0147 Overwhelmed!

Looking at the directional stone before them, Moumou quickly turned her head to seek Huanluo's opinion. Huanluo’s expression remained as cold and detached as ever, yet the mutual support they had provided each other over this period had built a rapport far beyond mere acquaintance. Their trust in one another had gradually deepened. Having witnessed Moumou’s capable performance in the forest, Huanluo did not hesitate to signal with her eyes, conveying a clear "I'm with you."

Having held her own these past few days, Moumou already had her own ideas. Consulting Huanluo was merely a precaution. Since Huanluo had no objections and was content to let her take the lead, Moumou no longer felt the need to be reserved. With a flick of her right hand, she strode forward, her actions declaring her decision.

In the vast forest, Moumou and Huanluo followed the footsteps of the mysterious entity. As time passed, the sun began its slow descent. The prolonged trek left both women hungry, but since the mysterious guide had not stopped, they dared not pause, fearing that any sign of incompetence might annoy their guide and lead to being abandoned halfway.

However, the path the mysterious entity had chosen was chillingly eerie. As they ventured deeper, the trees grew increasingly dense. Thick foliage blocked out the warmth of the sun, leaving only tiny slivers of light to guide the two humans. A cold, nocturnal breeze began to permeate the forest, sending shivers down Moumou’s spine. The ambient life they had previously sensed was fading; the gentle creatures and insects seemed to be disappearing, and the air grew heavy and stifling. A sense of danger and foreboding began to take root in Moumou’s heart.

She slowly raised her right hand, beginning to gather earth element energy. To make it easier for the mysterious entity to track them, Moumou usually deactivated her elemental shield during meal times. But as the danger and oppressive atmosphere intensified, she found it hard to bear. Besides, since the entity was trailing them, they weren't likely to get lost, so surely a shield wouldn't hurt. As she thought this, she began to weave her magical barrier.

No sooner had she formed a small, block-sized shield than the mysterious entity abruptly interrupted: "If you truly wish to reach the lake, drop the shield." A light, steady, and commanding female voice echoed in their ears. If one ignored the stilted phrasing and slow tempo, it possessed an ethereal, fairy-like quality—hollow, airy, and seemingly coming from nowhere.

Moumou immediately complied, dispelling her shield. As she did so, she looked around curiously, trying to locate the source of the voice. "But without this shield, I'm easily targeted by magical beasts. I can't fight them."

"There are entities here far more terrifying than magical beasts. If you activate a magical shield, you will be discovered by them instantly." The voice resonated from all directions. It was not loud, but the effect was as immersive as a high-end surround sound system. Moumou’s eyes darted frantically toward every corner of the forest, yet she could see no one.

"What could be more terrifying than magical beasts? Are they the legendary Night Wraiths?" Moumou’s mind raced, desperate to extract more information from this unknown girl. Of course, if she couldn't get information, listening to the girl’s ethereal voice was a fine consolation. "Mysterious miss, since you are so familiar with this forest, might I ask if you are human, a Night Wraith, or a magical beast in human form?"

"..." The forest remained silent.

"Not wanting to answer? That's fine, I have other questions," Moumou persisted. "May I ask your name, miss? Would you be comfortable sharing your age? It would be even better if you could provide your height, weight, and measurements—since I can't see you, it gives me something to imagine. Or perhaps you could share your hobbies or special talents?"

"..." The forest remained deathly quiet. Huanluo, with dark lines of frustration on her face, kept her head down and walked on, pretending she didn't know Moumou.

"If you don't like those questions, let's try another," Moumou tilted her head, looking troubled. "Do you have a boyfriend, a fiancé, or a husband? Are you open to a relationship between women?"

"..." Whether terrified by Moumou's words or simply indifferent, the mysterious girl only continued to toss stones to show the way, offering no further response. Moumou silently lowered her head, sulking and fiddling with her fingers. Huanluo looked away, choosing silence as well. They walked for an unknown duration until Moumou finally sensed a trace of vibrant water elemental energy amidst the heavy earth and wind elements.

*Plop. Plop.* The stone fell from the air for the last time, landing firmly on the ground and remaining still. Moumou grabbed Huanluo’s hand and ran excitedly in the direction the stone had indicated. The water elemental energy in the air grew stronger. Although the sun had dimmed, the dense, canopy-blocking forest gradually began to open up. As her field of vision expanded, Moumou ran while incoherently thanking the mysterious girl for her patient guidance. Even though she had no plan for what to do upon reaching the lake, the relief of finally escaping the forest’s aimless wandering drove her forward.

Her feet touched damp soil. After running for a while, she finally felt the reality of nearing the lake. Just as she was about to leap past two massive trees blocking her view to catch a glimpse of the lake she had searched for so long, a heavy weight suddenly pressed down on her head, pinning her.

Moumou struggled in confusion, but at that instant, a human hand clamped over her mouth. A pleasant, exotic scent drifted from the soft palm into her nose. Then, the pressure that had inexplicably appeared atop her head forced her entire body down until she was nearly pressed against the earth.

*Whoosh. Crash.*

At the very moment Moumou was forced to the ground, the two trees that had been blocking her view were struck by an unknown force. Two crisp sounds of wood snapping followed by the heavy thuds of the trees collapsing echoed in succession. Moumou barely had time to register the violent tremors before dust kicked up by the falling trees blinded her.