0134 Come, let us battle to our hearts' content!

However, these confounding issues were not for Moumou and Huanluo to solve. They had traveled all the way to Aicasia simply because it was the only route leading to the southern edge of the Magic Beast Forest, not to engage in some grand quest to solve its mysteries. Therefore, they only needed to use their wits to figure out how to pass through Aicasia unscathed.

"That's right. Getting out of Aicasia is our primary goal," Moumou said, brandishing the detailed map kindly sponsored by General Andy. She looked at Huanluo with a confident and resolute expression. "So, you just need to wait on the sidelines. Once I trigger the magic circle and create a commotion, you charge in, grab me, and run for your life toward the Magic Beast Forest. Got it?"

Huanluo continued to look at Moumou with a calm expression, but through her slightly accelerated breathing, Moumou sensed that Huanluo was already mentally preparing for the strategy. Sure enough, after a short while, Huanluo silently moved forward, seeking a hiding spot that would allow her to stay close enough to Moumou without being detected. Moumou followed slowly, keeping a careful distance. She knew her own limitations; her footsteps were far from the soundless grace of Huanluo, and she could only rely on a wind element barrier to dampen her presence. She found a spot behind Huanluo that provided cover while remaining relatively close to Aicasia.

The pitch-black night served as the perfect shroud. Huanluo stood ready, regulating her breathing while waiting for the opportunity. Moumou raised a finger and began tracing patterns in the air. Ever since she had been baptized by magical elements twice, she had clearly felt her body’s perception and affinity for magic improve significantly. She was essentially a human magic-sensing machine, far more efficient than any wand. Consequently, she had simply abandoned the use of wands, which were inconvenient to carry and prone to breaking, and instead relied on direct manipulation.

The necessary magic circle manifested naturally in her mind. The advanced spells of the four-element mage, which she had once thought she would never use, were now easily within her reach. Yet, the person who had once forced her to memorize all of this had become the sharpest thorn in her heart—a thorn that could never be pulled out.

She drew the required symbols and imprints, carefully arranging them within the formation. The transparent magical energy was invisible to the naked eye in the dark, but Moumou could clearly sense the gradually intensifying power within it. Pale golden magic elements surged from the ground, coalescing into the transparent energy. The entire circle began to emit a faint, golden glow. Moumou softly chanted an incantation; the long, complex spell caused the golden elements in the air to thicken until even in the darkness, they looked like flickering fireflies. However, thanks to the solid stone wall shielding her, the magic beasts guarding Aicasia nearby did not notice her presence.

In the quiet night, even the energetic, dedicated gatekeeper beasts—the Barbarian Horned Beasts—began to lose focus. The Barbarian Horned Beast was the most suitable creature for guarding gates; they were sturdy, massive, and resembled the oxen of Moumou's world, though far larger and with cyan-colored skin. Their horns, backed by immense charging force, could shatter sturdy human city gates. Furthermore, they possessed a calm disposition and endurance unmatched by most other beasts, making them ideal sentries.

Unfortunately, after a long period of peace, even their patience had begun to wear thin. Besides, this narrow pass allowed them to see everything clearly, and Aicasia, protected by layers of powerful beasts, seemed impenetrable to any petty trespasser. In any case, it felt like it would be another calm night... or so they thought. A Barbarian Horned Beast stretched its neck and glanced up at the sky.

Rumble—a sudden, earth-shaking tremor jolted the distracted beasts back to reality. The intense earthquake caused panic, but their disciplined nature helped them regain composure quickly. The cliff standing beside them seemed to be teetering. The beasts struggled to steady themselves while signaling their brothers inside the city gate to open it, allowing them to retreat to a more open area. The beasts inside saw the situation and immediately opened the gate.

Creak... The gates of Aicasia opened quietly. The beasts outside rushed in, and those inside hurried to close the gate behind them. But at that very moment, the beast pushing the door suddenly froze.

The "earthquake" seemed to cease instantly. The beasts found their feet trapped in the now muddy and sticky ground, unable to move anything below their shins. A strong, familiar sensation washed over them. They exchanged glances, all thinking the same thing: Could it be that the mage who used those strange spells had returned?

Just as the beasts locked eyes, Moumou stepped out from the darkness. A pale golden glow enveloped her, forming a sturdy shield, with ribbons of golden magical energy swirling around her, ready to shift from defense to offense at any moment. Moumou walked toward the Aicasia gate, step by step, with an unstoppable momentum. Her cold, sneering expression made her look like the quintessential woman scorned, only missing a banner that read "Down with all heartless scoundrels."

Deceived by her ruse, the Barbarian Horned Beasts struggled with bloodshot eyes, attempting a counterattack. Their swelling forms and ferocious expressions indicated they were entering a frenzy. Suddenly, the beast furthest from Moumou completed its frenzy first. With a stomp, it shattered the earth-trapping spell. Its sharp horn glinted coldly in the night, and with its enlarged body, it charged straight at Moumou without mercy.