mocked with a cold smile, teeth bright as she said, "Pei Yan, are you so sure you'll definitely beat me?"

"Ah! Absolutely! Honestly, you think the same, don't you? Since everyone shares this thought, why waste time? Just concede and leave the stage. I won't pursue you relentlessly, allowing your plan to proceed faster and the battle to end sooner, isn't that better?" Pei Yan replied pointedly, continuing to taunt.

Now, what Pei Yan wanted was for Moira to be provoked by his words, to fight him with all her might in the upcoming battle, giving him the chance to expose her flaws and reveal her true nature to the audience. If Moira actually didn't fall for it and left the stage, Pei Yan would be the one regretful enough to wish he could turn back time.

Fortunately, whether it was the former Little Vlad or the current Moira, neither had a broad mind. Provoked repeatedly, then spurred on by new and old grievances, she couldn't contain her anger any longer. With a swift movement, she exclaimed, "Then let's see who's really the inferior horse in this battle! Spatial Rend!"

As soon as her words fell, changes began around Pei Yan. The effects of the fierce spatial rend distorted Pei Yan's image externally, but at the center of the attack, he remained unfazed, not even activating mechanization. He simply snapped his fingers, causing the sound of shattering glass to ring out, nullifying the spatial distortion effects.

"Hehehe, looks like the rumors about you acquiring Disruption in the Demon Race are true. Have you finally filled the gap in your capability panel with spatial skills?" Moira chuckled lightly, having probed and gotten the answers she wanted.