A violent storm hurled Moon Owl through the air, slamming her hard onto the ground. She tore open the space behind her, aiming to drop straight down—but Aphrodite’s chains and Hrubess’s Mana-Sealing Magic Spell caused her mana and body to falter slightly. The Zone Fifteen Guardian’s wind effortlessly yanked her from the spatial rift and tossed her midair.

Wind blades sliced through Moon Owl’s Magic Layer, cutting deep into muscle, bone, and flesh. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she shattered Aphrodite’s chains and Hrubess’s spell—but her strength was nearly gone. She could only plummet downward.

Exhaustion weighed on her. Her limbs felt leaden, vision dimming. *Don’t sleep,* she warned herself. *If I sleep now… I may never wake.*

The Zone Fifteen Guardian planted a boot on Moon Owl’s chest. A flicker of conflict crossed her eyes—quickly suppressed. Gripping her jet-black longsword, she prepared the final strike against the exhausted Moon Owl.

The blade thrust toward Moon Owl’s heart—then froze dead on contact. Every Cantata Three turned toward the source of the mana. A petite figure stepped through space, teeth clenched as if bearing immense weight.

It was Illusory Glass.

In her other small hand, she clutched a key—a key that seized every gaze.

“Let… her go. I’ll give you the key.”

Illusory Glass’s mana drained rapidly. She could barely hold back the Guardian’s blade. The black sword slowly broke free of time’s grip, inching toward Moon Owl’s chest.

“But you’re all alone~” Hrubess taunted. “Kill Moon Owl, deal with you—the key stays ours… So, move!”

Hrubess hurled the Mana-Sealing Spell first. Illusory Glass had anticipated it. She’d planned a “trade”: rescue Moon Owl and retreat. But they refused to negotiate. The power gap was vast—true negotiation required parity. Acting alone had been optimistic.

Yet Illusory Glass wasn’t unprepared. The time freeze had bought crucial seconds. With Thunder Slash’s speed, rescue was possible.

The instant the sword tip neared Moon Owl’s chest, lightning streaked across the rubble, sweeping Moon Owl into a protective embrace. Thunder Slash had arrived.

“Thank you…” Moon Owl coughed twice, blood welling from her lungs. Her injuries were severe. Surviving four Cantata Threes’ assault marked her as a prodigious Magic Maiden with boundless potential.

“Don’t speak. Leave the rest to us.” Thunder Slash’s calm words soothed her. Moon Owl nodded weakly. Gently laid on a stretcher, she was met by medical staff the moment they moved—Blade had already arranged it.

Thunder Slash melted into shadow. No holding back now. She lunged at the four atop the ruins with a single decisive strike, ordering Illusory Glass to retreat while she held the line.

The moment Illusory Glass turned, Hrubess blocked her path. The Mana-Sealing Spell descended. Illusory Glass’s mana faded, reverting her to an ordinary girl.

“Did you think you were alone?” Hrubess sneered. Earth spikes erupted beneath her feet. Two steps back—blocked by a thick ice wall. Trapped, Hrubess snatched the key from Illusory Glass’s hand.

No sooner had she seized it than lightning surged toward her. Qiu Sheng stood behind Illusory Glass. Two steps back would break the spell’s range—but Hrubess wouldn’t allow it. She knew time magic’s danger.

Rumor said a time wielder’s death triggered a rewind. So Hrubess avoided killing—only severing legs. But a faint blue barrier flashed before Illusory Glass.

“Run!”

Illusory Glass didn’t hesitate. A brief glance at the key in Hrubess’s grip—then she fled.

Before the spatial rift stood a girl in moss-green Magic Armor. Her attire flowed like dawn mist—light, ethereal, wrapping her petite frame in dreamlike grace. The hem swayed like cloud wisps; delicate lace trimmed cuffs and hem. A slender sash accentuated her waist.

She nodded to Illusory Glass, hand extended.

“Let’s go.”

She pulled her up. Hair cascaded like a silken waterfall. Pale as jade, eyes clear as water, a gentle smile gracing her lips—warm as the rising sun.

Illusory Glass froze for seconds. *Qianchun?* But… hadn’t she lost the ability to use Magic Stones?

“This was entrusted to me by Yuan Dai,” Qianchun said.

Illusory Glass pieced it together—but pursuers were close. No time. She seized Qianchun’s hand and vanished into the rift.

“Where’s the real key?”

Illusory Glass asked. She’d never surrender the genuine one. The replica was crude, but Hrubess, distracted, likely hadn’t noticed.

Now advancing underground, they knew: four united Cantata Threes were beyond Twelfth District’s strength. Moon Owl and Thunder Slash would hold the front—confident in one-on-one victories. Their mission: split the enemy. Bait laid, attention drawn. The plan, agreed in council, was unfolding.

Ahead lay the trap site. Aklatia had prepared a “gift” for the incoming Cantata Three: the Divine Destruction Weapon. Forged post-catastrophe using Church and black-market tech, built within repurposed Jiuqiong University defense walls (high-grade fragments). Inside, a pulse mechanism based on Mechanical Arm principles. Upon activation, contained mana would detonate, ricochet off Obsidian Stone walls—reaching Cantata Three-level devastation. With Illusory Glass’s Time Acceleration, full power in ten seconds. Qianchun’s duty: endure ten seconds, then retreat deep.

“Everything is ready…”

Back on the battlefield, Hrubess tossed the key away. The Fourth Pillar of the Three Pillars examined it—then crushed the fake to dust. She eyed the half-sealed rift, ready to pursue—but multicolored attacks pinned her down. Thunder Slash fought two Cantata Threes alone, her ferocity overwhelming the Zone Fifteen Guardian and Aphrodite.

“Seems I must go,” the Fourth Pillar murmured. “An uneasy feeling… but what can two Cantata Twos truly do?” Claws tore open the rift. She dove in. Moon Owl, on her sickbed, sensed the intrusion and sealed all channels—leaving only one.

“So this is your secret base? Crude… Wait. High-grade Obsidian Stone.” Her fingers traced the wall, sparking embers—but left no mark.

Qianchun emerged from shadow, adjusting her moss-green Magic Armor. Abyssal Aura and mana coiled around her.

“You gathered all mana and Abyssal Aura onto yourself—cutting off my replenishment. Clever. And…” The Fourth Pillar scanned her. “You carry a master’s scent. Not a pure Magic Maiden… It’s your Magic Stone.”

Qianchun stiffened. *How did she see that?* But the device was already active.

The chamber sealed. A soft light bloomed in the dim space.

“Time Acceleration, five times!”

Time flooded the room. A protective glow enveloped Qianchun. For all but the Fourth Pillar, time flowed fivefold—Illusory Glass’s limit.

Qianchun moved instantly. Fingers pressed together, arm sweeping—a silent wind blade slashed the Fourth Pillar’s robe, leaving a bloody gash.

“That stings… A mere Cantata Two, empowered by time? I’ll reinforce my Magic Layer.”

Before the words faded, Qianchun struck again. Yet the Fourth Pillar matched her movements under accelerated time—nearly outpacing her.

“A strange energy… a hint of threat.”

“Time’s up!” Illusory Glass shouted. She poured every drop of mana into the space. Time surged beyond fivefold. Qianchun understood—grabbed Illusory Glass—and vanished.

Alone, the Fourth Pillar faced the blazing chamber. A heart-pounding mana wave slammed against her Magic Layer.

“I see… This isn’t weak.”

She drew a golden chalice, filled it with blood, and drained it in one gulp.